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Post by austinace on Feb 10, 2024 17:10:27 GMT -6
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Post by aceslfer on Feb 10, 2024 18:10:41 GMT -6
making 1 or 2 free throws makes a great difference how the game proceeds, as it was, it ended with a buzzer beater. Making 1 or 2 free throws creates a totally different set of circumstances for how MSU attacks the offense end an how the Aces set up defensively.
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Post by Ace78 on Feb 10, 2024 18:17:40 GMT -6
I was at the game. The Aces fought hard. The biggest takeaway was the lack of resistance from the Aces in the paint. We were working our butts off to score, while Murray State was shooting layups under the basket. Murray State players are very quick. The other noticeable thing was that Murray State was very physical, overpowering Yacine and others underneath. Ben showed some frustration by having a few shots rim out or miss. I feel bad for him missing those free throws. He looked confident when going up to the line ... they just didn't go. The refs made some questionable calls against us. Kenny was impressive today. We played a good game, but just couldn't get enough stops, and couldn't keep Murray out of the paint. Wood certainly hit a tough shot to win it at the buzzer.
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Post by 65pointgame on Feb 10, 2024 18:59:45 GMT -6
Well dang....as some mentioned, if Ben hits that 2nd free throw, we call time out and set up our defense. Would of, could of, should of... Overall, proud of the guys for fighting back and staying in the game with a chance to win at the end.
Time to bounce back and get ready for Drake (74-67 win over Bradley today) on Tuesday.
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Post by 6thman on Feb 10, 2024 19:11:31 GMT -6
That's why they play the game. Unfortunate to end up on the short end of the stick. Now that this is in the past Drake is at the Ford on Tuesday and a new game awaits the Aces. Congratulations To Kenny Strawbridge on a complete game, 14 points 10 rebounds 6 assists
LET'S GO ACES...
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Post by pilotj on Feb 10, 2024 19:31:09 GMT -6
Saw the ending of this one in the highlights on Fox before the IU-Purdue game. Been a bit since I saw the Aces on a national highlight show, even if we were on the wrong side.
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Post by aceshigh on Feb 10, 2024 20:24:03 GMT -6
Nice
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Post by ibleedpurple on Feb 10, 2024 21:14:48 GMT -6
I saw two Maryland players (Reese and Scott) each miss two free throws within the last minute of the game and in OT and Ohio State beat them in two overtimes. So, it can happen to the best of them, just the way it goes sometimes. Nine out of ten times Ben hits one if not both of those so this was the one time. I am just glad he is back and getting stronger every game. I would rather lose this one and win an extra one in St Louis Nice to see Kenny have one of his better, complete games. He is coming on. I feel a number of our guys continue to improve and this team is much better than it was a month and two months ago with a number of guys stepping up their game. Go Aces !
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Post by aceshigh on Feb 10, 2024 21:29:41 GMT -6
One of the ESPN announcers did say this was not the same Evansville team they played back in January. That we were much better now.
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Post by sect3purple on Feb 10, 2024 23:31:26 GMT -6
It hurts to lose this game - thought our Aces stayed locked in all night, just couldn't put the ball in the basket on shots we normally make. I think this game highlights our weaknesses, such as we are too soft under the basket on our layups and on rebounding. Hughes will be much better when he toughens up ( I think he will improve and be a force to deal with). Toumi needs to focus - has such potential, just sometimes is not directive as where he want to put that ball. I didn't see the entire game, but I saw those great free throws in the first half.
I felt the refs allowed their 38% free throw shooter to get by with a lot of fouling, and he seemed to travel several times with no call. This isn't an excuse for losing the game, but I do think it influenced the game.
Our defense had big holes in it, which we can clean up. A game like this shows where we need to tighten our defense. This loss didn't send us home from a tournament, so it should help us to get better for the future games....starting on Tuesday when Drake comes to town.
I know it was a blow to our guys as they worked hard all game and had a win within reach. I couldn't watch the ending, and I, like a lot of fans, really wanted to see our team win, but it should steel us all, especially the team, to just keep getting better. I heard Shreffler (sp?)say on the radio broadcast that he would love to see us play Murray in St. Louis. The former Ace just wanted a chance at those guys again. I hope our team has that same competitive spirit, and works hard to improve where we can.
Strawbridge and Cuff were exceptional tonight. Love to watch Kenny, the master thief, steal that ball and rob opponents of a possession! And Cuff is so great at setting up a teammate for a shot! And both guys re adding to their offense - more points for us!
Now, on to the next opponent - Drake will be a tough foe- we have to be just as tough! Go Aces!
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Post by municup14 on Feb 11, 2024 5:24:35 GMT -6
Bummer of a loss but it proves we shouldn't be a pushover in St. Louis like we have the previous years.
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Post by ACES FAN on Feb 11, 2024 7:56:52 GMT -6
We were at the game. The first thing we noticed was that Big Ben was not out for warmup. He did come out right before the game for the shoot around. The first half he seemed off. At halftime my wife knows Scott Shreffler and happened to cross paths. He told her that Ben woke up with a stomach bug so he wasn’t feeling great. I think it is remarkable that he played as well as he did.
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Post by ATP on Feb 11, 2024 8:53:46 GMT -6
Over the 100 years, more or less, that the Pioneers/Aces have had a team, I'd estimate that at least 200 games were decided on a shot that either went in or didn't to decide the outcome. Statistically, that's probably a 50-50 gamble on who got the shot and who benefited. Chitwood: I'LL MAKE IT.
This has been one of them. The layups that were missed in the first half brought us to that moment.
But clanking free throws off the front of the rim (Cuff did it too) suggest strongly that tired legs and lower backs were a contributor. Cuff relies more on the rim than some other shooters -- like Toumi, who hopes the backboard is his buddy.
Shortening this to an analysis, they went from a 36-point hammering to a near-win in a road arena. It ain't perfect but, knowing a little about the human spirit, it's going to make them extremely unpredictable in St. Louis. In years past, they were quite predictable.
Murray did not outplay the Aces.
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Post by E-Villan on Feb 11, 2024 9:44:31 GMT -6
If we end up in the 8/9 game against Murray in St. Louis, that may be the best outcome we can hope for other than getting a top 4 bye. Neutral court with Ben at 100%, we win by 10 yesterday.
Murray has the potential to beat anyone in the league, but they also have shown the potential to get beat by anyone in the league. Blowout UE and UNI, beat Bradley, but get swept by Illinois State along with a handful of bad non-con losses. A couple of the players, especially Ellington are head cases, but most of this falls on Prohm. The guy spends more time whining and crying at the officials than watching the game. He went 2-22 in his last season at Iowa State. How do you only manage 2 wins, both against SWAC teams in your 6th season in the Big 12? Even more baffling is why Murray would have hired him right after that to succeed Matt McMahon?
While it worked out for them, even that last play was poorly executed. 6 seconds left was plenty of time to drive to the basket and either shoot a fairly uncontested close range shot, or draw the foul. It was like they thought we had made both free throws.
Considering where we were a month ago, it is really hard to be upset at this one.
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paradeuce
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Post by paradeuce on Feb 11, 2024 10:40:39 GMT -6
Don't forget the two (2) subsequent crib shots under the rim blown by Toumi. He's simply not strong enough to finish after pulling up his dribble that deep in the paint. Needs to add a shot or two into his arsenal WHILE in attack motion...dish, or kick out of traffic.
Curious...is UE still charting the Linton hotshot that 1st signed w/ Dawkins @ UCF than floated back N to those green pastures of Lexington?
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