App looks to extend their 5 game win streak hosting non-conference opponent EMU who is bringing in a 5 game losing streak. Most of their 5 losses have been close losses, but they dropped an L to Central Michigan by 35 points two weeks ago. App opened the season against CMU with a 16 point loss. EMU’s best player appears to be 6’9 forward Habhab averaging 14.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 3 apg. Hart G and Patterson F each average 13 ppg. These three also shoot around 30% from 3. Habhab appears their primary post player with no other significant threats downlow. We seem to match up well with them and as long as we come in prepared and take them seriously, we can lock them down on defense and put them away. However if we start slow and let some of their shooters get hot, it could cause trouble for us.

Let the reserves have the day they deserve.
Give starters some run to keep game mentality going... But, let the reserves get meaningful minutes... We may need them at some point.

We are going to play to win the game. The starters can get reserves minutes if they start fast.

I agree with Saint.......if our players go into this game with the mentality that we will win the game easily and reserve players will get lots of playing time....we will lose

83App wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 06, 2026 10:07 am

I agree with Saint.......if our players go into this game with the mentality that we will win the game easily and reserve players will get lots of playing time....we will lose

I don’t think that what he meant. The game is meaningless in terms of tourney seeding so let the starter give way to some reserves to keep legs fresh. Winning tomorrow isn’t as important as winning the remainder of the conference slate.

Kerns isn't going to set foot on any court and not play to win. He isn't going to put that thought into the players minds at any point. Now we may see 1-2 players enter into the rotation to test lineups for depth.

I'm a huge believer in sports phycology, preparing mentally, mental reps, and team dynamics through a season. Tuckman's model is a good one. This 2026 team is passing through the norming stage into the performing stage and he isn't going to disrupt that.

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters ... evelopment

I hate EMU and hope we beat 'em like a rented mule.

I believe there's a correlation between their second-leading scorer getting suspended after being named in a federal point shaving indictment (which happened before going to EMU) and their losing streak.

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 06, 2026 10:22 am

83App wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 06, 2026 10:07 am

I agree with Saint.......if our players go into this game with the mentality that we will win the game easily and reserve players will get lots of playing time....we will lose

I don’t think that what he meant. The game is meaningless in terms of tourney seeding so let the starter give way to some reserves to keep legs fresh. Winning tomorrow isn’t as important as winning the remainder of the conference slate.

Correct. Giving reserves more minutes has nothing to do with wanting "not" to win or a mental state of not having a desire to win. Kerns does not need to tell any players what his rotation will be during the course of the game...before the game or during the game. It just happens naturally. Give reserves more minutes and still want/play to win. . The long game and the only way we extend our season to March Madness is winning the SBC tournament. As of today, we have no clue where our seeding will be. We are looking good today for No. 2. However, two weeks from now, we potentially could be looking at playing four games to win a tournament. If that is the case, you may need these reserves to give quality minutes for whatever reason. If they have not played meaningful minutes in over a month, one cannot expect much.

Weird their one guy leads in scoring, rebounding, and assists.

I assume them beating Ga St by 22 can't be comparable now since it was the first game of the season.

We lost to C Mich by 16 the first game of the season, they lost to them by 35 three games ago.

BambooRdApp wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:42 am

Let the reserves have the day they deserve.
Give starters some run to keep game mentality going... But, let the reserves get meaningful minutes... We may need them at some point.

The biggest stat line to be concerned with is that we are undefeated when I create the game post and BambooRdApp is the first to comment. Easy money here fellas.

NattyBumppo'sRevenge wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 06, 2026 1:49 pm

BambooRdApp wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 06, 2026 9:42 am

Let the reserves have the day they deserve.
Give starters some run to keep game mentality going... But, let the reserves get meaningful minutes... We may need them at some point.

The biggest stat line to be concerned with is that we are undefeated when I create the game post and BambooRdApp is the first to comment. Easy money here fellas.

Agreed 100%.. let's not mess up the mojo...as stated in the football threads...I am just a little-stitious
Once we get back in conference play, I will predict a win and our footing in the standings before the game is even played

At game, snowed last night and roads are bad. Would have driven the Subaru had I paid attention to the forecast. Could barely walk on King Street and many places closed. My tears were freezing to my eyeballs. Might be 300 people here so far.

This brand of basketball is a little out of character from what we've seen the past 5 games. Let's be that team in the second half.

Facing another zone.
Giving the blueprint tape on how to annoy us.

311neers wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 07, 2026 1:34 pm

Facing another zone.
Giving the blueprint tape on how to annoy us.

Yep. Smart play on their part. Let's get that figured out before the tournament.

Maybe we can begin to Bank on Banks.
That 3 looked fluid

Shoot better.

What was the tech call on Luke? Didn’t see it here. All I saw was Habhab grabbing his m from behind and not making a play on the ball.

NattyBumppo'sRevenge wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 07, 2026 1:57 pm

What was the tech call on Luke? Didn’t see it here. All I saw was Habhab grabbing his m from behind and not making a play on the ball.

Probably taunting or chesting up.
Just have to be smarter.
It’s always the 2nd guy.