1997 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament

none July 2023 March 2026 1997 Missouri Valley Conference I Men's 10 Kiel Center St. Louis, Missouri Illinois State 3rd Kevin Stallings 1st Rico Hill Illinois State The 1997 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament was played after the conclusion of the 1996–1997 regular season at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Illinois State Redbirds defeated the Southwest Missouri State Bears in the championship game, 75–72, and as a result won their 3rd MVC Tournament title and earned an automatic bid to the 1997 NCAA tournament. Rico Hill of Illinois State was named the tournament MVP. Tournament Bracket Opening RoundFebruary 28, 1997 QuarterfinalsMarch 1, 1997 SemifinalsMarch 2, 1997 FinalMarch 3, 1997 high yes 8 1996 Southern Illinois Salukis Southern Illinois 71 9 1996 Indiana State Sycamores Indiana State 86 7 1996 Wichita State Shockers Wichita State 63 10 1996 Drake Bulldogs Drake 74 1 Illinois State 72 9 Indiana State 58 4 1996 Northern Iowa Panthers Northern Iowa 73 5 1996 Evansville Purple Aces Evansville 65 2 1996 Bradley Braves Bradley 66 10 Drake 47 3 1996 none Southwest Missouri State Bears Southwest Missouri State 77 6 1996 Creighton Bluejays Creighton 58 1 Illinois State 69 4 Northern Iowa 65 2 Bradley 58 3 Southwest Missouri State 60 1 Illinois State 75 3 Southwest Missouri State 72 1996-97 Missouri Valley Conference Season Summary Sports Reference https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/mvc/1997.html June 9, 2019 2018-19 Men's Basketball Media Guide https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/mvc.sidearmsports.com/documents/2018/10/12/2018_19_MVC_MBB_Guide.pdf Missouri Valley Conference July 29, 2019 See also Missouri Valley Conference References Category:1996–97 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season Category:Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament Category:1997 in sports in Missouri Category:College basketball tournaments in Missouri Category:Basketball competitions in St. Louis