PSU = Trap Game + That DAM CUP!

[LDopaPDX]

What the hell is wrong with some of the people posting on this board. Let's all freak out like little children. We lost a game. Big deal. A lot of basketball left and we are at the top of the conference. Settle down. Why do fans have to act so emotional about a loss.

This is a good team that didn't play well today. Big deal. We got one of the best offensive players in the nation back after missing several games. That is great. We need to get Venky Jois healthy for the conference tourney.

Take an Ativan and chill out people.

I think a lot of people are dreaming of a conference tourney in Cheney, and this team is capable of providing one. With today's loss, only running the table makes that a lock (I think; I believe the tie-breaker would be head-to-head records followed by records against the next best teams. In that scenario with Eastern winning out, we'd be 2-0 against #3 Montana while Sac State was 1-0, thus giving Eastern the tie-breaker if both teams run from here).

I'm not a big basketball guy, but I'd aspire to see Eastern play in the mode of evil Gonzaga. That's a team that plays a giant lot of mediocre and outright shitty teams every single year, and they ultimately make the tourney every year because they just don't give up games against those shitty teams. That's where we need to get to... a team that routinely beats lesser opponents. Before today, every one of the 5 losses was explainable. But today's loss just came straight out of left field... Eastern got beat by a much lower class of opponent.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Thanks, Idaho. :thumb:

 

[GoldenEagle]

The conference tightens up tonight. I hate to say it, but thanks Vandals.

the griz got a gift from a horrible call i triple over time.

 

[JPN17]

Tough loss, but not the end of the world. The depth of this team is really being tested right now. No Jois or Washington today, and it didn't appear to me that Harvey was at 100%. My guess would be he wouldn't have played if Jois had been able to go. There's still a lot of games left and this team is going to be alright. Idaho helped out today, meaning the Eagles are still in first place!

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

Did anyone get the attendance tonight? I missed it. Another great crowd, saw people I have never seen before at Reece Court. We are bringing out more Eagle Fans to the games. Like someone have said before, if you have a winning program, the crowd will come. We have a winning program, and just keep moving forward, the crowds will get better. Vic Wallace

 

[tomq04]

Any new faces that went to that game won't be coming back.

I hear we have a tough road stretch next week?

 

[Rafter_Reese]

Any new faces that went to that game won't be coming back.

I hear we have a tough road stretch next week?

I would have to completely disagree with the last comment. Fans know we're 10 - 2. Last time I checked that's a pretty solid record. Fans also know that this is college basketball, and that upsets can happen to any team on any given night. Even the causal fan knows that. Causal fans also know we beat Indiana in one of the toughest places in America to play. What will be key is hosting the tourney. Casual fans tend to have a short-term memory when teams continue to win. They'll be back. That's what winning does--it brings'em back. This team is filled with guys that are winners. They have heart. :nod:

We have been an amazing road team this year also. Even as unhealthy as we've been all year. These next two road games will be tough because ALL road games are tough in ANY sport. This road trip will be challenging, just like all the others we've been on this year were challenging. There's no such thing as an easy road trip. There's not even such a thing as an easy home stand. Every coach (and hopefully every fan) knows that. I think even the casual fan can appreciate what we have done this year. Let's just get healthy for the conference tourney. That's all that matters!!!


From the Rafters....
go eags!

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

SirGarethThe3rd,
I am glad I re-read the blog from (steviekick), again today. I taught you had written something like we pissed down our leg, talking about the BB Team. Once I read that, I started checking myself, :lol: :lol: :lol: make sure it didn't happen to me. Did you get the attendance of last night game? I didn't realize we had such a bad record against PSU. Forgot what they were, but bad. I think we got 3 points from their turnovers, they got 17 from ours. It seems like we always have problems with PSU in either football, or basketball. They always play us very hard, we didn't help ourselves the way we played last night either. See you Feb 26th,/28th, since you doesn't attend the Women Games which is this week. We are still in the Drivers Seat, we just need to clean up our problems, what ever they are. Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[Sylvergunsuperman]

SirGarethThe3rd,
I am glad I re-read the blog from (steviekick), again today. I taught you had written something like we pissed down our leg, talking about the BB Team. Once I read that, I started checking myself, :lol: :lol: :lol: make sure it didn't happen to me. Did you get the attendance of last night game? I didn't realize we had such a bad record against PSU. Forgot what they were, but bad. I think we got 3 points from their turnovers, they got 17 from ours. It seems like we always have problems with PSU in either football, or basketball. They always play us very hard, we didn't help ourselves the way we played last night either. See you Feb 26th,/28th, since you doesn't attend the Women Games which is this week. We are still in the Drivers Seat, we just need to clean up our problems, what ever they are. Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

:lol: :lol: No Vic, I did not hear the number of fans. Probably close to 3k. 2500 maybe.

 

[sammamisheag]

EWU has no one that can score inside and rebound.

Regardless of where the BSC tourney is held, if EWU is healthy their the best team.

 

[EWUEagleEye]

I sure hope everyone has had a chance to calm down a bit. I had my in-laws at my house during Saturday's game so I couldn't tweet or comment or even let the raw emotions out at all.

Bottom line... This is a very good team that has gone through a tremendous amount of adversity while winning 19 games to date.

The Eagles struggled for a variety of reasons:
1) Tyler Harvey was way off, he'll get better, but imagine one practice in two weeks and suddenly the teams needs you to shoot the lights out... bad recipe.
2) The team went the first 15 or so games with the same line up and same personnel available throughout. Since then they've had about 4 different starting line ups. They have missed their usual personnel in practice as well.
3) Young players and less talented players have been asked to fill in multiple spots and spots outside their normal positions eg Garrett Moon starting and primary defending guards on the perimeter, or Bogdan seeing significant minutes at the 3, 4 and 5 spots... in the same game.
4) They were just coming off a very intense and emotional win over Sacramento State. They also finally had the feeling of "the Band being all back together" with Venky and Tyler both apparently healthy enough to go until 15 minutes before game time when Venky informed Coach he just couldn't go. That is a potent cocktail of emotion for young men to deal with.
5) Portland State is a decently talented and very well coached team. They beat a Pac 12 team this season, and last I checked it's been a long time since Eastern has done that.
6) this was a rivalry game for PSU, they want to beat EWU every time they play and always bring their best against the Eagles.
7) The Eagles are the most talented team in the Big Sky by a wide margin, however no team's #3 through #10 or #12 is as good as its #1 through #12. We were without #2 Venky Jois and had only 50% of our #1. We also lost our 2nd or third best perimeter defender (Sir Washington). That thins down the talent advantage substantially.


Ok /vent off

We are in great shape. One more win clinches a Big Sky Tournament berth and in fact clinches at least a #7 seed. Two more wins clinches at least a #4 seed. That's pretty darn good with 6 games to go.

#GoEags

 

[EWU98]

I sure hope everyone has had a chance to calm down a bit. I had my in-laws at my house during Saturday's game so I couldn't tweet or comment or even let the raw emotions out at all.

Bottom line... This is a very good team that has gone through a tremendous amount of adversity while winning 19 games to date.

The Eagles struggled for a variety of reasons:
1) Tyler Harvey was way off, he'll get better, but imagine one practice in two weeks and suddenly the teams needs you to shoot the lights out... bad recipe.
2) The team went the first 15 or so games with the same line up and same personnel available throughout. Since then they've had about 4 different starting line ups. They have missed their usual personnel in practice as well.
3) Young players and less talented players have been asked to fill in multiple spots and spots outside their normal positions eg Garrett Moon starting and primary defending guards on the perimeter, or Bogdan seeing significant minutes at the 3, 4 and 5 spots... in the same game.
4) They were just coming off a very intense and emotional win over Sacramento State. They also finally had the feeling of "the Band being all back together" with Venky and Tyler both apparently healthy enough to go until 15 minutes before game time when Venky informed Coach he just couldn't go. That is a potent cocktail of emotion for young men to deal with.
5) Portland State is a decently talented and very well coached team. They beat a Pac 12 team this season, and last I checked it's been a long time since Eastern has done that.
6) this was a rivalry game for PSU, they want to beat EWU every time they play and always bring their best against the Eagles.
7) The Eagles are the most talented team in the Big Sky by a wide margin, however no team's #3 through #10 or #12 is as good as its #1 through #12. We were without #2 Venky Jois and had only 50% of our #1. We also lost our 2nd or third best perimeter defender (Sir Washington). That thins down the talent advantage substantially.


Ok /vent off

We are in great shape. One more win clinches a Big Sky Tournament berth and in fact clinches at least a #7 seed. Two more wins clinches at least a #4 seed. That's pretty darn good with 6 games to go.

#GoEags

Fyi Some of those comments that took place during the game was a troll who got removed.
I agree we need some inside play...whats the deal with Jaws (our 7 fter)?

 

[EWU98]

Also another thing I noticed is that PSU was very physical with our players and we didn't seem have an answer for that.

 

[EWUEagleEye]

[/quote]
Fyi Some of those comments that took place during the game was a troll who got removed.
I agree we need some inside play...whats the deal with Jaws (our 7 fter)?[/quote]

Big Fred is young still and he has a long ways to go athletically. Coach Hayford has nothing but praise for him. He said Fred is the best teammate and most coachable player anyone could ask for.

He also emphasizes everytime I ask about Fred that, "It just takes time to develop for those big guys."

Look for Big Fred to make big time improvements over the next couple of years... if Coach is right!

 

[EWUEagleEye]

Also another thing I noticed is that PSU was very physical with our players and we didn't seem have an answer for that.

That's a good point. Our answer to that was nailing FT's... unfortunately Bogdan didn't have his best game, OG played an outside-in game so he wasn't as much of a factor as you'd hope, and Garrett is undersized and focuses more on defense so he tends to get lost on offense... basically our answer should have been Venky, but ankle... and Bogdan, but tough day for the freshman.

Another answer would have been Tyler Harvey at normal production... if he hits his normal 40-50% he scores about 12 to 15 more points and we win big, PSU was able to focus on defending the paint because Tyler just had an off night.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

EWUEagleEye,
I noticed how rough they were playing against us, the same as Sac State. Once we start to respond, the whistle is blown against us. I always check out the officials when they come on the court, and I know when we are going to get "SCREWED" This have been a very rough 20 years watching the Big Sky Officials at Reese Court. Maybe one day they will get better. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: This weekend I will be worried about the trip to flagstaff, the trip from the Airport is long and tiresome, altitude could be some problems. This is crunch time, and I think they will be ready. "Big Dance" in March. :nod: :nod: :nod: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
I am hoping Saturday was the one game we had to lose, we played poorly, missed a lot of shots, etc. The other 6 games will be very big, and I know Coach H. he will get them ready. This has been a great year for our MBB/WBB Teams. Possibility we could get a game or two here? Just hoping and keeping my fingers and toes crossed :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :clap: :clap: :clap: Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[EWUEagleEye]

Vic,

PSU was definitely playing very physical, as a side note Coach said that he expects the same this week, he specified that SUU or NAU commits the most fouls in the conference and EWU commits the least... unfortunately I couldn't hear which team he was talking about

One thing to watch for is officials trying to call the game "evenly" often they try to keep the foul numbers close... that can be a big problem for Eastern at times with our depth limited somewhat at the moment.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

EWUEagleEye,
Glad to see our WBB Team is getting some ink, and glad they brought back the Dam Cup back to EWU. :nod: :nod: :nod: :clap: :clap: :clap: They have an outstanding Team, and very smart ladies. Melissa Williams will be greatly missed, when she graduates, "Biology Major" She can play the game, shoot, block, etc. She makes baskets from all over the court. Don't get me wrong, there are other ladies on the team that can really ball, they are very impressive to watch them play. If you can, check out each of the Players GPA, some very intelligent young ladies, they are Ladies I know their Parents are very "PROUD OF", I love them as if they were my own daughters away from home. If you can check the Ladies out, you will see what I am talking about. Take care, & Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[EWUEagleEye]

EWUEagleEye,
Glad to see our WBB Team is getting some ink, and glad they brought back the Dam Cup back to EWU. :nod: :nod: :nod: :clap: :clap: :clap: They have an outstanding Team, and very smart ladies. Melissa Williams will be greatly missed, when she graduates, "Biology Major" She can play the game, shoot, block, etc. She makes baskets from all over the court. Don't get me wrong, there are other ladies on the team that can really ball, they are very impressive to watch them play. If you can, check out each of the Players GPA, some very intelligent young ladies, they are Ladies I know their Parents are very "PROUD OF", I love them as if they were my own daughters away from home. If you can check the Ladies out, you will see what I am talking about. Take care, & Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

Thanks Vic.

My sister works with Jade Redmon's mom and has been pestering me to write some about them as well. I am trying but its a lot of work. I am interviewing Coach Schuller tomorrow morning so I will post that tomorrow. They play very sound ball for the most part. I think I will learn a lot about the fundamentals from watching them.