Game 30: MVC Semifinals vs. Loyola-Chicago

[unipanthers8907]

Here's the official game thread for 1-seed UNI's MVC Tournament Semifinal match-up with 4-seed Loyola-Chicago. Game tips off at 2:30 PM tomorrow in St. Louis.

The Ramblers are coming off a 66-50 drubbing of the 5th-seeded Bradley Braves in the Quarterfinals. The Panthers beat the 8th-seeded Illinois State Redbirds in the Quarterfinals, 78-65. UNI & Loyola split the regular season series 1-1, with the Ramblers winning by 27 in Chicago and the Panthers winning by 6 in OT last weekend. Loyola is led in scoring by senior guard Lucas Williamson (14.1 PPG).

I think the keys to a UNI victory will be pretty straightforward: we're going to have to defend the 3-point line (Loyola has killed us from deep in both games), we're going to have to hit some shots and/or draw fouls, and I think we also need to try and win or keep the rebound and turnover battle close. We're gonna need to bring it tomorrow.

Just win baby... One game at a time.

[BCPanther]

Downhill all afternoon just like the game here. Everything to the rack.

[Username]

Getting over that initial game and playing one of the better games of the season has me feeling better about the game tomorrow

Loyola, even with some inconsistencies and not completely running over the conference, is obviously no slouch though, and are going to be a really tough matchup.

Loyola cooled off in that second half where as we had a more consistent performance throughout today, so hopefully it's not another game where we have to score 90, but luckily we can keep pace if it does.

[unipanthers8907]

I hate to be cynical but it will be an uphill battle tomorrow if the officials "let them play" and aren't calling it tight. Loyola is the most physical team defensively in the MVC. They push the limits and basically force the officials to blow the whistle. If the officials aren't calling fouls and emphasizing the "freedom of movement" on offense they are tough to beat.

[kochrab]

Welp. Here we go. Rematch game. I feel like we're in for another great matchup. Go panthers!

[CyCarp]

We also need to rebound. We were outrebounded by 9 and 10 against them this year. If we play D like we did today, rebound like we have most the year and keep the O rolling like it's been the last few games, I like our chances.

[UNIChippewa]

Here we go!

I feel like all of the pressure will be on them; if they don't win tomorrow, their bubble is likely popped. I would love to blow them out by 20, but I don't think there's much of a chance of that. Let's keep it close and I like our chances in a tight game, just like last Saturday.

[vbfan19]

I hate to be cynical but it will be an uphill battle tomorrow if the officials "let them play" and aren't calling it tight. Loyola is the most physical team defensively in the MVC. They push the limits and basically force the officials to blow the whistle. If the officials aren't calling fouls and emphasizing the "freedom of movement" on offense they are tough to beat.

that's one of the main reasons that I've never been much of a fan of the sport of basketball.
too much inconsistency in officiating. The same exact play could be called a blocking foul one time, a charge another time, and no call a third time. And it can practically become two different sports depending on whether or not the refs decide to blow the whistle or "let them play".

[BCPanther]

that's one of the main reasons that I've never been much of a fan of the sport of basketball.
too much inconsistency in officiating. The same exact play could be called a blocking foul one time, a charge another time, and no call a third time. And it can practically become two different sports depending on whether or not the refs decide to blow the whistle or "let them play".

And yet, here you are. Constantly.

[QCPanther05]

I don’t want to play Loyola again, but the top four are chalk so we would probably have to play them again anyway to win the tournament. It could be an advantage that we are playing them in the semis while we are still somewhat fresh.

The team looked different today. Gelled. Dialed in. AJ has a different look in his eye, and so does Jake. These guys are focused. They are two games away from an March Madness bid and peaking at the right time.

[UNIAlum95]

Something feels right about the team. It’s like they know it’s their time. Crowd was great today and there’s a pretty universal send Loyola out early mentality from all the non gryffindors. Let’s force the refs to call a ton of fouls again and be the ones who send them in their way out of the Valley.

[Username]

Chalk through 2 days, certainly wouldn't mind that continuing all the way through

[BrockLesnar]

All the pressure is on Loyola. It's a must win for the last at-large. We don't have the at-large. We know our pressure is to be the last team standing

[not a drake fan]

It's true that the way this game is officiated will be huge. UNI prefers freedom of movement on both ends, Loyola is pretty okay with hacking and hand checking.

UNI is 68th out of 358+ at getting to the line offensively, and 26th in defending without fouling.

Loyola is 122/199. These numbers are all tempo adjusted.

[BCPanther]

Loyola physically assaulted Bradley yesterday. It didn't matter at all in the outcome but what they were allowed to do defensively was striking.

Jake is smart enough to know he's got be in ears from the tip today.