SIU-UE

[AcePurple]

On the one hand, I'm not afraid, seeing as how we just beat the Salukis 10 days ago and we're playing our best ball of the year right now. But on the other hand, SIU blows us out of the gym every time we play the last few years. If we can keep playing solid defense and keep playing smart on offense (unlike last night, lots of bad decisions) and not let the pressure defense rattle us, we can definitely win this one.

An SIU loss tonight kills their at-large hopes, I think it's clear. An SIU win by no means solidifies anything, as Evansville is a bottom feeder, they need a quality win in the tourney (at least) to stay in consideration. Remember: all the bracket projections are AS OF RIGHT NOW, as if the season ended today. So, the Salukis will have all the motivation they need. Aces have nothing to lose, so no reason to play tight. Hopefully it will be a good game, regardless of the outcome (although if I was a Saluki fan, I'd be expecting a blowout tonight!).

[hro]

I don't expect a Saluki blowout by any means tonight. Evansville has played pretty well down the stretch and is capable of pulling this one out (like they did 10 days ago). I will by no means overlook this game like i somewhat did the last time these two teams met. I agree that the Aces have nothing to lose except the game so I expect them to have a good game. Dawgs have too much riding on this game. Salukis win but the game will be close throughout and in single digits.

Dawgs 61
Aces 55

[txsaluki05]

SIU by 14.

[siubball32]

SIU 68 UE 52
GO DAWGS

[Ace Dad]

UE 67
SIU 66

[Ace Happy]

I think one of the key factors of the game is Holsinger's ability to handle Mullins defensive pressure. Mullins shut down Holsinger pretty effectively in Evansville. I hope that Merfeld encourages the high screen to allow some breathing room for him. The pressure wears him down and forces the team to rest him and bring in less competent subs. Given the fatigue factor anyway for UE in the second half, I think how this goes may determine the game. Hard to measure, but it has an impact in the Aces being able to set up their offense.

I expect God Shaw to play better this time around. I'm sure he didn't like the abuse Webster gave him last time out and he will come out stoked.

I see a Saluki easy win tonight. :(

[getreal4]

SIU hands it to the Aces tonight 10 plus pt win Too much defense for the young Aces :)

[hro]

Salukis up 9 @ intermission, 25-16. Tatum has to maintain the decent shooting the Dawgs as a team have to avoid the dreaded scoring drought that has plagued them all year. No let downs on D and SIU should pull this one out.

[Ace Dad]

36-23, Ugly Dawgs lead with 13 mins to go

[Ace Dad]

39-28, Aces not quitting! 12 mins to go

[hro]

Tatum up to 23 points as the Dawgs continue to lead 44-30. Looks like he might be a factor in this tournament and it looks like he might be breaking out of his season long slump.

[Ace Dad]

Now is a good time for him to go back into his slump!

44-31

[SalukiProf]

Tatum up to 23 points as the Dawgs continue to lead 44-30. Looks like he might be a factor in this tournament and it looks like he might be breaking out of his season long slump.

Lets hear it for a Smithpeters sighting, complete with a 3-pointer with 5 seconds to go. . .

GO PANTHERS!

GO BRAVES!

GO VALLEY!

GO DAWGS!

[hro]

Looks like it's getting physical as the fouls start to pile up

[Ace Dad]

51-41 7 mins to go

[Ace Dad]

54-43 6 mins

[Ace Dad]

60-46 Game over 3 mins

[Ace Dad]

64-49

[Ace Dad]

67-49, just like old times :(

[SalukiProf]

A career nightfor Foster - to go along with a monster slam. WOO HOO!

And this just in - we have our Smithpeters sighting!

GO PANTHERS!

GO BRAVES!

GO VALLEY!

GO DAWGS!

[hro]

Smithpeters scores!!!

[Little Eddie]

Sorry AceDad...would have been nice but their D is just too tough...

[Ace Dad]

71-55

Good luck Ugly Dawgs!

[hro]

I got to say that I am pleasantly surprised with the offensive output tonight, gotta build off of tonight and carry it over to tomorrow. Now if MSU wins, we can't make it three years in a row.

[Ace Dad]

I was hoping we would catch them down. The Salukis smell blood during tournament time. I bet there were 4,000 screaming SIU fans and about 50 Aces fans. It was a home game for SIU. Only way we beat them is with a perfect game when they play bad.

[siubball32]

Great game 71-55! Now lets get ready for tomorrow!
GO DAWGS
GO VALLEY

[barkeep1967]

Congrats to the Aces on the improvement throughout the season. They were still scrappy all night.

On a side note. Webster is the kid every other team hates. You love him on your team though. tough as nails a does all that he can. That being said I think he had 16 fouls tonight but oh well.

[SalukiProf]

"SIU 3 wins from the auto.
2 wins away from sweating"

Yo Barkeep - give this an update!

[barkeep1967]

oops it's fixed sorry:D

[getreal4]

Congrats Uglies! A win tomorrow and that at large bid looks good!

btw Aces look to be a bit more competitive next year. Maybe 6th?

[Yoshi]

Congrats Salukis. That Foster dunk should make Sportscenter!

[skinny_uncle]

It was purty, wasn't it?
:D

[jt45]

What wasn't purty was the way the Dawgs chipped the paint off the rims with their less than stellar performance from the line. If SIU continues to shoot FTs like this UNI will win their match-up with the Dawgs going away.

[kyyle23]

Foster's play really put the Salukis on another level last night, he was all over the boards and very active on both ends of the court. I hope he can extend that sort of play through the tournament.

[AcePurple]

Salukis are in trouble if they play a team that knows the meaning of "block out"... I'm sorry, but you let somebody get that many offensive boards, and you're pretty much giving the game away....

But, yeah yeah, I acknowledge that SIU's a way better team than us, period.