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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Jan 19, 2014 8:03:44 GMT -6
I don't think UIC is as bad as their record is. They just played uwm and WSU close. Plus they have a couple of experienced players who should help keep it interesting. I would guess the size and depth of GB should wear them down for a win eventually.
With the glare off of the video/scoreboard at UIC past GB teams have struggled to shoot well there, luckily this version of the Phoenix can correct that by dunking a lot!
Hopefully the guys are rested. I know the roads weren't good getting there. Just need to not look past them, not try to do too much in front of family and control turnovers today.
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Post by stillaphoenixphan on Jan 19, 2014 9:26:05 GMT -6
This could be a easy one to over look. But with a lot of them coming from Southern Wi and the Chicago area I think they will be playing for pride even if they are tired from the road trips. They were up by 11 on UWM at half the other day. Takeing care of the ball and talent should take over. Game time is 1PM CST. So we'll know soon. Hopefully Alec and Greg are getting healthy that could really hurt if we lose one or the other. Ken may get a lot of time today. GB's RPI is 33-34 depending on the poll so just take care of business. Some forecasters have us as high as an #11 seed in NCAA again it's depending on who"s doing the forecasting.
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Post by shooting the J on Jan 19, 2014 12:50:39 GMT -6
Green Bay (14-3) @ UIC (5-13) When: Sunday, 1:00 Where: UIC Pavilion, Chicago Streaming: Horizon League Network
Need to take care of business. Hoping to see the team put this one away and get Findlay some minutes. UIC has been awful defensively, but former Purdue guard Kelsey Barlow is a challenge for any team.
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Post by stillaphoenixphan on Jan 19, 2014 15:05:22 GMT -6
GB wins 69-64 after being behind most of the 2nd half. AB had a very nice night and Sykes came on at the end. GB played liked a tired team and UIC played like they had nothing to lose. Simply put we got away with a off day but that's the sign of a good team winning ugly. You're going to have them. Greg didn't play much after what looked like a twisted ankle. Came back in the 2nd half but not his usual minutes per game. Don't get me wrong 3 wins on the road is awesume. Link to stats below. Better than I thought they would be. UIC helped by 58% FT shooting. sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/green-bay-phoenix-uic-flames-201401190268/Interesting quote I found on UIC board. Earlier in the season I had said we could have 2 future NBA picks playing for GB. Scouts from Bulls, Heat, Clippers & Lakers at UIC to watch UW-Green Bay guard Keifer Sykes (20.4 ppg, 5.4 apg) & 7-foot-1 Alec Brown (16.6) Chicago Tribune sportswriter. fredmitchellaward.com
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Post by thetulsawarrior on Jan 19, 2014 18:27:31 GMT -6
A gut check W for the Nix. They need some home cooking and R & R.
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Post by Nix on Jan 19, 2014 19:38:34 GMT -6
I'll take the ugliest win over the prettiest loss any day of the week.
Alec keeps up his efficiency.
Keif continues to show the world what he can do. Crazy bounce, clutch.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Jan 19, 2014 21:40:08 GMT -6
Well it wasn't pretty but the guys rallied and got the job done. Alec set the stage with a strong start and then Keifer came on with a strong second half and aside from a missed ft he made every play down the stretch.
Alec should be the HL player of the week. He played two strong all around games but was really good on offense inside and out. Dority from Valpo averaged more points in two wins and obviously Sykes made a ton of dynamic plans down the stretch of two wins.
I was at the game today and said they had the game in hand after Weigand got a dunk and one. UIC was woofing and chest bumping, that was their knockout punch. Yet Alec gathered the guys and they didn't look rattled, in that moment it felt like GB was going to grind them down. Credit to Coach Wardle as well because he was it in from the tip and when things were rocky he focused on the next play and the guys responded. You can hear him coaching on every play of the game.
UIC couldn't make the plays to close it out. Their ft shooting was terrible and their star Barlow laid an egg with a bad shot and turnover to put the game on ice.
I was surprised that these were Big12 officials, Gerry Pollard missed several shot block calls. Fouse had a clean block and was fouled on a putback that both went against him.
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Post by shooting the J on Jan 20, 2014 8:26:59 GMT -6
Great to get the win and get the road trip over with. The team is pretty beat up right now. They didn't defend like usual until the final 8 minutes. Once they got it close within 3 minutes it was GBs game. That's the point where other coaches start playing checkers and Wardle plays chess, and has all the best pieces on the table.
Howard Moore has survived on transfers so far, but freshman guard Pat Birt was an excellent find. Moore's first quality 4 year player.
10 straight wins after a 4 game road trip is awesome. With no football and the Nix at home this week, it's time to fill the stands. Get on board the bandwagon, it's going to be a joy ride!
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Jan 20, 2014 8:44:07 GMT -6
I agree that Pat Birt looks like a very good long term player in the Horizon League. He was in the lane a few times, he hit a few threes and he has good size for his position. He needs to learn to turn up the intensity. Coming out of the intro's he was the guy who looked happy to be there and was dancing and smiling but he didn't look ready to play.
I was very surprised the rebounding was as close as it was. I thought GB was crushed on the glass. They survived despite poor rebounding, not playing great defense for 32 minutes, some questionable shots and mind numbing turnovers. Some of that is just a product of how they play and you have to live with it. The defense and the rebounding seemed due to fatigue and injuries. Wardle was playing checkers himself when he had a small lineup including Garrett and Humphrey, those guys couldn't buy a rebound for awhile. I was impatiently waiting for Mays or Lowe to come back in the game with Fouse.
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