MVC Games - Week 1

[usmcsaluki]

Such a crazy opening night in the Valley:

Drake and Loyola cruise as expected
MSU loses at home to SEMO even with Prim putting up NBA Jam numbers
The ISUs both win - say what?
SIU and UNI both lose

[Majik45]

The Bradley fans are pretty quiet. Must be embarrassing getting blown out and going 0-2 against an MVFC football school. The Bradley brand - LOL.

Bradley couldn't defend the 3 last year (or the last couple of years) and you open on the road against the team that was ranked #2 in the country in 3 point % last year and everyone is back for them. I don't think any Bradley fans were expecting to win this game with all the new faces, as SDSU is a decent team.

On a positive note after making SDSU went 9 of 16 from 3 in the first half, Bradley seemed to correct that problem as they went 0-4 in the second half. SDSU also made 28 of 29 free throws for the game. Oh, and Bradley got outscored 26-6 off Turnovers, even though both teams had 15 TO's, so have to make progress there too.

Bradley made a run in the second half to get it down to 12 points multiple times, but just couldn't make that next bucket to put the pressure on them.

Lots to work on for Bradley for sure as guys are trying to figure out their roles, but some definite positives as well. Juco Guard Terry Roberts played well for Bradley, 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals.

[BCPanther]

There aren't going to be many nights where UNI shoots 30% and you only get 6 total points from AJ and Noah Carter.

The defense was markedly improved from the last couple of years, held them to 62 and I'm guessing they'll end up averaging north of 80.

Once AJ is back in the flow and we get Born and Carter back we're absolutely fine and there are PLENTY of opportunities in our schedule to make this one mean a whole lot less.

[Blers42]

There aren't going to be many nights where UNI shoots 30% and you only get 6 total points from AJ and Noah Carter.

The defense was markedly improved from the last couple of years, held them to 62 and I'm guessing they'll end up averaging north of 80.

Once AJ is back in the flow and we get Born and Carter back we're absolutely fine and there are PLENTY of opportunities in our schedule to make this one mean a whole lot less.

When are Born and Carter coming back? Because if they don’t turn this around on Thursday it’s going to be an issue.

[BCPanther]

There aren't going to be many nights where UNI shoots 30% and you only get 6 total points from AJ and Noah Carter.

The defense was markedly improved from the last couple of years, held them to 62 and I'm guessing they'll end up averaging north of 80.

Once AJ is back in the flow and we get Born and Carter back we're absolutely fine and there are PLENTY of opportunities in our schedule to make this one mean a whole lot less.

When are Born and Carter coming back? Because if they don’t turn this around on Thursday it’s going to be an issue.

Born has a shot to go Thursday night. He didn't have any bracing on his hand or anything last night and obviously conditioning isn't going to be an issue with that injury.

Carter I'm less optimistic about. It hurt me watching him try to walk last night in the second half and they had him iced up and an e-stim machine going. There's nothing structural so it's all going to be about mobility and pain. It's one of those you worry about it nagging for a while.

[Adunk33]

SIU was pathetic. They should have won that game by double digits but waited too long to make adjustments. 23 turnovers and I'm beginning to question the head coach.

Not saying he is the wrong guy because I think Mullins is very capable, just pointing that out.

Luke Yaklich and Dane Fife were the 2 other names I heard for the job. I'm guessing Yaklich eventually gets the ISU-Red job if he can show some improvement at UIC.
.

I think Mullins will be okay. Regarding Yak getting the Illinois State job, unlikely. If he has success at UIC, I'm sure the Birds would love to have him but the fact is, the reason the job would be open is because one of his best friends got canned. I'm not sure Yak would take the job. How funny would it be if Yak got the job and Muller was hired as an assistant.

[Adunk33]

Well, well, well, as we all expected the Redbirds get a big win at home against the POWERHOUSE of UNC-Wilmington. I could go into the details of the game but I don't want to bore anyone. The Birds were down 15 in the first half and won. I think they had 9 points at the under 12 TO. The main thing to know, two games in to his jr season, Antonio Reeves is a BALLER. He had 29 last night and 34 in the exhibition. His off-season away from campus developing a "pro" work ethic and mindset has clearly been worth it. In seasons past, he surely didn't understand his role or when he should take the shot versus Horne. Now he's comfortable. He knows when to shoot, drive, or pass. He knows when he needs to just take over or get others involved. I think he might have taken it to heart that he's not considered a preseason top 15 MVC player.

Defensively, the second half was much better. Reeves is playing the best D of his career and I like to think that's motivated by Lewis and Freeman who are ball hawks.

Of course, it's one game against what is very likely a poor team but it was good to see some things that have been missing the last 3 years. Making open shots, driving to the hoop, and playing defense. Muller's teams always struggle on the road, we'll see if Friday @ EMU is any different. EMU could be pretty good, only losing by 6 to Indiana after being down 17 at the half.

[tribecalledquest]

There aren't going to be many nights where UNI shoots 30% and you only get 6 total points from AJ and Noah Carter.

The defense was markedly improved from the last couple of years, held them to 62 and I'm guessing they'll end up averaging north of 80.

Once AJ is back in the flow and we get Born and Carter back we're absolutely fine and there are PLENTY of opportunities in our schedule to make this one mean a whole lot less.

It's a game UNI should have won but Nicholls State is really good.

Bradley played poorly but I'm not sure if any Valley team would win at SD State this season.

Missouri State - good lord.

[mill1634]

I've seen a few UNI fans mention how good Nicholls..which just doesn't make sense. Yes, they are not horrible like a Coppin State or UNCW, but they were 14 point favorites at tip, and didn't beat a team higher than 209 KP rating last season. Yes, there was a lot of turnover on their roster, but they'd be a Thursday team in the Valley. A Q4 loss on opening night for a team who wants to make MM is not a good look no matter how you spin the other team. A bounceback is crucial tomorrow night. Luckily for the Panthers, they have a schedule where they can make it not matter, but beating Arkansas and the Bonnies just got a lot more important.

[glm38]

Embarrassing loss for the bears. Offensively we were ok. Defense was another story.