Speaking of team win I would like to see minutes distributed sort of like this: Porter 22, Thomas 15, Highsmith 18, German 18, Armstead 22, Wilson 20, Key 22, Bradley 22, Maric 22, Pauga 10 and McCarthy 3. I know circumstances dictate things but I believe it's mostly what Monty is trying to do. We really need Wilson and Pauga to contribute. Armstead is playing way to many minutes.

(01-15-2017 12:02 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Speaking of team win I would like to see minutes distributed sort of like this: Porter 22, Thomas 15, Highsmith 18, German 18, Armstead 22, Wilson 20, Key 22, Bradley 22, Maric 22, Pauga 10 and McCarthy 3. I know circumstances dictate things but I believe it's mostly what Monty is trying to do. We really need Wilson and Pauga to contribute. Armstead is playing way to many minutes.

Armstead's defense is so crucial though, he is so valuable to this team in things that maybe do not necessarily show up on stat sheets.

He's playing well defending and rebounding but if Wilson and Pauga contribute his minutes will come down and maybe he will have some energy to make a shot

Time will tell but today may have been the day the Huskies matured as a team and as individuals. 17-0 run in the second half, I can't remember them doing that. Huskies had a 19pt lead with 7:39 remaining and ended up winning by 17. They usually can't keep a double digit lead especially on the road. Most road wins have been close wins.

(01-15-2017 12:23 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Time will tell but today may have been the day the Huskies matured as a team and as individuals. 17-0 run in the second half, I can't remember them doing that. Huskies had a 19pt lead with 7:39 remaining and ended up winning by 17. They usually can't keep a double digit lead especially on the road. Most road wins have been close wins.

I agree. If egos can be checked at the door this team is capable of a top 3 or 4 finish. It's really up to them

This felt to me like the most unselfishly played game as a whole. This could be a turning point I think you are right. NIU sure has a brutal middle of the conference season schedule. Just try and minimize those inevitable tough stretches. 2 game losing streaks instead of 4 game losing streaks

"I agree. If egos can be checked at the door this team is capable of a top 3 or 4 finish. It's really up to them"

There have never been any ego issues with this year's team. They seem to truly like each other, root for each other and really share the ball. Porter and Wilson are both unselfish on the court--both had some awesome assists. Dontel was very solid. The rest of the guys are really buying in wholeheartedly. I thought Armstead was very very good today--4 steals, 6 rebounds, shut down their shooters, and seemed to take only good shots......winning this big with Armstead and Maric only combining for 13 points was a huge step forward. Bradley and Key were very good. 10 for 10 from the FT line in 2nd half was a great sight. it was fun to see the guys get so excited when Jon Siu knocked down a deep three at the end of the game....That guy can really stroke it..hopefully his injuries are behind him because he could be the three ball bomber NIU has been lacking. This team is a blast to watch. And where is packer pride guy--only shows up when things look bad? Also, for a team that "can't win on the road" these Huskies doing all right.....back to back road wins in Florida and again in Ohio......

While Porter was suspended the Huskies won two road games in Florida and while Wilson was suspended Huskies won a home and road game. These wins gave Monty some leverage over Porter and Wilson. I'm hoping it lets them know the team goes forward with or without them. Winning can cure many problems.

I don't find the guys to be selfish or not team guys. What Monty is asking them to do isn't the easiest thing for players to do. I believe he would like to be two deep and play 10 guys double digit minutes a game. I believe the guys do a pretty good job accepting this kind of rotation. If he can get consistent production out of that kind of rotation look out, they will become a top MAC team.

There has been some selfish behavior. Being short-handed for games due to players not following rules qualifies as selfish in my book. Plus in many games didn't you just get the feeling individual players were trying to do everything on their own instead of looking for that extra pass. That seemed different to me yesterday. Another play that sticks out to me yesterday was when Porter got into trouble on the drive, two or three weeks ago he forces that shot up, yesterday he somehow found Bradley wide open for a three point shot. NIU needs more open looks like the one Bradley got on that play, and if the unselfish play continues, I am optimistic

The more I think about it the overtime session at Kent St may actually been the maturing moment of the team. It may also have got Wilson to buy into the coaches plan.

Maybe MM forced the team to read our comments on a nice long team bonding trip. They finally executed our game plan and had an easy win.

(01-15-2017 12:02 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Speaking of team win I would like to see minutes distributed sort of like this: Porter 22, Thomas 15, Highsmith 18, German 18, Armstead 22, Wilson 20, Key 22, Bradley 22, Maric 22, Pauga 10 and McCarthy 3. I know circumstances dictate things but I believe it's mostly what Monty is trying to do. We really need Wilson and Pauga to contribute. Armstead is playing way to many minutes.

You'd be great at coaching. That's 194 total minutes and you have 200 to account for in a regular game. Armstead is a defender; probably the best we have.

Sports fan, give the six minutes to anyone you want! Armstead is the best individual defender and maybe rebounder on the team. You realize that Monty is hoping for more contributions from Wilson and Pauga right? If that happens Armstead minutes will go down.

Also, the post said minutes distributed sort of like this.

Less than 30 minutes for Armstead is likely to make the defense suffer significantly. His shot selection at bowling Green was much improved. If this continues 30+ minutes is all but guaranteed.

If Armstead is going to get 28-30 minutes then you sub him with German. Highsmith gets subbed by Wilson and it's time to make Porter the starter again. Porter would be subbed by Thomas. If your goal is a MACC you will need offense from Wilson, Pauga and German. If Armstead sitting hurts the defense that much they are in big trouble next year!

Completely off topic, but since we are talking about how two of the winter sports are doing so well right now, women's gymnastics is currently ranked 16th in the nation. A lot of good things with NIU sports this year.

(01-16-2017 12:06 AM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  Completely off topic, but since we are talking about how two of the winter sports are doing so well right now, women's gymnastics is currently ranked 16th in the nation. A lot of good things with NIU sports this year.

Besides football... (btw Gymnastics lost to Ball State today).