UNI in Las Vegas Tourney

by **Khan4Cats** » December 19th, 2010, 7:56 pm

UNI heads to Vegas to play two games in the "IBN Sports Las Vegas Classic" after winning their two cupcake home games in the pre-lim round of the tourney. UNI topped South Carolina State 66-52 and Southern Illinois Edwardsville 68-47. Both teams sport 320+ RPI's and UNI treated them as semi-exhibition games experimenting with line-ups and combinations. Several Panthers rotated at point with Ahelegbe getting time on the wing as well as different combos in the interior. SC State kept it close with a high 3-pt percentage and UNI had 16 turnovers but didn't really threaten. SIUE was never really close.

First game for UNI in Vegas is against Indiana on Wednesday, followed by either New Mexico or Colorado on Thursday. Good tests for UNI to gear up for conference play. Should be able to get one win and hopefully a pair.

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by **beatingrillz** » December 19th, 2010, 10:45 pm

The way I have seen UNI play they will be lucky to win one game let alone sweep the trip they do not impress on offense and they are no where near as intimidating on defense

by **valleychamp** » December 19th, 2010, 11:08 pm

beatingrillz wrote:The way I have seen UNI play they will be lucky to win one game let alone sweep the trip they do not impress on offense and they are no where near as intimidating on defense

sounds familiar.

by **pafan** » December 20th, 2010, 9:12 am

I've only seen UNI play against Iowa on television, but I think the Panthers will struggle with Indiana. The Hoosiers have reasonable depth, and can do well with several different lineups. UE learned this in November. Other teams have learned this as well. IU played 30 good minutes against Kentucky at Rupp Arena.

What I saw from UNI at Iowa was slow. Hoosiers will be able to run circles around a plodding defense, so hopefully the Panthers come out a little quicker than against the Hawkeyes.

by **unipanther99** » December 20th, 2010, 9:20 am

I think the Iowa game was just a bad night. I think we will have a few more of those as the season goes on, but we have been playing much better lately. That said, we could easily lose both games in Vegas. I'm hoping to come out with at least a split.

by **jlandrus11** » December 20th, 2010, 12:04 pm

Indiana beat South Carolina State last night with a 102-60 score. IU lost Jeremiah Rivers late in the game, with what looked like a sprained ankle. Don't know if he will be back for the UNI game or not, but I would highly doubt it.

by **WuDrWu** » December 20th, 2010, 1:49 pm

A team that plays really strong defense, like UNI, is going to keep themselves in a lot of games against superior talent and the 3 point line continues to be a great equalizer.

That being said, this is a team with obvious physical limitations and practically no post depth. The Panther margin for error is razor thin against top 100 type teams and anyone with size.

They continue to play to their strengths and "do what they do" very effectively. It's worked before, but it's just not going to be the same, on most nights, without size and talent like they lost after last season. Preparation and effort can only carry the day so often, and against so many.

by **jayball** » December 20th, 2010, 1:59 pm

I agree with the Dr.'s analysis.

Haven't seem them play since Syracuse, but seems like an uphill climb for the Panthers to pull an upset this year.

by **unipanther99** » December 20th, 2010, 3:06 pm

WuDrWu nailed it. Our defense will keep us in most games, but unless we're hot from the arc, we will struggle against good teams.

by **Jet915** » December 20th, 2010, 3:32 pm

CU won this ****ty tournament a couple years ago. At that time, the marquee team was DePaul and us. This lineup of teams is atleast respectable.