Murray nearly whited out

-SIUE Red Storm Facebook page

A loss is a disappointment, and Wednesday was no different.

If we won, we would have had more reason to storm the court than Indiana last night against Illinois, which I will probably never understand. 

Still, SIUE has a few things it can take from the narrow 67-61 defeat, which was really a lot closer than the scoreboard indicated. The main things we can take from this are not on-the-court lessons, but those off the court. It gave us hope and showed promise for the future.

It was not the biggest crowd at the Vadalabene Center. Far from it actually. It was, however one of the top two intimidating atmospheres in the history of the VC, and it showed on the court.

With both student sections full, one making noise, and the other eventually making noise after some encouragement, it was a welcome change. Excitement begins on the court, and if SIUE is ever going to be successful from a fan-base perspective in Division I, it starts now.

There are two factors influencing fan support at this level of competition. The first, is success, which will come down the line. The second, which can happen now is generated through the excitement of change.

It doesn't have to take Murray State, a team which won a first-round NCAA tournament game last year to generate fan support. The Racers have sex appeal, but as their Head Coach Billy Kennedy said after the game they are a very immature team. The mental aspect of basketball is almost as large of a factor as the skill that goes into it. Murray State had just routed SEMO and edged Eastern Illinois on the road. Cape and Charleston are not intimidating places to play. Edwardsville isn't supposed to be either. Murray State got off the bus expecting to play in front of 600 people sitting on their hands. What they got instead shocked them, and you could see it on BJ Jenkins face.

Murray went in expecting to win the basketball game and they had no reason not to after beating the Cougars by 25 back on Dec. 30. When they realized it was going to be a challenge, they couldn't kick their afterburners into gear. The Racers skill eventually won them the game by six, but the Cougars fed off the emotion of their fans and came close to not only their first OVC win at home, but a shocking upset against an underachieving team with enough skill to make the Sweet 16 this year. Murray is still good, they have damn near the same team they had last season.

It was the little things leading to the Cougar loss. If Michael Messer had his three-point stroke going, SIUE wins the game. It's as simple as that. A little bit more intensity driving to the hole and SIUE wins the game. It's hard to critique all of the little things SIUE could have done differently, but they did have a chance to win the game, and that is all they can ask for at this point.

SIUE has all the makings of something special.

A few final notes. After the game, Billy Kennedy said the environment at the VC was one of the best in the OVC. I tweeted at @NealBradley, the play by play guy for Murray about the environment, and this is what he said, in three separate tweets.

NealBradley @AllanjLewis It was very good. Probably in the top 3 in the OVC. When they get better it will be among the toughest in the league.

NealBradley  @AllanjLewis If they had Yelovich they likely win the game.

NealBradley @AllanjLewis Plus you will get better players when you are tournament eligible.

I don't know what else I can do to fire you up besides roar.

Posted in: Archives,Men's basketball