The four in-state Missouri Valley Conference basketball programs - Bradley, Illinois State, Loyola and Southern Illinois - are battling for bragging rights to a new trophy as the “Battle for Illinois” has been kicked off for the 2017-2018 men’s and women’s basketball seasons.

The inaugural “Battle for Illinois” competition began on New Year’s Eve, when Bradley’s women’s basketball team defeated Illinois State. Throughout the season, both men’s and women’s basketball teams for the four universities accrue points in featured head-to-head competition only. One point will be earned for each win. In the event of a tie-breaker, the following will determine which team earns the “Battle for Illinois” trophy: 1) Head-to-head record among the tied schools; 2) regular-season conference record; 3) overall regular-season record (conference and non-conference); 4) combined tournament wins; 5) average margin of victory (rivalry series games)