Msu @ uni

[UNIFanSince1983]

Re: Msu @ uni

With as crazy as the valley has been so far who knows what could happen. We seem to struggle traditionally in Evansville, and that team in Des Moines has quietly been playing some pretty good ball. Those two games should tell us a lot more about this team.

As some have said though, we haven't been able to finish a season out strong. Even those great years under Mac we struggled down the stretch. I think this team might change that, but with a wild and crazy Valley who knows.

[jman2004]

Re: Msu @ uni

Nice crowd tonight with students not yet back. Maybe there is a little buzz starting.

It's easy to generate buzz when we're winning ball games! IF we can keep his streak going, and pick up the next two before returning home for Bradley, expect a packed house against the Braves! I really, really, really want us to win in Des Moines . . .

[Panthers to the Bone]

Re: Msu @ uni

Great win tonight for the Cats. The offense is really clicking right now. Teams have a tough time trying to match up with Adam Koch at the 4. He may not have the most points or boards, but his ability to get everyone involved, in addition to being able to take his guy off the dribble from the 3 to the hole is huge. We'll appreciate it more once he's graduated.

I'll echo what was said earlier, it's good to see Moran not force things after having such a great game at Creighton. This team is becoming diversified offensively, and the full to 3/4 court pressure defensively has been a nice addition. I would love to see that press more as I think we have the depth to make it work.

Being 4-1 is a great spot to be in. Next week is big. I'm not sure if now is the best time to be playing Evansville as they are playing a 7 man rotation. They are playing well as a team, but their lack of depth will eventually slow them down (which hopefully will be evident when they play in CF the last game of the year). With them playing 3 guys 36+ minutes and 2 others 25+ minutes, they may be a little tired Tuesday night (hopefully).

UNI's depth currently includes 10 guys playing 10+ minutes per game, and 8 guys really getting 15+ min/game. The future looks good, and the nice thing is the future doesn't exactly mean next year.

About a month ago, I had posted some of the road win/loss records. The common consensus was that ILSU and CU were the top teams. Evansville was doing very well and Drake was looking solid also (based off of non-con records). Well, fast forward until now, and the teams that challenged themselves (road non-con wise) are the teams that seem to be towards the top of the league now. Bradley (MSU and Florida) and UNI (Iowa, Marquette, Auburn, Wyoming, UIC) sit in the top spot, and Drake (Iowa State, Vanderbilt, New Mexico) is one win away from that spot also.

The season is far from over, but I do think that the good start to the season can be attributed to challenging the team with a strong non-con schedule...and not just racking up wins at home.

[Panther78]

Re: Msu @ uni

I have to say that i'm pleasantly surprised at the Panther's success lately. At the beginning of the season I had visions of the Cats winning about four games in the Valley. Total. Now, I feel more confident in the team than I ever have since they've started playing at the McLeod Center. Funny.<p>
I'm listening to Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Good band.

[Newt99]

Re: Msu @ uni

Nice to see a couple of new wrinkles to get the ball inside for easier shots, the backdoor screen for Kwadzo, the clear-out lobs to Jordan (and Jordan finishing with the dunks!).

This was great to see. Not only are those the high-percentage shots we've been mostly lacking lately, it also really opens up the outside shooting as well.

If we can keep that up, this season suddenly looks much more promising than it did about two weeks ago.

[CyCarp]

Re: Msu @ uni

Shhhh.... but it look like these guys just might be hitting there stride...

[in_the_stands]

Re: Msu @ uni

ISU Blue took down ISU Red in OT, giving the Redbirds their 2nd MVC loss.

[Panther789]

Re: Msu @ uni

Another very solid performance from the guys. Pretty consistent from start to finish. We did what we had to do to take control of a game from a team we felt like we should beat.

The best couple of weeks we have had in several years, and Jake and the guys deserve a ton of credit for that.

[Jonsoup]

Re: Msu @ uni

I was quite impress with the crowd as well considering the road conditions and weather along with the students still out on break. Does anybody have a list of former alumni they introduced at halftime?