Mike Lewis Coaching Legacy

[grismosw]

Panthers get defensive!

Eastern Illinois wins a defensive battle against SE Missouri, holding the Redhawks to just 30% shooting from the field. The Panthers were not much better shooting 37% themselves.

"We really struggled with their length and athleticism," coach Lewis said after the game. "Their 2-3 zone gave us fits, its really hard to get good looks over the top and you can't really penetrate the zone either." While the Panthers were able to get the win, this appears to be an opponent that Lewis and his team would like to avoid playing in the postseason.

The win puts the Panthers in sole possession of 1st place by 1 game, ahead of Murray State and Austin Peay.

Up next EIU heads to Eastern Kentucky (7-11, 5-7).

Jan 24, 2009 - SEMO at EIU
TEAM	1ST	2ND	SCORE
SE Missouri (6-13)	20	23	43
Eastern Illinois (12-7)	27	25	52

Eastern Illinois
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
M. Robinson	33	3/13	0/4	2/3	6	1	2	0	0	8
R. Martin	30	9/17	1/5	2/2	3	0	1	0	0	21
L. Barro	29	0/2	0/1	0/0	3	4	0	1	0	0
D. Armstrong	29	4/10	0/0	4/6	8	1	0	0	1	12
M. Dorlack	31	1/6	0/0	1/2	7	1	0	0	0	3
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
O. Cisse	19	1/1	0/0	0/0	5	1	0	0	0	2
B. Parrish	14	0/0	0/0	0/0	1	1	0	0	1	0
T. Laser	16	2/6	2/6	0/0	2	1	1	0	1	6
P. Brown	-- DID NOT PLAY --
J. Brock	-- DID NOT PLAY --
B. Jolliff	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		20/55	3/16	9/13	35	10	4	1	3	52

[grismosw]

Quote: Originally Posted by hockeyplaya2724

Congrats on finally getting that 10th Win!

Thanks, we seem to be on a bit of a run here!

[grismosw]

Eastern Illinois @ Eastern Kentucky
January 27, 2009
McBrayer Arena, Richmond (KY)

Two of this year's candidates for the OVC Player of the Year faced off in what was thought to be a marquee matchup. EKU's Mike Rose came into the contest averaging just over 24 points per game, while EIU's Romain Martin came in averaging just over 20 points per game.

Both teams started the first half struggling from the field, with EIU holding a 10-6 advantage halfway through the first. Then the Panthers started to heat up and pull away slowly, leading to a 30-22 EIU lead heading into the half. Martin was living up to his billing with 10 points while Rose was struggling but was getting hit teammates involved with 5 assists.

The second half started much the same as the first, both teams again struggling but then Rose got hot and pulled EKU within 2 with 11 minutes to play in the game. From there the Panthers took control ending the game on a 21-10 run to win on the road again, 61-48.

The Panthers take on 2nd place Murray State (12-7, 7-5) later this week.

Eastern Illinois Top Performers
R. Martin - 17 pts, 5 reb (7/15 FG)
D. Armstrong - 12 pts, 4 reb (6/13 FG)
M. Robinson - 11 pts, 3 ast

Eastern Kentucky Top Performers
M. Rose - 18 pts, 5 ast (7/21 FG)
A. Leonard - 11 pts, 5 ast (3/6 3P)
R. Wiersma - 4 pts, 7 reb

[grismosw]

Eastern Illinois (13-7, 10-3) @ Murray State (12-7, 7-5)
January 29, 2009
RSE Center, Murray (KY)

The Racers are the OVC's most balanced team with 7 players averaging over 8 points per game and none over 12. They showed their balance early on with 4 players scoring their first 8 points, the Panthers did them one better with 5 scoring their first 10.

It looked as if Murray State was going to run away with it after a 12-0 run led to a 27-22 lead but the Panthers finished the first half strong and took a 35-29 lead heading into the half. Lionel Barro was the story of the half with 10 points, tying his career high. Both teams played well with the difference being from the charity stripe as the Racers were 0-4, while the Panthers were 8-8.

The second half was controlled by the Panthers, leading by as much as 16 after Mike Robinson connected on back to back 3's. The strong finished lead to winning by the score of 66-55. EIU continued their hot shooting from the line, finished the game 14/15 while Murray State finished 1/7. The Racers showed their balance with no players scoring in double figures.

The Panthers were led by Robinson with a season high 19 points and 4 assists. EIU shot 44% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, while the Racers shot 40% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

Up next the Panthers look to avenge a 72-67 loss earlier in the season, as they take on Samford (9-8, 7-4).

Eastern Illinois Top Performers
M. Robinson - 19 pts, 4 ast (3/6 3P)
L. Barro - 12 pts, 4 reb (4/4 FG)
R. Martin - 11 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast

Murray State Top Performers
K. Thomas - 9 pts, 4 ast
I. Miles - 9 pts, 4 ast
D. Thomas - 5 pts, 9 reb

[grismosw]

Samford (9-8, 7-4) @ Eastern Illinois (14-7, 11-3)
January 31, 2009
Lantz Arena, Charleston (IL)

The Panthers came into this one with an extra motivator, redemption. Both teams started out with an offensive explosion, neither team could be stopped for the first ten minutes as the teams exchanged blows to a 18-18 tie at the halfway point of the first half.

The final ten minutes of the first half turned into a defensive slugfest as both teams started to cool down and neither team gaining more than a 3 point advantage. The teams headed into halftime deadlocked at 28. The story at that point was Mike Robinson, who had 11 points and 5 assists in the first half.

The second half started off much like the first with both teams coming out shooting well, with Samford shooting extremely well and taking a 6 point lead into the final ten minutes of the second half behind some hot 3 point shooting. The final ten minutes both teams cooled down again as every possession was critical, Eastern Illinois chipped away at the lead and tied it with 58 seconds to play on a Lionel Barro drive that ended in a goaltending call. With the score tied at 58 the Pathers held on D and Dave Armstrong came up with a big offensive rebound and drew a foul, hitting the front end of the 1-and-1 but missing the back end giving EIU a 59-59 lead with 23 seconds left. The Bulldogs struggled to get a good luck and were forced to settle for a jumper that fell short as time expired!

Robinson ended up with 18 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. The story of the night might of been the key plays by the EIU freshmen, Barro and Armstrong. Both stepped up when the Panthers needed it, as Romain Martin struggled shooting 2 of 13 from the field for a season-low 7 points.

Up next the Panthers host Tennessee Tech (9-11, 7-7), the Golden Eagles were the last team to beat EIU and they did so with ease - 81 to 61.

Eastern Illinois Top Performers
M. Robinson - 18 pts, 7 ast, 4 reb (4/8 3P)
D. Armstrong - 11 pts, 4 reb
L. Barro - 7 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast

Samford Top Performers
J. Bedwell - 13 pts (3/5 3P)
S. Fraine - 9 pts, 8 reb
W. Stiles - 6 pts, 5 reb

[grismosw]

January 2009 Recap

Team Leaders

Points Per Game
R. Martin, 19.0 ppg
M. Robinson, 12.1 ppg
D. Armstrong, 10.5 ppg

Rebounds Per Game
M. Dorlack, 7.8 rpg
D. Armstrong, 6.2 rpg
O. Cisse, 6.0 rpg

Assists Per Game
M. Robinson, 3.9 apg


Conference Leaders

Points Per Game
L. Hudson, UTM - 25.4 ppg
M. Rose, EKU - 23.5 ppg
D. Reed, APSU - 22.9 ppg

Rebounds Per Game
C. Williams, SEMO - 10.1 rpg
M. Dorlack, EIU - 7.8 rpg
K. Faried, MORE - 7.5 rpg

Assists Per Game
A. Leonard, EKU - 5.4 apg
G. Robinson, TNST - 5.4 apg
D. Bray, JVST - 5.2 apg

Conference Standings
1. Eastern Illinois (15-7, 12-3)
2. Morehead State (12-10, 9-5)
3. Samford (9-9, 7-5)
4. Austin Peay (14-10, 8-6)
5. Tennessee Tech (10-11, 8-7)
6. Tennessee-Martin (11-9, 7-7)
7. Murray State (12-9, 7-7)
8. SE Missouri (8-14, 6-8)
9. Eastern Kentucky (7-12, 5-8)
10. Tennessee State (8-13, 5-9)
11. Jacksonville State (4-17, 3-12)

Top 25 Poll
1. North Carolina (17-2)
2. Wisconsin (19-1)
3. Duke (17-2)
4. Connecticut (18-4)
5. Villanova (19-2)
6. UAB (18-3)
7. UCLA (17-4)
8. Marquette (18-4)
9. Gonzaga (20-3)
10. Michigan State (18-5)
11. UNLV (16-3)
12. Stanford (17-4)
13. California (17-4)
14. Texas (16-5)
15. LSU (16-4)
16. Alabama (16-3)
17. Notre Dame (14-6)
18. Florida (14-7)
19. Florida State (13-5)
20. Purdue (16-7)
21. Maryland (13-6)
22. USC (15-7)
23. Belmont (19-3)
24. North Carolina State (15-6)
25. Syracuse (16-5)

Mid-Major Top 25
1. Gonzaga (20-3)
2. Belmont (19-3)
3. Western Michigan (17-3)
4. Pacific (16-4)
5. San Diego (15-6)
6. Utah State (15-4)
7. Coastal Carolina (14-3)
8. Boston University (15-6)
9. Davidson (15-5)
10. Illinois State (18-5)
11. Wright State (14-5)
12. New Mexico State (14-7)
13. Hartford (16-5)
14. UW Green Bay (15-6)
15. Bowling Green (16-6)
16. American (16-6)
17. Austin Peay (14-10)
18. Arkansas State (15-5)
19. Vermont (14-7)
20. Cal Poly (13-6)
21. Nevada (11-7)
22. UALR (15-6)
23. Cleveland State (15-8)
24. Chattanooga (12-9)
25. Eastern Illinois (15-7)

[2SiQ2Quit]

After reading into your chise it really reminds me how much I loved 2k NCAA. One of the best games ever! Good chise keep up the good work

[grismosw]

Tennessee Tech (10-11, 8-7) @ Eastern Illinois (15-7, 12-3)
February 5, 2009
Lantz Arena, Charleston (IL)

The last time these two teams met the Eagles completely dominated the Panthers with junior guard Frank Davis leading the way with 17. Four others scored in double figures that night, including freshman guard Ernest Rollins whom EIU heavily recruited and thought they had locked up. He chose Tech at the last minute and scored 13 in the win.

The Panthers came into tonight's game with a different intensity, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The first half was not an easy one to watch if you like high scoring shootouts. EIU held Tennessee Tech to 26% shooting from the field in the first half and only managed to shoot 37% themselves. The Panthers managed to connect on 4 of 9 from deep though and took a 30-17 lead into the half. Mike Robinson continues his hot play with 9 points and 3 assists in the first half.

It looks like the Golden Eagles were going to make things interesting in the second half when they started off with a 16-3 run to close the gap to 36-33. Coach Lewis then called a timeout and ripped into his team, they answered to the tune of a 21-0 run and put the game away with ease. The Panthers rolled to a 68-44 win and are 2 wins away from at least a share of the OVC Regular Season Championship.

The Panthers ended up shooting 47% (28/60) from the field and 50% (7/14) from deep. Leading the way was Robinson with 14 points and 7 assists. Romain Martin added 14, while Dave Armstrong chipped in 10 points and 7 boards.

The Eagles finished the game shooting 27% (16/60) from the fiel and 29% (5/17) from deep. They were led by 2nd team all-conference performer Daniel Northern with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Rollins added 11 points but struggled shooting just 4 of 15 on the night.

Later this week the Panthers travel to SE Missouri to take on a Redhawks team that gave them fits a few weeks ago.

Eastern Illinois Top Performers
M. Robinson - 14 pts, 7 ast, 5/12 FG, 2/4 3P
D. Armstrong - 10 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast
M. Dorlack - 8 pts, 9 reb, 4/7 FG

Tennessee Tech Top Performers
D. Northern - 12 pts, 12 reb, 5/10 FG
W. Barnes - 12 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast
E. Rollins - 11 pts, 3 reb