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Well, this is it Panther fans! This is now the biggest game of the season. I believe with the RPI jump that UNI is squarely on the bubble for at-large consideration. However, the Panthers can't bank on the RPI as of today, they have some more work to do and I think the players know it. UNI needs to beat a much improved SMS team. They are playing much better than when the Panthers swept the bears in a 7-day span back in January. The last 4 or 5 games with SMS dating back to the last game of the 2002-2003 season at Hammons Student Center have all been close games that were very physical.
Going over to Letsgobears.com this morning, I was amazed to read that UNI is the team that SMS wanted in the first round! All of their fans are predicting an SMS victory. I can see where they are coming from. They think when UNI beat them that they were playing awful and now that they are playing better, they will walk all over the Panthers. (I hope the SMS players think they have the game won as well!)
I'm excited that the UNI coaching staff now has 4 days to break down recent SMS tapes and come up with a good game plan. This game does worry me, it's hard to beat a team three times, but these kids have a lot of heart.
Let's go Panthers! I'll see everyone in St. Louis! Hopefully many fans will make the road trip for Saturday's game!!!!!!
SMS fans think the UNI players will be over confident and not prepare for the Bears! Here's a snipit of what's being said in Bear Country...
Actually, I'm excited for this match-up !
Last nights Northern Iowa last second win could be a good thing. Although they know they are playing for NCAA at large bid, there has to be some over-confidence in the back of their mind. Not only are they thinking about how they beat the bears this year, but I'm sure they're replaying last years final in their head. I think thats a good thing.
I have a few more reasons, I think why SMS is in good shape.
1. Blake Ahearn. Ok, I'm not a believer that BA, needs to play 40 min a game, and is the second coming of Rick Mount (I bet only 3-4 poster here ever saw him play), but when he is in the game, you do have to make sure you defend him. Blake played 13 min and 4 min or 17 min total against Northern. He should at least see 20 min this game and that could be a good
thing.
2. Deke Thompson. Hopefully he had is coming out game. Regardless, his numbers last night has to have Northern Iowa think he's a threat and possible spend more attention on him which could lead to more wide-open looks for BA and others.
3. Trevor Fisher. I really appreciate what TF has done as a walk-on. And I know he's a great kid. But the truth is when is minutes are expanded, good things usually don't transpire for our Bears. He had 14 min and 11 min against NI. Thats a few too many.
4. Anthony Shavies & Tamarr Maclin. AS has been struggling but last year during this tourney he stepped up to the plate. I remember Rodney Perry stepped up during the MVC tourney, can Anthony do it again? Also, TM possibly playing his last game in his town. He ought to be pumped.
5. Bear Phlegm. More importantly Bear Phlegm Jr. I've been to almost every SMS game at the MVC tourney since its arrival (I missed last year due to foot surgery). My son is 12 and I've been taking him off and on since he's a toddler. I remember the Font prayer at the buzzer and he was dancing in the aisle. Anyway, when I've taken him, the Bears haven't lost in the first round game. He's going saturday
I agree about liking this game. I am much more pleased about it than playing CU. Trying to beat Dana Altman three times in a season really scares me. With the two this year, that puts us at 4 straight over Creighton. I hope someone takes care of them on the other side of the bracket.
The two UNI games were early in the season when we weren't playing well. Hopefully these last two games have given the guys a little more confidence.
Going over to Letsgobears.com this morning, I was amazed to read that UNI is the team that SMS wanted in the first round! All of their fans are predicting an SMS victory. I can see where they are coming from. They think when UNI beat them that they were playing awful and now that they are playing better, they will walk all over the Panthers. (I hope the SMS players think they have the game won as well!)
I'm excited that the UNI coaching staff now has 4 days to break down recent SMS tapes and come up with a good game plan. This game does worry me, it's hard to beat a team three times, but these kids have a lot of heart.
Let's go Panthers! I'll see everyone in St. Louis! Hopefully many fans will make the road trip for Saturday's game!!!!!!
SMS fans think the UNI players will be over confident and not prepare for the Bears! Here's a snipit of what's being said in Bear Country...
Actually, I'm excited for this match-up !
Last nights Northern Iowa last second win could be a good thing. Although they know they are playing for NCAA at large bid, there has to be some over-confidence in the back of their mind. Not only are they thinking about how they beat the bears this year, but I'm sure they're replaying last years final in their head. I think thats a good thing.
I have a few more reasons, I think why SMS is in good shape.
1. Blake Ahearn. Ok, I'm not a believer that BA, needs to play 40 min a game, and is the second coming of Rick Mount (I bet only 3-4 poster here ever saw him play), but when he is in the game, you do have to make sure you defend him. Blake played 13 min and 4 min or 17 min total against Northern. He should at least see 20 min this game and that could be a good
thing.
2. Deke Thompson. Hopefully he had is coming out game. Regardless, his numbers last night has to have Northern Iowa think he's a threat and possible spend more attention on him which could lead to more wide-open looks for BA and others.
3. Trevor Fisher. I really appreciate what TF has done as a walk-on. And I know he's a great kid. But the truth is when is minutes are expanded, good things usually don't transpire for our Bears. He had 14 min and 11 min against NI. Thats a few too many.
4. Anthony Shavies & Tamarr Maclin. AS has been struggling but last year during this tourney he stepped up to the plate. I remember Rodney Perry stepped up during the MVC tourney, can Anthony do it again? Also, TM possibly playing his last game in his town. He ought to be pumped.
5. Bear Phlegm. More importantly Bear Phlegm Jr. I've been to almost every SMS game at the MVC tourney since its arrival (I missed last year due to foot surgery). My son is 12 and I've been taking him off and on since he's a toddler. I remember the Font prayer at the buzzer and he was dancing in the aisle. Anyway, when I've taken him, the Bears haven't lost in the first round game. He's going saturday
I agree about liking this game. I am much more pleased about it than playing CU. Trying to beat Dana Altman three times in a season really scares me. With the two this year, that puts us at 4 straight over Creighton. I hope someone takes care of them on the other side of the bracket.
The two UNI games were early in the season when we weren't playing well. Hopefully these last two games have given the guys a little more confidence.
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