So why couldn't Monty get them to "buy" in and play that way all season? Perhaps if they finish strong they will get off to a better start next season.

(03-01-2015 03:21 AM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  Ha, having put up that hoop a bunch of times I'm pretty sure that it was installed wrong. I think they forgot the pin. I suppose it's possible Rak broke it but that seems very very unlikely. If that ruins the majesty of it, sorry.

Really lucky it didn't brain that CMU player on the way down.

On the ESPN summary it says the "Panthers" shot nearly 57%. I like these panthers more than the old huskies.

NIU didn't need Baker to score tonight, but I'm glad to see he didn't jack up a ton of shots (0-4) but he hit his free throws and got some assists without a bunch of turnovers. Very much....like a point guard....

17 assists on 25 buckets. Only 10 turnovers. NIU appears to have the beginnings of a real offense, and that's awesome. Just seeing tangible progress is far more exciting than it should be. Threloff and Johnson with very efficient games.

I am sure you are right but it would be interesting to see if there any other dunks on that basket earlier in the game. I would also be interested to see if CMU protests the outcome due to not having the basket properly set up.

Everything was in synergy this game. The players fed the crowd and the crowd fed the players. Usually fans in my section talk during the game. Not yesterday. We were all watching the game and cheering. Well, except for the CMU fans seated behind me.

Attendance 1548. Sounded like more. Imagine 3-4K with that Rakocevic's dunk....:sigh:

Right now, NIU is a very confident team. They believe they are going to win and are playing unselfishly. They are a dangerous team right now. It's probably too late but they've been fun to watch lately.

Huskies have scored 1783pts and avg 66pts a game. Opponents have scored 1783pts and avg 66pts a game.

(03-01-2015 10:26 AM)bikechuck Wrote:  So why couldn't Monty get them to "buy" in and play that way all season? Perhaps if they finish strong they will get off to a better start next season.

Last two games was the team we have been waiting for and wishing for all year. Post play was 7 for 7. The guards finally figured out how to pass into the post and use a pick and roll. Shooting 21 for 30 in 2 point range. Playing like a team and not my turn to shoot offense.
What took them so long?

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-baskb...28-15.html

Huskies have shot around 48%fg over their last 7 games. Last night was the first time in forever that NIU had a full roster.

Finally using the talents of our 2 best athletes & shooters. AJ & AA#23.

And a bit under the radar has been the play of Aaron Armstead #2.

Having all 3 of them on the floor makes guarding the "arch" tougher and can open up the paint for the "bigs".


3-POINT PERCENTAGE 3FG ATT Pct
---------------------------------- -
Armstead, Aaron..... 33 79 .418
Johnson, Anthony.... 30 82 .366
Armstead, Aaric..... 21 59 .356
Baker, Travon....... 34 112 .304
Bowie, Darrell...... 9 33 .273
Orris, Michael...... 10 44 .227
Iroegbu, Chuks...... 2 13 .154
Rakocevic, Pete..... 0 9 .000
Maric, Marin........ 0 1 .000

(03-01-2015 10:59 AM)RobertN Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 03:21 AM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  Ha, having put up that hoop a bunch of times I'm pretty sure that it was installed wrong. I think they forgot the pin. I suppose it's possible Rak broke it but that seems very very unlikely. If that ruins the majesty of it, sorry.

Really lucky it didn't brain that CMU player on the way down.

On the ESPN summary it says the "Panthers" shot nearly 57%. I like these panthers more than the old huskies.

NIU didn't need Baker to score tonight, but I'm glad to see he didn't jack up a ton of shots (0-4) but he hit his free throws and got some assists without a bunch of turnovers. Very much....like a point guard....

17 assists on 25 buckets. Only 10 turnovers. NIU appears to have the beginnings of a real offense, and that's awesome. Just seeing tangible progress is far more exciting than it should be. Threloff and Johnson with very efficient games.

I am sure you are right but it would be interesting to see if there any other dunks on that basket earlier in the game. I would also be interested to see if CMU protests the outcome due to not having the basket properly set up.

Ha, I think that appeal would fail but just in case I'll say there's no way it was installed wrong and our minimum wage Convo crew is the finest in the land.

(03-01-2015 10:26 AM)bikechuck Wrote:  So why couldn't Monty get them to "buy" in and play that way all season? Perhaps if they finish strong they will get off to a better start next season.

I'm sure it was due to disinterest on his part. Nah, I'm being a jerk.

Things click when they click. Why did Baker "all of the sudden" become a positive? There were probably small signs that we fail to see because of multiple reasons (we're fans looking at results more than technique being the obvious one).

I don't think it was "buy in" that was the problem. I think with Monty there's been some bad luck (injuries) and he's made mistakes too.

I'm more of a mind that I'll feel good about the progress rather than get upset that it took longer than I'd like for it to get here.

Baker will be a senior next year, and if his play continues into next year (or gets better. I like that idea.) NIU should be able to run a real offense for an entire season, something I've not seen (I've only been following the team since like 2006 with any closeness).

(03-01-2015 12:05 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 10:26 AM)bikechuck Wrote:  So why couldn't Monty get them to "buy" in and play that way all season? Perhaps if they finish strong they will get off to a better start next season.

Last two games was the team we have been waiting for and wishing for all year. Post play was 7 for 7. The guards finally figured out how to pass into the post and use a pick and roll. Shooting 21 for 30 in 2 point range. Playing like a team and not my turn to shoot offense.
What took them so long?

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-baskb...28-15.html

Just getting decent guard play on offense has made A WORLD of difference. Earlier in the year Orris and Baker were brutal. Both are actually doing a good job with the ball now which means everyone is involved (which is far more motivating than never getting the ball) and the shot selection is a ton better.

NIU made deadspin!

The near hoop crushing.

I just watched the game again on WatchESPN. Just as impressive and exciting as yesterday - especially the collapsed basket.

It was just on NBC Nightly news.

(03-01-2015 07:02 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  It was just on NBC Nightly news.

Unbelievable. We are getting coverage everywhere - except, of course, in the Chicago papers.

Serious question for anybody who has been watching the games, is this the norm recently?

NIU had 5 players who played 26+ minutes yesterday:
Orris
Armstead
Armstead
Baker
Johnson

Not a single big in that group. Have they been playing smallball lately?

No, he actually started Threloff and Maric together, but they both picked up the third fouls early in the second half. Pete is still recovering from injuries along with Bowie so they are not in game shape for many minutes according to his post game interview.

He said it also depends on matchups. The Chips had a perimeter offense that required a smaller defensive lineup.

(03-01-2015 07:02 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  It was just on NBC Nightly news.

Over 186K views on YouTube in less than 24 hours. What a world we live in........