skrabukes

Brutal. Guy drives within a few feet from the basket with 1 second left against a single defender and stops and passes out to the 3 point line (down by 2) and time runs out. That would've been a huge win for UB if CMU would've beaten UT, giving UB a viable path to passing them. Now they'll still need more help even if they win out, since UB would have 1 less game played and 1 less win.

Surely you've never played sports before, or even coached them. Athletics isn't about "metrics" or anything like that, it's about competing. This team has been competing at their best all season lately. That's what counts. Not some number that truly means very little when you're in the MAC. This league will get 1 team into NCAAs, every season. They haven't gotten more than that in what, 20 years? Yes, just play your best over the final half of the season, and win in Cleveland. I'd happily take that every single year. Until UB is in some multi-bid league, these numbers mean far less than you'd like. Of course, I wish UB was #1 in every single metric there is, however it's not a reasonable thing. Until that happens, my "obtuse" self will continue to root for and have faith in the players and coaches that we've got, in addition to enjoying the winning streak that the team is on.

I can't find the thread from earlier, so figured I'd add it here on the Toledo-CMU point. UB is 10-4 and 16-8. They've lost 2 games from their schedule, including a likely win with CMU. Even if they split, they'd be 11-4 and 17-9 with 5 regular season games left and up to 3 MAC games. If they went 4-1 and made it to the finals (which is a plausible outcome), they'd have 23 wins which is right around where the original voting set was that was discussed on here at the beginning of the season. It really is awful that at least the MAC game was not rescheduled.

Probably should fire their coach. I can only imagine what their rating will be by the end of the night! In all seriousness, they'll probably pull it out in the 2nd half, but it'd surely be great if they didn't. Any team can win on a given night in this league, regardless of rating/spread. Even UB's super team lost to NIU (on that God awful court) when they shouldn't have. It's nice to have 6 solid wins in a row in UB's pocket. Hopefully 5+3 more (at least the final "+3" anyway please)!

I'd gladly take 13 seed ( and anyone here who wouldn't is crazy). I believe we were 13 when we beat Arizona. It's not often that the MAC gets much higher than that. Other than the super team from a few years back, I'd guess that the MAC has been 12-14 nearly every year, at least in recent history anyway.

That last point likely will depend on how UB finishes the season. If they can run the table, or close, it's a possibility. If not, it will likely go to a higher seeded team's player, regardless of his individual stats. After a struggle inside early today, he really got it together, much like his squad. He, along with Mballa really seemed to lead the charge back and beyond. He's definitely lived up to his billing. Amazingly, if you go back and read threads from a few years ago ( I will not, but recall them) several here thought he was overrated, slow, awkward shot, etc. He's stayed the course, worked hard, and it's paying dividends now. Should be a model for others on the team who may be down on the bench/street clothes.

Wow, if they all of their games, they'd be top 15. Impressive thoughts. I hadn't considered that. Unfortunately, after today's double digit win, they would've dropped though, so I guess we'd have heard further negativity from you. Like most at the games today, I enjoyed my time in the arena after 2 wins by double digits. I'm sorry that you didn't. Hopefully the players and coaches will do better to please you next time. Last point on today's game...I feel bad for Freeman. His team is near the bottom, while UB will be playing in Cleveland again. Surely his scholarship has gone to a better place. Much like Navigato who did the old MAC team switcheroo after signing with UB, it wasn't for the best, at least basketball-wise. Couldn't believe he was talking smack to Jeenathan after the 1st bucket of the game. I think #11 got the better of that matchup by game's end.

15 seed range? If they continue winning, and then win 3 games against the 1, 2, 3-6 seeds, I'd wager their "metrics" will improve. The team has 6 straight wins. Only one other team in the league has anything close to that right now. You (nor I) were in those practices, meetings, locker room, etc when players were going out "sick" over that month long period earlier in the year. The team looks like what we expected of late. I'm sorry that I can't complain about that fact. My donation and season ticket purchase has been enjoyed all season, less the 2 "lost" home games due to the sniffles of some teams. Thanks for your concern however.

His going out of the game 2 minutes in with 2 fouls was a good portion of the early funk. He's been very tough in the last couple of games. We need more of that down the stretch. He's a bad matchup for teams to contend with on both ends when he's on.

Oh no, not a -2 in kenpom. Who cares? Whether they are 70 or 270 in kenpom, they won today and need to win 3 in cleveland to make ncaas. The team won 6 straight with 5 by double digits, and you're too busy finding some meaningless fault. Give it a rest. The team had a bad quarter (yep, very bad). Basketball is a game of runs. While that was a very poor run, the team did what they were supposed to do, regrouped, dug deep, and got back to the game plan. Low and behold, it worked. Went +30 or so over the final 26 minutes. Athletes don't hang their head and quit, they battle, and these guys showed it through adversity today. Good for them, and the coaches as well. I enjoyed my 6 hours at the AA today, that much I know. 2 double digit wins, both of which the teams needed to grind it out at times. That will only help down the stretch. On to the rematch with our recent nemesis Miami. Time to keep the train rolling.

Another win. I'll take it. I'm sure akron would've taken an ugly win the other day vs wmu

Freeman talked "stuff" after the 1st basket of the game. Bad move

And reading the updates, you'd never know ub was up by 16. 40 minute game.

Mballa getting 2 fouls in 1st 2 min of game messed up the plan for sure. Good to see him back looking like "old josh".

Weathered the storm.

Hof ceremony was tonight. There will be an honoring at the game (I'd assume) but no speeches (again an assumption). Great to see Guest and Brown again!

Another nice win. Coning together similar to last season down the stretch. Hope they can do similarly, just with 1 additional win in the end.

In the last 35 minutes, UB is +14. Finish it out boys!

"Hanging around"? UB led by double digits for the entirety of the game. BG had 10 fouls in 10 min and we were in double bonus before they were even in the regular bonus. This group loved blowing the whistle tonight. Who cares? There was nothing not to enjoy about this game and win. WMU beat a top team tonight in Akron. Maybe Groce should be canned. I'll hate to see the game thread on Thursday if UB doesn't beat EMU by 25+, God forbid! Now if EMU plays as pathetic of D as the last time and we don't win by 25+, I'd be disappointed. So long as we win however, I'd gladly take it. 5 definitely winnable in a row coming up. Gotta keep heads level and not swelled and it could be a 9 game streak heading to the Toledo rematch on senior night.

I don't believe that occurred however. There's no fault to be found in this game, in any way. Was it perfect? Nope, but damn near it over 40 minutes. Winning by 30 is fun, especially on the road. Every team will miss shots, turn it over, at some point. When you have a game like this, and 4 in a row, it's nice. Doesn't matter who the opponent is. Only can play the team across from you.

Interesting stat. Over the last 35 minutes, UB is +25

Big Swoff. Haven't heard that name in AGES!

Glad you could find a minute number that would provide a negative stat. The team is up by 17 right now, and led big all game.

Did the tv broadcast just throw a Swoffer reference out there?

In the end, UB has an 10-12.5% chance to win in Cleveland. If UB is 50-50 in each game it's 12.5%. If we say that UB is 60/50/40% to win each round, then it's the same. If it's 50/40/40, then it's 10%. I don't think UB would be greatly above or below 40-60% against any of the top 4 other teams, so that's the numbers. Toledo and Ohio are a bit higher, but likely not much higher than 20% if at all. Kent and Akron are likely in a similar number as us. The other teams are in a long shot position. Even when UB was ranked and the overwhelming favorite, they still were only around 50%. Nothing is a given, especially in a single game elimination. Just play well the rest of the regular season and then survive and advance. NET numbers and the like mean little, as only one team is going to NCAAs. I've enjoyed what I've seen the last 3 games and hope it continues. If it does, then our chances could improve. We're at our healthiest right now, so hopefully this is the "real" team that many people hoped for.