First-half thread for NU-MSU

lou v

All-Conference
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Aug 27, 2004
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The boys are really going to be up against it tonight at the Breslin Center. It's either pull off the big upset or become probably the best team in the nation with an 0-3 conference record.

NU needs a scorer to step up tonight and take some pressure off of Law. It would be awfully nice if it were Taylor.
 

blue2015

All-Conference
Mar 9, 2012
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The boys are really going to be up against it tonight at the Breslin Center. It's either pull off the big upset or become probably the best team in the nation with an 0-3 conference record.

NU needs a scorer to step up tonight and take some pressure off of Law. It would be awfully nice if it were Taylor.

You guys might be in luck...no Langford tonight, in a boot
 

lou v

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MSU has Winston on Turner. I like that matchup all day.
 
Feb 25, 2015
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The boys are really going to be up against it tonight at the Breslin Center. It's either pull off the big upset or become probably the best team in the nation with an 0-3 conference record.

NU needs a scorer to step up tonight and take some pressure off of Law. It would be awfully nice if it were Taylor.
We can beat em!
 

TheC

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May 29, 2001
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Good start, but need to be better on the boards.
 

lou v

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Good early sign for NU: five assists on five baskets.
 

lou v

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Pete Nance is really looking like a freshman tonight.
 

scru

Redshirt
Sep 4, 2005
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Nick Ward is put of his mind. Dude is channeling Elijhajuan right now.
 

TheC

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Yikes... MSU is dominating us physically right now. They are scoring everything from 2 feet away. Fouls are 6-0 against us and there is no such thing as an offensive rebound for NU. Coach needs to figure out something.
 

lou v

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Turner with two fouls. Ouch.

Pardon is looking strong in the post, with eight early points. MSU has been tough inside on the offensive end with Tillman and Ward in the game together.

I'm still waiting for Benson to take that next step in his development.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
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Miller Kopp playing well so far. Maybe he can have the breakout game we've been waiting for.
 

freewillie07

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2017
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Ward is having an outstanding game, and has done a bit of acting to get Pardon and Benson in foul trouble. And yet NU only down 4.

Nice counterpunches from Kopp. Nance looks better by the game. Went to the sky for a rebound -- looks like he's learning from Law and Gaines.
 

TheC

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Turner with two fouls. Ouch.

Pardon is looking strong in the post, with eight early points. MSU has been tough inside on the offensive end with Tillman and Ward in the game together.

I'm still waiting for Benson to take that next step in his development.
I don't want to me too mean, but Benson is a pretty disappointing 4 star recruit. He just hasn't developed much on either end of the floor. That hook shot that missed everything was atrocious and on the other end, the bigger MSU guy blew right by him. He's in his third year now, so its hard to see him getting much better especially since so many of his problems seem to be due to physical limitations.
 

TheC

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Can we get Mike Hankwitz to fly out and figure out a defense during half-time?
 

Jonny2TheP

Junior
Dec 11, 2007
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We have gone cold these last several minutes, but MSU is playing out of their mind and taking advantage of all the NU foul trouble. This one appears all but over already.
 

freewillie07

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2017
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Sheesh. Just flawless execution by Michigan State, coupled with a handful of good looks from NU that didn't fall. And NU can't play intense defense due to foul trouble. Demoralizing.

Was that Ryan Young I saw about to check in?
 

TheC

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Why no double team on ward? It’s indefensible. One of those nights.
I'm hoping its a case of needing to get to the half to make any adjustments. Because if they keep doing the same thing, then MSU is going to be playing their walk-ons for the last 10 minutes. Of course, so may we if all our guys foul out.
 

freewillie07

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2017
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Why no double team on ward? It’s indefensible. One of those nights.

Yeah, even the TV folks suggested a switch to zone. That probably should have been the move once the foul trouble set in. Doesn't look promising when Turner, Law and Pardon all have 3 fouls at halftime.
 

freewillie07

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2017
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I don't want to me too mean, but Benson is a pretty disappointing 4 star recruit. He just hasn't developed much on either end of the floor. That hook shot that missed everything was atrocious and on the other end, the bigger MSU guy blew right by him. He's in his third year now, so its hard to see him getting much better especially since so many of his problems seem to be due to physical limitations.

I think part of it is that Benson has practically never played significant minutes on a regular basis. He can hit the weight room hard and practice well, but it's just not the same as game experience. Pardon has averaged 30+ minutes during Benson's entire career, except for a brief stretch when he was injured.

Also, calling him out against Michigan State of all teams is a bit unfair.
 
Sep 9, 2015
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I think part of it is that Benson has practically never played significant minutes on a regular basis. He can hit the weight room hard and practice well, but it's just not the same as game experience. Pardon has averaged 30+ minutes during Benson's entire career, except for a brief stretch when he was injured.

Also, calling him out against Michigan State of all teams is a bit unfair.
He needs to hit the weights a lot more this off-season. Gets moved off the block way to easily. That's where pardons core is amazing
 

TheC

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I think part of it is that Benson has practically never played significant minutes on a regular basis. He can hit the weight room hard and practice well, but it's just not the same as game experience. Pardon has averaged 30+ minutes during Benson's entire career, except for a brief stretch when he was injured.

Also, calling him out against Michigan State of all teams is a bit unfair.
But come on..... the kid is a 6-10" 4 star recruit. He isn't playing because he hasn't earned it - in games or in practice. There would be plenty of minutes for him if he was killing it in practice.
 

Katatonic

Sophomore
Oct 23, 2004
86,854
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I think part of it is that Benson has practically never played significant minutes on a regular basis. He can hit the weight room hard and practice well, but it's just not the same as game experience. Pardon has averaged 30+ minutes during Benson's entire career, except for a brief stretch when he was injured.

Also, calling him out against Michigan State of all teams is a bit unfair.

Don't think that's quite it.

Pardon was red-shirting until injuries forced burning his shirt and while inconsistent, Pardon showed flashes of his potential.

Davide played fewer minutes than Benson had during his first 2 seasons and yet Davide had some big games for the 'Cats; not coincidentally, against MSU.

If Benson had shown more, he would have gotten more playing time.

This just shows that while it's great to get excited about * ratings, better to wait until the player hits campus and at least hear what is coming out of practice.

Despite Benson being the 4* recruit, was more excited about Pardon when he came in as a frosh (based on what was said about Pardon's game in HS and the scuttle-butt that came out of practice).