(01-31-2016 11:53 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  This years team has always been a year away from being a legit MACC contender. When they can go 500 on the road in the MAC, they will have a great chance at a title. As funny as it sounds, they maybe getting a little full of themselves. They were certainly not engaged in the Miami game.

I think this is spot on. Also I wonder if a few people not thinking in a team mentality at times is bringing this team down.

(01-31-2016 10:58 AM)NIU17 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:53 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:44 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:36 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 09:59 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  Due to work, did not get to listen to the game, but have gone through this thread and the only conclusion I can come up with is not to assume an RPI guarantees anything.
Didn't believe it was possible, but I guess we out-"ranked" Miami in a manner beyond the MAC's statistical listings. Definitely disappointing.

Todays game really proved my point about this conference, even the worst team can be a top half of Div 1 team, its a bloodbath of a conference. NIU still had a poor effort today despite that, should have won this game.

Nope, Miami still sucks. NIU just sucked more today.

Its a relative thing, Miami would easily beat teams like Drake, Bradley, Cleveland State, UIC, etc. In the MAC relative sense they suck, but the conference is stacked this year and the difference from number one and number twelve is probably as small as its ever been. Not going to sugar coat today though, the arrow is down on NIU, we are watching the team we have watched the whole Coach Montgomery era now.

The MAC is competitive and there are decent teams, but it is not stacked, even compared to MVC and other G5 conferences.

I trust you aren't talking about this season because the MAC has MANY more good teams than the MVC, MANY more. Right now the MAC is 10th nationally in terms of conference ranking, and that includes all 33 or so conferences. In terms of mid major it is 2nd behind the Colonial.

(01-30-2016 10:53 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:44 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:36 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 09:59 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  Due to work, did not get to listen to the game, but have gone through this thread and the only conclusion I can come up with is not to assume an RPI guarantees anything.
Didn't believe it was possible, but I guess we out-"ranked" Miami in a manner beyond the MAC's statistical listings. Definitely disappointing.

Todays game really proved my point about this conference, even the worst team can be a top half of Div 1 team, its a bloodbath of a conference. NIU still had a poor effort today despite that, should have won this game.

Nope, Miami still sucks. NIU just sucked more today.

Its a relative thing, Miami would easily beat teams like Drake, Bradley, Cleveland State, UIC, etc. In the MAC relative sense they suck, but the conference is stacked this year and the difference from number one and number twelve is probably as small as its ever been. Not going to sugar coat today though, the arrow is down on NIU, we are watching the team we have watched the whole Coach Montgomery era now.

Like normal you are greatly overstating the MAC. It did not prove your point, it proves that even the top half of the conference is not very good. "Stacked" should never be used to describe the MAC. Bradley beat Ball St. Drake is bad but they just as easily could knock off a MAC teams as Miami.

This year is a good, and needed, step forward for the program.

(01-31-2016 01:10 PM)Big 12 fan too Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:53 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:44 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 10:36 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(01-30-2016 09:59 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  Due to work, did not get to listen to the game, but have gone through this thread and the only conclusion I can come up with is not to assume an RPI guarantees anything.
Didn't believe it was possible, but I guess we out-"ranked" Miami in a manner beyond the MAC's statistical listings. Definitely disappointing.

Todays game really proved my point about this conference, even the worst team can be a top half of Div 1 team, its a bloodbath of a conference. NIU still had a poor effort today despite that, should have won this game.

Nope, Miami still sucks. NIU just sucked more today.

Its a relative thing, Miami would easily beat teams like Drake, Bradley, Cleveland State, UIC, etc. In the MAC relative sense they suck, but the conference is stacked this year and the difference from number one and number twelve is probably as small as its ever been. Not going to sugar coat today though, the arrow is down on NIU, we are watching the team we have watched the whole Coach Montgomery era now.

Like normal you are greatly overstating the MAC. It did not prove your point, it proves that even that top half of the conference is not very good. "Stacked" should never be used to describe the MAC. Bradley beat Ball St. Drake is bad but they would just as easily could knock off a MAC teams as Miami.

This year is a good, and needed, step forward for the program.

Thank you. Exactly what I wanted to say.

(01-31-2016 09:09 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Why does it seem like every team we play hits a ton of three pointers against us?

Miami, Akron, WMU, CMU, etc.

Then every game one or two opposing team players who average like 2-4ppg has a career/season high as well.

In yesterday's game, our D gave them wide open looks from 3, it just was not good enough close out D. We turned it on for the middle 10 in the 2nd half, but couldn't hit enough of our own shots.

(01-31-2016 09:09 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Why does it seem like every team we play hits a ton of three pointers against us?

Miami, Akron, WMU, CMU, etc.

Then every game one or two opposing team players who average like 2-4ppg has a career/season high as well.

It's a function of the D NIU plays, a strategy that's pretty sound, generally. NIU wants to force longer shots. With Maric patrolling the lane, getting close shots is difficult. However, and I'm not an expert nor have I watched very closely, you still want to contest those shots. It's hard.

(01-29-2016 06:00 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  This is absolutely getting ridiculous, a team by team break down of RPI ranking.


#43 Wichita State vs #78 Akron

Edge Wichita State - MVC 1 MAC 0


#64 Evanvsville vs #83 Kent St

Edge Evansville - MVC 2 MAC 0


#105 Indiana St vs #89 Northern Illinois

Edge Northern Illinois - MVC 2 MAC 1


#114 Southern Illinois vs #109 Ohio

Edge Ohio MVC 2 MAC 2


#138 Illinois State vs #116 Eastern Michigan

Edge Eastern Michigan MAC 3 MVC 2


#148 Northern Iowa vs #118 Buffalo

Edge Buffalo MAC 4 MVC 2


#221 Missouri State vs #150 Central Michigan

Edge Central Michigan MAC 5 MVC 2


#269 Loyola vs #163 Toledo

Edge Toledo MAC 6 MVC 2


#281 Bradley vs #181 Ball State

Edge Ball State MAC 7 MVC 2

#311 Drake vs #192 Bowling Green

Edge Bowling Green MAC 8 MVC 2

Using his way of comparing conferences, and his love of Massey Ratings.

12. Houston vs. 28. Toledo, Edge: AAC
23. Navy vs. 40. Bowling Green, Edge: AAC
37. Memphis vs. 54. Western Michigan, Edge: AAC
41. Temple vs. 71. Ohio, Edge: AAC
51. South Florida vs. 72. NIU, Edge: AAC
67. Cincinnati vs. 73. Central Michigan, Edge: AAC
81. East Carolina vs. 78. Akron, Edge: MAC
85. UConn vs. 98. Buffalo, Edge: AAC
87. Tulsa vs. 105. Ball St, Edge: AAC
107. SMU vs. 109. UMass, Edge: AAC
115. Tulane vs. 114. Kent St, Edge: MAC
127. UCF vs. 116. Miami (OH), Edge: MAC
------------- vs. 126. Eastern Michigan, Edge: No one.

AAC: 9
MAC: 3

At least we got him to admit that the AAC is clearly better at football.

Wilson with 24 points, 5 rebounds but 4 fouls. When was the last time we had a player come of the bench to score 24? Maric with only 3 attempts. Baker 0/9 from 3 point land but the team shot 33%. Only 11 turnovers and we still lost. Strange stat game.

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-baskb...30-16.html

Also, both teams got 50 shots. They hit 6 more than NIU. Baker and Maric 1-12fg will always result in a loss! Both players shooting percentages are on the decline.

NIU75, 12/04/2015 Wilson scored 24 against Missouri off the bench. It's past time he was rewarded with a start!

(01-31-2016 03:55 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Also, both teams got 50 shots. They hit 6 more than NIU. Baker and Maric 1-12fg will always result in a loss! Both players shooting percentages are on the decline.

Do you think that the team is getting away from their offense and forgetting where the good open shots will come from? Maric is great when he gets ball in the post on a seal off. Baker is a great shooter when he steps into the pass and is wide open. When Maric and Baker start winging it and forcing shots their percentage starts dropping as we seem in the last couple of games and most of last year. It is time to start Wilson, he is getting minutes now. I have no idea what is going on with Porter?

MAC coaches have been around for a long time and I believe have scouted us very well. NIU comes out of timeout and Miami springs a 131 half court trap on us and we turn the ball over two times in a row. We had no idea how to adjust or attack the trap. Our guards and MM should of saw it coming and made a quick adjustment.

It's really this simple. Baker 22.6pts average in 5-MAC wins and Maric 14.4pts average in 5-MAC wins. Baker 4pts average in 3-MAC losses and Maric 6.6pts in 3-MAC losses. These two are having great years but apparently the team is not good enough to win when these two don't score.

Very bad loss.

(01-31-2016 05:27 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Very bad loss.

Yea unfortunately this road trip will probably pour some water on the hype from a fan/student/media perspective.

This was the easier of the two road trips. Next 3-games are a season defining stretch! Maddawg is right about this, Huskies have put themselves in a make or break situation. Win 2-3 of these games and you probably are a top 4-seed. Lose 2-3 of these and you are battling not to be a bottom 4-seed.