Opening week games

[BCPanther]

UNI blew the doors off of a Milwaukee team picked to win the Horizon League 87-68. Would have blown past 100 points if Jake didn't take the air out the ball for the last 6 minutes or so.

All 5 starters in double figures plus a really good night from freshman big Will Hornseth.

Back at it Sunday at home against UC Irvine (picked to win the Big West) before a trip to see the Shox next week.

[tribecalledquest]

Bradley s*** the bed in the second half in Pullman last night. One of the worst defensive games during Wardle's tenure.

I have said that Wardle is secretly happy about this second half. Sure, losing sucks, but he gets a chance to bring the ego down in the locker room some. A lot of drinking their own bath water from some dudes on the roster.

I'm not super concerned about the result (losing a 10 PM Central time start three time zones away at Washington State isn't a crime) as long as it doesn't linger. I don't expect it to but in today's era with NIL and more money involved you never know.

[racernation]

Racers hung with Pitt, down 2 with seven minutes left before foul trouble and an injury to a starter caused us to run out of gas. Racers much improved this year.

[purple&orange]

Evansville's week:

Loss at North Texas Loss 80-63
Tough opener vs a solid North Texas squad. UNT took control mid 1st half to lead by 25, 42-17 at half. Aces better in the 2nd half, MVC Freshman of the Year candidate Gabriel Pozzato led the way with 28 points. The Italian import has been Evansville's best player in the exhibition and the two regular season games and could make a case for All MVC honors before the season is over.

Win vs Brescia (NAIA) 96-49
Aces overpower the Bearcats who were vastly overmatched this afternoon in the home opener. Tayshawn Comer (EKU transfer) led the way with 21 points while returner Tanner Cuff had 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Evansville was able to get out in transition a lot easier in this one for obvious reasons. Curious to see if they can get out and run more this season to use the athleticism and finishing skills of Pozzato, Comer, others around the rim.


Things pick up next week at Middle Tennessee on Wednesday and Radford at home Saturday. Week 1 unfolded much to be expected as North Texas is the 2nd best non-conference opponent (at Ohio State) put it on them early. Offense was pretty stagnant in half 1 in Denton, got better in the 2nd half with more movement off the ball. Today was a glorified exhibition but it was good to see Battle and Hundley knock in 3s off the bench, something they didn't do at North Texas.

Ultimately the top 6 of Evansville: Comer, Cuff, Haffner, Pozzato, Hughes and Turnbull will lead the way, but if the Aces are to continue to improve under Ragland and get into the middle of the league, a couple bench guys like the two above will have to contribute as well.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Indiana St drew 6,381 against the Eureka Red Devils. Unless Ronald Reagan was suiting back up for Eureka, that’s a heck of a crowd against a D3 team.

[TheDrake]

Drake runs away from Stephen F Austin 66-51 to keep the nation's second longest home winning streak alive.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Indiana St drew 6,381 against the Eureka Red Devils. Unless Ronald Reagan was suiting back up for Eureka, that’s a heck of a crowd against a D3 team.

Good to see that they still have strong support given the offseason. Schertz did so much for that program whether he stayed or not. Hope they can keep that going. SIU had just shy of 5,000 for their D2 opponent in Coach Nagy’s first game which is solid given the opponent.

[ReZyNeZy]

Valpo was actually able to pony up a student section that was engaging for their run against NAIA Concordia-Ann Arbor. WOn the game in the highest point differential since 2005.

[BCPanther]

Woof.

Irvine's size really bothered us and just couldn't get anything to fall. Only counts as one. On to Wichita on Thursday.

[mvfcfan]

Indiana St drew 6,381 against the Eureka Red Devils. Unless Ronald Reagan was suiting back up for Eureka, that’s a heck of a crowd against a D3 team.

I think a lot of the people were there to watch the local singer perform that won America's Got Talent. The crowd the other day against SIUE looked like the crowds of the past (3-4K).