Games of Interest: Week of 11/15 - 11/21

[RoyalShock]

UNI didn't start well last year either.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/nba/schedule?y=2008

Started 6-6 with losses to Ill-Chi, Iowa St. Iowa, Wyoming and Indiana St before going on their long winning streak.

[WuDrWu]

I've said many times that UNI overachieved HUGE last year.....not that they aren't good, they are, but they are nowhere near dominating.

They get it done with smoke and mirrors and 110% effort...if any of that is lacking then they are in deep water.

One thing is for certain, if they win the conference again, it's 100% dead lock stone cold fact that the Valley is a 1 bid conference again.

[ShockerFever]

UNI didn't start well last year either.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/nba/schedule?y=2008

Started 6-6 with losses to Ill-Chi, Iowa St. Iowa, Wyoming and Indiana St before going on their long winning streak.

Yah and just like last year, they'll have to win in St. Louis to get in. Oh well.

[shocks771]

UNI was amazing last year in close games. It seemed like the ball always bounced their way. That tends to even out over time.

[pogo]

I agree with doc, the panthers are going to have to play at optimum levels to continue to win. The margin for error will be very small and with an additional year for other valley teams to prepare for them its going to be VERY difficult for them. I just hope I haven't jinxed us with this observation. :whistle:

[shocks771]

Drake beats Georgia State 65-58 and will play the winner of the North Carolina State / Akron game.

[shockerfan]

UNI was amazing last year in close games. It seemed like the ball always bounced their way. That tends to even out over time.

That has alot to do with winning the league...getting some bounces to go your way. WSU had many of those games where the ball bounced our way in 2005-2006 (Paul's tip-in at Drake comes to mind). Without those the Shox wouldn't have won the Valley that year and who knows if they would have gotten an invite to the tourney. Not to mention that it was a pretty dead heat down the stretch with a couple other teams. Those teams happened to lose games they probably shouldn't have lost which helped the Shox secure 1st all by themselves. It always takes a little luck.

That's basketball for ya...and another reason this game is so great! Makes for some exciting times!

[KC Shox]

DePaul beats UNI 60-52. Bad loss for the Panthers. Last year they found a way to win all of the close games. This league is definately wide open this year.

Open indeed as well as a one-bid league as well.........us :D

[wsushox1]

Mo St. Tied with Maryland Eastern Shore, 26 all at halftime. Bears are not looking impressive

[shockball]

MSU and InSU both win.

[tropicalshox]

UNI's loss to DePaul is an embarrassment to the Valley. IMO it drags the Valley down to a D+ in their performance so far this year.

[shockerfan]

UNI's loss to DePaul is an embarrassment to the Valley. IMO it drags the Valley down to a D+ in their performance so far this year.

Agreed, that is like losing to Iowa...which hopefully we don't do if we happen to lose to Pitt.

[Ashockalypse]

I agree and I think it shows that UNI was a "kneejerk" pick to win the league.

[wufan]

Lets not forget that they returned their top 6 players from last year. They will factor into the championship yet again this year.

[shockerfan]

Lets not forget that they returned their top 6 players from last year. They will factor into the championship yet again this year.

Don't know if you were being sarcastic. So I'll just say this just in case you weren't.

Didn't Drake return alot after their championship?

Heck didn't we return alot from OUR championship?

Maybe they will factor into it, but IMHO their championship last year had alot more to do with everyone else choking and not playing up to the potential. I think the teams near the top of the Valley have much more ceiling athletically and talent wise. IF those teams improved over the offseason like I think they could have....it could be a rough go for UNI.

That said, they still won the Valley last year and until we get into conference play and see how everyone does against each other they are the favorites. I just personally wouldn't put any $$$ on them winning the conference again.