When the TV announced Adam Emmenecker was doing color commentary for this game, I felt a breeze and the temperature dropped by 6 degrees.

We had no answer for O'Brien and we couldn't make a shot. Really disappointing game in front of a good crowd.

_________________
MBB Scholarship Chart

So the 4/5 game in St. Louis at 2:35 pm on 3/3 is the most likely now.

Well, Missouri state just lost at Evansville, so that helps us I guess.

_________________
MBB Scholarship Chart

Hey Ramblermaniacs,
We need to stay and play every game.
There are so many unknowns left due to the weird home/road issues and general
parity. Could be third, could be sixth. We need to get back to work and get ready for the next game.
Come on Ramblers. Let play one game at a time.
Must confess tho, that my Rambler heart is aching while we continue to underperform in games we should win.
We all believe we are better than the results we have. Are we delusional? We see so much progress with our team,
but we still seem to not know how to finish and win the close game.
It will come. Keep believing. There are a few surprises to be enjoyed. I just know it.
Go Ramblers.

This is a game we should've won. Too many open shots we missed. But, I will also add that I brought a fellow SIU grad who told me it was, at one point, really damn loud, over the SIU crowd. That was nice, and we need more of that.

Rough game, one of those games, etc, We missed a lot of shots, 20 possessions that were turnovers, steals or blocks, also unusual for us. I thought we were the better overall team but this is one of those games we talked about early in the year...We do not have much room for error either taking care of the ball or shooting the ball and we did not do either well yesterday and the weakness we knew existed this year came up to bite us and that is height....between Obrien who we could not guard and the rim protectors that altered Jacksons shot........ tough loss no matter how you slice it.
Decent crowd but seemed like more SIUers than Ramblers

I think with SIU they have a strong fan base in their mid 30's who went to school during their great mid 2000's run with Bryan Mullins. They probably made up a good 35-40% of the crowd but accounted for more noise than that. There were a few spoaradic groups across the arena that were really rowdy. And it wasn't really until Aundres dunk (maybe the best in Gentile since Montel's in the CBI?) that all the Loyola fans really woke up and made some noise. But unfortunately they hit a nice 3 after.

As for the game. Rough shooting outside Ingram. Milt had some old milt turnovers in transition that really hurt us; but also hit some really nice shots to keep it close. Wish we coulda had more Mo. 4 boards in 12 minutes and he could at least played physical against O'Brien to get him off rhythm.

O'Brien killed us down low, was impressed with his passing as well. Someone asked how krutwig compares to O'Brien and I'd say somewhat favorably. Krutwigs passing is supposedly amazing for a big man and likely will be better than his. He's thicker than o'Brien and as he settles in at Loyola I'd bet he's a better defender and will be harder to back down. That said I was impressed with O'Brien being able to move with the ball outside the paint. While krutwig has some really nice footwork down low and should be able to finish well in the paint as he adjusts to the competition I'm not sure he can bring it from 15 feet out like O'Brien.

A personal view !! I have followed the CUBS since 1937 !! Yes 37 !! They had little or nothing for all those years--War year 1945--a heartbeat--Nothing before or since until this past summer--SO I guess its the same old same old. We RAMBLERS WERE good and played well WITHOUT ANY HEIGHT whatsoever. So, I will wait another year , hoping !!
Play it out well team, but you are plainly just too little--It caught up to us by a GOOD coach who got us where we hurt--DOWN LOW ! We are in for more of the same, sad to say !!
Next year they say we will be bigger--I hope so . This gang of ours are a great LITTLE team who all year have fought their best--More wins to come ?? I truly hope so, BUT---- ENOUGH ???

Brot,
I don't think the team has thrown in the towel, nor should you step back a this juncture of this season.
I see this team winning anywhere from three to six of the remaining games.
Dont forget other teams are just as capable of us as playing a clinker or three along the way.
Aside from that, I still feel that there is a large upset or two coming and it will change our perception of this team and season.
It is as if there is a glass ceiling over the Ramblers, once shattered will be looked back upon in wonderment as to what took so long.
Progress is not a linear progression, but a series of ups and downs to be endured and learned from.
Our coach and our players know that and will succeed. I can feel the lack of energy on this board since Saturday. Lets pick it up!
Go Ramblers. One game at a time.