This is not a well coached team.

The NIU player with no idea to not stand in a corner and get trapped? What the hell...

(01-11-2020 06:45 PM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  Monty can't get out of here soon enough, even if he quit tonight this is embarrassing.

This is so embarassing

This is unbelievable.

Henry-Hays the savior!

of all people, Henry-Hays coming up big.

W at least...

my God...fix the last 4 min of the game and this could be a good team.

Another Rod Henry-Hays siting today. Might put this one away .....

(01-11-2020 06:45 PM)StevenNIU Wrote:  This is not a well coached team.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS!

I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

(01-11-2020 06:54 PM)Big Red Wrote:  I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

All of these things that you say that the players are doing (missing free throws, not blocking out, etc) are all things that should be practiced and if the players are unable to execute, then you find someone else who can.

This could be a decent team if they only shorten the games by 5 minutes.

(01-11-2020 07:17 PM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 06:54 PM)Big Red Wrote:  I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

All of these things that you say that the players are doing (missing free throws, not blocking out, etc) are all things that should be practiced and if the players are unable to execute, then you find someone else who can.

So, why do you think NIU leads the MAC in rebounding? Why does Hankerson shoot 85% from the line? Why does Beane shoot 79% from the line? Magic? Dumb luck?

Clearly they practice these things because they are actually good and do these things in games. They just aren't doing it at the end of games. Everyone bitched about the inbounds play on Tuesday night, but the right guys were in position to get the ball. One of them did (German) and then German passed it to Mateen who could have easily passed to Hankerson but chose not too. Nevertheless, every guy who got the ball at the end of the game today was someone who "should" be getting the ball. EMU wouldn't foul German. Okay, so they get it to Beane and Hankerson who go and miss free throws. What else do you want Montgomery to do in that situation? He implemented plays that got the ball to the right guys and they missed shots.

Now, I'll admit that the quality or whatnot of the players is ultimately the responsibility of Montgomery. But to look at today's game and to come away from it with the conclusion that NIU doesn't practice free throws or rebounding only points right back at someone who doesn't know that they are talking about.

Honestly, NIU isn't a great FT shooting team this year with McCarty and James and some of the young guys (Cochran) taking a lot of FTs this year. That doesn't mean they don't practice. But the fact of the matter is, none of those guys were on the line. It was Hankerson, Beane, and (thankfully) Henry-Hayes and two of those guys missed a number of free throws that could have made the situation a lot more comfortable.

(01-11-2020 07:24 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  This could be a decent team if they only shorten the games by 5 minutes.

No. They would play good for 30 minutes not 35.

(01-11-2020 07:17 PM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 06:54 PM)Big Red Wrote:  I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

All of these things that you say that the players are doing (missing free throws, not blocking out, etc) are all things that should be practiced and if the players are unable to execute, then you find someone else who can.

Excuse me ... there are only 13 players. This isn't football where everybody is a specialist. Got to walk and chew gum at the same time to play this game. And some folks struggle with that.

Players got to do their jobs. All of their jobs, which includes boxing out and free throws, along with scoring and defense.

(01-11-2020 06:54 PM)Big Red Wrote:  I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

This man was paying attention.

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

(01-11-2020 07:38 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 07:17 PM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 06:54 PM)Big Red Wrote:  I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

All of these things that you say that the players are doing (missing free throws, not blocking out, etc) are all things that should be practiced and if the players are unable to execute, then you find someone else who can.

So, why do you think NIU leads the MAC in rebounding? Why does Hankerson shoot 85% from the line? Why does Beane shoot 79% from the line? Magic? Dumb luck?

Clearly they practice these things because they are actually good and do these things in games. They just aren't doing it at the end of games. Everyone bitched about the inbounds play on Tuesday night, but the right guys were in position to get the ball. One of them did (German) and then German passed it to Mateen who could have easily passed to Hankerson but chose not too. Nevertheless, every guy who got the ball at the end of the game today was someone who "should" be getting the ball. EMU wouldn't foul German. Okay, so they get it to Beane and Hankerson who go and miss free throws. What else do you want Montgomery to do in that situation? He implemented plays that got the ball to the right guys and they missed shots.

Now, I'll admit that the quality or whatnot of the players is ultimately the responsibility of Montgomery. But to look at today's game and to come away from it with the conclusion that NIU doesn't practice free throws or rebounding only points right back at someone who doesn't know that they are talking about.

Honestly, NIU isn't a great FT shooting team this year with McCarty and James and some of the young guys (Cochran) taking a lot of FTs this year. That doesn't mean they don't practice. But the fact of the matter is, none of those guys were on the line. It was Hankerson, Beane, and (thankfully) Henry-Hayes and two of those guys missed a number of free throws that could have made the situation a lot more comfortable.

Rebounding and blocking out are two different things. I am sure that they practice plenty on rebounding but how much do they work on getting the tough rebounds late in a game when it is really needed. It doesn't take much to put a body on someone to impede them from the ball but they just don't seem to have the desire do that. Probably something they could work on more in practice.

I am not looking at just today's game. Late leads have been blown in the last three games and NIU has been fortunate to win two of them. Against the press they kept throwing the first pass into the corner which tends to lead to turnovers. Without a solid point guard on this team, I would imagine they will see a lot of pressing the remainder of the season.

It just doesn't feel like they practice end of game scenarios as this wouldn't continue to happen. People appear to be tight and aren't sure what to do.

Those are just my thoughts but I will come back some other time when I know what I am talking about.

(01-11-2020 08:43 PM)cleveland Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 07:17 PM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 06:54 PM)Big Red Wrote:  I know the easy thing to do is, once again, point the finger at Montgomery, but when players miss free throws (especially the ones that are actually good at shooting FTs....Hankerson/Beane), don't block out on the boards (especially on the defensive end during free throws) and start taking bad shots (McCarthy with his spin move air ball for example), then the blame has to be focused on the players.

The argument could easily be made that the players were put in positions to succeed and they were failing (even though they ultimately succeeded). That's not on the coach entirely. These are all D-1 college basketball players who are looking like they're relaxing and resting on their laurels with big leads late. One would hope they'd learn a lesson here. It doesn't appear they have at this point.

All of these things that you say that the players are doing (missing free throws, not blocking out, etc) are all things that should be practiced and if the players are unable to execute, then you find someone else who can.

Excuse me ... there are only 13 players. This isn't football where everybody is a specialist. Got to walk and chew gum at the same time to play this game. And some folks struggle with that.

Players got to do their jobs. All of their jobs, which includes boxing out and free throws, along with scoring and defense.

And you only need 5 to play. My point is that I don't think that the players are getting prepared to do what they need to do.

Just how big is the Akron game Tuesday. This is a really huge game for NIU. Lose this game and you are almost certainly staring a 2-4 start in the face. Win this game, and you have to figure NIU has a shot to upset BGSU or KSU on the road for a 4-2 start. That would be a 4-2 start having played 4 of 6 away from home

(01-11-2020 09:23 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Just how big is the Akron game Tuesday. This is a really huge game for NIU. Lose this game and you are almost certainly staring a 2-4 start in the face. Win this game, and you have to figure NIU has a shot to upset BGSU or KSU on the road for a 4-2 start. That would be a 4-2 start having played 4 of 6 away from home

Where do you see the early line for this one MD?