Props to Pardon

[TheC]

The one guy who I thought quietly played a great game last night was Dererk Pardon. After that first play of the game where Jordan Murphy drove past him and dunked over him had me worried, but that seemed to fire Dererk up as he played aggressive, active basketball the rest of the way. The stats were solid - 10 points, 8 boards (including 5 on the offensive end), 3 blocks and only 3 fouls. But his work on defense was really something. He battled with Murphy down low, while ranging all over the court on that zone to cut off drivers all night. There was a thread below about the gap between Pardon and Benson and I think that sums up the biggest difference right there.... not many big men can move on defense like Dererk can. He was a big part of that win last night.

I think we might be pleasantly surprised next season. Despite it seeming like a re-building year, it will also be the senior years for Pardon and Law and I am curious to see their leadership style in action.

 

[NUCat320]

Late in the game, he had that sequence where he snagged the loose ball and got the timeout. Then, after the break, an o-board and stick-back. Huge sequence.

It's not a modern approach, but NU would definitely benefit from dumping it into him on the blocks and clearing out more than once or twice a game. His lefty hook works.

 

[TheC]

Late in the game, he had that sequence where he snagged the loose ball and got the timeout. Then, after the break, an o-board and stick-back. Huge sequence.

It's not a modern approach, but NU would definitely benefit from dumping it into him on the blocks and clearing out more than once or twice a game. His lefty hook works.

Or even a good old-fashioned high-low play every once in a while. I feel like they did that much more last year with good success. Skelly seemed to have a knack for passing out of the high post. I wonder why that went away?

 

[DaCat]

Early in the game Pardon was called for a questionable foul against Murphy. That made him more cautious and Murphy immediately attacked for two straight dunks. Pardon adjusted well and pretty much stopped Murphy aftet that.

 

[Pete Purple]

Props to Pardon for not committing any more fouls. As another poster recently said, he always gives 100%.

 

[Alan Smithee]

Pardon has been our most consistent player this season. He's brought the energy on several occasions when it seemed missing everywhere else.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

The one guy who I thought quietly played a great game last night was Dererk Pardon. After that first play of the game where Jordan Murphy drove past him and dunked over him had me worried, but that seemed to fire Dererk up as he played aggressive, active basketball the rest of the way. The stats were solid - 10 points, 8 boards (including 5 on the offensive end), 3 blocks and only 3 fouls. But his work on defense was really something. He battled with Murphy down low, while ranging all over the court on that zone to cut off drivers all night. There was a thread below about the gap between Pardon and Benson and I think that sums up the biggest difference right there.... not many big men can move on defense like Dererk can. He was a big part of that win last night.

I think we might be pleasantly surprised next season. Despite it seeming like a re-building year, it will also be the senior years for Pardon and Law and I am curious to see their leadership style in action.

All the starters really came through in the last ten minutes of the game. Minnesota,with Coffey, is a dang good team. Very impressed with everyone. Including Falzon!

 

[Dugan15]

What strikes me about Dererk is that he never does more than he should. He fills the role that is asked of him so very well. There are times (like when I see his FG%) that I want him to do more...or find ways to feature him differently. But, I trust Collins is using him in positions that he will succeed in. Kudos to Dererk! Next year, we will likely need even more from him.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

There are times (like when I see his FG%) that I want him to do more...or find ways to feature him differently.

We tried that at the beginning of the season. We were constantly putting the ball in Pardon's hands, and his play suffered immensely (remember all the turnovers he had?). Collins went away from that when he realized Pardon is at his best going with the flow of the game rather than forcibly trying to play a prominent offensive role. He's a great garbage guy...always around the ball, but better without all the expectations being forced upon him.

 

[SmellyCat]

What strikes me about Dererk is that he never does more than he should. He fills the role that is asked of him so very well. There are times (like when I see his FG%) that I want him to do more...or find ways to feature him differently. But, I trust Collins is using him in positions that he will succeed in. Kudos to Dererk! Next year, we will likely need even more from him.

He's basically Horace Grant.

 

[backdoorpass]

I think we might be pleasantly surprised next season. Despite it seeming like a re-building year, it will also be the senior years for Pardon and Law and I am curious to see their leadership style in action.

I am especially excited about Vic Law. He has been our most consistent guy on both sides of the ball this season. And I am hoping that he goes all out in the off-season to take his game to the next level. Vic can look at the example set by his own teammates as perhaps not working hard enough between seasons and then look at Keita Bates-Diop who--out of nowhere--has become arguably the best player in the B1G in his senior season. Vic has the tools, but he needs to put all the pieces together and take things to another level to become a great player who belongs in the NBA.