Next Four Games

The next four games we play are obviously crucial to the season. We started with 3 pretty easy games and played decently at best. I think we have to go 3-1 in these games to have a chance to make something of this season. I really don't think 2-2 is enough. Zags and Cuse are one of only a few shots we have at a signature non conference win. Obviously anything less then 2-2 and then board will explode and rightfully so. We need to beat Cuse or Zags in my opinion. Minnesota is up first, going to be a tough game also. Our guys better come to play or we may never matchup with Gonzaga.

2-2, we beat Georgia and Niagara

2-2, we beat Georgia and Niagara

I agree, but those games will be close.

I think Minnesota is a huge game. Hopefully it will  be a home game. I see they are not selling tickets in the 200's. Hopefully the small crowd will be loud into the game and wearing red. Minnesota had a similar season to us last year, they return 4 starters. They play great at home and struggle on the road. This team of seniors has to win this game. Coaches have had a long time to prepare. No excuses! Playing a big time team at the garden on Friday Night would be great. Last time we played Georgia in the 1st game of a double header their were literally more people working including security and the cotten candy guys then fans. The Minnesota is a great opportunity to get off to a good start or no start.

The next four games we play are obviously crucial to the season. We started with 3 pretty easy games and played decently at best. I think we have to go 3-1 in these games to have a chance to make something of this season. I really don't think 2-2 is enough. Zags and Cuse are one of only a few shots we have at a signature non conference win. Obviously anything less then 2-2 and then board will explode and rightfully so. We need to beat Cuse or Zags in my opinion. Minnesota is up first, going to be a tough game also. Our guys better come to play or we may never matchup with Gonzaga.

St  Mary's is top 25 material

Harrison has been waiting since Robert Morris to play Minnesota. Honestly, this game is going to set the tone for all of December. I think that this is going to be a special season and I can't wait to halt Pitino's momentum. One game at a time, we take care of the Gophers and protect our home floor, setting up a BIG TIME Championship Friday night on a holiday weekend. 

2-2, we beat Georgia and Niagara

When do we play Georgia?

What are the chances we see our bugs in any of these games? Is it better just to stick with our current rotation?

I agree, if we are successful this stretch would relieve some pressure on the BE season to win the whole tournament to get in.

Honestly we need the entire league to have a great OOC before BE play. We need more ranked teams before the BE season starts.

Quote from: desco80 on November 22, 2014, 11:37:38 AM

2-2, we beat Georgia and Niagara

When do we play Georgia?

Consolation game if we lose opener & Zags win their first game.

setting up a BIG TIME Championship Friday night on a holiday weekend. 

Only if you are able to consider 3500 fans in an empty arena a "BIG TIME Championship Friday night".

Great Alaska shoot out was big time 4 years ago. Our guys were thrilled we won. Got us ready for a great season . 3500 might not be a lot of people but it would be great if they were all rooting hard for an upset.

Great Alaska shoot out was big time 4 years ago. Our guys were thrilled we won. Got us ready for a great season . 3500 might not be a lot of people but it would be great if they were all rooting hard for an upset.

Hard to call it "big time" when it wasn't on national TV and we played 2 mid-majors and a team that didn't even make the NIT to win it. The Holiday Festival was more of a big time tournament that year than the Great Alaskan Shootout.

A championship victory over what can be a top 10 team in next week's polls would do wonders.

I watched Gonzaga stall a very young St. Joe's team to 10 first half points this week. They have Sabonis' son (freshman) to go along with Louisville transfer Angel Nunez as bigs, with more trees off the bench. Add Pangos and Kyle Wiltjer to the mix, this is a very dangerous and talented team.

If they play Gonzaga in prime time on Black Friday I think they can get a decent crowd. Maybe I'm optimistic. I know a 4pm start against Georgia isn't going to draw at all.

But first up, beat Minnesota!

Need to beat Minnesota and not be embarased by a very big Gonzaga team.

We will probably be small underdogs against Minnesota. Must win game. A win over Minnesota will look good on our resume and we'll have nothing to lose against Gonzaga as we aren't supposed to beat them. We would have nothing to gain by playing Georgia in game 2. A loss to them would hurt us way more than a win would help us.

Gonzaga is one of the 5 best teams in the country in my opinion and a real contender to win the national championship. If we play Lavin's signature "Dont Defend The 3 point Line" defense we will lose to them by 40.... But lets get past Minnesota first

Based on what we've seen in the first three, it is hard to see a close game against Minnesota, never mind a win.  It is so easy to see CO get in early foul trouble and the rest falling apart. 

Like 90% of this board, I'm hoping I'm wrong and we are pleasantly surprised.  It is a very big game for this group. 

First 3 games were never in doubt. First 2 teams were horrible. I wish we would blow them out Lavin doesn't . We could have pressed the D-2 team and won by 50 like Minnesota but we didn't. The team looked good to me vs LIU. I dont care what the stats say (and I understand stats are important), we rebounded and played very good defense. They scored some points. We cruised to a very good victory. If we win by 23 instead of 13 we are playing well? If we catch 3 more rebounds and LIU gets 3 less rebounds its not an issue. I was at the game at no time did I feel that we were getting  killed on the boards. Season starts Wednesday.

First 3 games were never in doubt. First 2 teams were horrible. I wish we would blow them out Lavin doesn't . We could have pressed the D-2 team and won by 50 like Minnesota but we didn't. The team looked good to me vs LIU. I dont care what the stats say (and I understand stats are important), we rebounded and played very good defense. They scored some points. We cruised to a very good victory. If we win by 23 instead of 13 we are playing well? If we catch 3 more rebounds and LIU gets 3 less rebounds its not an issue. I was at the game at no time did I feel that we were getting  killed on the boards. Season starts Wednesday.

Tony, hope you're right, but I watched all three.  Forget the stats.  Most of them came out half speed in the second and third games and turned it on for about 15 minutes of game time.  They caught NJIT on an off night, built a 25 - 8 lead, and then let up. 

They did look for the open man more than they did last season and Dom and CO look improved.  I hope they can put in 40 minutes of hard effort like we saw from the team of four seasons ago.  Good outside shooting would be nice too.

First 3 games were never in doubt. First 2 teams were horrible. I wish we would blow them out Lavin doesn't . We could have pressed the D-2 team and won by 50 like Minnesota but we didn't. The team looked good to me vs LIU. I dont care what the stats say (and I understand stats are important), we rebounded and played very good defense. They scored some points. We cruised to a very good victory. If we win by 23 instead of 13 we are playing well? If we catch 3 more rebounds and LIU gets 3 less rebounds its not an issue. I was at the game at no time did I feel that we were getting  killed on the boards. Season starts Wednesday.

We were in a one possession game at home vs an LIU team who had just lost their 4 best players.