@Belmont (3-1) - Wed 1/10/24 - 6:30 pm - ESPN+

[isuquinndog]

vs Belmont @ Curb Event Center

TV: ESPN+ (sign up here)

Radio: Varsity Network (WJBC)

Live Stats: Stats

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Drake beat the Birds 88-71 (led by 32)
Belmont beat the Bulldogs 87-65 (led by 32)

Birds @ Belmont 6:30 (May be down 20 before Trees/Dogs game starts)
Indiana State @ Drake 7:00 (Balley Sports Midwest-NBCSPORTS+)

 

[Redbird222]

Drake beat the Birds 88-71 (led by 32)
Belmont beat the Bulldogs 87-65 (led by 32)

Birds @ Belmont 6:30 (May be down 20 before Trees/Dogs game starts)
Indiana State @ Drake 7:00 (Balley Sports Midwest-NBCSPORTS+)

We have to guard the perimeter better than the last 3 games otherwise you most likely are right

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

We have to guard the perimeter better than the last 3 games otherwise you most likely are right

And must shoot it better!

 

[Phantom]

Tough place to play. Good team. We're like 4 for our last 219 from deep. This one could get ugly.

 

[Bird Friend]

Malik Dia will eat our front court as an appetizer. If we look at all like we have our last couple games, we’ll be out of it before the 2nd TV timeout.

 

[SgtHulka]

Drake beat the Birds 88-71 (led by 32)
Belmont beat the Bulldogs 87-65 (led by 32)

Birds @ Belmont 6:30 (May be down 20 before Trees/Dogs game starts)
Indiana State @ Drake 7:00 (Balley Sports Midwest-NBCSPORTS+)

Sounds like a double overtime game coming after we miss a game winning free throw with 8 seconds left, and miss a three at the first OT buzzer. Down 3 n the second OT we get fouled making a three and make the free throw for the win.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Sounds like a double overtime game coming after we miss a game winning free throw with 8 seconds left, and miss a three at the first OT buzzer. Down 3 n the second OT we get fouled making a three and make the free throw for the win.

I like your thinking.

 

[ISU86]

Sounds like a double overtime game coming after we miss a game winning free throw with 8 seconds left, and miss a three at the first OT buzzer. Down 3 n the second OT we get fouled making a three and make the free throw for the win.

Santa Claus coming late!

 

[MadBird]

There's hope. They lost by 23 to Furman, by 9 to Monmouth, by 6 to Samford. Stuff happens. Get after it. They'll be looking ahead to the Sycamores game.

 

[cpacmel]

Illinois State +7

Over / under 148.5

 

[ISU86]

Redbirds 71
Bruins 77

Belmont likes to play fast, which means more possessions - good if you shoot well, and we know that storyline ...

 

[redbirdron1]

Is anyone else surprised we’re only a 7 pt underdog?

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

Is anyone else surprised we’re only a 7 pt underdog?

12-18 points seems more probable. Also probable after the past few games, we may face another 11 win season, with wins in remaining home games vs UIC, Valparaiso, and maybe Evansville. We need perimeter shooters for the future. Did anyone see that Matthew Zobrist had 25 against a very good Thornton team? He’s probably leaning toward Bradley, but would be a good pickup for us. Left handed and tremendous range.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

He’s probably leaning toward Bradley,

Don't bet on it.

 

[Redbirdfan76]

Double D, please tell us what you know. Zobrist family not happy with current staff?

 

[Redbird82]

12-18 points seems more probable. Also probable after the past few games, we may face another 11 win season, with wins in remaining home games vs UIC, Valparaiso, and maybe Evansville. We need perimeter shooters for the future. Did anyone see that Matthew Zobrist had 25 against a very good Thornton team? He’s probably leaning toward Bradley, but would be a good pickup for us. Left handed and tremendous range.

Could be ugly, like Kentucky and Drake. But a trap game for Belmont in between Drake and Ind St, so we may hang in for 30 minutes just enough t9 make you start to believe then Belmont takes over down the stretch

 

[SlackBooDom]

Will be an interesting one. Belmont should be without starting PG Gillespie again - missed Drake with a cast on his left wrist. Though it didn't matter much. This is one with two different styles - Belmont ranks in the top 100 in offensive efficiency and is 42nd in the country in average possession length, but they don't guard particularly well. On the other hand, we're 271st in offensive efficiency and 259th in average possession length. Does Belmont drag us out of our crawl or do we slow them down? Belmont ranks 333rd in the country in 2P% defense. Last year in the win at home we shot 13/21 from three. One of two things - we either need to shoot it well and get out and run with them or slow it down and make them guard inside the perimeter. We're 6-2 when we shoot more FT's than our opponent - I would love to see us make Belmont play a halfcourt game and defend the paint. SIU forced them into 6/28 from three. Going to be the same story for us - can we score enough if its uptempo or can we not turn the basketball over if it is slowed down? Not overly optimistic, but this is a letdown spot for Belmont and a game we could really use. I think it is slow enough, but the Belmont offense gets it going and we fall 76-68.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Lost 90-75 @ Belmont last year.

 

[schoolsportsfan]

Their big guy will cause us a ton of problems. Hope I’m wrong but we lose by at least 15. Likely 20.