ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Valley Conference Championship game is set as No. 1 seed Drake takes on No. 2 seed Bradley in the finale of Arch Madness today at the Enterprise Center. The Bulldogs and Braves will battle for the MVC Tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in what promises to be an intense showdown.
Drake (29-3) enters the championship game riding a six-game winning streak, having rallied past Belmont in the semifinals behind MVC Player of the Year Bennett Stirtz, who scored 24 points, including 16 in the second half. The Bulldogs, under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, have been a force all season, setting a school record for wins while aiming for their second conference tournament title in the last four years.
Bradley (23-9) secured its spot in the final with a hard-fought victory over Indiana State, powered by a balanced offensive attack and strong defensive play. The Braves, led by head coach Brian Wardle, are seeking their first MVC Tournament championship since 2019 and a return to the NCAA Tournament.
The two teams met twice during the regular season, splitting the series. Drake claimed a 77-68 victory at home in January, while Bradley evened the score with a 74-66 win in Peoria last month. Both teams boast top-tier defenses, with Drake ranking near the top of the MVC in steals and Bradley being one of the conference’s best in defending the three-point line.
Key matchups to watch include Bennett Stirtz vs. Bradley’s Rienk Mast in the paint, while Bradley guard Duke Deen will look to slow down Drake’s perimeter shooting.
With an MVC title and NCAA Tournament berth on the line, expect a physical, high-energy battle in St. Louis as these two powerhouses collide. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM CT on CBS.
The Barn 