At this stage, Im hoping the Cougars can just be competitive. It was a good outing versus Loyola, but different, new problems showed up against Youngstown. They looked worse by the end of the game, but the 20 point margin was mostly gained at the very end of the game. Then I felt even worse after I saw Youngstown lost to Ohio State 81-47.

I don’t know a lot about Texas this season, other than they are receiving votes and are around #30. I did watch Houston Christian play them. HCU hung around in the first half and completely fell apart in the second half. I fear the Cougars may do the same, though I don’t think HCU is nearly as good as Chicago State right now.

Keys I see for the Cougars-

Key players have to stay out of foul trouble. Particularly frivolous fouls. I’m looking at Noble Crawford, and even more so Cam Jernigan. The Cougars have more people sho can take Crawfords place than they do Jernigan.

Someone will have to defend the post better. No 7’ 3” guys at Texas, but big guys who are stronger, more athletic and agile then he was.

Unless it’s a total disaster, I’m hoping the Cougars can press them some and get some extra possessions. It may result in some easy baskets, but that’s the press. I think a good strategy would be to run it intermittently, or call it off after they get burned a few times, but to pick it up again after the start of the 2nd half and catch them off guard a little. Make them call a time out at least. But keep them focused on other things at the the half time break. Just my opinion.

And of course, all the normal things like turnovers, rebounding…

A lot will come down to how well the Cougars shoot. If they can hit some 3’s and make free throws better, that may go a long way.

Noble Crawford didn’t make the trip, so I’m not sure if there is an injury or other issue. Cam Jernigan played as dumb as he possibly could have. 4 fouls in 12 minutes of play, with multiple of them being stupid, pointless fouls, is proving he hasn’t really improved as much as I hoped and is simply falling back into old habits. Whatever positives he brings, it doesn’t matter if he can’t manage to stay on the court. Frustrating player.

Gabe Spinelli has quickly become one of the go to guys. He can handle the ball well enough to drive in and create enough movement to get the ball moving and the defense collapsing.

Versus Texas in the first half, while Texas defense was playing about as well as any team, anywhere, any time, Chicago didn’t challenge them. They seemed to content to wait for an opening that never came and weren’t aggressive at creating something, which is exactly what you have to do versus that type of defense.

Even though they were playing against more bench players in the se one half, Chicago showed their competence there. Things picked up a lot and at least they got their offense going. Still good for the future, for them to adjust.

The team hasn’t totally sorted out its identity yet, about who to go to and who will be lead when faced with that kind of stiff defense Texas presented. That will work itself out.

Matthew Nelson proved himself more than capable with 14 points, though nearly all were in the second half. But good for his confidence to be the leading scorer and step up as he is new to D1. This was only game 3 so that’s a good indication.