Leaderboard

Must win. This is one of the worst offensive teams in the country. Zone D is really good, and they are great at getting hands in passing lanes (#1 in the country in steals per game), but if we want to be a contender, you can’t drop this game. I have been sticking up for this squad, because I think improvement has been there defensively and individually with some young guys. Losing this game would make me doubt this team big time, and erase some of my optimism for the MAC tournament. Let’s get the job done, and look decisive doing it!

We've had struggles finding passing lanes against "traditional" man defenses. This is the time for JW to show that he can prepare his team offensively. If we drop this game the season is in real jeopardy (I know, I know, you all want to give us slack for rebuilding but I'm sorry, it's the MAC and we're trying to be a legit program).

We need to win this one then take care of a home Friday game, getting to 7-4 with 7 left. If we can play 4-3 or better over the final 7 and have at least 11 wins, we'll have a solid shot at a top 4 seed. With the way this team has played this season, nothing is a given, they could very easily win the next 9, lose the next 9 or anything in between. The league is very close as a whole, so it's hard to fault our team when they get beat, it's just the very small correctable things that have cost them in MANY of their losses. Hopefully the job can get done against a cellar dweller on Tuesday night. I expect that it will, but as I've said to a few people this year when they ask me "what's your prediction for this game?", I expect a win, but wouldn't bet my house on it. In year's past you would know going in that you were going to win a given game, or even every once in a while feel that it just wasn't going to be our night, whereas this year I honestly cannot predict which way it will go and just have to fall back on my belief in the team and staff to get it done.

This is a must win, should win. I echo the statements made above. The key will be our zone offense. We’ve struggled with the zone at times this season when teams have thrown it at us. One way to beat the zone is to offensive rebound and another is to get out in transition. Look for us to do those two things.