Missouri State @ UNI

[Bluejay09Bear06]

UNI is a 12.5 point favorite, but yeah Missouri State 'should win'...

UNI is unlikely to cover. That line is pretty substantial. Both teams are 5-6 in the Valley and have a recent history of one-possession games.

[BCPanther]

UNI also beat Drake and Bradley at home by 30. I actually think this will be a pretty comfortable win for UNI...

[glm38]

I predict this game will be closer than some of those laughers, with the Panthers winning by about 5. Should be a good game and I'm excited to finally see what the Bears have to offer for the next few years. The verdict is still out if the talent level is as high as some MSU fans seem to believe.

The Bears will bring the top 2 freshman with them tonight, Downing is important to the Bears but Gavin is who I would fear from an opposing standpoint. Bears should win this one tonight.

I have high hopes for this game too. If Pickens can go and play significant minutes I think we can win. If not we may struggle.

I don't think there's much doubt about Thurman and M Marshall's abilities. They are both the real thing.

[TNMSUFAN]

The verdict is still out if the talent level is as high as some MSU fans seem to believe.

It isn't just the Missouri State fans that think our freshmen are good...Marcus Marshall and Gavin Thurman are very good freshmen and just about every Valley coach has said as much.

Bears have covered every spread in Valley play except Creighton at home...hopefully we can make a game of it starting 4 frosh again

[shoxrox]

I can't speak for UNI fans, but I get the feeling they objected to the phrase "Bears should win". And thus reacted accordingly.

Are you also suggesting the Bears *should* win? Should and could are BIG differences.

[TNMSUFAN]

I can't speak for UNI fans, but I get the feeling they objected to the phrase "Bears should win". And thus reacted accordingly.

Are you also suggesting the Bears *should* win? Should and could are BIG differences.

I know and I wish our fans wouldn't get involved in the smack talk either especially with a road game but it is what it is on this board.

As far as I am concerned I don't expect to win...road games are tough regardless of who you play and I just hope we are competitive with a chance at the end like we were at ISU, Drake, UE and BU.

[valleychamp]

What is up with some of the MSU fans? Where is all this confidence and bravado coming from?

Someone comes on here and laughably says that "MSU should win the game", another comes on here and explains how much better MSU's players are, and another one comes and indicts UNI fans' completely reasonable and respectful response to those remarks as unsportsmanlike "smack talk". Give me a break.

MSU may very well win the game and they are certainly capable of doing so, but it will not be because they are a better basketball team with superior players. Take a look in the mirror a little bit, jeez...

[agrinut]

What is up with some of the MSU fans? Where is all this confidence and bravado coming from?

Someone comes on here and laughably says that "MSU should win the game", another comes on here and explains how much better MSU's players are, and another one comes and indicts UNI fans' completely reasonable and respectful response to those remarks as unsportsmanlike "smack talk". Give me a break.

MSU may very well win the game and they are certainly capable of doing so, but it will not be because they are a better basketball team with superior players. Take a look in the mirror a little bit, jeez...

Why would we win if we are not the better basketball team? I guess my use of should has upset some, I still think I would take the Bears talent over the panthers. I don't find that to be a stretch either. Good thing is here in an hour we get to test our assumptions. Go Bears

[valleychamp]

What is up with some of the MSU fans? Where is all this confidence and bravado coming from?

Someone comes on here and laughably says that "MSU should win the game", another comes on here and explains how much better MSU's players are, and another one comes and indicts UNI fans' completely reasonable and respectful response to those remarks as unsportsmanlike "smack talk". Give me a break.

MSU may very well win the game and they are certainly capable of doing so, but it will not be because they are a better basketball team with superior players. Take a look in the mirror a little bit, jeez...

Why would we win if we are not the better basketball team? I guess my use of should has upset some, I still think I would take the Bears talent over the panthers. I don't find that to be a stretch either. Good thing is here in an hour we get to test our assumptions. Go Bears

Good point. I would assume that you also believe that both Jacksonville and Alabama A&M are a better basketball team than MSU as a result of their decisive victories over the Bears as well?

[PantherSigEp]

Koch < Thurman

Okay, this is totally wrong. Gavin Thurman is a strong player by all indications, and he could very well end up being a high quality talent in the MVC. But right now how is he better than Jake Koch? Match-up wise Koch is 3 inches taller and 30 lbs bigger plus one of the better defensive post players in the conference. I know that he is still in Adam's shadow and doesn't post huge numbers, so everyone forgets about him, but he is so productive in a variety of categories. Let's break it down:

Jake Koch: 10 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, 1 blk/gm, 1 stl/gm, .436 FG%, .281 3pt% (ouch!), .800 FT% in 28 min/gm
Thurman: 8 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg, .1 blk/gm, .2 stl/gm, .382 FG%, .365 3pt%, .692 FT%, in 23 min/gm

Those are considerably large differences 3 pt shooting is the only one where Thurman gets the nod. I won't even bother looking at the other's because they are probably close but I couldn't let this pass