@Eastern Illinois

Manchester Matt

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I don't want playing at schools like EIU to become the norm, but this program could not win a damn road game the last few years. Hopefully winning on the road this early in the season, albeit against an inferior opponent, gives the squad some confidence away from home.
 

isuquinndog

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We will finish in the bottom 2 if our offense does not improve. We don't have the defense to stop guys, so we have to be able to score.
 

DaveBird10

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I don't want playing at schools like EIU to become the norm, but this program could not win a damn road game the last few years. Hopefully winning on the road this early in the season, albeit against an inferior opponent, gives the squad some confidence away from home.
Not counting the covid year our last 2 road games that we won were

2019-2020- last game of the year @ Evansville 71-60
2021-2022- @Chicago State 81-71

So winning road games has been tough and is tough. Hopefully the first road game of the season, on the road vs an in-state team who was geared up for a chance to beat us will help as they improve during the season and in conference.
 

Birdfriend72

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Well said. I still believe this will turn out to be a really good shooting team. The key to it is hoping Pedon have more offensive sets for our shooters and allowing someone anyone to flash to the paint for more scoring opportunities. As far as shooting goes, creating shots off the bounce is lacking and Mal is at his best when sets will allow that. He’s attacking the goal well at times. I don’t see many sets allowing our shooters to run curls or even off of double screens. I have to believe Pedon is still tinkering with more offense. So far I think we’re to predictive on that end of the floor.
Our bigs have a chance to roll to the basket after they throw the pick at the top and the screener doesn’t roll to the hoop! They stop. Crazy
 

Adunk33

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I have played on teams like this. Once some guys get the ball, you need to head to the rim to fight for the rebound as the ball is most definitely going to be hoisted. ADunk was one of those those types. Didn't Coach Cal at uk say, "you don't have to make them all, you just have to make some of them", or something like that.
Absolute slander that I won't stand for. Quinn, are you really going to allow misinformation to be spread on this board?!? Get it under control!
 

Tpguy

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Burford is struggling mightily. Coach needs to learn to use those time outs and stop the bleeding. 7 TOs in nine minutes. Got to regroup and get our composure back
Burford=human turnover machine
 

Adunk33

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EIU is bad. No other way to put it. However, as others have mentioned, getting experience winning on the road is huge for confidence, especially when the ball wasn't going in. I didn't have much issue with shot selection, a lot of the threes were open. Solid on-ball defense as well.

I find it hard to believe that the guy who was running the offense for a perennial top 25 team to accept this as his offense. I really don't think he's showing his hand yet. Honestly, this team should be able to beat WIU and EIU with a simple motion offense that you would see at a pick up game of old ball players.

Mal, Luke, Kendall, and Joe P are the top 4 for me right now. With the versatility of the 4, what you do with the fifth guy can be flexible. This team isn't going to bang in the post with one of the "true 5s." Schmitt and Andrews are the two that might be able to do that but the offense as it is today, does not lend itself to it. Gotta set screens for shooters & slashers to get some high quality shots.

Hopefully, Pedon will point to this game as an example of when the shots aren't falling, defense is what wins games. The defense wasn't great, but it was good enough to win the game.

Very winnable game Saturday with a short turnaround.
 

Metamoron

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Didn’t we call a timeout just inside 16 mins in second half? It may not have been noticeable because it may have seemed like a TV TO.
 

Birgs

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Why would it be embarassing? We play them home & home for football every year. Hell, we even have a trophy to pretend that the game means something. If we're going to go half-ass on athletics, why should men's basketball be any different?
Apples and oranges. The football matchup is automatic and, I believe the longest one of, if not the longest running match-ups in all of college football. I have no problem playing them. In fact I think it's great anytime we play in-state schools. I'm o.k. going to Loyola/DePaul/Northwestern - even UIC (good recruiting exposure/Yak favor) maybe Northern, but seriously, there's no way we should be going to Chi St., SIUE, Western, EIU. Play them, fine. but at CEFCU.
 

Baltimore Bird

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I did not comment after the WIU meltdown because it was just one game. I was also pissed. Our offense is offensive. I hope Pedon is bringing in some offensive sets for the conference. The dribbling is pathetic. I was expecting a lot more.
 

crazzymark

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This going to be a long and sometimes very painful season based on the first two games. Loss to a bad WIU team and barely beat an upper 300 ranked EIU team.
 

MadBird

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Apples and oranges. The football matchup is automatic and, I believe the longest one of, if not the longest running match-ups in all of college football. I have no problem playing them. In fact I think it's great anytime we play in-state schools. I'm o.k. going to Loyola/DePaul/Northwestern - even UIC (good recruiting exposure/Yak favor) maybe Northern, but seriously, there's no way we should be going to Chi St., SIUE, Western, EIU. Play them, fine. but at CEFCU.
So, then, are you expecting Power 5 teams, whether in Illinois or not, to come to CEFCU/RA? Expect Big East DePaul or Big 10+ UIUC or NU to visit?
 

Redbird28

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That's not what he said at all. He specifically said he's ok with playing Chicago St, SIUE, WIU, and EIU, but play them at home only.

Everyone else, play them wherever.
 

MadBird

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Yes, count me among the "mildly disappointed/not very impressed" with last night's performance. I hope Burford's just trying too hard - 0-7 from the floor, 4 TO's. Seneca Knight's on his 4th college program, hope he's not a stereotype. Liam searching for his role (and Coach P also searching for it?). Poindexter, Kasubke, Petrakis, Lewis all looked like "helpers".

From the snark department:

Was the "TV" production team the same as does the ISU games for Marquee Network? Could they have gotten a camera location/shot farther away from the court? Could hardly see the numbers or identify the players.

Okay, I have needed to lose some weight for years, but come on Marty . . . . .

I posted elsewhere a comment about playing at EIU. Let's face it, that was a big game for them, a big visitor came to town, they were up for it. Not a comfortable spot for Coach P to be in or to put the players in, but they've gotta grow into it. Anyway, other visitors to EIU this year include NIU, Ball State, so you know, we're not so special.
 

Redbird Alum 2004

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EIU is bad. No other way to put it. However, as others have mentioned, getting experience winning on the road is huge for confidence, especially when the ball wasn't going in. I didn't have much issue with shot selection, a lot of the threes were open. Solid on-ball defense as well.

I find it hard to believe that the guy who was running the offense for a perennial top 25 team to accept this as his offense. I really don't think he's showing his hand yet. Honestly, this team should be able to beat WIU and EIU with a simple motion offense that you would see at a pick up game of old ball players.

Mal, Luke, Kendall, and Joe P are the top 4 for me right now. With the versatility of the 4, what you do with the fifth guy can be flexible. This team isn't going to bang in the post with one of the "true 5s." Schmitt and Andrews are the two that might be able to do that but the offense as it is today, does not lend itself to it. Gotta set screens for shooters & slashers to get some high quality shots.

Hopefully, Pedon will point to this game as an example of when the shots aren't falling, defense is what wins games. The defense wasn't great, but it was good enough to win the game.

Very winnable game Saturday with a short turnaround.
Those are my top 4 as well. The 5th needs to be Burford but perhaps he is pressing. I watch him and I see Dashon Knight but he isn't knocking down a three, getting calls when he drives to the basket and can't seem to finish. I think once he starts to finish at the basket it will take some of the pressure off him.

I am fascinated by Poindexter. Whenever he drives to the hoop the opponents just seem to give up and he gets wide-open layups. I am fine watching him do that and finishing with a layup.
Knight is looking lost in the offense. His game is slashing and driving but doesn't seem comfortable out there yet.

Kasubke is looking confident out there and has a nice feel for Petrakis when they are on the court. You can tell they have played together.

Last night was bad. It was. But I am willing to watch this team and see if they can gel together. I think there is enough talent in this team to win some games. Just need to get it put together.
 

Rsolaw90

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Was at the game last night. Wanted to move down a couple sections to sit with my fellow people in Red but my EIU daughter was worried I would embarrass her. Had a hard time convincing her that Marty Simmons was a great high school player.

Agree with what most of you have posted. My concerns after watching the first two games:

1. Agree we cannot live and die with the 3 but we do have more shooters this year.

2. The times we did try to penetrate there was no purpose. Seemed like it was go as far as you can and then try to figure out what to do with the ball. When that happened, I did not think we rotated well for an outlet — either on the perimeter or with Lewis or whoever was down low. No step over or out to give the driver an outlet or pass to a big guy for a layup.

3. Definitely think we need some off the ball screens, back cutting. Even if the bigs screen closer to the basket to help a driving guard and then roll to the opposite block for a pass if penetration is stopped.

4. Schmitt can’t do better than Kotov ? How many times did Kotov lose a guy rolling to the basket. Two or three ? Tries to be physical but only sees what is in front of him.

5. Agree with the ball handling concerns. The press and then the doubling or pressuring the ball higher in the second half threw us out of rhythm.

6. Like what I have seen out our half court defense. Like what I have seen from Luke and Joe P. Would be nice if one of them could occasionally give us a basket down low to help out Kendall.

I need to see 8-10 more games before I form any definitive long term conclusions.
 
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