If I told you the Jays would go on the road and gut out a tough, gritty win against a probable NCAA Tourney team, would that be something you'd be interested in?
Well, that's exactly what happened on Wednesday in Springfield, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. The win is huge in so many respects. For the team, the Jays now own a sweep against one of the two teams they're likely to be fighting with for an NCAA Tourney berth, and they go to 7-3 in the conference, tied for first place. For Anthony Tolliver, he finally gets a win in his hometown after three previous visits ended in losses, and he contributes 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks to the effort. For Nate Funk, who scored 9 consecutive points during one stretch of the second half, and had 21 points, 4 assists and 3 HUGE free throws in the final minute of the game. For Nick Porter, who put the team on his back for stretches of both halves before fouling out with 3 minutes remaining, exiting with 18 points and 6 big rebounds.
This game was about the Seniors refusing to lose. Funk, Tolliver and Porter took turns putting the team on their backs, and the fourth senior, Manny Gakou, even gave Tolliver a breather here and there and managed to contribute in a mostly positive fashion (I'm trying to be nice here, give me a break, will ya?).
Beyond the seniors, other players also had big nights. 6 points and 10 brawny rebounds were the contribution from Dane Watts, the third year junior (thank you, Scott Schumacher, for telling me he's a third-year junior. I could not have discerned this from the fact that he's a junior. Dude.). Pierce Hibma had another solid night defensively, and even pulled down a couple of rebounds for good measure. Nick Bahe hit a couple of big shots and put in 25 good minutes both spelling Funk and playing alongside him in the backcourt.
You really have to look hard to find things to complain about in this game. Or at least, I do; its a road win in the Valley, after all! Isacc Miles had a rough night -- the first year Freshman (again, thank you Scott Schumacher; this is now my preferred way of describing players' eligibility) was off on his shot all night, kept jacking 'em up anyway, and spent most of the first half on the bench in foul trouble. And Josh Dotzler, the second-year sophomore, wow. Here's the thing. He's the ultimate Chicken-And-Egg player right now: he needs to get minutes to get in game shape, but he's not in good enough game shape to be getting minutes. Holy biscuits, he looked about 900 steps slow at times. He'll get there, but man alive is it tough to watch in the meantime.
The defense was for the most part, superb. Missouri State averages just over 76 points a game, and Creighton kept them out of rhythm all night. Blake Ahearn, the guy who can drain a three from anywhere in three surrounding states as long as he isn't asked to dribble to create said shot, did manage 4 threes but all but one were ridiculous. I define any three-pointer more than 6 feet beyond the arc as "ridiculous", and 3 of his were of this variety. He's good.
Ahearn has to be face-guarded at all times, because unlike most players, he WILL shoot it from half-court if he's open. And the hell of it is, he'll make it about 50% of the time. Great, great set shooter, and man is he frustrating if you allow him open looks. The Jays did not tonight, and that was a big key to the win.
You can't overlook the absolutely horrible free throw shooting by Missouri State, though. 16-28 at home just ain't gonna cut it. I mean, that's a bad percentage on the road, but at home? If you're Missouri State, you say to yourself, 'We shot 57% on free shots for the game, and that just does not get it done'. They shoot their season average, they win this game going away. Hell, for that matter if they make their free throws in Omaha, its them with a season sweep, not Creighton. Basketball is funny sometimes, isn't it?
***
To win the Valley, you need to probably hold serve at home and steal 3 on the road -- putting you at 12-6 in the league. The Jays have their 3 road wins now (Evansville, UNI, Missouri State) but the home loss to SIU means they still need to steal one more roady. Here's where I think the teams will finish (only ranking the top 6, since the the other 4 aren't going to the postseason):
1 - Southern Illinois 12-6 (via tiebreaker vs CU and UNI)
1 - Creighton 12-6 (via tiebreaker vs UNI)
1 - Northern Iowa 12-6
4 - Missouri State 11-7
5 - Bradley 9-9
6 - Wichita State 8-10
A three-way tie for first, with Southern taking the crown because of tiebreakers. Unless I totally misunderstand how the tiebreaker system works, in which case either the Jays or UNI win it. Either way, those three teams are all going 12-6 in the league and will be in the NCAA Tourney. Missouri State will be sweating it out, again, but will probably get it. Bradley and Wichita are NITpicking.
From the Jays perspective, this is assuming they hold serve at home the rest of the way, drop the road games in Carbondale and Peoria, and steal a road win in either Des Moines or Normal. If they manage to win both, they're 13-5. And if -- God help us -- they do that AND pull off a win in Peoria? 14-4. I still think they go 12-6, but the possibility for greater greatness is there.
***
Ah, its time for another tall, cool glass of Heee-Haw Soda -- which by connection, means its also time for the Player Of The Game. Tonight, it goes to the seniors. Here's the combined line of the seniors:
52 points
15 boards
10 assists
18-33 FG's
12-15 FT's
That's pretty awesome stuff. You bet.
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