Hard to believe after 3 years in the program that he hasn't developed a jump hook. It's pretty much a prerequisite for a big man of his size.
Nicholson
- Thread starter jensberg
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Did you watch the Rutgers game? Dude plays great D, has improved immensely, helped our team to an unexpected 2nd place finish, and a tourney bid and you’re complaining?? Not every player is going to be Kareem.
I think he has 2 more years of eligibility left as well and hopefully he’ll develop a better offensive game, but let’s appreciate the guy for who he is.
Love big matt. Needs to work on his free throw shooting as well.
It’s another reason we cannot devise a game plan around him. Teams will easily react and just hack-a-Matt.
Matt is a really good athlete. Just needs more and more reps on what you guys are talking about - baby hook and free throws. His technique in most things looks good enough to me to project significant improvement.
He is a better center at this point than Omuruyi from Rutgers and others in the conference, and a big part of our success. I am pleasantly surprised at his growth, and look forward to seeing him continue to develop next season.
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Feels like you’re really nitpicking here. I honestly thought he would never be a key player for us, and he’s already become an important piece in three years. He’s put on so much good weight. He had a ton of development in front of him when he got here and has made giant strides. His moves/shot around the rim and getting up to a 65-70% FT shooter are the next steps and considering his work ethic, I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing that next season.
Maybe it was my mistake for not expecting much from him, but he has exceeded my expectations already and it’s all because of the work he’s put in. I give him a ton of credit.
Maybe it was my mistake for not expecting much from him, but he has exceeded my expectations already and it’s all because of the work he’s put in. I give him a ton of credit.
I will say this… I am really rooting for Matt to take the next step. I do believe he can do it!
To you and the others who said this is nitpicking… it’s definitely not nitpicking. Don’t get me wrong, he’s developed into a strong player, but there are at least a solid handful of situations every game where good work from he and his teammates - an offensive rebound, a good pass inside - leaves him posted up inside the block but too far out or with his back to the basket so he can’t just dunk it. If he had one or two even modest post moves or shots, be it a hook or whatever else, these would all be golden scoring opportunities and probably net 3-4 high efficiency buckets a game. Instead, he has essentially no post moves and always has to pass out in these spots. It wouldn’t mean NU had to run its offense through him, but it would be a big boost to the team if he could just take advantage of those opportunities.
That’s fair. I think it’s a classic case of expectations. My expectations with him were low and he’s worked really hard and already passed what I expected. He’s got his weaknesses, but I don’t think he’s far away. I think it’s the next step in his development.
I think the next step jn MN development is a F#%$ you attitude.
He tried to take a player with a left hand layup early in the year and it was a disaster. He never tried again.
He tried a couple of jump hooks, they were a disaster and never tried again.
Became a lob threat, that he is good at and kept doing it.
With handouts at the side of key, never attempted a shot. At least Tydus tried a couple.
He needs to be thick skinned and just play. Boo, Chase, Ty and Brooks all take a couple of crap shots during the game, but they keep shooting. He needs to do the same thing and build his confidence.
MN should be better in the future considering his work ethic, but needs to change his attitude.
He tried to take a player with a left hand layup early in the year and it was a disaster. He never tried again.
He tried a couple of jump hooks, they were a disaster and never tried again.
Became a lob threat, that he is good at and kept doing it.
With handouts at the side of key, never attempted a shot. At least Tydus tried a couple.
He needs to be thick skinned and just play. Boo, Chase, Ty and Brooks all take a couple of crap shots during the game, but they keep shooting. He needs to do the same thing and build his confidence.
MN should be better in the future considering his work ethic, but needs to change his attitude.
Improving the free-throw shooting is an obvious. Also, I'll agree some semblance of a low-post game needs to be developed where he doesn't need the ball delivered in the perfect spot to convert.
My final wish for Nich's off-season would be to improve his defense enough to allow the team to get away from the double-team in the post. Use it more judiciously and improve the perimeter defense. Teams obviously were more prepared for it later in the year.
My final wish for Nich's off-season would be to improve his defense enough to allow the team to get away from the double-team in the post. Use it more judiciously and improve the perimeter defense. Teams obviously were more prepared for it later in the year.
We can't devise a plan around him because he's limited offensively. Not because teams will hack-a-Matt. That has never happened, with or without game plans.
This reminds me of takes of the last couple of seasons on other good players on our team. Buie surely had his share of criticism while always, since day one, being a pretty good player. Young still gets so much unfair criticism despite not even being on the team.
So much focus on what one can’t do. Fair to point out what a guy can improve. But so unfair to not acknowledge one’s contributions. Nicholson impacts the game so much.
So much focus on what one can’t do. Fair to point out what a guy can improve. But so unfair to not acknowledge one’s contributions. Nicholson impacts the game so much.
Thats the issue. Everybody posting above has gotten so accustomed to the worst offense in college basketball being the norm under Chris Collins, you've all totally given up on the very realistic expectation that a guy as big and athletic as MN should have developed at least one post move like a baby hook by now. Same with Robbie Beran's skill set.
Put the bong down. I still can't fathom why a team with solid Big Ten level recruits and seemingly as many high quality assistants as we've had the entire CCC era has remained so awful on offense year after year. Big Matt is just one example.
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Ignoring the hyperbole and insulting language - it would seem to come down to this regarding the offense (ignoring recruiting rankings of players): why is our shooting performance always near the bottom of the conference? Blame it on the coach or the players or some combination?
I’m going to leave it at that for today as we celebrate what this team and the coaches have accomplished.
I’m going to leave it at that for today as we celebrate what this team and the coaches have accomplished.
I think that double team is more about pressure leading to turnovers. And I hope they keep finding guys willing to buy into team D. It’s fun to watch. That initial double team often leads to a series of hurried passes and frequently we intercept one.
He has improved a lot (enough that he was a starter this year after not ready to play last year) His D gets him on the floor but his O has not caught up. He can be a force but he is not there yet
Was just listening to a podcast with Ant Wright, a former Michigan player who covers Big Ten basketball, where he was raving about how far Nicholson has come since high school. I don't think it's fair to say that "he couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time" in high school, but Wright heaped praise on NU's coaching staff.
Nicholson packed on a lot of weight over the past year, and I think he's trying to get used to it. I'd like to see him simplify his free throw motion--he was solid at the line in HS--and yes, develop a baby hook and a couple of other moves. But he's come a long way and you can see him growing from game to game, and in terms of win shares he's behind only Boo, Chase, and my man Brooks.
Yes, the next step for Matt is developing post moves and getting comfortable around the rim. He doesn’t have the softest hands in the world. Had very little touch around the basket. He can’t create for himself. It is why we couldn’t just run the big line up against PSU. The lob isn’t an offensive game plan. It’s created due to Buie being so good at penetration and the respect he garners driving the basketball.
That being said the dude has put on some mass during is time in Evanston. His positioning on defense and offense is very good. He’s a very strong post defender and the doubling isn’t meant to hide a weakness there. It actually plays into Matt’s position and length. It’s meant to force turnovers and prevent high percentage looks close to the basket. Offensively he sets good screens (moves at times but if it’s not called who cares). He also seals the “extra”defender very well.
He’s one of the main reasons this team can do what it does defensively. He knows his role and executes it very well. He’s developed a lot during his time here. He’s a different player than last year. That’s a credit to Matt and the staff. The staff has a history of getting a lot out of the 5 position. Matt is no exception and his hard work is paying off.
That being said the dude has put on some mass during is time in Evanston. His positioning on defense and offense is very good. He’s a very strong post defender and the doubling isn’t meant to hide a weakness there. It actually plays into Matt’s position and length. It’s meant to force turnovers and prevent high percentage looks close to the basket. Offensively he sets good screens (moves at times but if it’s not called who cares). He also seals the “extra”defender very well.
He’s one of the main reasons this team can do what it does defensively. He knows his role and executes it very well. He’s developed a lot during his time here. He’s a different player than last year. That’s a credit to Matt and the staff. The staff has a history of getting a lot out of the 5 position. Matt is no exception and his hard work is paying off.
Lob off a high pick and roll is an offensive game plan though. We just don't run much offense that is centered around running plays for a 5. Big Matt couldn't even get on the floor last year, so I couldn't imagine an offense that focused on that this season. Matt had so many other developmental needs last year, but given what the team is likely losing to graduation this year, it seems like a priority for next season would be developing a high pick and roll game with Brooks and Matt and working on action that switches the floor to enter the post for a quick jump hook or drop step.
He’s come a long way and that dribble from half court and dunk shows his athleticism and further potential. There is no doubt he can use the next year to develop some moves down low. I fully expect it will happen and don’t look at his opportunity to improve there as some sort of indictment of the staff. I think the opposite. He’s come a long way. It’s amazing how far this whole team has come. What were we thinking about this team 8 months ago? There were many naysayers. It does seem that a number of us think there’s some improvement that can be made in some offensive situations. We all also like the idea of making more shots! Maybe the guys are a little tired after busting it on D…who knows? But I do think we need to move the ball instead of pure iso in late game situations.
I love Big Matt for the beating he doled out to Zach Edey. He’s the only player in NCAA history to beat Edey like a rented mule. That counts for something.
"He doesn't have the softest hands." Bingo! Hands are critical in touch and offensive basketball. Now that MN is an athletic presence he should take piano lessons. Just kidding, sort of.
He should catch tennis balls out of jugs machine.
The issue is that kind of thing needs the offseason to develop. Simply not the time to do it during the season
Now for some facts to help the analysis...
In conference play, here are our players shooting percentages on 2 point attempts
Verhoeven 67.7, Nicholson 59.5, Martinelli 57.1, Buie 49.5 (31.9 on 3's) Barnhizer 49.4 (40.0 on 3's)
The more shots they get, the better.
Now for the guys who shouldnt be shooting so much unless its an open 3...
Berry 44.4 (30.8) Audige 38.8 (31.4) Beran 38.5 (32.8)
Get the ball inside more often. The stats demand it!
Apparently nobody has bothered to teach Nicholson how to get better position or taught Beran, Audige and Berry how to pass the ball inside.
In conference play, here are our players shooting percentages on 2 point attempts
Verhoeven 67.7, Nicholson 59.5, Martinelli 57.1, Buie 49.5 (31.9 on 3's) Barnhizer 49.4 (40.0 on 3's)
The more shots they get, the better.
Now for the guys who shouldnt be shooting so much unless its an open 3...
Berry 44.4 (30.8) Audige 38.8 (31.4) Beran 38.5 (32.8)
Get the ball inside more often. The stats demand it!
Apparently nobody has bothered to teach Nicholson how to get better position or taught Beran, Audige and Berry how to pass the ball inside.
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Your facts may not be all that convincing, but your charm offensive is so effective! 🤨
well there are a few people that need some enlightening.
Its not me talking, its the stats.
Isn't that how pat fitzgerald lost his 4 front teeth?? Is this true? I think I heard several years ago he had to have some implants for his teeth in the front?? His players made fun of him for this??
Wow, airballs in the tourney aside, Buie really stepped it up on his 3s after a very shaky start to the season. I complained about his outside shooting a lot early on, so hats off to him. And merit badge to you for ongoing on-point analyses.
But...appending yet another repetitive kvetch about coaching equals one demerit. Back to zero. Dang!
As much as I like Nicholson, I do not see much improvement in his offense thise season.
Having been supportive all along, I have gotten frustrated with several things I've noticed (and I watch closely).
1. He doesn't establish position in the lane as an offensive option. Nearly every Big Ten post player has been taught how to do this. It doesn't look to me that the coaches are even trying to teach him this. He has the size and athleticism to get anywhere he wants to, including the low post, but he never makes a move to establish position and then look for the ball.
2. He doesn't seem to have great instincts as to how to get rebounding position. Our three point attempts tend to carom over his head. He does better on two point attempts, where the rebounds aren't nearly as huge. It doesn't look to me like he is getting a lot of coaching on this either. He doesn't normally make a decisive move to the offensive boards, but still gets some rebounds because of his size and reach. If the coaches can't help him with this, he might have to talk to Barnhizer and Martinelli.
3. I don't remember ever seeing anyone set a screen to free Nicholson up for a lob. Hard to understand why we can't do that. Easiest, most reliable source of scoring we have, other than when Buie can beat his defender off the dribble.
4. He gets his only opportunities on the pick and roll. I think the coaches believe that his entire role is to set screens all over the court to free up "shooters" that are less effective than he is at scoring. Nicholson is a very good screener, but I find it pretty sad that we don't seem to have a clue about passing into the low post. On the other hand, we love to shoot when he is 20 feet from the basket.
Nicholson's hands are fine. He handles the ball a lot and the turnovers are not bad - usually an illegal screen.
I know the feelings is Painter is a great teacher of centers. Edey does a great job, but I think it's more of his size than anything. He is very limited going to his left. Most of his shots are to the right and jump hooks.
I don't understand when doubles come for Edey, why they left him turn right. All doubles should come from his right side and make him go left.
Edey has a hard time with a drop step to his left or a left handed hook. Which is not good for someone who has played for the last two years in such a great progam that teaches bigs.
In the NBA where cannot park himself in the middle, he is going to be exposed defensively.
MN being able to screen and roll to the basket for a lob translates to the NBA. Also being able to hedge and then get back and cover on defense also translate. Think Rob Williams,
No way is MN NBA ready, but look at what translates and I think he is further along (it's my opinion, I know 95 percent of you think I'm crazy with this one)
I agree with you about MN hands and footwork around the basket. But the are improving, he is able to catch and makes quality passes out of the post.
Edey is going to be another big Purdue center that does not do much after college. So much for the teaching of the bigs at Purdue. They are just large individuals. They have another7 footer coming.
I don't understand when doubles come for Edey, why they left him turn right. All doubles should come from his right side and make him go left.
Edey has a hard time with a drop step to his left or a left handed hook. Which is not good for someone who has played for the last two years in such a great progam that teaches bigs.
In the NBA where cannot park himself in the middle, he is going to be exposed defensively.
MN being able to screen and roll to the basket for a lob translates to the NBA. Also being able to hedge and then get back and cover on defense also translate. Think Rob Williams,
No way is MN NBA ready, but look at what translates and I think he is further along (it's my opinion, I know 95 percent of you think I'm crazy with this one)
I agree with you about MN hands and footwork around the basket. But the are improving, he is able to catch and makes quality passes out of the post.
Edey is going to be another big Purdue center that does not do much after college. So much for the teaching of the bigs at Purdue. They are just large individuals. They have another7 footer coming.
It has been fairly usual to see, at least once or twice a game, a pass in to Matt that goes right thru his hands, or he struggles to control it until a defender can get to him. Add to that the positioning problems already noted and Matt's seeming inability to make anything that isn't a dunk, and getting the ball inside to him seems a fruitless effort unless it's a lob.
I like to believe that a lot of Matt's off season will be spent practicing free throws and shorter shots, catching heaters, and boxing out.
I like to believe that a lot of Matt's off season will be spent practicing free throws and shorter shots, catching heaters, and boxing out.
Thats a strange response!
Always makes me wonder when people get upset about statistics and common sense.
If you honestly look at Brian James "pedigree" you will see that he is essentially a Collins family friend who knows a good amount about basketball and parlayed that into a coaching career. As we all know, he and Doug Collins became friends when Brian coached Chris Collins in high school.
1995 Doug Collins is hired as head coach by Detroit Pistons. Brian James gets his first job as an NBA assistant, directly from the high school ranks.
1998 Collins fired by Pistons. Brian James takes a position as assistant with Toronto Raptors.
2001 Doug Collins hired to coach Washington Wizards. Brian James hired as assistant.
2003 Collins fired by Washington. James catches on with Seattle as a scout, but is eventually let go.
2005 Brian James returns to Illinois high school coaching at Hinsdale Central, but changes direction to become a Milwaukee Bucks assistant thru early 2008.
2010 Doug Collins hired by Philadelphia 76ers. Brian James hired as assistant.
2013 Doug Collins resigns from 76ers. James accepts assistant coaching position with Northwestern and new coach Chris Collins.
James got a lot of credit here for Alex Olah’s development.
We shot 64% of our shots against PSU from within the arc and hit only 35% (and many were missed layups) We were 25% from three so our effective FG% fro three was slightly higher at 37.5%
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