Evansville Preview and Game Thread -- 2-23-2022

[01grad]

I know Evansville is really bad, but why are we able to actually run sets/plays against them and not against anybody else recently?

I was wondering this, too. We ran a couple plays for threes, and we threw an alley oop like Porter used to run, but I think it was the first time we tried it all year. Feels like we need more stuff like that to pull out when we are struggling a lnd not getting looks just running the regular offense.

I guess I'm in the minority but I thought Drew played it right. We had 11 guys available and needed to win big to boost ourselves in the efficiency ratings. Take everybody out and we hurt ourselves if it becomes a 15 point game.

Agreed. It looks like our KenPom rating shot to 27, and with both our offense and defense ratings in the top 40

[JCT]

Well you guys are right about the margin of victory, move up to 27 in kenpom; 9 spot jump.

We were 54 in T-rank before the game, moved up to #40.

[goramblers2011]

Ton of fun to be there. Will miss this senior class a lot. Happy it was such a blowout that each one got their own individual send off moment.

Can't wait for Saturday, Just crazy that we could end up as low as a 4 seed with a loss. Going to be a rowdy atmosphere. Let's not give them anything to cheer about--crickets on the road. Didn't have much trouble with them at Gentile, but you better believe Coach Jake and staff have reviewed that tape a few times and will have some adjustments to throw at us.

[kato669]

Weird there was no handshake line... Bad sports or aftermath of Michigan-Wisconsin game?

Just kidding, just I'm sure they were pissed at their performance

[ahunte1]

Well you guys are right about the margin of victory, move up to 27 in kenpom; 9 spot jump.

We were 54 in T-rank before the game, moved up to #40.

Well, thanks to Evansville for barely trying.

[brot4britu]

Well what to think ?? WE win by over fifty points - the recent games we stink up the places !!! ACES are not a good team but not THAT bad--

I choose to say we are NOW ready to beat NIU - Our defense will come through

[natetheskate]

Evansville only seemed to have 9 players....and missing Newton correct?
Talked to someone who should know after the game and he said the Kennedy injury is a hamstring and not a knee
Was good to see Keith Clemmons get some major minutes and perform well...I had forgotten what a calm player he is.....hope he is ready to continue to get us minutes.

[Mudville21]

One down. Some thoughts:

1. This was a blow out against a bad team. Nothing that really needs to be picked apart. This had the feel of a scrimmage. Offense looked good, movement, passing, making shots. Defense good, active.

2. I liked the way this game was officiated. There was some contact, nothing out of hand and they let both teams play and the refs did not become the story. This would be OK if Saturday’s game was called like this.

3. Loyola Community: I am so proud of how the students and fans showed up to honor this Senoir group. You could tell the team was feeding off the energy and love in the building. This is what this group needed, a blow out where they could just play ball, see the ball go in the hoop and then sit down. You could see the joy this team had tonight. This is the edge we have been missing down the stretch! Minute distribution was pretty good. No one played over 25 minutes. Could have been a bit better but good job getting starters out o there.

4. Indiana St did push UNI for 40 minutes tonight, hopefully they took some of their legs away from for Saturday.

5. How You Win and Metrics: I have been say this all year. How you win is important. We have gone from37-38 in KenPom to 27 in one week. The road win at ISU was ugly, but it was a road win and tonight the numbers were so good offensively and defensively we jumped to 27. If we can get a double digit win Saturday while shooting well and playing good defense, we can jump into the mid 20’s. You need to look good winning. Big win Saturday could put us back into the at large category and that we can cement with 1 or 2 wins at Arch Madness.



Get some rest and let’s get this ship Saturday.

[Mudville21]

NET went up to 29 from 37. How you win is important!

[swellafelon]

I might be reading too much into this, but I think the fact that Drew kept Schweiger in the game long after he had ceremoniously pulled all the other seniors might indicate that Drew expects Schweiger (but not Knight) to return next year under a Covid exemption.

Schweiger's body language after he finally left the game, and the way he was greeted by the players on the bench, supports this hypothesis, in my view.