Chris Lowery and Defense

[NUCat320]

As it turns out, Lowery was actually on staff at Missouri State for about three months before NU hired him the last week of July. He spent 16 years as Weber’s right-hand man at SIU then Illinois the K-State, with his head coaching stint at SIU in between. As a head guy, he rode the echo of Weber’s great success* to three good years and five bad years.

My strong hope is that he recognizes he’s best served as an assistant, and that he and CCC have developed a good personal chemistry here, and that they think they can make this work as a unit.

The great thing about defense is that you can be great at it if you decide you want to be great at it. And Lowery, with an assist from CCC, who saw the need, has convinced them to be great at it.

And, holy crap, have these guys bought in. We’re seeing actual transition buckets. Audige has that naturally — he’s a great athlete. But he’s DPOY quality this season. Roper is similar - defense first. But Berry and Barney and Beran are a joy to watch this season, and I think they came in as jumpshooters. (At last check, Berry was our #2 rebounder.) BOO took a g-d charge today!

I haven’t been to a game, but I imagine that the guys talk a lot. There so fun to watch on tv, but it must be basketball nirvana in person.

The best team in program history was defense first. NU has spent so much time chasing potential, and chasing shooters, and chasing stars.

Nance blocked shots and never got in anyone’s head. Kopp just hedged to the ball a lot. We all love Young, but his vertical scared nobody.

From here on out, call every coach you know, ask for the doggiest of dogs, and tell them we want to play in the 40s at NU, we want to send dudes into three-week shooting tailspins, and we want tender knees to flare up before teams travel to E’Town.

Goddammit, can’t Mc get these guys to slap the floor again?? That’s the next step.

(Note: this is all null if NU doesn’t sniff the postseason.)


* (I remember fondly Jermaine Dearman, who looked like Snoop Dogg and, therefore, an actual Saluki.)

 

[Titanium999]

As it turns out, Lowery was actually on staff at Missouri State for about three months before NU hired him the last week of July. He spent 16 years as Weber’s right-hand man at SIU then Illinois the K-State, with his head coaching stint at SIU in between. As a head guy, he rode the echo of Weber’s great success* to three good years and five bad years.

My strong hope is that he recognizes he’s best served as an assistant, and that he and CCC have developed a good personal chemistry here, and that they think they can make this work as a unit.

The great thing about defense is that you can be great at it if you decide you want to be great at it. And Lowery, with an assist from CCC, who saw the need, has convinced them to be great at it.

And, holy crap, have these guys bought in. We’re seeing actual transition buckets. Audige has that naturally — he’s a great athlete. But he’s DPOY quality this season. Roper is similar - defense first. But Berry and Barney and Beran are a joy to watch this season, and I think they came in as jumpshooters. (At last check, Berry was our #2 rebounder.) BOO took a g-d charge today!

I haven’t been to a game, but I imagine that the guys talk a lot. There so fun to watch on tv, but it must be basketball nirvana in person.

The best team in program history was defense first. NU has spent so much time chasing potential, and chasing shooters, and chasing stars.

Nance blocked shots and never got in anyone’s head. Kopp just hedged to the ball a lot. We all love Young, but his vertical scared nobody.

From here on out, call every coach you know, ask for the doggiest of dogs, and tell them we want to play in the 40s at NU, we want to send dudes into three-week shooting tailspins, and we want tender knees to flare up before teams travel to E’Town.

Goddammit, can’t Mc get these guys to slap the floor again?? That’s the next step.

(Note: this is all null if NU doesn’t sniff the postseason.)


* (I remember fondly Jermaine Dearman, who looked like Snoop Dogg and, therefore, an actual Saluki.)

Amazing!

 

[GatoLouco]

Our D will have different challenges when we face teams that match (or surpass) our size in the paint. Not that we will necessarily give away lots of points in the paint. But that opens less contested shots.

The only teams we faced that fit that profile were Auburn, Pitt and MSU. We lost 2 of those 3.

Once it all fell apart and we were blown out.

Once we lost by 1 but defense was elite. Did not watch it.

Once we won a close one.

So the conclusion for me is that it will, like last year, come down to being able to finish games. If that is the case, I did not think that was the season we were looking at. And that will be because of improved defense.

 

[ballerog711]

It's not null if the miss the post season. They are building a culture and with the guys returning they have a chance next year as well to be special

 

[NJCat]

They are building a culture and with the guys returning they have a chance next year as well to be special

Only if they 3 guys you reference actually return next year and don't portal it......

 

[ballerog711]

You mean Young and Nance. NU will fall apart without them, I agree

 

[rwhitney014]

Only if they 3 guys you reference actually return next year and don't portal it......

In general, it’s much less likely players leave with remaining eligibility when they feel there’s something to play for where they are.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

You mean Young and Nance. NU will fall apart without them, I agree

Is it actually possible this TEAM is better without them? Barney, and Roper are dogs and now are contributors. Big Matt sticks his nose in there and battles. Berry works harder on D than O and Beran finally looks like he has a steadying role.

Very surprised so far and I think 7-8 wins in Big look doable. We are still at a big talent disadvantage against most B1G teams and can’t afford ANY injuries. Kudos to the staff for recognizing something needed to change.

 

[Arlcatsfan]

What I really like about this team is something that has been lacking at NU for a few seasons and that there is a toughness mentally and physically. As NUCAT320 said in order to play good D there has to be a want to. Coach Lowery has instilled that mindset in our guys and they have embraced it. Very late in the game last night when UIC had the ball and TY went to help in the paint and left an open three point shot. When TY went to the bench when a timeout was called CCC was all over Berry. TY pointed to middle of the floor and said something and Collins replied I don’t care you left an open 3 point shot. Just to reinforce that mindset of good smart D. And TY has played some really good D for us this year.
We are going to find out when the New Year starts where we fit in the BIG this year. The Big is loaded so NU will be tested,but the one thing for sure is if you do not play good D you have no chance of winning. NU is playing good hard nosed D and if we can make some shots the guys can have a special year. Can NU win 7 or 8 more games in the BIG to get us in a legitimate discussion of going to the dance? I think we have a good chance which is a lot more than I was hoping for when this season started. Very nice way to end the year and start the New Year off with some real optimism.

 

[Sec.112]

Is it actually possible this TEAM is better without them? Barney, and Roper are dogs and now are contributors. Big Matt sticks his nose in there and battles. Berry works harder on D than O and Beran finally looks like he has a steadying role.

Very surprised so far and I think 7-8 wins in Big look doable. We are still at a big talent disadvantage against most B1G teams and can’t afford ANY injuries. Kudos to the staff for recognizing something needed to change.

I'm starting to wonder if Ryan Young and an improved Nich are a coin flip. I need to see Nich do it against better competition. RY's free throw shooting and a few other details give him an edge in my world, but it's pretty comparable.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

I'm starting to wonder if Ryan Young and an improved Nich are a coin flip. I need to see Nich do it against better competition. RY's free throw shooting and a few other details give him an edge in my world, but it's pretty comparable.

Nicholson is not yet at RY’s level on the offensive end, but he’s an intimidating defender and is improving on the glass. Ceiling is higher for MN, IMO.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

The last two games were close to master pieces. There is really nothing to quibble about.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I want to see Big Matt put some Big Ten guards on their arse when they drive the lane. If he does that a few times in January, the word will get out.

 

[hdhntr1]

S

As it turns out, Lowery was actually on staff at Missouri State for about three months before NU hired him the last week of July. He spent 16 years as Weber’s right-hand man at SIU then Illinois the K-State, with his head coaching stint at SIU in between. As a head guy, he rode the echo of Weber’s great success* to three good years and five bad years.

My strong hope is that he recognizes he’s best served as an assistant, and that he and CCC have developed a good personal chemistry here, and that they think they can make this work as a unit.

The great thing about defense is that you can be great at it if you decide you want to be great at it. And Lowery, with an assist from CCC, who saw the need, has convinced them to be great at it.

And, holy crap, have these guys bought in. We’re seeing actual transition buckets. Audige has that naturally — he’s a great athlete. But he’s DPOY quality this season. Roper is similar - defense first. But Berry and Barney and Beran are a joy to watch this season, and I think they came in as jumpshooters. (At last check, Berry was our #2 rebounder.) BOO took a g-d charge today!

I haven’t been to a game, but I imagine that the guys talk a lot. There so fun to watch on tv, but it must be basketball nirvana in person.

The best team in program history was defense first. NU has spent so much time chasing potential, and chasing shooters, and chasing stars.

Nance blocked shots and never got in anyone’s head. Kopp just hedged to the ball a lot. We all love Young, but his vertical scared nobody.

From here on out, call every coach you know, ask for the doggiest of dogs, and tell them we want to play in the 40s at NU, we want to send dudes into three-week shooting tailspins, and we want tender knees to flare up before teams travel to E’Town.

Goddammit, can’t Mc get these guys to slap the floor again?? That’s the next step.

(Note: this is all null if NU doesn’t sniff the postseason.)


* (I remember fondly Jermaine Dearman, who looked like Snoop Dogg and, therefore, an actual Saluki.)

Sorry but I think that the floor slap was O'Neil and not sure anyone wants to remember that.

As far as the rest of what you say, yes they are getting very interesting and fun to watch. THere is definitely a different feel to this team. I get the feel that they like each other more, If people are not watching, they are missing a pretty interesting story. Lowery was a find.

 

[hdhntr1]

It's not null if the miss the post season. They are building a culture and with the guys returning they have a chance next year as well to be special

If Gragg lets them have next year. Thus far I have not been impressed with him

 

[hdhntr1]

I'm starting to wonder if Ryan Young and an improved Nich are a coin flip. I need to see Nich do it against better competition. RY's free throw shooting and a few other details give him an edge in my world, but it's pretty comparable.

They may be. Nicholson dunks but has trouble with layups. Young could not dunk but was pretty successful with his touch. Not sure if Young was as committed to D as Nicholson seems to be. The difference is that if you had Young, you would have both and now you have Verhoeven to be a complimentary player where Young and Nicholson were more similar

 

[Hungry Jack]

They may be. Nicholson dunks but has trouble with layups. Young could not dunk but was pretty successful with his touch. Not sure if Young was as committed to D as Nicholson seems to be. The difference is that if you had Young, you would have both and now you have Verhoeven to be a complimentary player where Young and Nicholson were more similar

Nicholbomb by virtue of his massive frame and length, and perhaps also of his wolf-man beard, alters more passes and shots inside than Ryan Young could ever hope to influence. We haven’t had a big athletic body like that since Eschmeyer.

 

[IGNORE2]

I want to see Big Matt put some Big Ten guards on their arse when they drive the lane. If he does that a few times in January, the word will get out.

I’m w you. I want him to use his fouls wisely establishing the punishment for driving the lane.

 

[IGNORE2]

S

Sorry but I think that the floor slap was O'Neil and not sure anyone wants to remember that.

As far as the rest of what you say, yes they are getting very interesting and fun to watch. THere is definitely a different feel to this team. I get the feel that they like each other more, If people are not watching, they are missing a pretty interesting story. Lowery was a find.

I played on a team coached to do it. It’s like running through the end zone on the touchback. I’ll say that whatever gibberish might go on as you go back down on the floor, the slap routine forces attention back to task at hand or let’s coach know you are distracted.

I’m good w both used as designed. Those that think the slap is supposed to get you low or something, that’s silly.

 

[IGNORE2]

On another thread, I question whether ccc brought in Lowry or had Lowry put on his staff. I note a similarity to Hank and Barnett. It can be argued that Hank saved PF’s career and led PF to become one of the most desirable HCs in football at one point.

But PF embraced Hank and let him do his thing. If CCC can take a similar approach to Lowry, maybe he can also find a resurrection of his career.

 

[IGNORE2]

One last thought and I’ll take a break - it seems like both these coaches suffer the same problem at this point in time - oversized ego. CCC should embrace Lowry and praise at every opportunity in order to keep him long term. Not worry about making sure he gets enough credit.

And PF should accept his strengths like recruiting and turn his attention to recognize and compensate his weaknesses by finding best OC and DC that money can buy. Instead of friend hires and loyalty.

The male ego is one of the most destructive things in the universe.

 

[hdhntr1]

I want to see Big Matt put some Big Ten guards on their arse when they drive the lane. If he does that a few times in January, the word will get out.

Without fouling. That is a big part of what kept him on the bnch last year. Almost 9 fouls per 40 minutes while this year 3.

 

[GatoLouco]

My running theory is that they showed the team some footage of defense in the 80’s.

Found some footage:

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

My running theory is that they showed the team some footage of defense in the 80’s.

Found some footage:

View embedded media

Its always good when the refs swallow their whistles and let 'em play.

 

[NJCat]

My running theory is that they showed the team some footage of defense in the 80’s.

Found some footage:

View embedded media

The guy has Nicholson touch around the basket.

 

[TheC]

My running theory is that they showed the team some footage of defense in the 80’s.

Found some footage:

View embedded media

Ah..... a simpler time.... when men were men and life-threatening brain injuries were the norm.

 

[DaCat]

Nicholbomb by virtue of his massive frame and length, and perhaps also of his wolf-man beard, alters more passes and shots inside than Ryan Young could ever hope to influence. We haven’t had a big athletic body like that since Eschmeyer.

Alex Olah was a pretty big dude, but Nicholson does seem to move a little better than Alex. Pardon also protected the rim pretty well.

 

[NJCat]

Alex Olah was a pretty big dude, but Nicholson does seem to move a little better than Alex. Pardon also protected the rim pretty well.

Olah is the all-time leader in blocks. Big Matt has a lot of work to do to get to Olah efficiency.

 

[CappyNU]

Olah is the all-time leader in blocks. Big Matt has a lot of work to do to get to Olah efficiency.

I thought Shurna was the all time block leader?

 

[Hkjb]

S

Sorry but I think that the floor slap was O'Neil and not sure anyone wants to remember that.

As far as the rest of what you say, yes they are getting very interesting and fun to watch. THere is definitely a different feel to this team. I get the feel that they like each other more, If people are not watching, they are missing a pretty interesting story. Lowery was a find.

I agree with you. No need for theatrics like floor slaps - feels like a poser move. I'm glad the team is putting their energy into mastering the all the little things that make a defense great, and building a defensive identity. Let the results do the talking this year - and hopefully for many to follow.

 

[NJCat]

I thought Shurna was the all time block leader?

Olah 181
Shurna 136
Ranin 133
Esch 132
Pitts 123

Collins and James turned Olah into a decent Center. Very underrated by NU fans.

 

[BleedingPurple15]

I have a somewhat more skeptical take - I don't think NU's defense is especially great on the perimeter or in the post. They still allow a lot of drives into the lane and often over-rotate. That being, I think what they do well is play with a scrappiness and tenacity on defense that disrupts the opponent's offensive rhythm, and that probably accounts for the defensive efficiency numbers than anything else. That includes getting into the passing lanes, getting steals, fighting through screens, etc.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I have a somewhat more skeptical take - I don't think NU's defense is especially great on the perimeter or in the post. They still allow a lot of drives into the lane and often over-rotate. That being, I think what they do well is play with a scrappiness and tenacity on defense that disrupts the opponent's offensive rhythm, and that probably accounts for the defensive efficiency numbers than anything else. That includes getting into the passing lanes, getting steals, fighting through screens, etc.

I'm trying to remember the last time an opponent actually made a shot when Nicholson was in good defensive position in the paint. I do recall several made 3's when he comes from 15 feet to contest the open look. don't really see the point in that.

It helps to have a rim protector...

 

[TheC]

I have a somewhat more skeptical take - I don't think NU's defense is especially great on the perimeter or in the post. They still allow a lot of drives into the lane and often over-rotate. That being, I think what they do well is play with a scrappiness and tenacity on defense that disrupts the opponent's offensive rhythm, and that probably accounts for the defensive efficiency numbers than anything else. That includes getting into the passing lanes, getting steals, fighting through screens, etc.

What I am waiting for BIG season to evaluate is this system of over-helping and doubling in the post. If the offense rotates out of that well, it leads to wide open 3 point attempts as we've seen. However, with the exception of the Pitt game, we haven't been burned too badly by it. Will better BIG teams eat us alive though is the question.

That said, while it is easy to see when that approach breaks down and leads to an open 3, it is harder to discern when the approach is working to either disrupt the offensive flow, create uncertainty among ball handlers and lead to turnovers. So far, the numbers suggest our D has been great, so while some of the double teaming and over-helping seem unnecessary to me on the surface, it may be working overall. But we'll see when the competition upgrades over the next couple of months.

 

[Smokejumper]

What I am waiting for BIG season to evaluate is this system of over-helping and doubling in the post. If the offense rotates out of that well, it leads to wide open 3 point attempts as we've seen. However, with the exception of the Pitt game, we haven't been burned too badly by it. Will better BIG teams eat us alive though is the question.

That said, while it is easy to see when that approach breaks down and leads to an open 3, it is harder to discern when the approach is working to either disrupt the offensive flow, create uncertainty among ball handlers and lead to turnovers. So far, the numbers suggest our D has been great, so while some of the double teaming and over-helping seem unnecessary to me on the surface, it may be working overall. But we'll see when the competition upgrades over the next couple of months.

Agree with the concern on ability to effectively defend BIG teams - more inside size and better 3 pt shooters could expose us if the D isn't disciplined. What i like most in the last few games is the improving efficiency and diversity of the offense. We've seen the BB//MN pick and roll, the drive kickouts for three, the drive pass to the corner for three, more dunks, fastbreaks off turnovers, and lately, i've seen Barnheizer starting to swing from side to side using picks (something i haven't seen us run since the days of Jeff Grose, and something that Purdue usually kills us with). Lot of developing athletic depth on both the O and D makes this team more difficult to defend. We don't have a single recipe to win - its more death by 1000 cuts.

Definitely sitting back and enjoying watching the game much more this season. Kind of reminds me of the football teams with A Carr, or Persa - far from dominance, just creative and scrappy offensive backed by a disciplined but often outmanned defense with occasional standout plays by a handful on the DL, LB and DBs when we most needed them to make a play...

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I think the number of wide open 3’s has dropped a lot. Many of the misses are actually being challenged!

 

[hdhntr1]

I agree with you. No need for theatrics like floor slaps - feels like a poser move. I'm glad the team is putting their energy into mastering the all the little things that make a defense great, and building a defensive identity. Let the results do the talking this year - and hopefully for many to follow.

It was also a way of getting focused on the job at hand and while I don't have a problem with anything that helps get that focus, still that became an ugly time in NU BB.

 

[BleedingPurple15]

What I am waiting for BIG season to evaluate is this system of over-helping and doubling in the post. If the offense rotates out of that well, it leads to wide open 3 point attempts as we've seen. However, with the exception of the Pitt game, we haven't been burned too badly by it. Will better BIG teams eat us alive though is the question.

That said, while it is easy to see when that approach breaks down and leads to an open 3, it is harder to discern when the approach is working to either disrupt the offensive flow, create uncertainty among ball handlers and lead to turnovers. So far, the numbers suggest our D has been great, so while some of the double teaming and over-helping seem unnecessary to me on the surface, it may be working overall. But we'll see when the competition upgrades over the next couple of months.

Agree with this.

 

[ballerog711]

3 point shot may seem wide open, but when a player has the ball and knows someone is coming g to close out hard it rushes the shot.

Strong side defender should stay with the shooter, weak side should be the help and rotation.

If you have a strong passing team, weak side corner will be open, but you live with that.

 

[TheC]

3 point shot may seem wide open, but when a player has the ball and knows someone is coming g to close out hard it rushes the shot.

Strong side defender should stay with the shooter, weak side should be the help and rotation.

If you have a strong passing team, weak side corner will be open, but you live with that.

I think the defensive rotations have improved with better close-outs on the open shooter following the double team.