kreed5120

I still think this team can compete in the MAC, but it will have to be with the defense. Toledo struggled majorly when UAB applied pressure to ball handlers. Much like how MSU struggled last night when we applied that same pressure. The thing is we can't play with that level of intensity for 40 minutes with only a 7 man rotation. Groce needs to expand the rotation and give other players meaningful minutes for us to play a havoc style defense for longer stretches of a game. It might lead to a few more losses in November and December, but IMO it's our only chance to compete in March against teams like Toledo and EMU who are more talented offensively.

EMU currently up 51-43 against Michigan on ESPNU if anyone's interested in watching

I just think we're not a good shooting team. Outside of X who else do you trust to take a 3? Hankerson maybe?

Our halfcourt offense is seeming to have a ton of issues with their size, but our rotation is too small to play uptempo for 40 minutes.

I'm pretty sure the foul trouble in the 1st half is what stopped us from continuing to press the ball. It worked in the 1st half and it has worked well so far in the second half when we've ran it.

That was on Hunter for not boxing out his man.

X has 2 fouls too now

I'm not complaining. I'm invested in $PENN, who bought Barstool

I'm fairly certain these games are just a 4 hour infomercial for their sports betting app. They selected two MAC schools because Ohio is getting sports betting starting January 1st and this is their opportunity to get their name out there to get users.

No

Yeah, I couldn't find the app on my Samsung TV. I don't think the Barstool Sports app is available there. I'm watching it on my Chrome book using the app.

Yeah, I'm not sure why others are having video ans audio issues. It's not an issue for me

For those concerned it wouldn't be family friendly that hasn't been an issue so far. It's more so just a lot of joking around similar to a Manning cast MNF with Barstool plugging their sports betting app hard-core. So far they have interviewed coach K mid game, which I've never seen before on TV before. Not how I'd like to watch an entire season of games, but I don't mind this for a 1 off OOC game.

I'd say there is no chance of the Akron game starting at 7. Toledo hasn't even tipped off yet and I imagine there will need to be 20 minutes or so of shoot around between games. I'd guess 7:30 at the earliest.

I only expect the barstool brand to expand in this NIL collegiate world we're in now as they're actively embracing it and providing opportunities for players to make money on the side. It might be off-putting for us 'older' fans, but this is the stuff Gen Z listens to.

This is all very true. My disappointment is more where college athletics attendance is heading. Short of being ranked or making a Sweet 16 run I just expect this to be the new normal.

I thought it looked pretty empty considering we're coming off a tourney appearance, we had a banner unveiling, and we were playing a team that also made the tournament last year. Edit: I'm not saying I'd expect a sell out, but from where I was sitting in the JAR I'd guess the place was only ~30 full

Any publicity is good publicity, right?...or so they say

I'm inclined to agree here. Groce tried to make the Aziz and Freeman front court work, but it was clear they couldn't co-exist on the court at the same time as both are only capable scorers within 5 feet of the basket. That said, why wouldn't Groce want to have a 7 foot shot blocker on his bench in a break glass in case of emergency situation where Freeman is in foul trouble or you just need a stop at the end of a game to secure a victory? Aziz most likely thought there were teams out there where he could get minutes now and be a key contributer. It's early, but he seemed to be correct.

It's going to be tough contending with their size. I imagine they will try to isolate their 6'7 SF against one of our 6'2 guards in the low post. We'll obviously have to send some help defensively, which can open up open shots elsewhere or put backs as Freeman or Hunter would be forced to abandon their man therefore not able to box out. IMO to win we need to shoot vastly better, particularly from the perimeter, than we did last game.

He wasn't in the game long (all of 4 minutes), but it seemed the entire time he was in SDSU was able to bully him in the low post. Granted their bags were a combined 13/18 from the floor so they're obviously skilled.

NIU lost to D2 Illinois-Springfield

Well looks like you were a double winner tonight. The Zips won and you still won your bet

Teams will be sending hard double teams at Freeman all season if others besides X can't hit 3s to make defenders respect them

Did you check your spam email? Maybe it got sent there. I received an email that had links to click, which let me download my tickets to a Google wallet.