Next Big Game - Aces @ Shox

[PurpleAcesFootball]

The two matchups that will be fun are:

Baker vs DJ: I think Baker will guard DJ, but i'm not sure it will be the same on the other end. Baker's D has improved a ton over last year. Can he shut down DJ?

Mock vs Morris/Grady/Nurger/Wamukota: Morris/Nurger/Wamukota were able to team up to stop Zimmerman - UNLV and Poeltl - Utah. Those are both widely considered Lottery picks. It appears Marshall has moved to a Morris/Grady combination primarily. Will that stay the same vs Mock? Or will he bring in the taller and less offensively skilled players in Nurger/Wamukota. Either way, thats 4 players to keep fresh and 20 fouls to give against Mock (though that's a lot of free throws if it goes that way) If WSU does the same thing to Mock that they did to Zimmerman and Poeltl, this is a blow-out for WSU. If Mock does what he does, it will be a close game.

I hope WSU thinks like you do, Stick. Let me tell you a little secret – the NBA and NCAA are two different things. You keep touting the performances of Zimmerman and Poeltl. The thing is they are 7'0 and 7'1. Mock is 6'10. That is a world of difference from an NBA perspective. Also they are 19 and 20. So they are potentially lottery picks because of that - potential.

Mock is 23. He's a grown man playing against boys. Literally.

He could be stopped tomorrow night but the more likely causes will be
1. Foul trouble
2. Marty Simmons offense that requires him to set screens for DJ

As far as the key for the Aces, it will be pushing the tempo. Get a shot before WSU's defense has a chance to dig in. Late shot clock possessions that result in a Balentine off-balance 3 will kill the Aces chances. I didn't realize that WSU was one of the 40 slowest teams in Div. 1. (Maybe injury/ schedule related.) UE has had great offensive efficiency ratings- but I guarantee that is due to playing the Little Sisters in the non-con.

The latest line I saw was WSU -9. That sounds about right to me. I'm pulling for an upset but the Norman Dale 4-pass offense will get bogged down against the WSU D.

[shockem]

Shox main focus will be to prevent Mock from getting touches in the paint. We need Shaq Morris to hold his ground without getting into foul trouble. Will Evansville allow Mock to rebound or will they be sprinting back to play defense after every shot like a lot of our conference foes do against WSU? Mock could be a force on the glass if they allow it. DJ will get his shots up but he'll really have to work for it. Another interesting angle to watch will be the referees. Evansville is known for their constant pulling and hand checks while the Shox play really tight pressure defense. Both teams may have to watch the foul counts if the game is called tight.

I can see the Shox going right at Mock early and often to see if they can get him in quick foul trouble. If they are successful, lights out on the Aces. Should be an entertaining match.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I do think Evansville is better this year, the question is that can the gap be closed all the way from last year.

I think Evansville is better this year because Egidijus is better. I also think they are better because Jaylon Brown is better and the team has a PG instead of basically a split in minutes with Boo injured. I also think JB is a better fit because he can shoot the 3 where I'm not sure Boo has even taken a non-desperation clock situation 3 point attempt.

I also believe that two other role players, Adam Wing is more confident, looking for his shot and not being so robotic and along with Mislav are more consistent this season.

I think this group has learned from some of the struggles of the past as well. The Murray State game where they rebounded from a start where Murray hit a bunch of 3's (8-12 1st half) and found a way to get back in it and win in OT. Both of the 2nd halves in the conference season where they were down at halftime and came back to win games that quite frankly they should win (Indiana State at home, MSU on the road) if a conference title is in your sights.

What does that mean tomorrow? That's the fun part. The keys for Evansville are keeping DJ, Egidijus, and Jaylon Brown on the floor. The first two are pretty easy to understand but without a true backup PG right now, JB will probably need to play close to 35 minutes. The Aces are better on both ends with him on the floor. In addition Wing or Mislav need to get to double figures and help with the rebounding.

Is it a winnable game....yes but the margin of error for Evansville is a lot smaller than WSU. Any game in theory is winnable. In some ways the Shockers are a wounded animal due to injuries, they haven't had the year I imagined they envisioned so far and with UE picked 2nd this can be a statement game for them in some ways early in the MVC season. They seem to thrive on the doubt from the outside.

From an outsiders perspective, WSU thrives on the tough, gritty plays. A 3 off an offensive rebound, a run out off a steal.....the plays where they outwork the other team. What scares me the most is Egidijus getting in foul trouble, I believe he's the biggest piece of the puzzle for Evansville to have success, even as good as DJ has been.

UE is still playing 4 on 5. The Achilles heel is still present.

I know that the Shockers are favored, but I still remember the game in about 2013, where #11 just killed us. He scored about 30 and the Shockers had a zero answer for him.

[ACECARD]

I do think Evansville is better this year, the question is that can the gap be closed all the way from last year.

I think Evansville is better this year because Egidijus is better. I also think they are better because Jaylon Brown is better and the team has a PG instead of basically a split in minutes with Boo injured. I also think JB is a better fit because he can shoot the 3 where I'm not sure Boo has even taken a non-desperation clock situation 3 point attempt.

I also believe that two other role players, Adam Wing is more confident, looking for his shot and not being so robotic and along with Mislav are more consistent this season.

I think this group has learned from some of the struggles of the past as well. The Murray State game where they rebounded from a start where Murray hit a bunch of 3's (8-12 1st half) and found a way to get back in it and win in OT. Both of the 2nd halves in the conference season where they were down at halftime and came back to win games that quite frankly they should win (Indiana State at home, MSU on the road) if a conference title is in your sights.

What does that mean tomorrow? That's the fun part. The keys for Evansville are keeping DJ, Egidijus, and Jaylon Brown on the floor. The first two are pretty easy to understand but without a true backup PG right now, JB will probably need to play close to 35 minutes. The Aces are better on both ends with him on the floor. In addition Wing or Mislav need to get to double figures and help with the rebounding.

Is it a winnable game....yes but the margin of error for Evansville is a lot smaller than WSU. Any game in theory is winnable. In some ways the Shockers are a wounded animal due to injuries, they haven't had the year I imagined they envisioned so far and with UE picked 2nd this can be a statement game for them in some ways early in the MVC season. They seem to thrive on the doubt from the outside.

From an outsiders perspective, WSU thrives on the tough, gritty plays. A 3 off an offensive rebound, a run out off a steal.....the plays where they outwork the other team. What scares me the most is Egidijus getting in foul trouble, I believe he's the biggest piece of the puzzle for Evansville to have success, even as good as DJ has been.

UE is still playing 4 on 5. The Achilles heel is still present.

I know that the Shockers are favored, but I still remember the game in about 2013, where #11 just killed us. He scored about 30 and the Shockers had a zero answer for him.

Colt Ryan scored 29 of the Aces 59 points in a 59-56 win. It's not often that one guy can beat you, but it happened that night.

[mvcfan31]

That black ref is HORRIBLE. Not that the Aces would be winning, but he has blown 3 huge calls so far. What a hack.

[Wufan]

That black ref is HORRIBLE. Not that the Aces would be winning, but he has blown 3 huge calls so far. What a hack.

The first 16 minutes were really entertaining. Both teams went cold in the last 4.

[mvcfan31]

WSU is a good team don't get me wrong, but I really like this Aces team in the Valley. The only thing that could hold them back is depth.

Side note. I love that DJ isn't forcing up bad shots anymore.

[shockem]

Nice game Aces, your guys played their asses off.

[Ace75]

Damn that was a fun game to watch. Too bad it didn't go the other way.

[bigdawg]

Looks like both the shockers and redbirds will escape. Damn. I was hoping at the end of the night we would be the only undefeated team sitting atop the valley.