Drake, UNI: Monsters of the Missouri Valley

CEDAR FALLS — Talk about a bargain.

Sole leadership of the Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball lead is on the line Friday, when Drake and Northern Iowa collide in the first chapter of a two- (or more likely, three-) act drama.

Tipoff is 7 p.m. at the McLeod Center. And admission is free.

'Honestly, it's a big game just because it's the next game,' UNI Coach Tanya Warren said.

Yeah, but it's more than that.

As the MVC schedule hits the halfway mark, the race consists of these two teams, and nobody else.

Both squads are 15-4 overall, 8-0 in the MVC. The next closest teams have three conference losses.

'It's always a fun game,' said Drake point guard Caitlin Ingle, the MVC's all-time career leader in assists. 'Everybody gets up for it.'

'It's definitely going to be a battle,' countered UNI's Madison Weekly. 'We're two different teams with two different styles.'

According to a poll on CollegeInsider.com, Drake is rated the No. 2 mid-major team in the nation. UNI is No. 6.

The Bulldogs have victories over major programs like Iowa and Nebraska and an RPI of 38. UNI has downed Creighton and Kansas State and owns an RPI of 53.

'I think, if we keep winning, both of us have legitimate shots at (NCAA tournament) at-large bids,' Drake Coach Jennie Baranczyk said.

Of course, an automatic bid awaits the MVC tournament champion, and these teams are sure to be seeded 1-2 for that event, March 9-12 at Moline, Ill.

UNI and Drake are MVC travel partners. For instance, on road trips, UNI will play at Wichita State on Friday, then go to Missouri State for a Sunday contest. Drake would play the same teams on opposite days.

Same goes for home stands.

'We're a hard road trip for the rest of the league,' Baranczyk said.

Warren agrees.

'I think what makes it so difficult is that we play contrasting styles,' Warren said. 'So whoever plays one of us on a Sunday just has one day to prepare.'

Drake can light up a scoreboard and fill a stat sheet. The Bulldogs are 10th in the nation offensively (83.2 points per game) and third in assists (22.2 per game).

Ingle rates second individually at 8.1 assists per game, and Lizzy Wendell's 22.6 points per contest ranks seventh.

'It's a fun style to play, and I think we're a fun team to watch,' Ingle said.

UNI is more defense-oriented. The Panthers average 65 points per game, and allow 58.

Weekly runs the show for the Panthers. Now a senior, the Benton Community alum has blossomed into one of UNI's all-time greats.

'Look in the dictionary for the definition of 'student-athlete,' and Madison Weekly's picture should be in there,' Warren said. 'When it comes to chemistry, work ethic, everything we want ... she's it.'

Becoming a vocal leader isn't something that came naturally, or easily, for Weekly.

'It's something I've really had to work on,' she said. 'I'm kind of someone who is more comfortable sitting back and listening.'

One of eight Iowans on the UNI roster, Weekly leads her team at 15.4 points per game. Ellie Herzberg (Manson-NW Webster), Mikaela Morgan (Iowa City West) and Megan Maahs (Western Dubuque) add 10.9, 7.9 and 7.1 points per game, respectively.

'(Our connection with Iowans) goes way back,' Warren said. 'When I started as an assistant, (former coach) Tony (DiCecco) said you can put out a very good product, and you can win, with kids from our state.'

Baranczyk has followed the same blueprint. In 2012, she inherited a team with no Iowans. Now, there are five.

A senior from Southeast Polk, Ingle was the first to climb aboard.

'I saw and heard her vision of the program, and it was an easy decision,' Ingle said.

Becca Hittner, a freshman from West Des Moines Dowling, is second for the Bulldogs in scoring at 11.6 points per game. The roster also includes Paige Greiner (Williamsburg) and 2015 Miss Iowa Basketball Nicole Miller (North Linn).

'I love what we've built here,' Baranczyk said. 'UNI has gotten a lot of good Iowa kids, and that's what we've tried to do, too.'

The rematch is Feb. 24 at Des Moines.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com