Five observations on Valpo's Valley schedule

MBB: Conference slate released; Beacons to play 20 Valley games

The buzz started growing in the Vibrant Arena ballroom in Moline on Wednesday afternoon. As the Missouri Valley Conference wrapped up its Title IX Celebration luncheon, league officials emailed out the 2022-23 conference schedule to all of the schools.

Coaches, athletic directors and administrators were suddenly jumping up from their tables and staring into their phones. Rival coaches were talking to each other, comparing notes. All the while the Valley administrators sat back and waited for the onslaught of feedback to come in.

It’s no easy thing to put out an 18-game schedule that will please all 10 conference teams. The task got all the more difficult this year as the Valley expanded to 12 league members and a 20-game conference slate.

The conference announced the men’s schedule on Thursday morning and the women’s schedule is expected to be released on Friday. Here are five observations regarding Valparaiso’s schedule.