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Post by Tom Servo on Feb 8, 2024 9:57:56 GMT -6
That was a phenomenal game by the Aces - one of our best wins at home in a long time. Bradley is a really, really good team and they didn't really play that bad I didn't think. Our defense is what set the tone at the beginning of the game and we really threw a good early punch at them to put them on their heels. Great game - very exciting all around and we did a great job of answering every time Bradley tried to take it away from us. Keep it up Aces!!
Also, for those that didn't hear - Ragland did want them to foul at the end of the game - apparently Toumi didn't understand what he was supposed to do (??) Thankfully it didn't cost them. They talked about this on the radio after the game during the interview with Jevin.
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Post by stlscooter on Feb 8, 2024 10:13:44 GMT -6
I have to get something off my chest, you know this is a great forum, best in the league I think and rivals some big schools fan boards, but I have to say if you are a true fan you need to give praise when praise is due. Nothing bothers me more than posters that only post negative comments and when we lose. Come on if you are real fan let’s hear it or are you just a troll? We are on a 4 game MVC win streak and Ben has been huge, but he still isn’t 100%. How long has it been since we won 4 in a row in conference? I will look it up. Definitely a few posters missing since the end of the game.
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Post by purpleorange on Feb 8, 2024 10:15:21 GMT -6
I'll focus on the way we finished this game out.
It was back and forth in the 2nd half and after Bradley took leads we had Kenny hit a huge 3 with about 3 minutes left and then Ben's drive and finish for the and 1 to give us the lead. Antonio hit 4 big FTs and then Bobe stepped up and hit 2 himself. Offensively we took care of business and answered when we needed to.
The way we defended can and should be a learning experience. With about 15 seconds left Bradley got a layup on a sideline out of bounds play out of a timeout that was way too easy. We then didn't use the foul to give, although the way Hickman was going down the sideline as with 3-4 seconds to go as much as I wanted them to foul as they crossed half court, we had 2 guys shadowing Hickman and forced a tough shot. Luckily it took just long enough so that the shot at the buzzer was just late. I'm not a foul up 3 guy in general, which is another discussion for another time.......a lot can go wrong and you introduce losing into the equation.
Ultimately we matched Bradley shot for shot down the stretch and had multiple guys step up and make plays in crunch time. This was a great team win, as someone pointed out earlier all 9 guys who saw the floor scored, all 9 put up 6 or more as well. This was a great win, the kind of win that building the program back needs taking down a top tier team at home, making Ford Center a tough place to come in and win.
We didn't do that the first time around with Murray.....let's go make amends for that on Saturday.
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Post by youngacesfan on Feb 8, 2024 10:25:00 GMT -6
Unfortunate reality is we’re a Ben and chuck injury away from being 3rd or 4th in the valley and beating Cincinnati. But I still love the way we’re closing the season and postitioning ourselves for next year
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Post by aceschamps6571 on Feb 8, 2024 10:48:55 GMT -6
That was a phenomenal game by the Aces - one of our best wins at home in a long time. Bradley is a really, really good team and they didn't really play that bad I didn't think. Our defense is what set the tone at the beginning of the game and we really threw a good early punch at them to put them on their heels. Great game - very exciting all around and we did a great job of answering every time Bradley tried to take it away from us. Keep it up Aces!! Also, for those that didn't hear - Ragland did want them to foul at the end of the game - apparently Toumi didn't understand what he was supposed to do (??) Thankfully it didn't cost them. They talked about this on the radio after the game during the interview with Jevin. When Bradley had the ball down 3, the Aces had only been called for 5 fouls. I thought for sure, after about 3 or 4 seconds, UE would foul and force Bradley to take the ball out again, with less time to work with. But Rags outcoached Wardle all night, including at the end.
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Post by goacesgo on Feb 8, 2024 10:53:42 GMT -6
I have to get something off my chest, you know this is a great forum, best in the league I think and rivals some big schools fan boards, but I have to say if you are a true fan you need to give praise when praise is due. Nothing bothers me more than posters that only post negative comments and when we lose. Come on if you are real fan let’s hear it or are you just a troll? We are on a 4 game MVC win streak and Ben has been huge, but he still isn’t 100%. How long has it been since we won 4 in a row in conference? I will look it up. Definitely a few posters missing since the end of the game. I’m talking more about after losses, some we’re already calling for Rags to be replaced and totally trashing our guys. Sorry, I’m a little happy today, it’s been a long time since I could see hope in the Aces program, but I’m feeling really hopeful about the future.
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Post by 65pointgame on Feb 8, 2024 11:02:48 GMT -6
Wow, what a game and the defensive effort was fantastic. Bradley stretches the floor with their 3pt threats, but thought we closed really well on those shots, while limiting them to 42% FGs, which is under their season avg of 48%. Also, 17 TOs forced is 5 more than their average of 12.
Love watching Cuff and B-hum back guys down for a bucket. Just fun watching the drop steps, spins and ability to finish. Hughes had a crucial 3 and a big put-back on the offensive boards. Bailey worries me a bit with his lack of passing skills, but he definitely drained a key 3pt shot (with a very friendly bounce.) Thomas (and Bobe) hit pressure FTs -- my wish with Thomas is that he starts the offense sooner, rather than holding the ball out top for 5 seconds -- shot clock forced us to put up a few bad shots last night.
With all these Wins in close games we may still be the "luckiest" team in America.
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Post by daddysboy on Feb 8, 2024 11:46:12 GMT -6
I’m a huge fan of Tanner. His skill set is so different for this level, but works amazingly well. We could have used him down the stretch. But for the ones on the floor. That’s why veteran leadership matters.
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Post by aceloverlarry on Feb 8, 2024 11:46:21 GMT -6
So for all you Bobe bashers,he played one hell of a defensive game against Hickman.I still don't understand why Haffner didn't play after his two 3 pointers in the first half. I think the first part of your statement is the main reason Hafner didn’t play much more would be my guess. If you listen to Rags post game interview with Jevin, he talked about Haffner and how he had a great game and provided quality minutes. He said they were looking to get him more time on the court in the second half but it didn’t work out with the rotations. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but I think it’s probably a safe assumption that he didn’t like his potential defensive matchup at any time he would’ve considered putting him back in.
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Post by deanwormer on Feb 8, 2024 12:04:32 GMT -6
Definitely a few posters missing since the end of the game. I’m talking more about after losses, some we’re already calling for Rags to be replaced and totally trashing our guys. Sorry, I’m a little happy today, it’s been a long time since I could see hope in the Aces program, but I’m feeling really hopeful about the future. Yes, there are a few you can count on to show up after a loss and just fret and fret and whine. I understand being frustrated but I don't understand why they are no where to be found on good nights. I won't mention their names but I think we all know. I have noticed the guy that ran the last board still shows up on the MVC board and does the same thing. Usually only after a loss but he did post last night, but it was snarky and he used the term getting Evansville'd. The slam Wichita fans used to use against Marty. How can you be a fan to create a message board and then turn sideways like that? Was he banned early on here?
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tjwx4
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Post by tjwx4 on Feb 8, 2024 12:17:17 GMT -6
Great team win! Loved it!
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Post by austinace on Feb 8, 2024 12:25:02 GMT -6
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Post by austinace on Feb 8, 2024 12:25:50 GMT -6
Jevin's radio highlights:
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Post by aceloverlarry on Feb 8, 2024 12:26:22 GMT -6
Not much to be said that hasn’t been said already. Great team win. Seems like Ragland really has them bought into his defensive philosophy and that should hopefully lead to quite a few more wins even with the tough schedule.
I really hope we can keep the wins rolling at Murray this weekend and that Ziggy has some plans to capitalize on this momentum and get a big crowd for Drake. We lost a lot of the casual bandwagon fans in the rough stretch, and I hope they can find a way to reel them back in because this team deserves 5,000+ at every remaining home game. 7 games left and I don’t think a 5-2 finish down the stretch is out of question. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to get a massive crowd for the Sunday SIU game and hopefully for Senior Night against ISU.
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Post by austinace on Feb 8, 2024 12:26:30 GMT -6
Jevin's postgame interviews with Rags and Antonio:
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