(01-24-2013 04:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 04:12 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 03:03 PM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 12:25 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I still say this is a fine place to vent, but venting implies a long buildup then a release....not repeated releases, then it becomes whining. That's really all I was getting at.

For a minute there, I thought you were talking about something much different...

I don't know if DF has had multiple releases in years.

In years, yes. Five over a five-year period. Not bad, eh?

Once a year? Must be like Krakatoa when it happens.

Nah...I'm old and dry. My best years are behind me. Besides, my daily visits to the Grotto afford me the opportunity for spurt releases should the need (and anything else) arise.

(01-24-2013 04:44 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 04:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 04:12 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 03:03 PM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 12:25 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I still say this is a fine place to vent, but venting implies a long buildup then a release....not repeated releases, then it becomes whining. That's really all I was getting at.

For a minute there, I thought you were talking about something much different...

I don't know if DF has had multiple releases in years.

In years, yes. Five over a five-year period. Not bad, eh?

Once a year? Must be like Krakatoa when it happens.

Nah...I'm old and dry. My best years are behind me. Besides, my daily visits to the Grotto afford me the opportunity for spurt releases should the need (and anything else) arise.

I understand you've done some seminal research at the Grotto.

(01-24-2013 04:47 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 04:44 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 04:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 04:12 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 03:03 PM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  For a minute there, I thought you were talking about something much different...

I don't know if DF has had multiple releases in years.

In years, yes. Five over a five-year period. Not bad, eh?

Once a year? Must be like Krakatoa when it happens.

Nah...I'm old and dry. My best years are behind me. Besides, my daily visits to the Grotto afford me the opportunity for spurt releases should the need (and anything else) arise.

I understand you've done some seminal research at the Grotto.

Oh, so THAT'S what it is! I went in there before the Orange Bowl and told them I wanted to do some Seminole research. The Grotto's research department must have misunderstood my request. At any rate, I sure had a wonderful time doing the research I did!!

(01-24-2013 03:58 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  NIU is more than serviceable on defense: 170 out of 345 D1 teams in points allowed....I think the mental lapses, failure to get in gaps and weakside help and multitude of fouls contribute to the image of their defensive deficiencies..........of course, most of that comes with youth....I do believe the huskies put very good pressure on the ball....defend the post darn well, especially for usually being undersized and do a pretty good job stopping leading scorers from having big nights...however, their transition D is not good and the rotation with guards, particularly, getting back and STOPPING the ball is a major weakness. I have no doubt it will be corrected but the point guards seem not to have had much D taught to them in high school......they are improving but a ways to go...

On the offensive side, the shooting is a bigger problem against man to man....in last night's zone, the PGs were able to penetrate the lane and kick or dish for open shots...they have had much more trouble getting to the paint against physical teams that play man and pressure the ball..

The huskies looked very good last night in transition--often shredding the CMU press and getting 3 on 2 breaks and making pretty good decisions (still too many offensive fouls, though)..The ball movement, all night was excellent and this team is very unselfish... Turnovers continue to plague the team but most guys are starting to value the ball more and are not making so many "unforced errors"....freshman will get 5 second calls and that will improve...i just hope our guys never again receive a pass and step OUT OF BOUNDS....that has happened in too many games and says to me they are caught up in the excitement of the game.

I believe MM has done a great job of emphasizing offensive spacing but the kids, at times, get pressured out of where they need to be and, perhaps panic, causing shot clock trouble which leads to forced shots...

Overall though, all the gripes after the WMU game were unwarranted.....this team is a work in progress but sometimes it is baby steps....and then a step back....

Funny, I planned on saying points allowed isn't the best way to judge defense, but KenPom has us at 170th in adjusted defense too. Problem is were 332nd in adjusted ofense. Just terrible. Overall, you're right we're not a terrible defensive team, but when you're as bad on offense as we are, your defense has to be better.

I went back and looked at least years numbers, and we were 330th in adjusted offense, but we were 302nd in adjusted defense. So I guess if you're looking for positives, we really have taken a big step forward defensively this year.

well, 7, you too, are correct....better offense is needed and will lead to better defensive numbers....when you score, the defense in general and any press in particular has a chance to get set and the run outs where the opposition scores too often, too easily, are decreased significantly....also STRONGER players play better defense so when the bigger point guard gets here and Petey and Tre get stronger and the interior guys (Mader in particular) get stronger, the defensive numbers will improve.

Strength also translates into less turnovers, more penetration and better ability to close in transition and under the rim...Grays will make (maybe even dunk) most of the bunnies they have missed this year when they are stronger next year...

(01-24-2013 03:03 PM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 12:25 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  I still say this is a fine place to vent, but venting implies a long buildup then a release....not repeated releases, then it becomes whining. That's really all I was getting at.

For a minute there, I thought you were talking about something much different...

I don't know if DF has had multiple releases in years.

Haha, I hadn't noticed, as usual. Everything I say is much more sexual than I mean it to be. Force of habit, I s'pose.

(01-24-2013 03:58 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  NIU is more than serviceable on defense: 170 out of 345 D1 teams in points allowed....I think the mental lapses, failure to get in gaps and weakside help and multitude of fouls contribute to the image of their defensive deficiencies..........of course, most of that comes with youth....I do believe the huskies put very good pressure on the ball....defend the post darn well, especially for usually being undersized and do a pretty good job stopping leading scorers from having big nights...however, their transition D is not good and the rotation with guards, particularly, getting back and STOPPING the ball is a major weakness. I have no doubt it will be corrected but the point guards seem not to have had much D taught to them in high school......they are improving but a ways to go...

On the offensive side, the shooting is a bigger problem against man to man....in last night's zone, the PGs were able to penetrate the lane and kick or dish for open shots...they have had much more trouble getting to the paint against physical teams that play man and pressure the ball..

The huskies looked very good last night in transition--often shredding the CMU press and getting 3 on 2 breaks and making pretty good decisions (still too many offensive fouls, though)..The ball movement, all night was excellent and this team is very unselfish... Turnovers continue to plague the team but most guys are starting to value the ball more and are not making so many "unforced errors"....freshman will get 5 second calls and that will improve...i just hope our guys never again receive a pass and step OUT OF BOUNDS....that has happened in too many games and says to me they are caught up in the excitement of the game.

I believe MM has done a great job of emphasizing offensive spacing but the kids, at times, get pressured out of where they need to be and, perhaps panic, causing shot clock trouble which leads to forced shots...

Overall though, all the gripes after the WMU game were unwarranted.....this team is a work in progress but sometimes it is baby steps....and then a step back....

+ a million.

(01-25-2013 12:13 AM)cagy cager Wrote:  well, 7, you too, are correct....better offense is needed and will lead to better defensive numbers....when you score, the defense in general and any press in particular has a chance to get set and the run outs where the opposition scores too often, too easily, are decreased significantly....also STRONGER players play better defense so when the bigger point guard gets here and Petey and Tre get stronger and the interior guys (Mader in particular) get stronger, the defensive numbers will improve.

Strength also translates into less turnovers, more penetration and better ability to close in transition and under the rim...Grays will make (maybe even dunk) most of the bunnies they have missed this year when they are stronger next year...

Cagey, your knowledge is genuine. I think one of these young players has to breakout and play better then anyone may have thought to kind of jump start the program. Is Mader that guy? Also, do you think the next recruits will be big guys.

(01-25-2013 02:03 AM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 03:58 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  NIU is more than serviceable on defense: 170 out of 345 D1 teams in points allowed....I think the mental lapses, failure to get in gaps and weakside help and multitude of fouls contribute to the image of their defensive deficiencies..........of course, most of that comes with youth....I do believe the huskies put very good pressure on the ball....defend the post darn well, especially for usually being undersized and do a pretty good job stopping leading scorers from having big nights...however, their transition D is not good and the rotation with guards, particularly, getting back and STOPPING the ball is a major weakness. I have no doubt it will be corrected but the point guards seem not to have had much D taught to them in high school......they are improving but a ways to go...

On the offensive side, the shooting is a bigger problem against man to man....in last night's zone, the PGs were able to penetrate the lane and kick or dish for open shots...they have had much more trouble getting to the paint against physical teams that play man and pressure the ball..

The huskies looked very good last night in transition--often shredding the CMU press and getting 3 on 2 breaks and making pretty good decisions (still too many offensive fouls, though)..The ball movement, all night was excellent and this team is very unselfish... Turnovers continue to plague the team but most guys are starting to value the ball more and are not making so many "unforced errors"....freshman will get 5 second calls and that will improve...i just hope our guys never again receive a pass and step OUT OF BOUNDS....that has happened in too many games and says to me they are caught up in the excitement of the game.

I believe MM has done a great job of emphasizing offensive spacing but the kids, at times, get pressured out of where they need to be and, perhaps panic, causing shot clock trouble which leads to forced shots...

Overall though, all the gripes after the WMU game were unwarranted.....this team is a work in progress but sometimes it is baby steps....and then a step back....

+ a million.

I raise you a million.

GCD, the next recruits are Dontell Highsmith a 6'2 strong penetrating able to get to the basket also able to dish guard. Pete Rakocevic a 6'11 forward/center. We have no more schollys for next year. Pete is a transfer this year, who practices with the team. As Cagey said, a few guys getting stronger next year will help a lot. As bad as things are here, NIU has a better record in our conference than Illinois, ISU or SIU has in theirs.

why don't you guys raise a trillion and the winner can pay off part of the national debt?

gcd, thanks for the compliment but truth is, I know just enough basketball to realize all that I don't know.

I do think Mader has the potential to be an all MAC post....and I love his shooting touch and footwork. As far as recruits, NIU needs scoring so Dontel Highsmith is a great get (he had 50 the other night). I gotta believe the coaching staff is looking at every "big" available and if they can get one who can score, no doubt they will.....however, as has been said on this forum before, I don't believe they necessarily need much more size to win.....Between Bowel, Askel, Mader and the grays, this team rebounds and defends the post pretty well...it is the scoring that needs help.

It's really difficult to watch the Gray's try to finish around the rim.