2 MVC Tournament semifinal games Saturday, March 9

[Da Coach]

The 2 semifinal games Saturday, March 9 will be:
#5 seed Bradley vs. #1 seed Loyola at 2:35 pm
#6 seed Northern Iowa vs. #2 seed Drake at 5:05 pm

[Go_Braves]

I knew it - I knew it - Ben Jacobson is a heck of a coach and he's been "tuning" his Northern Iowa team all season for this tournament.. The UNI / Drake game will be interesting. Did anyone notice UNI and Drake are both Iowa schools and Bradley and Loyola are both Illinois schools - not that it really means anything. GO BRAVES - we need another game like you had today.

[bigjimmy]

2 games that should be really competitive as the teams split their season series. Loyola is playing really well and if we don’t bring it and aren’t engaged from the get go we’ll be fighting an uphill battle. Guys need to keep their emotions in check when battling any adversity and just fight through it. Loyola can be very frustrating to play as they are very physical with their bodies on defense and just don’t seem to get called for many fouls. Have to be strong with the ball and finish. On defense to we need to move our feet and force their offense out further and try not to let Krutwig dominate the ball.
UNU fortunate to be in the semis as they blew a double digit lead but was able to score the last 4 points of the game to hold on. Now they will be contending with a Drake team that is looking like they need a M.A.S.H unit but somehow keep finding ways to win. Should be another physical game.

[Da Coach]

Drake's star Nick McGlynn officially ruled out for remainder of the MVC Tournament with a knee ligament strain.https://mobile.twitter.com/FatherHar...42932650741770

They are leaving open the possibility he could return if Drake lands in a post-season tournament

[bigjimmy]

Tough break for Drake especially having only 6 scholarship eligible players available today. This group just has a resilience about them however and unless UNI has a good shooting day I still expect Drake to win.

[bigjimmy]

Now that I’ve settled down some after that game and a different post on to Drake versus UNI which has been back and forth in the first half. There’s been 6 lead changes and 4 ties and after one half Drake leads 31-28.

[bigjimmy]

Drake was 11-23 from the field, 3-7 from 3 and UNI was 11-27 from the field, 4-11 from 3. Anthony Murphy had 11 for Drake while AJ Green had 8 for UNI.

[Da Coach]

Drake leads UNI 40-37 with 12 minutes left

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/mobile/?id=251345

[bigjimmy]

Another back and forth half with 7:40 left and UNI leads 48-44.

[bigjimmy]

5 lead changes so far this half. UNI is shooting 19-44 from the field, 6-17 from 3. Drake is shooting 16-42, 5-16 from 3. Drake looking like they might be getting warn down a little.

[bigjimmy]

Not having McGlynn has hurt Drake with them not shooting well. Lohaus has 19 for UNI.

[bigjimmy]

Drake now getting another wind as they lead 51-50 with 5.47 left. Another really good grind it out game. Don’t expect anything less tomorrow regardless of who we play

[Da Coach]

Drake leads 51-50 with 5 minutes left

[bigjimmy]

Noah Thomas with 6 straight, all one on one layups, has given Drake a 53-52 lead with 3:47 to go

[bigjimmy]

1:26 left UNI leads 58-56 and Drake has the ball