Drake (+7.5) @ Northern Iowa

[Newsbreaker]

One of two things has to be true. Which is it?

1)Coach doesn't know what to do to fix this team

or

2)Coach knows and is teaching it, but the kids aren't responding

[UNIPNTHR]

I know some about the game of basketball, but when your against a 2-3 zone don't you want to penetrate and kick it out or drop it down low and then kick it out?? That is what Drake did to us and it worked, we are content with taking 3's with a hand in our face? I just don't get it, terrible effort by UNI!

Josten's the only one with the ability, but we don't let him run the point for some reason. McKowen can only 'drive' looking for a foul, when he doesn't get one he throws the ball off the glass. Viet's a shooter, but can't drive the lane. Brown's just trying not to travel. Coleman could pry do it while being triple teamed, but I think they'd gaurd him with four if we started letting him penetrate from the perimeter. I dunno, I'm at a loss.

[UNI MadCat]

I know some about the game of basketball, but when your against a 2-3 zone don't you want to penetrate and kick it out or drop it down low and then kick it out?? That is what Drake did to us and it worked, we are content with taking 3's with a hand in our face? I just don't get it, terrible effort by UNI!

Actually, we did a LOT of this. The shots weren't falling. I was upset by the amount of 3s we took tonight but I can honestly say that tonight there were many more OPEN 3s due to penetration. I dont think you can fault the team for that part of the game. Now its just a matter of not being able to hit the shots.

As mentioned by a couple already, I thought there was a much more concentrated effort on getting the ball to the big guys and cycling it through. Many times the D collapsed down low that they kicked it out for WIDE OPEN 3s (contrary to InSU on Monday). They just werent falling.

[DRAKELAWPANTHER]

News,

I'm stumped.

I was thinking Choice #1 until tonight. But then, after watching the game, it seems clear that we're getting the shots - we just don't make them.

On the other hand, I have a very hard time thinking that this would have happened with Mac at the helm. As one of my classmates said today: Jake may be a very good coach, but I think it's time for UNI fans to admit that Mac was just that much better.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[Newsbreaker]

I understand we're getting open looks, and we're just missing...and I understand that shooters shoot through their troubles, but at some point you start giving out extra "suicide" sprints or something for throwing up 3's because we're flat shooting ourselves out of games.

Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome is the very definition of insanity.

[UNIPNTHR]

Actually, we did a LOT of this. The shots weren't falling. I was upset by the amount of 3s we took tonight but I can honestly say that tonight there were many more OPEN 3s due to penetration. I dont think you can fault the team for that part of the game. Now its just a matter of not being able to hit the shots.

As mentioned by a couple already, I thought there was a much more concentrated effort on getting the ball to the big guys and cycling it through. Many times the D collapsed down low that they kicked it out for WIDE OPEN 3s (contrary to InSU on Monday). They just werent falling.

We get a lot of open looks through perimeter ball movement. I guess I missed the penetration. I thought we had a VERY difficult time getting the ball to the post tonight. That sagging D could have been just the medicine if Viet could have gotten warm in the first half.

[joecooll6]

How many people are going to come on here and say "Were still in good shape".

We arent going to make it to the NIT, barring a major turnaround.

[UNI MadCat]

One of two things has to be true. Which is it?

1)Coach doesn't know what to do to fix this team

or

2)Coach knows and is teaching it, but the kids aren't responding

About 5 games ago I said to my dad, "I think we're beginning to see the signs of a first year head coach that just doesn't know it all yet," so I guess I would have to go with option 1. I think Jake has shown many sustained glimpses that he can and will eventually do a GREAT job for us, but there are definitely still some growing pains. I think it shows up in the little things such as, not knowing when to take a T.O. to stunt momentum (EX: against WSU last week he waited far too long rather than getting to it early) or in not being willing to experiment with say a 3-big lineup (ok, maybe this is a "big" thing). Just lots of things that he'll eventually get more of a feel for as time goes on.

The MVC is just far too competitive for me to be that surprised by any road conference loss. However, even after all the ups and downs of this season... this loss, at home, is the first that has literally STUNNED me. I don't even really think I can grasp the fact that we just got swept by Drake.

Over the last few days I'd sort of settled in on the idea that maybe this team wouldn't be in the NCAAs but the NIT would still be a nice reward. However, at this point, I really have to wonder if they can pull it together to even get invited to the NIT. Its so unfortunate to look at the schedule and think that the only "winnable" game left is the last game against IlSt. I have my doubts that anything less than 2 more wins will even get us a NIT bid. Lets hope there is a way for them to turn it around even in the slightest way.

[ferociouspredator]

On the other hand, I have a very hard time thinking that this would have happened with Mac at the helm. As one of my classmates said today: Jake may be a very good coach, but I think it's time for UNI fans to admit that Mac was just that much better.

DLP:
-2 years ago, Benny J hits a savior shot at Wichita = UNI in tournament
-Last year, Bucknell throws it away, UNI wins + improbable win vs SIU = UNI in tournament
-This year: miss shot at SIU, do not find ways to escape several other close ones = Mac is way better than Jake? That just doesn't add up.

This is a game of breaks and of inches. Over the long haul, lots of those breaks even out. To say Mac is better than Jake is not, IMO, a reasonable conclusion.

[UNI MadCat]

We get a lot of open looks through perimeter ball movement. I guess I missed the penetration. I thought we had a VERY difficult time getting the ball to the post tonight. That sagging D could have been just the medicine if Viet could have gotten warm in the first half.

I guess I was comparing it to other times where there has been ZERO penetration. So I suppose ANY penetration tonight stuck out more. I know it was there at least some times b/c both my roommate and I noticed it and said, "Whoa, when was the last time we saw that?"

[BCPanther]

Jake's inexperience shows in his substitution patterns. His top 6 (starters + Viet) looked exhausted by the end tonight, Brooks can not play 40 minutes.

Kwadzo can be effective if you put him in with experienced guys. What do you know? You throw him out there with 3 freshmen and a sophomore, he makes mistakes.

[tcondon]

One of two things has to be true. Which is it?

1)Coach doesn't know what to do to fix this team

or

2)Coach knows and is teaching it, but the kids aren't responding

If either of these two statements are true, the UNI basketball program is going to be in rough shape.

I'm hoping it is a young coach going through some of his growing pains without a safety net at the guard position. Having two great post players is nice, but college basketball is a guards game. UNI doesn't have anybody on the roster that can play on the perimeter and take over games.

[KCPanther22]

I wonder if ESPN is kicking themselves for putting us on the deuce? I mean 3 weeks ago a UNI Nevada matchup looked rather promising, but not so much now. I hope can win, but realistically I am just hoping for a good showing. The Valley needs to show-up and keep the good vibes going.

[Newsbreaker]

Jake's inexperience shows in his substitution patterns. His top 6 (starters + Viet) looked exhausted by the end tonight, Brooks can not play 40 minutes.

Kwadzo can be effective if you put him in with experienced guys. What do you know? You throw him out there with 3 freshmen and a sophomore, he makes mistakes.

Well, and if you don't throw him out there, next year you have a 1-guard with almost no experience.

[UNIPNTHR]

How many people are going to come on here and say "Were still in good shape".

We arent going to make it to the NIT, barring a major turnaround.

Exactly... to get 20 wins, we need to win out. Obviously the selection committee is not concerned that we beat D-III Wartburg by 30, so that leaves us at 15-9 with 5 to go. (http://kenpom.com/sked.php?team=Northern%20Iowa)

Granted if by some miracle we win out and go deep in the MVC tourney, it's possible. But at this point, let's look ourselves in the mirror and ask, "If we can't beat the last place team in the conference at home, what does it take to sweep three top half teams and a ranked away bracket buster team??"