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Good win…and a few concerns

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NJcatsfan_rivals139741

Redshirt
Nov 21, 2004
4,342
25
0
Awesome to beat DePaul resoundingly. This is a solid 9-3 record. Love the defensive intensity and effort. Brooks is the MAN. Some other really nice pieces tonight too.

Did anyone else wince when he got fouled hard very late, while we were up big & he was still in the game? Didn’t love having him out there at that point.

Suspect free throws could cost us some conference games. Needs to be cleaned up.

I really think this team could go dancing again…but I truly believe #3 needs to improve his shooting for that to happen. We can’t have a clangfest from him almost every night and do what we need to in the B1G season. Love his work on D but he can’t keep shooting like this imo.
 
H

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,217
2,705
67
If you had told me before the game that DePaul would shoot 44% from 3 on 27 shots, and outrebound us, I would have been nervous. But we shot well and turned the Blue Demons into a turnover machine, which was all we needed.

I think Leach had 4 of our 8 turnovers. He had a tough time with Enright, who is much quicker than I expected.

I don't know exactly what DePaul did after we started out 20-2, but I noticed a lot more ball pressure and some trapping, which led to a bunch of turnovers. I give the Cats credit for hanging tough and countering the 2 big DePaul runs to get the lead under 10 points.

Ty is missing too many open looks in transition. Gotta be patient.

Hunger had 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes. He had a few patented Luke Hunger moments (that's when I called him "the Bermuda Triangle of basketball."), but he had a decent game. (we still need a big transfer next year).
 
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N

No Chores

Senior
Jul 2, 2006
6,713
498
83
Hungry Jack said:
If you had told me before the game that DePaul would 44% from 3 on 27 shots, and outrebound us, I would have been nervous. But we shot well and turned the Blue Demons into a turnover machine, which was all we needed.

I think Leach had 4 of our 8 turnovers. He had a tough time with Enright, who is much quicker than I expected.

I don't know exactly what DePaul did after we started out 18-2, but I noticed a lot more ball pressure and some trapping, which led to a bunch of turnovers. I give the Cats credit for hanging tough and countering the 2 big DePaul runs to get the lead under 10 points.

Ty is missing too many open looks in transition. Gotta be patient.

Hunger had 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes. He had a few patented Luke Hunger moments (that's when I called him "the Bermuda Triangle of basketball." But he had a decent game. (we still need a big transfer next year).
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Yes we need a Big transfer next year. Hunger's defense is awful, and he loses his man all too often. Also he can't jump. Like you, I hope Ty gets his stroke back for the BIG season.
 
F

Figrating

Redshirt
Dec 19, 2007
3,568
30
0
Think I heard this is the first time since 2015 NU opens with 7 home Ws. I'd bet NU has one 20 - 0 run in its history. About a quarter of perfect basketball. Nobody wants to play NU at WR. Some of the supporting players are getting their game together, like Mullins.

This is the kind of NU team that I always hope for. Not filled with 5* players, but a bunch of solid players playing to the limits of their ability and if they play their best game they can beat anybody. Martinelli, Barnhiser and Nicholson are looking more and more like 5* players. The team is exciting.
 
1

1830 Sherman

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
464
28
28
Hungry Jack said:
If you had told me before the game that DePaul would 44% from 3 on 27 shots, and outrebound us, I would have been nervous. But we shot well and turned the Blue Demons into a turnover machine, which was all we needed.

I think Leach had 4 of our 8 turnovers. He had a tough time with Enright, who is much quicker than I expected.

I don't know exactly what DePaul did after we started out 18-2, but I noticed a lot more ball pressure and some trapping, which led to a bunch of turnovers. I give the Cats credit for hanging tough and countering the 2 big DePaul runs to get the lead under 10 points.

Ty is missing too many open looks in transition. Gotta be patient.

Hunger had 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes. He had a few patented Luke Hunger moments (that's when I called him "the Bermuda Triangle of basketball."), but he had a decent game. (we still need a big transfer next year).
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Leach had five TOs, which I'm sure CC will make it a point to clean up. Less 1x1, more ball movement.
 
DaCat

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,510
1,906
113
Figrating said:
Think I heard this is the first time since 2015 NU opens with 7 home Ws. I'd bet NU has one 20 - 0 run in its history. About a quarter of perfect basketball. Nobody wants to play NU at WR. Some of the supporting players are getting their game together, like Mullins.

This is the kind of NU team that I always hope for. Not filled with 5* players, but a bunch of solid players playing to the limits of their ability and if they play their best game they can beat anybody. Martinelli, Barnhiser and Nicholson are looking more and more like 5* players. The team is exciting.
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Our margin of error against B1G opponents will be thin, with the home advantage working hugely in our favor. This year’s team is a blue collar, veteran group with a rotation of only 7 players. I’m not going to worry about next year, which will be very different with 4 of 5 starters moving on, but will enjoy watching these guys this season go all the way into the NCAA tournament.
 
S

SimpsonElmwood

Sophomore
Nov 20, 2004
1,823
143
63
Figrating said:
Think I heard this is the first time since 2015 NU opens with 7 home Ws. I'd bet NU has one 20 - 0 run in its history. About a quarter of perfect basketball. Nobody wants to play NU at WR. Some of the supporting players are getting their game together, like Mullins.

This is the kind of NU team that I always hope for. Not filled with 5* players, but a bunch of solid players playing to the limits of their ability and if they play their best game they can beat anybody. Martinelli, Barnhiser and Nicholson are looking more and more like 5* players. The team is exciting.
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That run was as dominating as the one against Rutgers in the 2017 BTT in DC.

Just looked it up. That one was 31-0.
 
Purple Pile Driver

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
27,162
2,593
113
Figrating said:
Think I heard this is the first time since 2015 NU opens with 7 home Ws. I'd bet NU has one 20 - 0 run in its history. About a quarter of perfect basketball. Nobody wants to play NU at WR. Some of the supporting players are getting their game together, like Mullins.

This is the kind of NU team that I always hope for. Not filled with 5* players, but a bunch of solid players playing to the limits of their ability and if they play their best game they can beat anybody. Martinelli, Barnhiser and Nicholson are looking more and more like 5* players. The team is exciting.
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I am starting to believe that Barney has a NBA future.
 
N

NURoseBowl

Junior
Jun 16, 2009
8,138
319
58
Hungry Jack said:
After watching some of the Knicks v Pelicans last night, I’m not so sure. All they do in the NBA is jack up 3s or go 5 out and run iso. It’s an awful game to watch nowadays.
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Couldn't agree more. Yet they're getting these massive TV deals, paying outlandish salaries . . . . . so somebody's watching. Despite being mired in mediocrity for years, the Bulls pretty much pack the largest arena in the NBA night after night . . . . . I pull for the Bulls, but I just don't get it. I'd almost rather go to the dentist than watch the NBA.
 
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Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,217
2,705
67
NURoseBowl said:
Couldn't agree more. Yet they're getting these massive TV deals, paying outlandish salaries . . . . . so somebody's watching. Despite being mired in mediocrity for years, the Bulls pretty much pack the largest arena in the NBA night after night . . . . . I pull for the Bulls, but I just don't get it. I'd almost rather go to the dentist than watch the NBA.
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The athleticism on display is remarkable, but I could just as easily watch Ninja Warrior or Battle of the Network Stars for that.
 
P

purplejustice

Redshirt
Jan 2, 2006
1,074
43
48
Nicholson had an excellent game. Nice passes from Mullins. I still do not like Collins refusal to give the freshman at least 5 minutes each, particularly with big leads. We are going to need them to be ready in conference play.
 
C

Catreporter

Senior
Sep 4, 2007
4,960
440
83
These are must win nonconference games and DePaul was threatening to make that game dangerously close, especially with their three point shooting ability, so I can understand why Collins didn't sub in the Frosh except for KJ midway through the first half. In the age of the trans fer, college hoops has become a game of "olds" so unless Freshmen are five stars like Rutgers and Duke has, not many are getting to play.
 
Purple Pile Driver

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
27,162
2,593
113
purplejustice said:
Nicholson had an excellent game. Nice passes from Mullins. I still do not like Collins refusal to give the freshman at least 5 minutes each, particularly with big leads. We are going to need them to be ready in conference play.
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They will play plenty next year. The drop off is still severe this season.
 
stpaulcat

stpaulcat

Senior
May 29, 2001
35,205
840
113
NURoseBowl said:
Couldn't agree more. Yet they're getting these massive TV deals, paying outlandish salaries . . . . . so somebody's watching. Despite being mired in mediocrity for years, the Bulls pretty much pack the largest arena in the NBA night after night . . . . . I pull for the Bulls, but I just don't get it. I'd almost rather go to the dentist than watch the NBA.
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Perhaps they need to make the court longer or the basket higher.
 
P

PurpleWhiteBoy

Redshirt
Feb 25, 2021
5,303
0
0
purplejustice said:
I still do not like Collins refusal to give the freshman at least 5 minutes each, particularly with big leads. We are going to need them to be ready in conference play.
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I agree with this - game experience is better than practice - and I even think young guys practice harder when they think they will be playing - but Collins is stuck with the same situation as other coaches... the metrics reward you for winning by as much as you can.

Personally I'd rather take the high road and rotate Ciaravino and Windham into the game when possible, if not for sportsmanship and gaining experience, then for reducing injury risk, but thats not what the NCAA is encouraging.
 
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X

xxxbobxxx

Sophomore
Mar 12, 2005
10,806
163
43
PurpleWhiteBoy said:
I agree with this - game experience is better than practice - and I even think young guys practice harder when they think they will be playing - but Collins is stuck with the same situation as other coaches... the metrics reward you for winning by as much as you can.

Personally I'd rather take the high road and rotate Ciaravino and Windham into the game when possible, if not for sportsmanship, then for reducing injury risk, but thats not what the NCAA is encouraging.
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Gelo has a brace on his shoulder. I haven’t seen him much and don’t remember him playing with it. Anyone have any thoughts? Is it new? Might he be injured and used only in case of emergency?
 
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