MVC Games Week 17 2024-25

[tribecalledquest]

Beating ISU last night felt pretty good, even if it likely doomed SIU to 8-9 game hell at Arch Madness.

Southern had blown three straight home leads in the weird (Murray game moved) four-game homestand: a 13-point halftime lead to Belmont, a 6-point lead with 8 to go against Murray and a 16-point first half lead against Valpo. Holding onto the lead last night was necessary for the sanity of all involved with Saluki hoops. It also was great to avenge a 30-plus point loss in Normal when the team was bottoming out in early January.

Also good to see Jarrett Hensley snap out of his recent slump and play well on senior night. He was the only one they honored, so looks like they're going to appeal for another year for Dibba (unless he transfers or starts a pro career).

Also, since Drew Steffe justifiably took some heat on here earlier this season, got to give him his due: he was 5 for 5 from 3 last night and has played pretty good ball much of the past six weeks or so.

Good point on Steffe. He looked bad earlier in the year.

Hensley is one of those guys that you say "wow, why isn't he better?" Has to be maddening from an SIU perspective.

[siudawgs]

Beating ISU last night felt pretty good, even if it likely doomed SIU to 8-9 game hell at Arch Madness.

Southern had blown three straight home leads in the weird (Murray game moved) four-game homestand: a 13-point halftime lead to Belmont, a 6-point lead with 8 to go against Murray and a 16-point first half lead against Valpo. Holding onto the lead last night was necessary for the sanity of all involved with Saluki hoops. It also was great to avenge a 30-plus point loss in Normal when the team was bottoming out in early January.

Also good to see Jarrett Hensley snap out of his recent slump and play well on senior night. He was the only one they honored, so looks like they're going to appeal for another year for Dibba (unless he transfers or starts a pro career).

Also, since Drew Steffe justifiably took some heat on here earlier this season, got to give him his due: he was 5 for 5 from 3 last night and has played pretty good ball much of the past six weeks or so.

Good point on Steffe. He looked bad earlier in the year.

Hensley is one of those guys that you say "wow, why isn't he better?" Has to be maddening from an SIU perspective.

Hensley's pretty toolsy, to use a baseball term, but his confidence is fragile. This is the first season of his career where a team has really depended on him as a key starter, and I think he still battles self-doubt when things aren't going well. He probably would have been better off developing at one program and naturally progressing instead of bouncing around, especially the Cincinnati move, where he mostly sat and probably stunted his development. Really good dude, though, and when he's playing well, he's a tough cover for less mobile bigs.

[Adunk33]

If we've learned anything in the 24-25 season, if your team needs a "get right game," host Illinois State. It'll get you right back on track. SIU couldn't miss last night and our defense was absolute Saluki sh*t.

[hot nuts]

If we've learned anything in the 24-25 season, if your team needs a "get right game," host Illinois State. It'll get you right back on track. SIU couldn't miss last night and our defense was absolute Saluki sh*t.

Spot on.

[Birdfan2018]

If we've learned anything in the 24-25 season, if your team needs a "get right game," host Illinois State. It'll get you right back on track. SIU couldn't miss last night and our defense was absolute Saluki sh*t.

Some nights this is a team that nobody wants to play in St. Louis, and some nights this is the team that everyone wants to play in St. Louis.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Drake on the ropes with a minute to go in Evansville. Aces have smothered 3 of Drake’s starting 5 to a combined 6 points. Mascari scoreless.

[tribecalledquest]

Drake on the ropes with a minute to go in Evansville. Aces have smothered 3 of Drake’s starting 5 to a combined 6 points. Mascari scoreless.

I think Ragland is a good coach. I also think Roger Powell is as well. Both teams have some good, young players. Can they keep them?

[ValpoDad]

Watching Bradley live vs Valpo the difference in athleticism was stark. That said duke deen had to go crazy for 5 minutes and valpo weirdly sucked at the ft line to get Bradley that 6-8 pt lead most second half. We take quick contested threes and have untimely silly turnovers. AND somehow stay in games with a few exceptions. Valpo is visibly over its head in money and facilities. To say they havent been battling on court would be wrong. Freshman and sophomores and way undersized. If Valpo had the third best big from any other valley team I believe they could truly have been a challenge this year. Destroyed on the boards every night. Cooper doubled and semi mauled regularly. Can Powell pull a functional big in the portal? Will our decent young core stay? Honestly through sheer culture and charisma Powell is trying to get the program turned. Almost an impossible task. Likely impossible honestly. But those of you who watch your teams against Valpo honestly have seen the needle move a little. Now give me a cookie and a participation trophy.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Drake on the ropes with a minute to go in Evansville. Aces have smothered 3 of Drake’s starting 5 to a combined 6 points. Mascari scoreless.

I think Ragland is a good coach. I also think Roger Powell is as well. Both teams have some good, young players. Can they keep them?

Powell and Ragland are good coaches and terrific people. They are easy to root for and I hope both get at least 5 years to resurrect those programs.

[tribecalledquest]

Duke Deen is certainly a flawed player. He may not even make First Team All League. But damn does that dude go on some unreal stretches of shot making. 5-6 times a year he just goes off over like a three minute stretch and it totally changes a game. He has been a joy to watch. Great representative of the league as well.