NDSU women start their quest for 9th as they fall to UNO
NDSU 52 UNO 77
SDSU travels to NDSU Sunday
NDSU is going to have some serious "competition" for that 9th place race from Denver. It sounds like both teams dressed only seven players last night. Getting to play one of these two as the #1 seed will be a nice bonus for whichever team earns it.
On the men's side, ORU and their high RPI were the first to demonstrate that it is going to be hard to get a bunch of wins on the road this year. They seem to be getting exposed now, having lost five straight. Two of those losses were to teams with an RPI of 200+. In their defense, Fort Wayne is always a tough place to win. The Mastadons are sitting pretty at 11-4, and have won four straight. Their next game is at home vs. USD, which will be interesting.
NDSU is going to have some serious "competition" for that 9th place race from Denver. It sounds like both teams dressed only seven players last night. Getting to play one of these two as the #1 seed will be a nice bonus for whichever team earns it.
On the men's side, ORU and their high RPI were the first to demonstrate that it is going to be hard to get a bunch of wins on the road this year. They seem to be getting exposed now, having lost five straight. Two of those losses were to teams with an RPI of 200+. In their defense, Fort Wayne is always a tough place to win. The Mastadons are sitting pretty at 11-4, and have won four straight. Their next game is at home vs. USD, which will be interesting.
ORU seems like the type of program that lives and dies off momentum. When they are winning, their spirits are high and they are darn near impossible to beat. When they are on a losing streak, their players' attitude stinks and they might just roll over. They gave up in the final seconds when we beat them the first time in Sioux Falls, Morrison gave up multiple times against us, and Oregano gave up in last year's game in Brookings (something he never did when he played for WIU).
Their next five games are USD, @Denver, NDSU, @IUPUI, @WIU, and SDSU. If upcoming games against USD, NDSU, and SDSU were played on the road instead of in Tulsa, they would finish in the bottom half of the league standings, IMO.
“I used to be with it. But then they changed what it was. Now what I’m with isn’t it, and what’s it seems scary and wierd. It’ll happen to you.” — Abe Simpson
The Golden Eagles will still be a handful at home in Mabee Center. They will not be easy regardless of their current streak. The attitude at ORU does have some quirks to it and it seems there is a steady turnover of players every year as players fall into Sutton's doghouse. Emegano will be the first offensive threat for ORU and he will be challenged WIU's Covington for scoring leader in the Summit as go to player on a team. If neither of those teams develop more balance, it will do little to have an individual offensive star. Meanwhile, I would expect the Golden Eagles to stop the bleeding when the coyotes show up in Tulsa.
Best to remember these are kids and they are doing everything they can to entertain us, be scholars, and all in all be great humans. Jackedforlife
ORU seems like the type of program that lives and dies off momentum. When they are winning, their spirits are high and they are darn near impossible to beat. When they are on a losing streak, their players' attitude stinks and they might just roll over. They gave up in the final seconds when we beat them the first time in Sioux Falls, Morrison gave up multiple times against us, and Oregano gave up in last year's game in Brookings (something he never did when he played for WIU).
Their next five games are USD, @Denver, NDSU, @IUPUI, @WIU, and SDSU. If upcoming games against USD, NDSU, and SDSU were played on the road instead of in Tulsa, they would finish in the bottom half of the league standings, IMO.
Losing at home to IUPUI is very costly for team that has dreams of finishing high in the standings. Ouch.
IUPUI might be a bit better than some think as well. They played a brutal OOC schedule. Losses include Butler, Memphis, Creighton, Mo State, Purdue, Ball St, Georgia St., South Alabama, Kennesaw St. NC State, and Marquette. The Jags could be a handful for anyone on their home court.
Also, the Yotes might not be as good as they hoped.
Best to remember these are kids and they are doing everything they can to entertain us, be scholars, and all in all be great humans. Jackedforlife
The league is up and running at full speed today. There are some interesting matchups.
Men's:
- USD is in a tough spot after their stumble at home. They play at ORU today and then go on to IPFW on Wednesday. They will have to pull of an upset to avoid an 0-3 start. ORU is favored by 6.5 tonight. This one is on ESPN3 at 7:00.
- IUPUI has a chance to back up their nice win at USD by picking up another at Omaha. Omaha is looking to start of 2-0 after a decent OOC season. Omaha is favored by 9.
- The Slow Bowl goes down in Fargo. Denver is on the back half of a road trip and probably will fall short in a close game. It's hard to imagine either one of these teams getting too far ahead.
- WIU and their impressive guard play come to Frost after suffering a very tough loss at Omaha a few days ago. The Jacks are favored by 13.
The women's side is a lot less intriguing.
- IUPUI should handle ORU easily at home.
- WIU is at Omaha in a game between two (very) mediocre teams.
- SDSU gets a chance to avenge a painful loss from last season at a really bad NDSU team.
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