Let's get this started. Another big game against a good Drake team who is 5-4 in conference. We handled them pretty easily at home, the beginning of our win streak, with big games from McGill and Benson. But, like everyone, they are tough at their place.
KenPom predicts a 59-63 Drake win.
Can we keep this streak going and pull off a huge road win?
If the Salukis win this one, it might be time to really change expectations for this year. Missouri State went to Drake on Sunday and only lost by 2 so I think there’s a shot, granted they went down 13 with 10:54 left and really chipped away at the end.
This is a big game if we want to start to separate from the middle of the pack...plus would seal the tie breaker for us against Drake should we need it (I personally think that’s one of the teams we will be fighting with for seeding at the tournament). Excited to see if they can take this on the road!
I have noticed the rotations have frequently dropped to one player at a time vs. two or three. Unfortunately, the team can't continue to play kids 38+ minutes a game; they will wear down. M. Domask was gassed at ISU and missed two critical free throws. I also recall two serious team in-bounding errors late in the last two games. Both lead to bad turnovers; again, a sign of real fatigue.
Drake may be the game where the Coaches start to rely more heavily on the bench and hope that a couple of the kids can rise to the occasion. It is halfway through the conference season and I believe the bench players are close to being bigger contributors. HF&TB can shoot and are due to get hot. KD is starting to attack the basket and last game Gooch "half-made" a couple of threes. I think he helped get B. Benson going. 😀
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
-Karl Marx
I have noticed the rotations have frequently dropped to one player at a time vs. two or three. Unfortunately, the team can't continue to play kids 38+ minutes a game; they will wear down. M. Domask was gassed at ISU and missed two critical free throws. I also recall two serious team in-bounding errors late in the last two games. Both lead to bad turnovers; again, a sign of real fatigue.
Drake may be the game where the Coaches start to rely more heavily on the bench and hope that a couple of the kids can rise to the occasion. It is halfway through the conference season and I believe the bench players are close to being bigger contributors. HF&TB can shoot and are due to get hot. KD is starting to attack the basket and last game Gooch "half-made" a couple of threes. I think he helped get B. Benson going.
No doubt Domask was showing some fatigue last couple of games and just a little concerned about the amount of PT on starting players as well as the "freshman wall." MVC teams have also been heavily defending Domask which is bound to wear one down. Good news is, other Salukis have stepped it up. Dawgs are developing consistently and the defense remains solid. This will be another tough road battle, but it's certainly winnable.
March on triumphantly!
This is a big game if we want to start to separate from the middle of the pack...plus would seal the tie breaker for us against Drake should we need it (I personally think that’s one of the teams we will be fighting with for seeding at the tournament). Excited to see if they can take this on the road!
This could be interesting come Tourney time in St. Louis.
The Hilton At The Ballpark is host to fans of the Salukis... and Drake.
Yee-Hahh!
“True terror is waking up one morning and discovering your high school class is running the country.” —Kurt Vonnegut
Drake is expecting a big crowd and they are undefeated at home.
Drake is expecting a big crowd and they are undefeated at home.
Should be a good test and good experience for the young guys. I’m really glad we got the monkey off our backs in Normal because I was wondering if this team would get a road win if they lost that. They have Evansville on the road next but it’s scary knowing the Aces are gonna get someone at some point. Going into next year with no true road wins would have been a huge mental hurdle.
Stating the obvious, but Benson will have to play very well and most importantly; stay out of foul trouble for the Dawgs to have a chance to win.
This could be the most important game of the season to date if SIU is to continue to exceed expectations and realistically challenge for the MVC crown and/or a top seed for Arch Madness (it feels surreal to even type that out).
Another big win or two and high hopes will begin shifting into expectations. I'm hopeful!
No matter what though, I could not be more proud of this team.
--Insert something witty here--
Really good Mike Reis interview with Brendon Gooch. Some good stuff on the young guys:
Drake is a five point favorite
our game and all today's valley games on directv channel 794. Anybody know if medicom has it anyplace
our game and all today's valley games on directv channel 794. Anybody know if medicom has it anyplace
Is that Fox sports Midwest ?
our game and all today's valley games on directv channel 794. Anybody know if medicom has it anyplace
Is that Fox sports Midwest ?
Game is on ESPN3 online and streaming.
our game and all today's valley games on directv channel 794. Anybody know if medicom has it anyplace
Is that Fox sports Midwest ?
no. 794 is an espn sports package channel listed as ESPNHD and ECEHD. It has 4 valley games on today starting at 1p cst.
