Huskiefan87, I do believe in defense but I know in order for NIU to move up in the MAC they also need to be able to score regularly. Ok defense and many offensive weapons is what the MAC better teams consist of. Also, This year NIU is just ok at defense. Good defense will come when the freshman get stronger, more experienced and except that you have to play hard all the time.

The person who is MIA is Highsmith. Its mid-February and he still isn't back yet. He's on pace to sit out three full seasons now.

He isn't ready apparently. As Cagey has said, it's really in his and the program's best interest if he sits out. He can still practice and go full contact. Who knows, the coaches have all said you will see him this season even if it's the last four games.

Funny how I started this thread about Pauga's playing time and he gets minutes tonight.

(02-15-2016 02:24 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  I can't believe he's not good enough to be playing at least 10 minutes a game. He hasn't played the last two games and barely played before that. Besides too many minutes for Orris this is the biggest head scratcher if he isn't hurt. I don't like how coach uses the 3pt guy. It seems Pauga this year and Cravatta in the past get 2-3mins to make a three and if not you are out for rest of game. This kid is to good of a shooter to sit on our bench all game!

Orris has no outside shot but he runs the offense well, did a nice job tonight of breaking BG press (not a really good press tho)
He is the one to steady the young Men when things get out of control as it will with freshmen.

Maybe Pauga needs to improve on defense...defense is number 1 with Monty..it's worked for Izzo...Pauga needs to beat out some of the other freshmen for PT

Actually, what happened tonight with Pauga is just what I was asking for. He played 10 minutes and was 1-3fg and 1-2 from 3pt.

I think Austin did exactly like I said was happening. He got a three but he gave up three three's on defense and Monty replaced him every time. He got out of position and left his man and could not recover in time on the ball reversal or skip pass.

Austin did play tougher tonight which I liked to see because the defense lapses will diminish with time.

My whole point was no matter what it was odd that Austin had two did not play in a row! The other teams players score on every single NIU player.