The Shockers are staying here today. They practice at 11 a.m. at Illinois Wesleyan (former home of Jack Sikma). Tonight, they will go to Robertson Field House to watch the WSU women play Bradley in a matchup of the MVC’s worst teams. Both are winless. Friday, WSU buses south to Carbondale. Saturday, it’s SIU in a 2 p.m. game.
Some leftovers from Wednesday’s 72-51 loss to Illinois State.
- I will take the Redbirds as the Valley’s best team and Osiris Eldridge as the best player. What makes the Redbirds work is their depth. By my count, they have nine legit MVC-quality starting players. I think ISU will beat Drake on Saturday, in a game I really wish was televised.
- WSU’s Gal Mekel had seven points and two turnovers and never got rattled against constant pressure from two guards who were in his face and talking all game. Gal pushed back a couple times. He gave WSU a really nice effort, especially considering his bad back. SIU will be another challenge. WSU needs Bret Michael back. He can give Gal a few minutes rest and keep the offense running.
- ISU coach Tim Jankovich made sure to explain his final timeout to WSU coach Gregg Marshall. He called a 30 second break to get in his deep reserves with 1:39 to play. It turned into a media timeout. Jankovich explained that to Marshall after the game. “I wanted to make sure he knew I wasn’t trying to delay the pain,” Jankovich said. “I didn’t realize it was going to be a media. I thought they would just roll it and we would get them in.”
- Give Jankovich credit for thinking outside the box against WSU’s 2-3 zone. He put 6-11 Levi Dyer at the top of the zone, knowing WSU would have to guard him, and often put 5-8 guard Boo Richardson or 6-1 guard Dom Johnson in the lane to act as a passer. Dyer did not score much but he did have five assists. The move helped spread the WSU zone and got the Redbirds some easy baskets.
- Drake remained unbeaten with a last-second shot Wednesday. At 15-1 and 6-0 in the MVC, it’s time to stop doubting the Bulldogs. “For a while you think maybe they’re just riding the wave,” Jankovich said. “I don’t think they’re riding the wave. They must be for real.”