Arch Madness Game 1 - Mar 5 - Evansville

[PantherAlum09]

I'm not going to miss starting the thread this time. We drew the best possible matchup to start our run. Evansville has been absolutely dreadful with the exception of AJ Casey. Casey is by far their best offensive player and will draw the most attention. Make this a business trip and make a statement early.

[MVCBeat]

Another guy to keep an eye on is Leif Moeller. A freshman from Germany, he has scored double figures in 11 of 14 games including four of 20+. Hasn't been as good lately though. Typically plays 35+ minutes per game.

[kochrab]

I'm really hoping we can put them away early and get some extended minutes from our bench in the first one. We have a path to the championship, but we're going to need all the legs we can to get there.

[Zakelsta]

I'm really hoping we can put them away early and get some extended minutes from our bench in the first one. We have a path to the championship, but we're going to need all the legs we can to get there.

This is the key. We tend to wait until the last 3 minutes to put in subs even if we're up by 30+. I want RJ, Jacobson, Hutchins, Pock, and Courbat playing most of the second half.

[7YrsOfCollegeDownTheDrain]

Its gameday...wishing i could be in STL to watch live. We need to get out quick to start a good tourney run. We're giong to need a good 4 days from the full roster. We're going to need California Kyle, and the best version of Izzy, Geon, and RJ. I'd love to see this tourney be a coming out party for Geon as i think there is so much upside there.

[unifan]

Hypothetically saying we don’t win this weekend, what is the postseason chance looking like? Is there even a postseason chance other than the NCAA Tournament?

[BCPanther]

Hypothetically saying we don’t win this weekend, what is the postseason chance looking like? Is there even a postseason chance other than the NCAA Tournament?

We're an NIT lock and we're the Valley auto-qualifier and get a home game if Belmont wins the tournament.

[1994grad]

I am very hopeful for tonight, but I am also remembering all of the times we have lost to the worst team in the conference. Evansville has had some close games (even with Belmont) this year and we can not sleep on them. If they are hitting their shots and we have one of those games where we shoot 25%, we could lose. Of course, I don't want to be negative, but trying to be realistic. Evansville wants this win as much as we do.

[Wxcpanther]

I am very hopeful for tonight, but I am also remembering all of the times we have lost to the worst team in the conference. Evansville has had some close games (even with Belmont) this year and we can not sleep on them. If they are hitting their shots and we have one of those games where we shoot 25%, we could lose. Of course, I don't want to be negative, but trying to be realistic. Evansville wants this win as much as we do.

Evansville is already on their third game in 6 days. Start well and we will be fine.

[kochrab]

I am very hopeful for tonight, but I am also remembering all of the times we have lost to the worst team in the conference. Evansville has had some close games (even with Belmont) this year and we can not sleep on them. If they are hitting their shots and we have one of those games where we shoot 25%, we could lose. Of course, I don't want to be negative, but trying to be realistic. Evansville wants this win as much as we do.

While that may be true, Evansville hasn't been much of a test for us at all this season. Sure, we cannot sleep on anyone, but this is the most ideal first round matchup we could've asked for.

[CletusCat]

Obviously we need to take this one game at a time, but if I squint I can see us playing on Sunday.

[GarretW1797]

I'm gonna be honest, knowing how having the 3 seed and first round bye last year went for us, I almost kinda prefer our scenario this year. We play the worst team in the MVC and get a chance to get in rhythm before moving on to the tougher competition. Obviously we still gotta take care of business and take the game seriously, but if they keep Casey below 20 points this should be a very easy win.

[GhostOfRedeker]

Knowing this game could/should be a game we can run away with, I fully expect us to be in a dogfight until the end.

[kochrab]

Knowing this game could/should be a game we can run away with, I fully expect us to be in a dogfight until the end.

Don't bring that type of energy around here

[kochrab]

Game time! Let's gooooooooo