The 2020–21 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2020, followed by the start of the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2021.

Preseason

Preseason poll The preseason awards and coaches' poll was released by the league office on October 14, 2020. RankTeam 1. Northern Iowa (30) 426 2. Loyola–Chicago (13) 405 3. Bradley (1) 341 4. Indiana State 282 5. Southern Illinois 235 6. Missouri State 210 7. Drake 207 8. Valparaiso 148 9. Illinois State 112 10. Evansville 54(first place votes)

Preseason All-Missouri Valley teams

Honor Recipient Preseason Player of the YearA. J. Green, Northern Iowa Preseason All-MVC First TeamElijah Childs, BradleyA. J. Green, Northern IowaTyreke Key, Indiana StateCameron Krutwig, Loyola–ChicagoAustin Phyfe, Northern Iowa Preseason All-MVC Second TeamDonovan Clay, ValparaisoMarcus Domask, Southern IllinoisJake LaRavia, Indiana StateRoman Penn, DrakeGaige Prim, Missouri State Preseason All-MVC Third TeamTrae Berhow, Northern IowaKeith Fisher III, Illinois StateTate Hall, Loyola–ChicagoMarquise Kennedy, Loyola–ChicagoTremell Murphy, Drake

Regular season

Conference matrix This table summarizes the head-to-head results between teams in conference play.   BradleyDrakeEvansvilleIllinoisStateIndianaStateLoyola–ChicagoMissouriStateNorthernIowaSouthernIllinoisValparaisovs BU – 1–10–22–02–02–02–01–11–11–1vs DU1–1 – 0–20–20–21–10–20–20–21–1vs UE2–02–0 – 1–12–02–01–10–21–10–2vs IlSU0–22–01–1 – 2–02–02–02–01–12–0vs InSU0–22–00–20–2 – 1–12–01–10–21–1vs LU0–21–10–20–21–1 – 0–20–20–20–2vs MSU0–22–01–10–20–22–0 – 1–10–20–2vs UNI1–12–02–00–21–12–01–1 – 1–11–1vs SIU1–12–01–11–12–02–02–01–1 – 1–1vs VU1–11–12–00–21–12–02–01–11–1 – Total6–1215–37–114–1411–716–212–67–115–137–11

Player of the week Throughout the season, the Missouri Valley Conference named a player of the week and a newcomer of the week each Monday. WeekPlayer of the weekNewcomer of the week1Elijah Childs, BradleyJosiah Strong, Illinois State2Marcus Domask, Southern IllinoisBen Harvey, Southern Illinois3Cameron Krutwig, Loyola-ChicagoShanQuan Hemphill, Drake4Marcus Domask, Southern IllinoisGaige Prim, Missouri StateShanQuan Hemphill, Drake5Isiaih Mosley, Missouri StateSamari Curtis, Evansville6Isiaih Mosley, Missouri StateRienk Mast, Bradley7Tate Hall, Loyola-ChicagoTerry Nolan Jr., Bradley8Ben Krikke, ValparaisoKyler Filewich, Southern Illinois9Cameron Krutwig, Loyola-ChicagoDarnell Brodie, Drake10Isiaih Mosley, Missouri StateSheldon Edwards, Valparaiso11Tyreke Key, Indiana StateDarnell Brodie, Drake12Gaige Prim, Missouri StateJoseph Yesufu, DrakeEmon Washington, Illinois State13Shamar Givance, EvansvilleBowen Born, Northern Iowa

Postseason

Coaches Source HonorRecipientCoach of the YearDarian DeVries, Drake Source

All-Conference Teams Source HonorRecipientLarry Bird Player of the YearCameron Krutwig, Loyola–ChicagoDefensive MVPLucas Williamson, Loyola–ChicagoSixth-Man of the YearJoseph Yesufu, DrakeNewcomer of the YearShanQuan Hemphill, DrakeFreshman of the YearBowen Born, Northern Iowa First TeamTyreke Key, Indiana StateCameron Krutwig, Loyola–ChicagoIsiaih Mosley, Missouri StateRoman Penn, DrakeGaige Prim, Missouri State Second TeamElijah Childs, BradleyShamar Givance, EvansvilleShanQuan Hemphill, DrakeJake LaRavia, Indiana StateLucas Williamson, Loyola–Chicago Third TeamD J Horne, Illinois StateLance Jones, Southern IllinoisBen Krikke, ValparaisoAustin Phyfe, Northern IowaAher Uguak, Loyola–Chicago Source

Conference Tournament

References