Merry Land

[ricko6543211]

If I were to rank the B1G right now I think it would be something like

1,2, MSU Michigan
3,4, Maryland Purdue
5,6, Wisconsin Iowa
7,8, OSU Nebraska
9,10,11 Minnesota, NU, Indiana
12 PSU
13,14 Rutgers, Illinois

@Maryland is a very tough matchup. Also Bruno Fernando is just tough because he's very physical yet fairly quick so I don't think anyone on our team other than Pardon can effectively check him, yet that means Pardon is at risk of foul trouble tonight. Maybe we cycle in some other guys to keep Dererk clean (Benson, and why not try Falzon for a few, he's got fouls to burn) and bring a double when they are they are on him. Gaines should get a lot of minutes on Cowan and I like the defensive matchup there, so that's one positive. Their D isn't great, they have plenty of athletes but are young so prone to mistakes. Maybe we can find some holes. Always a tough crowd to play against too (the Md bball fans are, in my opinion, the most obnoxious, in a bad way, of any B1G fanbase ex OSU football).

Odds are against us, but I've seen crazier things happen. If there's one thing CC teams have been, it's unpredictable. Keys are (1) keep Dererk out of foul trouble and contain Bruno, (2) don't get flustered by the crowd and make bad turnovers that allow them to extend the inevitable 5 pt spurts into 10+ pt runs, and (3) well, obviously, make more shots than we did against Wisconsin.

Edited to Add: Spread posted at Maryland -8.5... sounds about right.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

If I were to rank the B1G right now I think it would be something like

1,2, MSU Michigan
3,4, Maryland Purdue
5,6, Wisconsin Iowa
7,8, OSU Nebraska
9,10,11 Minnesota, NU, Indiana
12 PSU
13,14 Rutgers, Illinois

@Maryland is a very tough matchup. Also Bruno Fernando is just tough because he's very physical yet fairly quick so I don't think anyone on our team other than Pardon can effectively check him, yet that means Pardon is at risk of foul trouble tonight. Maybe we cycle in some other guys to keep Dererk clean (Benson, and why not try Falzon for a few, he's got fouls to burn) and bring a double when they are they are on him. Gaines should get a lot of minutes on Cowan and I like the defensive matchup there, so that's one positive. Their D isn't great, they still have plenty of athletes though but are young so prone to mistakes. Maybe we can find some holes. Always a tough crowd to play against too (the Md bball fans are, in my opinion, the most obnoxious, in a bad way, of any B1G fanbase ex OSU football).

Odds are against us, but I've seen crazier things happen. If there's one thing CC teams have been, it's unpredictable. Keys are (1) keep Dererk out of foul trouble and contain Bruno, (2) don't get flustered by the crowd and make bad turnovers that allow them to extend the inevitable 5 pt spurts into 10+ pt runs, and (3) well, obviously, make more shots than we did against Wisconsin.

This is a very steep hill to climb. Turtles will be pissed after losing in MSG to the Fighting Undies.

 

[JournCat]

I darkly wish we were playing in Evanston today just to see how many people would show up. What's the hypothetical O/U on student attendance, 25?

 

[pawildcat_rivals209725]

If I were to rank the B1G right now I think it would be something like

1,2, MSU Michigan
3,4, Maryland Purdue
5,6, Wisconsin Iowa
7,8, OSU Nebraska
9,10,11 Minnesota, NU, Indiana
12 PSU
13,14 Rutgers, Illinois

@Maryland is a very tough matchup. Also Bruno Fernando is just tough because he's very physical yet fairly quick so I don't think anyone on our team other than Pardon can effectively check him, yet that means Pardon is at risk of foul trouble tonight. Maybe we cycle in some other guys to keep Dererk clean (Benson, and why not try Falzon for a few, he's got fouls to burn) and bring a double when they are they are on him. Gaines should get a lot of minutes on Cowan and I like the defensive matchup there, so that's one positive. Their D isn't great, they have plenty of athletes but are young so prone to mistakes. Maybe we can find some holes. Always a tough crowd to play against too (the Md bball fans are, in my opinion, the most obnoxious, in a bad way, of any B1G fanbase ex OSU football).

Odds are against us, but I've seen crazier things happen. If there's one thing CC teams have been, it's unpredictable. Keys are (1) keep Dererk out of foul trouble and contain Bruno, (2) don't get flustered by the crowd and make bad turnovers that allow them to extend the inevitable 5 pt spurts into 10+ pt runs, and (3) well, obviously, make more shots than we did against Wisconsin.

Edited to Add: Spread posted at Maryland -8.5... sounds about right.

If the Cats don't shoot better than they did against Wisconsin, they're dead. Your rankings look pretty good, though I don't think I'd have PSU ahead of Rutgers since Rutgers has three wins to Penn State's none in conference and just beat PSU on its home court. Rutgers has a flailing Indiana team at home this week, so it's entirely possible Rutgers could have a better B1G record than us after the next round of games.

 

[freewillie07]

If the Cats don't shoot better than they did against Wisconsin, they're dead. You're rankings look pretty good, though I don't think I'd have PSU ahead of Rutgers since Rutgers has three wins to Penn State's none in conference and just beat PSU on its home court. Rutgers has a flailing Indiana team at home this week, so it's entirely possible Rutgers could have a better B1G record than us after the next round of games.

Agreed. Rutgers is not alone in the bottom tier anymore. Would rank them alongside Penn State and Illinois in the tier below.

I think NU is bunched up with not just Minny and IU but also Nebraska. Nebraska lost at Rutgers and at home to Ohio State. They’re an inconsistent team. Ohio State has also had a bit of a skid.

NU has to win its share of tossup games. I wouldn’t call tonight’s @Maryland one of those, though it sure would be a big boost.

 

[Username Not Available]

I'll be watching the game tonight. I hope we have a superior product than what we showed in WI, that was depressing.

 

[TheC]

At this point, I just want to see fun games. I want to see us play better and it would be bonus if the young guys showed some improvement.

 

[ricko6543211]

Agreed. Rutgers is not alone in the bottom tier anymore. Would rank them alongside Penn State and Illinois in the tier below.

I think NU is bunched up with not just Minny and IU but also Nebraska. Nebraska lost at Rutgers and at home to Ohio State. They’re an inconsistent team. Ohio State has also had a bit of a skid.

NU has to win its share of tossup games. I wouldn’t call tonight’s @Maryland one of those, though it sure would be a big boost.

Yeah, fair enough on PSU they are struggling and belong in the bottom group with IL and Rutgers.

I still think Nebraska goes above our tier, they have had a tough time recently but were quite good in the OOC season. I was thinking the top 8 were in the tournament as of today, while below that line were on the wrong side of the border currently. But certainly a matter for debate. Sadly, I think we are prob #11 right now, although Indiana is giving us a run for it.

 

[ricko6543211]

If I were to rank the B1G right now I think it would be something like

1,2, MSU Michigan
3,4, Maryland Purdue
5,6, Wisconsin Iowa
7,8, OSU Nebraska
9,10,11 Minnesota, NU, Indiana
12 PSU
13,14 Rutgers, Illinois

@Maryland is a very tough matchup. Also Bruno Fernando is just tough because he's very physical yet fairly quick so I don't think anyone on our team other than Pardon can effectively check him, yet that means Pardon is at risk of foul trouble tonight. Maybe we cycle in some other guys to keep Dererk clean (Benson, and why not try Falzon for a few, he's got fouls to burn) and bring a double when they are they are on him. Gaines should get a lot of minutes on Cowan and I like the defensive matchup there, so that's one positive. Their D isn't great, they have plenty of athletes but are young so prone to mistakes. Maybe we can find some holes. Always a tough crowd to play against too (the Md bball fans are, in my opinion, the most obnoxious, in a bad way, of any B1G fanbase ex OSU football).

Odds are against us, but I've seen crazier things happen. If there's one thing CC teams have been, it's unpredictable. Keys are (1) keep Dererk out of foul trouble and contain Bruno, (2) don't get flustered by the crowd and make bad turnovers that allow them to extend the inevitable 5 pt spurts into 10+ pt runs, and (3) well, obviously, make more shots than we did against Wisconsin.

Edited to Add: Spread posted at Maryland -8.5... sounds about right.

Anyone else thoughts on the matchup tonight? Seems like all the excitement post the Indiana win ran away rather quickly. I can't really blame folks, that Wisconsin loss was depressing. But it's just one game, we've played Maryland tough on their court in the past.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I darkly wish we were playing in Evanston today just to see how many people would show up. What's the hypothetical O/U on student attendance, 25?

That 25 is probably more than the posters on this board that will show up.

 

[JournCat]

That 25 is probably more than the posters on this board that will show up.

Probably true. And at least the students would have a good excuse.

 

[Catreporter]

I'm amazed we won two in a row with Vic Law shooting as poorly as he has. He must come out of his slump for us to win many more going forward.

 

[haywood jahblowme]

our defense has been good. we need to keep the game in the 60s - maryland scores in the upper 70s or 80s

and we obviously needs to score, but we keep cowan and bruno in check and keep the game in the 60s to give our selves a chance

 

[NJCat]

I'm amazed we won two in a row with Vic Law shooting as poorly as he has. He must come out of his slump for us to win many more going forward.

I believe it is more a result of his knee problem than a "slump". He isn't getting the lift he needs to set the timing on his jumper. His outside shot looks awful, yet he continues to knock down FTs where he doesn't have to lift, telling his his touch is OK. Collins mentioned something about tendonitis before Rutgers, which hopefully can be controlled with cortisone and NSAIDs. Time will tell.

 

[NJCat]

If the Cats don't shoot better than they did against Wisconsin, they're dead. You're rankings look pretty good, though I don't think I'd have PSU ahead of Rutgers since Rutgers has three wins to Penn State's none in conference and just beat PSU on its home court. Rutgers has a flailing Indiana team at home this week, so it's entirely possible Rutgers could have a better B1G record than us after the next round of games.

I'd put NU, Illinois and Rutgers in the same tier. Yes, NU beat both, but barely, and Rutgers and Illinois have a better win on their resume than does NU (OSU and MD, respectively).

 

[Catreporter]

Tendinitis is bad! Only rest can really help. Maybe the six day layoff after this game will help, but if that is what's going on, it's really bad news.