Great Effort Gaels

[GuyF]

Some of you REALLY need to calm down.

1. This was our first game, and Purdue's 3rd. Makes a BIG difference.

2. As such, this was the first D-1 game for Ridley, who didn't have a CLUE what he was doing defensively--that's why he sat in favor of Dezouvre. Once some of the newbies learn where the hell they're supposed to be defensively, we'll be much better.

3. Armand still struggles defensively--that's why you saw more Jenkins and Smyth in the second half.

4. Hummel is an All-American for a reason. We won't see a player that good again this season.

5. Purdue may be the best team we face. That should be ENCOURAGING, not DIScouraging.

6. I don't give a rat's ass about an at-large. Win the damn championship.

7. This team will absolutely obliterate the MAAC. 16-2 minimum.

8. Agree, however, that we must beat Western Michigan tomorrow. Early prediction for Sunday is we'll see Colorado, another winnable game. 2-1 against this field with the loss coming against a very likely tourney champ is nothing to sneeze at.

9. Some of you need to stop stressing and enjoy the fact that we're looking at back-to-back 25-win seasons around here.

10. I'm going to the beach tomorrow morning, so there!

[dangaelfan]

I was pleasantly surprised by Taaj Ridley and the fire that he plays with. He was a complete unknown for me and is an effective replacement for Alejo Rodriguez, who had provided some size for us. What a difference in Mike Glover's effectiveness today amongst some bigger bodies. I was hoping he would have performed like he did against Syracuse last year......but as a Wooden Preseason Nominee....he will not catch any team by surprise this year. They swarmed on him with 2 guys as soon as he touched the ball and was often too far from the basket to be effective, taking some low percentage shots that weren't falling.....unlike last year.

[St. Louis Gael]

Nov 17, 2011 19:14:32 GMT -5 oldtimer said:

I know it was a disappointing loss, but a realistic view should be kept in mind. The old bugaboo struck again. I had that feeling even when we took the lead with a few seconds left that we were gonna lose. I guess over the years I've been conditioned to it, but it's still hard to take. Looking at the bright side though, it was an excellent game and Iona proved to all those watching and listening throughout the country that we are a force to be reckoned with. Time heals all wounds, and after a string of victories this game will be only a distasteful memory.

From the little that I have seen of the team in practice and in today's game, I firmly believe that we will have a superior season. So buck up fellas -- good times lie ahead.

Hope I'll be able to post more frequently in the coming weeks when my right arm improves.

Now, I believe that we just won a huge one. OT drops a "trey" on all of us. Welcome back!

[Cjb]

Crazy at work today and saw nothing, but was able to get a halftime score and was told that Purdue had tied the score with a last second Hail Mary heave - bad omen I thought.

Joebird, I feel your pain. Signature win opportunities don't come along very often and losing by a point is so damn painful (not to mention familiar) - I think it may have been easier for me to swallow a 10 point loss.

Agree with those who say that not being our first game may have made a difference.

I hope our guys use this tough loss as motivation to come out and drill our next two opponents down there.

Taj sounds like a nice addition who should contribute.

A little concerned with the comments I'm reading about Glove - did he look that out of sync?

This hurts, but I'm confident we'll be fine, just would have been nice to have this as a W come March.

Go Gaels!

[St. Louis Gael]

Just looked at the box score. 3 guys with double doubles. 20 assists - we will not lose any more games in which we have 20 assists. 43-42 edge in rebounds.

What really catches my eye is that we were unable to get a shot off in the final 20 seconds. I have to believe that, if we have Scott in there, we control that final 20 seconds. I don't know if we win it, but we get shot off. I feel really good about this team, especially when we tighten up our D.