The Purple Aces his Sunday having covered for straight after a near-miss at midweek vs. loop leader Drake, which had to scrap for a 65-61 win. As has been the case for much of the past month, when he's been the hottest scorer in the Valley. EKU transfer G Tayshawn Comer scored another 20 points, the sixth time he's hit 20+ in the last nine as the offense has found a sharper edge from earlier in the season. The Redbirds know all about Comer, who hit for 19 when the Aces romped over ISU by a 69-51 count back on January 8. The Redbirds continue to fly erratically, losing four of six, with the defense allowing 80+ three times in the last five. Play Evansville

Arch Madness is just around the corner but still time to capitalize on some of these Missouri Valley trends...especially with Evansville. First, the Purple Aces have been winning and covering more often once the calendar turned to 2025. Second, and more pronounced, have been a spate of over results once MVC play commenced. To wit: Evansville is over its last four and 10 of its last 12, more roughly coinciding with flashy frosh G Gabriel Pozzato (15.5 ppg) returning to active duty in January. Meanwhile, Illinois State, while a bit up-and-down, has also been strongly trending over as the season winds down (five straight, 8-1 the last nine, 12-2 the last 14). Play Evansville-Illinois State Over