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Post by austinace on Mar 3, 2024 17:48:09 GMT -6
We can play the what if game; but stats don't lie (usually) and when Ben doesn't play we generally get beat by 20+ points (and sometimes by 49 points). When he plays (and is not even 100%) we generally are competitive. And then there is the fact that conference opponents tend to be tougher than our non-conference opponents. Previous stats showed a healthy Ben made around a 20-point difference in our stats. It shouldn't be that way, but it is statistically. Hopefully the returning players are learning from this. For the most part, our better players with higher ceilings are eligible to come back (with few exceptions).
Hoping that we can at least be competitive in St. Louis.
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Post by kyace on Mar 3, 2024 17:49:23 GMT -6
I think those 2 buzzer beater losses took the heart out of team. It’s been all downhill from then.
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Post by austinace on Mar 3, 2024 17:54:56 GMT -6
If we find a way to beat Illinois State on Thursday, then we likely have to beat Drake on Friday, Bradley on Saturday and Indiana State on Sunday. That is a tough road, but let's beat Illinois State first and go from there.
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Post by pilotj on Mar 3, 2024 18:05:20 GMT -6
Thee Aces exceeded their pre-season expectations. Predicted 11th, finished 10th.
But certainly I think better than 10th would have been predicted if you polled again on January 1st.
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Post by Ace78 on Mar 3, 2024 18:23:36 GMT -6
I wish we could have had a better showing to end the regular season. With UE being the 10th seed, at least we won't be the first MVC team to be knocked out of Arch Madness. I do think we match up better playing Illinois State rather than Murray State.
We have to win 2 games at Arch Madness to avoid a losing record, but regardless, it is still going to be better than last year's dismal season.
We did almost beat Murray State at their place, played extremely well vs. Drake at home, and beat Bradley at home, so those are very positive. The loss at UIC was disheartening. At this point, a victory over Illinois State in Arch Madness would be a positive to end on.
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Post by justaacesfan on Mar 3, 2024 18:35:04 GMT -6
We just drop 7 in a row games smh Did you really think we were gonna finish with those seniors leading the charge? Gage Bobe, Antonio Thomas, Kenny Strawbridge, these guys been in college 5+ years and still haven’t figure it out. Truth of the matter is they all Stink!!!! Because if they were any good they wouldn’t be at UE And Coach Rag don’t know WTF he doing lol That was fools gold early part of the season..
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Post by acepurple84 on Mar 3, 2024 18:59:51 GMT -6
I think those 2 buzzer beater losses took the heart out of team. It’s been all downhill from then. It does seem to be a mental thin. Got to get over it. Thursday is a new season. Win 4 in a row. And for all the blowhards , Pi$$ing and moaning look what we all thought would be a good season. Many on here wanted to be competative and win about 12 games. Several wanted a winning season but would have settled for a 50-50.
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Post by evilleintentions on Mar 3, 2024 19:09:21 GMT -6
We just drop 7 in a row games smh Did you really think we were gonna finish with those seniors leading the charge? Gage Bobe, Antonio Thomas, Kenny Strawbridge, these guys been in college 5+ years and still haven’t figure it out. Truth of the matter is they all Stink!!!! Because if they were any good they wouldn’t be at UE And Coach Rag don’t know WTF he doing lol That was fools gold early part of the season.. You’re a fan? Pssssssyyyyyyyccccccoooooo
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Post by goacesgo on Mar 3, 2024 19:28:48 GMT -6
I wish we could have had a better showing to end the regular season. With UE being the 10th seed, at least we won't be the first MVC team to be knocked out of Arch Madness. I do think we match up better playing Illinois State rather than Murray State. We have to win 2 games at Arch Madness to avoid a losing record, but regardless, it is still going to be better than last year's dismal season. We did almost beat Murray State at their place, played extremely well vs. Drake at home, and beat Bradley at home, so those are very positive. The losses at Valpo and UIC were disheartening. At this point, a victory over Illinois State in Arch Madness would be a positive to end on. We won at Valpo, lost at UIC.
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Post by acepurple84 on Mar 3, 2024 19:29:16 GMT -6
We just drop 7 in a row games smh Did you really think we were gonna finish with those seniors leading the charge? Gage Bobe, Antonio Thomas, Kenny Strawbridge, these guys been in college 5+ years and still haven’t figure it out. Truth of the matter is they all Stink!!!! Because if they were any good they wouldn’t be at UE And Coach Rag don’t know WTF he doing lol That was fools gold early part of the season.. Ok go root for USI
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Post by justaacesfan on Mar 3, 2024 20:00:18 GMT -6
We just drop 7 in a row games smh Did you really think we were gonna finish with those seniors leading the charge? Gage Bobe, Antonio Thomas, Kenny Strawbridge, these guys been in college 5+ years and still haven’t figure it out. Truth of the matter is they all Stink!!!! Because if they were any good they wouldn’t be at UE And Coach Rag don’t know WTF he doing lol That was fools gold early part of the season.. You’re a fan? Pssssssyyyyyyyccccccoooooo You must be Bobe and Strawbridge drinking buddy lol
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Post by justaacesfan on Mar 3, 2024 20:01:30 GMT -6
We just drop 7 in a row games smh Did you really think we were gonna finish with those seniors leading the charge? Gage Bobe, Antonio Thomas, Kenny Strawbridge, these guys been in college 5+ years and still haven’t figure it out. Truth of the matter is they all Stink!!!! Because if they were any good they wouldn’t be at UE And Coach Rag don’t know WTF he doing lol That was fools gold early part of the season.. Ok go root for USI I am…
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Post by ATP on Mar 3, 2024 20:26:57 GMT -6
We just drop 7 in a row games smh Did you really think we were gonna finish with those seniors leading the charge? Gage Bobe, Antonio Thomas, Kenny Strawbridge, these guys been in college 5+ years and still haven’t figure it out. Truth of the matter is they all Stink!!!! Because if they were any good they wouldn’t be at UE And Coach Rag don’t know WTF he doing lol That was fools gold early part of the season.. I gotta hand it to you. You pissed off more people in these 4 lines than I did in 3 years and 899 comments -- and that is saying something. But I recommend you go under your profile and change your user name to something else a little less transcendental. Make sure you include (lol) just so we know you're not in a sour mood.
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Post by ATP on Mar 3, 2024 20:36:23 GMT -6
Truthfully, I did actually see some improvement ... and in a closer season, it would have mattered. They are much better at the free throw line now, and there's a bit more flow to the offense -- at times. The 28.9-second possession is not in evidence.
What seems to be more obvious is that Cuff seems to have run out of gas. He was a major player early on, made some good shots and made the interior game respectable. Strawbridge has become a good defensive player and a go-to guy. Toumi hasn't changed but he's still not terrible. Dunno ... I thought Thomas brought a nice touch to the backcourt. Obviously Hughes has some growing to do, and he's getting there.
Bailey has moves the refs don't appreciate. Humrichous is obviously the heartbeat of this team. Haffner plays like he means it. I will take 10 Haffners and take my chances if all I need is ball-busting hustle.
So what went wrong? I bet if you asked everyone on the team, they will say they just didn't play well enough to win.
This team is missing a centerpiece without B-Hum. I can't evaluate why the defense seems to be good for 4 minutes, bad for 8 minutes and treading water for 8 minutes.
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Post by E-Villan on Mar 3, 2024 21:42:43 GMT -6
You’re a fan? Pssssssyyyyyyyccccccoooooo You must be Bobe and Strawbridge drinking buddy lol They both seem like great guys with good heads on their shoulders. I would enjoy sitting down with both of them over an adult soda.
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