Game 32: NIT @ BYU

[orangetennis]

Hence me saying I’m not holding my breath. It’s the one gripe I have with jacobson. We have missed on huge opportunities after successful season on getting higher caliber recruits. Ppls response is always “it’s not that easy” and I understand recruiting is hard. But let’s for a second remember that is what our coach and his staff get paid to do. He’s the highest paid coach in the league so go out and make your money. We get out recruited by lesser teams in our league for bigs far too often when we are better. Someone already mentioned the guy we lost to ISU(B).

Not staying you're wrong but Jake gets sent to a gun fight with a knife. Kids don't just choose schools by program pedigree. Facilities matter, (and NIL now too) and UNI is not very competitive in those arenas.

[A Fan In Lean Years]

I like Rima and have ripped off two of what I think are his best sports quotes as my own, but I will certainly NOT miss all of the Batman, "kablooeys and kablams." Those get old.

[unipanther2154]

Not staying you're wrong but Jake gets sent to a gun fight with a knife. Kids don't just choose schools by program pedigree. Facilities matter, (and NIL now too) and UNI is not very competitive in those arenas.

I definitely see this and I understand it. However when we lose a guy to ISU(B) or ISU(R) or other schools on that level I have to somewhat disagree or fight back from the narrative we have **** facilities. I totally understand we lack but I don’t think many programs in our conference are so far and above us from facilities or NIL type deals that would make us lose out on many guys. I guess if a kid wants to practice in a fancy room and finish 9th in the mvc instead of finish top 3 and practice in average room then so be it. I just don’t think that’s all of it. We obviously need to focus on facilities and I get we’re getting to the point of being in the bottom half of the league in regards to it but that can’t always be the excuse as to why Jacobson struggles. Before the arms race we are in now he has still struggled to bring in talent at times. Now that we are behind With facilities it just seems like it might get even worse. But yes, I do recognize he has more of a uphill battle because of it.

[orangetennis]

I definitely see this and I understand it. However when we lose a guy to ISU(B) or ISU(R) or other schools on that level I have to somewhat disagree or fight back from the narrative we have **** facilities. I totally understand we lack but I don’t think many programs in our conference are so far and above us from facilities or NIL type deals that would make us lose out on many guys. I guess if a kid wants to practice in a fancy room and finish 9th in the mvc instead of finish top 3 and practice in average room then so be it. I just don’t think that’s all of it. We obviously need to focus on facilities and I get we’re getting to the point of being in the bottom half of the league in regards to it but that can’t always be the excuse as to why Jacobson struggles. Before the arms race we are in now he has still struggled to bring in talent at times. Now that we are behind With facilities it just seems like it might get even worse. But yes, I do recognize he has more of a uphill battle because of it.

By the sounds of it we're already in the bottom half of the league in facilities and the Sycamores just invested a lot in upgrades.

[BCPanther]

We're one of two programs in the league without a practice facility, the success that we have is literally amazing when we can't even do the bare minimum that the rest of the league has.

[hoopfan]

The lack of big hurt more offensively this year when the 3-pt shot wasn't falling. There wasn't anyone to throw it inside to and get a bucket. Noah did a great job for being 6'4", but there was nothing after that. The lack of big on defense wasn't the reason everyone lit up the 3-pt line against UNI. The defensive side of the ball was the challenge all year with only 1 regular rotation guy who could get in a stance and stop penetration. Guys conistently got beat off the dribble and everyone had to help and 1 or 2 passes later was an uncontested 3. Closeouts were also soft most of the year since they couldn't stop the dribble. AJ gave up two straight 3's last night on poor closeouts. Pickford is gone now and you have to hope Heise, Tytan and Duax can get there defensively. Whether Phyfe comes back or not, who else can play inside? The game felt way too fast for Henry this year. The staff must not think Betz can contribute and Courbat is an unknown.

Jake's got his hands full this offseason. Hopefully Tuttle can prove his worth on the recruiting front to find a big who can contribute.

[sivert]

The lack of big hurt more offensively this year when the 3-pt shot wasn't falling. …

Jake's got his hands full this offseason. Hopefully Tuttle can prove his worth on the recruiting front to find a big who can contribute.

Well, right. And the lack of a big is probably why the 3-pt shot wasn’t falling.

If we can recruit a big, great. Otherwise we need to be ready to run for guards and hopefully Noah.

[CyCarp]

We need the Lucas O'Rear mentality. Period. We need to be more physical than whoever we're playing, because we're virtually never going to have much of a size or talent advantage. Haldeman kind of had it, but he was also like 6'0" 190 lbs. Other than that, who recently had that mentality? Maybe Berhow at times I suppose. We need that mentality from somebody who can play inside. Guys like that can be game changers. We don't need the biggest or most talented guy in the world, especially in today's game. We need somebody who isn't going to give and inch and will stare you down afterwards. O'Rear wasn't great offensively and hasn't a real big guy either. He just took no **** and was a force defensively.

[SteinPizza]

Well, right. And the lack of a big is probably why the 3-pt shot wasn’t falling.

If we can recruit a big, great. Otherwise we need to be ready to run for guards and hopefully Noah.

That’s part of the point. Don’t be so damned reliant on three pointers from set shooters. Find some guys who can get an offensive rebound, establish a presence inside defensively. Give you at least some bulk to stand up to more physical teams. Why do you think we matched up so poorly against Loyola and BYU???

Per one of my other posts, the players don’t have to be 7’0. A few guys in the 6’6 to 6’8 range who are decent athletes would work. Other teams in our league have them, they’re out there. A lineup full of guys who are 6’4, 190ish lbs has a very low ceiling against national competition. The few guys we have in that size range have to develop quick, or find transfers. This isn’t a one player fix. You need a few guys like this who are capable of being effective every game. Right now, Anderson has the most upside. What two or three others are going to join him?

[BrockLesnar]

We need the Lucas O'Rear mentality. Period. We need to be more physical than whoever we're playing, because we're virtually never going to have much of a size or talent advantage. Haldeman kind of had it, but he was also like 6'0" 190 lbs. Other than that, who recently had that mentality? Maybe Berhow at times I suppose. We need that mentality from somebody who can play inside. Guys like that can be game changers. We don't need the biggest or most talented guy in the world, especially in today's game. We need somebody who isn't going to give and inch and will stare you down afterwards. O'Rear wasn't great offensively and hasn't a real big guy either. He just took no **** and was a force defensively.

He was a fouk hero for sure. I'd say he was perfect for us despite his limitations. He was a good rebounder, but lacked in multiple post up moves. That's usually a typical mid major guy. Good toughness, but lacked quickness. A guy who could grind out 9 points the hard way. Never forget his air ball at the foul line in the Tournament vs the Jay Hawks. A good leader that is an asset.

[BrockLesnar]

I hate to admit it, but our success next season depends solely on the AJ decision despite all the other stuff. He brought so much to the table especially at the end. With him returning we're in contention about a second place spot in the league. He moves on and we'll be rebuilding and struggling to a 6th place finish not even close to post season play such as the NIT. I don't think the non-TV Tournaments are worth the time of day. I think he's ready to turn pro. He should time seems too short for windows of opportunity.

[unipanthers8907]

Gary replayed his thank you from after the Loyola win. Coach Boyle thanked a few people. Coach Jake was a little emotional over the seniors and Gary and Kevin.

Anyone heard any possible names for replacements?

Anywhere to find the postgame interview with Jake/Rima online?

[BCPanther]

Anywhere to find the postgame interview with Jake/Rima online?

Varsity Network app.

[hoopfan]

Well, right. And the lack of a big is probably why the 3-pt shot wasn’t falling.

If we can recruit a big, great. Otherwise we need to be ready to run for guards and hopefully Noah.

I think we're talking 2 different things here. There's more than one way to get an open 3. Having a big that requires a double team is just one way. Others would be a guy like AJ that can create his own. Or you can penetrate and kick like most teams did against UNI all year. Go back and look at this board pissing and moaning about Loyola shooting above their season average from 3 against UNI in Chicago and tell me how many of those looks came from their post creating the open shot. I'm guessing it's less than 2. The majority of their shots came because guys got beat off the dribble and Loyola made the extra pass to open shooters taking nearly uncontested 3s.

Whatever way you choose to get a shot is fine, but having a big inside who you can throw the ball to and score in the post is another way to score points or give the defense ine more thing to worry about. If that causes a double and creates a pass out for an open 3...great! The offense UNI runs though typically has the big at the top of the key screening and facilitating rather than on the block so I'm not sure what your argument is here?

The offense will likely run 4 guards as long as Tuttle has the keys. Carter should be one of those guards, but others need to develop so he can slide into a more natural position.

[sivert]

I agree with that. You can force double teams by driving.
Definitely in Phyfe's healthy year, he spent time in high post and low post. And he scored a ton at a very efficient rate in the low post.