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Post by UICJohn on Nov 23, 2023 22:56:20 GMT -6
UIC has their first of three gales over the next three days tomorrow, Friday, November 24th.
The tournament consists of 8 teams - UIC, Middle Tennessee Stare, Ohio, George Washington, Delaware, Brown, Kansas City, and UNCG. We are guaranteed three games and it is a bracket tournament.
I can’t say I know much about the teams this year but MTSU seems the toughest match up and then Ohio/GW after. The top half of the bracket seems much easier. But gives us a nice game and an opportunity for a nice win.
MTSU comes in at 3-2 with their most recent game (Tuesday) a 1-point loss at home to UAB. Their other loss was to Western Carolina. Their three victories were against Northern Kentucky, SF Austin, and Milligan.
We go into the game as 2.5 point underdogs.
Would be a nice win to start the tourney and give us another solid game (GW or Ohio) following.
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Post by goveybaseball on Nov 24, 2023 8:12:41 GMT -6
This will be a great experience for this squad. Hopefully put some wins together. Yes MTSU is a tough mid major!
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Post by Big D on Nov 24, 2023 11:25:15 GMT -6
We need to be competitive in this tournament and go at least 2-1. MTSU looks like a tough first opponent though. All I needed to see is that they blew out Northern Kentucky (a team we’ve historically had a hard time with)…we’ll have our hands full. I think we’ll have a good idea of whether the Loyola win was a fluke or we’re actually improved by the end of this tournament.
Anyone know if the only way to watch is paying Flohoops for a month? Ugh.
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 12:47:56 GMT -6
Yeah - looks like that’s the only TV option which sucks. And unlike other streaming services, no choice of a free trial week.
I just can’t do $30 for three games.
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 15:45:47 GMT -6
Starting out 2-11 shooting with 0-5 from 3-point land.
Great.
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 15:51:52 GMT -6
Ten minutes in and lucky to be down 11-9 only.
Shooting 26% to start.
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 16:02:36 GMT -6
UIC up 18-14. Both offenses ugly.
They are playing in what looks like a conference hall. So have to imagine it’s weird sight lines and all. Can’t help.
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Post by uiclaflame on Nov 24, 2023 16:09:32 GMT -6
Bit the bullet and purchased flosports to watch live.
Our defense has been awesome early. This is the first time I feel like I saw our defense looking like what Yak has wanted. We were able to use our defense to settle us down on offense (we started rough).
There was super nice alley oop from Jones to Okani too. First time Ive seen a set like that from this group. It seems like this team is gelling and gaining some continuity!
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 16:11:19 GMT -6
A huge offense run for UIC and they’re now up 32-21!
Shooting 50% from the field and 38.5% (5-13) from 3 point land!
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Post by uiclaflame on Nov 24, 2023 16:11:22 GMT -6
Also Kennedy got banged up and had to get taken out - he's been sitting with trainer. Looks to be okay - hope it's nothing big!
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 16:11:38 GMT -6
And this is all with Rivera being scoreless.
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Post by Greg on Nov 24, 2023 16:17:41 GMT -6
13 point lead at the half is great, we have 15 points off their TOs
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 16:18:29 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing uicaflame. Cant tell if they’re just bad offense or is good defense. Love hearing that!
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Post by UICJohn on Nov 24, 2023 16:19:00 GMT -6
Clay and Jones stepping up! We need the Soph class to step up if we want to make noise this year!
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Post by uiclaflame on Nov 24, 2023 16:19:28 GMT -6
This may be Clay's official breakthrough game. He had that big scoring burst one random game last season but it now like he has gotten way more comfortable/confident out there - and is less panicky. He always had the three ball but seems like now he is locking in on defense and more all around on offense! Can see the calmer confidence growing with Jones too
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