The official MAC account on Twitter says we have clinched a bye. They could be wrong, like they were about Toledo not yet clinching, but they say we've clinched.
We'll see. Win on Friday and it won't matter!
(This post was last modified: 02-27-2018 10:22 PM by FrankAnderson.)
(02-27-2018 10:08 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote: First time since 1998 we've had a top 4 seed in the MAC tourney, I believe.
No doubt, EMU was bad for a while. I think Barnes last year was not bad. But think they were still 6th seed. Boone was always at the bottom of the MAC. Ramsey had one good year 2009-10 where he was a 6th seed with an 8-8 record. Then Murphy had his MAC West title at 9-7 for a 5th seed in 2011-12 and his previous best year/team in 2013-14 at 10-8 was a sixth seed.
Wow, 20 years and 4 seasons that were slightly better than average. Why are we such big fans????
(02-27-2018 10:12 PM)EagleSam Wrote: So I think WMU might have a chance to knock us out of the top 4, thanks to BSU losing today. If both us and Ball State lose next week, and WMU wins, we all finish 10-8. WMU swept BSU, which would give them the 3 seed. Ball State swept Toledo, which would leave us as the 5th seed.
Kent State could also throw a wrench into this with a win.
Sorry fellas, these tie breakers are confusing. It's a very small chance, but it could all work out WMU's way and it would knock us out of a bye.
Yep, I'm wrong about this. We'd get In because we'd be 2-2 vs those 2 and BSU would be 1-3. Therefore giving us the 4 seed.
I'm just gonna shut up and enjoy the win now.
(This post was last modified: 02-27-2018 10:38 PM by EagleSam.)
Major kudos to Paul Jackson tonight. I've been very hard on him this year, and he took some bad shots tonight at the end of the first half, but he was mostly stellar. He attached the basket at will, and used screens really well. Didn't force too many shots around the basket, and dribbled with purpose. He looked like the PJ that was so good in OOC play.
(02-27-2018 10:55 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote: WMU post-game presser with Wilder and Hawkins, if you're interested:
Thanks for the link.
I think Coach Hawkins said something to the effect that EMU is playing better than any other team in the league right now. So it is not just our biased perception.
I feel a bit bad for Wilder, kind of ruined his senior night holding him to 9 points ( he averaged 18.9)
Greg Steiner broke down the seeding scenarios on Twitter:
"Here are my tie breakers for #EMUHoops - as they can still be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed depending on Friday's outcome. Either way, the team can be no worse No. 4 hence why EMU has the first round bye
(02-27-2018 10:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote: Major kudos to Paul Jackson tonight. I've been very hard on him this year, and he took some bad shots tonight at the end of the first half, but he was mostly stellar. He attached the basket at will, and used screens really well. Didn't force too many shots around the basket, and dribbled with purpose. He looked like the PJ that was so good in OOC play.
He did much better than some earlier games in January. I didn't start crowd watching when he had the ball tonight. The team played their hearts out for Minnie, the team and themselves. Go Green.
the end to this season has been stellar, and i've particularly enjoyed the last two games. congrats to the team and congrats to Murphy. like a few others have said, i'm happily eating crow about Murphy ruining this season.
Why has our zone improved during this run? To me the key was replacing Nobles as a starter with Ellison and having Bond start again this quickens the overall reaction time in terms of getting to the right coverage's and filling potential holes in the zone
(02-28-2018 05:10 AM)emu79 Wrote: Why has our zone improved during this run? To me the key was replacing Nobles as a starter with Ellison and having Bond start again this quickens the overall reaction time in terms of getting to the right coverage's and filling potential holes in the zone
Agree on Bond.
Bond is 6' 7" but has the quicks of a 6' 1" PG.
With those attributes he can lead the break, rebound, block shots with his length, dunk, etc. etc.
Even though he doesn't has body mass, in a sense he is kind of a 'freaky' athlete.
(02-28-2018 05:10 AM)emu79 Wrote: Why has our zone improved during this run? To me the key was replacing Nobles as a starter with Ellison and having Bond start again this quickens the overall reaction time in terms of getting to the right coverage's and filling potential holes in the zone
I was thinking the same thing, 79.
Murphy has made an adjustment....Instead of playing a 4-1 where our zone was above the 3point line that easily allowed ball entry at the free throw line and not enough bodies to rebound Murphy has sunk his zone to hover at the three point line or play slightly below with a wing to try and take away ball entry at the free throw line. The kryptonite for a zone is getting the ball at the free throw line and passing to a baseline runner for a shot in the paint or to the corner for an uncontested 3point shot.I can't remember which game it was before our win streak, but our opponent had 11 offensive rebounds in the first half alone.
I would bet we've given up much fewer offensive rebounds the past 3-4 games? Plus the biggest thing I see is the guys are playing with a high level of I.N.T.E.N.S.I.T.Y! They simply want it more!!
Kudos for Murphy and players.
(This post was last modified: 02-28-2018 06:34 AM by Luckeyone.)
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