I think we might underestimate how strong of a defender Krutwig was.

Big drop to 36 in KenPom. A big NET drop is sure to follow. Just a killer first half. Terrible defense and 13 turnovers. Lights out.

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Missouri State swept us in 18-19, including the infamous 70-35 game.

Look, I think we've all kind of thought it over the past few months, but it's time to face reality. This team is solid but really no better than the other top Valley teams. In fact, I think Drake, when healthy, is the best team in the Valley. And they've proven it twice against us. They returned basically everyone from last year's at-large team and their HC (who, I think, is the best HC in the Valley) PLUS added a top 100 recruit (who would have been the top recruit Loyola ever got)--a guy that can score at all three levels. They play physical, they hustle and they have pieces that fit well together.

At-large chance is shot. Guess we just try to play well down the stretch and maybe nab a regular season title. Comes down to three days in St. Louis. From what we've seen, we are susceptible to be knocked off by Bradley or Valpo or Missouri State or Drake...really anyone except maybe Evansville. But if the 3's are falling, who knows.

For a team with this much experience, it's really disappointing. Turnovers, lapsed defensive assignments...just not stuff you'd expect, but it is who we are.

I think the rotations need to be examined closely. There are some guys who, I think, have earned more PT. And some guys who should be seeing fewer minutes.

Some people say this after every loss. But why? Look at the bubble teams and they all have a Q3 (or even Q4) loss.

Drake will jump a bunch of spots and be close to Q2 anyway.

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It's no coincidence to me that the loss of Kennedy is really hurting this team. Hopefully he'll be back in time for St. Louis

This is the first time the "experts" are saying it too, including on the broadcast numerous times. We have no really wins over lock tourney teams...best win is over USF who is a bubble team themselves. P5 bubble teams will always get the benefit of the doubt. See, e.g., Porter's Oklahoma 14-13 Sooners who are STILL considered a bubble team. Historically, mid-major teams with our type of resume, do not get in as at-large.

Fair enough. I hate the Drake. I'm just feeling like if we go to the A10 and people lose their minds about every loss I don't think I can handle that (not referring to you personally here). We're not going to go 18-2 or however many conference games they play.

On another note, I thought our student section today was particularly poorly behaved. Not to be a scold, but they came across like complete assholes. Maybe that's just the way it is, but we developed a really positive reputation over the years and I personally don't care for the attitudes of the current group that's most outspoken on Twitter and personal/vulgar in the student section.

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51 fouls called. 56 free throws taken. One of three refs has called 9 games all season. All three refs total have called 60 games total. There are over fifty refs that have called at least fifty games individually.
Would this rather important game have a better crew assigned?
Not to blame the refs for our loss, but forty minute game with 51 fouls called certainly kills the flow. In saddition, Drake out of time outs, but gets two freebies due to reviews. One for sure clearly died not need a review. Reviewed stats and Drake won the game with two point shot percentage due to our not getting loose balls and giving up 2nd and third rebounds under the bucket.
If we tie at the top, 14-4, what are the tie breakers….. Do we want MST to win over UNI tomorrow, or not. Or if UNI wins then we could win cleanly with W over UNI, am I correct?
Keep the faith boys, we can do this….

Oh, I am insufferable with every defeat on here. I freely admit it, haha. Although looking back at my pre-17-18 posts, I was pretty bad even back then (AKA when we lost a lot more). I get too emotionally invested and take losses too harshly, sometimes avoiding to look at the bigger picture. It's the "fanatic" part of "fandom" for me, I suppose.

What were the students saying? I thought I heard "Daddy's Boy" when Tucker was shooting FTs, which is kind of cringey when he was getting buckets at will on us. Also heard the typical "bulls***" chants after questionable calls, which I have never liked but every school does it.

I guess it just felt needlessly hostile/aggressive. They were all over Wilkins, too, right from the jump. Leaning over to get in his face. Did get us a T though when he turned to say something after hitting a three haha

The Daddy's Boy stuff was just stupid.

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Yeah pretty bad refs, but as you say the Drake killed us in the paint and on the boards. There was a missed travel when we were close and we trapped in the corner off a make that really hurt us. The jump ball after Lucas got an offensive board hurt, too, but he should have called timeout. (Also no idea how there was no foul on Aher's dunk.)

I think you're right that we want UNI to win tomorrow.

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