What’s the scoop on Young and Audige?

[PurpleFaze]

Anybody heard details?

Was one of the about 250 people in attendance tonight.

Some random thoughts with the caveat I try not to get too excited about exhibition game results-

Nance- keep hoping at some point in his career he will start going to the rim with authority. He’s the greatest at doing all the hard work to get to the rim and then throwing away an easy bucket because he refuses to finish hard. Had an easy dunk chance in the second half that he blew because of this.

Roper & BB look as if they could contribute as part of the rotation. BB has a solid Big 10 body (Meaning he’s not a beran frosh beanpole)

Beran looked bigger and stronger, but I think he’s better served as a rotation guy. If he’s getting big minutes I don’t think that’s a good sign.

Boo looked more under control- hopefully having battle around has a calming influence on him. He’s a legit talent but needs to be a leader and be smart on the floor.

Berry- one game sample size, but he looked much better than last year.

Greer- kudos to the kid- he went from someone I thought had no Big 10 future his frosh year to a player who can give some solid backup pg minutes.

EW- we’ve needed a guy like him for several years. Solid role player who knows what he can and can’t do. Runs the floor well. Can finish in close. His passing was excellent. Every team needs a tough no nonsense do what it takes to win player.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Greer- kudos to the kid- he went from someone I thought had no Big 10 future his frosh year to a player who can give some solid backup pg minutes.

Ha. I said almost the exact same thing over on the Rock.
Good overall analysis.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Anybody heard details?

Was one of the about 250 people in attendance tonight.

Some random thoughts with the caveat I try not to get too excited about exhibition game results-

Nance- keep hoping at some point in his career he will start going to the rim with authority. He’s the greatest at doing all the hard work to get to the rim and then throwing away an easy bucket because he refuses to finish hard. Had an easy dunk chance in the second half that he blew because of this.

Roper & BB look as if they could contribute as part of the rotation. BB has a solid Big 10 body (Meaning he’s not a beran frosh beanpole)

Beran looked bigger and stronger, but I think he’s better served as a rotation guy. If he’s getting big minutes I don’t think that’s a good sign.

Boo looked more under control- hopefully having battle around has a calming influence on him. He’s a legit talent but needs to be a leader and be smart on the floor.

Berry- one game sample size, but he looked much better than last year.

Greer- kudos to the kid- he went from someone I thought had no Big 10 future his frosh year to a player who can give some solid backup pg minutes.

EW- we’ve needed a guy like him for several years. Solid role player who knows what he can and can’t do. Runs the floor well. Can finish in close. His passing was excellent. Every team needs a tough no nonsense do what it takes to win player.

Thanks for observing and reporting...
I noticed you didn't mention either of our low post players. (one is Ryan Young, the other one starts with "N" but isn't Nance)

 

[thewildcat2011]

Thanks for observing and reporting...
I noticed you didn't mention either of our low post players. (one is Ryan Young, the other one starts with "N" but isn't Nance)

Well, Young was in a boot and Nicholson couldn't post up a guy half his size, so.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Well, Young was in a boot and Nicholson couldn't post up a guy half his size, so.

Your report is really ruining my morning.
Although I have to admit I'm surprised a guy who stands 3'6" would be playing for any college team.

 

[JoeWildcat]

Your report is really ruining my morning.
Although I have to admit I'm surprised a guy who stands 3'6" would be playing for any college team.

Bill Veeck is the coach for Lindenwood. For you old timers.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Bill Veeck is the coach for Lindenwood. For you old timers.

https://lindenwoodlions.com/news/20...legiate,coach at Central Michigan University.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Your report is really ruining my morning.
Although I have to admit I'm surprised a guy who stands 3'6" would be playing for any college team.

You should have watched the game, it was wild to see.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

https://static.riverbender.com/media/o_8222192034-Screen-Shot-20210822-at-91752-PM.png

Was this the guy guarding Nicholson?

 

[GatoLouco]

Well, Young was in a boot and Nicholson couldn't post up a guy half his size, so.

About Nicholson:
1) His body improved, a lot. Looks like a man now
2) I got the impression he lacked confidence
3) Maybe he is feeling a bit of imposter syndrome, wondering if he belongs after having arrived skinny and all
4) Towards the end of the game I though he showed a decent feel for things
5) Given confidence, I feel he could contribute while knowing his role. Unfortunately for him, he is not the type of player Collins wants to play. Otherwise he would not come off the bench at the end of the 1st and 2nd halves. While every other scholarship player was in the rotation against a much inferior opponent. Collins wants to fantasize about Robbie Beran magically being lethal from 3 while, along with Nance, cleaning up on the boards.

 

[thewildcat2011]

About Nicholson:
1) His body improved, a lot. Looks like a man now
2) I got the impression he lacked confidence
3) Maybe he is feeling a bit of imposter syndrome, wondering if he belongs after having arrived skinny and all
4) Towards the end of the game I though he showed a decent feel for things
5) Given confidence, I feel he could contribute while knowing his role. Unfortunately for him, he is not the type of player Collins wants to play. Otherwise he would not come off the bench at the end of the 1st and 2nd halves. While every other scholarship player was in the rotation against a much inferior opponent. Collins wants to fantasize about Robbie Beran magically being lethal from 3 while, along with Nance, cleaning up on the boards.

The fact of the matter is that (as anyone in the gym could hear) the coaches kept telling him to post, and he kept getting pushed off his position by a much smaller guy. I think Collins would have loved for him to establish post position so that the guards could feed him down low, but he couldn't. Collins has had no problem playing people who are effective in the post and feeding them.

As I said in the game thread, he grew into the game a bit as he got more time, but they also ran him high-post a lot at that point and he looked better, but just ok. If you're a 7ft guy who is not effective in the low post, and have at least 2 guys who are 6'10" and more effective than you in low and high post sets, where are you going to find playing time?

Beran was 40% on 3s at the end of it all. If he can shoot 40% for the year, that would be a giant help to our offense.

 

[Sec_112]

The highlights show that Beran also has a "thingy" on his shoulder that he didn't have in the scrimmage.

I hope I'm not talking over everybody with my detailed medical descriptions.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

About Nicholson:
1) His body improved, a lot. Looks like a man now
2) I got the impression he lacked confidence
3) Maybe he is feeling a bit of imposter syndrome, wondering if he belongs after having arrived skinny and all
4) Towards the end of the game I though he showed a decent feel for things
5) Given confidence, I feel he could contribute while knowing his role. Unfortunately for him, he is not the type of player Collins wants to play. Otherwise he would not come off the bench at the end of the 1st and 2nd halves. While every other scholarship player was in the rotation against a much inferior opponent. Collins wants to fantasize about Robbie Beran magically being lethal from 3 while, along with Nance, cleaning up on the boards.

Nicholson came to NU as a shot blocker and rebounder.
(He was already 250 when he showed up, btw)
Did he look okay on defense/boards or was it impossible to tell based on opponents?

 

[GatoLouco]

Nicholson came to NU as a shot blocker and rebounder.
(He was already 250 when he showed up, btw)
Did he look okay on defense/boards or was it impossible to tell based on opponents?

Thought he was skinnier than the 250!

The opponents were obviously smaller and lighter. Which should have made him look better than what you could expect against "real" competition. But it was a small sample.

Overall what I saw was a kid intimidated, afraid of messing up, in his own head. Which is not unusual for a freshman (which, effectively, after getting no playing time, is what he is). If anyone around here thought Matt was going to be the answer this year, they were delusional. He has zero experience in games. But I did see enough quality to give Young a breather and avoid the Beran/Nance combo at 4-5.

 

[NJCat]

Overall what I saw was a kid intimidated, afraid of messing up, in his own head. Which is not unusual for a freshman (which, effectively, after getting no playing time, is what he is).

This is something that drives me crazy about Collins. It was a freaking exhibition game, for Pete's sake. I would have given Matt 10-15 minutes to actually get some experience. Give him Nance's minutes, Pete is in his 4th season as a starter and doesn't need minutes against a pee wee team. I too thought Matt got a little calmer and more effective the more he played. Let him make some mistakes he can learn from in real game action.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

This is something that drives me crazy about Collins. It was a freaking exhibition game, for Pete's sake. I would have given Matt 10-15 minutes to actually get some experience. Give him Nance's minutes, Pete is in his 4th season as a starter and doesn't need minutes against a pee wee team. I too thought Matt got a little calmer and more effective the more he played. Let him make some mistakes he can learn from in real game action.

Yeah, I just don’t get it. Why not play Dixon and Sandhu a bit more? Why keep Sandhu on the bench for 1:30 after Dixon has entered the game up 40+ points?

 

[winnetkat1]

This is something that drives me crazy about Collins. It was a freaking exhibition game, for Pete's sake. I would have given Matt 10-15 minutes to actually get some experience. Give him Nance's minutes, Pete is in his 4th season as a starter and doesn't need minutes against a pee wee team. I too thought Matt got a little calmer and more effective the more he played. Let him make some mistakes he can learn from in real game action.

This year we have about 10 non-conference games against peewee teams, so it won't be our only opportunity to empty the bench!

 

[Sec_112]

Yeah, I just don’t get it. Why not play Dixon and Sandhu a bit more? Why keep Sandhu on the bench for 1:30 after Dixon has entered the game up 40+ points?

He's a stingy m-fer when it comes to getting walkons four or five minutes in a blow out.

They serve their time. Give them 3-5 minutes in a 30+ blowout.

 

[ctsfn]

Anybody heard details?

Was one of the about 250 people in attendance tonight.

Some random thoughts with the caveat I try not to get too excited about exhibition game results-

Nance- keep hoping at some point in his career he will start going to the rim with authority. He’s the greatest at doing all the hard work to get to the rim and then throwing away an easy bucket because he refuses to finish hard. Had an easy dunk chance in the second half that he blew because of this.

Roper & BB look as if they could contribute as part of the rotation. BB has a solid Big 10 body (Meaning he’s not a beran frosh beanpole)

Beran looked bigger and stronger, but I think he’s better served as a rotation guy. If he’s getting big minutes I don’t think that’s a good sign.

Boo looked more under control- hopefully having battle around has a calming influence on him. He’s a legit talent but needs to be a leader and be smart on the floor.

Berry- one game sample size, but he looked much better than last year.

Greer- kudos to the kid- he went from someone I thought had no Big 10 future his frosh year to a player who can give some solid backup pg minutes.

EW- we’ve needed a guy like him for several years. Solid role player who knows what he can and can’t do. Runs the floor well. Can finish in close. His passing was excellent. Every team needs a tough no nonsense do what it takes to win player.

I was another of the 250. I agree with all your thoughts. I think EW will fill an important role on this team and brings toughness and strength. He looks like he could play on the football team! It's hard to take too much from a game like that though. The Cats were so much bigger than their opponents!

 

[PURPLECAT88]

The biggest problem with Nicholson is his hands. He seemed to bobble every rebound and pass that came his way. Against this level of competition he was often able to recover and maintain possession, but that won't fly in the B1G. As for giving him time last night over Nance-- sure, you'd love to see that in a vacuum, but it's not just about those two. The team needs to develop in-game chemistry among the guys who will likely get major playing time. At this point Nicholson does not seem like one of those guys.

 

[PurpleFaze]

Nicholson seems destined for the B Benson role of if guys are in foul trouble go in and try not to look too bad

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Greer- kudos to the kid- he went from someone I thought had no Big 10 future his frosh year to a player who can give some solid backup pg minutes.

Ha. I said almost the exact same thing over on the Rock.
Good overall analysis.

Ran into Greer a few times, seems like a great dude.

 

[DaCat]

The highlights show that Beran also has a "thingy" on his shoulder that he didn't have in the scrimmage.

I hope I'm not talking over everybody with my detailed medical descriptions.

Williams had a thingy on his shoulder too. Gives me nightmares of Law and Crawford missing seasons with similar thingys.

 

[Kat burglar]

The guy I was most impressed with was Brooks Barnhizer. He only played 11 minutes but looked like he could create a shot or draw a foul. He wasn't afraid to drive and followed up his shots. He had good basketball sense. Looks like an interesting 3. Very efficient. Could help on offense where we need it

 

[PurpleFaze]

The guy I was most impressed with was Brooks Barnhizer. He only played 11 minutes but looked like he could create a shot or draw a foul. He wasn't afraid to drive and followed up his shots. He had good basketball sense. Looks like an interesting 3. Very efficient. Could help on offense where we need it

He’s already got a big 10 frame and doesn’t need 2 years in the weight room and a special diet to be ready

 

[NUera]

Williams had a thingy on his shoulder too. Gives me nightmares of Law and Crawford missing seasons with similar thingys.

No set of shoulders will ever worry me more than Vedran Vukusic’s did.

 

[rogerkim]

Williams had a thingy on his shoulder too. Gives me nightmares of Law and Crawford missing seasons with similar thingys.

I believe you guys are referring to kinesio tape. Not necessarily used just for injuries. Most of the clinical research indicates that it probably has limited real benefit on injury recovery, pain relief, range of motion, or athletic performance, but it may have a significant placebo effect.

 

[Turk_rivals223269]

About Nicholson:
1) His body improved, a lot. Looks like a man now
2) I got the impression he lacked confidence
3) Maybe he is feeling a bit of imposter syndrome, wondering if he belongs after having arrived skinny and all
4) Towards the end of the game I though he showed a decent feel for things
5) Given confidence, I feel he could contribute while knowing his role. Unfortunately for him, he is not the type of player Collins wants to play. Otherwise he would not come off the bench at the end of the 1st and 2nd halves. While every other scholarship player was in the rotation against a much inferior opponent. Collins wants to fantasize about Robbie Beran magically being lethal from 3 while, along with Nance, cleaning up on the boards.

Most of our players lack confidence then end up transferring. One bonehead shot or turnover and collins yanks and screams at them. No coaching here.

 

[GatoLouco]

The team needs to develop in-game chemistry among the guys who will likely get major playing time.

Not that I disagree with this idea. But does the team need 10+ minutes of Greer on the court while Buie continues to lead the offense? The rotations we do always seem to me a bit random

 

[SDakaGordie]

Most of our players lack confidence then end up transferring. One bonehead shot or turnover and collins yanks and screams at them. No coaching here.

Jim Calhoun’s exact philosophy - done to such a higher degree than what Collins does, and his success was undeniable. Players’ confidence level are hugely based on their own abilities. When someone so respected on the board says stuff like this…it should be housed on the Uninformed Rant Board.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Jim Calhoun’s exact philosophy - done to such a higher degree than what Collins does, and his success was undeniable. Players’ confidence level are hugely based on their own abilities. When someone so respected on the board says stuff like this…it should be housed on the Uninformed Rant Board.

#polarizedsociety

 

[Sec_112]

Most of our players lack confidence then end up transferring. One bonehead shot or turnover and collins yanks and screams at them. No coaching here.

I'd argue quite the opposite. Collins gives many of his frontline players waaaaaaaaaay too much rope, waiting for what he believes is the final potential to emerge. Too often, his shooters never come close to that potential. He openly says he'll never tell a player not to shoot.

The latest examples are Buie and Kopp. How many shots did Kopp need last season before you come to the conclusion that his second half was a brutal drought that should have fewer opportunities for him. Instead, they enter the B10 tourney and go out of their way to try to get him on track.

Falzon ... Taylor ... Skelly

I like Buie more than most, but I won't argue with anyone who says his shot choice is horribly undisciplined.

I understand Collins walks a fine line between trying to build these guys and not putting the clamps on them. However, too often the results are pretty undisciplined shot selection.

 

[GatoLouco]

I don’t think we have a major transfer problem. So I’m inclined to say one thing on CC’s favor is that the players still trust him.

I actually thought last year he calmed down on the excessive barking.

Coaches can be “tough”. As long as 1) they treat everyone with toughness and don’t discriminate because some player is a star 2) they make sure the players know they care about them. They do the work behind the scenes so players know that. This is especially true with newer generations

I don’t care if anyone thinks nowadays kids are too sensitive or not. Beyond the point. It is what it is. Deal with it. It’s not going back because anyone dislikes it. Besides there’s plenty of evidence going back centuries older generations have thought along those lines: that kids are now too soft.

Ultimately, going back to MN, if he is not confident, I gotta believe any coach would be working on giving him confidence. Any coach who thinks he can be a valid contributor that is. Not sure that last part applies to CC.

 

[CSCatFan1]

Not that I disagree with this idea. But does the team need 10+ minutes of Greer on the court while Buie continues to lead the offense? The rotations we do always seem to me a bit random

I wish someone could do some sort of statistical analysis of different lineups and combinations to show which are most effective.

 

[Cat Fan in Buckeye Land]

This has become a long thread, and I’m not sure anyone has answered what the scoop is on Young and Audige, as it relates to their injuries. If they have, I missed it.

 

[NJCat]

This has become a long thread, and I’m not sure anyone has answered what the scoop is on Young and Audige, as it relates to their injuries. If they have, I missed it.

No one knows. I watched the Collins post-game presser and while he said neither injury would be "long term", I didn't get the feeling they'd be back tomorrow. We'll all have to wait and see.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Thought he was skinnier than the 250!

The opponents were obviously smaller and lighter. Which should have made him look better than what you could expect against "real" competition. But it was a small sample.

Overall what I saw was a kid intimidated, afraid of messing up, in his own head. Which is not unusual for a freshman (which, effectively, after getting no playing time, is what he is). If anyone around here thought Matt was going to be the answer this year, they were delusional. He has zero experience in games. But I did see enough quality to give Young a breather and avoid the Beran/Nance combo at 4-5.

Rony Seikaly never really bloomed until his 5th year. Never contributed at all until his redshirt junior year. Maybe Nicholson will be on the Rony Seikaly plan.

When Hunger shows up, he'll have a guy to bang with in the post and hopefully that will toughen him up a bit. If nothing else, his size will hopefully help develop Hunger.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Rony Seikaly never really bloomed until his 5th year. Never contributed at all until his redshirt junior year. Maybe Nicholson will be on the Rony Seikaly plan.

When Hunger shows up, he'll have a guy to bang with in the post and hopefully that will toughen him up a bit. If nothing else, his size will hopefully help develop Hunger.

This is so wrong as to be comical.

 

[cats_man_too]

No one knows. I watched the Collins post-game presser and while he said neither injury would be "long term", I didn't get the feeling they'd be back tomorrow. We'll all have to wait and see.

I think Young will be in action tonight.

 

[NUCat320]

Rony Seikaly never really bloomed until his 5th year. Never contributed at all until his redshirt junior year. Maybe Nicholson will be on the Rony Seikaly plan.

When Hunger shows up, he'll have a guy to bang with in the post and hopefully that will toughen him up a bit. If nothing else, his size will hopefully help develop Hunger.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/rony-seikaly-1.html

Rony Seikaly was an awesome college player, as it turns out.


I really, really, really hope that Nicholson contributes. I think he will, because that's how I think.