A win is a win, but man is Porter hanging onto his job for dear life with these performances.

It's official-- it's gotten to the point where it's so nerve-wracking to watch that I have to avert my eyes, change the channel, repeat calming mantras, etc. With even sub-par 65% free throw shooting, it would have been a breeze.

Give credit to SIU-- they would not go away, and took advantage of every opportunity.

Super-duper !! Porter hangin on to his job ?? HE CANNOT GO OUT THERE AND MAKE FREEBIES !! We win goin' away if we even sand 2/3 of them.

We win a tough one--PM coached OK --BUT we are relying on Newbies for wins. We are better than half these teams without Milton--NOT good enough ! He has to return soon--Maybe Sat to get some minutes for the stretch run.

BTW --another injury ?? Where was the Iowa kid ??--LORDY Can't recall name--Getting old I guess.

I agree Brot. I've never been a Porter fan up until this year, but I give him full credit for getting to 13-4 before Doyle's injury.

Moser finally beat Barry Hinson and SIU-- even without Doyle. He'd lost his last five consecutive games head to head against Hinson (at MSU and SIU), and had never beaten SIU in 11 tries before tonight. Congratulations are in order, not little digs.

Chipotle burritos all around!!! I recommend the carnitas, with black beans, medium salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guac (it costs extra).

You're right Brot. I guess he can't make em, but how many coaches are so bulletproof that they avoid criticism when their team can't do the most basic of basic fundamentals? Injuries or no injuries, the 7 for 19 outing vs. ISU was a brutal loss and tonight's game would have been a brutal loss too. You can't lose that heartwrenchingly and not have at least a moderately warm seat.

Also, while it was good enough to win, there were quite a few blown coverages on defense. I get that the team defense dynamic changes without Doyle, but we could have cleaned some things up on that end of the floor.

I thought we played pretty good defense most of the night. SIU had a lot of possessions putting up shots as the shot clock expired. They just made a lot of tough shots, like the 3 a halftime. We also did better on the boards than we have been. James is really shaping into a nice forward. A win is a win is a win, and we've already won more conference games this year than last year. After all that happened in the offseason, I'll take it.

That's a fair point. I don't get how we've gone from being one of the best on three point defense in the country to giving up 50% to mediocre outside shooting teams like Indiana State and SIU.

You cannot blame a coach for free throws, when there are guys out there with access to a gym who can shoot them over and over again, without anything but a ball and working lights.

It sucks, but I doubt Porter is not emphasizing the point to work on free throws to them. They are athletes with free rides to an amazing school... If they can get themselves to class without porter holding their hands and walking them in, then they can walk to a free throw line and practice free throws.... There's nothing strategic or athletic to it... It's a matter of taking the time, finding a pattern and a rhythm that works for you personally, and getting consistent at it.

Thomas has been back playing since his concussion, but I almost wonder how much it may still be affecting him, if only just knocked his rhythm off a little. He hasn't shot well at all since he's come back from the concussion.