Just watched Drake edge MSU by three.
Weirdest game ever, almost....

Alize total: 2 points, on free throws.
He sits almost half the game.

MSU still has a chance to win because Drake coach pulls Timmer? Then MSU hits a tough three and fouls.
So Timmer is perfect at the line, but on the bench. OK Drake misses both free throws, but MSU cannot cash in.

Would you agree that Drake win may be in our best interests going forward, or do you see them as a more formidable foe than MSU/
Gonna have to plan for the Drake/LU game. Need to play solid defense the full length of the court for forty minutes+. cut off the up tempo play as they like to rebound and run up the floor. Not as formidable once they have to play half court.
First VALPO tomorrow is key. I believe we are prepared to get the W. BUT, like today, weird stuff happens....
Go Ramblers.

Drake's only two losses are at Valpo, and at UNI.

MSU's two losses before Drake, were at Illinois State and at Evansville.

We still have a chance to beat Drake twice and split with MSU. And we've already won at UNI (where Drake lost) and at Illinois State (where MSU lost).

Drake is tough. I watched them play UNI and I thought they threw up a lot of bad, well contested shots. The thing is, a decent amount went in. They have a lot of great shooters who also happen to be seniors. I also wouldn't be surprised if their head coach isn't around for much longer given his quick success. They're a good team. Credit to Niko.

The Drake win is in our best interest. Solid senior driven team. But they will fade a bit in the long run. We should want MSU getting the Losses tight now.

The Timmer thing made no sense to me either, but I was watching bits and pieces with the sound off. Did he have four fouls? Not that it would make sense to take him out then, anyway, but that was my only guess. It looked like Niko pulled him out to receive an ovation.

How were they able to limit Alize so much?

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It seemed that Johnson was out of sync, and rather passive. His coach seemed rather accepting of the performance, so maybe there is more to his personal situation yesterday. My take away is that MSU was in position to beat Drake even tho their Ace was totally flat.
More importantly, to me, is getting a W today (Please get this one), as it will create more pressure on Drake when we get there.

Once there, LU should use its depth to really focus on Timmer, when we play Drake.
My observation is that he a lefty and decidedly favors that hand on drives to the basket, even if the right side is wide open.
Our defense needs to break the pace that Drake will push after a score at the other end or a defensive rebound. Timmer and the other guards will drive the full court if allowed. If stopped, then they set up in half court and can be managed better.

I would hope to see Jackson not put the ball on the floor and go one on one where it is susceptible to turnover and a break off the same.
Finally, this home court thing /road game thing continues to mystify me.
Yet, Florida beat Kentucky on the road yesterday???? Was it a dream, we really did beat the Gators, right? That said I hope to get road W's in our next two games. Gametime can't get here fast enough for me.
Go Ramblers!!