vs Missouri State (7-11) - Wednesday, 2/28/2024 - 7 pm - ESPN+

[redbirds2000]

When was the last time we won on a last second shot? Before tonight obviously

Was it Carmichael against Evansville??

 

[Redbird60451]

When was the last time we beat Valpo? Is it too much to ask for an old fashioned boat race where we beat them by 30 and never break a sweat?

In Valpo, 1981. We have not won in Valpo since they joined the Valley. Something about the ARC, maybe the gym isn't big enough?

 

[SgtHulka]

 

[Sladerunningbear]

That was the most delicate shot in ISU history since Adunk tossed the bowl delicately on the Red Panda’s head.

Right after that, as the Flaming Tubas lifted him on their shoulders, Adunk grabbed the mic and broke out in song to Ms. Panda:

Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it chill that you're in my head?
'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate)
Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it too soon to do this yet?
'Cause I know that it's delicate

Tired of it.

Spread it.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Nice to see hundreds show up for the game... . Johnny is worth the price of the ticket. See him as much as you can before he portals away most likely to the Big 10.

Can you Portal to the OVC?

 

[CB2K]

Great game! Great crowd! Love to see the students get amped up and maybe more importantly to experience a game like this.

On post game, coach stated that they ran one of their most common plays where the first option was Kendall. He didn’t have an angle so it went to Johnny Wiz who nails the 10 footer. Miles was the third option.

Banks had some rough rim misses - just enough bounce to miss some gimmies. Mal was awesome. When JK and Mal can hit 10-12 footers it really gives the offense a lot of options and boost. Opens up the floor for other options as well.

What’s up with the non-call on JK when he got mauled in the corner?! No one sitting around us could understand the non-call either. I wonder if the TV analysts had any info.

Some great passing and I know there were a lot of good feeds but how about Walker’s feed down low - beautiful assist for the big fella.

Coach said he spent $150 on dog bones and scattered them throughout the locker room. Wanted them to play like dogs tonight. They really didn’t until the second half where they out rebounded them and played more physical.

Let this be the year we beat Valpo. We took care of the UNI cold spell - surely we can do the same to Valpo.

 

[MadBird]

i have not been as down on Banks as many on this board. Tonight, for God's sake, sit that guy down! He was a one man wrecking crew, for the wrong side.

Some very bad decisions down the stretch, but in the end, the boys got it done. Johnny K, this time last year, was leading another Redbird team to Wisconsin's state title. He's playing with that spirit down the stretch again this year, Mr. March!, even tho it's not March yet.

And who knows for sure what play was called in the time out, but let's give props to Coach P or Jud or whoever for having enough confidence in the young man to put the ball in his hands! Assuming that was the play that was called.

Was wondering about the question asked up above about when was the last time we were on the winning end of a buzzer beater. Feels good.

 

[Bird Friend]

i have not been as down on Banks as many on this board. Tonight, for God's sake, sit that guy down! He was a one man wrecking crew, for the wrong side.

Some very bad decisions down the stretch, but in the end, the boys got it done. Johnny K, this time last year, was leading another Redbird team to Wisconsin's state title. He's playing with that spirit down the stretch again this year, Mr. March!, even tho it's not March yet.

And who knows for sure what play was called in the time out, but let's give props to Coach P or Jud or whoever for having enough confidence in the young man to put the ball in his hands! Assuming that was the play that was called.

Was wondering about the question asked up above about when was the last time we were on the winning end of a buzzer beater. Feels good.

To be fair, Banks' drive to the bucket to end the first half was a really heady play. He just took off and nobody stopped him. Was a bit of momentum boost heading into halftime. Other than that, I think he's in his own head, trying to do too much . . . which ends up looking like he isn't thinking when he makes some of his bonehead moves.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

In Valpo, 1981. We have not won in Valpo since they joined the Valley. Something about the ARC, maybe the gym isn't big enough?

The year I was born, of course! Flash forward 18 years and their future head coach homered off me in a suburban Chicago baseball game. Perhaps 25 years after that we finally beat them again.

 

[cpacmel]

On post game, coach stated that they ran one of their most common plays where the first option was Kendall. He didn’t have an angle so it went to Johnny Wiz who nails the 10 footer. Miles was the third option.

This is very interesting because Miles wasn't even supposed to be in the game. Pedon had Chase check-in, Pedon then illustrated the play on the board, and Chase went out on the court. Everyone was lined up. Then the ref went to Pedon and said Miles had to come in for Chase, which Pedon argued about. Hopefully, Miles was paying attention to the board, even though Chase had checked in for him.

 

[CB2K]

This is very interesting because Miles wasn't even supposed to be in the game. Pedon had Chase check-in, Pedon then illustrated the play on the board, and Chase went out on the court. Everyone was lined up. Then the ref went to Pedon and said Miles had to come in for Chase, which Pedon argued about. Hopefully, Miles was paying attention to the board, even though Chase had checked in for him.

Coach said Chase was in because he is one of the best screeners he has ever seen. Chase takes up a lot of room and will put someone in the infirmary when he sets those picks. That’s quite the compliment for the young man. I’ll be honest, when I saw Miles on the bench initially on the last play I was surprised and was wondering why until Chase was forced to sit. In post game, coach explained why. However, Miles executed a great pick for JK.

The cause of the confusion - which coach didn’t agree with - was the two timeouts called back to back. Coach said he could have Chase in there because a play hadn’t been run but the ref disagreed and said no substitution.

 

[Hamdonger]

Last 7 games:
Myles Foster pts&boards: 16&11, 6&16, 18&14, 20&8, 19&12, 17&7, 18&10...for an avg of 16.3ppg&11.1rpg. I've grumbled about Myles...but those have to be amongst the best numbers in the Valley over that timespan. I just have to stand up and applaud the bull (!!) while hoping he continues to work on big man skillset. *81% FT (42-52) last 13 games

Kendall Lewis rebounds last 10: 10, 6, 10, 9, 13, 6, 10, 7, 8, 11 - 9rpg...plus about a 10ppg average over that time.

JohnnyRedbird scoring last 6: 20, 10, 21, 18, 31, 11...37-66 fg (56.1%), 12-24 3pg (50%), 18.5ppg last 6, 20.0ppg last 5

Malachi scoring last 8: 20, 7, 11, 27, 4, 16, 4, 16
34-79fg (43%), 21-50 3pt (42%), 15 ppg...and a MUCH more confident midrange conversion.

 

[Dmills]

Last 7 games:
Myles Foster pts&boards: 16&11, 6&16, 18&14, 20&8, 19&12, 17&7, 18&10...for an avg of 16.3ppg&11.1rpg. I've grumbled about Myles...but those have to be amongst the best numbers in the Valley over that timespan. I just have to stand up and applaud the bull (!!) while hoping he continues to work on big man skillset.

Kendall Lewis rebounds last 10: 10, 6, 10, 9, 13, 6, 10, 7, 8, 11 - 9rpg...plus about a 10ppg average over that time.

JohnnyRedbird scoring last 6: 20, 10, 21, 18, 31, 11...37-66 fg (56.1%), 12-24 3pg (50%), 18.5ppg last 6, 20.0ppg last 5

Malachi scoring last 8: 20, 7, 11, 27, 4, 16, 4, 16
34-79fg (43%), 21-50 3pt (42%), 15 ppg...and a MUCH more confident midrange conversion.

It will be critical to bring Malachi, Johnny, and Myles back to take another step next year.

 

[Hamdonger]

The year I was born, of course! Flash forward 18 years and their future head coach homered off me in a suburban Chicago baseball game. Perhaps 25 years after that we finally beat them again.

Lottich or Powell? Well ya gotta bring more than 60mph heat! If it's Powell I'm afraid we're gonna have to confront him next time he's in CEFbird. Ummmm, I'll be right behind you...but no need to look back.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

It's got to be the red unis!

 

[Birdman]

This is Johnnys team now. Need to have the right guys around him. Let’s make some noise in the meantime.

 

[Redbird222]

You see this form and you know how it ends

 

[Hamdonger]

You see this form and you know how it ends

Superb photo. Is that a video grab or actual photo?

 

[Redbird222]

Superb photo. Is that a video grab or actual photo?

 

[Redbird222]

Fun stuff:

• KLew and Myles both with double=doubles. KLew had 10 and 10, Myles had 16 and 11.
• MOST shot 63% in the 2nd half, we shot 50%.
• MOST had 3 guys score 20+ points, 1 scored 12 . . . and nobody else scored . . . 2 of their starters went scoreless
• Birds had 3 points off the bench . . . ouch . . .
• Birds had 18 assists on 28 made shots . . . and only 6 turnovers

KLew and Myles have had double doubles together in 3 of the last 7 games.

Think about that one. I have a hard time recalling a player having a double double 3x in a year vs 2 teammates doing it TOGETHER 3x in 7 games.

Part of it is good play by those 2 but besides Phil and Jackie, when have we had front line players

1. Talented enough
2. Fit enough
3. Smart enough to avoid foul trouble

To play 28 to 35 minutes a game consistently

JK is in the spotlight and rightfully so, but Mal's renewed confidence and the consistent play of the front court have been huge contributors to the recent play.

I am going to give Jud props or whoever put in this zone with man to man concepts. We were consistently playing the high ball screen poorly. I was VERY critical of it. It often led to uncontested layups or a small guard being posted down low. We generally start in this zone and the guards switch between the screener up top but have the luxury of a big behind them. The wings press enough if someone is on the outside but are ready to roll back to inside to help. The genius part of this is at some point our guards move back to a man to man and follow cutters through the lane and it literally morphs into a man to man defense. There is generally a good chunk of the clock that has been used when this happens and we play man to man for a much shorter period of time.

1. I don't know if everyone can appreciate the communication and intelligence that is required by a team to do that
2. Opposing teams are still trying to figure the best way to attack this. Some are not bringing their big and probably best screener up high any more because it does not create the same mismatches.
3. This helps smaller players like Johnny not having to bust through screens for 38 minutes. It has to be less demanding physically
4. Our 3 point defense has improved dramatically during this stretch. I know there are times when open 3s are being missed but it is also who is shooting the 3 on the opposing team
5. I think the best way to beat it may be a tall wing that can pick and pop to take a shot against a shorter but somewhat contesting defender. Drake scares me for this reason with DeVries but we don't have an answer for him anyway in a straight man to man. Avilia from Indy State had open shots in the game we played them but was not good.

What are everyone's thoughts on this new defense that they have been playing?