(02-05-2023 12:07 PM)El Duderino Wrote:  5 NIU players in double figures, 2 off the bench. How often does that happen?
Thornton not one of them with 4 points (1-7 FG).
Great game: 37% 3 pt, 53% FG.

Thornton - 4 points (1 of 7 schooting) but 9 assists.

Best assist of the season, still widely available on video: Hunter on a steal and a 2 on 1 fastbreak. Thornton wouldn't have even been there except he was badly trailing the play before the steal because he was holding his shoe. Instead of getting possibly blocked on the shot Hunter dishes it off to Thornton (who acted for a split second like what am I going to do with this!) wide open under the basket. Thornton I assume is right handed and had his shoe in his right hand. He caught the pass with his left hand and made the easy basket with his left hand. The bench erupted as did any fans paying close attention with hootin hollerin and laughter.

(02-04-2023 11:31 PM)McG Wrote:  Ibarguen is the most athletic big we have and I think he fits Burno’s system well. Thornton and Hunter’s revitalization in conference play has been huge, like people have said if you can shoot the three well you can win any game. Been fun to follow this year, hopefully Burno can take us to the tourney before he gets poached

Bruno is not going anywhere. Please check out his body of work. The problem is SF. SF may think Bruno might be going somewhere and then offers Bruno a four or five year contract. Could be the same problem NIU had with MM's contract.

Hopefully, we have this conversation 2 to 3 years from now.

The team is seeming to peak at the right time

(02-05-2023 06:58 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(02-04-2023 11:31 PM)McG Wrote:  Ibarguen is the most athletic big we have and I think he fits Burno’s system well. Thornton and Hunter’s revitalization in conference play has been huge, like people have said if you can shoot the three well you can win any game. Been fun to follow this year, hopefully Burno can take us to the tourney before he gets poached

Bruno is not going anywhere. Please check out his body of work. The problem is SF. SF may think Bruno might be going somewhere and then offers Bruno a four or five year contract. Could be the same problem NIU had with MM's contract.

Hopefully, we have this conversation 2 to 3 years from now.

Wasn’t saying someone scoops him tomorrow lol. He took over a team with no talent last year and managed to get our first Power 5 win in two decades, and has a team many thought would win 2-3 games all year at 6-4 in conference play with the teams best player out. I think his body of work is already more promising than anything Monty did in 10 years.

(02-05-2023 09:40 PM)McG Wrote:  

(02-05-2023 06:58 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(02-04-2023 11:31 PM)McG Wrote:  Ibarguen is the most athletic big we have and I think he fits Burno’s system well. Thornton and Hunter’s revitalization in conference play has been huge, like people have said if you can shoot the three well you can win any game. Been fun to follow this year, hopefully Burno can take us to the tourney before he gets poached

Bruno is not going anywhere. Please check out his body of work. The problem is SF. SF may think Bruno might be going somewhere and then offers Bruno a four or five year contract. Could be the same problem NIU had with MM's contract.

Hopefully, we have this conversation 2 to 3 years from now.

Wasn’t saying someone scoops him tomorrow lol. He took over a team with no talent last year and managed to get our first Power 5 win in two decades, and has a team many thought would win 2-3 games all year at 6-4 in conference play with the teams best player out. I think his body of work is already more promising than anything Monty did in 10 years.

I have no idea if Monty ever received any kind of offer to leave NIU but about the worst thing an NIU could could do is turn down about any offer. Sustained success in any sport at NIU is really hard and if the iron is hot, you better strike.