Well another decisive CATS win, so I might as well post again. It scares me to keep saying and repeating it, but this Cats bball team just seems different. So many prior years whenever we are a favorite in a conference game it’s automatic cause for concern and nail biting. I missed the first 10 ish minutes, and by the time I tuned in we were already up double digits. We extended it to 17 at halftime, then 20 in early 2H, and never looked back. They tried pressing us and we looked totally comfortable breaking the press.
I didn’t love us taking the air out of the ball but even starting our attack at 10 seconds or less on the shot clock we seemed to get a decent look almost every possession down the stretch. Our defense got slightly lazy a few possessions with a 20 pt lead, but I appreciated Chris calling the TO after the Boo FTs to tell them that. The outcome of the game wasn’t in doubt but he wanted us to finish it playing the right way. After that TO they scored some more points but almost entirely from the FT line, on some dubious calls. And when they cut it to 15, Boo scored a quick 4 to shut the door.
It was an all around very strong team effort. Various different players contributed. Solid team basketball.
Outside of the general happiness with the game, a couple other brief observations:
1. Chase looked like an all-B1G player to me today. I’m sure he doesn’t care about that and is happy with the win, but I’m just saying.
2. Boo was decisive. Made good decisions. Great finishes around the rim. And again brought the effort on defense. He and Chase are a dynamic duo.
3. Robbie Beran’s offense showed up. I don’t think this was his breakout game mostly because we didn’t really need it today. But him getting more confidence in his shot and his moves off the dribble can only be a good thing.
4. The “it was a total team effort” thing. Tydus made a couple plays on offense (still too many fouls on D). Martinelli again gave us some solid minutes. Nicholson did his thing, made a couple FTs. Berry’s scoring wasn’t needed as much today but he played solid D and was smart with the ball. Players are making plays when it’s appropriate, and distributing the ball to others when they don’t need to.
It just looks like a TEAM.
Now the last point, on a less optimistic note - we just took advantage of the easier part of our schedule which is huge. It’s gonna get tougher from here on out. 3 more games next week, 2 on the road. Zero more games against Neb or Minn. No easy wins remaining, lots of battles from here. But from watching our team, I like the way we battle, and so I don’t hate our chances.
Good clean American fun tonight for the boys, then back at it for Iowa Michigan Wisconsin. Keep pounding away, one game at a time.
GO CATS!
I didn’t love us taking the air out of the ball but even starting our attack at 10 seconds or less on the shot clock we seemed to get a decent look almost every possession down the stretch. Our defense got slightly lazy a few possessions with a 20 pt lead, but I appreciated Chris calling the TO after the Boo FTs to tell them that. The outcome of the game wasn’t in doubt but he wanted us to finish it playing the right way. After that TO they scored some more points but almost entirely from the FT line, on some dubious calls. And when they cut it to 15, Boo scored a quick 4 to shut the door.
It was an all around very strong team effort. Various different players contributed. Solid team basketball.
Outside of the general happiness with the game, a couple other brief observations:
1. Chase looked like an all-B1G player to me today. I’m sure he doesn’t care about that and is happy with the win, but I’m just saying.
2. Boo was decisive. Made good decisions. Great finishes around the rim. And again brought the effort on defense. He and Chase are a dynamic duo.
3. Robbie Beran’s offense showed up. I don’t think this was his breakout game mostly because we didn’t really need it today. But him getting more confidence in his shot and his moves off the dribble can only be a good thing.
4. The “it was a total team effort” thing. Tydus made a couple plays on offense (still too many fouls on D). Martinelli again gave us some solid minutes. Nicholson did his thing, made a couple FTs. Berry’s scoring wasn’t needed as much today but he played solid D and was smart with the ball. Players are making plays when it’s appropriate, and distributing the ball to others when they don’t need to.
It just looks like a TEAM.
Now the last point, on a less optimistic note - we just took advantage of the easier part of our schedule which is huge. It’s gonna get tougher from here on out. 3 more games next week, 2 on the road. Zero more games against Neb or Minn. No easy wins remaining, lots of battles from here. But from watching our team, I like the way we battle, and so I don’t hate our chances.
Good clean American fun tonight for the boys, then back at it for Iowa Michigan Wisconsin. Keep pounding away, one game at a time.
GO CATS!
