#3 Illinois State vs #1 Loyola

[MadBird]

This will be a very tough game to win - Loyola plays smart, has the big boy, and has lots of weapons. This won't be a game where we can get away with a lot of TO's and dumb missed 3's, or cheap fouls. Take care of the ball, take it to the rack (put some pressure on the big man), work together.

Not sure what Dan's motivational "tools" will be for the game. I was annoyed yesterday listening to the TV announcers basically crowning the Ramblers as the greatest team to ever play in the Valley, they have been "dominant" this year, blah blah blah. Let's get the spot in the dance we were denied last year. It's right there for the taking.

David and Madison Williams can really help today. We have to neutralize the big man. We have to put some contain on Custer and Richardson especially.

Go Birds.

 

[Phantom]

3rd title game appearance in the last 4 years and 6th in the last 10. That's great and all, but in a way, if we were going to get bounced I almost wish it was last night. Not sure most of us can stomach another championship game loss. So let's hope it doesn't happen.

We can win this game.

The irony would of course be that much better and more experienced ISU teams couldn't get it done on Sunday, but no matter. Loyola may be on a mission from God and all, but we are long past due.

Just f'ing win this damn thing for a change.

 

[TreRoberson4Heisman]

Put on your dancing shoes. Getting in today will mark poetic justice vs. the selection committee.

 

[fourthandshort]

Sorry to be a fair weather b-ball fan and wait to jump in until championship, but here's my 2 cents.

Redbirds would seem to have psychological advantage in this situation .. talking about 25-5 Loyola team against a 16-14 ISU team they've beaten twice already. But Loyola is much more efficient and patient on offense, just based on looking at their stats. We'll need to take care of the ball better than usual .. got to limit the sloppiness we seem prone to at times, and show better shot selection on threes. We finished both games very well .. I think if Keyshawn can settle down a bit and be playmaker who takes open threes rather than forcing quick threes ... that is, he needs to set table to make entire offense more efficient .. that will set a nice tone and open things up. Loyola wins because they are efficient on offense and play defense .. we close that efficiency gap some, and we will win this game on mojo ... strong finishes in both games were encouraging. Limit the sloppiness .... this is Keyshawn's game to set tone.

 

[V Boy]

One book has Loyola -9.

Keep in mind Loyola was a 6-pt favorite over UNI and a 6.5-pt favorite over Bradley.

So Las Vegas basically thinks ISU are a bunch of tired babies who give up on CBS Sunday. And you know what, it’s hard to argue against that based on our track record.

So if any coaches and players read this board, at some point someone is going to have to step up and prove them very wrong.

9-pt dogs should be taken personally.

No one cares if anyone is tired. You get to rest for a week after this game.

 

[Phantom]

So Las Vegas basically thinks ISU are a bunch of tired babies who give up on CBS Sunday. And you know what, it’s hard to argue against that based on our track record.

Definitely hard to argue this. However, 3 of our last 5 title game losses were actually close, so there's that

 

[ISU FAN 1]

3rd title game appearance in the last 4 years and 6th in the last 10. That's great and all, but in a way, if we were going to get bounced I almost wish it was last night. Not sure most of us can stomach another championship game loss. So let's hope it doesn't happen.

We can win this game.

The irony would of course be that much better and more experienced ISU teams couldn't get it done on Sunday, but no matter. Loyola may be on a mission from God and all, but we are long past due.

Just f'ing win this damn thing for a change.

Maybe we are less talented/experienced than prior ISU teams in this situation. But Loyola is less formidable IMO, than the WSU, CU, and maybe even Drake teams we faced. And, we do have the title game experience edge from last year. Hopefully, Loyola feels the pressure of the big stage, and shits their pants. We have guys that are potty trained from last year.

 

[chuckie1980]

Today is SWEETNESS DAY....a victory today would be sweet. ONE POINT WIN...NO OT

 

[Phantom]

3rd title game appearance in the last 4 years and 6th in the last 10. That's great and all, but in a way, if we were going to get bounced I almost wish it was last night. Not sure most of us can stomach another championship game loss. So let's hope it doesn't happen.

We can win this game.

The irony would of course be that much better and more experienced ISU teams couldn't get it done on Sunday, but no matter. Loyola may be on a mission from God and all, but we are long past due.

Just f'ing win this damn thing for a change.

Maybe we are less talented/experienced than prior ISU teams in this situation. But Loyola is less formidable IMO, than the WSU, CU, and maybe even Drake teams we faced. And, we do have the title game experience edge from last year. Hopefully, Loyola feels the pressure of the big stage, and shits their pants. We have guys that are potty trained from last year.

I can agree with that and hope you're right ray: Man, that '08 Drake loss still bugs me worse than any WSU, CU or even UNI slugfest losses we've had on Sunday. The '09 OT loss to UNI hurts the worst still (if Sampay just lays that one in, it's over), but the DU bombing just pisses me off. That whole team just pissed me off all season. Still pisses me off a decade later :lol:

 

[ISU FAN 1]

One book has Loyola -9.

Keep in mind Loyola was a 6-pt favorite over UNI and a 6.5-pt favorite over Bradley.

So Las Vegas basically thinks ISU are a bunch of tired babies who give up on CBS Sunday. And you know what, it’s hard to argue against that based on our track record.

So if any coaches and players read this board, at some point someone is going to have to step up and prove them very wrong.

9-pt dogs should be taken personally.

No one cares if anyone is tired. You get to rest for a week after this game.

Being tired is a tired excuse. Excuses are for cowards, not champions. It’s not like Loyola was given a bye to the title game, and been at spa all weekend waiting for today. It’s put up, or shut up time.

 

[rdt99]

The key to success is simple. We had 18 turnovers the first game with them and 20 turnovers in the second game. 9 or 10 is acceptable. GO BIRDS!

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

This is anyone's game today. I hope the ISU crowd packs it in close to the court and is loud/raucous as every little bit is going to help and could be the difference. Our bigs/inside defense needs to keep Krutwig away from the basket and generally just contain the other Ramblers as Loyola will get their points but we need to prevent them from scoring more than 33+ in a half.

 

[CB2K]

Agree on the turnover machine -- killed us both games. Loyola is a very good team and reminds me of ISU last year -- although I think ISUs team was better last year than this year's LU squad. LU has very good defense so it is going to be another slugfest. I am torn on what defense I would prefer to see -- zone allows them to chuck open 3s but it counteracts their inside game and helps us with rebounding. Man defense makes LU move and work more but opens up opportunity for their inside plays which has been a problem both games this year. DM said he wasn't concerned that much about their legs given that these young men are 21 yrs old but I would still try to manage that aspect. Need our Big 4 to score today -- I am looking for MY to take it to the house this afternoon.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

One book has Loyola -9.

Keep in mind Loyola was a 6-pt favorite over UNI and a 6.5-pt favorite over Bradley.

So Las Vegas basically thinks ISU are a bunch of tired babies who give up on CBS Sunday. And you know what, it’s hard to argue against that based on our track record.

So if any coaches and players read this board, at some point someone is going to have to step up and prove them very wrong.

9-pt dogs should be taken personally.

No one cares if anyone is tired. You get to rest for a week after this game.

Being tired is a tired excuse. Excuses are for cowards, not champions. It’s not like Loyola was given a bye to the title game, and been at spa all weekend waiting for today. It’s put up, or shut up time.

:text-+1: I too can't handle the tired excuse as both teams face the same issue and these kids are young and in shape. The biggest issue I see for these back to back games is not player fatigue rather it is the ability of the coaching staffs to quickly adopt, communicate and implement an in game strategy without the normal practice preperation. That is mostly on the coaches however the players need to be mentally strong and remember to execute their unrehearsed strategy.

 

[Phantom]

Mental fatigue is a bigger factor than physical fatigue at this point. It's a long season, guys are banged up on both teams, 3 games in 3 days is hard for anyone, yadda yadda yadda---but adrenaline fixes a lot of that. Gotta stay focused and not rush or force things and we should be fine.

 

[goredbirds]

[/quote]
Maybe we are less talented/experienced than prior ISU teams in this situation. But Loyola is less formidable IMO, than the WSU, CU, and maybe even Drake teams we faced. And, we do have the title game experience edge from last year. Hopefully, Loyola feels the pressure of the big stage, and shits their pants. We have guys that are potty trained from last year.
[/quote]

:text-+1:

Loyola has had a great year, but you are spot on, they are not as formidable as the others. As much as it pains me to say it, we lost to better teams in the prior years - we played hard, but weren't good enough. This year, I think if we put our best game together and they put their best game together, it is a toss up.

Drake got a tough draw in the NCAA in 2008 - they lost their only game on on a last second shot to a underrated Western Kentucky team that made it to the sweet 16 that year. Drake was very good in 2008, with a national ranking Top 25 for most of the year, I recall.

 

[Retire 12]

THIS is the game to expend everything we have in the tank. Not Friday nights game, and not last night's. Dan has been coaching and subbing to have the legs to win this and we should.

These boys aren't tired. They're hungry. As is Redbird Nation.

It's our time.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

We are going to win this game. The pressure as a 1 seed will get to Loyola and we will play nice and loose. 65-61 BIRDS

 

[Tpguy]

Trust in Dan Muller

I don't see many posts giving him credit for what we're doing in St. Louis :think:

 

[cpacmel]

Illinois State +8
Over / under 137.5