Game 19: at Evansville

[orangetennis]

Well, we won despite playing some truly awful basketball in the second half, so I’ll take it. Hopefully it’s another wake-up call for the guys.

One thing I don’t get is that for every single pregame interview Jake gives with Rima, he talks about how much he loves our bench and that we have a real advantage over the other team when it comes to depth. I generally agree with that statement. But then when we get to the second half of games, it’s the same 6 guys playing the last 16 minutes. I get playing the guys that have carried you to a lead, but I also think there is something to getting fresh legs in the game.

The lack of substitutions doesn’t surprise me because it’s been happening for years, but getting some fresh blood in the game throughout the second half may help with the ridiculous droughts we have seen the last couple games as well.

Ya, whatever happened to the hockey style line changes we used to do about a decade ago?

[QCPanther05]

Well, we won despite playing some truly awful basketball in the second half, so I’ll take it. Hopefully it’s another wake-up call for the guys.

One thing I don’t get is that for every single pregame interview Jake gives with Rima, he talks about how much he loves our bench and that we have a real advantage over the other team when it comes to depth. I generally agree with that statement. But then when we get to the second half of games, it’s the same 6 guys playing the last 16 minutes. I get playing the guys that have carried you to a lead, but I also think there is something to getting fresh legs in the game.

The lack of substitutions doesn’t surprise me because it’s been happening for years, but getting some fresh blood in the game throughout the second half may help with the ridiculous droughts we have seen the last couple games as well.

I agree. And I don’t think the starters are in good enough shape to play the minutes that they play. This might account for these end of game scoring drought/meltdowns: poor conditioning. The guys are just toast after 30 min. Unfortunately, they have to play 40 to win.

They’ve had a pretty rocky season with illness. I could see conditioning potentially being a problem.

[SteinPizza]

We won in Indiana, something UNI has never done a lot of. Take it and get home safely.

Agreed. For those who are disappointed we didn’t win by 30, you must not be watching the rest of the league much. The talent differential between the teams isn’t near as much as some of you think. Every game we play will be competitive. There seem to be four or five teams who are relatively legit, but they’re also capable of losing to anyone else, on any night. That includes UNI. If we have any blowout wins in conference play, they’ll be one-offs.

[achrist70]

I wasn't aware that this fan base had so many NBA scouts and executives.

[BCPanther]

Ya, whatever happened to the hockey style line changes we used to do about a decade ago?

We romanticized them. He'd do it a couple times in the first half and then the second half was still the hot hand and experienced guys.

[BCPanther]

A question on the versatility for discussion purposes only as I don't necessarily disagree...the roster is versatile, but does it matter if the roster isn't consistent? Two weeks ago this board was gushing over Cole and Tytan and they haven't been able to find ways to continue to be really effective. Same with Kimmons. Carter, Phyfe and Henry combined for 6 turnovers tonight and 5 FG. I mentioned in a previous post Trae's inconsistencies, but he's still getting 35+ minutes per night.

Heise and Pickford are about the 2 most consistent guys. This board can rag on Pickford's offensive limits all they want, but you know what you're going to get with him. He'll get a couple cheap buckets and doesn't take many bad shots and then will guard the best player on the other team and is willing to rebound. Heise isn't flashy, but makes good decisions and doesn't really force anything and is an effective defender. It's an interesting team as they have shown flashes of being able to play with and beat anybody, but those flashes are not happening enough.

That's exactly the rub. I don't have an answer but that is the question.

We go from dynamic to inept with no warning.

[SteinPizza]

I wasn't aware that this fan base had so many NBA scouts and executives.

That works both ways. Just like many other things basketball, a lot of it is eye test related. Actually watching some NBA playoff games helps. I don’t see him making an NBA roster, but I don’t claim to be an expert and hope I’m wrong.

Tyler Cook, Matt Thomas, Georges Niang, and Abdel Nader are recent Iowa college players who have been at least good enough to bounce back and forth between the NBA and G League. AJ may be that guy, who knows. There are way worse ways to make a living.

[hoopfan]

I wasn't aware that this fan base had so many NBA scouts and executives.

And we have you as the national director of officiating.

[BCPanther]

Agreed. For those who are disappointed we didn’t win by 30, you must not be watching the rest of the league much. The talent differential between the teams isn’t near as much as some of you think. Every game we play will be competitive. There seem to be four or five teams who are relatively legit, but they’re also capable of losing to anyone else, on any night. That includes UNI. If we have any blowout wins in conference play, they’ll be one-offs.

Exactly.

Drake got the two friendliest whistles in the history of the sport to beat Illinois State in overtime last night. Missouri State got beat in Terre Haute in a game that wasn't near as close as the score (Indiana State really struggles in the last 8 minutes as we saw first hand). Would not be surprised at all if SIU beats Loyola in Carbondale tonight after playing them really tight for 36 minutes on Tuesday.

[achrist70]

And we have you as the national director of officiating.

I do complain about officiating from time to time, but often times I have reason to complain. I also officiate the game so I do have background knowledge about what I am saying.

[CyCarp]

Exactly.

Drake got the two friendliest whistles in the history of the sport to beat Illinois State in overtime last night. Missouri State got beat in Terre Haute in a game that wasn't near as close as the score (Indiana State really struggles in the last 8 minutes as we saw first hand). Would not be surprised at all if SIU beats Loyola in Carbondale tonight after playing them really tight for 36 minutes on Tuesday.

You're not wrong, but the big thing to me is we've seen the team faultering down the stretch over and over again. Myself, I 100% believe this is a coaching thing, yet we continue to do the same things over and over again. At some point you need a different approach in these situations. Evansville only scored 2 points the last 2:20 also - maybe it was good D, but I have a hard time believing we hold on to win if that was against just about any other team in the league. It's incredibly frustrating.

[06panther10]

I mean it is unequivocally and indisputably coaching. Its been going on for 7 years now, thru multiple recruiting cycles and graduating classes. Scoring droughts, turnovers, and choking huge leads away is simply part of who we are right now and it has cost us dearly in that time. Another sweet 16 berth and an additional NCAA bid at the top of the list.

[hoopfan]

I do complain about officiating from time to time, but often times I have reason to complain. I also officiate the game so I do have background knowledge about what I am saying.

I spent 10 years officiating. Never had a perfect game, nor did any official I worked with or any of them that I knew. Calls are going to be missed, it's unfortunately part of the game. Knowing how difficult of a job it is makes it a lot easier to not blame them for every loss in recent history.

[sivert]

You're not wrong, but the big thing to me is we've seen the team faultering down the stretch over and over again. Myself, I 100% believe this is a coaching thing, yet we continue to do the same things over and over again. ...

I think it’s because it takes intentionality and energy to move without the ball in the hopes that a teammate sees you and gets you the pass. When players get tired, the brain goes first and they revert to what whatever is automatic. Then when they get more tired it gets harder to move.
We have always needed most of a season to get the defense automatic enough to push through the first stage of tiredness. Now with flow it’s the offense also. Be ready for the arch!

[BrockLesnar]

I do complain about officiating from time to time, but often times I have reason to complain. I also officiate the game so I do have background knowledge about what I am saying.

I still bet dollars to doughnuts AJ bounces between Europe and the G League level for the duration of his playing career. He is no where near the quickness to make the parent team in the NBA. Many magazines pre-season didn't even mention him in the top 100. Whereas, in high school he was 4 stars.That injury and surgery changed it all. Yeah, coming out of high school I said he could make the NBA, but it all changed.