The Bloody Elbow Game

[freewillie07]

Stats and the gamethread won’t show it but the turning point in this game might just have been Big Matt lunging for a loose ball, causing his elbow to gush blood in the process. He was fired up and animated the crowd… and also by the way had a damn good game himself. He held his own on defense, even against guards, and made a FT and at least one critical block in the clutch.

Great game, Big Matt.

 

[SmellyCat]

Yep, NU was down 46-40 at that point, though they were already on a 4-0 run.

Nicholson might have been the MVP of the game, though Martinelli's second half and his split-the-defense shot in OT gives him the edge.

 

[Catreporter]

His block on Coconis in overtime was the play that kept the narrow lead going that they held to the end.

 

[rwhitney014]

Tough tough tough. Box score won’t show the impact Matt had on this game. I don’t know what his plus/minus was, but he did great work to my eyes tonight.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Matt is a basketball player who doesn’t make a lot of baskets, but he makes a lot of plays.

 

[NUera]

His block on Coconis in overtime was the play that kept the narrow lead going that they held to the end.

Came here to say this. Big Amish’s block with 40 seconds left forced them to foul and saved the game.

 

[Dugan15]

Even better than Walker Lambiotte!

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Even better than Walker Lambiotte!

Walker Lambiotte references are encouraged.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

As usual, Matty bomb has a box score line that looks like he was mostly just hanging out and grabbing some boards while his actual impact on the game was making absolutely critical rebounds, impacting the entire game defensively, and making key defensive plays throughout including the definitive defensive block in crunch time

 

[SmellyCat]

As usual, Matty bomb has a box score line that looks like he was mostly just hanging out and grabbing some boards while his actual impact on the game was making absolutely critical rebounds, impacting the entire game defensively, and making key defensive plays throughout including the definitive defensive block in crunch time

Honestly, his putback was maybe just as important. His one field goal. Any time he gets a basket instead of (or in addition to) getting fouled is a giant win for the NU offense. It's like finding five bucks in your pocket that you didn't expect (which reminds me I put 15 bucks in my pocket last night - gotta find those jeans before they go in the wash).

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

As usual, Matty bomb has a box score line that looks like he was mostly just hanging out and grabbing some boards while his actual impact on the game was making absolutely critical rebounds, impacting the entire game defensively, and making key defensive plays throughout including the definitive defensive block in crunch time

Yep, he is what he is. He isn’t going to be Abdul-Jabbar on offensive, but he is a critical piece to the overall success of this team. This kid busts his ass out there and gives all he’s got and you can’t ask for more.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Yep, he is what he is. He isn’t going to be Abdul-Jabbar on offensive, but he is a critical piece to the overall success of this team. This kid busts his ass out there and gives all he’s got and you can’t ask for more.

I'll take a bonafide power conference caliber defensive anchor big any day of the week

 

[GatoLouco]

Came here to say this. Big Amish’s block with 40 seconds left forced them to foul and saved the game.

Kudos for yet another great nick name for teen wolf XXXL

Even when he’s not having a great game he plays within himself. That’s why last week I was so against Hunger being on the floor in the last 5 minutes.

 

[No Chores]

Kudos for yet another great Nick name for Teen wolf XXXL

Even when he’s not having a great game he plays within himself. That’s why last week I was so against Hunger being on the floor in the last 5 minutes.

Agree Gato. In my view Hunger is simply not a BIG center on either offense or defense. The combination block and rebound by Big Matt essentially put the game away for the 'Cats. I'm greatly concerned about next year for that reason.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I love Hunger like a mother loves her ugly child

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

This kid busts his ass out there and gives all he’s got and you can’t ask for more.

I'm asking for a few things.
Matt has room to improve and I want him to reach his potential...

Use that big body more aggressively to get rebounds. (talk to Luke Hunger about slamming into guys legally)
Move more decisively on the offensive end when we're trying to score in the paint.
Get down on the block and call for the ball - then when you get it, try to dunk on whomever is defending you. Just once. I don't care what happens. Make the defender feel it.

You know I love the guy but he can do more.

 

[hdhntr1]

I love Hunger like a mother loves her ugly child

Is that you?

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Honestly, Hunger is growing on me.
He can't jump. Welcome to the Ryan Young club.
But he has started playing pretty physically - and I like that.
He gets to the offensive boards.
He can make a jump shot on occasion.

As others have mentioned, he gets called for a lot of ticky tack contact fouls on the defensive end. He is incredulous after every single foul. That can be fixed!

He'll never be Nicholson on the defensive end, but he's not a bad backup - and he gives some flexibility when NU is facing teams with stretchy fives who can't play defense.

 

[EagerFan]

If Luke starts scoring on the shots he takes, he'll be a lot more popular on the boards. If he can play 20 minutes without fouling out while also shooting at least 40% generally, the sky's the limit.

He keeps working on that jump shot from the corner of the free throw line and in practice it goes in at a decent clip. What would be great is him making 1 of the 2 threes he takes almost every game. Get that 50% from three rate going!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Honestly, Hunger is growing on me.
He can't jump. Welcome to the Ryan Young club.
But he has started playing pretty physically - and I like that.
He gets to the offensive boards.
He can make a jump shot on occasion.

As others have mentioned, he gets called for a lot of ticky tack contact fouls on the defensive end. He is incredulous after every single foul. That can be fixed!

He'll never be Nicholson on the defensive end, but he's not a bad backup - and he gives some flexibility when NU is facing teams with stretchy fives who can't play defense.

Hope he grows on me.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Hope he grows on me.

He's growing on you like a fungus.

 

[IGNORE2]

Honestly, Hunger is growing on me.
He can't jump. Welcome to the Ryan Young club.
But he has started playing pretty physically - and I like that.
He gets to the offensive boards.
He can make a jump shot on occasion.

As others have mentioned, he gets called for a lot of ticky tack contact fouls on the defensive end. He is incredulous after every single foul. That can be fixed!

He'll never be Nicholson on the defensive end, but he's not a bad backup - and he gives some flexibility when NU is facing teams with stretchy fives who can't play defense.

I continue to best the hunger drum. I think he gets a raw deal here. Glad to have him on the squad.

 

[SmellyCat]

Just because he’s not perfect doesn’t mean he’s not ours. I like him too but wish he did things (like dunk and foul) stronger.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]