#3 Illinois State vs #1 Loyola

[CaliRdBrd]

It just happened and we got right back to the title game.

Exactly. We weren’t supposed to be here but we made it here. We have everyone returning. Give Dan and these guys a year to up the defensive efficiency. The scoring is there. I think next year as a senior laden squad we have more upside than this Loyola team does. We have a great home schedule to boot.

Totally agree with this. Also, look at the strides some players made versus the last year that they played (Evans, Yarbrough, even Fayne). If we get continued improvement from the returning players and solid contributions from a couple of the new players, the team could be something special next year.

Coming into this year, I thought that with all the losses from last year's team, we'd be perhaps a sixth- or seventh-place finisher in the Valley. I was pretty sure we'd finish behind Bradley. Add in all the injuries that we faced and the turnover on the coaching staff. I'd say this was a pretty good season, and it sets us up well for next year.

You all can congratulate yourselves all you want on back to back showings in the MVC championship.
I see it a bit differently in that we sleepwalked our way to a pedestrian 17-15 record, with zero quality wins, in a very average conference. We then go on to barely beat two crappy teams (100rpi and 182rpi) to then earn the right to get completely man-handled by the only halfway decent team in the Valley. I hardly see this as momentum from last years campaign or anything to get excited about.

 

[Redbrd1]

What’s the source on Chastain not cutting it talent wise? Or is it just rumor and Redbird Room chatter? I’m waiting to see for myself.

Christ, even I wait to see a player before I bury him.

i heard it directly from those involved with loyola basketball. I want to know how people are justifying him being impactful when they make that statement.

Before or after he chose to leave?

Let’s just say it was 100% his decision.

 

[bombay]

I don't feel humiliated by seeing the worst ISU team in the Muller era lose in the Valley championship. Like some of the other guys, I'm kind of numb to this. And had zero expectations for this season.

 

[Bird Friend]

It's odd, though, that they felt good enough about him to recruit him and give him a scholarship. Truth is, NONE OF US KNOW. We will, though.

well we recruited hein and david too . recruiting is not perfect . hopefully we got it right and loyola did not. Although we are not using a scholarship on Chastain...at least not yet and may never?

I'd be really surprised if he wasn't a scholarship player.

Wouldn't bother me though. Would love to have the scholly available.

He’s a scholarship player. Didn’t get one this year because of MVC rules.

 

[Redbirdfan21]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/former-leroy-all-stater-chastain-transfers-to-illinois-state/article_81ef8213-6d57-51c2-8d1b-bd4192c9cbaa.amp.html

“I plan on being back and better than what I was before and hopefully get a scholarship for the following three years,” he said. “I thought paying one year of school was not the end of the world, especially if it's where I think I want to be. I think this will be a good fit and good decision for me.”

 

[ISU FAN 1]

well we recruited hein and david too . recruiting is not perfect . hopefully we got it right and loyola did not. Although we are not using a scholarship on Chastain...at least not yet and may never?

I'd be really surprised if he wasn't a scholarship player.

Wouldn't bother me though. Would love to have the scholly available.

He’s a scholarship player. Didn’t get one this year because of MVC rules.

Dan seemed real pleased in the Panty article with Copeland and The Truth. Describing them as valuable in executing scout team activities. Never mentioned Romine, so I’m guessing Cope and Truth are legit contributors next year in Dan’s eyes.

 

[Hamdonger]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/former-leroy-all-stater-chastain-transfers-to-illinois-state/article_81ef8213-6d57-51c2-8d1b-bd4192c9cbaa.amp.html

“I plan on being back and better than what I was before and hopefully get a scholarship for the following three years,” he said. “I thought paying one year of school was not the end of the world, especially if it's where I think I want to be. I think this will be a good fit and good decision for me.”

Good link. What I meant was...I'd be surprised if he did not get a scholarship from here on out. He wasn't 4-star, but he was recruited fairly heavily. I don't see us leaving a guy like him in walk-on status.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

Baltimore bird didn't see it like some of you today. I thought we got plenty of good looks but just didn't make them. We had numerous shots around the basket and could not convert and plenty of open threes.

Turning point for me....i believe we were down 2 when Pretty Boy called milik for his second foul. From my angle he had his arms straight up. The guy missed the shot and we had the board. It went down hill quickly after that. Loyola never had to play with any fear or urgency and thus played with confidence and a swagger. Loyola was not as good the two prior games when the score was close. We just couldn't score to keep it close.

Go birds!

 

[Bird Friend]

At least we won Twitter!

https://twitter.com/isusoc_smacc/status/970416735793840128?s=21

 

[Redbird222]

Baltimore bird didn't see it like some of you today. I thought we got plenty of good looks but just didn't make them. We had numerous shots around the basket and could not convert and plenty of open threes.

Turning point for me....i believe we were down 2 when Pretty Boy called milik for his second foul. From my angle he had his arms straight up. The guy missed the shot and we had the board. It went down hill quickly after that. Loyola never had to play with any fear or urgency and thus played with confidence and a swagger. Loyola was not as good the two prior games when the score was close. We just couldn't score to keep it close.

Go birds!

I saw it the same way. We attacked the basket early and missed golden opportunities. Once we didnt convert those opportunities we seemed to press and launched a couple of long threes. Since we were not able to convert inside it also allowed Loyola to extend their perimeter defense.

I also thought Malik went straight up on that play but i did not have the benefit of a replay. To me there was less contact on that play than in some of the other plays inside.

If I told you we would have 6 turnovers and 13 more shots than Loyola, I am sure most of this board would have thought we would win the game. We shot poorly whether from 3 or inside. The difference in fouls was a killer and I am not buying into the theory that we did not attack the rim. I am not blaming the referees bit they didn't help matters.

 

[SgtHulka]

Copeland and Chastain will be eligible.

Chastain appears to be here because LU recruited over him. Hope I am wrong.

You’re not wrong.

Yes he is. I work with a family friend of his. His move had nothing to do with your brilliant conclusions.
And given you brilliant idea to dismiss a walk on who's play your unhappy with, i think I have all the info I need to draw an opinion on your opinions.

 

[bb fan]

I was told exactly the opposite. From a couple of LUC fans and a person associated with the team this weekend. They were very disappointed when Chastain left.

I also agree with the assesment that early misses hurt us bigtime in today's game. We got good shots but they rolled off the rim. We had a very difficult time getting in sync. LUC was very composed, rested and let the game come to them.

I am sure getting tired of watching the other team cut down the nets every first Sunday in March in St. Louis

 

[Tpguy]

i too heard Loyola was good with him transferring. No details on if it was attitude or lack of talent.

Wasn’t attitude. Guy is a team player. Talent was the issue.

all I know is that they were happy with him going elsewhere. Some posters on here make it seem like it was a big deal when he chose to transfer to ISU, and hopefully that is the case, but it is contrary to what I hear/.

You guys are full of shit about Chastain, Porter didn't want to release him to another Valley team. The kid is good and will make a difference for our team.

who we don't need is Madison who can't make a shot and we can't afford a defense only player, EC that has no talent and no hope, the ghost of Romine or Hein,

Speaking of Porter, he has become a very good coach, when he came to ISU our athletic department was a mess, if I remember right we had 2 or 3 AD's during his tenure. Sure he wasn't as good then working and learning from Maheras made him who he is. He was a class act and tried to instill some enthusiasm with our fans and students.

Good for him

 

[ISU86]

What’s the source on Chastain not cutting it talent wise? Or is it just rumor and Redbird Room chatter? I’m waiting to see for myself.

Christ, even I wait to see a player before I bury him.

don't feel the need to do this often for ISU Fan 1, but ...

:clap:

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Wasn’t attitude. Guy is a team player. Talent was the issue.

all I know is that they were happy with him going elsewhere. Some posters on here make it seem like it was a big deal when he chose to transfer to ISU, and hopefully that is the case, but it is contrary to what I hear/.

You guys are full of shit about Chastain, Porter didn't want to release him to another Valley team. The kid is good and will make a difference for our team.

who we don't need is Madison who can't make a shot and we can't afford a defense only player, EC that has no talent and no hope, the ghost of Romine or Hein,

Speaking of Porter, he has become a very good coach, when he came to ISU our athletic department was a mess, if I remember right we had 2 or 3 AD's during his tenure. Sure he wasn't as good then working and learning from Maheras made him who he is. He was a class act and tried to instill some enthusiasm with our fans and students.

Good for him

You are full of shit as I have heard it directly. It does not mean that Loyola is right about their assessment. Not wanting to release a player, regardless of talent level, to another MVC team is a principle for any and all transfers.

 

[redneckredbird]

Y'all need to bookmark these things ur saying about EC and MW, I remember the same things being said about Paris and Tony. Couple years ago. Birds got stomped in the championship game, I know it sucks. These two ain't gonna b the problem next year.

 

[ISU86]

Y'all need to bookmark these things ur saying about EC and MW, I remember the same things being said about Paris and Tony. Couple years ago. Birds got stomped in the championship game, I know it sucks. These two ain't gonna b the problem next year.

same with Tinsley just a couple of weeks ago

 

[Sladerunningbear]

This all started 11 years ago when Adunk tried to bring his llama, Larry, into Redbird Arena and was denied entrance.

Larry, PLEASE let Larry in! Break this curse!

Tired of it!

Spread it!

 

[Bird Friend]

This all started 11 years ago when Adunk tried to bring his llama, Larry, into Redbird Arena and was denied entrance.

Larry, PLEASE let Larry in! Break this curse!

Tired of it!

Spread it!

They thought it was an alpaca, and alpacas were expressly forbidden. They thought a llama was that guy from Nepal.

 

[91Bird]

Another disappointing Sunday in St Louis the first weekend of March. It is great that we have gotten to the championship game more than any team in the conference the last decade but it sure would be nice to win one again.

I'm starting to wonder if our style of play is a factor in our Sunday showings. They say that you live by the 3 and you die by the 3 and our offense is definitely built around shooting the 3. By Sunday those 3's that were going in a little more frequently start not going in. Yes we attacked the rim a little early in the game and missed some of those shots that we usually make. And yes there were some questionable fouls that hurt us. But our offense too many times down the floor consists of passing it around a few times and then shooting a 3 without even trying to get the ball inside. Watching Loyola pass the ball compared to us, it was shocking how much better they are at it.

With that being said, I still support Dan. You also have to have the players to make the plays and we've definitely had our share of players leaving, injuries that hurt player development, etc. HOPEFULLY none of our key players leave unexpectedly after this season and next year we can break our championship game losing streak.

Like every year, I still had a great time with my son. He's 11 and him telling me that he looks forward to going to the tournament every year with me made it all worth it.

Go You Redbirds!