Today is the day, hopefully first of 3 in CLE.

We are a 6 point favorite.

6 points seems low. I'd take us, if I were a betting man, but Vegas knows all.

Hoping to see Nobles get at least 25 minutes tonight at the top of that zone. Our length needs to be a continuous problem for them, in which they're forced to live and die by the long three. Groce should see the floor a bit as well.

Also hoping that we don't have to play our "big 4" for the entire game. These guys are used to playing a lot, but not used to having to play the next day (with a victory). Murphy needs to use his bench tonight.

(03-08-2018 08:36 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  6 points seems low. I'd take us, if I were a betting man, but Vegas knows all.

Hoping to see Nobles get at least 25 minutes tonight at the top of that zone. Our length needs to be a continuous problem for them, in which they're forced to live and die by the long three. Groce should see the floor a bit as well.

Also hoping that we don't have to play our "big 4" for the entire game. These guys are used to playing a lot, but not used to having to play the next day (with a victory). Murphy needs to use his bench tonight.

Thinking Ellison starts and we'll see how many minutes Nobles gets. As mentioned in a previous post our "winning" streak began with the Ball State game when Bond returned as starter and Ellison started at guard. Lets hope JT4 stays out of foul trouble. Agree the bench needs to get some major minutes.

(03-08-2018 08:36 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  6 points seems low. I'd take us, if I were a betting man, but Vegas knows all.

Hoping to see Nobles get at least 25 minutes tonight at the top of that zone. Our length needs to be a continuous problem for them, in which they're forced to live and die by the long three. Groce should see the floor a bit as well.

Also hoping that we don't have to play our "big 4" for the entire game. These guys are used to playing a lot, but not used to having to play the next day (with a victory). Murphy needs to use his bench tonight.

Good point Sam on utilizing the bench tonight. The starters are going to be relied on very heavily Friday and Saturday if we advance. This is why I wish we had a preseason tournament every year that forced us to play 3 games in 3 days.


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Stoked for this one! Gonna be a long 12 hours before tipoff...

(03-08-2018 08:36 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  6 points seems low. I'd take us, if I were a betting man, but Vegas knows all.

Hoping to see Nobles get at least 25 minutes tonight at the top of that zone. Our length needs to be a continuous problem for them, in which they're forced to live and die by the long three. Groce should see the floor a bit as well.

Also hoping that we don't have to play our "big 4" for the entire game. These guys are used to playing a lot, but not used to having to play the next day (with a victory). Murphy needs to use his bench tonight.

Good thing: team is well rested.

Remember when a team had to win 4 games in 4 days: Wednesday - Saturday?

And the double-bye teams had to win TWO games. That was crazy.

For folks who are staying in Cleveland hotels: Where are you staying? Any good deals?

(03-08-2018 09:47 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  For folks who are staying in Cleveland hotels: Where are you staying? Any good deals?

I am still researching some, seems like most close to the arena are around $200 when you include taxes and parking. Looking at some options further out of the downtown.

UB has 47 at the half vs. CMU. Lucky for teams not in their bracket. They are very, very tough. Easily a big favorite.

Fingers crossed that:

1. We beat Akron tonight.
2. Kent or BSU finds a way to knock out Buffalo tomorrow.

CMU down 5 with 4:00 left.

UB making a big run within the last two minutes.

CMU trailed by 3 with about 2 minutes to go.

Ended ugly. UB by 15.

For a second there I was actually hoping CMU could knock off Goliath, but no dice.

CMU loses. EMU is the sole Michigan team left in MACtion aka MAC MBB tourney.

#5 Kent takes down #4 BSU, on the UB side of the bracket.

Kent went 1-1 against UB. Maybe they can get lucky close to home and hand them an L in the semis? Would much rather face them and try to beat them for a 2nd time this season than play UB.

I know, I know... getting way ahead of us. Can you tell my eyes are set on that MAC trophy?!?

(03-08-2018 04:34 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  #5 Kent takes down #4 BSU, on the UB side of the bracket.

Kent went 1-1 against UB. Maybe they can get lucky close to home and hand them an L in the semis? Would much rather face them and try to beat them for a 2nd time this season than play UB.

I know, I know... getting way ahead of us. Can you tell my eyes are set on that MAC trophy?!?

I will admit that I don't have as much confidence as you going into this thing. Cautiously optimistic is about it. Anyone can win in these games. The east has won the first two games though. Hoping that means things will balance out this evening.

(03-08-2018 04:47 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  I will admit that I don't have as much confidence as you going into this thing. Cautiously optimistic is about it. Anyone can win in these games. The east has won the first two games though. Hoping that means things will balance out this evening.

Oh, I'm nervous as hell too. Nothing is guaranteed in the tournament. Look at Northern Kentucky.

I'll be biting my nails tonight all the way until the clock hits 0:00.

Nickle/Frank,

I see your points about caution, and feel EMU is overdue for a let down. However, I think Akron is the one opponent I feel best about. Sam gave some goood analysis about their matchup with EMU. Plus Akron doesn’t look that good either- how many lucky upsets can they have in a row since they just got one at WMU.

I love Nickle’s rational that the East already won two so things will balance out. It furthers my point AND does so dealing with the intangibles around the game!!!

Anyway, I hope I did not just jinx the team. Go EMU!!!

Prepurchased tickets from EMU will not be available until six or later for tonight’s games.

(03-08-2018 11:13 AM)EAGLE KING Wrote:  

(03-08-2018 09:47 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  For folks who are staying in Cleveland hotels: Where are you staying? Any good deals?

I am still researching some, seems like most close to the arena are around $200 when you include taxes and parking. Looking at some options further out of the downtown.

Check around Independence, OH. It's a large cluster of hotels and restaurants (including some very good local ones) about five miles south of downtown Cleveland with a direct line to Quicken Loans Arena via I-77.

Good luck tonight, though I don't believe you'll be needing much of it.