Up Next: Evansville

[Hail Our Panthers]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

I have made that prediction three times, one time we ended up being the 6 seed due to tie breakers (we were tied with 3 teams and got a break), one time yes we did win it but at the time we had a reason for worry (We had just lost to Indiana State and were an under .500 basketball team after a relatively lax non con schedule, and the other is right now....

So yes, I do realize, three times. There they are, was I crazy?

If Bradley and Drake beat us at home, than absolutely, we’re headed to Thursday. But they haven’t yet, and I still have enough faith in UNI basketball to believe that won’t happen. So far are losses are to Wichita, InSU, and UE. All those teams have proven to be pretty good, better than us. I still find it hard to believe that MSU and BU will finish ahead of us. 5th place and a matchup with UE is where we're headed.

[UNIChippewa]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

How could so many people, smart people, be so wrong about this team???

Everyone, from all of us idiots on here to national CBB writers, and even coach Jake himself had predicted this team to be anywhere from pretty good to really good. Possibly even a MVC title contender and certainly a NCAA tournament contender.

Its absolutely baffling to me that we are sitting here at 8-8 (1-3), and 0-2 at home in Valley play. This is probably the most disappointed I have ever been in a UNI bball team.

I might be at a disadvantage here to write this, since with my living in Michigan I don't have a chance to see the team play on TV that often, much less actually seeing them play live, but I think that if the three main seniors from this season's team; James, J. Koch, and Sonnen were to play a game against the three seniors from our last team with this much returning experience (Ali F., Egelsedr?, and A. Koch), the latter team would wax the floor with our current team. I don't think it would even be close. Better players, better fundamentals, better chemistry too I think.

In a way, I have to wonder if Jake Koch scoring 30+ against Bradley a couple of years ago might have been the worst thing to happen to him. It showed us all just what he was capable of, but he's never gotten to that pinnacle again. I think he's a nice all-around player, but that's all he is. I do understand the frustration with his quiet demeanor, and I would say he has got to learn body language. James is a head-scratcher to me. He improved more than any other player in recent memory from his freshmen year to his sophomore year, but since then he's only gotten worse, judging by his shooting percentage and shot selection. I have serious doubts about his leadership skills, considering his suspension to start the season.

Question for those who have seen the team play (and struggle). Is it chemistry, or a lack thereof?

[06panther10]

You do realize this team is one defensive stop and one made basket in four different games from being 12-4 with wins over two ranked teams and 3-1 in the Valley? Yeah, they suck. Nothing will change that, we are doomed for eternity.

Jeepers criminy people, get a grip. We are at the same point in conference with w/l that we were last year (we lost at WSU and home to UE, swapped W/L with the ISU's).

lol, I love the positivity, but I'm sorry that is some pretty ridiculous spin.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

lol, I love the positivity, but I'm sorry that is some pretty ridiculous spin.

You're right. We're DOOMED!!!! Is it baseball season yet?

[CF84]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

Seems to me the whole Chris Olivier situation may still be having negative effects on this team. How do we go from Deon Mitchell starting to having AJ start and play 37 minutes and DM gets 15 minutes? Sounded like DM was close to Olivier and I just wonder if there isn't more turmoil inside the team. On top of that, you had Pehl supposedly giving up his scholarship for CO. Seems like this team possibly has some relationship issues. Just pure speculation but something is not right and it shows on the court.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

uni is one bad hire away from being drake

[run&blade]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

You do realize this team is one defensive stop and one made basket in four different games from being 12-4 with wins over two ranked teams and 3-1 in the Valley? Yeah, they suck. Nothing will change that, we are doomed for eternity.

Jeepers criminy people, get a grip. We are at the same point in conference with w/l that we were last year (we lost at WSU and home to UE, swapped W/L with the ISU's).

If this but that almost this.......

End of the day you are what your record says you are period. They finished none of those games against ranked teams.

Jake is a great coach but you can only coach up mediocre talent to a point. I said last year that this team would go as far as olivier took them. He tanked and so is the season. If you want to buy your "teams uni almost beat" tshirt please contact the book store.

[UNIChippewa]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

[QUOTE=run&blade;339909]If this but that almost this.......

End of the day you are what your record says you are period. They finished none of those games against ranked teams.

Jake is a great coach but you can only coach up mediocre talent to a point. I said last year that this team would go as far as olivier took them. He tanked and so is the season.[/QUOTE]

Look, I'm not going to argue that the Olivier situation was anything but a big disappointment all around, but did you honestly and seriously feel that the anchor of this season's success or failure was going to be based on a redshirt freshman who had shown nothing but raw potential? If so, that's mind-boggling.

[06panther10]

You're right. We're DOOMED!!!! Is it baseball season yet?

Well depending on your definition of doomed, yes. We have effectively ended our chances at both a conference championship, and an NCAA at-large bid after only 4 conference games. When you consider the expectations for this team (from almost everyone) that is a MAJOR disappointment in my mind.

If you are able to find optimism from what we have seen on the court through the first 16 games, then more power to you. But personally I dont take solace in the fact that we are "several plays" away from being 12-4. We aren't 12-4--we are 8-8 and have looked terrible in many if those games. Fact is, we are probably going to have to make a decent run just to finish in the top 6.

May I ask, what were your expectations for this season?

[Born-a-Panther]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

It seems to me that AJ hasn't progressed or gotten better - and maybe even gotten worse - since Kwadzo graduated. It was my understanding that Kwadzo spent a lot of time with him and that AJ really looked up to him.

[hoopfan]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

^this. I was wondering when the foolish "fire Jake" posts would come. Last nights game was similar to the loss to Louisville. Y'know, one of the best teams in the nation. Nate Buss comes in, team makes a big run, and has a chance to win it. It's not on the coaching staff that the players don't make Free throws. You want Mac back? The free throw shooting was horrendous under him. Then again, practicing free throws is up to the player to do on their own more than it is the coach to practice. UNI has been in every game regardless of who we line up against. THAT is coaching.

Are we comparing L'ville to E'ville now? Both top teams in the nation?

We have been in every game we have played except for WSU and Stanford. We have also failed to take a 8 point lead and turn it into a 20 point lead, except for the Wartburg game and that really doesn't count. That is on the coaching staff. Coming out flat every game, that is on the coaching staff. I like Jake and I think he can turn this around, but the recruiting philosophy needs to change a little a bit. The Valley is getting more athletic and we are failing to do so. The offensive philosophy hasn't been working now for 3 years, but we refuse to try something different. Why?

[jegbomb52]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

I wish Mac would have never left, we would be a top 15 team right now...

[jnutt]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

I wish Mac would have never left, we would be a top 15 team right now...

at missing free throws...

[jegbomb52]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

at least we would have his kid...

[jnutt]

Re: Up Next: Evansville

at least we would have his kid...

can't wait for Doug to graduate, so we can stop this nonsense