There were 2 deciding factors in every (13, or 15 including exhibition games) non-conference games LU played this year.

FIRST FACTOR:
We won every game when we scored 70 points or more (scores between 73 and 82 points in every win).

We lost every game when we scored less than 70 points (scores between 42 and 69 points).

SECOND FACTOR:
We won every game when our FG% was .500 or more (between .517 and .683).
We lost every game when our FG% was below .500 (between .327 & .433).

OTHER NON-CONFERENCE THOUGHTS

With Ingram, Jackson, and Richardson off to the pros, and Williamson injured, our 3 point accuracy is gone, except Custer & the freshman Cooper Kaifes. From 3 range, Skokna & Uguak have been disasters (.071 & .172), & their FG shooting also is at the bottom of the team (.340 & .373). Hopefully Uguak will follow in Alfredrick the Great’s shoes & improve his shooting as time goes by. Skokna’s shooting has gotten worse in his third year.

In big man experience, center Agunanne (104 minutes) & power forward Negron (94 minutes at center & 10 minutes at power forward) have not gotten time to develope. Negron, a power forward has been misused against bigger centers & is an accident waiting to happen & in the meantime, LU has played with 4 guards for 244 of the team’s 540 minutes per position.

Uguak & Agunanne have been by far the best at drawing fouls by our opponents.

Custer, Krutwig, & Townes have been great, & so was Williamson before he got hurt. Our 2 freshmen guards have gotten development time & have improved.

It appears that oxen ball & midget ball do not result in winning games for the Ramblers.

Interesting stats, but so much more to this puzzle.
Dre was not a three point shooter, Lucas is, and will be back soon enough. He also is a solid defender aka Richardson.
Don't forget Ben and Donte were streaky from deep... We are a young team/blend and long term I like where are at.
Forgot to mention that LUC defense among the best in the country.
Also, I have seen Negron on the floor with Krutwig, doing a high/ low interaction and think it is very promising. I'd like to think the coaches are working this angle.
I've watched several other MVC teams in non-con, very three point heavy, and %'s good against teams with poor defense. BUT, They are knocking them down and WE have yet to do so.
Valley play to me, is still wide open and defense will keep LUC up there. Our opponents did land some transfers, grad transfers and they will pump up those programs this season.
The shots will drop as long term averages rise to the fore. Offense flow and passing still work in progress as is confidence. That's the hard part for me to wait....
Hoping holiday time off and preparation will show in conf. games.
Finally, "midget ball" ??? I'm amazed at how rude some of our comments can be. Just saying....
Go Ramblers. Our season starts next week. Been missing the quiet here since last game.

Wolf, How did we do in offensive rebounding during this stretch?

I know you already know the answer. I agree, but add it looks worse when shooting %'s are soon low. Agree?

This has nothing to do with the content of this post but

I happened to watch the second half of the UIC/Wright State game last night.

UIC won in overtime 75-72 on a three point shot as time expired in overtime. I was hoping the game would go a second overtime.

There had been an altercation in the game and three UIC reserves came off the bench and were subsequently ejected. They also had a player who was sick and did not suit up. When Blount the UIC big man fouled out, it left UIC with five players three of whom had four fouls.

With three minutes to go, and then the overtime I was hoping to see another UIC player foul out so they would have to play with four and then maybe three. Would have been interesting to see.

But what it reminded me of was when the Ramblers played at Wright State when Kenny B was the coach. He did not like a call late in the game as it fouled out a Rambler. So even though we had players on the bench as subs, Kenny decided to play the last 90 seconds of the game with only four players.

After that I never again respected him as a coach as he demonstrated such embarrassing low class

Watched the UIC game too! I took away that most teams are knocking down threes rather routinely. LUC needs to do the same.
I also noted several offensive sets were run thru the paint and the in the paint player never even thought to put up a close in attempt, a rather doable shot, but immediately looked to toss it out for an attempted three. I am sad to see the focus on the three, and the lack of player attention to what is available as a better option. It seems the mid range jump shot soon will not exist. The same was true in the Drake/ SanDiego game, 2 OT's with tons of three's at or near the buzzer. We will just see three point attempts, and floater/runners from driving point guards. Sorry to get so deep, I think I need a basketball break.
Counting down on the Rambler game. I think they will be ready to rumble...... See what I mean, I need a rest here.

If we were in the Horizon, we would have played a conference game already. If it was at home, the stands would have been pretty empty.
I was not impressed with either Wright State nor UIC. They seemed just through up shots.
Hard to believe we were at the bottom of that conference.
The level of talent we now have is so much better.

Does anybody know if Lucas is practicing with the team yet?

_________________
Let's go Braden!

Agree on the talent, but hope to see the chemistry on offense. It's gonna happen, just a question of when.
I do also agree that our move to the Valley was so right. Id like to see the MVC ramp it up as a conference now to slide up the conference ratings a couple of notches. We should see a program that is very competitive at this level.
Enjoy the conference season, it goes quickly.
Go Ramblers.....