This team is *so* close

[DC Cats]

It feels like we're on the doorstep of being a top team who can beat anyone. These last two losses have been agonizing, but there's so much to like about what's happening right now.

On top of all that, this team is more fun to watch than any I can remember in the recent past. Pardon is absurdly efficient, Law is still playing out of his mind, and Taylor's good for a one-man 9-2 run most games. I want to watch more NU hoops right now!

The season is still very young. Hoping we throttle DePaul on Saturday.

 

[mct_]

It feels like we're on the doorstep of being a top team who can beat anyone. These last two losses have been agonizing, but there's so much to like about what's happening right now.

On top of all that, this team is more fun to watch than any I can remember in the recent past. Pardon is absurdly efficient, Law is still playing out of his mind, and Taylor's good for a one-man 9-2 run most games. I want to watch more NU hoops right now!

The season is still very young. Hoping we throttle DePaul on Saturday.

Couldn’t agree more. Playing some of the best teams in country nose to nose. Showed a lot of grit fighting back with a chance to win at the end. We’ll get our 50/50 jump ball wins

 

[Catreporter]

We’ll get our 50/50 jump ball wins

When? Used a lot of those up two years ago, it seems.

 

[MotownMedilldo]

Before the season I wrote that I hoped Vic could average 18 ppg. He's almost there. Team defense is outstanding.

 

[freewillie07]

This team has a core group of five guys that's still gelling but has already shown twice that it can go toe-to-toe with ANYONE in the conference. I predicted before the season that a lineup of Turner-Taylor-Gaines-Law-Pardon would be the way to go, and it's become clear that's precisely the case.

The one issue -- and perhaps the reason that NU ultimately fell short against both IU and UM -- is the drop-off after these five. I realize that a lot of teams play tight rotations, but there just seems like no room for error for NU.

Hoping that the rest of the noncon slate will give some other players the chance to step up and contribute. I'd honestly play Nance, Kopp and Greer at least 20-30 minutes each against Chicago State.

 

[NUCat320]

This is year 8, or perhaps 80 (estimated), where we’ve spent an off-season celebrating depth, finally, for the first time ever only to realize that nothing (four stars, health, linear development, a sophomore leap) is guaranteed.

I don’t know that NU has ever had a bench scorer.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

It feels like we're on the doorstep of being a top team who can beat anyone. These last two losses have been agonizing, but there's so much to like about what's happening right now.

On top of all that, this team is more fun to watch than any I can remember in the recent past. Pardon is absurdly efficient, Law is still playing out of his mind, and Taylor's good for a one-man 9-2 run most games. I want to watch more NU hoops right now!

The season is still very young. Hoping we throttle DePaul on Saturday.

That's what ivI' been saying!

 

[Medill90]

A good year this year is crucial for recruiting and the upward arc of NU bball. I think it'll happen.

Pardon and Law are the leaders who also look to be the hardest workers and unselfish. Both are warriors. It rubs off.

Turner and Gaines the last 3 or so games have upped their level of play and decision making.

This team can become very good over the month of December.

 

[DaCat]

I agree this team is on the cusp of a breakthrough. Taylor's shot came so close to being one for the ages. Somewhere in an alternate universe the Cats are celebrating a 63-62 victory over Michigan.

 

[Alan Smithee_rivals156293]

I agree this team is on the cusp of a breakthrough. Taylor's shot came so close to being one for the ages. Somewhere in an alternate universe the Cats are celebrating a 63-62 victory over Michigan.

In that same alternative universe, I watched that shot go in with a portion of the Swedish Bikini Team on my lap, instead of my eighty-something father sitting next to me. In that, too, I feel I'm on the cusp of a breakthrough.

Ok, so the Cats are closer to their breakthrough.

 

[DaCat]

In that same alternative universe, I watched that shot go in with a portion of the Swedish Bikini Team on my lap, instead of my eighty-something father sitting next to me. In that, too, I feel I'm on the cusp of a breakthrough.

Ok, so the Cats are closer to their breakthrough.

In that alternate universe, polygamy is an accepted and legal practice and I'm sure the entire Swedish Bikini Team were with you in more than a platonic relationship.

 

[scru]

This is year 8, or perhaps 80 (estimated), where we’ve spent an off-season celebrating depth, finally, for the first time ever only to realize that nothing (four stars, health, linear development, a sophomore leap) is guaranteed.

I don’t know that NU has ever had a bench scorer.

Tre Demps in his 6th man role.

 

[pawildcat_rivals209725]

The league is amazingly competitive this year. Another close game Thursday night — Purdue two points over Maryland — and Iowa, after getting beaten by Wisconsin and MSU, throttles a 7-1 Iowa State team. Even Rutgers has looked like a tough out in losses to MSU and Wisconsin. You're really going to have to bring it every game in the B1G this season.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

In that same alternative universe, I watched that shot go in with a portion of the Swedish Bikini Team on my lap, instead of my eighty-something father sitting next to me. In that, too, I feel I'm on the cusp of a breakthrough.

Ok, so the Cats are closer to their breakthrough.

I am so beaten down by losses, especially last year, that I can't get my hopes up or accept moral victories

Also I wish I could watch with my father, now deceased for a few years.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

You just have to make it fun for these guys! The talent is there

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

It feels like we're on the doorstep of being a top team who can beat anyone.

Today we played the “Let’s make a mad comeback run late in the game to win” bit. Weigh that with the way we fought all game in the last two losses, and things are looking nice. We are multi-faceted.