Great defensive effort

[Alan Smithee]

Yes, we clicked from the arc from the start too but a lot of those were transition threes set up by good defense. Even when it wasn't out of transition, the energy from defense seemed to transfer to confidence on offense.

Great to see us play with such effort on the defensive end without fouling! We piled up some fouls in the second half but the game was over by the time that happened.

I was also thrilled to see Gaines with a few great passes on successive possessions to Lindsey and Pardon.

Overall it just seemed like we took the heart out of Valpo early - kind of like TTech did to us.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

Impressive win! Best part was no one played more than 29 minutes. They have less than 48 hours until the next game, which is also a big one.

Go Cats!

 

[Alan Smithee]

And the turnovers! Played a disciplined game with a minimum of giveaways.

 

[backdoorpass]

Yes, we clicked from the arc from the start too but a lot of those were transition threes set up by good defense. Even when it wasn't out of transition, the energy from defense seemed to transfer to confidence on offense.

Great to see us play with such effort on the defensive end without fouling! We piled up some fouls in the second half but the game was over by the time that happened.

I was also thrilled to see Gaines with a few great passes on successive possessions to Lindsey and Pardon.

Overall it just seemed like we took the heart out of Valpo early - kind of like TTech did to us.

Defense has been phenomenal!

 

[Gladeskat]

The switching was almost seamless. Benson was excellent on D tonight. Valpo was frustrated all night.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Yes, we clicked from the arc from the start too but a lot of those were transition threes set up by good defense. Even when it wasn't out of transition, the energy from defense seemed to transfer to confidence on offense.

Great to see us play with such effort on the defensive end without fouling! We piled up some fouls in the second half but the game was over by the time that happened.

I was also thrilled to see Gaines with a few great passes on successive possessions to Lindsey and Pardon.

Overall it just seemed like we took the heart out of Valpo early - kind of like TTech did to us.

Texas Tech was playing solid defense against us and our buys were spent. It would be a close game if played today.

 

[Kat burglar]

I think Skelly might be most improved. He has added a respectable 3 point shot and reduced his bonehead turnovers. I only saw one bad turnover, though the stat sheets said 2. Still, 12 points and only 2 turnovers, not to mention 10 rebounds. He looked much improved last night

 

[catcrazy]

Gaines is coming along as well. Would like to see more from Brown

 

[PURPLECAT88]

We lose a little (maybe a lot) on offense, but when Gaines and Ash are in the game with Law, the defense is stifling.

 

[Kat burglar]

We lose a little (maybe a lot) on offense, but when Gaines and Ash are in the game with Law, the defense is stifling.

Law was so funny last night. He literally put his hand 6 inches from his guy's face. Never saw that before. Too funny

 

[hdhntr1]

The switching was almost seamless. Benson was excellent on D tonight. Valpo was frustrated all night.

Did not like seeing him get all the fouls, Would have liked to see him get more playing time

 

[Medill90]

It's a completely different team than the one that started the season. Back to unselfish play.

With the win NU jumped from 58 on Kenpom to 44, the highest ranked four loss team.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We lose a little (maybe a lot) on offense, but when Gaines and Ash are in the game with Law, the defense is stifling.

Our stout defense sets up our stellar offense!

 

[EagerFan]

From my seat, the D was mostly outstanding. Some of the (few) shots Valpo made were pretty amazing for how contested they were and then go in. Benson's positioning was generally great and he missed some shots that should have fallen.

I really like what Gaines has been bringing as a sub for Law and Lindsey. Each game he seems better integrated in his defensive role, and he is very aware of his team on offense.

I do wonder just how much of the past couple games has been the team clicking and how much has been just how poor the competition has been, but either way it is great having our guys resting on the bench with two more games to play over the next four days.

It was kinda awesome seeing both our walk-ons go in with something like 4:37 left on the clock.

 

[ricko654321]

Yes, we clicked from the arc from the start too but a lot of those were transition threes set up by good defense. Even when it wasn't out of transition, the energy from defense seemed to transfer to confidence on offense.

Great to see us play with such effort on the defensive end without fouling! We piled up some fouls in the second half but the game was over by the time that happened.

I was also thrilled to see Gaines with a few great passes on successive possessions to Lindsey and Pardon.

Overall it just seemed like we took the heart out of Valpo early - kind of like TTech did to us.

Was able to stream about half the game. Really is incredible the defensive transformation we've made since the start of the year. Early on it was sloppy individual defense (close-outs, foot movement, rebounding, all of it) AND downright terrible team communication and rotation (at least compared to previous Collins teams). We started to see the reversal in the brief B1G splash of two games, and then during the layoff after Purdue they really solidified it. Our rotations and communication, how we dealt with screens and handoffs, and our individual defense was fantastic tonight. And as mentioned, our defense really helped catalyze the offensive activity and efficiency too.

Let's hope that we can keep it up against the stronger competition upcoming.

Go Cats!