Today In The Valley (Nov. 28)
Wichita State (2-2) vs. Siena (2-1)
9:30 a.m.
The Milk House; Lake Buena Vista, Florida
ESPNU
The Shockers stayed in the game for the full 40 minutes against Georgetown on Thanksgiving, but they couldn’t get clutch shots to fall down the stretch and lost 58-50. It was a pretty ugly game offensively, with WSU shooting 28% from the field and the Hoyas only connecting on 42% of their shots.
Here’s a stat that will put fear into the heart of diehard Creighton Bluejays fans: Wichita State, arguably the best rebounding team in the MVC, out-boarded Georgetown (38-35). No wonder Dana Altman probably tapped new strength coach Andy Woodley (brother Joe played football for Iowa State) and longtime assistant Darren Devries (brother Jared Devries was an All-American for Iowa and plays in the NFL for the Detroit Lions) for a hard-hitting strategy to improve the Jays’ rebounding skills.
Click here for the Wichita Eagle’s Paul Suellentrop’s take on today’s WSU-Siena game; he’s in Orlando covering the games in his blog Shockwaves.
~ Creighton Otter
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Illinois State (4-0) vs. Nicholls State (1-1)
6:00 p.m.
Redbird Arena; Normal, Illinois
Illinois State play their first true home game tonight when they host Nicholls State at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds have not exactly been road kill these last few weeks, as they have completed their first 4-0 start in 12 years. ISU has shown that they are ready to be a real competitor in the Valley this year, something made clear by their cakewalk as champions of the SMU Tip-Off Classic.
After taking care of business on the road, the Redbirds return home to host their own tournament — the World Vision Invitation. The Redbirds will start things off by hosting the Colonels of Nicholls State. The Colonels are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Tulane, 72-70. With three players averaging in double figures, they will look to offset the potent ISU offense (25th best scoring offense in the nation at 84.3 points per game) and hand the Redbirds a home-opening loss.
That will be quite the tall order, as Champ Oguchi and Illinois State have been playing solid basketball lately. Plus, you can bet the home crowd will be jacked to finally see their team in person this season. Look for ISU to continue their fast pace and sharp shooting, and for Redbird Fans to make the short drive home happy.
~ Dance Cam Guy
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Missouri State (2-1) vs. Utah (3-1)
7:00 p.m.
JQH Arena; Springfield, Missouri
The Bears opened their new building with a 62-57 win against Arkansas and now look to go 2-0 in their new digs with the Runnin’ Utes running into town. Utah suffered a loss (more like unheard-of upset) to start the season against the Division II Southwest Baptist Bearcats, but since have reeled off 3 straight wins. That’s due in large part to center Luke Nevill, who Cuonzo Martin says is the biggest big man he’s coached or even played against in college.
Nevill will be a tall test (pun intended) for Wade Knapp and his fellow Bears post players. Nevill averages about 19 points and 11 rebounds per game, and adds more than 2 blocked shots per contest. At 7-2, 265 lbs., he’s a seasoned senior who can score in a bevy of ways.
Missouri State seeks to avenge a 66-54 loss to Utah in Salt Lake City last season. To do so, they’ll need outstanding guard play but even better defense as an entire team. They’re still hurting quite a bit, and there are really only 8 quality options on the roster right now, so staying out of foul trouble would seem to be a key to the contest. One of their hurt guards, Shane Laurie, won’t be headed back any time soon.
~ Creighton Otter
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Northern Iowa (3-1) vs. #15 Marquette (4-0)
7:30 p.m.
Sears Centre; Hoffman Estates, Illinois
These two teams bring contrasting styles of play to the nightcap of the 2008 Chicago Invitational. UNI has one of the bigger front courts in the Valley with Jordan Eglseder and Adam Koch. That height has helped them out-rebound opponents by 8.5 a game this year. But the big boys are getting some help from a number of guards, too.
Illinois product and true freshman Johnny Moran averages a team-best 15 points per game and did something no other Panther has done in school history: started his career with a double-double (14 points, 10 boards against Denver). Also, in his first game of the season earlier this week, Lucas O'Rear scored 9 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. That is from a player who averaged just over 2 points and 2 rebounds a game last season.
Marquette and first-year coach Buzz Williams (former D-I assistant and University of New Orleans head coach) feature a guard-heavy lineup. They have used that speed and quickness to average 96.5 points per game this year and twice score more than 100 points. In their last game, an 85-68 win over Texas Southern (a team UNI beat by 7), they used a late second half run to pull away. They have three players averaging over 19 points: Wesley Matthews (22.8), Lazar Hayward (20.8), and Jerel McNeal (19.8).
UNI will have to slow down the pace of this game if they want to contend. Otherwise, the Golden Eagles, one of the early favorites in the stacked Big East conference, will soar to a victory using their up-tempo offense.
~ Panon
9:30 a.m.
The Milk House; Lake Buena Vista, Florida
ESPNU
The Shockers stayed in the game for the full 40 minutes against Georgetown on Thanksgiving, but they couldn’t get clutch shots to fall down the stretch and lost 58-50. It was a pretty ugly game offensively, with WSU shooting 28% from the field and the Hoyas only connecting on 42% of their shots.
Here’s a stat that will put fear into the heart of diehard Creighton Bluejays fans: Wichita State, arguably the best rebounding team in the MVC, out-boarded Georgetown (38-35). No wonder Dana Altman probably tapped new strength coach Andy Woodley (brother Joe played football for Iowa State) and longtime assistant Darren Devries (brother Jared Devries was an All-American for Iowa and plays in the NFL for the Detroit Lions) for a hard-hitting strategy to improve the Jays’ rebounding skills.
Click here for the Wichita Eagle’s Paul Suellentrop’s take on today’s WSU-Siena game; he’s in Orlando covering the games in his blog Shockwaves.
~ Creighton Otter
---
Illinois State (4-0) vs. Nicholls State (1-1)
6:00 p.m.
Redbird Arena; Normal, Illinois
Illinois State play their first true home game tonight when they host Nicholls State at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds have not exactly been road kill these last few weeks, as they have completed their first 4-0 start in 12 years. ISU has shown that they are ready to be a real competitor in the Valley this year, something made clear by their cakewalk as champions of the SMU Tip-Off Classic.
After taking care of business on the road, the Redbirds return home to host their own tournament — the World Vision Invitation. The Redbirds will start things off by hosting the Colonels of Nicholls State. The Colonels are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Tulane, 72-70. With three players averaging in double figures, they will look to offset the potent ISU offense (25th best scoring offense in the nation at 84.3 points per game) and hand the Redbirds a home-opening loss.
That will be quite the tall order, as Champ Oguchi and Illinois State have been playing solid basketball lately. Plus, you can bet the home crowd will be jacked to finally see their team in person this season. Look for ISU to continue their fast pace and sharp shooting, and for Redbird Fans to make the short drive home happy.
~ Dance Cam Guy
---
Missouri State (2-1) vs. Utah (3-1)
7:00 p.m.
JQH Arena; Springfield, Missouri
The Bears opened their new building with a 62-57 win against Arkansas and now look to go 2-0 in their new digs with the Runnin’ Utes running into town. Utah suffered a loss (more like unheard-of upset) to start the season against the Division II Southwest Baptist Bearcats, but since have reeled off 3 straight wins. That’s due in large part to center Luke Nevill, who Cuonzo Martin says is the biggest big man he’s coached or even played against in college.
Nevill will be a tall test (pun intended) for Wade Knapp and his fellow Bears post players. Nevill averages about 19 points and 11 rebounds per game, and adds more than 2 blocked shots per contest. At 7-2, 265 lbs., he’s a seasoned senior who can score in a bevy of ways.
Missouri State seeks to avenge a 66-54 loss to Utah in Salt Lake City last season. To do so, they’ll need outstanding guard play but even better defense as an entire team. They’re still hurting quite a bit, and there are really only 8 quality options on the roster right now, so staying out of foul trouble would seem to be a key to the contest. One of their hurt guards, Shane Laurie, won’t be headed back any time soon.
~ Creighton Otter
---
Northern Iowa (3-1) vs. #15 Marquette (4-0)
7:30 p.m.
Sears Centre; Hoffman Estates, Illinois
These two teams bring contrasting styles of play to the nightcap of the 2008 Chicago Invitational. UNI has one of the bigger front courts in the Valley with Jordan Eglseder and Adam Koch. That height has helped them out-rebound opponents by 8.5 a game this year. But the big boys are getting some help from a number of guards, too.
Illinois product and true freshman Johnny Moran averages a team-best 15 points per game and did something no other Panther has done in school history: started his career with a double-double (14 points, 10 boards against Denver). Also, in his first game of the season earlier this week, Lucas O'Rear scored 9 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. That is from a player who averaged just over 2 points and 2 rebounds a game last season.
Marquette and first-year coach Buzz Williams (former D-I assistant and University of New Orleans head coach) feature a guard-heavy lineup. They have used that speed and quickness to average 96.5 points per game this year and twice score more than 100 points. In their last game, an 85-68 win over Texas Southern (a team UNI beat by 7), they used a late second half run to pull away. They have three players averaging over 19 points: Wesley Matthews (22.8), Lazar Hayward (20.8), and Jerel McNeal (19.8).
UNI will have to slow down the pace of this game if they want to contend. Otherwise, the Golden Eagles, one of the early favorites in the stacked Big East conference, will soar to a victory using their up-tempo offense.
~ Panon
posted by Creighton Otter at 11:10 AM
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