@ Evansville 1/19/19

[DWRedbird]

This was a good win on the road. I was nervous the whole way through, but a win on the road is rare this year, and this one feels good.

Couple of thoughts:

--Matt Chastain I think is the heart of his this team right now, and I love that he is getting more into the flow offensively. His addition to the starting lineup and regular rotation is huge. That reverse oop was sick, but he plays 110% all the time, and made some huge and key hustle plays as well. The fact that he is a soph is some of the best news for the future of this program.

--Yarbs played really well today, but I think what was overshadowed is the fact that even when things went against him, he didn't implode. He held his head up, moved on to the next play and kept going. If he keeps his up, he could easily win MVC POY.

--Boogie came to play today. His shot looked smoother than it has, he didn't force anything, and played well defensively. I think sitting out was good for him, and I think coming off the bench is even better.

--Rey will be good by his senior year. He moves better defensively than a lot of frosh bigs, and if he keeps improving that he will be dangerous.

--Defense overall looked good. While I think changing and evolving our offense is important, I think our focus going forward needs to be on the defensive end.

--I'm not sure what it is about this team, but 10 pt leads scare me more than 2pt leads. I'm hoping we can improve that.

 

[gobirds72]

This board cracks me up. We won, on the road, which is a step in the right direction. Game out in the Valley and the team in front still has to come to our place.

If you're still complaining after today, get out of here. We know what team we have by now, support them!!

There is room for improvement. If you are happy with status quo ...so be it.

 

[Retire 12]

Nobody said there wasnt room for improvement.

Nor did anyone say they were happy with the status quo.

I'm happy we beat a conference opponent while on the road, maintaining us controlling our destiny for a conference title.

If you want to be angry just to be angry, or make up reasons that's completely up to you... But dont put words in my mouth.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Ok so while watching the game and seeing my limp off several times all I could think about about was thank good that isn't Chastain. He drives this team. He makes everyone play at a higher level defensively. My has played so much better in his rotations since Chastain has become a starter. Chas is the glue right now. He might not score a bunch of points some games but his presence drives the other guys. This team may be the ones that break the Sunday curse and we will look back on the season leading up to it and laugh at hope we were all freaking out.

 

[SgtHulka]

Another view. And reminds me of Dans layup to beat Tennessee. No flexing. Just running back on D and looking for assignments

https://twitter.com/mattmcclain3/status/1086835469797740544?s=21

 

[Brick]

Nobody said there wasnt room for improvement.

Nor did anyone say they were happy with the status quo.

I'm happy we beat a conference opponent while on the road, maintaining us controlling our destiny for a conference title.

If you want to be angry just to be angry, or make up reasons that's completely up to you... But dont put words in my mouth.

Hell a win on the road IS IMPROVEMENT! We played well, shot it unbelievable from three, played D and took everything Evansville could throw at us. Not to mention iffy officiating! Perfect game? No, but then I have never seen a perfect game. The last couple of games we have suffered through a lot of negatives and won. Mental toughness has been much better. I like the trend at the moment and just choose to enjoy a road win! I hope this is a harbinger if good things to come!

 

[RBFANTOO]

The classic Muller icing his own player.

Can he not call timeout after the 2nd free throw make??

:lol: :lol: :lol: Good point.

 

[Brick]

The classic Muller icing his own player.

Can he not call timeout after the 2nd free throw make??

:lol: :lol: :lol: Good point.

If we miss the second one then Dan gets criticized for not calling a time out. No win situation!

 

[DannyCooksey]

Another view. And reminds me of Dans layup to beat Tennessee. No flexing. Just running back on D and looking for assignments

https://twitter.com/mattmcclain3/status/1086835469797740544?s=21

He just explodes off the floor. His head was by the rim. That is some serious athletic ability.

And as you said Sarge.......he’s hustling back on defense, communicating, looking to get after it on defense.

Glad he’s a Redbird

 

[Racine Bird 3813]

Nice road win. Even when the lead was chipped down to 4 it didn't feel like we were going to lose. I still don't understand our offense, but we scored 78 points. Shows what I know.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

Can he not call timeout after the 2nd free throw make??

:lol: :lol: :lol: Good point.

If we miss the second one then Dan gets criticized for not calling a time out. No win situation!

You shouldn't need that long to talk strategy of what to do in a situation we have played through many times recently or have practiced. I can't think of anyone who has criticized Dan for not calling a TO. If we're up enough where they can't realistically tie the game on the next possession and it's much more necessary to have a conversation than get another point, fine.

Bottom line: we got a key road win thT goes a long way in avoiding Thursday in StL. I still don't understand our strategy at times, but I don't get paid almost $2k per day to coach this team.

 

[gobirds72]

Nice road win. Even when the lead was chipped down to 4 it didn't feel like we were going to lose. I still don't understand our offense, but we scored 78 points. Shows what I know.

It helps that Evansville look like one of the worst teams in the country. It’s hard to believe they have 3 wins in the conference...and a win over Loyola.

 

[The Beak]

Nice road win. Even when the lead was chipped down to 4 it didn't feel like we were going to lose. I still don't understand our offense, but we scored 78 points. Shows what I know.

It helps that Evansville look like one of the worst teams in the country. It’s hard to believe they have 3 wins in the conference...and a win over Loyola.

They also played Xavier and Murray State tough. Obviously Evansville is not one of the worst teams in the country, and I think at least partial credit to how they looked yesterday should go to the ISU defense, which is much improved since Christmas break. It still has room for improvement, but before Christmas it was a sieve.

There are reasons for optimism. Fayne, despite a sub-par game yesterday, has been Fayne, Chastain coming into his own, Yarbrough's play is becoming more steady, Idowe is developing nicely, Evans seems to be coming out of his funk, Copeland is looking more comfortable and doing a better job of picking his shots.

Assuming no major injuries, I think the keys are (1) a continued commitment to defense. (2) Yarbrough letting the game come to him.

 

[RBFANTOO]

Another view. And reminds me of Dans layup to beat Tennessee. No flexing. Just running back on D and looking for assignments

https://twitter.com/mattmcclain3/status/1086835469797740544?s=21

He just explodes off the floor. His head was by the rim. That is some serious athletic ability.

And as you said Sarge.......he’s hustling back on defense, communicating, looking to get after it on defense.

Glad he’s a Redbird

After watching tons of basketball games (all levels, including pro) I have never seen an
alley-oop reverse dunk. I hope this makes someone's top 10 list. The timing, athleticism and skill to pull this off is incredible. It reminded me of some of Osiris' greatest plays. AWESOME!

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

Another view. And reminds me of Dans layup to beat Tennessee. No flexing. Just running back on D and looking for assignments

https://twitter.com/mattmcclain3/status/1086835469797740544?s=21

He just explodes off the floor. His head was by the rim. That is some serious athletic ability.

And as you said Sarge.......he’s hustling back on defense, communicating, looking to get after it on defense.

Glad he’s a Redbird

Love it. I went back and watched his other highlight dunks and he just completes the play then hustles back on defense. He is a good one.

 

[Tpguy]

This board cracks me up. We won, on the road, which is a step in the right direction. Game out in the Valley and the team in front still has to come to our place.

If you're still complaining after today, get out of here. We know what team we have by now, support them!!

There is room for improvement. If you are happy with status quo ...so be it.

Yawn, same ol, same ol
You'd complain if they hung you with a new rope :violin:

 

[CaliRdBrd]

--Rey will be good by his senior year.

No offense, but if Rey doesn’t pan out until his senior year, then that’s another wasted scholly.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Nobody said there wasnt room for improvement.

Nor did anyone say they were happy with the status quo.

I'm happy we beat a conference opponent while on the road, maintaining us controlling our destiny for a conference title.

If you want to be angry just to be angry, or make up reasons that's completely up to you... But dont put words in my mouth.

Hell a win on the road IS IMPROVEMENT! We played well, shot it unbelievable from three, played D and took everything Evansville could throw at us. Not to mention iffy officiating! Perfect game? No, but then I have never seen a perfect game. The last couple of games we have suffered through a lot of negatives and won. Mental toughness has been much better. I like the trend at the moment and just choose to enjoy a road win! I hope this is a harbinger if good things to come!

More guys contributing as the season goes along. Tinsley starting his patented late season surge. Copeland starting to live up to his hype. A road win. Definitely moving in the right direction. This season has always been about the first Sunday in March, and building toward peaking for that weekend.

 

[Metamoron]

Let’s hope we peak for the second weekend in March this year.

 

[Birdswin]

I agree that there is improvement - just wish it had happened between November to December - but, better later than never.
Copeland playing better, which I believe comes from feeling more comfortable. Tinsley looked better, which is definitely positive. Same with Evans - playing better, which is positive. Rey is looking better every game - beginning to show offensive ability - all positive

The issue for many - is why in the world has it taken several Seniors this long into the season to begin to figure it out??? Of course that is giving them the benefit of the doubt that they have figured it out.