MOLINE, Ill. — The Missouri Valley Conference Women's Tournament returns to the Quad Cities this week.
Known to Valley fans as "Hoops in the Heartland," the 2024 tournament marks the ninth straight in the Quad Cities. It kicked off Thursday, March 14, at noon when Southern Illinois faced off against Indiana State at Vibrant Arena at The MARK. That's the first of 11 games that will end with the championship game on Sunday, March 17.
12 teams will compete for the championship, with the winner earning an automatic bid to next week's NCAA Tournament.
Drake University enters the tournament as the favorite to win, having secured the regular season title.
Here's a rundown of the tournament schedule.
First Round Games (March 14)
- No. 8 Southern Illinois vs. No. 9 Indiana State
- 12 p.m., ESPN+
- No. 5 Illinois State vs. No. 12 Evansville
- 2:30 p.m., ESPN+
- No. 7 UIC vs. No. 10 Valparaiso
- 6 p.m., ESPN+
- No. 6 Murray State vs. No. 11 Bradley
- 8:30 p.m., ESPN+
Quarterfinals (March 15)
- No. 1 Drake vs. Southern Illinois/Indiana State
- 12 p.m., ESPN+
- No. 4 UNI vs. Illinois State/Evansville
- 2:30 p.m., ESPN+
- No. 2 Belmont vs. UIC/Valparaiso
- 6 p.m., ESPN+
- No. 3 Missouri State vs. Murray State/Bradley
- 8:30 p.m., ESPN+
Semi-finals (March 16)
Semi-finals contests will air at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 on ESPN+.
Championship (March 17)
The championship match will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, and will air on ESPN2.
According to Visit Quad Cities, the tournament is the longest standalone neutral site for women's basketball in the nation.
Commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference Jeff Jackson says he's proud to see the growth in women's basketball.
"During the course of the season, we certainly have seen an increase in interest in women's basketball in our conference, and that's a good thing," Jackson said. "It's great to have tournaments like this because it gives our athletes a chance to have a standalone tournament, which is not always the most common thing in women's basketball."
Debbie Clubb is the mother of Paige Clubb, who is a player on the Southern Illinois Salukis women's basketball team. She says the growth of women's basketball should inspire many generations to come.
"Caitlin Clark has done a great deal for women's sports, especially basketball because it's igniting a younger generation to watch," Clubb added. "It makes me excited. Girls can play ball and it's incredible to see the recognition that these players deserve.
Single-session tickets are available at the Vibrant Arena box office and online. Tickets for all 11 games are $65. Prices for single-session tickets vary depending on the seat.
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