Conference Cinderellas looking to go to big dance

The Missouri Valley Conference, one of three leagues that start conference tournament play today, is a prime spot for Cinderella to hang before the ball.

The MVC sent Northern Iowa to the NCAA Tournament last year and the Panthers stunned No. 1 Kansas in the second round. In 2006, two Valley teams made it to the Sweet 16. Could Missouri State be that team this year? First, it'll have to get through the conference tournament being held in St. Louis. Cutely, it is dubbed Arch Madness and is one of three more leagues starting postseason play today. Here's a look:

Regular-season champ: Vermont will bring a two-game losing streak into the conference tournament, which isn't too concerning since the Catamounts had the No. 1 seed sewn up early. What IS a problem is that senior captain and leading scorer Evan Fjeld left Sunday's regular-season finale with an ankle injury. His status for Vermont's opener on Saturday is uncertain.

Second-seeded Boston U. won both meetings with Vermont. BU, which has won eight in a row, also beat George Washington of the Atlantic 10 . . . The first three rounds are at Hartford's Chase Family Arena. Wonder if Vince and Johnny Drama are doing play-by-play . . . Maine is the three-seed and plays a dangerous quarterfinal against host Hartford tomorrow. The 10-19 Hawks beat Maine twice this season.

This is a one-bid league.

At Hartford, Conn.

First Round/Today

Md.-Baltimore Co. (8) vs. Binghamton (9), 8:15

Quarterfinals/Saturday

Albany (4) vs. Stony Brook (5), 12:05

Vermont (1) vs. UMBC/Binghamton, 2:15

Boston University (2) vs. New Hampshire (7), 6:05

Maine (3) vs. Hartford (6), 8:15

Saturday's afternoon winners, 5:04

Saturday's evening winners, 7:34

At Higher-Seeded Team

Semifinal winners, 12

Regular-season champ: Missouri State, which joined the league in 1990, won the regular-season crown for the first time ever. But with a relatively weak schedule, the Bears would do well to win the MVC Tournament.

Wichita State, the league's overwhelming preseason favorite, lost by four to Connecticut and played San Diego State tough before losing. The Shockers are the No. 2 seed . . . Bradley's Andrew Warren led the conference in scoring at 19.0 points per game. He is a cousin of Johnny Davis, who coached the Sixers for one disastrous season (22-60) when Allen Iverson was a rookie in 1996-97.

This could be a one-bid league for the fourth consecutive year. Wichita State (RPI: 52) would need help from around the country if it doesn't win this tournament.

At St. Louis

First Round/Today

Southern Illinois (8) vs. Illinois St. (9), 7

Drake (7) vs. Bradley (10), 9:35

Quarterfinals/Tomorrow

Missouri St. (1) vs. Southern Illinois/Illinois St., 1

Northern Iowa (4) vs. Creighton (5), 3:35

Wichita St. (2) vs. Drake/Bradley, 7

Indiana St. (3) vs. Evansville (6), 9:35

Friday's afternoon winners, 2:35

Friday's evening winners, 5

Semifinal winners, 2:05

Regular-season champ: Long Island, which hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1997 when it threw a first-round scare into fourth-seeded Villanova before losing 101-91.

Quinnipiac's Justin Rutty is one away from 1,000 career rebounds. He's within striking distance of the conference record of 1,022 set by Central Connecticut State's Ron Robinson (2000-04) . . . Wagner (13-16), the No. 6 seed, is coached by Dan Hurley, who was known as Danny Hurley when he was a gritty point guard for Seton Hall. The Seahawks were 5-26 last season.

This is a one-bid league.

At Higher-Seeded Team

First Round/Today

St. Francis (Pa.) (8) at Long Island (1), 7

Mount St. Mary's (7) at Quinnipiac (2), 7

Wagner (6) at Robert Morris (3), 7

St. Francis (N.Y.) (5) at Central Connecticut St. (4), 7

Lowest seed at highest seed, 12/2

Second lowest seed at second highest seed, 12/2

Semifinal winners, 7

Colonial, MAAC, Southern and West Coast conferences.