NDSU Game Thread 11/29/2016

[mumuskie87]

Ed didn't have a big scoring night but had 7 assists and 0 TO's - not too shabby.
JP didn't have a great shooting night but continues to have a complete game - 5 boards, 3 assists ( I swear it seems like he had more) and 3 steals.

[mumuskie87]

Creighton plays a common opponent here in a few minutes - Buffalo.

Boy, the Fox Sports announcers have a "love fest" going on for Creighton.

[Shadow]

The 3 headed monster at 5 - Jones, Gaston and O'Mara - played 48 minutes - 23 pts and 14 boards and 1 block.
Big test on Saturday against Motley who is a beast himself.

That's putting it mildly:

Long, athletic fourth-year junior forward with NBA potential ... Named 2016-17 Preseason All-Big 12 ... Selected 2016 third-team All-Big 12 by league’s coaches ... Has played all 68 games over first two seasons, including 43 starts, and led team in blocks both years ... Started all 34 games as redshirt freshman in 2014-15 ... Came off bench most of sophomore season, but returned to starting lineup for nine of final 11 games ... Posted seventh-best single-season field goal percentage in program history as sophomore (.614), which was nearly a 20 percent improvement from .417 mark as redshirt freshman ... Ranks eighth on Baylor’s career blocks per game list at 1.25 ... Has scored in double-figures in 25 career games, including nine games of 20+ points.

[Anti-Homer]

Tre must have heard me - he hits back to back 3's.

Great to see him hit those, and they were wide open, step in 3's. However, his 3 pt. % only rose all up to 28%, and overall fg % to 40. He is a very good shooter, but still has NBAitis, which has resulted in his taking 2-4 inexplicable shots per game. Bernard, a less talented, but more efficient offensive player, saw his 3 pt/fg shooting % jump to 45/43% respectively. I don't recall a shot this year which wasn't a logical attempt. He has been a real credit to the team.

Sumner had another, very good assist/t.o. ratio with 7/1. I know the box score has him with 0 t.o.s, but I'm almost positive I saw one. Regardless, he only took 4 shots, recognizing his teammates had the hot hand. That's unselfish basketball. Hopefully, CM tells TB to watch MB's play during film session.

[Anti-Homer]

Just a comment on the broadcast.
Those announcers suck!

Dickey Simpkins seems like a nice guy, but he does suck.

[Anti-Homer]

Gaston hits a nice mid-range jumper.

He hit a couple. Nice to see that. Some poster, can't remember who, claimed his range was only 2 feet. That still may be the case, and his shots were wide open against a very bad team, but he squared up well, and shot with confidence. Hope it continues.

[Anti-Homer]

The 3 headed monster at 5 - Jones, Gaston and O'Mara - played 48 minutes - 23 pts and 14 boards and 1 block.
Big test on Saturday against Motley who is a beast himself.

87,

If either of the 3 has to guard Motley for more than a couple consecutive possessions, something went horribly wrong with the game plane. They have struggled collectively as a group for the most part all year, and let a good (freshman), undersized center score at will. He scored more points, shot a much higher percentage, than his average this year, against very inferior competition.

Motley is a much better player, has a bigger body, and is a very good perimeter shooter. Gates will be guarding him, with zone being the 2nd option. No other player on the roster offers a credible option defensively.

[muskieman]

Gaston hits a nice mid-range jumper.

He hit a couple. Nice to see that. Some poster, can't remember who, claimed his range was only 2 feet. That still may be the case, and his shots were wide open against a very bad team, but he squared up well, and shot with confidence. Hope it continues.

Gaton has been working on his mid range shot and has had some success, at least tonight.

[madness31]

A bigger body will be easier for our bigs to defend. They couldn't stay with the smaller quicker players on NDSU. If Motley is bigger and just as quick and athletic then I agree that we will struggle to defend against him.

[X-lucidity]

Madness, he's pretty quick too...... Motley will have his way at times. Key will be how effectively we can bring a guard diving down to show a quick double and then how well the other three can rotate on "D" to cover a kick-out pass. Plus, Motley can pull our bigs out as he can shoot a bit from outside. He has a decent handle and can drive. I agree, gates would be a decent match-up but would probably be foul prone as he knocks the rust off. Let's just agree Baylor will have the best post player who will get his share of points. Can X offset that with the depth of our overall talent? I say yes. Must rebound well and limit Baylor's 2nd chances. We do that, and shoot it decently, X walks out of Waco with a head turning "W"...