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3 MVC games tonight (Wed. 2/5)

It is also available on Comcast SportsNet and FoxSports Midwest cable and satellite channels.
Nice to see a huge crowd in the Hulman Center.
 
Wichita and ISU Blue are having a really good game so far with Wichita leading 36-35 at the half. Manny Arop singlehandedly brought ISU back as he scored 14, including scoring 11 in the last 7 minutes. Wichita was up by 9 with about 4 1/2 left before ISU closed the half on a 13-5 run. In the 2 other games, also at the half, Missouri St leads at Evansville 31-27 and UNI leads at ISU Red 34-31.
 
I was excited to talk about the Wichita/ISU Blue game. Both teams played their butts off but Wichita converted their Ft's down the stretch to beat ISU 65-58. Cleanthony Early scored 15 of his 19 points in the 2nd half as he seems to be re-establishing his position as the favorite to win the POY in the MVC. Tekele Cotton added 14 for the Shockers. Manny Arop led ISU with 16 points but had just 2 in the 2nd half. Wichita led by double digits in both halves but ISU was able to make it close but down the stretch they just couldn't get it over the hump. For the last 9:00 of the game ISU shot 1-13 from the field and were just 5-11 from the FT line. It's going to take someone's best 40 minute offensive effort for a Valley team to beat the Shockers.
 
You're right. Indiana State shot poorly (just 32.1%, and 25% from three). Arop & Odum were the only 2 that had good games on offense. They also had only 5 assists for the game. If they had shot just a bit better, they might have upset Wichita State.
 
Wichita State won the game but Gregg Marshall and his team did absolutely nothing to dispel the strongly growing sense that they have played a very soft schedule, and may not deserve a #4 ranking.
In fact - if enough people among the voters saw this game, I wouldn't be surprised if they drop a bit in the rankings this week.

If the Shockers had to play a tough schedule every night, they would not be undefeated.
They were lucky to get out of Terre Haute with a win...but then tonight, a lot of even mediocre teams would have beaten a team that misses almost 40 shots.
You are lucky that this season, 8 of the the other MVC teams are not over .500!

And 2nd place Indiana State isn't even a great team plus they did not play a particularly good game but were within a single possession in the final minute - then simply couldn't make a shot or a FT after that.

In fact InSU shot poorly all night...only 5-20 on 3-pointers, and only 32% overall -


Congrats to WSU for the win but the cat is out of the bag now, the Shockers are not a Top 10 team.
In fact, I think Bradley can beat them when they come here.



Jarmar Gulley had another nice game, 18 pts & 12 rebs. DJ Balentine only 11 pts as the aces go 0-13 from the arc.



ISU had to rally in the 2nd half, taking advantage of a couple long UNI dry spells. UNI's Wes Washpun had a game to forget - 2 pts on 1-4, only 2 asst but 6 turnovers
 
Despite everyone calling them tough - I just don't see it - numerous times they laid off playing defense as if worried about picking up a foul...
I suspect they actually are a bit worried - they really aren't deep if anyone does get in foul trouble.
A couple times as Odum drove the lane they parted and let him shoot.
Their big men Lufile, Carter, and Coleby have some deficiencies - none seem to be able to hit a layup (4-13 from the paint), the three combined for just 5-11 at the foul line as they are not aggressive on offense and all three shoot FT's poorly.
And the Sycamores don't have any all-league rebounders but Arop consistently went right over the WSU big men and outrebounded them.

I know they'll get a top four seed in one of the Regionals which will mean at least a couple wins - but we'll see after that.
 
tornado said:
Wichita State won the game but Gregg Marshall and his team did absolutely nothing to dispel the strongly growing sense that they have played a very soft schedule, and may not deserve a #4 ranking.
In fact - if enough people among the voters saw this game, I wouldn't be surprised if they drop a bit in the rankings this week.

If the Shockers had to play a tough schedule every night, they would not be undefeated.
They were lucky to get out of Terre Haute with a win...but then tonight, a lot of even mediocre teams would have beaten a team that misses almost 40 shots.
You are lucky that this season, 8 of the the other MVC teams are not over .500!

And 2nd place Indiana State isn't even a great team plus they did not play a particularly good game but were within a single possession in the final minute - then simply couldn't make a shot or a FT after that.

In fact InSU shot poorly all night...only 5-20 on 3-pointers, and only 32% overall -


Congrats to WSU for the win but the cat is out of the bag now, the Shockers are not a Top 10 team.
In fact, I think Bradley can beat them when they come here.



Jarmar Gulley had another nice game, 18 pts & 12 rebs. DJ Balentine only 11 pts as the aces go 0-13 from the arc.



ISU had to rally in the 2nd half, taking advantage of a couple long UNI dry spells. UNI's Wes Washpun had a game to forget - 2 pts on 1-4, only 2 asst but 6 turnovers
Click to expand...

I saw the game tonight and I agree the Shockers look like they could be beat. The real good teams win a few games in the season when they are not hitting their shots. I remember when Bradley won 32 games in 1985-86 and there were a few games that were very close wins and would have been losses except for Hersey's miracle performances.Still, I would not bet against them from losing to a MVC team, unless it is in St Louis in the tournament. I would be surprised if Bradley is within 20 points when they play here. Our team has a consistent habit of making every opposing team look great and many opponent players have career nights vs. Bradley. Just remember how Bradley made University of Illinois look like they might have a good team this year. I think Greg Marshall will have his team ready for the NCAA tournament and I think they could make another final 4.
 
tornado said:
Wichita State won the game but Gregg Marshall and his team did absolutely nothing to dispel the strongly growing sense that they have played a very soft schedule, and may not deserve a #4 ranking.
In fact - if enough people among the voters saw this game, I wouldn't be surprised if they drop a bit in the rankings this week.

If the Shockers had to play a tough schedule every night, they would not be undefeated.
They were lucky to get out of Terre Haute with a win...but then tonight, a lot of even mediocre teams would have beaten a team that misses almost 40 shots.
You are lucky that this season, 8 of the the other MVC teams are not over .500!

And 2nd place Indiana State isn't even a great team plus they did not play a particularly good game but were within a single possession in the final minute - then simply couldn't make a shot or a FT after that.

In fact InSU shot poorly all night...only 5-20 on 3-pointers, and only 32% overall -


Congrats to WSU for the win but the cat is out of the bag now, the Shockers are not a Top 10 team.
In fact, I think Bradley can beat them when they come here.



Jarmar Gulley had another nice game, 18 pts & 12 rebs. DJ Balentine only 11 pts as the aces go 0-13 from the arc.



ISU had to rally in the 2nd half, taking advantage of a couple long UNI dry spells. UNI's Wes Washpun had a game to forget - 2 pts on 1-4, only 2 asst but 6 turnovers
Click to expand...

LMAO....yep, they suck....good stuff!!
 
They took a good teams best shot on the road. Same thing sandiego state did tonight. And looked better than them doing it. Good win and good performance by Wichita
 
tornado said:
A couple times as Odum drove the lane they parted and let him shoot.
Click to expand...

As opposed to our defensive plan when we played Indiana State, which was to foul Odum whenever he drove, sending him to the line 13 times. Odum's a master at drawing fouls, so maybe the Shock just made him earn his points.

I know you're trying to play the realist, T, but your lack of love for what WSU is doing is puzzling. What would any of us BU fans give to be where they are? You've set it up so if the Shock lose in an early round you'll say "I told you so." A lot of really, really good teams lose in second or third round games -- even ones that have been successful in tough power conference leagues. It might happen to WSU. But geez, they're in rare air -- beating all comers, at home or on the road where they draw raucous, sell-out crowds. I tip my hat to them.
 
BUSongwriter said:
As opposed to our defensive plan when we played Indiana State, which was to foul Odum whenever he drove, sending him to the line 13 times. Odum's a master at drawing fouls, so maybe the Shock just made him earn his points.

I know you're trying to play the realist, T, but your lack of love for what WSU is doing is puzzling. What would any of us BU fans give to be where they are? You've set it up so if the Shock lose in an early round you'll say "I told you so." A lot of really, really good teams lose in second or third round games -- even ones that have been successful in tough power conference leagues. It might happen to WSU. But geez, they're in rare air -- beating all comers, at home or on the road where they draw raucous, sell-out crowds. I tip my hat to them.
Click to expand...

+1. Would love to be in their shoes.
 
there was a time a lot of MVC teams would have loved to be in the shoes of a team in the Sweet Sixteen...

anyway - in 2007 Wichita lost Mark Turgeon and went out to hire a new head coach...
they didn't waste time asking administrators or east coach search firms...they just went after winners...
They whiffed on their top candidate but then threw up to $1 million at Gregg Marshall, an amazingly large sum in 2007 for a mid-major to be throwing around -
The one selling point that Marshall says won him over was the passion of the fans and the sellouts.....something we used to have, too..
Anyway - they got him, then promptly lost a few of their key players (Ogirri, Mekel ...) some of whom apparently didn't like Marshall. Then Marshall even got criticized after a terrible first year. ...before finally turning the ship around and getting headed in the right direction.
 
I think all, not just a lot, of MVC teams would still like to be in their shoes. Why wouldn't they?
I congratulate them and their coach for being so successful. Most coaches have players that don't like them. Sure, he was criticized by some after a terrible first season but he's made them eat their words. As weak as the conference is this year I really don't think they should be rated as high as they are, but take it if you can get it. Would be nice to see the Braves beat the #4 team. Hope nobody beats us to it.
 
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