Game 29 - Feb 21 - Southern Illinois

[PantherAlum09]

Southern Illinois comes to town tomorrow night for Senior night. We have a big group of guys we are celebrating with Trey, Max, Ben, Chase, Izzy, Hunter, and Tristan so I hope we have a great crowd.

SIU sits at 121 in KenPom while we are at 81. Although SIU's record isn't great, they have been playing better. They also thumped us at their place before we got the offense dialed in. Speaking of that offense, it has been very very good for the past 6 games essentially.

Mayo, House, and Rolyns Aligbe are the big 3 for us to worry about in my eyes. With a side note to worry about Drew Steffe if he decides to heat it up on the offensive end. Aligbe really hurt us last time we played. SIU has been hitting the glass on offense the last several games, and we have to do a better job not giving them second chances. We did that far too many times with Indiana State.

I'm looking for Will to have a much better showing against Aligbe this game and Tristan to add a bit to the glass. I'm also excited to see the continued aggressive play from Max. Go CATS!

[06panther10]

They kicked our ass at SIU arena, and they also have a win at Belmont. The guys have to be ready to play.

['70 Grad]

Are we having senior night today because it is a weekend, rather than the last home game - Wednesday?
Hunter has been consistently listed with the class behind - a redshirt junior this year. Probably already graduated? Moving on?
No more talk of any of these guys trying to find any more eligibility?

[kochrab]

Are we having senior night today because it is a weekend, rather than the last home game - Wednesday?
Hunter has been consistently listed with the class behind - a redshirt junior this year. Probably already graduated? Moving on?
No more talk of any of these guys trying to find any more eligibility?

I think that regardless of what happens, you celebrate them in their "senior year/last year". If another year of eligibility comes after, great.

This is definitely a game we have to not overlook, though. Just keep playing like we have and we'll be fine.

[UNIAlum95]

Well we got all ten of our students in attendance tonight. Yikes

[kochrab]

Yeah, that student crowd is pitiful. The basketball right now isn't much better.

[kochrab]

Intensity turning up a lot right now. Pock with a KABOOM.

[CincyPanther88]

Not letting us have anything inside. Better start making perimeter shots and 3s or it's going to be another blowout.

[kochrab]

Man, I don't know what it is about SIU this year, but they just have our number somehow. We don't seem to match up well with them at all.

[Username]

I do not understand why coaches don’t call timeouts in the first half when there’s literal seconds left after a made basket

[CletusCat]

Man, I don't know what it is about SIU this year, but they just have our number somehow. We don't seem to match up well with them at all.

Their offense is definitely paint oriented and we don't have a rim protector. They also play really tight, physical defense which we historically struggle with. All that said, we have more talent and should beat them.

[kochrab]

Good end to the half even if they made a last-second 3 to finish it out. Play our game and keep up the intensity and we'll be good.

[MVCBeat]

Welp. We put ourselves in this position where we had no margin for error by taking January off. Duds happen, but we really couldn’t afford one today.

[unifan]

The vast difference in athleticism is once again obvious.

Middle of the pack is our home. Going to have to find some legit portal guys for next year.

[MVCBeat]

Looking at remaining schedules, it seems doubtful either Valpo or SIU will lose one so this is probably the reality.

2-0: Still a good chance we'd find a way into the top 5 since that would include a win over ISU Red.
1-1: Likely 7th, 6th if we get some unlikely help from Valpo's opponents.
0-2: Likely 8th, 7th if we get some unlikely help from SIU's opponents.

Valpo hosts Drake and plays at UE.
SIU hosts ISU Blue and plays at UE.