If not only for the experience for the young guys, it would be great to get into the MAC Tourney this year. There are 5 teams that look like a lock in Kent State, Ball State, Akron, Toledo & Buffalo. The remaining 7 teams are 2-3 or 1-4 and fighting for 3 spots. To qualify for the MAC tourney is now my goal for the season.

Was my goal for the team when the season started - if they can make it now without Williams I think that's a positive season for Burno as a coach.

Possibility we get a first-round home game? Are they doing that? Would be nice to have a decent crowd in the convo.

Pretty sure the entire MAC tourney is now held in Cleveland- no home games and only 8 teams qualify.

(01-18-2023 11:28 AM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  Pretty sure the entire MAC tourney is now held in Cleveland- no home games and only 8 teams qualify.

Bummer, missing out on decent home attendance opportunities for a number of schools.

Here's a chart for the 2023 MAC Championship

It is going to take 8 wins in conference to make the tournament.

Our big problems are in the paint. All we have defending big men is Crump and an improving Ibarguen. All the big men we have played against have had some of their best games against us. Miami's Mirambeaux for example was 5+ over his scoring average and was pushing our guys around. EMU's (who we play Saturday) leading scorer is 6'10" Emoni Bates so that will be a problem.

We should have a good idea if we can get to 8 wins by 2/11 after playing at EMU, WMU, and BGSU and home to Ohio and WMU. WMU is now playing the best they have all year after an awful start. I wouldn't bet on making the tournament but I am hopeful.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(01-18-2023 11:54 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(01-18-2023 11:28 AM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  Pretty sure the entire MAC tourney is now held in Cleveland- no home games and only 8 teams qualify.

Bummer, missing out on decent home attendance opportunities for a number of schools.

MAC HQ doesn't care much about what happens at 12 remote members. It is in Cleveland and is wired therein, with Rocket Mortgage arena, the Cleveland school system support programs (major promo event in the last conference annual), etc., etc. MAC HQ is about what it can do for Cleveland and, of course, for itself.

Steinbrecher's forte is keeping 12 MAC presidents comfy and cozy in their stability, little if any risk and no boat rocking. I would even suspect the MAC-SBC basketball challenge was initiated by the SBC, well known and commented about wanting to boost its basketball resume and fill o-o-c slots.

(01-18-2023 01:44 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  It is going to take 8 wins in conference to make the tournament.

Our big problems are in the paint. All we have defending big men is Crump and an improving Ibarguen. All the big men we have played against have had some of their best games against us. Miami's Mirambeaux for example was 5+ over his scoring average and was pushing our guys around. EMU's (who we play Saturday) leading scorer is 6'10" Emoni Bates so that will be a problem.

We should have a good idea if we can get to 8 wins by 2/11 after playing at EMU, WMU, and BGSU and home to Ohio and WMU. WMU is now playing the best they have all year after an awful start. I wouldn't bet on making the tournament but I am hopeful.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teams have clearly figured out how to beat EMU with Bates so you know Burno is well aware of what teams are doing defensively against them.

Tbh, it wouldn't surprise me if they deployed a tactic like they did against Drew Timme and Gonzaga where you don't even concern yourself with him and stop the rest of the team.

The path towards making the MAC tourney starts today with a win at EMU. Getting to 3-3 in MAC play would have to be a huge mental lift for the team as well, much better feel than 2-4.

Let's Go Huskies!

Sports betting is on in Ohio. For the regular bettors out there what's a good way to play this game. First sports bet was on UT to cover. Gotta keep it rolling. Thanks.

Figuring out (or stumbling into) one win in the next 2 games (Kent St/Ball St) would be awesome. Expecting 0-2 this week but then we get back at it with a stretch including WMU, Bowling Green, Ohio and then WMU again.

I’m think we beat Kent State tomorrow

(01-23-2023 03:55 PM)CollegeMan33 Wrote:  I’m think we beat Kent State tomorrow

(01-23-2023 03:55 PM)CollegeMan33 Wrote:  I’m think we beat Kent State tomorrow

Sure hope you are right, but, I think not. All three of their losses are to top 20 ranked teams (Houston, Gonzaga, Charleston). I think we have a much better shot at Ball State. Again, hope you are right, because at least splitting these two games would help us immensely.

(01-23-2023 04:09 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(01-23-2023 03:55 PM)CollegeMan33 Wrote:  I’m think we beat Kent State tomorrow

Sure hope you are right, but, I think not. All three of their losses are to top 20 ranked teams (Houston, Gonzaga, Charleston). I think we have a much better shot at Ball State. Again, hope you are right, because at least splitting these two games would help us immensely.

THIS. Especially with a good crowd.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Coit is making 3’s and Hunter can make some I like the Huskies chances. We need at least a crowd of 1100 and pep band all the cheerleaders and silverettes and some college kids behind the basket and next to the Kent st bench. We need the music and P.A. And presentation of the game to be loud this also will get the students into the game.

(01-23-2023 04:59 PM)CollegeMan33 Wrote:  If Coit is making 3’s and Hunter can make some I like the Huskies chances. We need at least a crowd of 1100 and pep band all the cheerleaders and silverettes and some college kids behind the basket and next to the Kent st bench. We need the music and P.A. And presentation of the game to be loud this also will get the students into the game.

Pep band, cheerleaders and silverettes are easy. (and I don't mean easy literally)

If "some" college kids behind the basket is 20 or less--there's a chance.

Coit and Hunter making 3s--probably a 20-25% chance.

Crowd of 1,100-----only if you count and add EVERY January game---men and women.

(01-24-2023 02:13 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(01-23-2023 04:59 PM)CollegeMan33 Wrote:  If Coit is making 3’s and Hunter can make some I like the Huskies chances. We need at least a crowd of 1100 and pep band all the cheerleaders and silverettes and some college kids behind the basket and next to the Kent st bench. We need the music and P.A. And presentation of the game to be loud this also will get the students into the game.

Pep band, cheerleaders and silverettes are easy. (and I don't mean easy literally)

If "some" college kids behind the basket is 20 or less--there's a chance.

Coit and Hunter making 3s--probably a 20-25% chance.

Crowd of 1,100-----only if you count and add EVERY January game---men and women.

We need more pep band and less DJ.

We also need to end the PA's new high pitched "threeeeeeeeeee" after a three pointer. It sounds high schoolish.

(01-24-2023 02:24 PM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(01-24-2023 02:13 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(01-23-2023 04:59 PM)CollegeMan33 Wrote:  If Coit is making 3’s and Hunter can make some I like the Huskies chances. We need at least a crowd of 1100 and pep band all the cheerleaders and silverettes and some college kids behind the basket and next to the Kent st bench. We need the music and P.A. And presentation of the game to be loud this also will get the students into the game.

Pep band, cheerleaders and silverettes are easy. (and I don't mean easy literally)

If "some" college kids behind the basket is 20 or less--there's a chance.

Coit and Hunter making 3s--probably a 20-25% chance.

Crowd of 1,100-----only if you count and add EVERY January game---men and women.

We need more pep band and less DJ.

We also need to end the PA's new high pitched "threeeeeeeeeee" after a three pointer. It sounds high schoolish.

----and that "judgment free free throw" sponsorship needs review. There is not a chance that any free throw that Crump attempts is judgment free.