The bracket for the 2026 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament was announced on Monday. The seventh-seeded Valparaiso University team is set to play against the 10th-seeded Indiana State on Thursday at 6 p.m. in St. Louis at the Enterprise Center.
The winner of this game will move on to face second-seeded Bradley on Friday at 6 p.m. From there, the journey continues with a semifinal matchup on Saturday at 5 p.m., leading to the championship game on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Valpo has had an impressive season, achieving its highest number of wins and winning percentage since joining the Missouri Valley Conference in 2017. Under head coach Roger Powell Jr., the team enters the tournament on a high note, having won four of their last five games.
Fans can join a sendoff event at the Union Station Hotel starting at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The team is expected to leave around 4:30-5 p.m. While there is a $25 registration fee for those who want food and drink tickets, attendance is free for everyone else.
For those unable to get to Arch Madness on their own, Valpo Athletics is providing a free shuttle service from campus to the Amtrak Station in Joliet, Illinois. The shuttle will leave on Thursday morning at 6 a.m., allowing fans to catch the 8:12 a.m. train, which arrives in St. Louis at noon.
Fans should remember to arrange their own transportation and accommodation while in St. Louis. A return shuttle will be available after Valpo’s last game or the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday.
Upcoming Game Schedule:
Thursday, March 5
- 3:30 p.m. – Game 1: Southern Illinois vs. Drake
- 6:00 p.m. – Game 2: Valparaiso vs. Indiana State
- 8:30 p.m. – Game 3: UNI vs. Evansville
Friday, March 6
- 12:00 p.m. – Game 4: Belmont vs. Game 1 winner
- 2:30 p.m. – Game 5: Murray State vs. UIC
- 6:00 p.m. – Game 6: Bradley vs. Game 2 winner
- 8:30 p.m. – Game 7: Illinois State vs. Game 3 winner
Saturday, March 7
- 2:30 p.m. – Game 8: Winners of Games 4 and 5
- 5:00 p.m. – Game 9: Winners of Games 6 and 7
Sunday, March 8
- 11:00 a.m. – MVC Championship Game
With exciting matchups ahead, fans are looking forward to an action-packed tournament. According to recent surveys, college basketball garners significant viewer interest, especially among young adults, highlighting the importance of events like these in fostering community and camaraderie.
For more detailed information, fans can visit the tournament’s official site or related news outlets.
