Perhaps I was a bit too optimistic earlier this week in my recap of the Missouri State game, because it seems like I'm the only one who thinks the scenario I laid out for the final eight games is possible. Your emails told me so. Here's my favorite of the bunch (oh, and everything in quotes is sic'd):
"Hey Polyfro/Max, can I have some of what you're drinking? what about the Jays play through 23 games gives you confidence they can suddenly reel off 6 wins in 8 games?
The Jays took a dump in the paint against both Drake and Northern Iowa at home, so how can you say with a straight face that the Jays will beat both of them this week on the road? how can you think they will win at Southern Illinois? we haven't won their since Ryan Sears was still running the point. how can you think the Jays can beat Illinois State, when all the evidence we have points to them being a quicker, more athletic, taller version of us? please explain your self."
First of all, if I'm going to give you some of what I'm drinking, I'm going to have to ask to see your ID, because this ain't Kool-Aid junior. Its Pabst Blue Ribbon, and its delicious. Normally I wouldn't offer a cold brew to someone who had just torched me, but the world you live in seems so negative and awful that I think you need it more than I do. Here, take the rest of the case. And you're welcome.
You know, he does raise a good point though. What about the Jays performance through 23 games gives me reason to believe in them now? Nothing, as their inconsistency means they're just as likely to come out and dominate Drake tonight as they are to come out flat and lose by 15. I just have a feeling they've turned a corner and they're ready to sprint down the straight-away. I might be wrong. But if I'm right...
*****
Tonight's game in Des Moines is the first time in many years that I won't be making the trek across I-80 to the Knapp Center. I had planned on taking in the game with my college roommate John like I always do, but being only 3-1/2 weeks into my new job at a zoinks busy ad agency, I don't have any vacation time built up to take off early. And this isn't exactly the sort of economy where you want to start asking for extraneous favors.
So I'll be watching the game on Action 3 from the relative comforts of my couch, trying not to pull my hair out as I listen to the dulcet tones of Travis Justice. Put it this way, I think I'll have similar follicle characteristics as Kojak come tomorrow.
If any of you will be at the game, feel free to send your stories and/or commentary along, and I'll be happy to post them. The withdrawal from not being to able to share redonkulous stories about road trips to Des Moines is making my head hurt, so help me out, please? Remember the time the avant garde tentpeople -- OK, the Northwest Iowa Energizers -- were the halftime entertainment? Ah, good times.
Its an interesting matchup, because Drake beat Creighton in Omaha two weeks ago in a game the Jays gave away down the stretch. Which Iowan will pick up the Pierce Hibma "Hot in Des Moines" torch? Casey Harriman? Kaleb Korver? So help us, Dustin Sitzmann?
One Big Paragraph With Lots O'Dots (TM): Drake comes in a pedestrian 14-9 overall and 5-6 in the league, dropping five of their last six. The only win was the victory in Omaha ... Before last season's campaign, hovering around .500 this late in the season would have been cause for celebration in Des Moines. Alas, the honeymoon is over ... The Bulldogs average just a shade over 5,100 a game, so you can expect a healthy contingent of Jays fans in the building for the shortest road trip of the conference slate ... Their struggles are no fault of preseason All-MVC picks Josh Young and Jonathan Cox, who average 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Cox grabs an average of almost 9 boards a night ... The all-time series is a ridiculous 86-56 in favor of Creighton; the 142 meetings are far-and-away the most of any opponent ... The Bulldogs have a 35-31 edge in Des Moines.
The Last Time They Played: Drake's only win in the last six games came ten days ago in Omaha. The 74-62 win was the Bulldogs fourth straight over the Jays.
Jimmy The Greek Memorial Odds: Creighton by 1.5
Gratuitous Linkage: Dave Letterman's 9 Most Hilariously Awkward Moments. With the video clips to enjoy! You're welcome. Dave is the best.
Official Gametime Snack: I'm thinkin' Chili Cheese Fritos are sounding pretty good right about now. Am I right?
The totally random song I'd play right now if I were still a radio DJ: In honor of the convoy of Jays fans trekking across I-80 today -- and I wish I was one of them, trust me -- here's Omaha's own C.W. McCall, later to be famous as Mannheim Steamroller, singing the 1970s novelty hit "Convoy."
Prediction: The Jays get unexpected scoring from their Iowans, Korver and Harriman, and hold off a late rally by the Bulldogs. Jays 66, Drake 61.
