Binghamton hit some difficult shots in the beginning, while NU displayed a significant amount of careless and sloppy play. They took advantage of NU's errors, and deserve recognition for their efforts. Leaving with a victory in a game of this nature is crucial. The positive takeaway is that there are numerous areas to improve upon and it is feasible to do so. They played solid defense minus some lapses and sloppy play. There’s lot to clean up on during practice, time to shift focus towards the upcoming match against Dayton.
In my opinion, Barnhizer did quite well as a secondary ball handler. He possesses great ingenuity both offensively and defensively. When it comes to defense, he’s an absolute wrecking ball, wreaking havoc on his opponents and leaving opposing fans frustrated. He is positioning himself for a highly productive season and is undeniably the most versatile player on the team. Although his shooting may have been off, he compensated with numerous impactful defensive plays, rebounds, and still managed to show up in the scoring column. It’s a very good sign when a player shoots poorly to still affect the game in such a positive way.
I am impressed by Mullins' potential. He possesses a raw talent that is undeniable. His quickness and athleticism are remarkable. However, he needs to exercise better judgment and play within himself. Unfortunately, his early turnover led to him being benched. He needs to clean that up to get more minutes.
Preston demonstrates great touch when it comes to scoring near the basket. Although he may not consistently score in droves, he is highly efficient and a dependable finisher. These qualities make him an ideal backup center. Additionally, he showcased his defensive skills with some excellent plays. His agility is noteworthy. He’s a solid pick up for the backup position.
Langborg possesses a swift release and fearlessly takes shots. He has the potential to provide instant offense this season. He showed some good defensive instincts and makes valuable contributions on that end of the court. Not only that, he displays some impressive dribble drives to the basket throughout the game. Good to see him get back in after rolling his ankle.
Clayton shows promise in his defensive abilities. However, he presents a hesitancy on the offensive side of the game. While he managed to limit his turnovers, he displayed timidity in his plays. Overall, as a freshman, he had a very solid game. He played within his abilities and earned his minutes on the court.
Buie serves as the driving force behind the team's performance yet again. Nicholson, a formidable defender, showcased remarkable positioning on both offensive and defensive ends of the court. These individuals consistently deliver their level play, embodying the team's identity. In general, the defense appears to be a notable strength once more. It brings me great satisfaction to witness the players actively using their hands to disrupt passing lanes. However, NU must improve their defense in transition. Furthermore, it is crucial to establish better positing in rebounds and box out and minimize any errors early . Binghamton managed to stay in close contention by converting some challenging shots. It is imperative that Buie and Barnhizer receive more opportunities to make an impact early in the game. During the first half, the team displayed hesitancy and needed to focus on executing simple passes. Despite a rather sloppy game, NU emerged victorious. Let us put this performance behind us, learn from it during practice, and turn our attention to the upcoming game against Dayton on Friday. Go cats.
