First-half thread for NU vs. Illinois

[lou v]

On Jan. 6, NU beat Illinois, 68-66, in Evanston. Since that time, the Cats are 2-11. Illinois is 6-7, with wins over ranked Maryland and Michigan State teams. Even though the Illini are riding a three-game losing streak, the two teams have been on very different paths since that game shortly after the New Year.

Coming off of a dismal home loss to Minnesota, we'll see how much fight the Cats have on the road.

 

[lou v]

On Jan. 6, NU beat Illinois, 68-66, in Evanston. Since that time, the Cats are 2-11. Illinois is 6-7, with wins over ranked Maryland and Michigan State teams. Even though the Illini are riding a three-game losing streak, the two teams have been on very different paths since that game shortly after the New Year.

Coming off of a dismal home loss to Minnesota, we'll see how much fight the Cats have on the road.

Miller Kopp starting tonight.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

A 2 point attempt is acceptable once in awhile.

 

[lou v]

0-6 on 3s.

 

[Chuckster1973]

Yet another embarrassing start this team is just horrendous can't make any shot Illinois throwing up anything and It's Goin In

 

[julescat]

I will predict that this game tonight will be the bottom tick for Collins/NU hoops. It will be all up from here after we get the crap kicked out of us tonight.

 

[JournCat]

This is why I blew $1,000 to go to Salt Lake City. Knew I’d need the memories for our inevitable reversion to the mean

 

[TheC]

This is dark ages level crap. This is Chris Collins' program and its a disaster. He doesn't know how to assemble a roster. He clearly can't game coach. And his players don't seem to get better. Not really sure what he brings to the program.

 

[Chuckster1973]

Getting blown off the court. There is not one guy on his team that can shoot the ball. Just hard to understand.

 

[TheC]

Getting blown off the court. There is not one guy on his team that can shoot the ball. Just hard to understand.

Or dribble the ball.

 

[NUera]

0-6 on 3s.

This is why all the Collins-bashing is stupid. No coach can make Miller Kopp hit an open three. Or AJ Turner. Or Aaron Falzon. When Pardon is your best player, you need to present a threat from the outside to open things up for him down low. Now, Vic Law forcing turn-around, step-back 20-footers? That's coachable.

 

[julescat]

This is why all the Collins-bashing is stupid. No coach can make Miller Kopp hit an open three. Or AJ Turner. Or Aaron Falzon. When Pardon is your best player, you need to present a threat from the outside to open things up for him down low. Now, Vic Law forcing turn-around, step-back 20-footers? That's coachable.

I like Collins OK for being HC at NU but who the hell is responsible for this team's plight if not Collins? He's the guy getting paid.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I guess it wasn’t Scottie’s fault last year.

 

[TejasCat]

This is why all the Collins-bashing is stupid. No coach can make Miller Kopp hit an open three. Or AJ Turner. Or Aaron Falzon. When Pardon is your best player, you need to present a threat from the outside to open things up for him down low. Now, Vic Law forcing turn-around, step-back 20-footers? That's coachable.

So who is responsible for getting players who can make shots?

 

[Catreporter]

Jordan Lathon 25 points today. He would have made a difference. Confidence of this team is now shot. Should have a chance to beat a Wesson-less Ohio State Wednesday, but I just don't know....

 

[NUera]

So who is responsible for getting players who can make shots?

What are you talking about? Miller Kopp was a 44% 3-point shooter in HS -- he's 0-3 on wide open threes tonight. AJ Turner shot 37% at BC, he's 1-4 tonight and 5 of 18 the last 5.5 games. Falzon and Law are much better 3-point shooters than the 7of 26 and 10 of 32 they've shot in the last 5.5 games. And let's not even get into Ryan Taylor.

Basketball is hard when your shooters can't shoot.

 

[TejasCat]

What are you talking about? Miller Kopp was a 44% 3-point shooter in HS -- he's 0-3 on wide open threes tonight. AJ Turner shot 37% at BC, he's 1-4 tonight and 5 of 18 the last 5.5 games. Falzon and Law are much better 3-point shooters than the 7of 26 and 10 of 32 they've shot in the last 5.5 games. And let's not even get into Ryan Taylor.

Basketball is hard when your shooters can't shoot.

We haven’t shot the ball well in the last few years. Ok, let’s just call it bad luck.

 

[NUera]

We haven’t shot the ball well in the last few years. Ok, let’s just call it bad luck.

Over the last three seasons, we've shot roughly 35% from 3. This year it's 31%. That's the difference between being slightly above average and ranking 306 of 351 D-1 teams. But don't let the facts get in the way of your bias.

 

[Vassar69]

Over the last three seasons, we've shot roughly 35% from 3. This year it's 31%. That's the difference between being slightly above average and ranking 306 of 351 D-1 teams. But don't let the facts get in the way of your bias.

4% difference from 3pt range is the only reason? Come on.