MVC Games Week 8

[BCPanther]

Missouri State was all over UNI last night in Cedar Falls, up by as much as 22 pts before a late Panther flurry ended things with a 79-67 final. UNI was really bothered by The Bears length and athleticism all night, turning the ball over on offense and struggling ti get stops on offense. Georgia transfer Dalen Ridgnal has gone from the end of the bench to starter over the past few games and he was awesome last night scoring 24. I think Ford is starting to figure out his roster and who needs the most floortime. Previous starters Alston Mason (Oklahoma) a and Bryan Trimble (Akron) don’t even play anymore while others like Ridgnal and freshman Damien Mayo have seen their minutes soar. The Bears have been playing good basketball ever since the second half of the ORU roadie two weeks ago, interested to see how they’ll look against Drake on Sunday.

I was super impressed last night sitting there. We've had turnover issues but those have mostly been self inflicted until last night. The vast majority last night were legitimately forced turnovers, the Bears did a great job of pushing us out on the perimeter and making those passing lanes longer which led to deflections and disruptions. Also by far and away the best offense I've seen MSU run under Dana. There was a plan and good actions and they did a really nice job of making contested shots, only a couple of those 3s were truly open looks.

As for UNI, it's going to be an inconsistent mess from here on out without Heise. We don't have a consistent third scorer after Born and Anderson and relying on 3 freshmen to be that next guy is going to be painful at times. We'll win some we shouldn't, we'll lose some we shouldn't. Any hopes of that top half finish probably ended the moment that the pin popped out of Heise's finger in practice on Tuesday. This is the price you pay for the run that we had to get two regular season titles.

Next year looks bright at least. Heise and Phyfe back with Jake's 2nd best ever recruiting class coming in that will bring some much needed athleticism. Time to just enjoy the ride this year because a day with college basketball is better than a day without it.

Is Phyfe really going to come back?

Yes. They've started weening the blood thinners and he was told that he'll be cleared in March unless something unexpected happens. The paperwork has already been filed for the medical hardship and UNI Compliance thinks it's a slam dunk to get approved. Assuming he stays healthy (and the kid deserves it), he'll be back for his 7th year.

[BruinGrad]

[quote=

Stinks as a Bradley fan but it's good having Belmont in the league. Bradley, at times, will struggle offensively and had a really bad stretch during the second half that they couldn't overcome. Belmont made some big shots - Davidson made a hard shot to put them ahead - and then Mast missed one he usually is automatic with.

I like Casey Alexander but he screwed up and didn't foul and Bradley got off three clean looks to tie.

Bradley is still a top-two team in the league and Belmont a top-five. Good win for the Bruins.[/quote]

I like Casey too and like you, I was surprised by not fouling to eat a few seconds off the clock. I am happy to escape with a win though. We still need some more talent at the post. I'm glad we have 3 signees that are 6-8 or better coming in next year.[/quote]

I was surprised how bad the Belmont post guys were. Now, that said, Reink Mast had his worst game of the season so maybe they get some credit for their physicality. But their skill set isn't very good. Sheppard and the young guards are very good.[/quote]

Yeah, we struggle at the post. They are strong guys, but lack the skills. Frank was better last year, but has only played a few games this year and missed a lot of practice with a concussion. Hopefully, he will get back into game shape soon. But, that is why I am glad we signed a few bigger guys for next year. I'm hoping we can pick up a transfer at the post.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Noticed between Arch Madness last year and watching this Valpo-Drake game, there are a lot of “Brodie! Brodie!” chants. He seems to be a real fan favorite in Des Moines.

[DUBulldog]

Noticed between Arch Madness last year and watching this Valpo-Drake game, there are a lot of “Brodie! Brodie!” chants. He seems to be a real fan favorite in Des Moines.

Definitely not last year.

[racernation]

Racers playing like the 8th place team as of late.

[BruinGrad]

Racers playing like the 8th place team as of late.

I always liked Coach Prohm. He was always a class act in my opinion. But, I don't understand why he doesn't play more of his bench. My impression is that your bench is better than our bench, but they seem to get less minutes.

By the way, Jacobi Wood is playing the same way as he did with us the last two years. He could have a hot streak, but he was always inconsistent. And, his 3-pt average was low 30s in those two years. At times he would just stand around and with Belmont's motion offense, you can't just stand around. I hope he gets better for you, but he seems to be playing the same way he always has.

[Dawgbit]

Racers playing like the 8th place team as of late.

8th may be too generous, had shots been falling for SIU, it would have been a >20 point blowout. SIU defense won the game.

[SalukiWorld]

Racers playing like the 8th place team as of late.

8th may be too generous, had shots been falling for SIU, it would have been a >20 point blowout. SIU defense won the game.

At this point, SIU is probably just not a good shooting team. They take more 3’s than almost anyone in the country but can’t make them consistently. That being said, Rob Perry was the only reason Murray had a shot yesterday. SIU played well despite the poor shooting and Domask/Jones carried them down the stretch. Still fearful of how the program looks when those two leave.

[siudawgs]

Marcus Domask is having a helluva senior year. If he sustains it, he will be in the Valley POY discussion.

That was a significant win in Murray to keep the Salukis afloat after dropping a home game to Indiana State a few weeks back and with games against Belmont, Drake and another one with Indiana State coming the first couple weeks of January. As usual, the offense is spotty and there are too many guys not contributing much scoring, but the way Domask is playing, Rupert emerging as an above-average Valley big and the usual Saluki defensive grit might be enough to keep SIU in the upper tier ... we shall see.

[tribecalledquest]

Marcus Domask is having a helluva senior year. If he sustains it, he will be in the Valley POY discussion.

That was a significant win in Murray to keep the Salukis afloat after dropping a home game to Indiana State a few weeks back and with games against Belmont, Drake and another one with Indiana State coming the first couple weeks of January. As usual, the offense is spotty and there are too many guys not contributing much scoring, but the way Domask is playing, Rupert emerging as an above-average Valley big and the usual Saluki defensive grit might be enough to keep SIU in the upper tier ... we shall see.

He has had a great season and a really great career. He deserves to play in some meaningful postseason games. Would be hard to waste him and Jones and not every really do anything.