SIU has been truly abysmal vs. the few BCS teams they've played under Hinson, and obviously this one is an extreme challenge vs. UK. Still, with a senior-laden team, at a minimum, you'd like to see Southern compete and play with some composure. Whether that means losing by 8 or 18, I don't know, but hopefully they're able to take some confidence and momentum into a key, got-to-have-it game three days later against Buffalo.
SIU has been truly abysmal vs. the few BCS teams they've played under Hinson, and obviously this one is an extreme challenge vs. UK. Still, with a senior-laden team, at a minimum, you'd like to see Southern compete and play with some composure. Whether that means losing by 8 or 18, I don't know, but hopefully they're able to take some confidence and momentum into a key, got-to-have-it game three days later against Buffalo.
Honestly, siudawgs (not trying to start a fight, btw), I don't think there really are any "key, got-to-have-it" games on our schedule outside the MVC tourney and whatever games it takes to stay out of Thursday night. We aren't going anywhere (meaningful) unless we win the MVC tourney (or pretty much run the table in OOC and conference play, which is highly unlikely).
(Inflammatory political snark)
The game is on the SEC Network. 611 on Directv.
SIU has been truly abysmal vs. the few BCS teams they've played under Hinson, and obviously this one is an extreme challenge vs. UK. Still, with a senior-laden team, at a minimum, you'd like to see Southern compete and play with some composure. Whether that means losing by 8 or 18, I don't know, but hopefully they're able to take some confidence and momentum into a key, got-to-have-it game three days later against Buffalo.
Honestly, siudawgs (not trying to start a fight, btw), I don't think there really are any "key, got-to-have-it" games on our schedule outside the MVC tourney and whatever games it takes to stay out of Thursday night. We aren't going anywhere (meaningful) unless we win the MVC tourney (or pretty much run the table in OOC and conference play, which is highly unlikely).
While I am as critical of the Hinson era is just about anyone and absolutely think he should have been replaced by Mullins last spring, this season is somewhat unusual with this many experienced upperclassmen and essentially six returning starters. We all know experience is near the top of the list of successful ingredients for midmajors. In no way would I be surprised if Southern disappoints this year and finishes mid-pack in a likely improved MVC, but ... with this veteran of a team, and a competitive non-con schedule, there is a slight chance to be on the fringe of NCAA consideration if Southern splits with Buffalo, beats SLU (picked to win A-10), wins at Colorado State, avoids bad losses, etc. An NIT bid should be the minimum of what is expected with so many seniors in the mix.
I hear you.
And I agree that experience is important, but these upperclassmen are the same bunch that went 1-4 against IlSU and Loyola last year. I don't expect them to do much better against teams that have, by all accounts, reloaded.
But this is why they go ahead and play the games: we will just have to wait and see, I guess.
With such low expectations, I might be pleasantly surprised. But for me, anything less than an NCAA bid is not really worth talking about precisely because it is such an upperclassmen-heavy team.
(Inflammatory political snark)
Thik Bol would have made a huge difference in last years team and I believe he’s the wild card for this year.
Are all you little snowflakes happy now?
I guess having two final four appearances taken away and being named in an FBI investigation is not something you can call out
With the new title, I may have to change my prediction of Saluki victory, now that I know the players won't be distracted by prostitutes and the coach won't be distracted by banging some old gal on a table in the back of Big Dick's Halfway Inn. Oh wait! Wrong school!! My bad! 😀
Are all you little snowflakes happy now?
I guess having two final four appearances taken away and being named in an FBI investigation is not something you can call out
With the new title, I may have to change my prediction of Saluki victory, now that I know the players won't be distracted by prostitutes and the coach won't be distracted by banging some old gal on a table in the back of Big Dick's Halfway Inn. Oh wait! Wrong school!! My bad! 😀
That's Big D I C K's Hallway Inn. Just curious if I can type Dick Vitale! 😀
Thik Bol would have made a huge difference in last years team and I believe he’s the wild card for this year.
This. I remember watching him block 5 shots in the first 5-10 minutes or so against Loyola two years ago in SIU Arena; the Yarbrough's and Krutwig of the conference are not going to have it so easy down low anymore.
Thik Bol would have made a huge difference in last years team and I believe he’s the wild card for this year.
This. I remember watching him block 5 shots in the first 5-10 minutes or so against Loyola two years ago in SIU Arena; the Yarbrough's and Krutwig of the conference are not going to have it so easy down low anymore.
I agree he can be a difference maker, but I think a lot will depend on whether he is mostly used just to spell Pippin or will share the floor with Pippen a lot.
If the former, I think it will kind of be a wash; if the latter, then yes: he could make a huge difference.
It will be very interesting to see how he is deployed. He is definitely fun to watch!
(Inflammatory political snark)
Going to be interesting to see the defensive match-ups that Barry assigns for this game. Although we have some length, I feel like it will be difficult for our guys to run the floor with the wildcats.
I wish we had a consistent sharpshooter to better spread the floor, but we don't. And although we have a senior led team with a handful of guys who are pretty decent, who is the go-to-guy for us this year when the clock runs down or we need a an extra push? Can Fletcher take it to another level and be that "all the time guy"?
I would typically really really look forward to a season in which SIU has a roster with such potential......HOWEVER, I have absolutely no faith in the head coach. He has just kind of sucked the life out of any thoughts of a great season and potential for a meaningful post season.
Kentucky +17
Kentucky +17
I'd be all over that line! It was Kentucky - 17......now its up to -18.5. I think Kentucky could win by 40 if they wanted to do so.....it just depends how much mercy that wonderful, fantastic amazing coach decides to show on the BBQ salesman.
Yep, that sounds like easy money taking Kentucky minus the 18. Cal won't show mercy after that beat down he took at Duke.
