Three-time defending champion Wichita State is the favorite and the University of Evansville is picked to finish fifth in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Tournament, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at The Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach, Mo.  The nine teams are scheduled to play 36 holes Monday and conclude with 18 holes Tuesday. Weather could play a major factor, however.  The Lake of the Ozarks region has received nearly three inches of rain in the past four days, and more is expected through Monday.

The Golf Club at Porto Cima is a par-72, 7,036-yard Jack Nicklaus designed course that opened in 2000. Over the last 10 years Porto Cima has hosted several Missouri Golf Association Championships and also the annual Missouri Intercollegiate. Golf Digest recognized The Club at Porto Cima as the one of the best private golf courses in America.

The Aces go into the tournament with a veteran team that has finished in the middle of the MVC pack three years in a row. Michael Sainz leads UE in 2010-11 with a 73.55 average, and Griffin Wood is right behind at 73.95.  Wood has more than a two-stroke advantage over his nearest teammate in the spring season, however, averaging 73.10. Evansville won two tournaments in the fall, at Butler and Dayton.  The Aces' best finish in the spring was third place in the 15-team Adidas Hoosier Invitational April 10.

"We have a great group of young men, and they have the experience and talent to compete for the championship," said coach Jim Hamilton.  "There are a lot of good teams in our league, but I really believe we can compete with all of them."