(02-11-2012 10:06 AM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  We need to really show out on national television and bury you guys. That said, I'll be happy so long as we're up 1 when the clock reads all zeros.

Good luck today Trojans.

I hope we play well on national TV and give you a good game. Of course, I want to win but a loss against a 22-4 on their court won't be unexpected or that disappointing to me. If you win today, I hope you are undefeated until the Sun Belt final. That's when I really want to get the win. I also believe there's a good chance you get an at large bid if that happens. You have an RPI of 40 which is right on the bubble. But I think 6 more wins will put you on the right side of the bubble. There are still people in Arkansas who believe the pigs could get in and they have an RPI of 73. Good luck today. Ya'll appear to be great fans and deserve the team you have this year.

I would not surprise me if we lose, but I want the team to play well. Don't embarrass us on TV like they have the last couple of times.

Forget those usual pregame songs. We need the theme from Rocky! Time to strap it on!

It wouldn't surprise me either way if we win or lose. This team has been surprise after surprise. When I've thought for sure we'd lose, I've been surprised, and when I thought we'd win, I've been surprised.

BTH has his keys to the game, which are always interesting. Here are mine.
1. Whoever guards Dendy has to get it done. He could kill us.
2. We can't get much behind because it will be a big crowd. Have to keep it close, at least.
3. No turnovers. If they win, make them win it. Don't beat ourselves.
4. Will can't get in foul trouble.

Their defense is very impressive. Don't expect us to blow them out offensively.
For all their muscle up front, they are only +2.3 on the boards. We need to keep that close, at least.
They have a positive A/TO as a team. Pressure from our guards is going to have to be intense to get them out of their rhythm.
They are not a great FT team.

(02-11-2012 10:55 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Their defense is very impressive. Don't expect us to blow them out offensively.
For all their muscle up front, they are only +2.3 on the boards. We need to keep that close, at least.
They have a positive A/TO as a team. Pressure from our guards is going to have to be intense to get them out of their rhythm.
They are not a great FT team. You got that right!

Geez our free throw shooting has been horrendous lately... just over .500 against WKU IIRC. We really need to improve on that. One of our big men, Shawn Jones (who's our 5th [?] leading scorer), is out with a foot injury and was for the WKU game too. I was, however, impressed by the play of Sulton and Dendy in the WKU game - especially Dendy, who really ate up the Western defense.

Don't know if you guys know but this game is a Blueout event where the AD is encouraging all fans to wear blue and show school pride. But I read today in our local paper that the Raiders will be wearing the road blue uniforms for this game per an agreement between the two schools - that's the first time I heard about it. I hope it's true, that'll help the atmosphere.

Free wifi at Middle Tennessee. Why don't we have that?

(02-11-2012 10:06 AM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  We need to really show out on national television and bury you guys. That said, I'll be happy so long as we're up 1 when the clock reads all zeros.

Good luck today Trojans.

Honestly, you do. This is middle's chance to make a statement for a 12 seed or better.

For us it is a chance to p,ay the spoilerand show that we are loaded for next year. That we have turned the corner.


I fear a ugly game.

(02-11-2012 12:55 PM)insideualr Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 10:06 AM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  We need to really show out on national television and bury you guys. That said, I'll be happy so long as we're up 1 when the clock reads all zeros.

Good luck today Trojans.

Honestly, you do. This is middle's chance to make a statement for a 12 seed or better.

For us it is a chance to p,ay the spoilerand show that we are loaded for next year. That we have turned the corner.


I fear a ugly game.

Great crowd at the Murphy Center. Very loud. I hope that can make the statement for a good seed (like you said 12 or better). Great game! Go Blue Raiders!

Hate that we lost. Really feel good about this team, though. I hope we meet again in the SBC Championship.

(02-11-2012 12:46 PM)RBL Wrote:  Free wifi at Middle Tennessee. Why don't we have that?

Stats from the game

FG%
MT 63%
UALR 43%

Out rebounded by -8

Everything else pretty close.

(02-11-2012 04:04 PM)TroJams Wrote:  Stats from the game

FG%
MT 63%
UALR 43%

Out rebounded by -8

Everything else pretty close.

Shooting 63 percent from the field is unheard of. We had some defensive breakdowns, but they shot 63 percent and won by only 8. I doubt they will do that again this year. They were 12 of 27 from the line. We were 10 of 13 from the line. We did not get any calls. Fouls were UALR 23, mt 15. I want another shot in Hot Springs.

The crowd was impressive. Had to look good to recruits who were watching. The arena looked full. It would be nice to have some of those type crowds at The Jack. Our kids gave a very good account of themselves. Nothing to be ashamed of. I hope we get a shot at them in the finals in Hot Springs.

Dendy was the difference in the game. Period. Take him away and it is an entirely different situation.

(02-11-2012 08:31 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Dendy was the difference in the game. Period. Take him away and it is an entirely different situation.

We'll take Dendy away, if you take Neighbors away. That guy is awesome. He has a good pro career in his future. He reminded me of Larry Bird-- that's how impressed I was.

(02-12-2012 12:54 AM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 08:31 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Dendy was the difference in the game. Period. Take him away and it is an entirely different situation.

We'll take Dendy away, if you take Neighbors away. That guy is awesome. He has a good pro career in his future. He reminded me of Larry Bird-- that's how impressed I was.

Wn has been slowed and this was his 1st big game in a while.

Dendy was awesome in the first half, but we contained him pretty well in the second, but his presence was always there, which allowed some of the other players to have nice games. Middle is a very good looking team all around. And well coached. It was no sin losing to them on their home floor. And how about the crowd for National TV. Reportedly close to 7,000. It looked like big time basketball, which, IMO, it was. Middle should be congratulated for being able to draw that many folks for the game. Will we ever reach that point?
Maybe someday.

(02-12-2012 12:54 AM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  We'll take Dendy away, if you take Neighbors away. That guy is awesome. He has a good pro career in his future. He reminded me of Larry Bird-- that's how impressed I was.

Luckily for us, Dendy is a senior and he will be gone. Will is a sophomore and will be around for two more years. That is if he doesn't get homesick and go home.

You made a point that I hadn't thought of, that Neighbour reminded you of Larry Bird. Bird could shoot the three and get the ball on the block and shoot that little turn around, fall away jumper. Will does both of those things fairly well.