Today In The Valley (Dec. 10)
Missouri State (4-2) at Tulsa (4-4)
7:00 p.m.
Donald Reynolds Center; Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Bears hit the road for the third time this season (1-1 so far) as they head to Tulsa to take on the Golden Hurricane. This game marks a matchup between two of the best defensive teams in the nation so far this season. MSU gives up an average of 57 points per game, good for 24th in the country. Tulsa allows just 59 points per game, 38th best in the nation.
The difference between these two teams right now? The offenses. The Bears might be stout defensively, but their scoring stinks – 58 ppg, good for 316th in D-I hoops. Don’t blame Chris Cooks and Spencer Laurie, though; the only two MSU players averaging double figures just need some help on the offensive end. Cuonzo Martin says that style points don’t matter, but some kind of points do … you need them to consistently win games.
They’ll have to surround Tulsa’s Ben Uzoh with some of that defensive pressure. Jays fans should know that Uzoh, the Golden Hurricane junior, is one who got away from the Hilltop. And he’s a good one. He scored 10 a game as a freshman, bumped that up to 15 per game (in addition to 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game) as a sophomore (good enough for second-team All-Conference USA honors), and is now pouring in 15 ppg, dishing 4 apg, and grabbing 5 rpg.
And not to pout or anything, but do you think CU fans would have taken him over Isaac Miles? His favorite possession in life is his Bible! MSU will need to limit Uzoh’s production if they have a prayer in pulling out this road game.
~ Creighton Otter
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Bradley (4-3) vs. Butler (7-0)
7:00 p.m.
Carver Arena; Peoria, Illinois
Well Braves, you have been punched in the faced and your knees feel a bit wobbly. Michigan State was able to unleash some frustration after their nationally televised loss to North Carolina. You tried to stay in the game and it seemed like you may have a fighting chance at the end of the first half, with the score reading 32-27. But the Spartans from the Big 11 were too much in the second half, as the final read 75-59.
This one hurt, and you are still a bit off balance, but I have some good news. You’ll be on your home floor tonight as you look to regain your composure. The loss at MSU was an opportunity for a signature non-conference win for the MVC, but here’s another chance: a game against undefeated Butler. It is both a gift and a curse, because while it is chance for a big win, it comes against a Bulldogs team that already taken a bite out of two Valley opponents (Drake and Evansville).
The Braves can really show some swagger tonight with a solid performance against a Bulldogs team that should compete for the top spot in the Horizon League and eventually go dancing in March. But luck and timing seem to be on the Braves side right now, at least off the court. Because they were preparing for their participation in the CBE Classic a few weeks ago, no one on the basketball team was among the 40 student athletes suspended for underage drinking.
Bradley is led offensively by Dodie Dunson (14 ppg), Theron Wilson (12 ppg), Chris Roberts (11 ppg), and Sam Maniscalco (10 ppg). Those four will need to knock down some 3-pointers and limit their turnovers, though, because Butler currently ranks 5th in the nation in scoring defense (a paltry 52 ppg).
Butler, a team with no seniors on the active roster and only four juniors, is led by sensational sophomore Matt Howard (13 ppg, 7rpg) and fabulous freshman Gordon Hayward (11 ppg, 6 rpg).
If BU can limit mistakes and get the crowd into the game they’ll have a shot. But the Braves will need to knock down as many open looks as they can get, because they will be few and far between.
~ Dance Cam Guy
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Evansville (5-1) vs. Eastern Illinois (2-5)
7:00 p.m.
Roberts Stadium; Evansville, Indiana
The Purple Aces will be looking to go 6 for 6 at Roberts Stadium this season. While they haven't played the toughest schedule in the Valley, it's an opportunity for EU to build some confidence before the battles of conference play begin (the Aces will get another early season test Saturday when they host Western Kentucky).
Shy Ely continues to lead the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (6.5) per game, averages that are good enough for fifth and seventh among Valley players in those respective categories. While he is an elder member of the team, he will get a chance to show his stuff to a young crowd when Evansville hosts their first "Take a Kid to the Game Day" of the season.
Eastern Illinois (alma mater of Tony Romo) comes to Evansville in return from last year's Bracketbuster game, during which the Purple Aces ended a 10-game road losing streak with a 63-55 win in Charleston. The Panthers enter tonight’s game following two conference games. The first was a 71-61 win over Tennessee State last Thursday, during which Ousmane Cisse had 22 points and 10 rebounds. The second was last Saturday when they lost to Austin Peay 81-73. In that game, T.J. Marion led the Panthers with 20 points and Romain Martin chipped in 18.
This looks to be a good game between a couple of pretty well balanced teams.
~ Panon
7:00 p.m.
Donald Reynolds Center; Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Bears hit the road for the third time this season (1-1 so far) as they head to Tulsa to take on the Golden Hurricane. This game marks a matchup between two of the best defensive teams in the nation so far this season. MSU gives up an average of 57 points per game, good for 24th in the country. Tulsa allows just 59 points per game, 38th best in the nation.
The difference between these two teams right now? The offenses. The Bears might be stout defensively, but their scoring stinks – 58 ppg, good for 316th in D-I hoops. Don’t blame Chris Cooks and Spencer Laurie, though; the only two MSU players averaging double figures just need some help on the offensive end. Cuonzo Martin says that style points don’t matter, but some kind of points do … you need them to consistently win games.
They’ll have to surround Tulsa’s Ben Uzoh with some of that defensive pressure. Jays fans should know that Uzoh, the Golden Hurricane junior, is one who got away from the Hilltop. And he’s a good one. He scored 10 a game as a freshman, bumped that up to 15 per game (in addition to 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game) as a sophomore (good enough for second-team All-Conference USA honors), and is now pouring in 15 ppg, dishing 4 apg, and grabbing 5 rpg.
And not to pout or anything, but do you think CU fans would have taken him over Isaac Miles? His favorite possession in life is his Bible! MSU will need to limit Uzoh’s production if they have a prayer in pulling out this road game.
~ Creighton Otter
---
Bradley (4-3) vs. Butler (7-0)
7:00 p.m.
Carver Arena; Peoria, Illinois
Well Braves, you have been punched in the faced and your knees feel a bit wobbly. Michigan State was able to unleash some frustration after their nationally televised loss to North Carolina. You tried to stay in the game and it seemed like you may have a fighting chance at the end of the first half, with the score reading 32-27. But the Spartans from the Big 11 were too much in the second half, as the final read 75-59.
This one hurt, and you are still a bit off balance, but I have some good news. You’ll be on your home floor tonight as you look to regain your composure. The loss at MSU was an opportunity for a signature non-conference win for the MVC, but here’s another chance: a game against undefeated Butler. It is both a gift and a curse, because while it is chance for a big win, it comes against a Bulldogs team that already taken a bite out of two Valley opponents (Drake and Evansville).
The Braves can really show some swagger tonight with a solid performance against a Bulldogs team that should compete for the top spot in the Horizon League and eventually go dancing in March. But luck and timing seem to be on the Braves side right now, at least off the court. Because they were preparing for their participation in the CBE Classic a few weeks ago, no one on the basketball team was among the 40 student athletes suspended for underage drinking.
Bradley is led offensively by Dodie Dunson (14 ppg), Theron Wilson (12 ppg), Chris Roberts (11 ppg), and Sam Maniscalco (10 ppg). Those four will need to knock down some 3-pointers and limit their turnovers, though, because Butler currently ranks 5th in the nation in scoring defense (a paltry 52 ppg).
Butler, a team with no seniors on the active roster and only four juniors, is led by sensational sophomore Matt Howard (13 ppg, 7rpg) and fabulous freshman Gordon Hayward (11 ppg, 6 rpg).
If BU can limit mistakes and get the crowd into the game they’ll have a shot. But the Braves will need to knock down as many open looks as they can get, because they will be few and far between.
~ Dance Cam Guy
---
Evansville (5-1) vs. Eastern Illinois (2-5)
7:00 p.m.
Roberts Stadium; Evansville, Indiana
The Purple Aces will be looking to go 6 for 6 at Roberts Stadium this season. While they haven't played the toughest schedule in the Valley, it's an opportunity for EU to build some confidence before the battles of conference play begin (the Aces will get another early season test Saturday when they host Western Kentucky).
Shy Ely continues to lead the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (6.5) per game, averages that are good enough for fifth and seventh among Valley players in those respective categories. While he is an elder member of the team, he will get a chance to show his stuff to a young crowd when Evansville hosts their first "Take a Kid to the Game Day" of the season.
Eastern Illinois (alma mater of Tony Romo) comes to Evansville in return from last year's Bracketbuster game, during which the Purple Aces ended a 10-game road losing streak with a 63-55 win in Charleston. The Panthers enter tonight’s game following two conference games. The first was a 71-61 win over Tennessee State last Thursday, during which Ousmane Cisse had 22 points and 10 rebounds. The second was last Saturday when they lost to Austin Peay 81-73. In that game, T.J. Marion led the Panthers with 20 points and Romain Martin chipped in 18.
This looks to be a good game between a couple of pretty well balanced teams.
~ Panon
posted by Creighton Otter at 8:08 AM
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