anyone follow drake closely? the bulldogs have pretty much sucked this year, but I've read rumblings of a lineup change coming today and then noticed some significant reverse movement after this line opened last night. anyone who can shed some light on this?
siu @ drake ?
- Thread starter loophole
- Start date
Salukis put perfect road record on the line at big-shooting Drake
Conference play greeted Drake's men's basketball team with its first five-game losing streak for a multitude of reasons.
Scoring is down, as is starting guard C.J. Rivers, a Cahokia native, and the Bulldogs' brilliant 3-point shooting has plummeted to less than 36 percent. The Bulldogs (5-12, 0-5 Missouri Valley Conference) average 69.3 points per game for the season and hit that once in five league games, a 10-point home loss to Indiana State Jan. 6. Rivers broke his left hand, which is his shooting hand, and could be done for the season, according to Drake coach Ray Giacoletti.
Rivers' 32 assists rank third on the team, and his defensive ability is one reason Drake is allowing an average of 74.8 points per game in league play, last in the Valley.
Southern Illinois University coach Barry Hinson has helped the Salukis (15-3, 4-1 MVC) to their first 6-0 road record in history, but was cautious about Drake's potential heading into Sunday's game at the Knapp Center in Des Moines. The Bulldogs still have four players shooting 40 percent or better from the 3-point line, one of them sophomore Reed Timmer (17.1 points per game), who is putting together another all-conference season.
"We have not defended the 3 very well in the last two ballgames, and now we're going to play a team that's very good at shooting the 3, so it's obviously a concern of mine," Hinson said. "Defending the ball itself and your ball-screen defense, and that's where we have to improve. We're not very good at that right now. We have to do a better job of just guarding the ball."
SIU surrendered 13 3-pointers - on 28 attempts - in last week's 71-68 victory over Illinois State. Wichita State, the Valley leader by a game entering Sunday, made 12 of 24 behind the arc at SIU Arena in the Salukis' biggest loss of the season (83-58). SIU showed some of its defensive potential in the final seven minutes against the Redbirds, which opened the door to an eight-point comeback. Up 67-59 with 7:08 to play, Illinois State managed only two field goals the rest of the way.
SIU has also excelled away from Carbondale during its record stretch. The Salukis actually average more points on the road this season (78.5) than at home (76.3) and are holding opponents to 23.1 percent from the 3-point line in six road victories. The Salukis are shooting 45 percent for the season from behind the arc on the road.
Timmer, a 6-foot-1, 186-pound guard that is shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 47.3 percent from the 3-point line and 79.1 percent at the free-throw line, has returned to his more natural position this season. Giacoletti needs more of his perimeter players to do a better job of sharing the basketball. Drake is 5-2 this season when it has 13 or more assists.
"The thing right now, we need to have a two-point guard mentality of making others better," Giacoletti said. "He can really drive the basketball. He can get to the hole with his size and get himself to the free-throw line, so, I think those things he's really worked hard at."
SIU has won two of its last three against Drake in Des Moines after losing four of five at the Knapp Center. The Salukis will get redshirt freshman forward Austin Weiher back after he missed the win over Illinois State with concussion-type symptoms. Weiher averages 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
Conference play greeted Drake's men's basketball team with its first five-game losing streak for a multitude of reasons.
Scoring is down, as is starting guard C.J. Rivers, a Cahokia native, and the Bulldogs' brilliant 3-point shooting has plummeted to less than 36 percent. The Bulldogs (5-12, 0-5 Missouri Valley Conference) average 69.3 points per game for the season and hit that once in five league games, a 10-point home loss to Indiana State Jan. 6. Rivers broke his left hand, which is his shooting hand, and could be done for the season, according to Drake coach Ray Giacoletti.
Rivers' 32 assists rank third on the team, and his defensive ability is one reason Drake is allowing an average of 74.8 points per game in league play, last in the Valley.
Southern Illinois University coach Barry Hinson has helped the Salukis (15-3, 4-1 MVC) to their first 6-0 road record in history, but was cautious about Drake's potential heading into Sunday's game at the Knapp Center in Des Moines. The Bulldogs still have four players shooting 40 percent or better from the 3-point line, one of them sophomore Reed Timmer (17.1 points per game), who is putting together another all-conference season.
"We have not defended the 3 very well in the last two ballgames, and now we're going to play a team that's very good at shooting the 3, so it's obviously a concern of mine," Hinson said. "Defending the ball itself and your ball-screen defense, and that's where we have to improve. We're not very good at that right now. We have to do a better job of just guarding the ball."
SIU surrendered 13 3-pointers - on 28 attempts - in last week's 71-68 victory over Illinois State. Wichita State, the Valley leader by a game entering Sunday, made 12 of 24 behind the arc at SIU Arena in the Salukis' biggest loss of the season (83-58). SIU showed some of its defensive potential in the final seven minutes against the Redbirds, which opened the door to an eight-point comeback. Up 67-59 with 7:08 to play, Illinois State managed only two field goals the rest of the way.
SIU has also excelled away from Carbondale during its record stretch. The Salukis actually average more points on the road this season (78.5) than at home (76.3) and are holding opponents to 23.1 percent from the 3-point line in six road victories. The Salukis are shooting 45 percent for the season from behind the arc on the road.
Timmer, a 6-foot-1, 186-pound guard that is shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 47.3 percent from the 3-point line and 79.1 percent at the free-throw line, has returned to his more natural position this season. Giacoletti needs more of his perimeter players to do a better job of sharing the basketball. Drake is 5-2 this season when it has 13 or more assists.
"The thing right now, we need to have a two-point guard mentality of making others better," Giacoletti said. "He can really drive the basketball. He can get to the hole with his size and get himself to the free-throw line, so, I think those things he's really worked hard at."
SIU has won two of its last three against Drake in Des Moines after losing four of five at the Knapp Center. The Salukis will get redshirt freshman forward Austin Weiher back after he missed the win over Illinois State with concussion-type symptoms. Weiher averages 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
Loop
Live in Des Moines. They are "supposedly" changing the lineup today. To be honest, I don't know if it matters. The "only" thing that jumps out at me is the line seems low at -4. Yes, it is a televised game. That only magnifies the opportunity to be embarrassed. I can't imagine a crowd of consequence because the boards around here are all so negative. And, it's -11 here this AM.
That said, "even a blind sow finds ?occasionally"
I like the the Salukis today. Sometimes the obvious side is the right side.
Just a side note, some days the ball won't go in the hole. UNI was REALLY sad yesterday. At one pint late in the game they were 4 of 16 in the second half. On their own floor.
Live in Des Moines. They are "supposedly" changing the lineup today. To be honest, I don't know if it matters. The "only" thing that jumps out at me is the line seems low at -4. Yes, it is a televised game. That only magnifies the opportunity to be embarrassed. I can't imagine a crowd of consequence because the boards around here are all so negative. And, it's -11 here this AM.
That said, "even a blind sow finds ?occasionally"
I like the the Salukis today. Sometimes the obvious side is the right side.
Just a side note, some days the ball won't go in the hole. UNI was REALLY sad yesterday. At one pint late in the game they were 4 of 16 in the second half. On their own floor.
Spent a lot of time on this game...SIU away has won by 21,13,15 and 30...not vs good teams Bradley,St L,Murray and North Texas...they lost to some good Vally teams in No Iowa and Wichita.
Drake also was soundly beaten by those 2..they also at home lostto Ind St by 10 and Illi st by 5...SIU can score,shoot the 3 and rebound..Drake can hit the 3 and are 11th in FG%...but I have the line at -6-8..so will make a small play on SIU since I don't capp many Valley games..I know Beane is SIU's top player and a good perimeter defender...lean towards the Salukis..
Drake also was soundly beaten by those 2..they also at home lostto Ind St by 10 and Illi st by 5...SIU can score,shoot the 3 and rebound..Drake can hit the 3 and are 11th in FG%...but I have the line at -6-8..so will make a small play on SIU since I don't capp many Valley games..I know Beane is SIU's top player and a good perimeter defender...lean towards the Salukis..
