Home / Live Blog

Live Blog

ISU at Missouri State

Chat with Pantagraph sportswriter Jim Benson before the Illinois State men's basketball game. During the game, follow Jim on Twitter (@Pg_Benson).

3rd & 7 37yd

Hello from center court at JQH Arena as Illinois State opens the MVC season against Missouri State. The Bears were picked to finish fourth in preseason (ISU seventh) and are 10-2. Losses to Louisville and Virginia. Didn't beat anyone of note. Like ISU, the Bears have incorporated lots of newcomers (five) into rotation, but have several capable vets back unlike the Redbirds. Sorry about the glitch in system the last two chats. Hopefully, it won't happen again. Fire away with questions.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:08:12 AM
Missouri State averaging just over 4,000 fans per game at JQH Arena. The crowd should be small again tonight with students on break. Hardly anyone here with 23 minutes left.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:35:04 AM
how's the weather?

by hello 1/3/2014 12:35:50 AM
Hi Jim. Hoping we aren't rusty from the long stretch between games

by Buckeye Girl 1/3/2014 12:36:16 AM
What will be the birds biggest challenge with this MSU team?

by Nacho 1/3/2014 12:36:18 AM
There are people out there. Woo woo! OK. Biggest challenge tonight will be stopping Marcus Marshall. He's probably second best PG in Valley and really makes MSU go, more so with his scoring than passing. Hey Buckeye Girl! Glad OSU playing tomorrow. Coach Muller said it was his decision for the long break. Didn't want to bring team back on X-mas night for game last weekend. The weather is COLD but not as snowy than B-N.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:38:27 AM
has this team come together yet or is that still a work in progress?

by hello 1/3/2014 12:38:30 AM
This team is going to be a work in progress all year. Transitioning into MVC play is going to be difficult especially when play these teams second time around. But this team seems to have really bought into the 2-3 zone with three-quarter pressure. It's been a rallying cry almost since Middlebrooks was suspended. I expect Lofton to really go off one night soon with a hot shooting night. He's too talented to shoot 26.7 percent or whatever.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:40:07 AM
With the continued recruiting of 2014 guys (Peyton Allen, Nick Norton, and Marlon Johnson), it is safe to assume the odds are less then 50/50 that middlebrooks will be back next year?

by Nacho 1/3/2014 12:41:05 AM
What do we need to do to get Zach Lofton going on the scoring end?

by AuroraBird 1/3/2014 12:41:08 AM
They have worked really hard with Zach. The last couple games I thought he was finally starting to get what they are selling with him. He's really an excellent passer, too. We will see what happens tonight, but I think something good going to happen with him soon.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:42:29 AM
Really every year one or two guys leave about every program in America. I would think odds of Middlebrooks returning aren't real good, but we'll see when the semester starts I guess. Probably someone else will leave at end of season, too. It just happens.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:43:22 AM
They have shown improvement every game. A valley road win would be huge for their confidence at this point.

by Buckeye Girl 1/3/2014 12:43:25 AM
Agree Buckeye Girl. How bout those Spartans?

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:43:39 AM
last year's team was not very smart basketball iq wise...how is this team so far?

by hello 1/3/2014 12:43:45 AM
Definitely better. I think Bobby Hunter is a very smart player. Paris Lee really knows how to play. He was schooled at Proviso East and you've got to have good bb IQ there.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:44:29 AM
Do you know how much 2-3 zone the Bears have played against in the non-con schedule? They're going to see a ton tonight.

by AuroraBird 1/3/2014 12:44:33 AM
I'm not really sure. I know they didn't play Syracuse.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:45:15 AM
through non-con...is drake the biggest suprise good...and bradley the worst?

by hello 1/3/2014 12:45:17 AM
Yes and yes. Drake has some really good guards and that's always a key. Bradley, what happened? I think the Braves put so much on game against Illinois they haven't recovered.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:46:28 AM
Would you expect to see Coach Muller put Paris on Marshall defensively tonight?

by AuroraBird 1/3/2014 12:46:53 AM
No.... they will play the 2-3 zone.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:47:11 AM
What kind of crowd are they expecting tonight? Any weather issues?

by Sam 1/3/2014 12:47:14 AM
This crowd is going to be pathetic tonight. It's cold outside, but nothing bad. A little snow on the ground. Face it, crowds are pretty apathetic almost everywhere.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:47:54 AM
Nice win for the big 10 for sure. Concerned about missing my beloved bengals on Sunday.

by Buckeye Girl 1/3/2014 12:48:01 AM
Uh, I picked the Chargers. I think they could be most dangerous team in AFC playoffs. Watch out.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:48:34 AM
Duh! I should've known that!

by AuroraBird 1/3/2014 12:48:36 AM
Zach Lofton starting tonight in place of Bobby Hunter. That's a good sign. It shows Zach has been practicing well.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:49:21 AM
Jeff Tripplete is the ref and home teams win an amazing amount with him. And Cincy is huge at home.

by hello 1/3/2014 12:50:13 AM
Haha.... I don't think they would let that buffoon ref any playoff game.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:50:37 AM
have fun tonight.

by hello 1/3/2014 12:50:45 AM
Lofton making first start since Nov. 30 against San Francisco.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:51:05 AM
Is JQH arena now the most state of the art arena in the Valley now that Creighton is gone?

by BIRDSONFIRE 1/3/2014 12:51:25 AM
I would say that's correct. This place just seems to have kind of a sterile environment to me. It's very nice, though.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:52:19 AM
Score/winner prediction, Jim?

by Nacho 1/3/2014 12:52:19 AM
In the paper I said MSU 74-68. I'll stick with that. No Valley league road wins yet ... until WSU beats Salukis

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:53:10 AM
Any idea how Mikyle and Hawkins are doing in school? Have you ever thought about doing an article about them?

by Joe 1/3/2014 12:54:42 AM
They don't divulge academic records. Privacy issues. ISU has kind of kept them off limits to media this year. I would like to talk to them, but don't think it will happen during season. Hopefully in the spring.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:55:35 AM
This is Andy Dalton's year Jim

by Buckeye Girl 1/3/2014 12:55:37 AM
Do you travel with the team while you are their beat reporter?

by BIRDSONFIRE 1/3/2014 12:55:40 AM
No, I travel alone. I'm working after games when they leaving.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:56:02 AM
Who needs to have a big game to pull out the win?

by Sam 1/3/2014 12:56:05 AM
I say Lofton again. If he can start and really show what he's capable of, I think that would be a tremendous boost not only to him but the whole team.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:56:40 AM
It's about show time, friends. That's for joining. This was good. Good luck, Buckeye Girl, to OSU and the Bungals. You can follow my game accounts on twitter at Pg_Benson. Thanks again. We will do again at 12:30 Sunday before SIU game. Adios.

by jbenson 1/3/2014 12:57:58 AM