Today In The Valley (Dec. 6)
Southern Illinois (3-3) vs. Charlotte (1-6)
1:00 p.m.
SIU Arena; Carbondale, Illinois
The schedule gets a bit easier for the Salukis after their trip to Madison Square Garden, as today they host the 1-6 Charlotte 49ers (what is it with the nickname “49ers” and losing a bunch of games?)
The Salukis won't take them lightly. Not only did Charlotte hand them a defeat last season, the 49ers also came to Carbondale in the 2003-2004 season, got a victory, and snapped SIU’s 31-game home court winning streak.
Saluki fans have a few marks and milestones on their minds coming into today’s game. Chris Lowery will be looking for his 100th win. Bryan Mullins will be inching closer to all-time SIU assists mark; he has 432 and needs 34 more to break that record. Besides the leader in assists in the Valley, they also have the leading 3-point shooter – freshman and former Illinois Mr. Basketball Kevin Dillard is shooting 52% from long range.
Charlotte comes into the game reeling. They won their first but have lost six games since, with two coming by one point and two in overtime. They are more dangerous than the 1-6 record shows, and Bobby Lutz always has his team ready to play defense. They are forcing nearly 20 turnovers a game, which will test Mullins and the SIU backcourt. Junior DiJuan Harris leads the team in steals (2.7 per game) and assists (5.3). He too will be tested by one of the Valley's best defenders in Mullins. Offensively, Harris will have some help; the 49ers have had 6 different leading scorers in their 7 games.
~Panon
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Indiana State (0-5) at #11 Louisville (2-1)
1:00 p.m.
Freedom Hall; Louisville, Kentucky
I can honestly say that I did not think the 2008-2009 season would start off this poorly for the Sycamores. They will begin play in the Marques Maybin Classic tonight against host Louisville. Indiana State is coming off of back-to-back losses that saw them struggle in the first half and then show some life and draw closer down the stretch. On both Saturday and Monday evenings, I was constantly glancing down at my Blackberry Pearl for a glimmer of hope as I tracked the ISU scores.
It was the same story for both games. In first half I thought, “here we go again.” Then I would get a call from Creighton Otter asking, “are you seeing this comeback the Sycs are making?” Fooled twice in a row; well played, Indiana State.
Unfortunately, I do not think that I will be as close with my Pearl today, as the Sycs face a tough matchup on the road against a fired-up Louisville team (playing in a tournament named after the school’s 15th highest scorer who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2003). The Cardinals feature one of the nation’s top freshmen (and a future pro), Samardo Samuels. Do yourself a favor and check this kid out before he is off in the NBA in a year or two; he plays with the kind of emotion and tenacity that would have most basketball fans foaming at the mouth.
~ Dance Cam Guy
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Drake (5-2) vs. North Carolina Central (0-7)
3:00 p.m.
Knapp Center; Des Moines, Iowa
Two guys named Josh came to the rescue for Drake last night. Sophomore guard Josh Parker led the Bulldogs with 18 points, and All-Valley junior Josh Young hit a 10-foot jump shot with 3 seconds left to propel Drake to a 59-57 win and avoid a devastating upset at home in the first round of the Iowa Realty Tournament.
That Young committed 4 turnovers and scored just 2 points in the first 38 minutes of the game is somewhat surprising; he has been Drake’s most dynamic scorer and most talented player since he stepped on the Knapp Center floor his freshman year. But everyone has bad games once and awhile, and he atoned for this poor play with 5 points down the stretch, including the game winner.
Young could probably put in another stinker tonight and Drake would win. North Carolina Central is winless on the year. They are led by sophomore guard Vincent Davis (14 points, 6 rebounds per game) and freshman guard Jamar Briscoe (13 points per game).
~ Creighton Otter
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Northern Iowa (4-3) vs. North Dakota (4-2)
3:00 p.m.
McLeod Center; Cedar Falls, Iowa
Ben Jacobsen will be facing his alma mater and a team for which he was a four-year letter winner and a two-year captain. It will be the schools’ first meeting since the 1977-1978 season.
UNI is trying to put their last game behind them, a 71-66 overtime loss to Iowa State. In that game they shot a cool 34%. It is surprising they even got the game into overtime. In fact, they only scored 4 points in the extra period of play. The Panthers got a career-high 18 points from guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe.
North Dakota on the other hand would like to forget their last game, an 83-63 loss to Montana. Don't be fooled by the Fighting Sioux record. Even though they have four wins, just one has come over a Division I opponent. That being said, that opponent was the Kangaroos of Missouri-Kansas City, and their victory against them is more than Bradley or Wichita State can claim on their respective records this season. With no starter taller than 6-5, on paper Jordan Eglseder (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Adam Koch (12 points, 5 rebounds) have an advantage right off the bat.
~ Panon
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Evansville (4-1) vs. Ball State (4-2)
7:00 p.m.
Roberts Stadium; Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is looking to stay perfect at home this season when they take on Ball State. While seniors Shy Ely, Jason Holsinger, and Nate Garner have been carrying the load this season for EU, it was a sophomore who made a big impact in their last game (an 89-58 win against SIU-Edwardsville).
Pieter van Tongeren scored a career-high 17 points. He was upset with a specific number on the stat sheet, though -- not the points, but the rebounds. It wasn't the points that he was upset about, it was the rebounds. After the game he was credited with 8 rebounds. He went to the coaches, who also thought differently, and watched the tape. After some sleuth work, he was credited for a total of 10 rebounds on the night, giving him his first career double-double.
The Purple Aces frontcourt will be tested tonight. Ball State forward Anthony Newell averages 15 points and 10 rebounds, while center Jarrod Jones averages nearly 13 points and 7 rebounds. They are getting things turned around by nearly equaling last season’s win total in the first month of the season (BSU went 6-24 last year).
Last year, Evansville was able to squeak out a 51-50 win at Ball State, a game in which Newell did not play.
~ Panon
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Missouri State (3-2) vs. Arkansas State (6-1)
7:00 p.m.
JQH Arena; Springfield, Missouri
Former Bears forward Nathan Bilyeu made an appearance in this morning’s Springfield News-Leader, gushing about current MSU player Ryan Jehle, who recorded the best game of his career earlier this week against Arkansas-Little Rock. His 9 points and 10 rebounds set the tone for the Bears, who used a stifling defense to limit UALR to 37 points.
Defense is something that Cuonzo Martin’s Bears have had to rely on all season. With only a handful of healthy scholarship players to put on the floor each night (a problem that will be helped a little by the return of Justin Fuehrmeyer to the lineup), they’ve had to ratchet up the defensive intensity. They are 41st in the nation as of this morning in points allowed per game, as they are giving up only 59.4 points per contest.
But they will have their hands full with a balanced and well-coached Arkansas State team. They seem to be responding to new head coach, former LSU head man John Brady (who took the Tigers to the Final Four in 2006), and they feature 8 players averaging between 5 and 10 points per game.
~ Creighton Otter
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Illinois State (7-0) vs. Bowling Green (3-3)
8:00 p.m.
Redbird Arena; Normal, Illinois
The raw talent level possessed by the Redbirds was on display yet again during their dominating win in the World Vision Invitational, which they hosted. Illinois State was one again able to control their opponent as they rolled to the title championship and Osiris Eldridge was named MVC player of the week.
After keeping an eagle eye on the Redbirds the last few weeks, I have come to a few conclusions. First, in addition to being talented they are a deep squad, especially offensively. Second, even though they haven’t faced the most difficult schedule thus far, they are, in my opinion, the team to beat in the Valley. And finally, they can beat not-so-talented teams with ease, a point they expounded on through a weak non-conference schedule so far. I am anxious to see how they will compete against some tough competition or a top 25-caliber team.
Unfortunately we will not see that during the matchup with Bowling Green (3-3). With losses against Ohio State, Minnesota, and Savannah State, which would not have looked too bad about three or four years ago, the Falcons are looking to break the .500 mark for the season. With very few standout players being asked to contain a very balanced attack from ISU, the Falcons may get clipped tonight while the Redbirds continue their winning ways.
A note to all Creighton fans: mark your calendar for the January 3rd matchup between the Jays and ISU at Redbird Arena. This could be the first shot the Jays will have against a top 25 team this season, as I don’t think ISU will lose a game before then.
~ Dance Cam Guy
1:00 p.m.
SIU Arena; Carbondale, Illinois
The schedule gets a bit easier for the Salukis after their trip to Madison Square Garden, as today they host the 1-6 Charlotte 49ers (what is it with the nickname “49ers” and losing a bunch of games?)
The Salukis won't take them lightly. Not only did Charlotte hand them a defeat last season, the 49ers also came to Carbondale in the 2003-2004 season, got a victory, and snapped SIU’s 31-game home court winning streak.
Saluki fans have a few marks and milestones on their minds coming into today’s game. Chris Lowery will be looking for his 100th win. Bryan Mullins will be inching closer to all-time SIU assists mark; he has 432 and needs 34 more to break that record. Besides the leader in assists in the Valley, they also have the leading 3-point shooter – freshman and former Illinois Mr. Basketball Kevin Dillard is shooting 52% from long range.
Charlotte comes into the game reeling. They won their first but have lost six games since, with two coming by one point and two in overtime. They are more dangerous than the 1-6 record shows, and Bobby Lutz always has his team ready to play defense. They are forcing nearly 20 turnovers a game, which will test Mullins and the SIU backcourt. Junior DiJuan Harris leads the team in steals (2.7 per game) and assists (5.3). He too will be tested by one of the Valley's best defenders in Mullins. Offensively, Harris will have some help; the 49ers have had 6 different leading scorers in their 7 games.
~Panon
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Indiana State (0-5) at #11 Louisville (2-1)
1:00 p.m.
Freedom Hall; Louisville, Kentucky
I can honestly say that I did not think the 2008-2009 season would start off this poorly for the Sycamores. They will begin play in the Marques Maybin Classic tonight against host Louisville. Indiana State is coming off of back-to-back losses that saw them struggle in the first half and then show some life and draw closer down the stretch. On both Saturday and Monday evenings, I was constantly glancing down at my Blackberry Pearl for a glimmer of hope as I tracked the ISU scores.
It was the same story for both games. In first half I thought, “here we go again.” Then I would get a call from Creighton Otter asking, “are you seeing this comeback the Sycs are making?” Fooled twice in a row; well played, Indiana State.
Unfortunately, I do not think that I will be as close with my Pearl today, as the Sycs face a tough matchup on the road against a fired-up Louisville team (playing in a tournament named after the school’s 15th highest scorer who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2003). The Cardinals feature one of the nation’s top freshmen (and a future pro), Samardo Samuels. Do yourself a favor and check this kid out before he is off in the NBA in a year or two; he plays with the kind of emotion and tenacity that would have most basketball fans foaming at the mouth.
~ Dance Cam Guy
---
Drake (5-2) vs. North Carolina Central (0-7)
3:00 p.m.
Knapp Center; Des Moines, Iowa
Two guys named Josh came to the rescue for Drake last night. Sophomore guard Josh Parker led the Bulldogs with 18 points, and All-Valley junior Josh Young hit a 10-foot jump shot with 3 seconds left to propel Drake to a 59-57 win and avoid a devastating upset at home in the first round of the Iowa Realty Tournament.
That Young committed 4 turnovers and scored just 2 points in the first 38 minutes of the game is somewhat surprising; he has been Drake’s most dynamic scorer and most talented player since he stepped on the Knapp Center floor his freshman year. But everyone has bad games once and awhile, and he atoned for this poor play with 5 points down the stretch, including the game winner.
Young could probably put in another stinker tonight and Drake would win. North Carolina Central is winless on the year. They are led by sophomore guard Vincent Davis (14 points, 6 rebounds per game) and freshman guard Jamar Briscoe (13 points per game).
~ Creighton Otter
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Northern Iowa (4-3) vs. North Dakota (4-2)
3:00 p.m.
McLeod Center; Cedar Falls, Iowa
Ben Jacobsen will be facing his alma mater and a team for which he was a four-year letter winner and a two-year captain. It will be the schools’ first meeting since the 1977-1978 season.
UNI is trying to put their last game behind them, a 71-66 overtime loss to Iowa State. In that game they shot a cool 34%. It is surprising they even got the game into overtime. In fact, they only scored 4 points in the extra period of play. The Panthers got a career-high 18 points from guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe.
North Dakota on the other hand would like to forget their last game, an 83-63 loss to Montana. Don't be fooled by the Fighting Sioux record. Even though they have four wins, just one has come over a Division I opponent. That being said, that opponent was the Kangaroos of Missouri-Kansas City, and their victory against them is more than Bradley or Wichita State can claim on their respective records this season. With no starter taller than 6-5, on paper Jordan Eglseder (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Adam Koch (12 points, 5 rebounds) have an advantage right off the bat.
~ Panon
---
Evansville (4-1) vs. Ball State (4-2)
7:00 p.m.
Roberts Stadium; Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is looking to stay perfect at home this season when they take on Ball State. While seniors Shy Ely, Jason Holsinger, and Nate Garner have been carrying the load this season for EU, it was a sophomore who made a big impact in their last game (an 89-58 win against SIU-Edwardsville).
Pieter van Tongeren scored a career-high 17 points. He was upset with a specific number on the stat sheet, though -- not the points, but the rebounds. It wasn't the points that he was upset about, it was the rebounds. After the game he was credited with 8 rebounds. He went to the coaches, who also thought differently, and watched the tape. After some sleuth work, he was credited for a total of 10 rebounds on the night, giving him his first career double-double.
The Purple Aces frontcourt will be tested tonight. Ball State forward Anthony Newell averages 15 points and 10 rebounds, while center Jarrod Jones averages nearly 13 points and 7 rebounds. They are getting things turned around by nearly equaling last season’s win total in the first month of the season (BSU went 6-24 last year).
Last year, Evansville was able to squeak out a 51-50 win at Ball State, a game in which Newell did not play.
~ Panon
---
Missouri State (3-2) vs. Arkansas State (6-1)
7:00 p.m.
JQH Arena; Springfield, Missouri
Former Bears forward Nathan Bilyeu made an appearance in this morning’s Springfield News-Leader, gushing about current MSU player Ryan Jehle, who recorded the best game of his career earlier this week against Arkansas-Little Rock. His 9 points and 10 rebounds set the tone for the Bears, who used a stifling defense to limit UALR to 37 points.
Defense is something that Cuonzo Martin’s Bears have had to rely on all season. With only a handful of healthy scholarship players to put on the floor each night (a problem that will be helped a little by the return of Justin Fuehrmeyer to the lineup), they’ve had to ratchet up the defensive intensity. They are 41st in the nation as of this morning in points allowed per game, as they are giving up only 59.4 points per contest.
But they will have their hands full with a balanced and well-coached Arkansas State team. They seem to be responding to new head coach, former LSU head man John Brady (who took the Tigers to the Final Four in 2006), and they feature 8 players averaging between 5 and 10 points per game.
~ Creighton Otter
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Illinois State (7-0) vs. Bowling Green (3-3)
8:00 p.m.
Redbird Arena; Normal, Illinois
The raw talent level possessed by the Redbirds was on display yet again during their dominating win in the World Vision Invitational, which they hosted. Illinois State was one again able to control their opponent as they rolled to the title championship and Osiris Eldridge was named MVC player of the week.
After keeping an eagle eye on the Redbirds the last few weeks, I have come to a few conclusions. First, in addition to being talented they are a deep squad, especially offensively. Second, even though they haven’t faced the most difficult schedule thus far, they are, in my opinion, the team to beat in the Valley. And finally, they can beat not-so-talented teams with ease, a point they expounded on through a weak non-conference schedule so far. I am anxious to see how they will compete against some tough competition or a top 25-caliber team.
Unfortunately we will not see that during the matchup with Bowling Green (3-3). With losses against Ohio State, Minnesota, and Savannah State, which would not have looked too bad about three or four years ago, the Falcons are looking to break the .500 mark for the season. With very few standout players being asked to contain a very balanced attack from ISU, the Falcons may get clipped tonight while the Redbirds continue their winning ways.
A note to all Creighton fans: mark your calendar for the January 3rd matchup between the Jays and ISU at Redbird Arena. This could be the first shot the Jays will have against a top 25 team this season, as I don’t think ISU will lose a game before then.
~ Dance Cam Guy
posted by Creighton Otter at 10:59 AM
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