Game 19 - at UIC

[sivert]

Go panthers!

[Wxcpanther]

UIC has some dudes, this game won't be a gimme. Guys have to come out and play well, UNI historically has not played well in Chicago. Hopefully the trip in December officially broke that curse!

[CyCarp]

A 4.5 point favorite this afternoon, gotta get a W today if we want to avoid Thursday in STL. With a win, it's not out of the question that we're tied for 1st at the end of the night - SIU and Belmont are both underdogs with tough road games.

[PantherAlum09]

This is going to be a tough game. UIC does a couple things very well that we struggle with. They block shots and force turnovers. We have a tendency to get careless with the ball. Gotta take care of the ball today and stay out of foul trouble.

[Wxcpanther]

This is going to be a tough game. UIC does a couple things very well that we struggle with. They block shots and force turnovers. We have a tendency to get careless with the ball. Gotta take care of the ball today and stay out of foul trouble.

Not to be a stickler, but per KenPom we are actually one of the top teams in the country at not getting our shot blocked.

[PantherAlum09]

Not to be a stickler, but per KenPom we are actually one of the top teams in the country at not getting our shot blocked.

Thank you for the clarification. Maybe I’m just thinking we struggle because we are so shaky with our close layups. I think we are so concerned about getting our shots blocked that we make layups and other close shots exceptionally more difficult. That’s a product of our lack of size I suppose.

[UNI Ka-Bullseye]

Thank you for the clarification. Maybe I’m just thinking we struggle because we are so shaky with our close layups. I think we are so concerned about getting our shots blocked that we make layups and other close shots exceptionally more difficult. That’s a product of our lack of size I suppose.

Born will get a layup blocked occasionally, but is pretty incredible at getting his driving shots up through the trees and finishing. Tytan’s style is so unorthodox, it seems like almost every shot starting with his back to the basket is a prayer - he has nights where he struggles with them but nights where amazingly they all drop and he is unstoppable.

To limit turnovers on a press, have Henry bring the ball up the court. I have always thought “why?” but it seems once he gets it and starts dribbling, the opponent immediately backs off their pressure.

[achrist70]

We just need to continue to find a way

[Username]

Born will get a layup blocked occasionally, but is pretty incredible at getting his driving shots up through the trees and finishing. Tytan’s style is so unorthodox, it seems like almost every shot starting with his back to the basket is a prayer - he has nights where he struggles with them but nights where amazingly they all drop and he is unstoppable.

To limit turnovers on a press, have Henry bring the ball up the court. I have always thought “why?” but it seems once he gets it and starts dribbling, the opponent immediately backs off their pressure.

Bigs aren't used to guarding the ball handler that far out. If you send a trap he can just flip it to Bowen/Trey/Ege for a 3 on 2 / 2 on 1 situation.

[Wxcpanther]

Thank you for the clarification. Maybe I’m just thinking we struggle because we are so shaky with our close layups. I think we are so concerned about getting our shots blocked that we make layups and other close shots exceptionally more difficult. That’s a product of our lack of size I suppose.

We are actually above average on shooting percentage from 2. I would wonder if we hit midrange shots at a much higher rate, or if we just don't miss as often at the rim as it maybe seems.

[sivert]

Painful so far.
That we’re only down 7 is great. Bowen scored one-on-three.
Defending 3 Better the last few minutes.

[sivert]

Down 7 at the half. Again our opponent shooting way too well from 3.

[CyCarp]

UIC couldn't miss from 3 for a while. Play a 2nd half like we've been and we'll be fine.

[orangetennis]

Down 7 at the half. Again our opponent shooting way too well from 3.

Why is this a consistent problem for us? Is it part of our overall defensive strategy, to allow longer shots and focus on rebounding?

[sivert]

UIC couldn't miss from 3 for a while. Play a 2nd half like we've been and we'll be fine.

I like this better now than when you posted it. (Now up 47-45)