Illinois State [Archive] - BearcatNews Forums

BigDaddyCornHusker

12-08-2007, 08:15 AM

This will be another tough match up for UC. 1st year Redbird coach Tim Jankovich (former Kansas asst) has his team playing with heart and desire. He preaches defensive toughness and his team has bought in.

The Redbirds are led by sophomore Osiris Eldridge. The 6-3 guard from Chicago was last year's Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year. Osiris is a shooter capable of making his own shot and taking over a game.

The Cats will have their hands full with point guard, Boo Richardson. This senior is 5'8" speed machine. So far this year he has dished out 35 assists to 6 turnovers.

With 5 seniors and 4 juniors this is a mature team that is thriving under Jankovich's defense first philosophy. Their weakness is in their aggressiveness. In their loss to Eastern Michigan earlier this week, the Redbirds struggled due to foul trouble. They need to control their passion. Last year they faced another Big East team - St Johns. Redbirds took that one in NY 78-65.

I have been hoping for a UC at ISU game ever since I came to Bloomington/Normal 8 years ago. Now that the game is here I have mixed emotions. I would have much rather seen UC in the dominate years, but I'll take the chance to see my alumn play whenever I get it.

I'm predicting a UC loss 71-61 but I'll be there cheering them on.

The prediction page is showing a 10 point loss:

http://bearcatnews.com/predictions/

Here's the write up from today's paper:

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/12/08/sports/doc4759ead6adfd0086332758.txt

Go Bearcats!!

Thegreatone

12-08-2007, 09:06 AM

I think we take this one, I dont know why and dont have a legitimate reason for thinking we win, but I do. I think this team starts to make improvements and we take this one. I think Williamson and Vaugn take over this one. This team is better than last year and we prove it tonight. This is the first time in a couple game I thought we are going to take this one, but I cant see us losing the rebounding battle and I think our D will come out hard.

shaunsimpson

12-08-2007, 09:20 AM

When I was more confident I had this as a Bearcat loss. I really hope that we can pull this off.

Vegas has it as a -10 line for ISU.

BigDaddyCornHusker

12-08-2007, 09:21 AM

I really hope they can take this. I believe the Cats have the talent. This one should just come down to heart. The team that plays with intensity and passion should win. I hope Mick's been preaching this all week.

I am not expecting a big sellout for the game. I was able to get comp tickets from work. We get four tix to every ISU game. They have to be turned down by about 8 people before they come to me. The interest is just not there.

We have a freezing rain advisory for this evening and tonight. That'll keep people away. But... the big fun will be at the Prairie Thunder hockey game where several firemen will suit up for a pre-game hockey game for charity. These guys have never been on skates. Were it not for the Cats being in town... :)

tophat

12-08-2007, 12:54 PM

It's nice to see people that still have a measure of confidence in this team. I wish I could predict a W, but I'm still waiting to see something to base it on. If we don't win we at least have to start looking like a team that can and will compete. Tonite's game, coming after the UAB debacle, is critical in that sense.

Thegreatone

12-08-2007, 03:20 PM

I agree with tophat, this is a big time test and it is important that we should some serious progress.... I think we will

tophat

12-08-2007, 04:27 PM

I hate to give them an excuse before they play the game, but we probably need to consider they are coming out of exam week: not the best time to get in alot of work. But they should still be ready to play.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-08-2007, 08:11 PM

Warren started and got UC's first 2 points.

He will help out at PG a lot.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-08-2007, 08:43 PM

Or maybe not http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscore?gid=200712080269 as it's 25-11 ISU with 5 mins left in 1st half.

jeffto

12-08-2007, 08:45 PM

This is ugly

bearcatfan93

12-08-2007, 08:46 PM

i just started watching what the heck?

jeffto

12-08-2007, 08:50 PM

Maybe Alvin's dunk will release his inner player!

IKnowMoreThanYou

12-08-2007, 09:04 PM

I can see the effort being made out there but attack the rim or feed the post as the outside jumpers are just not falling.

CincySuperFan

12-08-2007, 09:06 PM

We need a point guard who wants to play point guard.

Bearcat_DF

12-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Maybe Alvin's dunk will release his inner player!

This team is not very good. I can hardly stomach watching a UC team playing a lackluster 2-3 zone! Arggghh!

Go Cats!
df

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-08-2007, 09:10 PM

We need a point guard who wants to play point guard.

Jamual Warren is PG. Timmy Crowell was a good back-up last season but not here this year.

jeffto

12-08-2007, 09:21 PM

I wish I could see it. Almost went to Normal but ice storm warnings.

IKnowMoreThanYou

12-08-2007, 09:28 PM

I wish I could see it. Almost went to Normal but ice storm warnings.

Looking at the score are you sure you still wish you could see it?

CatsClaw

12-08-2007, 09:29 PM

This team has no heart.

jeffto

12-08-2007, 09:37 PM

Looking at the score are you sure you still wish you could see it?Excellent point. I think our win count for the year has been achieved. They're just not getting any better.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-08-2007, 09:47 PM

I absolutely GUARANTEE the Bearcats will get AT LEAST 1 more W this year.

jeffto

12-08-2007, 10:25 PM

I absolutely GUARANTEE the Bearcats will get AT LEAST 1 more W this year.It looks like they played harder and better in the 2nd half. Obviously the threes killed them. I'll concede at least one more W.

SLMadiCat

12-08-2007, 10:33 PM

Need to keep Marcus and Marvin on the bench. Wilks and Gentry are better than both and could also use the experience. Biggie also needs to play more but I don't know if his foot is preventing it.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-08-2007, 10:36 PM

Need to keep Marcus and Marvin on the bench. Wilks and Gentry are better than both and could also use the experience. Biggie also needs to play more but I don't know if his foot is preventing it.

Keep Marvin on the bench so Gentry (who is better) can get experience?

I'm corn-fused???

SLMadiCat

12-08-2007, 10:38 PM

Keep Marvin on the bench so Gentry (who is better) can get experience?

I'm corn-fused???

Whoops...meant Bishop, not Gentry.

Although, if Gentry could stay on the bench AND get experience, I'd be all for it.

BigDaddyCornHusker

12-08-2007, 11:07 PM

Went to the game & really enjoyed about 4 minutes of it. This was my first time getting to see the team. Reading all of these posts over the past few weeks made me think the team would be heartless, lackidasical and weak. My expectations were pretty low. But after watching them, I have hope for the future. When the youngsters were out there, they really played hard. I thought they showed energy and passion. Adam H is a hustler (stupid fouls, though), Bishop & Davis were playing solid D. The biggest weaknesses I saw were Sikes - constantly out of position & Warren - no urgency. Vaughn is a question mark, too. What happened to him - seems like he plays with no spirit.

Overall the game was sad. But the second half made me think they we could get a few more wins this year & we certainly have a good core for next year.

bearcated

12-08-2007, 11:13 PM

Pathetic......

ucmba2002

12-08-2007, 11:44 PM

Are you kidding me? How can sikes continue to get playing time..he should not even be on the practice squad.

How far we have fallen in such a short time. I really think the disorganization on offense is the direct result of poor coaching - I honestly thought we might not score 20 points tonight.

What an embarassment to the program and to our conference. We all know who we have to thank for this. Guess we will have to watch WVU and Ole Miss in the touney this year. Please spare me the we moved on already comments.

bearcatfan93

12-08-2007, 11:45 PM

they just dont look like a team

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-09-2007, 09:05 AM

Mick's Da Man

12-09-2007, 09:52 AM

It looks like they played harder and better in the 2nd half. Obviously the threes killed them. I'll concede at least one more W.

......probably because they got their butts chewed out by Mick.

Maybe he should chew them out before the game? :D

cincycpaw

12-09-2007, 12:03 PM

Sikes averaged near 10 ppg last year. He can play OK, just struggling this year.

No comment on the rest.

Averaging 10 points on that team last year was nothing special. Somebody had to score in all those blowout loses.

We have only 1-2 players that can play Big East levelplay right now, and I'm not sure they play Big East starter level play right now.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-09-2007, 01:10 PM

Averaging 10 points on that team last year was nothing special. Somebody had to score in all those blowout loses.

We have only 1-2 players that can play Big East levelplay right now, and I'm not sure they play Big East starter level play right now.

Balderdash. Sikes contributed very well to whatever success UC had last year. Best 3-pt FG % on the team. Decent scorer and rebounder.

jeffto

12-09-2007, 01:56 PM

Balderdash. Sikes contributed very well to whatever success UC had last year. Best 3-pt FG % on the team. Decent scorer and rebounder.As in most of your posts, historical "facts" do not address the CURRENT situation.

Bearcat-in-Italy

12-09-2007, 04:21 PM

I have to continually adjust my win projections downward. After predicting 11-19, 4 wins in the BE, I'm beginning to question that. Did you see how many times the Illinois State website said "...BIG EAST..." VERY humbling. The beatings will continue I'm afraid.

SLMadiCat

12-09-2007, 04:25 PM

I really don't care how Sikes did last year, because this year, he isn't very good. I also said a while ago that his 3 pt % is misleading as he is really not a very good shooter. He has a decent mid-range jumper (when completely open) and that is about it. He can't dribble, pass, create his own shot, rebound, etc...Put someone in that is somewhat athletic and can rebound and I'll take that over Sikes.

thekid226

12-09-2007, 06:41 PM

wat was going on bishop only got 10 minutes of playin time...cincy is not going anywhere i think they should just give their freshman more playin time so he cud see wats going to work for next year...i think mick has to start worryin bout next year cuz this year is definately going to be a bust

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-09-2007, 06:45 PM

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-09-2007, 06:46 PM

As in most of your posts, historical "facts" do not address the CURRENT situation.

BS. Sikes showed his abilities last year. He's struggling but still HAS them.

SLMadiCat

12-09-2007, 06:48 PM

He showed ability last year. Struggling so far but he CAN play.

Really? What ability did he show last year? Okay, he knocked down some 3 pointers when he was wide open, but I can't recall anything else he did last year that showed his ability.

jeffto

12-09-2007, 06:48 PM

BS. Sikes showed his abilities last year. He's struggling but still HAS them.Who cares? If he's a liability to the team THIS YEAR, he shouldn't be playing very much.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-09-2007, 07:06 PM

Who cares? If he's a liability to the team THIS YEAR, he shouldn't be playing very much.

He's not. But he CAN play. It's not as though UC has a bunch who can play.

IKOTA

12-09-2007, 11:09 PM

He's not. But he CAN play. It's not as though UC has a bunch who can play.

No, Sikes cannot play......he's a marginal player at best and plays with no enthusiasm or energy much like a majority on this team a majority of the time. I never thought I'd see the day where a Bearcat team doesn't play with heart or intensity but last year and this year have shown me exactly that. This team just cannot score to keep up with anybody, much less a B-EAST schedule. The defense is pathetic 90% of the time and the lineup that is thrown out there is not capable of beating even below average teams because we are even worse than that. Gentry, Sikes and Warren need to be shelved and allow Davis, Bishop, Wilks and McClain to get minutes. At least they will improve. Mick's gameplans are very disappointing up to now and his in game adjustments are also disappointing. I just can't believe that we've dropped down to this level of incompetence.

OK, I'm done ranting, but I had to get that out after watching that game Saturday night. Here's hoping that Mick can prove my suspicions wrong and the team at least improves each game versus regressing like they did vs Illinois St. I can't believe how inept the offense looks...

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-10-2007, 06:39 AM

No, Sikes cannot play......he's a marginal player at best and plays with no enthusiasm or energy much like a majority on this team a majority of the time. I never thought I'd see the day where a Bearcat team doesn't play with heart or intensity but last year and this year have shown me exactly that. This team just cannot score to keep up with anybody, much less a B-EAST schedule. The defense is pathetic 90% of the time and the lineup that is thrown out there is not capable of beating even below average teams because we are even worse than that. Gentry, Sikes and Warren need to be shelved and allow Davis, Bishop, Wilks and McClain to get minutes. At least they will improve. Mick's gameplans are very disappointing up to now and his in game adjustments are also disappointing. I just can't believe that we've dropped down to this level of incompetence.

OK, I'm done ranting, but I had to get that out after watching that game Saturday night. Here's hoping that Mick can prove my suspicions wrong and the team at least improves each game versus regressing like they did vs Illinois St. I can't believe how inept the offense looks...

Who was that guy (averaging near 10 ppg and shooting 42% 3-pt FG) wearing his uniform last season?

jeffto

12-10-2007, 11:53 AM

Who was that guy (averaging near 10 ppg and shooting 42% 3-pt FG) wearing his uniform last season?It doesn't matter; he hasn't shown up this year.

Catmandu

12-10-2007, 01:57 PM

It doesn't matter; he hasn't shown up this year.

He has a full year of Cronin coaching now.... (ouch)....

IKOTA

12-10-2007, 02:36 PM

Who was that guy (averaging near 10 ppg and shooting 42% 3-pt FG) wearing his uniform last season?

It doesn't matter, it's this year now and he hasn't shown me anything that would warrant me continuing to play him for significant minutes. Let the Freshmen learn and mature. They're the future.

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-10-2007, 04:50 PM

It doesn't matter; he hasn't shown up this year.

Hard to score or hit a 3-pointer from the bench. Little PT for him so far.

Irishbearcat

12-10-2007, 07:21 PM

Corie was on with dumb and dumber (mo and gregg) and mentioned that it started with defense. They were more interested in shutting the teams down, than worried about getting their points. (although somehow Nicky still got his shots off)

SLMadiCat

12-10-2007, 07:38 PM

Hard to score or hit a 3-pointer from the bench. Little PT for him so far.

It's harder when you can't create your own shot. He had a bunch of open 3 pointers last game but couldn't make any of them. I know that happens all the time with shooters, but Sikes doesn't do enough of anything else to warrant much PT. I could understand if he was a drop dead shooter, but he isn't. Bobbit and Field could get away with it, Sikes can't.

SLMadiCat

12-10-2007, 07:40 PM

He has a full year of Cronin coaching now.... (ouch)....

I guess Cronin taught him how to not be able to shoot? He had wide open looks that he missed, but I guess that is Cronin's fault too.

Bearcat_DF

12-10-2007, 10:03 PM

Bearcat Fan Since 1958

12-10-2007, 10:20 PM

It's harder when you can't create your own shot. He had a bunch of open 3 pointers last game but couldn't make any of them. I know that happens all the time with shooters, but Sikes doesn't do enough of anything else to warrant much PT. I could understand if he was a drop dead shooter, but he isn't. Bobbit and Field could get away with it, Sikes can't.

Shooters need to play to be able to shoot. Shooting is a rythym - not auto pilot.

SLMadiCat

12-11-2007, 07:26 AM

Shooters need to play to be able to shoot. Shooting is a rythym - not auto pilot.

Agree, but again, even shooters have to earn their right. If you aren't shooting well, you better be playing tough D, rebounding, passing, etc....Sikes isn't. Hasn't earned any PT from what I've seen in games. Maybe he has in practice, I don't know.

SLMadiCat

12-11-2007, 07:28 AM

One of the problems with this team is (as I pointed out last year) Vaughn is not a point guard. He is a good 2 guard, but he has way too many turnovers, he doesn't see the floor well, doesn't get the team into their offense . . .

Now why the coaching staff doesn't see this fact, I don't know. Chuck, I just don't know.

Go Cats!
df

Who would you have played at point prior to Warren's return? Not sure how many options there were other than Vaughn. Well, maybe I do, there were none.

IKOTA

12-11-2007, 10:29 AM

Who would you have played at point prior to Warren's return? Not sure how many options there were other than Vaughn. Well, maybe I do, there were none.

Larry Davis

jeffto

12-11-2007, 02:35 PM

Larry DavisAgree - he's a good one. Mick's got to stop trying to win games now so that he can win more games in the future.

SLMadiCat

12-11-2007, 07:16 PM

Larry Davis

C'mon, really? So instead of a Sophomore SG who is trying to transition to PG and has at least some D1 experience playing point, you'd rather have a Freshman SG that has zero experience to play point? And you think Davis will be able to run the offense better than Vaughn? Not a chance. Davis is just as much a two guard as Vaughn is. Vaughn has proven he is a capable backup PG now that Warren is healthy.

jeffto

12-11-2007, 07:32 PM

C'mon, really? So instead of a Sophomore SG who is trying to transition to PG and has at least some D1 experience playing point, you'd rather have a Freshman SG that has zero experience to play point? And you think Davis will be able to run the offense better than Vaughn? Not a chance. Davis is just as much a two guard as Vaughn is. Vaughn has proven he is a capable backup PG now that Warren is healthy.Both were listed as combo guards during recruitment. Why not give him a chance? I believe he may be a better athlete.

Bearcat Cafe

12-11-2007, 07:41 PM

Vaughn might be a SG. Jury is still out since he has the guard thing down....just not the shooting part.

Jury came back in on the other count. A PG he aint'.

SLMadiCat

12-11-2007, 08:32 PM

Both were listed as combo guards during recruitment. Why not give him a chance? I believe he may be a better athlete.

I agree Davis is a much better athlete, but that is not necessarily what makes up a good PG. I can't imagine a non-PG Freshman coming in a running the offense better than Vaughn. Maybe he can, but I personally don't think so.