Exhibiton Game vs IWU - not included in the Season Tickets

[Bird Friend]

Gotta love it. We schedule the exact local exhibition game many people have been calling for for years, make it a really cool community event that showcases both schools--for a charity no less--the whole thing generates good support, we put almost 6500 in the arena for the first time since (embarrassingly), pre-covid., there's good energy in the building, a fun day, our team looked good...and people still find something to gripe about.

Lord, deliver us from bullshit and let's have a good, competitive season so we can all get behind that and get this program back on track.

Lord hasn’t delivered us from BS for . . . consults notes . . . ever.

 

[Phantom]

Lord hasn’t delivered us from BS for . . . consults notes . . . ever.

 

[Phantom]

Wont be me. The team is looking up. Pedon has done a good job as far as im concerned.

Fully agreed. As I've said before, it's great to have a legitimate positive outlook again and coach cements that with what he's done so far. We'll see what happens of course, but, I think we're going to be noticeably better and there will be some excitement creeping back, finally.

 

[isuquinndog]

Excitement is great. But until they win a "big" game, it won't matter. That excitement will go away in a snap if we start losing games that we shouldn't or look really bad against Bradley or whatever it is. This pre season excitement will only last so long if they don't win some games.

And I don't mean by people on this board, I mean the casual fan who only came to the IWU game because it was vs IWU and that sounds fun to be at.

 

[Phantom]

Excitement is great. But until they win a "big" game, it won't matter. That excitement will go away in a snap if we start losing games that we shouldn't or look really bad against Bradley or whatever it is. This pre season excitement will only last so long if they don't win some games.

And I don't mean by people on this board, I mean the casual fan who only came to the IWU game because it was vs IWU and that sounds fun to be at.

100%.

Results matter. We need to string together wins and not plague ourselves with bad losses, especially early on. It's no different than any other year. It just feels refreshing that things aren't as bleak as in recent years. Going into last season, we knew we were going to smell like the morning after Prime Time pizza back in the day, and look even worse. The opening loss to WIU confirmed as much.

But there's a much better vibe heading into this season with a chance to capitalize on it.

 

[Dmills]

I really don't want to be negative....but where is the video highlights, "redbird recap", etc for this game? I've looked at the website, social media, youtube page, etc. and can't find anything.

 

[Bird Friend]

Excitement is great. But until they win a "big" game, it won't matter. That excitement will go away in a snap if we start losing games that we shouldn't or look really bad against Bradley or whatever it is. This pre season excitement will only last so long if they don't win some games.

And I don't mean by people on this board, I mean the casual fan who only came to the IWU game because it was vs IWU and that sounds fun to be at.

But, yeah, people on this board, too.

 

[Popsto4]

I wouldn't really expect anything more unfortunately, but here is something:

Fully agreed. As I've said before, it's great to have a legitimate positive outlook again and coach cements that with what he's done so far. We'll see what happens of course, but, I think we're going to be noticeably better and there will be some excitement creeping back, finally.

It’s even greater to have that positive outlook pass th eye test. Ik some will say the competition wassup to par and I agree. However just seeing the fluidity of the athletes this year on both ends of the court is promising. The IQ seem to be there and there isn’t selfish play involved or any egos. Pedon have exactly what he sought to bring in and is a man of his word. The expectations of the kids no matter how high they are is what is needed to win. I’m trying to find a link of a preview of the MVC that dudes have ILSU finishing as the sleeper and a chance to win the MVC.

 

[Popsto4]

It’s even greater to have that positive outlook pass th eye test. Ik some will say the competition wassup to par and I agree. However just seeing the fluidity of the athletes this year on both ends of the court is promising. The IQ seem to be there and there isn’t selfish play involved or any egos. Pedon have exactly what he sought to bring in and is a man of his word. The expectations of the kids no matter how high they are is what is needed to win. I’m trying to find a link of a preview of the MVC that dudes have ILSU finishing as the sleeper and a chance to win the MVC.

 

[TBS_20]

It’s even greater to have that positive outlook pass th eye test. Ik some will say the competition wassup to par and I agree. However just seeing the fluidity of the athletes this year on both ends of the court is promising. The IQ seem to be there and there isn’t selfish play involved or any egos. Pedon have exactly what he sought to bring in and is a man of his word. The expectations of the kids no matter how high they are is what is needed to win. I’m trying to find a link of a preview of the MVC that dudes have ILSU finishing as the sleeper and a chance to win the MVC.

A lot to be excited about. Lieb had 8 rebounds. Could definitely see some double digit rebounds for him. Walker looks like the Coke machine we've been wanting. Yes, the competition was subpar but they did beat them by 32. Its not like they won by 10. They were all hustling. The point guards look like point guards. And, most importantly, nobody beat their girlfriend down the stairs.

 

[dabirds0987]

Northern Illinois 81 IWU 64

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Northern Illinois 81 IWU 64

IWU had it down to about 4 midway through the 2nd half.

 

[FriscoBird90]

Some might have underestimated the depth and breadth of the crater out of which Pedon is having to dig. While the amount of progress made in approximately 18 months is impressive, I hope we keep our expectations in check and keep in mind it will likely be a multi-year effort to get back to the top of the Valley. If the Birds can finish toward the middle of the conference and slightly above .500 for the season, with all the new pieces having to fit together along the way, that would be a big step forward compared to the results of the past four seasons. Paint me cautiously optimistic for this season to play out that way and even more optimistic about the general direction of the program.

 

[Buffett1]

Who wins versus The Billikens?

 

[Popsto4]

Some might have underestimated the depth and breadth of the crater out of which Pedon is having to dig. While the amount of progress made in approximately 18 months is impressive, I hope we keep our expectations in check and keep in mind it will likely be a multi-year effort to get back to the top of the Valley. If the Birds can finish toward the middle of the conference and slightly above .500 for the season, with all the new pieces having to fit together along the way, that would be a big step forward compared to the results of the past four seasons. Paint me cautiously optimistic for this season to play out that way and even more optimistic about the general direction of the program.

Well said. It’s easier for fans to be optimistic. That can’t be the true mindset of the Coaches and players though. They have to have a belief that they will get to where they want to go but understand the process of getting there. I still think they will finish well beyond .500 this season. They have pieces that will hopefully allow them to win games in different ways. Being the better defense some games, winning the turnover battle in others, out rebounding in some games, and being the fresher team with the depth of this team. This team is tougher. FT Shooting % probably will be down from last year and I’d like to see a better 3 Ball % this year. We will see.

 

[DaveBird10]

From the exhibition game 1 thing that I was impressed with was that they were all tuned into the game and when Pedon or any other coach spoke to a freshman or other player during a timeout they were all engaged and listening to the coaches. Having Banks and Kinziger frees up so much for Poindexter and Burford, its an exhibition but it was noticeable. Looking forward to seeing how much this group grows together throughout the year.

 

[gobirds85]

Just win, baby!

I believe Al Davis was on to something.

 

[Popsto4]

Just win, baby!

I believe Al Davis was on to something.

So does my brother lol

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Some might have underestimated the depth and breadth of the crater out of which Pedon is having to dig. While the amount of progress made in approximately 18 months is impressive, I hope we keep our expectations in check and keep in mind it will likely be a multi-year effort to get back to the top of the Valley. If the Birds can finish toward the middle of the conference and slightly above .500 for the season, with all the new pieces having to fit together along the way, that would be a big step forward compared to the results of the past four seasons. Paint me cautiously optimistic for this season to play out that way and even more optimistic about the general direction of the program.

Nail on the head. I’m expecting closer to middle of MVC finish, but a team that can win any given night. The “nobody wants to play” in STL team.

 

[Dmills]

Nice turnout for the Racers in their old arena