So if I remember last year's ESPN3 experimental stream of every home game for a few MAC schools does not continue this year? I do not see the TV icon next to any games. We really had it nice last year with that option, I will miss it.

Games are on ESPN3 again and more MAC teams will be added.

(09-28-2015 07:19 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Games are on ESPN3 again and more MAC teams will be added.

Awesome thanks!!

Got to love Marshawn Wilson as number 0! That is basically saying, "yeah I'm good, and I know it, and soon you will too." I love it haha.

Tons of youth on this team, but as long as I have been alive this is the most talented group of incoming players I have ever seen. Might not matter this year, but soon it will.

It must matter this year as I feel a 500 and under season will be the end for Monty. If that happens look for several transfers and starting over again. These freshman are very much here because of Monty.

(09-28-2015 11:51 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  It must matter this year as I feel a 500 and under season will be the end for Monty. If that happens look for several transfers and starting over again. These freshman are very much here because of Monty.

Monty could win 4 games this year and still be around with the talent he has brought in. NIU won't cut ties with Monty when you are bringing in this much talent, just wont happen

They can't afford a buy-out clause. He will be here for a while.

You are wrong! In your 5th year you had better be a couple games over 500 no matter what your roster is. Sean Frazier is going to be judged by the basketball programs success or failure. Frazier demands success and if your not getting it done, he will not hesitate to make a move. I personally believe this team is more talented than last year. As we have seen, guys must stay healthy or you have no chance for any success.

Michael James, if they win 11-13 games what do you do?

In light of state budget cuts, new cost of attendance expenditures, who is going to pay the in light of state budget cuts, new cost of attendance expenditures, who is going to pay the $650,000 plus it would cost to buy MM out? And realistically who is going to get better players to come in here ? Hopefully the whole discussion is moot because this team might well win 17+ Games

And when you are bringing in the talent Monty is, you can't just pull the plug on that

Cagey Cager, I agree with you but the wins and losses will matter. You can not go out there and win 10 or less games and feel comfortable about your season end meeting with Frazier. I expect this team to be pretty good come MAC season. As we have seen health will play a huge factor in their success or lack of it.

You know it's the beginning of football conference play when MD starts talking basketball.

I agree with Dekalb222 on this, it's a do or die season for Monty. However, I think they will do quite well this year.

(09-28-2015 03:09 PM)2015 Wrote:  I agree with Dekalb222 on this, it's a do or die season for Monty. However, I think they will do quite well this year.

There is just no way. This is the most talented incoming class NIU has probably EVER had, in the history of this school. You are going to blow everything up following that? Not a chance in heck. The only way Monty is let go is if he encourages the use of PED's and/or holds regular Friday night parties serving alcohol to minors, and/or hires lap dances for the players in the lockeroom. Outside of that, Montgomery is the head coach after this year no matter what. And he should be based on the class he has brought in this year.

If, they can't win 10 games with this schedule then it probably is not the most talented class. Monty will be the coach next year because I think they will be decent. It will not be because the freshman class is good on paper. Sorry Madddawg, but if they are 5-26 or 10-21, he will not be back! Also, some of those kids would leave on their own if they are that bad.

(09-28-2015 04:02 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  If, they can't win 10 games with this schedule then it probably is not the most talented class. Monty will be the coach next year because I think they will be decent. It will not be because the freshman class is good on paper. Sorry Madddawg, but if they are 5-26 or 10-21, he will not be back! Also, some of those kids would leave on their own if they are that bad.

There is no questioning this is great incoming talent, but as with all freshman you can't assume you are going to see that at the college level the first year they play. I know patience is not a word people are happy to hear with NIU basketball, but when you bring in a class like this, patience is your only option, and your best option. In my opinion, the pressure year for Montgomery is next season after this, that is when some results need to be shown because then this super class will be sophomores.

The freshman seem to be very talented and I have heard that they are very coach able and team oriented. The talent on this years team is Bowie, Highsmith(maybe), Maric, Aric Armstead and Baker. They will be expected to win several games. There is enough to have a winning season. Monty is not just coaching freshman!

http://t.co/INmAGXA9wx

(09-28-2015 04:14 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  The freshman seem to be very talented and I have heard that they are very coach able and team oriented. The talent on this years team is Bowie, Highsmith(maybe), Maric, Aric Armstead and Baker. They will be expected to win several games. There is enough to have a winning season. Monty is not just coaching freshman!

There is no reason with this schedule NIU should not finish above .500 overall, but I am not sure it will be over .500 in conference play. The MAC looks very good again, and some think CMU will even flirt with top 25 territory this year. Last year the MAC was the 2nd best mid major conference in the country just behind the West Coast Conference, so its tough to run that gauntlet.

I have hopes for this team as I do every year, but I have no expectations beyond mediocrity. Every year seems like the year before, whether it's the play or injuries. So, I enter this season with a lot of hopes but no real expectations.