That game was exciting from snout to tail.
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It’s good to see a team take care of business in an important conference game while wearing the black uniforms.
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Not saying any game is easy but looking at the schedule, our next big challenge will be January 17 against Buffalo. Very good team led by Freitag. Hopefully we are going into that game 18-0!
We won despite the black unis!
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That starts a tough stretch with Kent and UMASS
It’s also a tough stretch for UB, Kent, and UMass… because Miami is on the schedule for each of those teams.
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No easy games in conference when you’re 15-0 and possibly (hopefully) ranked in the top 25.
Gonna be getting every single teams best punch.
Let’s win them all
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@ Toledo is tougher
Same. It’s kind of crazy that started in early January and not mid-March… but I’ll definitely take it.
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I’m not Nostradamus, but something tells me that feeling won’t be going away for the next few months. I suspect that won’t be the last time we tangle with Akron either.
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That was a fun game to watch
Miami has won some really hard games
Today we got all league performances from Byers and Elmer and 2nd team all league by Wolfolk
The guards struggled a bit but made huge shots at the end
I am a bit sad though. We really missed Ipsaro today and it is just such a huge and unfair loss to this awesome team
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Also I thought we got a little bit of a favorable whistle but some bad luck with loose balls
Love that we are earning national media attention..every little bit helps
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https://x.com/lasikdotcom/status/2007551556556861713?s=46&t=ZH1fFGwu8Q0191V3SgsUtQ
LASIK NIL deal when
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Figured they’d sponsor Ted Valentine or Bo Borowski.
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RANK us!!!
Thought experiment….
How close or different is the outcome of this game if Ipsaro is healthy?
Discuss among yourselves.
Yea us! X15
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Congratulations to the team and entire program for the biggest win we’ve had in awhile. To win a back and forth game like that without our starting point guard and our all-MAC player off his game somewhat speaks to the potential of this team. This group is capable of dancing, despite its limitations.
I think that’s another takeaway I have after watching the game. We won despite our vulnerabilities being highlighted. The obvious one is lack of depth. We probably can’t get away with another game where our bench doesn’t score or really contribute at all. I think our freshmen are good players, but they’re freshmen and they got their first taste of high level competition today. Hopefully they can grow from it. One other thing I’ll point out is how loose we are with the ball. It’s great that everyone can handle the ball pretty well, but sometimes it’s just best to hold on to it, or just make the simple pass. If we see these guys again, we have to be ok with 2s if the drive and/or drive and kick isn’t there. Suder in the lane late needs to take the elbow jumper, not drive into contact.
I think what made the difference is our ability to up our intensity as the game went on. Falling behind early wasn’t surprising since this was the best team we’ve played so there was going to be an adjustment period. Thankfully at 28-20 when the game was teetering, we got back in it and were only down 3 while not playing our best ball. We got mentally tougher as the game went on: Byers taking the ball to the basket and absorbing contact on defense, Skaljac’s cold-blooded 3 and willingness to get in the lane, Elmer continuing to find his game and playing tough at both ends, Woolfolk showing up in a big way again. The hustle by Elmer and Woolfolk on defensive recoveries was outstanding. Where you can get Akron is by taking the ball at them despite their ball pressure. Despite their length, they don’t block a high percentage of shots and they’re worse defending their defensive glass, where our effort was also outstanding.
I like the adjustment we made at the end of the game to run doubles at their guards and get the ball out of their hands. They still scored some, but they were mostly 2s instead of 3s that I recall. Their great players have improved: Johnson, Lyles, and Scott. Eric Mahaffey is very good off the bench. Hardman is still a lock down shooter. But there are guys you’re ok with having the ball and forcing them to do something. I’m more than ok if Halligan has the ball. Evan Mahaffey wants to pass when he gets the ball. Even Sharron Young’s 3 numbers are down modestly from last year. I’m also curious as to how Akron will handle not having Nate Johnson as the season goes along. Lyles is a great inside/outside threat, but I don’t see him as the 1-on-1 threat in the foul line extended area that Nate Johnson was. All that said, Akron probably won’t shoot 25% from 3 again and they’ll be ready for a possible rematch.
Congratulations to everyone. But Tuesday’s game is just as important. No let downs, 1 at a time, let’s learn from today and get better.
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