ST. LOUIS (AP) — No. 8 Wichita State is back as the top seed in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The Shockers (27-3, 17-1) opens the tourney Friday against the winner of the play-in game between the eighth and ninth seeds, Missouri State (11-19, 5-13) and Southern Illinois (11-20, 4-14) on Thursday night. Northern Iowa (27-3, 16-2) faces either Drake (9-21, 6-12) and Bradley (8-23, 3-15) on Friday night.

Guards Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet, second and third in balloting for Valley player of the year, have been keys to Wichita State’s continued success despite breaking in eight new players. Forward Tekele Cotton was named the conference top defensive player for the second straight season.