Wildcats get back on track with 66-61 win over UNLV

[mshelton33]

Wildcats get back on track with 66-61 win over UNLV

Northwestern staved off an upset bid by UNLV to finish third in the Arizona Tip-Off.

northwestern.rivals.com

Here are our takeaways from Northwestern's 66-61 win over UNLV to finish third in the Arizona Tip-Off.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Nice summary.

One point that hasn't been mentioned too much is how fresh Nicholson looks and plays, despite the heavier minutes.
There was a conscious decision to demand less from him than in prior years.
He is "at home" in the paint more this year, both on offense and defense. He's not defending guards all that often. He still comes out to the perimeter and sets screens and handles the ball, but he isn't running around constantly, like he was asked to do the last two years.

He seems more under control.

 

[loyolacat]

They are really having to grind for non-conference wins this early in the year...somehow that bench needs to contribute or when B10 rolls around...yikes. I think Collins has got to just dive in the pool and get more guys involved.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Nice summary.

One point that hasn't been mentioned too much is how fresh Nicholson looks and plays, despite the heavier minutes.
There was a conscious decision to demand less from him than in prior years.
He is "at home" in the paint more this year, both on offense and defense. He's not defending guards all that often. He still comes out to the perimeter and sets screens and handles the ball, but he isn't running around constantly, like he was asked to do the last two years.

He seems more under control.

The team functions must better with Big Matt on the court. He is a major factor in defense. He still isn’t a factor on offense unless he gets a lob. If Berry can find his shot, he will be helped a lot. We are playing 3-5 in some sets on offense. Still think he needs to roll hard to the hoop more when he sets the screen up top. Currently, the opposition big just drops into the paint and it’s tough for Barney and Nick to get a good look.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

The team functions must better with Big Matt on the court. He is a major factor in defense. He still isn’t a factor on offense unless he gets a lob. If Berry can find his shot, he will be helped a lot. We are playing 3-5 in some sets on offense. Still think he needs to roll hard to the hoop more when he sets the screen up top. Currently, the opposition big just drops into the paint and it’s tough for Barney and Nick to get a good look.

I agree that the offense is significantly impacted by Nicholson's positioning and movement.

At the end of the Butler game, Martinelli was backing his guy down, thought he had him beaten, went up from 6 feet and the Butler big guy came off Nicholson, who was near the basket, looking for a lob or rebound. Essentially Matt enabled the shot blocker to swat Martinelli (and Butler went down and hit a huge 3).

Martinelli and Barnhizer draw a lot of attention in the paint. We need to develop more effective options when they get doubled.
If they're going to get the ball to Nicholson, they have to be looking for him and he has to move to the right spot. It would help if Matt could move away from the basket, catch a pass and knock down a 10 footer. Until that happens nobody has to guard him there.

Its a work in progress. We get stagnant when we have 3 guys stationary at the arc, with Nicholson standing in the paint, watching Barnhizer or Martinelli try to get a shot up.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I agree that the offense is significantly impacted by Nicholson's positioning and movement.

At the end of the Butler game, Martinelli was backing his guy down, thought he had him beaten, went up from 6 feet and the Butler big guy came off Nicholson, who was near the basket, looking for a lob or rebound. Essentially Matt enabled the shot blocker to swat Martinelli (and Butler went down and hit a huge 3).

Martinelli and Barnhizer draw a lot of attention in the paint. We need to develop more effective options when they get doubled.
If they're going to get the ball to Nicholson, they have to be looking for him and he has to move to the right spot. It would help if Matt could move away from the basket, catch a pass and knock down a 10 footer. Until that happens nobody has to guard him there.

Its a work in progress. We get stagnant when we have 3 guys stationary at the arc, with Nicholson standing in the paint, watching Barnhizer or Martinelli try to get a shot up.

I am going very sour on this team watching the Barnelli low post mambo.

Why is it so hard for us to figure this out. Barnelli gets the ball in the high post, backs the defender, and draws the double. At that point, kick to an open Ty or Jalen (both of those guys can catch and shoot--would be great to run some off ball screens to set that up), back door to Matt, or just bring it back out.

 

[techtim72]

They are really having to grind for non-conference wins this early in the year...somehow that bench needs to contribute or when B10 rolls around...yikes. I think Collins has got to just dive in the pool and get more guys involved.

Big Ten has rolled around. Iowa next.

 

[Deeringfish]

They are really having to grind for non-conference wins this early in the year...somehow that bench needs to contribute or when B10 rolls around...yikes. I think Collins has got to just dive in the pool and get more guys involved.

I don't recall him ever coaching like that except at center and this year it looks like Matt will play more minutes than in the past.