Game Balls to Ash and Skelly

[catfans5]

I just got home. I thought Skelly's and Ash's defensive performance in the 1st half was the difference tonight. They both brought some toughness that we needed on the first half and really played great defense. I though the game was going to get out of hand, but their defense added some fire to the Cats.

I though this was CCC's best coaching effort and he got the boys to play some good D.

At half, I talked with a buddy who was concerned about Mac. I told him that Mac had to continue shooting. I was right for once. I need him to confirm to my wife that I was actually right for once,

Brought 3 guys to first game. They thought it was great. the team stepped up and did not lay an egg.

 

[Sec.112]

These were two minutes in the game that scared the hell out of me in a such a tight game. Around the 12-ish minute mark in the first half, the lineup was BMac, Brown, Benson, Taphorn and Skelly.

Then around the 1:30 mark, there was a lineup of Ash, Tap, BMac, Lumpkin and Skelly.

However, the Cats really held their own. This is really not a one-trick pony team.

I wouldn't want to ride a half game with these lineups, but they offered some nice contributions. There were some real foul issues in the first half, and these key moments helped prevent the fouls from turning into a game-changing situation.

 

[NUCat320]

These were two minutes in the game that scared the hell out of me in a such a tight game. Around the 12-ish minute mark in the first half, the lineup was BMac, Brown, Benson, Taphorn and Skelly.

Then around the 1:30 mark, there was a lineup of Ash, Tap, BMac, Lumpkin and Skelly.

However, the Cats really held their own. This is really not a one-trick pony team.

NU also had
Ash-Lindsey-Law-Lumpkin-Skelly at one point.

The reason it sticks out is because Lindsey brought the ball downcourt for two consecutive possessions.

 

[DaCat]

Sanjay got it done, too. He is a defensive force and also helped sealed the game at the end with two buckets.

 

[catfans5]

NU also had
Ash-Lindsey-Law-Lumpkin-Skelly at one point.

The reason it sticks out is because Lindsey brought the ball downcourt for two consecutive possessions.

Forgot about that group.

I was really impressed with the triumvirate of Sanjay, Skelly and Ash. They had a big physical presence. Mr. Ash looked like a blocking back. From my vantage point, it looked like he really helped with rebounding. Skelly played like a power forward, moved his feet, and did not foul. Wake's center was a beast.

I also thought CCC was outstanding. He moved pieces in and out and kept composed. The African American ref is a good one who we have seen previously. He was the only one of the 3 to pick up the traveling. The tall white balding dude was terrible. I would have been teed up. CCC also kept encouraging Mac who was had his head down in the 1st half, IMO, it was his best coached game.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Great team effort nice win

 

[Katatonic]

Forgot about that group.

I was really impressed with the triumvirate of Sanjay, Skelly and Ash. They had a big physical presence. Mr. Ash looked like a blocking back. From my vantage point, it looked like he really helped with rebounding. Skelly played like a power forward, moved his feet, and did not foul. Wake's center was a beast.

Too many have dismissed Lumpkin just b/c he isn't a major offensive threat (always rolled by eyes on the posts predicting that Sanjay minutes would be cut down to 10 or so), but defense is just as important as O.

If Lumpkin only scores 4 pts, but prevents the best scorer on the other team from scoring 10 more pts, that's a major contribution.

CC loves Lumpkin and understands his value to the team.

The team is going to miss Lumpkin's D next year as there is no viable replacement (figure Skelly would be the closest, but he's not the defender that Lumpkin is and can't defend the smaller, quicker wings/guards); who knows if Ash is ever going to develop much of an offensive game, but if he doesn't, could turn out to be a mini-version of Lumpkin for the backcourt.

 

[Alan Smithee]

Too many have dismissed Lumpkin just b/c he isn't a major offensive threat (always rolled by eyes on the posts predicting that Sanjay minutes would be cut down to 10 or so), but defense is just as important as O.

If Lumpkin only scores 4 pts, but prevents the best scorer on the other team from scoring 10 more pts, that's a major contribution.

CC loves Lumpkin and understands his value to the team.

The team is going to miss Lumpkin's D next year as there is no viable replacement (figure Skelly would be the closest, but he's not the defender that Lumpkin is and can't defend the smaller, quicker wings/guards); who knows if Ash is ever going to develop much of an offensive game, but if he doesn't, could turn out to be a mini-version of Lumpkin for the backcourt.

Agreed. I would be more concerned about Lumpkin's offense if he were recklessly taking a bunch of shots he can't make. He seems pretty judicious and self-aware of where he can best contribute.

 

[catfans5]

Agreed. I would be more concerned about Lumpkin's offense if he were recklessly taking a bunch of shots he can't make. He seems pretty judicious and self-aware of where he can best contribute.

Sanjay is our version of Dennis Rodman. An overreach by me, but he is a stabilizing force. I will admit that I did not think he could be such a positive force on the team, but he is.

I thought Skelly and Ash really added some toughness. Skelly is the closest NU has had at the power forward position in my foggy memory Nice that he can sub for both Dererk and Sanjay. I am hoping that Ash can fill the spot that Nash had. I think he will add some offensive development. Brown was missing his shots, taking too many shots, and was a matador on defense. Ash replaced him and the tenor of the first half with Skelly's significant contributions changed. The team seems more confident. I think it bodes well for conference play.

 

[DaCat]

The junior-year version of Skelly is a player who finds the open man, hits the open shot including from 3-point range, defends tough, and is athletic. He is a solid player and will continue improving.

 

[NJCat]

The junior-year version of Skelly is a player who finds the open man, hits the open shot including from 3-point range, defends tough, and is athletic. He is a solid player and will continue improving.

Completely agree. He is the biggest surprise to me. Has become a very solid all around player andI still think he has room to improve. Look for big things his Senior season.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ash really helped solidify the team. Real solid defense and he passed the ball well! Ash has clearly overtaken Brown who looked like Vasser out there! Brown doesn't pass the ball as well as Ash and does not pose a threat on defense! Ash will give McIntosh a much needed breather out there. Ash is the second option off the bench now,imho!

 

[hdhntr1]

Ash really helped solidify the team. Real solid defense and he passed the ball well! Ash has clearly overtaken Brown who looked like Vasser out there! Brown doesn't pass the ball as well as Ash and does not pose a threat on defense! Ash will give McIntosh a much needed breather out there. Ash is the second option off the bench now,imho!

I would guess it will go back and forth depending on what is needed at the time.

 

[DaCat]

Ash really helped solidify the team. Real solid defense and he passed the ball well! Ash has clearly overtaken Brown who looked like Vasser out there! Brown doesn't pass the ball as well as Ash and does not pose a threat on defense! Ash will give McIntosh a much needed breather out there. Ash is the second option off the bench now,imho!

We know you are acquainted with Ash's mom and you want him to do well. But trashing Brown while you're praising Ash is a real d*ck move. You should really stop doing that. And that new player that you just noticed on the team, Brian M, actually is Bryant McIntosh.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Brown is solid! We need to get our forwards and center healthy! Our guards play is rock solid! Still, I see Mac getting 30 plus minutes a game! Ash 10-15 and Brown 5-10!