Nit

[Khan4Cats]

I still say that 7 wins puts us in, 6 puts us on the bubble. Remember Wartburg doesn't count with the committee.
A huge positive: I have not seen a team yet in the Valley that we cannot beat if we play our game. All of our losses can be attributed to things we did or did not do: coming out with enough energy (CU, WSU, IlSU), lack of protecting the ball (SIU), or silly turnovers (DU) like travels and moving screens. Even so, in each one of those, except for Drake, we had the chance to win with two minutes to go. Same with our losses to Loyola and Washington. Its time for these guys to step up. They will be together all weekend, a great time to get focused on the same page and start our run to the Dance.

[BCPanther]

Its nice to be getting Eglseder back. Coleman has been playing great for 32-34 minutes, Stout 34-37. Imagine how well they can play and how hard they can play when Jordan takes 6 to 8 and gives those two that extra rest!!

[PantherHawk]

that will be huge getting him back, when is he gonna be back? this week? we really need to get our bigs rest, they can't play the whole game. Also I would look into getting some more guards in there more often. Brooks is a good player, but we need to give him a break every now and again. I just really hope we get rolling, we need to get on a win streak and start playing the way we are capable of!

[BCPanther]

Jordan dressed last night and could have been used in an emergency. He will be ready to take his regular spot back on Saturday. He rode bike and was running shortly after surgery, so he is still in game shape.

This weekend has two really good matchups for him. It would be great if he could play 10 or 12 minutes both nights. Coleman played 37 last night and he is much more effective when he plays 25-28...

[PantherHawk]

well that's good news to hear, We are gonna need him down the stretch and also we are going to need our guards step it up! If UNI can Win 7 Games and make it to the final of the MVC Tourny, no doubt were in. But if we get beat out first round, we are back on the bubble! We just need to beat the Sh!t out of everyone and end this debate!

[BCPanther]

Good Call PH.

It's time to stop worrying about things we can't control as PR said. We win ballgames we dance...

[JagsNCats]

Basketball is a game of streaks. Limiting your opponents scoring streaks wins games. Playing consistent, hard-nosed defense wins games. Seems like we've been on the short end of these streaks lately. Coach Jake will get the guys refocused and hopefully we can put together a streak of our own. Other than the Drake game, it seems like we've been in every game and only 2-3 possessions would have made a difference converting a loss to a win. We're sooooooooo close!

[General_Panther]

Also I would look into getting some more guards in there more often. Brooks is a good player, but we need to give him a break every now and again.

I have noticed this recently as well Mostly with the Drake game and the Game Last Night. Brooksy looked VERY VERY Tired against Drake and if I'm not mistaken he did not have a SINGLE break the entire game.(again I could be wrong) There were even times when he looked almost confused or as if he was lost on the court, just my observation.

I was shocked when the Announcers said last night that Brooks shot 300 three's before the game and that he made 80% of them, but then during the game he missed a bunch. I am wondering if he tired himself out before the game shooting all those threes, or if he hasn't been performing as well because he's been so tired from playing so much. Again just speculation on my part. I really hope I don't get ripped on for this.

[BCPanther]

No, you are right GP. Kwadzo is kind of going through that "freshman dry spell" right now and he is not giving great minutes. It's pretty apparent that Jake is not comfortable with stealing a couple of minutes with Jones or Josten running the point, so, unfortunately, Brooks is kind of stuck.

He would have even played more last night if he wouldn't have had the foul trouble in the second half.

Another unrelated thought I had... Almost every other team "tags" the point guard in the back court bringing the ball up the floor and I would like to see us do that. Obviously, we can't run Brooks down any more, so I think it would be logical to move Brown to their best player for a possesion here or there and just let Josten "Saluki" somebody on their way up the floor. We let Brauer get way to comfortable last night and I think that is why he was able to knock down shots that he normally struggles with. Just my $.14 or $.15...

[jman2004]

I've mentioned before about Brooksy's playing time, and I got murdered for it. I tend to agree completely General Panther, but I better keep my mouth quiet.

[Schack]

Here's a site that tries to predict NIT participants. UNI is included.

http://tcaa.puretecmo.com/nit06.html

[UNIPNTHR]

Kwadzo is kind of going through that "freshman dry spell" right now and he is not giving great minutes.

I don't think we can call the inability to dribble to one's left a " freshman dry spell."

[lightnin49]

We can speculate on the post-season all we want folks, but it's time to win in the regular season again. AND SOON!

[jman2004]

Schack, I looked at your website.

Find it kind of funny that Bradley is a #1 seed with us as a #3. That doesn't seem right to me. IF, (I said a big capitalized IF) we have to settle for an NIT bid, I doubt Bradley would get a high seed than us.

However as someone mentioned before, the NIT bids are sometimes screwy.

But I'll stop talking about NIT. I realize the stupidity in my original post. I shouldn't have even brought it up.

[jman2004]

Actually, scratch that. Just saw Bradley's non-conference schedule. On paper, this season, it's better than ours.