No Mercy: NU rolls over Detroit, 91-59
- Thread starter lou v
- Start date
Enjoyed the article Matt!
Thanks for slipping in that Buie was +30 for the game, leading the team, despite going 2 of 9 from the field.
I also appreciate the bit about how Langborg regained his shooting stroke by getting in the gym with Bryant McIntosh and sorting things out.
When I was a kid in the '70s, when Dick Vitale was the coach, they were a heck of a program. The Titans had some NBA players (Terry Tyler, John Long, Terry Duerod), made the tournament a couple times (back when it was 32 teams and meant something) and finished 12th in the final poll in 1977, his final year. They were a draw and Calihan Hall was rocking.
They had a couple good years under coach Perry Watson in the '90s, but they've been in one tournament this century, when they had Ray McCallum Jr. lighting it up. This year seems to be rock bottom: they are 0-10 and have as many losses by more than 30 as by single digits (three). It's sad. I don't have any confidence that coach Mike Davis can turn things around, either.
Chicago State isn't as bad as Detroit and DePaul just beat Louisville so let's not count on those being blowouts.
Bryant has been working with Ty as well. Saw the pre game warm-ups in Conn.
Asst. Coaches have been working their buttons off with the players
Asst. Coaches have been working their buttons off with the players
Not going to suggest this win was the reason NU got ranked this week in the AP Poll, but the “no mercy” pun does make me wonder just how much some of the close calls against vastly inferior opponents has hurt NU’s position in KenPom and other alternative rankings. I have to think that some voters consider those more “sophisticated” and largely base their rankings on those. NU still #41 in KenPom.
I would respectfully disagree. While these types of games shouldn't make up the entirety of the non-con schedule, the chance for the bench to get some significant playing time is a good thing, in my opinion. Building confidence and in-game experience for players like Clayton, Hunger, Preston, and Mullins will pay dividends for later this season as well as in future years. I was particularly happy to see Clayton get experience being challenged as he brought the ball up the court as the lead guard. and getting our other two bigs more experience will be critical when we go deeper into the conference schedule.
The problem isn't isolated to UDM, but they seem to be especially good at ignoring local prospects. They should be fixtures at certain juco/HS practices and building relationships.