Today In The Valley (Jan. 3)
Missouri State (7-6; 0-2) vs. Bradley (8-5; 2-0)
7:00 p.m.
JQH Arena; Springfield, Missouri
Cuonzo Martin’s first Bears squad came into conference play at 7-4 and feeling pretty good about where they stood record-wise. For as difficult as points had been to come by for MSU, their defense had been just as stingy. But the offensive issues have proven problematic at the start of Valley play, and the Bears scored just 49 points in an 18-point defeat at the hands of Drake.
They host a Bradley Braves squad that continues to fight through injury issues and has started 2-0 in MVC play with a resounding win over Southern Illinois and a hard-fought victory at Wichita State. Recording the game-winning tip-in with less than a second left against the Shox was Sam Singh, a senior post player who averages 4 points per game. Jim Les needs contributions from anyone ready to play, and Singh has answered the bell a few times this season. You can bet Singh will be ready to go tonight in Springfield, as he is coming home.
But he isn’t the “Sam” Missouri State should worry most about. That would be sophomore guard Sam Maniscalco. He is second on the team in scoring (11.5 ppg) and heads the offense with his ability to find the open man (3.4 assists per game leads BU). He’s a solid defender and a scrappy competitor, both things that Les’ team needs following the graduation of Daniel Ruffin and Jeremy Crouch, etc. And while BU awaits Andrew Warren’s decision on whether he can play this season or not (broken foot), Theron Wilson (14 ppg), Dodie Dunson (10.7 ppg), Maniscalco, and even Singh need to pave the way with team play and timely offense.
It will be tough for Missouri State to win with just defense this season, and their offense revolves around Chris Cooks. But following a mild concussion against Middle Tennessee State, he hasn’t played in the Bears’ two MVC games. What is it with MSU and concussions? Shane Laurie is lucky to be playing one more semester of hoops after head trauma almost took away his senior season. If the Bears play without Cooks’ 12 ppg, I see the Braves pulling the upset.
Picks
Creighton Otter: Bradley
Panon: Missouri State
Dance Cam Guy: Missouri State
~Creighton Otter
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Northern Iowa (7-6; 1-1) vs. Wichita State (6-7; 0-2)
7:00 p.m.
McLeod Center; Cedar Falls, Iowa
It’s currently winter break on college campuses, most students are at home with their families, and basketball players are erasing the memories of finals with hard practices and the start of conference play. School isn’t back in session just yet but just because there are no professors present doesn’t mean these kids won’t learn an important lesson tonight – a lesson in winning.
While UNI is 1-1 early in the conference season, it’s predictable they would start that way. What wasn’t as easily predictable was how they got there. The Panthers managed to start horribly against Indiana St. at home and lost in double overtime. Then, on New Year’s Eve, they pulled out a win against Southern Illinois. Can you explain that one? Either this Panthers squad hustled through a few good days of practice, Southern isn’t as good of a team as we thought, or a combination of the two. It’s all in the past now. UNI has a chance to jump into the upper half of the conference race with a win.
The Shockers are reeling after two losses. They showed signs of good basketball at the Qwest Center. They lost a close game at Koch Arena Wednesday against Bradley. Tying the game at 58 they allowed a Sam Singh put back with less than a second to lose that one. It was a tough way to lose for their group of newcomers.
As any statistician will tell you, there are two outcomes to the game, the Shockers winning or the Panthers. The winner will take home more than just a W. UNI will get that first home conference win and ride that wave of confidence to Omaha next Tuesday. WSU will just be hoping for their first conference win period. But doing that on the road would do a lot for Gregggggg Marshall’s inexperienced squad.
Picks
Creighton Otter: Northern Iowa
Panon: Northern Iowa
Dance Cam Guy: Northern Iowa
~ Panon
7:00 p.m.
JQH Arena; Springfield, Missouri
Cuonzo Martin’s first Bears squad came into conference play at 7-4 and feeling pretty good about where they stood record-wise. For as difficult as points had been to come by for MSU, their defense had been just as stingy. But the offensive issues have proven problematic at the start of Valley play, and the Bears scored just 49 points in an 18-point defeat at the hands of Drake.
They host a Bradley Braves squad that continues to fight through injury issues and has started 2-0 in MVC play with a resounding win over Southern Illinois and a hard-fought victory at Wichita State. Recording the game-winning tip-in with less than a second left against the Shox was Sam Singh, a senior post player who averages 4 points per game. Jim Les needs contributions from anyone ready to play, and Singh has answered the bell a few times this season. You can bet Singh will be ready to go tonight in Springfield, as he is coming home.
But he isn’t the “Sam” Missouri State should worry most about. That would be sophomore guard Sam Maniscalco. He is second on the team in scoring (11.5 ppg) and heads the offense with his ability to find the open man (3.4 assists per game leads BU). He’s a solid defender and a scrappy competitor, both things that Les’ team needs following the graduation of Daniel Ruffin and Jeremy Crouch, etc. And while BU awaits Andrew Warren’s decision on whether he can play this season or not (broken foot), Theron Wilson (14 ppg), Dodie Dunson (10.7 ppg), Maniscalco, and even Singh need to pave the way with team play and timely offense.
It will be tough for Missouri State to win with just defense this season, and their offense revolves around Chris Cooks. But following a mild concussion against Middle Tennessee State, he hasn’t played in the Bears’ two MVC games. What is it with MSU and concussions? Shane Laurie is lucky to be playing one more semester of hoops after head trauma almost took away his senior season. If the Bears play without Cooks’ 12 ppg, I see the Braves pulling the upset.
Picks
Creighton Otter: Bradley
Panon: Missouri State
Dance Cam Guy: Missouri State
~Creighton Otter
---
Northern Iowa (7-6; 1-1) vs. Wichita State (6-7; 0-2)
7:00 p.m.
McLeod Center; Cedar Falls, Iowa
It’s currently winter break on college campuses, most students are at home with their families, and basketball players are erasing the memories of finals with hard practices and the start of conference play. School isn’t back in session just yet but just because there are no professors present doesn’t mean these kids won’t learn an important lesson tonight – a lesson in winning.
While UNI is 1-1 early in the conference season, it’s predictable they would start that way. What wasn’t as easily predictable was how they got there. The Panthers managed to start horribly against Indiana St. at home and lost in double overtime. Then, on New Year’s Eve, they pulled out a win against Southern Illinois. Can you explain that one? Either this Panthers squad hustled through a few good days of practice, Southern isn’t as good of a team as we thought, or a combination of the two. It’s all in the past now. UNI has a chance to jump into the upper half of the conference race with a win.
The Shockers are reeling after two losses. They showed signs of good basketball at the Qwest Center. They lost a close game at Koch Arena Wednesday against Bradley. Tying the game at 58 they allowed a Sam Singh put back with less than a second to lose that one. It was a tough way to lose for their group of newcomers.
As any statistician will tell you, there are two outcomes to the game, the Shockers winning or the Panthers. The winner will take home more than just a W. UNI will get that first home conference win and ride that wave of confidence to Omaha next Tuesday. WSU will just be hoping for their first conference win period. But doing that on the road would do a lot for Gregggggg Marshall’s inexperienced squad.
Picks
Creighton Otter: Northern Iowa
Panon: Northern Iowa
Dance Cam Guy: Northern Iowa
~ Panon
posted by Creighton Otter at 12:42 PM
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