Mine simply is Justin Lee. I think this kid is going to have a very very good MAC career and cannot wait to see how he fits in. I know we have been disgruntled over recent bball memories, but this is the most talented group of players we have had at NIU in a long time. I am going to flat out guarantee a top 4 finish. Reason for pessimism: This NIU team may not represent a shift in an upswing of a program, but rather a one year wonder type of team. German will gone after this season, and obviously losing Bradley will be devastating.

(07-09-2018 02:33 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Mine simply is Justin Lee. I think this kid is going to have a very very good MAC career and cannot wait to see how he fits in. I know we have been disgruntled over recent bball memories, but this is the most talented group of players we have had at NIU in a long time. I am going to flat out guarantee a top 4 finish. Reason for pessimism: This NIU team may not represent a shift in an upswing of a program, but rather a one year wonder type of team. German will gone after this season, and obviously losing Bradley will be devastating.

I think Lee is one of the best talents that Monte has recruited here. He is too small for now so I don’t think he will be a major factor this season. I do agree with you that this team can become a one hit wonder. Key will be back healthy, DC should be healthy, and they picked up some good juco talent that can run the point. Very tough schedule but I’m excited!

I think we need Daow to progress with the loss of Thomas. This is the year we need to win so monty can get a new class of good players in.


Hope to make it up to Atlanta to see a winnable game against the rambling wreck.


GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In order of precedence

Have the athletes stay out of trouble, get good grades, and graduate
NCAA appearance
MAC champs
MAC west title
Winning record
Don't lose to schools we shouldn't lose to, like a Rockford College or a Chicago State.
Fewer transfers

I don’t believe German will be gone after this year because I don’t believe he will ever be drafted by the NBA. Also, Key will fit in just fine the year after Bradley leaves. I’m mostly looking forward to see if they can constantly knock down 8 or 9 threes per game. I believe if this happens they can make so noise in Cleveland.

I’m excited to see how the new transfers mesh with our existing players. Also I’m expecting MAC player of the year out of German. I do believe he will be lights out next season and if we can get into the postseason his stock will sky rocket..... If Trae Young can go number 5 in the draft.....German can at least work his way into being a second round pick. I feel a Cinderella year coming on.

(07-09-2018 06:16 PM)BDB5yp Wrote:  I’m excited to see how the new transfers mesh with our existing players. Also I’m expecting MAC player of the year out of German. I do believe he will be lights out next season and if we can get into the postseason his stock will sky rocket..... If Trae Young can go number 5 in the draft.....German can at least work his way into being a second round pick. I feel a Cinderella year coming on.

I agree BDB5, I could see this being a Cinderella type year. I really hope German approaches this year with the increased emphasis on team. I guess that is the one thing I worry about, if German thinks he has to go Showtime every night for the NBA, will the team concept suffer. If he facilitates more, which would help NIU get deeper in post-season play, I think that exposure of post-season would do more for his NBA prospects than averaging 20 points a game as opposed to 15

(07-09-2018 06:16 PM)BDB5yp Wrote:  I’m excited to see how the new transfers mesh with our existing players. Also I’m expecting MAC player of the year out of German. I do believe he will be lights out next season and if we can get into the postseason his stock will sky rocket..... If Trae Young can go number 5 in the draft.....German can at least work his way into being a second round pick. I feel a Cinderella year coming on.

MAC Player of the Year? He could average 28 ppg and still get the shaft. After all, it is the MAC. Ask Allen Rayhorn.

Montgomery parlaying the shocking win over Top 32 Buffalo into a MAC title game appearance on national television.

(07-09-2018 08:26 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Montgomery parlaying the shocking win over Top 32 Buffalo into a MAC title game appearance on national television.

Someone mentioned above, even though they agreed this could be a 1 hit wonder if it happens, it could spur better recruitment going forward. I totally agree with that. Sometimes it seems like when you have a culture of losing as deeply entrenched as NIU basketball, you just need a breakthrough to reverse the tide, and then the dominoes can fall. As bad as the record turned out last season, I don't think NIU was as far from the top half of the MAC as it appeared.

This thread has me excited about next season for NIU Basketball.

I don’t believe Monty could recruit better than he has! I believe health and people leaving has been the downfall. Nader, Wilson, Porter, Highsmith,German, Key, Maric, Bradley, Baker, Bowie, Armstead, Threloff that’s pretty good for NIU and the MAC.

If there was a serviceable big man I would feel much better. James plays small, Key and McCarty are also to small to defend MAC centers. I thought James would be better but he probably was the worst starting center in the MAC last year.

(07-09-2018 09:09 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  I don’t believe Monty could recruit better than he has! I believe health and people leaving has been the downfall. Nader, Wilson, Porter, Highsmith,German, Key, Maric, Bradley, Baker, Bowie, Armstead, Threloff that’s pretty good for NIU and the MAC.

Doesn't it seem like though when you have such a systemic losing culture, you attract talent that is selfish and serves interests exclusively outside of the interest of the program. I think that's why guys like Nader, Wilson, and Porter could not work at NIU, they saw themselves as above the program. A winning culture seems like it more inherently demands players adapt to fit the culture and not vice versa.

If NIU becomes solid at forward, I'm not worried about the lack of a big man. You can win championships in the MAC without a great one

You don’t need a great center in the MAC but you need some serviceable size! Lacey James plays small and then Bradley cannot guard power forwards so you are smaller in two spots. Buffalo has a lot of size at 4 positions. Kent State has a 4star 7foot grad transfer from Memphis. Ball St and EMU are big. Toledo and WMU return bigs that destroyed Jameslast year. If I were Monty I wouldn’t be hoping we can get by I would’ve found someone. This is his you’re let go or extended year.

The went went wrong in 2018-19 thread, followed by what to expect in 2019-20 thread.

(07-09-2018 10:26 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  You don’t need a great center in the MAC but you need some serviceable size! Lacey James plays small and then Bradley cannot guard power forwards so you are smaller in two spots. Buffalo has a lot of size at 4 positions. Kent State has a 4star 7foot grad transfer from Memphis. Ball St and EMU are big. Toledo and WMU return bigs that destroyed Jameslast year. If I were Monty I wouldn’t be hoping we can get by I would’ve found someone. This is his you’re let go or extended year.

I think you have stellar guard and forward play, you can still win the conference without a dominant center. Buffalo has a little bit of size but not much. Size is not how Buffalo dominates, it's their relentless pace of play and energy that wear down opponents. I disagree about Monty. Monty and carey are safe until Frazier leaves. If he fired one of them or did not renew it would be a messy item for him to leave behind for his next gig. I think as important as the budget issue is, that factor of being able to make a clean break for the next job when it presents itself and not have the complicating factor of a coaching vacancy is equally important to him. Probably not the best reason in the world in terms of doing what is right for the program, but that's the state of job right now. Heck, that's how we got Carey, Compher promoted from within quickly so he could have his dream job at ECU without having to worry about leaving things a mess. Serves Compher right that he has been colossal failure. Plus by firing a coach, you are kind of taking some of the blame of failure too, not something that is appealing to prospective employers when looking for a new job

(07-09-2018 04:21 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  I think we need Daow to progress with the loss of Thomas. This is the year we need to win so monty can get a new class of good players in.


Hope to make it up to Atlanta to see a winnable game against the rambling wreck.


GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where did this Ga. Tech game come from? I have not seen it anywhere but on this board. Seems to be a figment of someone's imagination.

N. Ky
@ SIUE
vs Oral Roberts
@ Oakland
vs James Madison all three in Oakland tourney
@ Green Bay
@ Butler
WIU
@ N Ky
Chicago State
@ Michigan State
Probably two non D1 at home
Can't believe you'd have any more road games

(07-10-2018 02:14 PM)sportsfan Wrote:  

(07-09-2018 04:21 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  I think we need Daow to progress with the loss of Thomas. This is the year we need to win so monty can get a new class of good players in.


Hope to make it up to Atlanta to see a winnable game against the rambling wreck.


GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where did this Ga. Tech game come from? I have not seen it anywhere but on this board. Seems to be a figment of someone's imagination.

N. Ky
@ SIUE
vs Oral Roberts
@ Oakland
vs James Madison all three in Oakland tourney
@ Green Bay
@ Butler
WIU
@ N Ky
Chicago State
@ Michigan State
Probably two non D1 at home
Can't believe you'd have any more road games

Good lord that's a home light schedule. At least electricity costs will be saved on the new scoreboard. Hopefully season ticket prices are adjusted accordingly with so few home dates

One of the new juco transfers mentioned that they play Georgia Tech, Butler and Michigan St.