Game 23 - Feb 2 - Bradley

[kochrab]

Early in the game I was concerned as Bradley was able to manipulate match-ups due to switching. At some point UNI coaches made an adjustment and the defensive switching was not a problem.

It felt like it switched to the opposite, our defense gave them fits most of the game.

[BCPanther]

Jake said on the postgame that they're just now getting to where they don't have to switch everything. Northern Michigan switches absolutely everything so with Max missing the summer and being limited in practice for a while, they weren't comfortable playing through screens with him on the floor.

Yesterday was the first time they played how they really want to and it certainly showed.

[UNIAlum95]

Great intensity to start the game and I was thinking to myself at half time, I sure hope we come out with the same fire and don't try to coast. Credit to the players and coaches for not letting up. Bradley got some cheap buckets toward the end when we were trying to slow things down and Jake went right back to the starters who helped hold the line. Great game. What a rollercoaster team going from Drake level performance to this. One of our worst games this year to one of our best.

[PantherAlum09]

Biggest things that might have come from this game besides the excellent defensive effort are the shooting of Max and Cael, and a hopeful confidence boost for Kyle Pock. If we can get those three shooting well from outside, we could be cooking. We just have to find a way to give that effort consistently. It was clear they were fired up yesterday. They can't let a hot start from the opposing team shut them down. I think that's been the biggest thing that has hurt them in games where the effort looks lackluster.

[Username]

With the last 5 games of the year each providing their own difficulties it's crucial to sweep these next 3.

[06panther10]

With the last 5 games of the year each providing their own difficulties it's crucial to sweep these next 3.

Last year we got the 4 seed via tiebreaker at 12-8. You would think 13 wins would virtually guarantee you a top 4 seed this year. That would mean we finish 5-3 to close the season.

We have games @ Murray, @ Bradley, and home vs Drake left on the schedule. Its going to be tough. But I agree, these next 3 games aver very crucial as far as getting a 1st round bye are concerned. Gotta have them.

[Panther AC]

Cael really makes RJs injury not hurt nearly as bad. Good game, I don't want to be negative, but we NEED to find consistency.

I still think this is one of the hardest things to accomplish in sports. Everyone seeks consistency but few achieve it.

[Wxcpanther]

Last year we got the 4 seed via tiebreaker at 12-8. You would think 13 wins would virtually guarantee you a top 4 seed this year. That would mean we finish 5-3 to close the season.

We have games @ Murray, @ Bradley, and home vs Drake left on the schedule. Its going to be tough. But I agree, these next 3 games aver very crucial as far as getting a 1st round bye are concerned. Gotta have them.

Per Hack's update today, 12 wins gives us an 87% chance at a first round bye, and 13 wins gives us a 100% chance at a first round bye. To me, the most important thing is being on the 2-3 line. I'd much rather have to wait till Sunday to play a Drake team playing their 3rd game in 3 days.

[MVCBeat]

What a HUGE freakin win. Wasn't able to watch because of work. But I when I finally was able to check the score (with about 7 minutes left in the game) I was afraid it was an error by my score app. Thankfully, it wasn't. Just the boys kickin butt.

[CyCarp]

I still think this is one of the hardest things to accomplish in sports. Everyone seeks consistency but few achieve it.

I can handle losses, but there's no excuse for looking completely uncompetitive (especially against a bad team like SIU) in games.