Arch Madness championship game thread - Illinois St vs UNI

[Ricardo del Rio]

Congrats UNI. Great tourney and season. Watching ISUr in the tournament it's hard to believe they didn't have a better overall record than they did.

They have athleticism and skills.

It is the part between the ears that lets them down.

[rlh04d]

Congrats to the Panthers on the title and saving some face for the league.

Good luck to the Redbirds in the NIT

Don't worry I fixed it for u. Hopefully we can make a run and build momentum towards next year just like Wichita did a couple years ago to take the next step .

It would be excellent to see IlSt make a deep NIT run. The championship should be attainable.

The NIT's really about motivation. If you get a team bummed to miss the big tourney, they can easily lose to a lesser team that's really motivated to make a statement with it.

Creighton was always the former, and WSU was once under Marshall. Luckily we went the other way the next time out, and it started something really special.

[ISUBirds89]

Congrats UNI. Great tourney and season. Watching ISUr in the tournament it's hard to believe they didn't have a better overall record than they did.

They have athleticism and skills.

It is the part between the ears that lets them down.

Never mind that Akoon-Purcell missed time with a broken hand. Lynch missed time with back issues. Hawkins missed time with a stress reaction in his foot. Injuries had nothing to do with losses. Notice that the team went on a run when they got healthy?

[rlh04d]

Congrats UNI. Great tourney and season. Watching ISUr in the tournament it's hard to believe they didn't have a better overall record than they did.

I go the other way: I can't believe they did as well as they did with so many true sophomores playing major, major minutes.

That 2013 IlSt class might go down as the best non-WSU class of the last decade (it would take a lot to pass that 2012 WSU class, especially if you consider Baker part of it).

[WSpringsBird]

Congrats UNI. Great tourney and season. Watching ISUr in the tournament it's hard to believe they didn't have a better overall record than they did.

They have athleticism and skills.

It is the part between the ears that lets them down.

Never mind that Akoon-Purcell missed time with a broken hand. Lynch missed time with back issues. Hawkins missed time with a stress reaction in his foot. Injuries had nothing to do with losses. Notice that the team went on a run when they got healthy?

Eh, I wouldn't waste my time attempting to use logic with him.

Congrats to the Panthers. You have a really fun team to watch. Whatever the seeds, both the Panthers and the Shockers have a great shot to make the Sweet 16--and I'll hope for more.

[ilstubirds250]

Congrats UNI fans. Heck of a comeback! Good luck

[Ricardo del Rio]

Congrats UNI. Great tourney and season. Watching ISUr in the tournament it's hard to believe they didn't have a better overall record than they did.

They have athleticism and skills.

It is the part between the ears that lets them down.

Never mind that Akoon-Purcell missed time with a broken hand. Lynch missed time with back issues. Hawkins missed time with a stress reaction in his foot. Injuries had nothing to do with losses. Notice that the team went on a run when they got healthy?

And your point is what? Redbird brains were injured?

[PantherSigEp]

Fun game to be at. Anyone check if thone hoops were regulation sized? Both teams combined for 53% on the south hoop, 28% on the north hoop.

Really impressed by the Redbirds to begin the game. I'll echo some others that they have the athleticism and skills to beat A LOT of teams in the country...but the inexperience, basketball IQ and mental toughness needs to improve before they are a truly potent and dangerous threat. I have no issues with Muller voting for them as the #1 preseason pick for 2015-2016 Season next year.

[bryce]

Congrats to UNI, will be rooting for both you and WSU in the big dance. Also kudos to ILL ST. for a good late season run. Wish I could say the same for my Aces.

[hot nuts]

Just got back from the game....great game by the Panthers and the UNI fanbase brought it strong! Birds really seemed to wear down quickly after the hot start and UNI played AWESOME in the 2nd half. Another great time at Arch Madness.