FIRST POST-AUSTIN PEAY AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE (PK)

pool · Jan 8, 2004

Since this is my first post I'll take some time to give some information about me and where i'm coming from. SEMO is my hometown team, I am a booster and attend at least half of thier practicies. But I'm not just a homer. If I see value in the spread I'll take the other side as I did a couple of weeks ago when they hosted North Texas as a 10 point favorite. SEMO won by 7.
This game should be a low scoreing defensive game. Austin Peay is the defending co-champain and returns all 5 starters. They have struggled early in the year but with a 7 point loss at Kentucky and 18 point road win at Jacksonville State I believe they are getting back on track.

Some of you might remember a couple of years ago SEMO lost to LSU in the first round of the NCAA tourney by 3 points after out playing and leading them the whole game. The reason I bring this up is whenever coach Garner has talent he can game plan with the best. He's a great motivator and X and O coach. The last 2 years he just hasn't had the talent for various reasons I won't go into here, but this year he does.

Coach Garner has been pointing to this game since the first day of practice as a statement game to let the rest of the confrence know that SEMO is back. They have had a great week of practice getting ready for this game and there is one thing I will guarantee. SEMO will bring thier A-GAME and they will never lay down. Now if this is enough to win we'll know about 9:30 CST tonight. But I love betting on teams that I know we'll be totally focused and motivated. The overnight line was a pick and I bet it then. The last I saw it was SEMO -1'. I would still lay it.

TENN. TECH -2' AT EASTERN ILL. This is the first of 4 road games to start confrence play for Tenn. Tech. Eastern Ill. is having a down year and on deck for Tech are road games at SEMO and Morehead. Tenn. Tech. will be very focused for this game and I'll lay the small number.

GreenDoberman · Jan 8, 2004

Welcome, and thanks for sharing the info. Always helps to have an inside contact at SEMO. I remember a couple years ago, I rode them on a streak for about 8 grand.
Good luck.

thetexaskid · Jan 8, 2004

i'm on austin peay and tenn tech

good luck

alwatts · Jan 8, 2004

About a month ago, i took Austin Peay -4.0 at Western Kentucky. AP was up at half 39-32, opened up the 2nd half, 44-32 and then W. Kentucky went on 32-4 (approx) run, totally unbelievable and then W Kentucky won by at least 16. I do not trust Austin Peay. I think W Kentucky was also something like 1-6 to top it off. Good Luck anyway. I liked Austin Peay a lot last year.

al watts

pool · Jan 8, 2004

Al, this Austin Peay team had some problem's earlyer in the year, don't know what they were. But thier a veteran team that plays tough defense with a big shot blocker in the middle (Lewis). Thier starting to play better ball now.

Greendoberman, This team has covered most of thier lined games this year. By the end of the year I think they will be better than thier NCAA team of a couple of years ago. One thing you need to beware of is if they are a 13 are larger point favorite against a team like Tenn. State (next week) and thier up by 22 or more with 6 min. to go Garner will empty his bench so the back door is always open.

brijames · Jan 8, 2004

Why has AP played so many road games so far? this will be their 9th road game of the season and they play their next 3 on the road as well.

brijames · Jan 8, 2004

Pool, thanks for the info. How strong of a homecourt advantage does SEMO have?

pool · Jan 8, 2004

Brijames, The last 2 years have been down years for us but still at the top of OVC in attendence. We usually lead the confrence in attendence. School's out but not that many students attend anyway. I guarentee you it will be loud tonight. We haven't lost at home yet this year and Garner really stresses protecting your home court.

ThePoet · Jan 8, 2004

Nice analysis. Thanks for the info. Good luck tonight.

The Poet

pool · Jan 9, 2004

That was the strangest game I have ever seen. I still believe my analysis of the game was correct. It was a low scoring game with VERY good defense by both clubs. I just didn't count on SEMO shooting 30.8% from the floor. They are normally a good shooting team coming into this game shooting over 44% from the floor. Give Austin Peay credit they played a good game but we had plenty of open looks, the ball just wouldn't go in the hole.

Has anyone ever seen a game like this. Austin Peay jumped out to a 18-3 lead. I believe this is what ended up beating us, we had to come from behind the whole game and couldn't get relaxed in our offense. At the 6 min. mark of the first half SEMO only had 2 field goals and still was only down 9 at half. If that wasn't bad enough during the first 10 min. of the second half they only scored 2 field goals. A lot of teams would have folded with the ball bouncing against them that bad but they kept battling back (this team has alot of heart) and with the shot clock off at the end of the game we were down 2 with the ball. Then we did soming very uncharacteristic. With 14 sec. left Damon Gonner took an off balance 3 pointer insted of working for a better shot. Lewis, a 58% FT shooter got the rebound was fouled and swished both free throws. They made 1 more FT and it was over.

The worst shooting night I have seen since I've been watching this team. Oh well that's why they call it gambling.