NORMAL, Ill. - The race for the Missouri Valley Conference basketball title has turned into a three-for-all.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, the University of Northern Iowa, Creighton and Illinois State each control their own destiny to earn at least a share of the championship.

"It should make for a great week," said UNI head coach Ben Jacobson, whose squad plays Illinois State at 7:05 tonight in Redbird Arena. "This is as exciting as it gets to be right in the middle of a conference championship."

UNI (18-10, 12-4 MVC) held a three-game cushion 16 days ago. If the Panthers could have won their remaining four home games, they would have captured their first league championship.

But after stumbles to Creighton and Drake at the McLeod Center, UNI and Creighton are deadlocked for first. Illinois State (22-6, 11-5) is a game back, but can earn a piece of the title with a win tonight and a victory Saturday at Creighton.

"It's pretty amazing," Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich said. "I can't ever remember a situation like this, and I've been involved in coaching for a long time. What makes it doubly ironic for us is that we actually play the two other teams.

"It makes it pretty exciting for the players, fans and the league."

Creighton plays at last-place Missouri State tonight before the showdown with Illinois State. UNI hosts Evansville in its regular-season finale Saturday.

For UNI to control its own fate Saturday, the Panthers will need to register their eighth league road win in nine chances. In addition to that, Illinois State is 13-1 at home and tonight is senior night.

"There's no doubt we've made it tough on ourselves," UNI freshman Johnny Moran said, "but there's nothing we can do about that now. We just have to get this game and take it one step at a time."

Lucas O'Rear said it's no surprise the Valley race is so tight.

"It's the Valley," he said. "We'll all fight this thing out until the end. We need to take care of business and hold up our end of the bargain."

UNI and Illinois State have changed significantly since the Panthers' 59-55 win last month.

The Panthers have dropped a season-high three straight and four of their last five.

"That's the terrific challenge of an 18-game schedule," Jankovich said. "Every team is going to have ups and downs. We've both seen our ups and downs. Regardless, Northern (Iowa) is an oustanding team."

The Redbirds are relying more on their bench after starting point guard Lloyd Phillips took a leave of absence two weeks ago. Phillips has returned, but he's seen minimal playing time. Instead, Landon Shipley, Alex Rubin and Brandon Holtz have played more in the backcourt. Forward Brandon Sampay has been more productive off the bench.

"They've done a really good job of making adjustments," Jacobson said. "It's forced some people into some different roles, and they've produced. At this time of year, they've got more guys playing with confidence."

UNI is trying to regain its confidence, particularly on offense. The Panthers are shooting only 38 percent from the field and 26 percent from the 3-point line in their last three games.

"We need to play a little more relaxed on offense," O'Rear said. "We just need to be more aggressive. If we do that, we'll be fine."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

GAME TRACKER

Men's basketball

Northern Iowa (18-10, 12-4)

at Illinois St. (22-6, 11-5)

When: Today, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Normal, Ill. (Redbird Arena)

TV: none

Radio: KXEL (1540)

Line: ISU by 6 1/2

RPIs: UNI 81, ISU 58

Last time out: UNI dropped an 81-75 contest to Siena in Albany, N.Y., Saturday. ISU suffered its first double-digit loss of the season - a 70-56 defeat at Niagara on Friday night.

Last meeting: Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored nine of UNI's final 10 points during a 59-55 win last month at the McLeod Center. The Redbirds lead the series 34-19, but the Panthers have won three of the last five in Normal.

Need to know: UNI has lost three straight for the first time this season and four of its last five. … The Panthers, who can earn at least a share of the title with two wins this week, can clinch at least the No. 2 seed for next week's MVC tournament with a victory tonight. … ISU's Osiris Eldridge, 1-for-12 against Niagara, is shooting just 34 percent from the field in his last five games. … ISU reserve Brandon Sampay is averaging 8.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per outing over the last five games. … The Redbirds can earn at least a share of the league title with a win tonight and a victory at Creighton Saturday.

Chalk talk: "The key for us is to find 40 minutes of consistent play at both ends like we had for six weeks. That said, our confidence is still there."

- UNI head coach Ben Jacobson

Starting lineups

Northern Iowa Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Koch 6-8 Jr. 11.6 5.1

Eglseder 7-1 Jr. 10.0 6.4

Farokhmanesh 6-0 Jr. 10.0 1.8

Ahelegbe 6-2 So. 11.0 x-3.2

Moran 6-1 Fr. 9.0 4.0

Illinois State Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Oguchi 6-6 Sr. 14.9 5.8

Odiakosa 6-8 Jr. 9.1 7.3

Holloway 6-2 Sr. 10.1 4.0

Eldridge 6-3 Jr. 13.6 6.0

Shipley 6-0 Jr. 3.7 x-1.1

x - assists per game

Next up: UNI hosts Evansville in its regular-season finale at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

- Compiled by Matt Coss, Courier Sports Writer