Down three scholarship players, will the fatigue that hampered Northwestern vs. Minnesota be a factor this season?
Story: The F-word
Story: The F-word
The F-word: Will fatigue be a factor for NU this season?
- Thread starter lou v
- Start date
Having worked with college students for many years in a community setting, one of the most frustrating things to me was how often they didn't get adequate sleep. They were smart top notch kids but they would stay up, just hanging out, way too late to stay healthy. It got worse over the years as they could just sit using their devices till all hours. I admit I have had times when I'd play a computer game way too late too and I'm old.
8 full hours of sleep is a tough lesson but these guys need it.
8 full hours of sleep is a tough lesson but these guys need it.
This. I realize IB made a couple of bad turnovers. But like you said, he isn't getting better on the bench, play him more than 2 minutes.
Well, if they're not ready, you can't put them out there and lose the game. They had been playing significant minutes before the Minny game, so it was probably a matchup thing. But that's a point guard and a center. With Rap and Falzon out, they're a little short on wings.
The only way they get ready is play. Or would you rather have fatigued starters missing big shots in crunch time? As to positions, you can move BMac or Lumpkin to the wing while you play Brown or Benson. This ain't rocket science. Play the kids.
Why wasn't Minny tired? If you look at the minutes played there really wasn't much difference:
NU 36, 32, 31, 30, 23, 22, 15, 7, 2, 2
UM 36, 31, 31, 29, 25, 17, 16, 8, 7
Minny was coming off an OT game @Purdue while NU had 6 days off. NU actually played 1 more guy than Minny. Sorry, I'm not buying the F excuse. Unless NU is just not in the top shape Minny is.
Agree with Fitzphile. We lost the game because Skelly forgot how to shoot and play defense, we couldn't go Sanjay-Pardon down low due to Sanjay's foul trouble, and we couldn't go shorter or Lynch would have eaten us alive. The sources for the "fatigued" line made that up to avoid throwing Skelly and other reserves who payed poorly under the bus, as they should.
On minutes played alone, with Pardon fresh, and for the other reasons Fitzphile stated, the "fatigue" excuse makes zero sense,imo.
On minutes played alone, with Pardon fresh, and for the other reasons Fitzphile stated, the "fatigue" excuse makes zero sense,imo.
Agree. Fatigue sounds like a massive excuse. Skelly going 0-6 from 3-point land in only 23 minutes and Lindsey going 0-5 from 3 in a moderate 30 minutes is what killed us. Minnesota made the same number of 3's as us and shot 7 fewer. They made more free throws then we even attempted (while shooting only 64% vs. our 92%!) We got lulled into settling for 3's while they attacked the basket. Those are the things that lost us the game.
If anything, fatigue was a factor for both teams, if shooting is an indication. NU shot 52% first half, 29% second. Minny shot 55% and 32%. From 3, NU shot 46% and 7%, UM 27% and 38%, but only 3-8 from 3 in the second. Both team made 6 3 pointers in the game. I do think both teams were fatigued by the pace and physicality of the game, but nothing suggests NU was more tired than Minny. Goofers were just a little better.
Clearly Skelly going 0-6 from three point land was an anomaly and a big factor, among others, in the loss. If he hits even 2-6, which is closer to his season average, we win the game. I hope this game doesn't hurt his confidence going forward because he is definitely a better shooter than he showed vs Minny. Most of Skelly's looks we're fairly open, while Lindsey was keyed on by Minny.
I think fatigue is a really lazy excuse to why they're lost some close games
I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe they have a killer instinct. They don't step on throats
I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe they have a killer instinct. They don't step on throats
The problem on Thursday is that Minny had scouted NU well and vice versa. When Collins called a play, a Minnesota assistant coach was using the same gesture and yelling at his team NU's play and when Ricky Jr. called out a play, McIntosh made the same gesture to alert his teammates the play that was coming. NU should have guarded Spriggs and Hurt on their wide open threes and Collins should have played Tap more who could have hit wide open threes
Got to play more Jordan Ash if we want to win in BT! Can't win with Skelly out there defending. Jordan needs 25 minutes a game
can't put it all on Skelly, although it looked like he thought the basket was only 9 feet high. Lindsey did little and Lumpkin nothing, except foul. Collins seemingly has lost confidence in Brown and bringing Ash in instead is not the answer. Taphorn can give you a few minutes here and there but his defensive isn't and never will be even average. Injuries to Rap and Falzone, along with he empty schlorship has made depth is a problem. it is what it is, since they are playing with 6, maybe 7 Big Ten ready players. Hopefully Brown and Benson will be able to help a little later in the season but the rest of the bench guys can only be used in spurts, short ones.
Agree with WillyCat. Brown had two TOs because the Gophers overplayed our dribble hand off at the top of the key that is too predictable that Gophers were prepared for. Ash was on the court as the Gohpers made their run with Lindsey which means that the 'cats are almost playing 5 on 3. Bottom line Brown is one our few offensive creators meaning his aggressiveness is needed to create open shots for Lindsey, Law, Tap, etc. we will not win many games with a bench of only Skelly, 5 minutes of Tap and 10 minutes of Ash. You need to play the talented freshmen in Brown and Benson more.
True. Ash is what he is. Sanjay showed great promise against the good OOC teams but has regressed in Big 10 play.
Ash is a quick,big body,with great hands! Jordan is an excellent passer! He is not a great shooter! We need Law,Lindsey,BMac, and Taphorn to be primary shooters! Skelly is really hurting us!