Panthers 5 1/2 point favorite . Go Dawgs! On Fox Sports Midwest.
Not surprised about the spread. I'm hesitant to even place a bet on this game based on how SIU is at home and UNI finding ways to win on the road this season.
Think this will be the first game they play decided by single digits.
Twitter: CPTNDONUTS
Former WIDB Sports Director and Dawg Pound President. Since my freshmen year, SIU Basketball has not appeared in a NCAA or NIT postseason game.
KenPom has #47 Northern Iowa beating #182 SIU 65-60.
Northern Iowa's results this year via KenPom:
This Northern Iowa team is far from a fluke and are one of the best offensive teams in the country. They're 7th in the country in effective FG %, 14th in the country in adjusted efficiency, 21st in the country in 3 point shooting %, 18th in the country in 2 point shooting %, and 30th in the country in free throw % if they need to close out a game late.
6'4 Sophomore Guard A.J. Green has been the Panthers go to guy this season. Green, a candidate for Larry Bird Player of the Year is 2nd in the Missouri Valley in scoring (19.7 PPG) and is 63rd in the country in % of shots taken and 103rd in the nation in % of possessions used. Green is also 7th in the country in free throw % ( 70-75). Green is the reigning MVC Player of the Week.
6'9 Sophomore Austin Phyfe and 6'5 Junior Trae Berhow have been Northern Iowa's most efficient offensive players this season. Phyfe is 85th in the country in offensive rating, 44th in the country in effective FG %, 66th in the country in true shooting %, and 62nd in the country in free throw rate. Phyfe is also 15th in the country in offensive rebounding %. Berhow is 31st in the country in offensive rating, 67th in the country in effective FG %, 42nd in the country in true shooting %, and 34th in the country in free throw %.
I also have to mention 6'7 Senior Isaiah Brown who is 92nd in the country in 3 point %, 107th in effective FG %, and 170th in true shooting %. This team is beyond loaded with guys that score.
Links:
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier article for this game
Obviously Green has been awesome much of the year, but Northern Iowa is far from a one-man team. Brown has been known as more of a defensive stopper in the past but has become a dangerous secondary scorer, and Berhow and Haldeman can really shoot, too. They also are better inside this year with Phyfe and Dahl giving them solid production.
They’re a team that absolutely could win a game or two in the NCAAs if things fall right for them, so these two games with them are major challenges for SIU.
Keep it close and give yourself a chance at the end. I think that's the mantra for tomorrow night's game. UNI is a really good team, but as they proved at Illinois State they can have an off night and can be beat.
Keep it close and give yourself a chance at the end. I think that's the mantra for tomorrow night's game. UNI is a really good team, but as they proved at Illinois State they can have an off night and can be beat.
I would prefer we take the approach taken with Drake.
Build a huge lead and coast to victory. 😉
Go Salukis! Just keep playing hard and learning.
Would be huge for the program if we managed to win this game.
In reality, I don't see SIU winning this game, but with their team's preparations, specifically scheming to the other teams strengths, I think they can keep this one close...or at least that's my hope. I really just want the youngsters to play well and show that they belong with anyone in the valley, because Northern Iowa will be good again next year. Go Dawgs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spread is only 5.5
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
If we shoot the ball well and play tough D, we can beat them. Go Dawgs!!!!
It's been awhile since I've been excited about a game. I don't expect the W but I do expect big effort and strong defense. I hope they can get on some runs and get the crowd going. It's great to be excited about Saluki basketball again!
