Game 9. Half way point

[PurpleRedbird]

Illinois State survives Indiana State 71-66, kinda surprised with this one after WSU blew out the last place Sycs by 26 on Saturday

Better to learn the lesson that you have to bring it every night in a win than in a loss I suppose. Focus was a bit lacking, but actually more concerned about MM's knee soreness than anything else. ISUr held him out in large stretches to get him some rest and he did make the key block at the end of the game. Appeared to moving okay and coach did say there was not structural damage.

[Redbirdgrad]

Illinois State survives Indiana State 71-66, kinda surprised with this one after WSU blew out the last place Sycs by 26 on Saturday

Better to learn the lesson that you have to bring it every night in a win than in a loss I suppose. Focus was a bit lacking, but actually more concerned about MM's knee soreness than anything else. ISUr held him out in large stretches to get him some rest and he did make the key block at the end of the game. Appeared to moving okay and coach did say there was not structural damage.

Yep, this game was close for 3 reasons.

1. Indiana State brought it. Kudos to them. We shot like crap, but that's only because they defended the perimeter very well tonight. They also defended our pick and rolls effectively, to the point that penetration didn't have the open man out top to pass out to. This pass was picked off several times and we adjusted very late to it.

2 MM's knee. MM was a HUGE factor when we stomped them at their place, but he was very limited tonight. Taking him out of the lineup creates a more guard-oriented matchup, and with the way Indiana State was defending last night it kept it close. Fayne helped a lot early, otherwise we're down double digits at half.

3. Pregame routine was altered. A few players were in class until 5:00, which altered our routine last night. This is very minor, but absolutely affects the mindset of a team and player. When the fans are arriving at the arena before some of the players... things are going to be a little different. Kudos to the players and coaching staff though for seeing that academics came first.

#1 and #2 were the main reasons we stunk up the joint last night, but all played a role.
Tip of the cap to the Sycamores for a well played game last night.

[BirdsEyeView]

Illinois State survives Indiana State 71-66, kinda surprised with this one after WSU blew out the last place Sycs by 26 on Saturday

Better to learn the lesson that you have to bring it every night in a win than in a loss I suppose. Focus was a bit lacking, but actually more concerned about MM's knee soreness than anything else. ISUr held him out in large stretches to get him some rest and he did make the key block at the end of the game. Appeared to moving okay and coach did say there was not structural damage.

Yep, this game was close for 3 reasons.

1. Indiana State brought it. Kudos to them. We shot like crap, but that's only because they defended the perimeter very well tonight. They also defended our pick and rolls effectively, to the point that penetration didn't have the open man out top to pass out to. This pass was picked off several times and we adjusted very late to it.

2 MM's knee. MM was a HUGE factor when we stomped them at their place, but he was very limited tonight. Taking him out of the lineup creates a more guard-oriented matchup, and with the way Indiana State was defending last night it kept it close. Fayne helped a lot early, otherwise we're down double digits at half.

3. Pregame routine was altered. A few players were in class until 5:00, which altered our routine last night. This is very minor, but absolutely affects the mindset of a team and player. When the fans are arriving at the arena before some of the players... things are going to be a little different. Kudos to the players and coaching staff though for seeing that academics came first.

#1 and #2 were the main reasons we stunk up the joint last night, but all played a role.
Tip of the cap to the Sycamores for a well played game last night.

Simply said, we need to play better on defense. That was not typical Redbird defense. No excuses for that.

Our offense hasn't been good the last two games, so we need to bring it on the defensive end again until we play better on that side of the ball. We were lucky to have two home games when we struggled.

[Redbirdgrad]

Yep, struggled with the post defense. Sycamores hit quite a few shots with hands in their faces though, so our on-ball defense was there, but help was late. Just sluggish last night.

Like you said... better at home than on the road.

[Redbirds4Life]

Yep, struggled with the post defense. Sycamores hit quite a few shots with hands in their faces though, so our on-ball defense was there, but help was late. Just sluggish last night.

Like you said... better at home than on the road.

If that game was on the road, or against a better team, they lose. Going to have a few games that aren't as crisp, but they can't keep piling up on each other....They need to come to play on Sunday and really put it on Evansville. They can be sluggish vs teams like Evansville, Indiana State, Drake, Northern Iowa and still win, but if they do that against a team like Wichita State or Missouri State, going to be a long night for Dirty Dan and the boys.

[bleach]

Loyola all over Bradley 70-50
UNI blasts Evansville 61-54
Illinois State survives Indiana State 71-66, kinda surprised with this one after WSU blew out the last place Sycs by 26 on Saturday

By your standards a 5 point win is surprisingly close but a 7 point win is a blasting?

[Redbirdgrad]

Loyola all over Bradley 70-50
UNI blasts Evansville 61-54
Illinois State survives Indiana State 71-66, kinda surprised with this one after WSU blew out the last place Sycs by 26 on Saturday

By your standards a 5 point win is surprisingly close but a 7 point win is a blasting?

The expectation of some is that we not only have to beat teams but we have to blow out others and match Shocker scores in order to be worthy.

It's a silly one but a select few hold it.

[Khan4Cats]

Loyola all over Bradley 70-50
UNI blasts Evansville 61-54
Illinois State survives Indiana State 71-66, kinda surprised with this one after WSU blew out the last place Sycs by 26 on Saturday

By your standards a 5 point win is surprisingly close but a 7 point win is a blasting?

The expectation of some is that we not only have to beat teams but we have to blow out others and match Shocker scores in order to be worthy.

It's a silly one but a select few hold it.

No, it's more of an attempted dig at UNI because he's obsessed that any other team in the Valley may get any March notoriety than WSU.

[TheObserver]

No, it's more of an attempted dig at UNI because he's obsessed that any other team in the Valley may get any March notoriety than WSU.

For UNI, it was a blasting. The run to March is on.

[TheObserver]

The expectation of some is that we not only have to beat teams but we have to blow out others and match Shocker scores in order to be worthy.

It's a silly one but a select few hold it.

Why so defensive?

And it goes over your head as usual.