Observations from Section 212

[catfans5]

1) It is amazing to see NU outrebound a team! Wiscy had 9 fewer rebounds and four fewer offensive rebounds. Our team box outs were really good.This was the difference in the game.

2) The emphasis was going to the hoop. This is what we did the first half and second half and was how we shot 21 more free throws than Wiscy. Awesone! If we can shoot 75%, it is a ten point win.

3) I will take Tre Demps 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 turnovers every night of the week. He played under control and I recall only one stupid three. He never tried the 1 on threes or force the issue.

4) Our defense was pretty good and frustrated Wiscy.

5) I thought this was a game where we learned how to win a game down the stretch.

6) I thought Wiscy had similar talent, but we played a very good game. I thought CC made some good substitutions to get the most out of his team. We made lot of stupid fouls during the last two minutes, but it was a learning curve which we will do better in future games.

7) McInosh--enough said.

8) We can get really long in some of our substitutions with Lindsey, Skelly, Falzone, a center and McIntosh.

9) I can't remember the last time we beat Wiscy at home.

10) Looking forward to Saturday night.

 

[mikewebb68]

We've been outrebounding teams for some time now....

 

[lunker35]

We've been outrebounding teams for some time now....

Yeah I'm almost positive we haven't had a game this year where we've lost the rebounding differential. It's quite the change from the previous regime.

 

[Alan Smithee]

As noted, we've out rebounded almost everyone in conference play. And yes, it it was nice to see all the points in the paint. A bad ft shooting nice kept the game closer than it needed to be.

Disagree about Demps. After complimenting him last game, I thought he regressed a bit tonight. He had a nice drive & kick assist, but again tried to do a bit much by himself. 8 points but on a number of shots.

I was pleased most of the time by our defense. Wisconsin had prayers answered a couple of times at the shotclock buzzer after possessions we totally shut down, or again the game wouldn't have been so close.

We last beat Wisconsin at home in 2009.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I missed the game. What team is this? Outrebounding opponents? Drawing more fouls? Making free throws down the stretch? I must be on the wrong board.

 

[mikewebb68]

I missed the game. What team is this? Outrebounding opponents? Drawing more fouls? Making free throws down the stretch? I must be on the wrong board.

Simply put, it's a better team.

 

[purplejustice]

I love the energy CC brings to the team and the crowd. He was urging the crowd to get on its feet several times at crucial points in the second half. He is willing this team to victory and the players are responding. There were several situations late in the game where we made bad plays, missed free throws and could have given the game away, but we didn't. His substitutions were effective. It is still a young team that is growing in confidence. 3-2 in the Big Ten without Law or Olah. Not shabby. We may take our lumps as the schedule gets tougher after Penn State, but we can compete. Hopefully Olah is back soon. This is the first time I can remember where our players looked as physical as a Wisconsin team. We are a very entertaining team to watch.

Go Cats !

 

[backdoorpass]

4-2 in the Big Ten without Law or Olah.

Don't jinx the PSU game. We're currently 3-2 in the B1G.

 

[NUcats11]

Disagree about Demps. He had some nice passes, but he also had about 4 dumb shots.

 

[DaCat]

We struggled to in bound the ball at the end. Tap looked like a deer in the headlights. Other than that, an excellent game by the Cars.

 

[TejasCat]

Demps did not have a good game. Forced a few shots again, and missed open teammates. He just doesn't keep his head up when going to the basket. The 2 on 1 break at the end of the game was horrible, he had Taphorn for a dunk, and he tries to force something.

 

[NJCat83588]

Yeah I'm almost positive we haven't had a game this year where we've lost the rebounding differential. It's quite the change from the previous regime.

Outrebounded only by Fairfield (!) 35-28, UNC (OK) 38-20, DePaul 45-41, and MD 34-32. Your point is a great one, what a difference from most prior years including the last 2..

 

[ricko654321]

Demps did not have a good game. Forced a few shots again, and missed open teammates. He just doesn't keep his head up when going to the basket. The 2 on 1 break at the end of the game was horrible, he had Taphorn for a dunk, and he tries to force something.

Yeah I agree, I've been more positive on Tre than most here but he was not good tonight. His decision making was just ok (that 2 on 1 at the end was really bad agree). It looks to me like Collins has talked to him about trying to keep his head up and find open guys, except now he's almost hesitant to shoot and looks like he's overthinking it. He's making a few better passes but also forcing some bad passes (mostly cause he's just not as good of a passer as eg BMac).

And then worse yet it has messed up his confidence on his shot. His release has gone from a bit touchy to downright fidgety over the last couple weeks. He used to make those floaters in the lane with regularity; now it seems like they go in about 20% of the time. And his % on wide open 3s has got to be running in the 20% range also. Looks to me like he has the equivalent of the yips in golf (or like Stave in football that one time). This happened to him one time in the past at the FT line for a while. As a shooter, not sure what else he can do but try to keep shooting through it... but we need him to start making open shots when he gets them at some point. And he needs to get back to playing loose, feeling the flow of the game, and having fun.

I'm scared to say it but it almost reminds me of some of the players that I thought a certain other person overcoached over the years, in that they also started to become timid and uncertain on the court... a combo of that and his nervousness over a short shooting slump getting into his head and making it a self fulfilling longer shooting slump.

 

[willycat]

Yeah I agree, I've been more positive on Tre than most here but he was not good tonight. His decision making was just ok (that 2 on 1 at the end was really bad agree). It looks to me like Collins has talked to him about trying to keep his head up and find open guys, except now he's almost hesitant to shoot and looks like he's overthinking it. He's making a few better passes but also forcing some bad passes (mostly cause he's just not as good of a passer as eg BMac).

And then worse yet it has messed up his confidence on his shot. His release has gone from a bit touchy to downright fidgety over the last couple weeks. He used to make those floaters in the lane with regularity; now it seems like they go in about 20% of the time. And his % on wide open 3s has got to be running in the 20% range also. Looks to me like he has the equivalent of the yips in golf (or like Stave in football that one time). This happened to him one time in the past at the FT line for a while. As a shooter, not sure what else he can do but try to keep shooting through it... but we need him to start making open shots when he gets them at some point. And he needs to get back to playing loose, feeling the flow of the game, and having fun.

I'm scared to say it but it almost reminds me of some of the players that I thought a certain other person overcoached over the years, in that they also started to become timid and uncertain on the court... a combo of that and his nervousness over a short shooting slump getting into his head and making it a self fulfilling longer shooting slump.

I wish that I don't have to watch another missed "floater". Take the dam ball to the hoop, stuff it or get fouled. BTW, can Tre dunk?

 

[NJCat83588]

BTW, can Tre dunk?

Yes he can and has.

 

[ricko654321]

I wish that I don't have to watch another missed "floater". Take the dam ball to the hoop, stuff it or get fouled. BTW, can Tre dunk?

Tre and BMac are giving up 6+ inches against the guys they would try to "stuff it" against. They might get fouled some of the time, but most B1G big men are pretty smart on defense. Against a bigger player you have to use deception on your release point or some other move to get enough space to get your shot up, just going straight at someone 6 inches bigger than you won't work as long as they are a competent defender... (this coming from someone who has played pickup bball against people bigger than me for years)

 

[willycat]

Tre and BMac are giving up 6+ inches against the guys they would try to "stuff it" against. They might get fouled some of the time, but most B1G big men are pretty smart on defense. Against a bigger player you have to use deception on your release point or some other move to get enough space to get your shot up, just going straight at someone 6 inches bigger than you won't work as long as they are a competent defender... (this coming from someone who has played pickup bball against people bigger than me for years)

How about pulling up a taking am actual short jumper.

 

[NURoseBowl]

We struggled to in bound the ball at the end. Tap looked like a deer in the headlights. Other than that, an excellent game by the Cars.

Glad you said this, DaCat. I was worried that I was the only person who found those shaky inbounds plays highly disconcerting. At the end of close games, you've GOT to be able to effectively inbound the ball against pressure and break a press without the whole process devolving into chaotic panic. As the one and only Turk would say, that area of our game definitely needs work.

 

[ricko654321]

How about pulling up a taking am actual short jumper.

Sure that's an option. Though personally I felt more accurate on floaters than short jumpers. Short pull-up jumpers always felt awkward cause you have to shoot it so softly when your momentum is already going forward. And the floater is a quicker release. Maybe BMac and Tre feel the same way, not sure...

 

[88NUcat]

Not sure about the rest of you, but I still think we are going to lose with a 5-7 point lead in the last minute every game. Goes back to that epic collapse against the Illini in 2009 or so. I know this is a different team, different regime but I just can't help it.