MVC Games 11/11-11/17

[Majik45]

Bradley played a horrible half of basketball in the 1st half, not hitting any shots (0-10 on 3) while UIC hits 7 3's in 1st half.

I'm sure Wardle chewed them out to play some D as UIC did not score for first 7+ minutes of 2nd half. UIC at one point had 5 points in 2nd half in 12 or 13 minutes of play. In that span an 8 point half time deficit was turned into an 8 point Bradley lead.

Bradley wins by 11 when it was all said and done. One of the quickest 2nd halves I've ever seen.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

ISUr gets 14 points from its starters and was a clean swipe by the courtsweeper from winning.

[Blers]

The early success for ISU this year just makes it more clear (in my opinion at least) how much Yarborough actually held the team back these last two years. Way better energy and effort this year on both ends.

[Adunk33]

The early success for ISU this year just makes it more clear (in my opinion at least) how much Yarborough actually held the team back these last two years. Way better energy and effort this year on both ends.

I think all Redbird fans will agree to this. I may have mentioned it before, but last year's team was not just hindered by Milik's lack of effort, but it plagued the team. Last year, the only ones that seemed to give it their all were Chastain and Idowu. Now, with a cleanse of the program, the guys who redshirted last year saw first hand (without having to take any losses themselves) what losing is like. They saw what went into that pathetic season. You may have noticed that I didn't mention Copeland as one who gave it his all last year. This year, he is a different player. Buying in defensively, playing off the ball, and picking his spots. It seems the culture has shifted and hopefully gotten away from "me" ball.

There were too many times last season where I left home games early in the first half because I was tired of caring more than the team. That will not be a concern this year. They will lose some games they should win, and win some they should lose, but the effort will be there. They had the game yesterday, some really untimely turnovers, a rushed shot, and some swallowed whistles (21-10 discrepancy in favor of UCF and one of them was intentional) led to the loss.

At any rate, I feel last year's team in the same situation through their first 3 games is 0-3. Would love to be 3-0, but I'll take 2-1 with a brand new team. Looking forward to the NTE this week, and potentially getting an early look at Valpo.

[just ducky]

The early success for ISU this year just makes it more clear (in my opinion at least) how much Yarborough actually held the team back these last two years. Way better energy and effort this year on both ends.

I have watched every Valpo game and 70%+ of the Redbird minutes. I have concluded for both that "less is more" is a real thing. Both of these teams are now fun to watch!

As for Yarborough, Smits, and Evelyn I kind of wish they could have left the Valley a year earlier!