Up Next: Valpo

[PurpleCatFan]

Love the little more up tempo approach. Don't hold the ball when the offense is working with 6 minutes to go. Took us out of the attack mode. Much more enjoyable than 52-48 type of games. Keep it up Panthers and let's see where this takes us the rest of the season

[sevelev711]

If the idea of starting Phyfe was to make a point with Bennett and then going back to him, you have no choice now but to keep starting Phyfe, at least for now. As a freshman he’ll have up games and down games (foul trouble may have a lot to do with it), and maybe Bennett will eventually reclaim it, but hopefully Phyfe takes the opportunity and runs with it.

I'm okay with that. If nothing else, Koch off the bench will be better for us as he's going against either a more tired starter or the second string center.

[LA_Panther]

Finally watched the recording of the game. Great for the team to get the monkey off their back. I really hope Phyfe starts many of the remaining games, or at least have him on the court for 20+ min a game.

And how about Pickford? He's simply amazing.

Oh, and that crazy shot under the basket by McCloud was the best. Watched it half a dozen times.

[Codytwo]

Juwan was #9 on SportsCenter top plays this morning.

[GonzoCat]

Well at least it doesn't smell so much like a morgue in here any more. That was a very enjoyable game. The fact is however that two freshmen completely won the game for UNI. That can either give you great hope for the future or scare you with the realization it isn't going to happen every game, or possibly ever again. And obviously we still need work on the late game frantic hard press. We're a lot better at breaking it in the back court, but then ended up turning it over in the fore court about 6 straight times.

Playing like that will win us a lot of the remaining games. I don't think any other MVC teams use the attacking press, and don't think they will try to install it just for a UNI game. We all know UNI is much better than our record and Drake is much worse than theirs. Let's just handle the doggies and then move on from there.

And that shot by McCloud was almost an exact replica of one of Jordan's most famous shots. Unbelievable.

[PantherFan]

Valpo scored 24 points in the last four minutes. Keep up that pace and you score 240 in a game. Wow.

[orangetennis]

If the idea of starting Phyfe was to make a point with Bennett and then going back to him, you have no choice now but to keep starting Phyfe, at least for now. As a freshman he’ll have up games and down games (foul trouble may have a lot to do with it), and maybe Bennett will eventually reclaim it, but hopefully Phyfe takes the opportunity and runs with it.

Phyfe can actually pass, keeping everyone else involved, which puts more pressure on the defense. We're better as a unit with Phyfe on the floor as the 5.

[CyCarp]

It amazes me how much more movement there is with Phyfe in the game, it seemed like he had more putbacks and screen and goes than Koch has had all year. He did a very good job getting the ball and not wasting time going to the rim. Regardless, we're still going to need Koch, just maybe not as much as we thought a few weeks ago.

[orangetennis]

It amazes me how much more movement there is with Phyfe in the game, it seemed like he had more putbacks and screen and goes than Koch has had all year. He did a very good job getting the ball and not wasting time going to the rim. Regardless, we're still going to need Koch, just maybe not as much as we thought a few weeks ago.

Not to mention Phyfe rebounds!

[catsize]

Not to mention Phyfe rebounds!

Well.....

Austin has 11 rebounds in the last 2 games versus 12 in his first 13. Currently averaging about 1.5, about the same as McCloud and Haldeman.

I agree on his passing (as well as his hands). He was letting the game happen yesterday-as were quite a few of the others.

[06panther10]

Well.....

Austin has 11 rebounds in the last 2 games versus 12 in his first 13. Currently averaging about 1.5, about the same as McCloud and Haldeman.

I agree on his passing (as well as his hands). He was letting the game happen yesterday-as were quite a few of the others.

There's a big difference between getting 2 min here and there like he was previously versus getting featured starter minutes for extended periods.

[06panther10]

It amazes me how much more movement there is with Phyfe in the game, it seemed like he had more putbacks and screen and goes than Koch has had all year. He did a very good job getting the ball and not wasting time going to the rim. Regardless, we're still going to need Koch, just maybe not as much as we thought a few weeks ago.

There's no question that this is true. He can actually pass the ball and can also catch passes while moving as opposed to standing there like a statue completely halting the offense.

This season is virtually shot due to the catastrophe that was the last few weeks, but it is very clear that we need to move away from Koch and Carlson being primarily featured on this team, and begin to turn it over to the freshman.

Tywhon, Phyfe, and AJ Green are nice pieces to build a team around and that should be the focus going forward.

Additionally, I think Bennett and Klint have proven on previous teams that they can very successful ancillary contributors when they are not the primary focus, so they may be better served going back to those roles as well.

[CyCarp]

Interesting tweet convo going on with Juwans father. Sounds pretty frustrated because coaches not wanting him to shoot and not being able to play loose. Didn't Jake say he'd be shocked if Juwan averages under 10 ppg in the preseason media day? Interesting turn around if everything is true.

[in_the_stands]

Juwan is frustrated, or Juwan's father is frustrated?

[JD720]

His father. Juwan hasn't replied or endorsed it in any way yet.

https://twitter.com/BloveMc/status/952403175033790465