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WOW. Where did this performance come from? This was arguably the best game we played since we beat UofI in the dance! It was LU Basketball and what I have been harping on for a little bit now. Some thoughts:

1. We played quick on offense and as the aggressors, did not turn the ball over, moved the ball and our bodies and were ready to catch and shoot it. Once we made some 3’s, we got our drive and dish game going. For the most part, everyone let the game come to them. This is the way we played offense the last few years. It was good to see it re-emerge. If we can continue to build on this and play offense with this type of energy, good tHingis can happen.

2. Defense was good, but there were some breakdowns. We went underneath a few screens and gave up some open 3’s. Our bigs also were a tad bit too far from the screener and did not show a few times. We also got beat back door a couple of times. All of this is correctable and I was pleased Drew addressed it right on the floor with the player when it happened.

3. Drew is learning, I think, the difference between being head coach and an assistant. When he was an assistant, Porter got into the guys and was the demanding one and Drew was basically there to smooth it over, be friend. Now, its his duty to be the one on guy’s rears. He seems like he is slowly become more aggressive with the guys and the refs.

4. Big movement in NET, up from 31 to 27. KenPom up to 24. How you win is as important as win itself. When you shoot over 50% from floor and arc, hold a team to under 60 and win by more than 10 point, it really boosts your metrics.

5. Someone needs to talk to Schweiger. 1st half, he shot a couple of catch and shoot 3s, caught ball closer to rims and scored. He gets in trouble when tries to force his offense. He needs to let game come to him. When he does, he is very effective. He needs to understand he does not have to score or shoot it every time he touches it.

6. Playing smaller lineups against us is a losing strategy. We have too many guys 6’4” to 6’8” we can throw on the floor. If we have a weakness, its in the post against taller players. I would force us to play Hutty and if I had Pyife and Green, I would have played a lot of screen roll with the two of them.

7. Now, we need to avoid the trap game versus Valpo on Saturday! Drew needs to have these guys ready to play because it’s a no longer a marathon. Now its a SPRINT to Arch Madness. This team needs to run through the finish line!

And we shot 52% from three while making 14 of them.

Mudville21 wrote:
6. Playing smaller lineups against us is a losing strategy. We have too many guys 6’4” to 6’8” we can throw on the floor. If we have a weakness, its in the post against taller players. I would force us to play Hutty and if I had Pyife and Green, I would have played a lot of screen roll with the two of them.

I think you're spot on here. Bradley played Leons and Mast both 6'9 30+ minutes. That makes it a lot harder for us to operate on both ends.

Great Game,,,Great Energy from the team and crowd....I am guessing no one is regretting missing the Super Bowl..
played the 4 out 1 in a lot....with good ball movement
Boy teams are really going after Braden Norris. He looks a little injured but a warrior.
21 assists!!!!!
Even though Green got 20 he earned em...and we just wore him out....Williamson, Uguak and Hall all had a hand in guarding him and even in the end Ty Johnson had him 1 on 1 and made him give it up....He is not a very good passer....
Surprised they did not play Phyfe more...he only had 9 minutes....He really looked winded in one of the time outs..wonder if he has been ill
The whole UNI roster is from Iowas and Minnesota.....and that is a really young team...I think all but 5 were Freshman or Redshirt Freshman.
Coach Valentine seems to be taking control of the offense...looked like he was calling formations and plays almost everytime down..and was cracking the whip to get the ball upcourt ASAP....Brot this was no OXEN ball.!
I agree with a lot of commenters here that a lot of how we do depends on what happens at the 5 spot and our ability to compete down low. Tonight we got 7minutes from Hutty, 7 from Welch...8 with no 5 in the game and 18 from Knight.Coach seemed like he knew what he wanted to do depending on what UNI was doing at the 5
Im sure UNI will make adjustments will be interesting to see what they are...but hopefully we will be at full strength then as well...
Great day to be a Rambler.

Phyfe had Covid and has had lingering issues according to various posts online. I noticed how winded he was at one point. Didn't come out during a free throw when I thought he would. Of course he came down and scored next possession--he got good position down low pretty easily.

Screw Kroenke.

ahunte1 wrote:

Mudville21 wrote:
6. Playing smaller lineups against us is a losing strategy. We have too many guys 6’4” to 6’8” we can throw on the floor. If we have a weakness, its in the post against taller players. I would force us to play Hutty and if I had Pyife and Green, I would have played a lot of screen roll with the two of them.

I think you're spot on here. Bradley played Leons and Mast both 6'9 30+ minutes. That makes it a lot harder for us to operate on both ends.

Well, if we move and play quick, we can make those lineups work against Bradley. When you play Bradley, they will be physical, they will bump, and they hold and do what they have to. First thing you have to do is accept that they try to junk the game up. You have to work through that. You beat that by playing quick, not letting them set up, moving the ball and bodies side to side. You take advantage of your quickness and make them chase you around. You can not be stagnant or dribble too much or you play into Bradley’s hands.

Very solid offensive adjustments by the staff after Peoria. Went back to the strengths of this team, ball movement etc. Its pretty clear that Coach V would like to eventually build a team that can create off the dribble, this just isn't that team. If my math is right, this was the low combination in total shots for Lucas/Norris in MVC play for a single game. Accounted for around 33% of total LU shots vs their normal mid-40's. Winning formula if they keep buying in.

I'm wondering if Clemons injury is flaring up a bit. I thought he was starting to look better the past few games--even grabbing some nice rebounds against Bradley. But only got a few minutes yesterday with TY seemingly our new backup PG.

Still concerned about our defense down low. I think if Phyfe was healthy, he would have put on a clinic. Seemed to have no trouble getting points when he wanted / when he was able.

I think we have a good chance to win out the regular season. Although I am fully expecting a triple OT slugfest @Valpo on Wednesday...

goramblers2011 wrote:I'm wondering if Clemons injury is flaring up a bit. I thought he was starting to look better the past few games--even grabbing some nice rebounds against Bradley. But only got a few minutes yesterday with TY seemingly our new backup PG.

It was interesting yesterday because when Drew called for the sub, Keith got up and ran to the table before Drew pulled him back and put in TY. That was one of the most surprising moments all year!

Great win. The game looks easy when shots are falling. Lucas definitely had some home gym bounces.

I was pleased to see Coach Valentine use our bench. We have a deep bench and we should look for match-ups like TY and UNI's Born. The bench players brought energy.

I would not be concerned about the 5 position. They only get 2 points for a low post basket. Outside of the Auburn game, I don't think the low post players have cost us a game on the defensive end.