MSU @ UE

[shockem]

The last 5 games, the Bears are 3-2 with an average margin of victory of 1.4 points. Are they finally wearing down?

[Aces1982]

Last time UE and MSU played, MSU won the game from the 3 point line. They were 8-19 while UE was 0-5. Shooting percentage, rebounds, free throws and turnovers were all about even. If we can defend the three and knock down some ourselves it could come down to the wire.

[MSUBear42]

The last 5 games, the Bears are 3-2 with an average margin of victory of 1.4 points. Are they finally wearing down?

No.

If we were wearing down, we would have lost by 15 to red-hot UNI.

If we were wearing down, we would have let Drake (who was shooting out-of-this-world) win.

If we were wearing down, we wouldn't have come back from 15-down to beat Creighton.

Catch my drift? We aren't a team to blow teams out, just like UNI wasn't last year in their championship run.

[MSUDuo]

The last 5 games, the Bears are 3-2 with an average margin of victory of 1.4 points. Are they finally wearing down?

Your numbers are a little off but to answer your question, no. You aren't going to be good teams by a wide margin and it is always tough on the road.

UNI had 5 wins last year by 5 or less(with 3 losses) and I don't remember anyone mentioning much about that...

We will be fine until STL and then that is a whole new ball game.

[Ace Dad]

The same USATODAY column said:

"The loss also brings up the other question following the Bears. Will a lack of depth become a factor? Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin is fond of saying his players can rest after the season. For all practical purposes, Martin's rotation ends at seven players. Four of his starters play close to 30 minutes or more. That can be a tough grind over the 18-game MVC schedule."

I still remember my son's senior season when we lost 3 players (1 starter, 6th man, & a reserve) during the Thanksgiving Holiday Massacre. I watched as the top 3-4 players played too many minutes during conference play. It was the second half of the conference schedule and the second half of most games where we paid the price in defense--could not respond to runs--and offensive focus. Others saw the same. Coach Martin is speaking "coachspeak."

[shockem]

3 wins by a total of 9 points, 2 losses by a total of 2 points. That's 7 points on the plus side over 5 games = 1.4 points. You all sure are testy about the stamina questions, just asking. Time will tell I guess.

[shockem]

The last 5 games, the Bears are 3-2 with an average margin of victory of 1.4 points. Are they finally wearing down?

UNI had 5 wins last year by 5 or less(with 3 losses) and I don't remember anyone mentioning much about that...

UNI ran 10 deep last year with hockey style substitutions. They had some close games but I don't think anyone ever questioned their stamina.

[WSUbballer]

I think UNI played in a style that didn't set themselves up with those types of blowouts. Now MSU didn't appear to be that type of team with the scoring numbers they were putting up early. I dunno if MSU is trying to be like UNI or what, but I don't think you can make the exact same comparisons.

[Ricardo del Rio]

The last 5 games, the Bears are 3-2 with an average margin of victory of 1.4 points. Are they finally wearing down?

UNI had 5 wins last year by 5 or less(with 3 losses) and I don't remember anyone mentioning much about that...

UNI ran 10 deep last year with hockey style substitutions. They had some close games but I don't think anyone ever questioned their stamina.

When a team walks a lot and milks the clock a lot, it doesn't get so tired. It is a standard tactic for papering over lack of talent.

[bleach]

MSU las a short bench. NO ONE argues that!
If we were losing games at the end rather than winning them at the end you would have a valid question. Other than the losses at ISUB and against UNI we haven't lost at the end of games. Against the trees we scored on 10 of our last 11 posessions so I wouldn't think that indicates fatigue was the cause. UNI just made big plays. If that becomes a trend then you can raise fatigue as a valid concern. Until then, not valid.
I understand everyone hoping it's the case but our losses are just normal cases of teams learning what MSU does and making adjustments. Time to throw some new wrinkles out there.