VS IU - What's making me happy and what is not

[GatoLouco]

Happy:
1) The fact we matched physicality with physicality. It is a testament to how capable these players are that they will not be pushed around. Indiana is very very physical.
2) The hope of seeing Young and Nance together
3) Buie, who has gotten so much abuse on this board. Elite B1G point. Reckless at times? Yes. But overall, very very good
4) Rebounding, it was good for the game and it has been significantly improved for the season
5) The fact we won. Could not care less they were missing players. Counts the same

Not happy:
1) The astonishingly bad offense in the first half. I know IU is statistically one of the best defenses in the country. Even without all those guys, they still are very good. But that first half was sloppy. There is no defense that justifies the amount of poor shots we took early in the shot clock. Those can be taken later. It's not like the 2nd half was significantly better, but it was better for sure
2) I am going against the grain here, but Berry deserves more playing time. Roper is going to be excellent. Berry did not make a single FG. But I'd rather have a guy who is not afraid to shoot out there than players who are tentative.
3) Nance's confidence - it has not been there since the game against IL

Keys to win against IL and/or Purdue, and I do believe we stand a good chance
1) Purdue - Do not double Edey/Williams - Don't care if they score 40, just don't let the others go off. If Audige can limit Poison we can win
2) IL - Double Kofi only after he puts the ball on the floor

 

[Hungry Jack]

Buie's dribble drives were startling at times. He is REALLY QUICK. His handle was great last night.

Chase late in the shot clock sometimes looks like that crazy caveman running around in Quest for Fire, but his athleticism is a thing to behold. If he was not playing basketball, he could be a running back for the football team, or probably a CB. I am not joking. His athleticism stands out.

The notion of Nance as an NBA prospect looks like some grainy pic of Sasquatch. It's just really hard to see it. He does a lot of good things for us, but he's a stretch 4 who cannot reliably hit those mid-range shots.

That said about Nance, he and others did a good job on Jackson Davis, who averages 18 points and 57% FG. He had 13 points on 4-13 last night. We made it tough on him.

Great to see the refs come through and tee up Indiana on review for their flagrant fouls. Nance got taken down with an arm bar late in the game, and Greer hit the freebies. Crime does not pay.

I was really hoping to see the Nicholbomb come in and bang a few heads. I know he is a foul machine, but I think he is fearless. I like that.

 

[Catreporter]

We had a number of good open shots from 3 during the game but just couldn't seem to connect. Our shooting has been very streaky all year. Again, late in the game situations were not ideal with a guy dribbling out beyond the free throw circle with the clock winding down. You can't count on the Audige bank shot that often. Then again, I can remember Pickett throwing up a couple of prayers that were answered for Penn State against us.

 

[GatoLouco]

Chase late in the shot clock sometimes looks like that crazy caveman running around in Quest for Fire, but his athleticism is a thing to behold. If he was not playing basketball, he could be a running back for the football team, or probably a CB. I am not joking. His athleticism stands out.

That's the type of comment that makes me so sorry for not being able to watch our games live. There are things that live just pop out.

1) I remember me first hockey game. I went to a Wolves game and got tickers in the 2nd row. Not a hockey fan, but the perception of speed and physicality just made my jaw drop
2) My first live NBA game was a Knicks @ Bucks game, I believe in 2000. I treated myself and got decent seats as it was my birthday. The first time I saw Ray Allen come off a screen at the top of the key, and pull up for a jumper I almost creamed my pants. I thought it was impossible to elevate that quickly while making it look so effortless

 

[JournCat]

I think it's time for Beran to hit the bench and Williams to start. Williams can guard the best big and let Nance focus more on his offense.

 

[PurpleFaze]

I think it's time for Beran to hit the bench and Williams to start. Williams can guard the best big and let Nance focus more on his offense.

Williams at least needs more playing time

 

[PurpleFaze]

Buie's dribble drives were startling at times. He is REALLY QUICK. His handle was great last night.

Chase late in the shot clock sometimes looks like that crazy caveman running around in Quest for Fire, but his athleticism is a thing to behold. If he was not playing basketball, he could be a running back for the football team, or probably a CB. I am not joking. His athleticism stands out.

The notion of Nance as an NBA prospect looks like some grainy pic of Sasquatch. It's just really hard to see it. He does a lot of good things for us, but he's a stretch 4 who cannot reliably hit those mid-range shots.

That said about Nance, he and others did a good job on Jackson Davis, who averages 18 points and 57% FG. He had 13 points on 4-13 last night. We made it tough on him.

Great to see the refs come through and tee up Indiana on review for their flagrant fouls. Nance got taken down with an arm bar late in the game, and Greer hit the freebies. Crime does not pay.

I was really hoping to see the Nicholbomb come in and bang a few heads. I know he is a foul machine, but I think he is fearless. I like that.

nance as an NBA prospect would be more about his genetics and the fact that he’s got a pretty good stroke at least out to the college 3 pt line. I could see a team taking a flyer and hoping he develops more.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I think it's time for Beran to hit the bench and Williams to start. Williams can guard the best big and let Nance focus more on his offense.

I should have added that Elyjah is really quick for a guy who looks like he should not be quick. He schooled Davis (I think) on one post up play, but unfortunately could not get the finish on the roll. He just strikes me as a really smart player, kinda like Sanjay, whose basketball brain was bigger Alex Olah.

 

[ricko6543211]

Happy:
1) The fact we matched physicality with physicality. It is a testament to how capable these players are that they will not be pushed around. Indiana is very very physical.
2) The hope of seeing Young and Nance together
3) Buie, who has gotten so much abuse on this board. Elite B1G point. Reckless at times? Yes. But overall, very very good
4) Rebounding, it was good for the game and it has been significantly improved for the season
5) The fact we won. Could not care less they were missing players. Counts the same

Not happy:
1) The astonishingly bad offense in the first half. I know IU is statistically one of the best defenses in the country. Even without all those guys, they still are very good. But that first half was sloppy. There is no defense that justifies the amount of poor shots we took early in the shot clock. Those can be taken later. It's not like the 2nd half was significantly better, but it was better for sure
2) I am going against the grain here, but Berry deserves more playing time. Roper is going to be excellent. Berry did not make a single FG. But I'd rather have a guy who is not afraid to shoot out there than players who are tentative.
3) Nance's confidence - it has not been there since the game against IL

Keys to win against IL and/or Purdue, and I do believe we stand a good chance
1) Purdue - Do not double Edey/Williams - Don't care if they score 40, just don't let the others go off. If Audige can limit Poison we can win
2) IL - Double Kofi only after he puts the ball on the floor

Since the lower body (ankle?) injury Nance has not looked the same. I have no inside info, but I suspect it is still bothering him some.

 

[GatoLouco]

I should have added that Elyjah is really quick for a guy who looks like he should not be quick. He schooled Davis (I think) on one post up play, but unfortunately could not get the finish on the roll. He just strikes me as a really smart player, kinda like Sanjay, whose basketball brain was bigger Alex Olah.

Quickness is, in my mind a factor of at least 4 things:

1) Pure ability to run fast - think that's why people believe Beran is faster than he is
2) Execution speed - Larry Bird was not quick, but his release had to be amongst the fastest around. Young is not quick, but some of his reverse moves are damn quick
3) Ability to shift speed - ability to change speed, and not execute all at the same speed. Countless players are fast but execute everything at the same speed. Easy to defend
4) Ability to read the game - counters lack of speed by perceiving opportunity before others on the floor

Williams and Young are two guys I believe are faster than they appear, through some strong points beyond #1 above.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Quickness is, in my mind a factor of at least 4 things:

1) Pure ability to run fast - think that's why people believe Beran is faster than he is
2) Execution speed - Larry Bird was not quick, but his release had to be amongst the fastest around. Young is not quick, but some of his reverse moves are damn quick
3) Ability to shift speed - ability to change speed, and not execute all at the same speed. Countless players are fast but execute everything at the same speed. Easy to defend
4) Ability to read the game - counters lack of speed by perceiving opportunity before others on the floor

Williams and Young are two guys I believe are faster than they appear, through some strong points beyond #1 above.

Elyjah has a very quick first 1-2 steps, which makes him very difficult when he can post up a big in the paint. Honestly, if we can play this up more, he could start drawing double teams. I think he is a capable passer too.

Boo is quick and fast. When he is on, he can change direction on a dime and blow by a lot of guys. His constraint is that he needs space inside to finish. He often runs into trouble inside the paint when he beats a guy off the dribble. He is just not big enough to take it over the many capable bigs in the B1G.

JJTBC had the best feet of any recent footballer I can recall at NU. His ability to change direction without losing speed was elite, and probably was a big reason why he was able to average over 300 touches over 4 years here and remain healthy. He was almost impossible to square up. Just crazy good feet.

 

[lou v]

Buie's dribble drives were startling at times. He is REALLY QUICK. His handle was great last night.

Chase late in the shot clock sometimes looks like that crazy caveman running around in Quest for Fire, but his athleticism is a thing to behold. If he was not playing basketball, he could be a running back for the football team, or probably a CB. I am not joking. His athleticism stands out.

The notion of Nance as an NBA prospect looks like some grainy pic of Sasquatch. It's just really hard to see it. He does a lot of good things for us, but he's a stretch 4 who cannot reliably hit those mid-range shots.

That said about Nance, he and others did a good job on Jackson Davis, who averages 18 points and 57% FG. He had 13 points on 4-13 last night. We made it tough on him.

Great to see the refs come through and tee up Indiana on review for their flagrant fouls. Nance got taken down with an arm bar late in the game, and Greer hit the freebies. Crime does not pay.

I was really hoping to see the Nicholbomb come in and bang a few heads. I know he is a foul machine, but I think he is fearless. I like that.

I agree on Buie. My favorite play of the game was when he took that delay step vs. Kopp and then undressed him, blowing right past him for a layup. (Kopp, to me, looks like he gained a little weight, which didn’t help matters defensively.)

I think Nance has the skills to be an NBA player. He can post up, hit threes, play pick and roll or pick and pop, handle the ball, rebound, block shots. He can do everything you ask. He’s not an aggressive player and is not comfortable being “the man,” but that won’t be an issue in the NBA, where he’ll be a role player off the end of the bench. He might stick somewhere.

 

[Deeringfish]

nance as an NBA prospect would be more about his genetics and the fact that he’s got a pretty good stroke at least out to the college 3 pt line. I could see a team taking a flyer and hoping he develops more.

Any chance Nance sticks around for a Covid year? This is the first year that he looks like he has grown into his body. One more year could make him look more dominant.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I will add that Chase on offense is maddening at times, but his defense is exceptional. I think he can guard any guard in the B1G.

Last night, that bank shot 3 pointer was a prayer answered by the Gods. But it was about f***ing time those grim-faced basketball overloads gave us some love. The best part was seeing the reaction of those IU fans seated near me. They looked like Pac-man deflating when that shot found the net.

I hooted and hollered like a southern Georgia kid who woke up and found the General Lee car from Dukes of Hazzard sitting in his garage on his 18th birthday.

 

[JournCat]

I think Nance has the skills to be an NBA player. He can post up, hit threes, play pick and roll or pick and pop, handle the ball, rebound, block shots. He can do everything you ask. He’s not an aggressive player and is not comfortable being “the man,” but that won’t be an issue in the NBA, where he’ll be a role player off the end of the bench. He might stick somewhere.

He's the rare senior who is still improving incrementally. I could see him spending a few years in the G-League getting stronger and better, popping up on a team, and everyone wondering where he's been.

 

[NJCat]

Since the lower body (ankle?) injury Nance has not looked the same. I have no inside info, but I suspect it is still bothering him some.

Dunno. He went for 15 against PSU, 20 against OSU and 28 against MD in the three games after the injury.......

 

[CappyNU]

Dunno. He went for 15 against PSU, 20 against OSU and 28 against MD in the three games after the injury.......

Wrong MSU game, the injury happened against MD in the 2OT game. He went for 10 against Wiscy, 9 against Purdue and 14 against Michigan in the next 3 games.

 

[lunker35]

Williams at least needs more playing time

Agreed. I love how Williams plays. Dude would make an incredible defensive end.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Agreed. I love how Williams plays. Dude would make an incredible defensive end.

In 185 minutes when Williams was on the court, we outscored our power-5 opponents 339-296.
In 371 minutes when Beran was on the court, we were outscored 627-668.

Ryan Young, for one, would love more playing time with Williams.
The Young /Williams frontcourt is 187-163 in 100 minutes.
The Young/Beran frontcourt is 119-155 in 91 minutes.

Williams is Young's favorite teammate (based on pts scored vs pts allowed).
Williams is also Nance's favorite teammate.
Beran is Young's least favorite teammate by a sizable margin.
Beran is also Nance's least favorite teammate, by a small margin.

 

[PurpleFaze]

Any chance Nance sticks around for a Covid year? This is the first year that he looks like he has grown into his body. One more year could make him look more dominant.

A case where NU having a NIL plan would be beneficial. Illinois thinks they have a decent shot to keep Kofi for another year because unless he’s drafted he can make more from NIL than elsewhere

Although with Nance’s family maybe the $$ don’t matter as much.

 

[Catreporter]

I think Nance has the skills to be an NBA player. He can post up, hit threes, play pick and roll or pick and pop, handle the ball, rebound, block shots.

NBA scout I talked to last night said Nance is not on the radar right now. He might be better to come back for one more year.

 

[Catreporter]

Illinois thinks they have a decent shot to keep Kofi for another year because unless he’s drafted he can make more from NIL than elsewhere

That makes sense to me because big centers who have to play next to the basket are a dying breed in the NBA right now.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Elyjah has a very quick first 1-2 steps, which makes him very difficult when he can post up a big in the paint. Honestly, if we can play this up more, he could start drawing double teams. I think he is a capable passer too.

Boo is quick and fast. When he is on, he can change direction on a dime and blow by a lot of guys. His constraint is that he needs space inside to finish. He often runs into trouble inside the paint when he beats a guy off the dribble. He is just not big enough to take it over the many capable bigs in the B1G.

JJTBC had the best feet of any recent footballer I can recall at NU. His ability to change direction without losing speed was elite, and probably was a big reason why he was able to average over 300 touches over 4 years here and remain healthy. He was almost impossible to square up. Just crazy good feet.

Boo destroyed that Charlie Sheen look-a-like guard Indiana had to turn too.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

He's the rare senior who is still improving incrementally. I could see him spending a few years in the G-League getting stronger and better, popping up on a team, and everyone wondering where he's been.

Explain this to me...in what way?

 

[Username Not Available]

Boo looked really good to me as well, and one thing that seemed different on his drives was going all the way in and tossing up a high bank rather than stopping and popping a bunny/push from about six feet out - he's missed a lot of those this year.

 

[techtim72]

He's the rare senior who is still improving incrementally. I could see him spending a few years in the G-League getting stronger and better, popping up on a team, and everyone wondering where he's been.

Right, but how does the money play out? One more year at NU and possible second round (?) pick or head to the G-league?

Unrelated, but I bet NU has a shot at Baldwin. That year up there has been a disaster and his dad may need a landing spot. NU could give his father a year to catch his bearings on the coaching staff while the son gets some badly needed serious play. Wishful thinking?

 

[usopen30]

Quickness is, in my mind a factor of at least 4 things:

1) Pure ability to run fast - think that's why people believe Beran is faster than he is
2) Execution speed - Larry Bird was not quick, but his release had to be amongst the fastest around. Young is not quick, but some of his reverse moves are damn quick
3) Ability to shift speed - ability to change speed, and not execute all at the same speed. Countless players are fast but execute everything at the same speed. Easy to defend
4) Ability to read the game - counters lack of speed by perceiving opportunity before others on the floor

Williams and Young are two guys I believe are faster than they appear, through some strong points beyond #1 above.

Alex Karras, for those old enough to remember him, had a great line to describe certain football players--"Now, he's not fast, but he's quick!" I'd say Williams is both fast and quick, Young can be quick in his down low post moves.