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We've stubbed our toe with Bradley in the past. Two seasons ago we were blown off of the floor at Bradley. We need to not overlook these two opponents.
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I agree that the Shocks should not overlook these two opponents but a loss this weekend to Loyola (2-13, 0-4, RPI 266) or Bradley (1-14, 0-4, RPI 333) or a loss at home next weekend to Illinois State (0-3, 0-14, RPI 312) would pretty much doom the Shockers chance at having an at-large worthy RPI.
As it is just playing these teams, even if the Shocks win, may do enough damage to the Shocks RPI to make an at-large bid problematic. After the Shocks defeated Indiana State in their Valley opener their RPI improved to 29. After a home win over Evansville (195) and a road win at Missouri State (174) the Shocks RPI has jumped to 43. So even if the Shocks win the next 3 it probably damages their RPI, plus we get to play these three teams a second time later in the season.
It seems increasingly likely that the Valley will be a one-bid league again this year. Still the Shocks want to win another Valley title, preferable an outright title which would be a new first. I would not count on the other contenders losing to any of these 3 bottom feeders so it is imperative the Shocks win these games to hold serve.Last edited by 1972Shocker; January 15, 2015, 03:59 PM. -
Bradley and Loyola, being travel partners play the identical Valley schedule. Both are 0-4 with home losses to UNI and Drake and road losses to Indiana State and Evansville.
Bradley has lost those 4 games by an average of 26.5 points and Loyola has lost those 4 games by an average of 23.8 points.
I am not all that concerned about the margin of victory of the Shocks. Obviously the primary goal is to win these games. But a secondary goal would be to get the Shocks' bench some decent minutes and to save some energy for the starters that will be useful down the road.Comment
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I have never blogged until I stumbled on this site. Of course I was following the men and then the women whom I just love how they play. I played for a great coach, who worked us hard, but we got some rest and the bench; maybe three or four rested us. I just want us to play hard and give all we have for the seniors to hopefully win another Title and get past the first round of NCAA.Originally posted by 1972Shocker View PostComment
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Bradley 45-61 Shockers
Southern Illinois 65-53 Indiana State
Northern Iowa 72-76 Drake
Loyola 57-87 Missouri State
Illinois State 50-62 Evansville
NOTE: I post scores scoreboard-style - home team on the left
Southern is the only team to win at home - and they beat Indiana State who appeared pre-conference to be the challenger to the Shocks.Comment
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I was unable to listen or follow tonight's game but from looking at the box score it looks like it was kind of a ho-hum performance by the Shocks, at least offensively. The Shocks missed 32 shots and Bradley missed 40 as the two teams shot 36% and 27% from the field respectively. The Shocks were a decent 4-9 from behind the arc while Bradley was flinging and hoping but only hit 3 of 21 trey attempts. Both teams shot 75% from the line but the Shocks had 28 attempts vs 16 for Bradley. While the Shocks turned Bradley over 24 times the Shocks turned the ball over an uncharacteristically high 21 times. Both teams had 20 points off turnovers. A sloppy game. Bottom line is that road wins are always nice to get regardless of the opponent although the Shocks may have been fortunate they were playing one of the Valley weaklings tonight. I doubt if Jody was overjoyed.
Jaleesa played 25 minutes tonight and Moriah 13 minutes off the bench. Those are probably season highs. No PT for Kayla, Audra or Brittany.
The Shocks RPI as expected jumped from 43 to 48 with the road win over Bradley.
SIU picked up a surprisingly easy home win over Indiana State. Coming into Valley play Indiana State was 10-1 with a Valley best RPI of 29. After what I am sure to the Sycamores is a disappointing 2-3 start in Valley play their RPI has dropped to 73.
Drake picked up a very good road win at Northern Iowa and are clearly positioned to compete for the Valley title.Last edited by 1972Shocker; January 16, 2015, 11:04 PM.Comment
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I did get to listen to the last couple minutes of the first half and all of the second half. It seemed they couldn't hit shots and there seemed to be lots of fouls. It was 29-28 several minutes into the second half and then they started hitting some shots and pulled away. Brittany didn't make the trip as I believe they reported she was hurt??Comment
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Kelsey carried us un the first half with 10 points. We were getting out rebounded and out hustled. Dap, Alex just off. More bench play from Chapel and Moriah, but didn't do much. Bradley is week. A Mid-DII level team. Good to see Kelsey aggressive on offense.Originally posted by Pigman View PostComment
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The Shocks were clinging to a 31-29 lead with 13:30 left in the game. At that point they were 10-41 (1-5 Treys) from the field.
Jamillah hit a 3-pointer at the 12:20 mark to start a 14-3 run over the next 3 minutes to strectch the lead to 45-32 with 9 minutes to go. Over the next 3 minutes the Shocks stretched the lead to 22 points 58-36 with at the 3:26 mark. During the 9 minute stretch beginning with Jamillah's trey at the 12;20 mark the Shocks outscored Bradley by 27-7. During that stretch the Shocks were 8-9 (3-4 on treys) from the field and 7-8 from the FT line.
Kelsey went to the bench at the 4:36 mark and Alex followed at the 3:51 mark (her first rest of the game). The Shocks made 5 of 6 free throws after Alex departed but did not attempt a FG. 4 turnovers during that stretch helped Bradley closed the gap to the final 16 point margin.
Interesting game. That first 26.5 minutes of the game must have been painful to watch and then the all of a sudden somebody turned on the light switch. Probalby would not get away with that against the upper half of the league.
Coming into the game the Shocks had been averaging about 13 turnovers per game so the 21 turnovers against Bradley was definitely out of character for them. Perhaps indicative of a lack of focus. Hopefully, a more consistent effort will be forthcoming against Loyola tomorrow.Comment
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Shockers struggling for the 2nd game in a row on the road against one of the leagues bottom feeders. Leading 25-23 at the half.
The Shocks are 7-30 (23.3%) from the field. Fortunately, the are 8-9 from the line.
Alex and Jamillah are 2-12 from the field.
They will not win the Valley playing like they have this weekend.Comment
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Jody called a timeout 45 seconds into the second half with the sole intent of trying to light a fire under her team. Immediately after that TO Loyola tied the game at 25-all but apparently the pep talk worked as the Shocks have moved out to a 51-33 lead at the mid-point of the 2nd half.Comment
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Loyola 41-65 Shockers
Southern Illinois 58-63 Evansville
Illinois State 36-60 Indiana State
Bradley 64-78 Missouri StateComment
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Shocks wake up and get it done in the 2nd half finishing off Loyola 65-41.
Shocks had 4 players in double figures led by Triple Decker (credit to Steve Strain for that moniker) with 15, Alex 14, Michaela 11 and Kelsey with 10 and almost had a 5th as Jamillah had 9.
Kelsey, however, had the best overall game as she added 10 rebounds and 7 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals to her 10 points.
The Shocks who had were outrebounded 17-20 in the 1st half dominated the boards in the 2nd half outrebounding Loyola 24-10.
The Shocks shot 51.7% from the field in the 2nd half to raise their FG% for the game to 37.3%. Jamillah at 2-11 and Michaela at 4-14 did struggle with their shooting however.
Shocks maintain a share of 1st place in the Valley with Drake at 5-0.Last edited by 1972Shocker; January 18, 2015, 05:12 PM.Comment
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Coming into the weekend the Shocks had an RPI of 43. After 16-point and 24-point road wins at Bradley and Loyola the Shocks RPI has jumped to 57 and their SOS to 160.
Indiana State which came out of the non-con with and RPI of 29 is now at 92.
The expectation of a one-bid league seems to be coming to full fruition.Comment
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