Game 31 - March 2 - At Bradley

[kochrab]

Final game of the regular season on Sunday! Regardless of the outcome, we would meet back up with Bradley in the Semi's if we win our first game. I'm not sure what the benefit would be of the 2 vs. the 3 seed, time of game is one of them.

[Username]

Would be nice to win, but I won't invest too much into. I expect Bradley to play pretty inspired and spirited so we'll have to be on our A game. Wonder if Bond sneaks in, or they truly are saving him for a potential tournament return.

Time of game is for sure the biggest, but even then, it's marginal. Illinois State/Murray State/UIC are all capable of stealing a Friday game so there's really no preference there anyhow, outside of not really wanting to place Illinois State again given we stole 2 wins against them.

Would be a good year to have the 1.

[BCPanther]

I'm not terribly worried about the outcome as long as we play hard. I kind of expect Duke Deen to have one of those afternoons where he can't miss.

Matchup wise for Friday, I actually like the 3 better because UIC has liked completely clueless against us and Murray's talent level is a little scary.

[CyCarp]

Is it correct that if we win Sunday and Drake wins in STL, we get an NIT bid?

[Wxcpanther]

Is it correct that if we win Sunday and Drake wins in STL, we get an NIT bid?

We get an auto bid that comes with a home game, yes. That is truthfully probably the most important thing about winning the game tomorrow lol

[PantherAlum09]

I'm not terribly worried about the outcome as long as we play hard. I kind of expect Duke Deen to have one of those afternoons where he can't miss.

Matchup wise for Friday, I actually like the 3 better because UIC has liked completely clueless against us and Murray's talent level is a little scary.

Duke has been unconscious lately. When he is playing like he is the last few weeks, it really makes Bradley a tough matchup. Total game changer for their team.

[BCPanther]

Is it correct that if we win Sunday and Drake wins in STL, we get an NIT bid?

We're in pretty good shape for an NIT bid regardless. Stay in the top 100 and we should see a bid.

[kochrab]

Just realized I accidentally put March 3 in the title, meant to put March 2. If BC or any other can fix it, that'd be awesome.

[BCPanther]

Just realized I accidentally put March 3 in the title, meant to put March 2. If BC or any other can fix it, that'd be awesome.

Done

Kaboom

[UNIChippewa]

Nothing to lose today. As others have written, let's just hope for a hard effort on the road, maybe get Bond some limited minutes, and get ourselves in position for a good run in St. Louis.

[UNIAlum95]

There's a lot to be said in avoiding that 3 seed. Finish the game at 10:30. Clean up cool down back to the hotel by midnight. Try to sleep and be ready to play at 4 the next day isn't ideal.

[Username]

Official Minutes for Bond recorded in a meaningful fashion.

Looked a bit timid and lost, but in a limited spurt. Maybe we’ll see more

Good sign to potentially be a key bench contributor in March.

Hornseth getting a little swagger back

[CyCarp]

Bradley has to cool down from 3, right? We have to protect the ball better, already a handful of turnovers.

[CyCarp]

Did the ref just kick that loose ball to Bradley? What the hell?

[Username]

The turnovers are bad at the moment, but lol at the ref literally kicking the ball back in play for them

Bond’s gonna need some more minutes to work back, but more run is a promising sign