UE @ Drake

[sect.3purple]

Again....we got off the bus only to WATCH the game.....except for Colt, who's the real deal, we have too many spectators on this team. Somebody DO SOMETHING to get the Aces to come out and play at away games!!

[sect.3purple]

I'd like Coach Simmons to explain to us why his team FOLDS on the road?!?!
UNBELIEVABLE!
I don't think there's another team in the nation who plays as worse as the Aces do on the road!

I agree.....there simply is NO EXCUSE for this lack of toughness, focus, and enthusiasm at away games! Every fan listening to the game had to feel the same discouragement. WHERE IS THE PRIDE?

[Ace Dad]

I talked to several Drake fans about out team. Can I get 2-3 Drake posters to comment on the Aces efforts before I respond to my brethren and sisteren Aces' fans. I just walked in the door from my 4 hour drive back from Des Moines. Drake fans, was it poor effort, lesser talent, or did we walk into Knapp when the Bullpups were hot? Was it our poor defense or your superior shooting?

Section3, I will respond after the Drake posters.

[DUBulldog]

It was great to visit with AceDad at halftime.

It was very nice not to lose on a last second shot to Evansville (last two DU-UE games in Des Moines were won by UE on last second shots).

I thought UE played pretty well offensively, they hit a fairly high % of their shots. Defensively, Evansville couldn't stop Drake, and couldn't match up with them physically. Ryan Wedel wasn't going to be denied on senior night, and was just unconscious at the beginning of the game. I don't think there was any lack of defensive effort from the Aces, I think Drake just overmatched them physically. When Drake is passing the ball well, as they were, and shooting the ball well, they're a tough team to stop.

UE just ran into DU on the wrong night. Rebounding stat surprised me...I think it was somethink like 30-19 in favor of Drake.

[Ace Dad]

DuBulldog, thanks for the observations. I will be in St Louis and after reserving a room for Thursday night so many years, my fingers had trouble hitting the Friday reservation Hope to see you and I will buy the first round.

OK, can I get another Drake poster who was at the game to give me some feedback. Please.

[DU_53]

I agree with every DUB said, especially the physicality part. Hopf (sp?) couldn't begin to compete for rebounds in the low post with Drakes bench players, and had a hard time guarding as well. He is one that really comes to mind, von Tongren was a bit better, I guess I expected more as he grew up in the Valley, and I didn't see much improvement over the years.

Drake was unconscious from three on the first half and ran a highly efficient offense. It's tough to beat anyone on the road when an offense plays like that. Drake is also a tough home team, they have now won four straight home games, all of which have been .500 or better records. I wouldn't fault Evansville for giving up 80+ points.

Colt Ryan is a phenomenal, unappreciated player. He broke down and made a shot on every Bulldog who attempted to defend him. It's unfortunate that outside of Lacey, I don't think they have many great complimentary players to feed him the ball, he has to create so much on his own, which he is very good at.

Is Evansville brining in any big men to help create some opportunities for Ryan next season with Hopf and von Tongren graduating?

[DUBulldog]

Drake was unconscious from three on the first half and ran a highly efficient offense. It's tough to beat anyone on the road when an offense plays like that.

The odd thing is, Drake didn't hit a single 3-pointer in the 2nd half. But, they were able to pound the ball inside for a lot of easy buckets. Earlier in the season, when defenses overplayed the 3-point shooters, Drake couldn't do that. The passing, especially the interior passing, has improved greatly as the season has progressed. Van Deest, Woods and Clarke have turned into a pretty good interior trio. Nice to see a Drake team with both inside threats and 3-point threats.

[DU_53]

Drake only attempted three 3-point field goals in the second half, but you still have a valid point about the increased level of interior play for Drake. It's simply amazing the amount of progress/improvement from the Iowa State game who heavily guarded the perimeter, to Evansville who I think came out with the same mentality.

[Aces1982]

I agree with every DUB said, especially the physicality part. Hopf (sp?) couldn't begin to compete for rebounds in the low post with Drakes bench players, and had a hard time guarding as well. He is one that really comes to mind, von Tongren was a bit better, I guess I expected more as he grew up in the Valley, and I didn't see much improvement over the years.

Drake was unconscious from three on the first half and ran a highly efficient offense. It's tough to beat anyone on the road when an offense plays like that. Drake is also a tough home team, they have now won four straight home games, all of which have been .500 or better records. I wouldn't fault Evansville for giving up 80+ points.

Colt Ryan is a phenomenal, unappreciated player. He broke down and made a shot on every Bulldog who attempted to defend him. It's unfortunate that outside of Lacey, I don't think they have many great complimentary players to feed him the ball, he has to create so much on his own, which he is very good at.

Is Evansville brining in any big men to help create some opportunities for Ryan next season with Hopf and von Tongren graduating?

We have 3 6'8" guys coming in next year. One from a prep school, one JUCO and one from high school. I'm pretty sure we have 2 more scholorships to give out, it could be just one.

After looking at boxscore, I know that doesn't tell the tale of the game. But UE shot 49% and 38% from 3(hitting 5) and was 16-18 from the FT line. Those aren't bad looking stats. But we got out rebounded 31-20 and had 17 turnovers. Drake hit 57% and 42% from 3(hitting 8). You are not going to beat too many teams when they shot that good.

UE needs a win Saturday to get something going in the right direction heading into St. Louis.

Drake could be the hottest team in the league right now. If they win Thursday night, the number 2 seed could be in for a tight game.

[Aces0976]

Just my 2 cents, it seems like ever since the Creighton road game, our confidence on the road went into the toilet. To me, our confidence seemed to be a huge factor when we were playing our best. For now, we still seem to be playing agressive, confident basketball at home. As for our bigs, I think the biggest problem with Hopf is health, he's just not physically the same player as he was last year. Not that he was ever a great athletic specimen, he was always agressive and physical. It's hard to be that way with two bad knees. As for PVT, I think he has improved greatly over last year, it's just he never has been/ never will be a hard nosed physical banger inside. It's just not in his DNA. The other problem with Piet is that we don't seem to be able to feed the post worth a darn, there have been games where he has looked really good on offense and we just don't get him the ball, I just don't understand it. One thing I will NEVER question with either Hopf or PVT is their effort, those two play as hard as any big men in the league, PERIOD. Remember, at the beginning of last year, those two were supposed to be our backups for this year as well (Bouchie and Haarsma) and I think they've done as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Sorry for the rant, I just get tired of hearing our own fans (especially at the games) dog these two seniors. I give credit to Drake, good game, they seem to be putting things together and I too don't think anyone will really want to play them in the tourney.