Game Preview: SDSU

The guys after shocking the nation last night.

After sending the #1 team in the conference packing last night, the Leathernecks have a chance to do something tonight that has never been done in the history of WIU...make the NCAA Tournament.  The team that stands in their way is the #2 seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits who won easily over Southern Utah in their semi-final last night 63-47.

Before I get any farther preview tonight's HUGE game, some thoughts on last nights monumental win...

I don't know if I've ever been happier seeing a team win a game than I was last night.  Especially after we had played ORU so tough in the regular season.  WIU took the lead on a Terell Parks fade away jumper with 26 seconds left and then came up with two unbelievable defensive stops to win the game.  Those last 26 seconds seemed like they took forever.  This team was down 8 points with under 7 minutes to play but simply did not give up.  They kept chipping away, kept getting the stops, and eventually came out with the upset of the year in the conference.  That win meant so much to everyone involved with this team, but now they have a chance to finish.  To truly shock the world and make it to the NCAA Tourney for the first time ever.

Now for a look in to tonight's Summit League Championship game...

SDSU swept the Leathernecks during the regular season, beating them by one in Western Hall by the score 67-66 and then handing them a 74-57 loss on the road in Brookings, SD just a couple weeks ago.  Although the second score looks a little lopsided, WIU did some good things in that game.  The difference ended up being the fact that SDSU shot 9 of 15 from behind the arc. 

In order to win this game, WIU will need to do a much better job defending the three than they did the last time they played SDSU.  Also, they will of course need to hold down first team all-conference selection, and arguably the best player in the Summit League, Nate Wolters.  Wolters had a big game last night putting up 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.  He fills out the stat line really well in every game and does a great job setting up the rest of his team with good shots.  Another guy to look out for in Jordan Dykstra who killed WIU in the last game when he made 5 of 5 three pointers and scored 23 points.  Hopefully they will do a better job closing out on him in this game and making sure he does not get as many open looks.

As if last night's win didn't mean a lot to this program, I cannot think of an adjective good enough to describe how much a win tonight would mean to everyone.  Tonight could very well be the biggest night in our basketball programs history.  My man Kyle Schassburger (radio play-by-play guy the last two years for this team and good friend of mine) put it very well earlier today:  "Tonight is for all the doubters, all the haters, and best of all, all the loyal Leathernecks stakeholders that have lived and died by the Western Illinois name."

A quick Tournament note:  our Women's team did fall last night to UMKC who is currently playing SDSU for a trip to the Women's NCAA Tournament.  Despite the loss, our Women exceeded all expectations this year and stunned everyone with their opening round win against Oral Roberts.  Congrats to them for a good finish to the season and I can't wait to see what head coach JD Gravina has in store for the future of the program.

That's gonna do it for now.  Tip-off is set for 8pm tonight and will be aired on ESPN2, so tune in and watch as we try to win the Summit League Tournament Chamionship!  As always...GO LEATHERNECKS!!!