AHEAD:
--- @ Miami-Ohio, Weds, 2/13, 6 p.m., sked says espn+
--- HOME vs. Toledo, 2/16, 1 p.m., Sat. (the "bobblehead game" and "Cram the Convo/Diversity & Inclusion, Spring Homecoming"), sked says espn3
Note: STF says in latest "Corner" said that "NIU is "welcoming back more than 70 NIU female student-athletes from 1961-81 as part of our Legacy Celebration. Prior to Title IX, our women student-athletes did not receive letters, and on Feb. 16, we are going to correct that omission."

LAST WEEK:
--- 2/6 @ Convo: NIU 88-47 over BGSU
--- 2/9 @ Muncie: NIU 93-83 over Ball St.

Streak !!! 3 straight wins over BallSt, BGSU and EMU (in overtime, 2/2)

As of today (Sunday) the top four teams in the MAC (forget overall records) are Ohio (9-2), Buffalo (8-2), Miami-Ohio (8-2) and Central Michigan (7-3). Toledo and NIU are on the edge of the top four, both at 6-4.

Note that Northern plays both Miami-O and Toledo this week, so there could be a shift. Miami-O also plays Akron after Northern; Toledo also plays Ohio before Northern.

I'm not clear on this; do the top four get byes in the first round of the MAC tourney? If so, nice reward. But that also might mean no hosting a first-rounder.

Late night, early morning thoughts...

Northern never quite seemed to grasp the meaning or value of "students become alumni." I graduated in '75, and the general view of students then was "headcount." Colleges and departments competed that way ("I have more than you, so I should get more money and stuff"). And, yes, it was a"suitcase school" even back then. But football and men's basketball, and later wbb, had good attendance.

Today there are other factors: weekday night (football) games, technology (live tv, on-line streaming, cellphones, pads, laptops, cable & satellite tv), costs making part-time jobs a must-have, state finances & budget cuts, on-line college courses, etc etc etc. Little or nothing can be done locally to change this.

So ... you work with what you have. Here's a suggestion for STF that could cost little or nothing, just some promotion with students:

Based on charts I was able to find, current reserved seating for students at the Convocation Center consists of sections off one end of the court, including for the pep band. The rest of the lower bowl is ticket buyers, donors, etc. The upper bowl is almost all general admission, and almost always empty.

So why not give students, including the pep band, one of the bigger seating sections in the lower bowl off each end of the court. That puts students under each basket. Some of the sections they have off one end can then go over to ticket buyers, donors, etc. Then give students all five sections across the upper bowl, south side, facing the full court, across from the Nelson Club. These are general admission seats.

Think of the promotions?! More and better seats for students! Facing the whole court! Right in front of the main entry close to parking!
And the cost? Other than a little marketing, almost zilch that I can see.

Another idea that will get lost. Oh, well. Maybe best that it's just a thought.

The end seats in the Convo were poorly conceived. They should be closer to the floor and have a more vertical slope. There was an intimidation factor in the Field House that is just not present in the Convo.

Forgot about that. You're right. I still think however, that giving students the sections above facing the full court might help promotions, and I can't think of a cost. I don't think anyone would be displaced. On the other hand, I have not seen mention of anyone in athletic admin. surfing the Dog Pound for ideas. Not that it's a good one, but it is an idea.

I loved the fieldhouse. Was there for sellouts, students stomping their feet on the wooden bleachers (what a roar). Even half full there was that intimidation factor you mentioned. Great times. The Convo seems ... antiseptic?

mbb at wmu tues. ... OUCH!

Stay positive for WBB ... at Miami-Ohio, Weds., 6 p.m. CT, sked says espn+.

Notes: NIU hosted, beat M-O on Jan. 5, 82-71, fifth game of a 5-game win streak. Huskies riding a 3-game win streak now. NIU at 14-8/6-4.
M-O, however, on a 7-game win streak, sitting on a 17-4/8-2 record.

Not good news: M-O 42-26 at the half

Notes: The big difference seems to be rebounding. Miami is out-rebounding NIU 28-11, with 20 of those being on offense, helping the Redhawks to plenty of second shots ... points in the paint 28 compared to NIU's 16. Miami also shot 52.8 % compared to NIU at 37.5 %.

Miami has 6 players 6-0 or taller, including only one frosh.

Savannah Kluesner 6-2 junior and Kendall McCoy, 6-0 senior, are Miami's big scorers so far early in second half, total 26 pts. and 16 rebounds.

58-36 Miami-O after 3.

Miami-Ohio 70-45. Eight straight wins. Next game for NIU home Sat. v. Toledo, 1 p.m., (the "bobblehead game" and "Cram the Convo" etc/. etc.), sked says espn3. Toledo 76-50 over Ohio heading into Saturday.

NIU will have a hard time getting past the top 5.
I just don't see enough depth on this team right now.
Carlsen has us as a very respectable team, now we need to take the next step to get in the top 3 in Conference.

The Top 3 isn't having such as easy time. Toledo beat Ohio. Bowling Green got their first conference win ... over Buffalo. Who's the third one, Central Michigan? They just whomped WMU. If Toledo is hot that would shuffle the Top 4.

Northern has Toledo home Saturday, then again there on March 2. In between is a game at CMU on Feb. 23. 7 games left including these. Not an easy path.

At the very least -- keeping optimistic -- I'd like to see this group perhaps get into the NIT again. But hopes depend on the one-and-done of the MAC tournament.

(02-13-2019 11:02 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  The Top 3 isn't having such as easy time. Toledo beat Ohio. Bowling Green got their first conference win ... over Buffalo. Who's the third one, Central Michigan? They just whomped WMU. If Toledo is hot that would shuffle the Top 4.

Northern has Toledo home Saturday, then again there on March 2. In between is a game at CMU on Feb. 23. 7 games left including these. Not an easy path.

At the very least -- keeping optimistic -- I'd like to see this group perhaps get into the NIT again. But hopes depend on the one-and-done of the MAC tournament.

How did Bowling Green beat Buffalo??? That team was a train wreck when the played at the Convo. If they had lines on MAC women's games I would have guessed that Buffalo would have been favored by at least 30 points.

Bound to happen sooner or later. I checked the box score and BGSU led all the way. Buffalo shot a respectable 41.3 %, but BGSU hit 56.8 %. Buffalo had 28 rebounds. BGSU had 35. Buffalo had 18 defensive rebounds. BGSU had 29. Also, Buffalo was 7 of 28 from three-point land. That would do it.

One encouragement, although slim, for the Sat. game vs. Toledo. They are 4-2 in their last 6, but both losses were road games. They won 4 at home with attendances at 3,603, 4,757, 4,076 and 3,364.

If you want to hear what basketball should be about - and what NIU women's basketball is - please do yourself a favor and listen to Mikayla Voight's speech at this week's Coffee with Carlsen. Mikayla comes in around the 22:15 mark of this video. I cannot say enough about this astounding lady. This is why I love NIU women's basketball so much. If this does not inspire and fire you up, nothing will.

Coffee with Carlsen (2-12-19)

Enjoy!

(02-15-2019 01:41 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  If you want to hear what basketball should be about - and what NIU women's basketball is - please do yourself a favor and listen to Mikayla Voight's speech at this week's Coffee with Carlsen. Mikayla comes in around the 22:15 mark of this video. I cannot say enough about this astounding lady. This is why I love NIU women's basketball so much. If this does not inspire and fire you up, nothing will.

Coffee with Carlsen (2-12-19)

Enjoy!

Excellent! Thank you for posting this!

Not having a vested interest in the program for a few years, attended the Ball State game- after the stomping of the Chirps, EVERY player came into the stands to thank NIU fans for coming to the game. This only builds the fan following for the program. Each lady personally thanked us for attending. What you see at home is what you get on the road. These ladies care about each other, truly appreciate the support, and the results are showing. What is great is Carlson has had the team on the upswing from day 1 and STF deserves the credit for making the change. What is truly encouraging (barring injuries) is this team and staff will only get better. The Soph class, while still young, is her absolute best class as a whole. This is an exciting group of ladies and the future is bright. It is the best show on campus and well worth taking in the games.

Help! I will miss games Saturday (alas! ... and no bobbleheads for the old guy). PLEASE post some notes if you're there. I will be relegated to (part-time) radio when I can. Will try to get some stats up. This is OUR thread (I hope).

(02-15-2019 07:41 PM)Hoosierhuskie Wrote:  Not having a vested interest in the program for a few years, attended the Ball State game- after the stomping of the Chirps, EVERY player came into the stands to thank NIU fans for coming to the game. This only builds the fan following for the program. Each lady personally thanked us for attending. What you see at home is what you get on the road. These ladies care about each other, truly appreciate the support, and the results are showing. What is great is Carlson has had the team on the upswing from day 1 and STF deserves the credit for making the change. What is truly encouraging (barring injuries) is this team and staff will only get better. The Soph class, while still young, is her absolute best class as a whole. This is an exciting group of ladies and the future is bright. It is the best show on campus and well worth taking in the games.

Soph class SHOULD be their best class but it’s not. Inconsistent play. Hodges & Blackwell get plenty of chances. It’s a group that could easily be passed up by a talented freshman class colingnin.

Regardless they need to find some punch. Since Ally L left they’ve been missing the leader on both ends of the court. Mic and Woods have been awesome offensively.

Again injuries to Poisson and Starks have really hurt.

(02-15-2019 07:41 PM)Hoosierhuskie Wrote:  Not having a vested interest in the program for a few years, attended the Ball State game- after the stomping of the Chirps, EVERY player came into the stands to thank NIU fans for coming to the game. This only builds the fan following for the program. Each lady personally thanked us for attending. What you see at home is what you get on the road. These ladies care about each other, truly appreciate the support, and the results are showing. What is great is Carlson has had the team on the upswing from day 1 and STF deserves the credit for making the change. What is truly encouraging (barring injuries) is this team and staff will only get better. The Soph class, while still young, is her absolute best class as a whole. This is an exciting group of ladies and the future is bright. It is the best show on campus and well worth taking in the games.

Yes, they come into the stands after every game - win or lose. It’s a wonderful thing. Even when Gabby Nikitinaite knocks me to the ground with her high five.