Arch Madness - semifinal discussion WSU vs IlSt, UNI vs LU

[glm38]

Great game...hope ISU red can win another, giving the MVC 3 NCAAA spots. Wonder if Coach Mueller doubters will be silenced now? His mixing of zone "D" v. the Shox was masterful and creative...something that Indiana State will never see out of the one-dimensional Lansing.

I think I'm one of the few Coach Muller believers among WSU fans. He's got some growing to do as a coach, but he's young and well on his way to being very, very good. He's obviously a very good recruiter, he's got a lot he can sell, and he has the personal connection to IlSt that might keep him from leaving at the first opportunity like most MVC coaches.

Also, long-term, I'd stick with his zone D against WSU. Use it every time out. Make us adapt to beat it. It'll get IlSt wins over us and it'll make WSU better for the NCAA tournament in future years.

WSU/IlSt is going to be a serious, real rivalry for the foreseeable future.

Good post. I like Muller too. He seems to learn from his mistakes unlike a lot of Valley coaches not named Marshall and Jacobsen.

It's early but I could easily see ISUr as the #2 team in the MVC next year.

[Bmarq04]

Great game to watch.

Loved the man embrace between FVV and Knight after the game. Camera caught it.

I know there may be some hurt feelings or dislike between parts of the fanbase and maybe between the coaches, but great to see that level of respect and communication between 2 of the competitors actually lacing them up.

[unipanther99]

Panthers roll.

[MVCfans]

Sort of anticlimactic after the earlier game. As I mentioned on twitter, I'm sure Doug Elgin won't be outwardly rooting tomorrow, but if the MVC could steal a third bid, he'd be mighty happy.

[hot nuts]

I tried to quote Championz post but I couldn't find it.

[CBB_Fan]

Want to say the UNI and ISUr will be a fun, close game by I don't think that will happen. Wichita State is a bad 3PT shooting team with an offense that relies on shooting 3s and a frontcourt that can't guard or score against a competent player and it is no surprise that ISUr had a favorable matchup. UNI is an amazing 3PT shooting team with an offense that has at least one other option and more balanced scoring. While ISUr has played UNI to the last bucket before this season, I think that was the exception and the 83-64 trouncing is closer to what you'd see if the teams played 10 times.

The same issues that will likely cause WSU to get upset in the NCAA and UNI to advance will also cause different outcomes against ISUr. WSU is simply flawed, and any impartial viewer can see that despite their clear high level of basketball IQ, toughness, and skill they just don't have the pieces to be consistent.

[Singeril]

Without causing too much discord---can someone tell me just what all of the bad feelings are concerning Wichita State and Illinois State. I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest. However, I keep seeing that there is this rivalry and I'm not sure why this is the case. They don't seem to be geographical reasons. They are two States apart. I notice a lot of really bad things said on both of their team message boards about the other--couldn't believe a few of the things I saw today (especially when one of the players from one team was momentarily injured and had to leave the game---that kind of thing is never acceptable). I don't see the rivalry in the players' eyes either--is it just a fan thing? I heard that one of the Illinois State coaches wouldn't shake the Wichita coach's hand in a game earlier this season (not sure if that's true or not) and that fans threw things at the Shockers after a game a few years or so ago in Normal (also, never acceptable). What got all this going? With civility, can anybody clue me in?

[glm38]

Want to say the UNI and ISUr will be a fun, close game by I don't think that will happen. Wichita State is a bad 3PT shooting team with an offense that relies on shooting 3s and a frontcourt that can't guard or score against a competent player and it is no surprise that ISUr had a favorable matchup. UNI is an amazing 3PT shooting team with an offense that has at least one other option and more balanced scoring. While ISUr has played UNI to the last bucket before this season, I think that was the exception and the 83-64 trouncing is closer to what you'd see if the teams played 10 times.

The same issues that will likely cause WSU to get upset in the NCAA and UNI to advance will also cause different outcomes against ISUr. WSU is simply flawed, and any impartial viewer can see that despite their clear high level of basketball IQ, toughness, and skill they just don't have the pieces to be consistent.

Not much praise or confidence in your team? Shox did win the Valley regular season didn't they?. I agree UNI is more balanced but I'm not sure they are any better of a team overall. I think either team is very capable of making a sweet 16 and possibly even an elite 8 run. Good Lord show some confidence in your team.

[ilstubirds250]

Without causing too much discord---can someone tell me just what all of the bad feelings are concerning Wichita State and Illinois State. I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest. However, I keep seeing that there is this rivalry and I'm not sure why this is the case. They don't seem to be geographical reasons. They are two States apart. I notice a lot of really bad things said on both of their team message boards about the other--couldn't believe a few of the things I saw today (especially when one of the players from one team was momentarily injured and had to leave the game---that kind of thing is never acceptable). I don't see the rivalry in the players' eyes either--is it just a fan thing? I heard that one of the Illinois State coaches wouldn't shake the Wichita coach's hand in a game earlier this season (not sure if that's true or not) and that fans threw things at the Shockers after a game a few years or so ago in Normal (also, never acceptable). What got all this going? With civility, can anybody clue me in?

Oh my, here we go.

[Singeril]

"Oh my, here we go."

Well, that didn't explain very much.