|
Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 29, 2019 16:55:31 GMT -6
A rare Monday night game with a 6pm CST tip on ESPN+. Hopefully this game being on a Monday during break doesn't lead to a big crowd.
NKU is missing some key pieces but I understand Tate was in uniform on Saturday but didn't play.
NKU plays really hard and plays a zone that is tough to figure out at first. Getting guys open at the free throw line and on the baseline ready to score will be key.
NKU puts up almost half their shots from 3 point range but isn't that great at shooting them with only a 33.6% average. However, they really defend the 3 point line well giving up only 25.7% though I don't think anyone they have played shoots it like GB does. So this will be an interesting test for both.
NKU turns the ball over a lot and isn't that great on the glass. Hopefully they don't have a random big guy erupt on GB again. That hurt last year.
It seems simple. Don't turn the ball over to give them a chance to run into easy scores. Close out on shooters, especially Sharpe. He is a guy you love to hate unless he's on your team. That is a complement actually, he just plays so hard for a guy who isn't physically dominate. He shouldn't be this good but he is. GB can compete on the glass so they have to get closeouts and run into scoring spots of their own before the zone gets set up. Once the zone is set up hopefully having 4 shooters at all times helps but this zone is really good. Way better than Montana State for example. Very similar to Detroit Mercy at Detroit last year. Hard to get a look and then mistakes led to run outs.
I want W's every game but as a fan I really want this one.
|
|
|
Post by uscg2012 on Dec 29, 2019 17:05:43 GMT -6
Considering they shoot the three a lot but not make a lot of them makes me nervous. We always seem to get other teams best shooting nights.
Simple shut down Sharpe and you win this game. You allow him to drive to the hoop and shoot it like we did with Gentry. It could get ugly.
Can we be competitive two games straight on the road? We’ll see.
|
|
|
Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 29, 2019 17:34:13 GMT -6
Well technically it would be 3 straight road games as they did win at NIU before WSU 😉
|
|
|
Post by doublej on Dec 30, 2019 18:49:43 GMT -6
Do my eyes deceive me? We are winning the turnover, rebounding battle and to top it off the Norse have more total fouls? We look comfortable and ready to battle, love it
|
|
|
Post by bayballer on Dec 30, 2019 19:50:00 GMT -6
Hell of a win tonight! Dominated from beginning to end. Definitely a promising start to conference play!
|
|
|
Post by yayphoenixyay on Dec 30, 2019 19:56:01 GMT -6
To go in and run the Norse out of their own building is nothing short of a huge statement.
I’m waiting to hear from a certain someone how this is actually a bad thing!
|
|
|
Post by Heartbroken Phoenix Fan on Dec 30, 2019 20:06:58 GMT -6
This is the greatest upset in the history of our storied program!
Give linc an extension!
|
|
|
Post by uscg2012 on Dec 30, 2019 20:09:44 GMT -6
This is the greatest upset in the history of our storied program! Give linc an extension! I would say it’s his biggest conference victory since he’s been here....but all in all that’s three games in a row we have been competitive on the road. That has been Linc’s biggest criticism from me. Is the tide turning???
|
|
|
Post by kmell822 on Dec 30, 2019 20:12:05 GMT -6
To go in and run the Norse out of their own building is nothing short of a huge statement. I’m waiting to hear from a certain someone how this is actually a bad thing! exactly, 1-1 against the two best teams in their conference on the road is huge. Blowing out NKU at their house, very nice. Hard to complain about this team given they are a mid major. How about Manny - stats looked good today and he seems to be improving. These games can help recruiting going forward. Having said that can't claim a moral victory for the season after this game. Team needs to build on it. Have to like what we are seeing.
|
|
|
Post by gbbrl97 on Dec 31, 2019 9:02:09 GMT -6
This team can win the HL even if they played average defense. This is Linc's best offensive team since he's been here and probably the best shooting GB team since the last couple years of the TK-era. But at least for one night, GB played a resemblance of defense and won the rebounding battle.
But can this team remain consistent? Past history says no.....I need more nights like this before I'm convinced.
|
|
|
Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 31, 2019 10:32:09 GMT -6
For the most part GB shredded their zone. GB really came in ready to play. It probably helped that Darin Horn likely didn't have many Patterson in the scouting report. Manny worked at the free throw line very well and then killed them on the glass. I also thought it was interesting that GB only took 17 3's, they found other spots for jumpers or layups. This GB offense is really good and doesn't need one guy to do all of the scoring. Having multiple options really helped!
NKU has a cocky fan base, it felt good to destroy them in this game. I actually hate that the final score wasn't indicative of how much of a butt kicking this game was!
Now here is the thing, this game doesn't mean squat if they can't win on Friday. I am confident in how they are playing right now but let downs for college teams is a common thing.
|
|
|
Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 31, 2019 11:36:40 GMT -6
GB is up to 176 in the Net and 181 in the KenPom, interesting the impact of playing well on the road against good teams as these last two games really moved the needle for GB.
If I understand KenPom correctly it looks like GB has played the 19th hardest schedule so far. They have the 69th most efficient offense and play at the 22nd highest tempo. Most of the teams that play at a high tempo actually aren't efficient. For many a high tempo is just about taking more shots good or bad to get more chances. In GB's case they have done a great job of scoring without turnovers even with how they play. To put in perspective how good the offense can be for GB only two teams who play at a higher tempo are more efficient. Those two teams are Alabama and Marquette. This offense when humming is really good and something that we should all enjoy as we watch the games. See you Friday night!
|
|
|
Post by uscg2012 on Dec 31, 2019 11:48:41 GMT -6
It was impressive on how they did not let Tyler Sharpe beat them at all. That guy had scored over 30 in the past three games and GB held him to 6!
They can expect to see a lot of three point shots again against UIC. Hopefully we have the same defensive pressure and force them to take some bad shots.
Really hope that Manny is turning the corner, Linc seems to trust him more and give him a longer leash. Biggest thing for him now is to stay out of foul trouble, he really does help our rebounding advantage on the offensive glass as well.
Like GBPHOENIX1 said, this game means nothing if we lay an egg on Friday night (lets hope a large crowd, no packers, Friday night out). Lets make McClain's last trip to Green Bay a memorable one!
|
|
|
Post by 6thman on Dec 31, 2019 21:38:35 GMT -6
I love what this team did on the most difficult trip in the Horizon. It really looks like the rotation is starting to play together on both ends of the floor. The 2nd half at Wright State and the 1st half at NKU really shows how versatile this team can be. How great was it to see PJ step up and score 20 at NKU? I'm thinking the variety of styles played in the non-conference are really starting to pay off. Let's go Phoenix!!!
|
|