DBear

Well, I'm not going to bother with any of the previous posts of the thread and try to get back to a civil discussion of a good game of basketball. Interesting that the Bears haven't crossed paths with Mitchell in these last two games. I'll admit, he could have changed the make-up of last years game since we struggled on the road all of last year. The Bears are very good at home and regardless of what kind of crowd shows up tonight, I don't think the Billikens can afford a first half like they had vs. Jacksonville. As for the discontinuing of the SLU/Missouri State series - Bears have already committed to a good number of road games and the contract with SLU ends with tonight's game. Its not like Missouri State has just up and said "oh yeah - we don't want to play you anymore." I'm sure if SLU was in this situation, it could even be spun a different way but we'll never know. It didn't help matter when Coach Majerus says that the Bears were "afraid to lose." I'd argue that if SLU is improving, then it is definitely a game we need to keep on the schedule in the future. For those making the trip, I'm curious of your thoughts of JQH Arena. I've been to Chaifetz many times and I like how the seats are on top of the action but think there's a lot of exposed concrete that could use some blue paint or something. Should be a good game tonight. Best of luck to the Billikens but Go Bears!

This is where we all agree.

Point taken. But from the stand point of it being a road game, something we haven't had many of, it will still be a test for us. No team in collegiate sports should be taken lightly, especially when playing on the road. If we lose there, it won't be the end of the world.

Next season, when the Billikens make the trip to JQH Arena, I think SLU fans will know that we're not on par with SEMO once they step into the building.

Yes, we've only had 1 road game so far and have 4 coming up. Not sure about the quality of Arkansas State but as much as I'm still wondering about the Bears, I think we'll learn a lot on December 19. I know the Bills are tough at home and we are catching a break with the students being gone for the game. Winning @SLU would be great but I also know that this game, as well as the game @Arkansas will tell us a lot about MSU going into Valley play.

Looking forward to the game vs. the Bills. Should be a good one. The Bears are not the same team from the past and it should be interesting to see how we play on the road.

You both are correct. SLU and Missouri State will not meet until 2009-10.

Interesting. I hope you are correct.

Is the game vs. MO State a done deal or still in the works?

I just got back home from the game and what a good one. I hadn't seen the Bears or Bills in person and it was great to see the Bears shoot well. Best of luck to SLU the rest of the way.

As I said in the other thread, I'm a Missouri State alum, born and raised in STL and I'll be heading down for the game as well. Hopefully we have decent attendance the night before Turkey Day. The opportunity is there for a great atmosphere.

Just an FYI but you can hear Bears Head Coach Barry Hinson on the Pressbox on 590 the Fan this morning at about 10:20 or so. So this series is done after this season? Kinda hurts. It was cool to get an in state rival game on the Schedule. I remember something about SLU wanting to rotate between SIU and Missouri State. Are the Salukis staying on the schedule for you all?

Greetings Billiken fans. I didn't see a thread about the upcoming game so I figured I'd start one. I haven't been keeping up with the Billikens with the exception of the Pittsburgh game so please excuse my ignorance. How have you guys been looking so far this season? I'm not quite sure what to think of the Bears so far. We haven't played super great teams so far and this game will tell me a lot about the Bears. We dropped our season opener @ Toledo and beat some teams we should have at home. This game has me worried, with the exception that its in Springfield so hopefully the home court will give the Bears a boost. Any thought, opinions, outlook on the game? Should be fun. Any Billiken fans heading to Springfield? I actually live in St. Louis but I'll be going down for the game, as this will be my first time to see the Bears in action. Best of luck. Oh, and feel free to stop by our board, http://www.mostbears.com

I'm still around. Its a tough loss for me to take but I'm not blaming the officials or the final call. Bears didn't make free throws. Bears shot themselves in the foot. SLU shut down Blake and the offense really suffered because we were not the same when it came to taking it inside. Good luck to the Bills the rest of the way.

Very good post. Bear fans do expect more from the program and Barry has taken a lot of criticism over the last few years. I don't know if I'd call Barry a great coach. He's a fine recruiter as its taken him a little to come into his own. Our starting lineup will be 5 guys all from the state of Missouri and I give Barry kudos on keeping talent in state..or at least some of it. The only thing I don't agree with is that this is the best Bears team since the Spoon days. I think this is the best team since 1998-99, when the Bears went to the Sweet 16. That was a great team that was very good.