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Post by 6thman on Dec 20, 2023 0:02:09 GMT -6
Deserves a Huge Shoutout ! LET'S GO ACES!!!! IT'S GAME DAY
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Post by acescott on Dec 20, 2023 8:25:31 GMT -6
My guess is last year's team would be about 3-8 at this point, and I figured around .500 for an improved squad this year. So from 5 or 6 to 9 wins is fantastic. If we can win tonight, no pressure at Cincinnati- will have gone 9-2 non-conference. 10 wins before January...Just enjoying this situation after the last 5 years of single digit wins.
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Post by aceshigh on Dec 20, 2023 8:32:32 GMT -6
No doubt this team is fun to watch. The key word here is “team”.
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9-2
Dec 20, 2023 8:34:49 GMT -6
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Post by municup14 on Dec 20, 2023 8:34:49 GMT -6
Does anyone know why Braylon was in street clothes last game,possible red shirt
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9-2
Dec 20, 2023 10:39:17 GMT -6
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Post by austinace on Dec 20, 2023 10:39:17 GMT -6
No question that this team is much improved and much better than last years team. The record, ratings and eye test all prove that.
I do want to mention though that our schedule after tonight gets a lot harder playing against Cincinnati and the start of conference play. Outside of Valpo (after tonight), we’ve played all the weakest teams on our schedule. Also remember in 2017 that we headed into a game with Duke with a 10-2 record and we ended up finishing that season 17-15. So we will definitely be tested in conference play. I think we definitely could be .500 in conference play which would likely put us around 20 wins - anything over that is icing on the cake and anyway we look at it this year has been a tremendous improvement.
Go Aces!!!
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Post by E-Villan on Dec 20, 2023 11:42:11 GMT -6
No question that this team is much improved and much better than last years team. The record, ratings and eye test all prove that. I do want to mention though that our schedule after tonight gets a lot harder playing against Cincinnati and the start of conference play. Outside of Valpo (after tonight), we’ve played all the weakest teams on our schedule. Also remember in 2017 that we headed into a game with Duke with a 10-2 record and we ended up finishing that season 17-15. So we will definitely be tested in conference play. I think we definitely could be .500 in conference play which would likely put us around 20 wins - anything over that is icing on the cake and anyway we look at it this year has been a tremendous improvement. Go Aces!!! At this point, I would have Chattanooga and possibly UT-Martin ahead of at least Murray State and Illinois State as well as Valpo. I do get your point though, how many non-cons did we run up great records under Marty only to fall on our asses once conference season started?
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9-2
Dec 20, 2023 11:56:13 GMT -6
Post by ATP on Dec 20, 2023 11:56:13 GMT -6
I don't think, as a rule, the OVC is this mediocre. The rosters in that conference were pillaged last year and the best of them is Morehead, which is probably good enough to win 2 out of 3 against the bottom half of the Valley. But these are not terrible non-con games for UE, which is growing a new program just the same. I just think it's hard to win on the road.
The MAC, as well, is a shell of a conference.
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9-2
Dec 20, 2023 12:02:14 GMT -6
Post by austinace on Dec 20, 2023 12:02:14 GMT -6
At this point, I would have Chattanooga and possibly UT-Martin ahead of at least Murray State and Illinois State as well as Valpo. I do get your point though, how many non-cons did we run up great records under Marty only to fall on our asses once conference season started? On the list I compiled on the ranking thread on December 6th, Murray State and Valparaiso were the only remaining teams on our schedule that were in the bottom 10 (ranking wise) after tonight. Obviously on the top side, BYU and Missouri State caused us some issues on the road (to say the least). Note: Missouri State was eight (toughest) on that list. I'm just saying the easy competition is pretty much behind us after tonight. But again you have to like where this team is at and how it has performed this year. Just trying to keep things in perspective as we have been in similar situations in the past with a rosy non-conference record to then be brought back to reality. Hopefully this year is different - it certainly has a different feel to it for sure.
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Post by 65pointgame on Dec 20, 2023 12:21:26 GMT -6
Very happy with the wins, but cautious as well going into conference play. Defensively we still struggle in certain areas -- but I guess quick, athletic teams like UT-Martin can be difficult for any defense.
Our offensive production stats mostly rank in the top 25% of teams in the D1, which from a fan perspective is enjoyable to watch, and hopefully we are able to continue this in conference play.
A reminder of our preseason MVC outlook --
School (First Place Votes) TOTAL 1 Drake (52) 646 2 UNI (19) 558 3 Bradley (3) 487 4 Indiana State 402 5 Belmont 400 6 Missouri State (1) 386 7 Murray State 292 8 Illinois State 237 9 Southern Illinois 218 10 UIC 157 11 Evansville 95 12 Valparaiso 66
Preseason All Conf Team---
FIRST TEAM Bowen Born, UNI Donovan Clay, Missouri State Tucker DeVries, Drake Malevy Leons, Bradley Cade Tyson, Belmont
SECOND TEAM Tytan Anderson, UNI Robbie Avila, Indiana State Darnell Brodie, Drake Julian Larry, Indiana State Rob Perry, Murray State Kenny Strawbridge Jr., Evansville
THIRD TEAM Darius Burford, Illinois State Duke Deen, Bradley Xavier Johnson, Southern Illinois Chance Moore, Missouri State Toby Okani, UIC Isaiah Swope, Indiana State
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9-2
Dec 20, 2023 13:13:56 GMT -6
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Post by acescott on Dec 20, 2023 13:13:56 GMT -6
Valley play is never forgiving. About the only years where we did significantly better than expected are'99 and maybe '21. Our depth gives us an advantage as the season grinds on. I expect better than our preseason predictions. Just have to wait and see how much better. We're competitive, fun to watch. I'm happy.
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Post by Ace78 on Dec 20, 2023 15:33:58 GMT -6
If I'm not mistaken, isn't our current NET ranking placing us 4th in the MVC right now? I may be wrong. If we are 4th, that is truly remarkable!! What a turnaround .. and much better than we ever dreamed of!
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Post by ibleedpurple on Dec 20, 2023 17:48:27 GMT -6
At the time I thought our win at UTC was bigger than it appears to be based on what they have done since our come from behind win. Our SOS is not very good but will be improving starting with the game in Cincy. Agree the easier games are behind us. We get into Valley play any win is a good win at home or on the road. No cupcakes in this conference.
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Post by municup14 on Dec 20, 2023 18:08:46 GMT -6
I believe a 500 record the rest of the season will have us going in the right direction
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Post by kyace1 on Dec 20, 2023 18:13:58 GMT -6
I predicted 18 wins in May… I hope I was way low, but I am afraid Valley play will be much tougher sledding. 9 more wins… Tonight and 8 more in the MVC leaves us 9-9 in the MVC… 18-12overall. I would be a little disappointed now… but that would be an amazing turnaround. I am grateful for what Rags & staff have done.
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9-2
Dec 20, 2023 18:18:38 GMT -6
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Post by austinace on Dec 20, 2023 18:18:38 GMT -6
If I'm not mistaken, isn't our current NET ranking placing us 4th in the MVC right now? I may be wrong. If we are 4th, that is truly remarkable!! What a turnaround .. and much better than we ever dreamed of! We are actually fifth right now (with Missouri State and Bradley behind us). Indiana State and Drake seem to have separated themselves as the two best MVC teams but Southern Illinois and UIC (much improved) are in front of us (by a little bit as well). Should be some really good battles in the MVC this year.
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