Game 30: MVC Semifinals vs. Loyola-Chicago

[Purple member]

The top of the MVC seems to be one big game of rock-paper-scissors. We are good scissors, and there is a lot of paper in the Valley, unfortunately Loyola is our rock and has been for a couple years. I don't think they're head and shoulders above the valley, but for us it's just a really bad matchup

[A Fan In Lean Years]

Nope. We'll get ready for the NIT next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping that there was a chance to still get in.

[Username]

Overcame a ton from the start of this season but fell just short against a very, very good team. You could argue a healthy Phyfe would have made “THE” difference for this team (if healthy) and it’s such a shame he and AJ may be done. This team needs a consistent post and is what made them lethal two years ago.

Not sure I buy this, the team made their big run and had their most efficient lineups when Carter was at the 5, and I'm not sure Carter/Phyfe would have worked well together

[Leatherhelmet]

I would love to see Carter/Phyfe together. Carter would be a matchup problem for anyone his size and as a team we would have much more physicality…which we badly lack playing teams like Loyola.

[unipanther2154]

Great time for an I told you so moment. Way to read the room.

Also you’re still wrong.

Not concerned about reading a room lol. Also, if after two 20 + point losses you don’t see that then cool.

the guys had a good hard fought season. Congrats to them. AJ and company deserved more and that sucks.

[Alum 99']

Ok....sick of people saying no one helped AJ today... AJ didn't help AJ.. 4 of 20....

[unipanther2154]

Ok....sick of people saying no one helped AJ today... AJ didn't help AJ.. 4 of 20....

I think 2 things can we true at the same time. AJ definitely missed shots when he was wide open that he probably shouldn’t have. What is also true is no one else stepped up to take pressure off AJ. He is not and never will be a guy that can consistently get him self open shots on his own. We had 5-6 games of really good offense and we just laid an egg due to a team that plays the best defense in our league.

[Flip20]

Phyfe, when healthy, absolutely dominates the paint and forces opponents to double, opening up the perimeter. Carter is incredible but undersized as a true center. Phyfe (two years ago) with AJ and Carter would have been unstoppable. Outside of Carter, who made opponents double down in the post?

I agree, AJ had a bad game and missed some open shots. 9 total field goals for the rest of the squad doesn’t help your best player though…just sayin.

[BCPanther]

Real hard to place blame on any one individual. Sometimes it's just not your day and today was one of those days.

Take a few days to breathe and get ready to play next Tuesday or Wednesday night.

[CyCarp]

Ok....sick of people saying no one helped AJ today... AJ didn't help AJ.. 4 of 20....

Agreed. There way AJ just looked at the game vs Loyola at UNI, the was no way he was going to let us lose. Today was different. With that said, nobody had a good game offensively. Ugly all around. We shot 23% overall and 16% from three. Yuck

[SteinPizza]

Ok....sick of people saying no one helped AJ today... AJ didn't help AJ.. 4 of 20....

AJ’s also not the team. Jeebus…there are 7 or so other guys that play. Just because he’s from the Cedar Valley doesn’t mean ****.

[unifan]

Did anybody ever hear what was actually said to AJ after the game by the Loyola fan?

[QCPanther05]

I hope AJ stays around for another year. But is it possible we could actually be better after he leaves? Not because he stinks it up (he’s the player of the year ffs), but because everyone is so reliant on him that us winning depends on how he plays that day, not how the team plays that day. I would rather have 5 good players that make a great squad then 1 superstar who everyone looks to make plays.

That said, he should come back and give it one more year. He has nothing to lose by coming back.

[BCPanther]

Did anybody ever hear what was actually said to AJ after the game by the Loyola fan?

It was a homophobic slur starting with 'Q'.

Super classy.

[Leatherhelmet]

We found out last year how we were without AJ. Hopefully we can get our mojo back for the NIT.