Northern Iowa game thread 11/20/2016

[muskieman]

the D came tonight and the drought that NI had a the beginning of the second half was a turning point for X. When the refs started to help them back into the game Chris pulled out the 1-3-1 and got a couple big stops and pushed the lead back up. When they come to Cintas next Saturday maybe we can have another surprise for them with the Kaiser back in action. I looked at the line and I think NI saw JP the last game and said we need to stop this guy but forgot Ed and Tre. MB had some good D and just enough O to keep them honest. Overall a good solid win. Clean up the fouls and this would have been a romp.

Prediction for next time we play the Doc will be a louder Cintas and the squad that plays D will win. Of course that will be X. The minutes the new guys are getting are valuable but I'd like to see Sean get some confidence and work harder around the rim.

[XU80]

I give Mack a lot of credit in controling his temper and not getting teed up. I was at 2 of the three games and the consistency of calls was non existent.

Let's hope we don't see these three groups of officials going forward.

[Anti-Homer]

Not a strong field, but tonight, X played a quality opponent in N.I. I suspect they'll be the only other team other than X who will play in the NCAA tourney. Nice contribuions from the two freshman today. CM is doing a nice job getting them some p.t. O'Mara is a quality low post scorer, but a liability on defense. Gaston rebounds well and plays solid D, but he may be the most limited low post scorer X has had since Obi Harris (last name?), as his range is about 30 inches. Gret effort guy though; that's all anyone can ask of him.

I thought all along X would win by double digits, because UNI has mid major talent, outside of 2-3 players. Clear talent discrepancy. However, you can only beat whom you play. We'll see more of the same next Sat, ecept X will win by a bigger margin, especially with Gates returning. I just hope one game during my lifetime, the refs don't conspire to help our opponent win. That's the only reason we haven't won an NC to this point.

[muskieman]

Not a strong field, but tonight, X played a quality opponent in N.I. I suspect they'll be the only other team other than X who will play in the NCAA tourney. Nice contribuions from the two freshman today. CM is doing a nice job getting them some p.t. O'Mara is a quality low post scorer, but a liability on defense. Gaston rebounds well and plays solid D, but he may be the most limited low post scorer X has had since Obi Harris (last name?), as his range is about 30 inches. Gret effort guy though; that's all anyone can ask of him.

I thought all along X would win by double digits, because UNI has mid major talent, outside of 2-3 players. Clear talent discrepancy. However, you can only beat whom you play. We'll see more of the same next Sat, ecept X will win by a bigger margin, especially with Gates returning. I just hope one game during my lifetime, the refs don't conspire to help our opponent win. That's the only reason we haven't won an NC to this point.

I see what you did there! Nice play AH.

[Anti-Homer]

Props to Coach Mack. Called a TO at 49 seconds and ensured that X got a 2 for 1 possession to end the half. While it evened out - X miss, UNI basket and 2FT's for X, it is not a strategy often deployed in College Basketball and it worked. The announcers criticized Edmond for a quick shot, however, they completely missed the 2 for 1 plan of Coach Mack.

Great point. I was watching our former coach in AZ the other night, and his team had the ball with 54 seconds, but he didn't call for a quick shot to create a 2nd possession. Didn't affect the outcome, but it shouldn't have mattered. You get your players to start thinking 2 for one at the end of halves, so it becomes 2nd nature. This is especailly true when you take AZ to win the 1st half by 14.5, and they only score 14.

[commish118]

The only thing I question with the coaching is going to the 1-3-1 at the end of the game when we have a lead. Chris did this a few times last season too, and it is very frustrating knowing that the opposing team is going to be shooting 3's, and the 1-3-1 gives them an open 3 if they can make one pass across the top "1".

[skyhops]

They knocked down 2 straight 3's with the zone, which was probably done to save JP and others from fouling out. Didn't agree with it, but a win is a win. Gaston played much better in second half, but might have slower moves than Reggie Butler. I'm still uncertain what is and isn't a foul these days.

[olsingledigit]

They knocked down 2 straight 3's with the zone, which was probably done to save JP and others from fouling out. Didn't agree with it, but a win is a win. Gaston played much better in second half, but might have slower moves than Reggie Butler. I'm still uncertain what is and isn't a foul these days.

Neither are our players and coaches after last night's game. It was unbelievable. Hope we get a better situation Saturday when we play NI again. I think that Mack did not play Sean as much as Sean could not handle their big guy, Koch. I suspect we see more of Gaston next Saturday too.

[finalfourorbust]

The only thing I question with the coaching is going to the 1-3-1 at the end of the game when we have a lead. Chris did this a few times last season too, and it is very frustrating knowing that the opposing team is going to be shooting 3's, and the 1-3-1 gives them an open 3 if they can make one pass across the top "1".

Foul trouble with our top players created the need to go to the zone. We only have 8 true scholarship players at this point.