MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gacman]

Quote from Gacman
"Pudget Sound is UST on steriods. They press the ball every single possession but do it even more aggressively than UST. Although their press is better, their commitment on the defensive end once you break it isn't as strong as UST. PS plays with an intent to score within 7 seconds of getting the ball and almost let you score if you get past half court so they can get back to playing offense.  PS athleticism matches and probably surpasses UST because they have a little more size but their bigs are fast and athletic and more often than not lead their press."

I wrote that about there style of play earlier having played them this year. To go a little more in depth, they have given up 70 or more points in 17 games this year and have given up 60 or more in 23 of there games. Compare that to UST who have given up 60 or more in 12 games and have surrendered over 70 points only 4 times this year.

Since both teams press UPS forced 611 turnovers and UST forced 570 of there own so this is almost a wash. One stat that I found interesting was that there are almost 15 more rebounds a game in UPS's games compared to UST games. This is probably due to the frantic pace of UPS but interesting nonetheless.

Defense is definitely going to be the key in this game. Since UST, in my opinion, is clearly more willing to play defense for a  full 40 minutes, I wouldn't be surprised to see UST win by double digits. 

[Nites]

I loved the full court pass to Scott for the mind-boggling REVERSE dunk to essentially put the game away.  Could you imagine if Scott goes to reverse that dunk and misses and Moses comes down and nails the 3 to put it into OT?  Thankfully it didn't happen that way, but talk about a gutsy play given the score and circumstances.  

I'm sorry, that couldn't have happened because UST was up by 4 when Scott went in for the dunk.     It was a great dunk, however.  I thought momentum may have shifted earlier in the game when Nicolai bricked a pair of free throws.  He later made up for it when he sank two down the stretch.  I had to laugh when late in the game one of the announcers said that if Point had to foul the Tommies hoped it would be Scott or Nicolai who got sent to the line.  His broadcasting partner then told him that McCoy and Robinson had the best free throw percentages of the Tommie players on the floor.  Unfortunately, or fortunately for the first announcer, his partner did not further elaborate and tell him that Nicolai is a sub 50% free throw shooter on the year.

[columbianmaffia]

i think this week i am going to focus on "poking" folks on facebook

just to give them all something to think about....

[Drake Palmer]

Drake — Did you see Point play against Cornell? Their offensive philosophy last night seemed odd. They had #33 at PG to beat the press...but then he still wanted to play guard and take his guy off the dribble. The drive where he juked himself to the floor and watched the ball roll out of bounds was priceless. Other than that, UWSP routinely moved the ball around the perimeter without ever initiating its offense. It's tough to score against a good defense when the shot clock nears zero and you haven't even been inside the 3-pt line yet...

Willy - Yes, I did see the UWSP-Cornell game.  - #33 Bryan Beamish for UWSP is actually a good player & was one of 4 UWSP players selected All-WIAC.  #20 Matt Moses, #10 Khalifa El-Amin & & #44 Pete Rortvedt being the other AC selections. For the most part they all do a good job handling the ball, shooting the ball from the perimeter & I think Beamish thought he would be able to beat Sam Eicher off the dribble.  Earlier in the half Eicher had fouled Beamish in a similar situation when he reached for the ball rather than moving his feet.  So I'm guessing Beamish thought he would be able to school Eicher the next time "ol' slow" Eicher was guarding him. 

What I found interesting was that UWSP chose not to work inside-out like they did the night before against the taller Cornell post defenders.  On Friday night Beamish would start backing his man down off the blocks then would drop off a pass to a weak side cutter or kick it back out to a wing for J, or another quick ball reversal for a better shot.    Last night he & Lou Hurd looked to score more against the shorter Tommie defenders.

Joe Scott did have a couple of nice steals when he read either El-Amin's or Moses' drive to the lane & they would try that nice little baseline skip pass to the weakside wing.
****
Mose - good call on Viau's made FTs.  As I mentioned earlier, I was sitting with some Tommie & Pointer fans & when UWSP fouled Viau in the closing minutes of the game I groaned.  One of the SP fans then said –"So I suppose he's one of your best FT shooters" And I said – "not really, as a team UST has sorta struggled with FTs all year & Viau is not one of UST's stronger Ft shooters." BJ nails them both & tells me & everyone else in the words of Shaq - "shut the hell up, cuz I make em when they count. 

Again, good win for UST. The road through Wisconsin be it UWSP, Lawrence or Carroll has not been an easy road for MIAC playoff teams.

Now how about those tickets for next weekend?  Hmm.

[Willy Wonka]

I guess I was expecting more from the Pointers. I thought El-Amin and Beamish both played especially poorly...and they weren't even being guarded by the "good" Tommie defenders.

Their best player might have been Krull, who didn't play enough IMO. He killed Viau on three straight possessions in the second half to give UWSP the lead...and then sat for the next 6 minutes. That's the second year in a row that I've questioned UWSP's playing time in the national tournament. Has this been a consistent complaint, I wonder? Any WIAC posters out there who'd care to comment?

Anyway, got a another bit up about the win.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Interesting to note that several of the players from C-StP were sitting behind the end of the UST bench and talking trash.  Talk about comical-- you're  D-II "scholly", already eliminated form postseason and talking smack about an unbeaten D3 team that beat you in your own house. Need a life C-StP?

Well, last night was the final night of the Shoe.  What a way to say goodbye to a great venue. The only better way would have been to host and win the next two rounds.

THE most amazing thing in last night's box was the fact that UST committed ONE turnover in the entire 2nd half.
Scott did a fantastic job defending Rortvedt, holding him scoreless.

UPS wont be easy, but the NCAAs aren't supposed to be easy.

[AO]

Interesting to note that several of the players from C-StP were sitting behind the end of the UST bench and talking trash.  Talk about comical-- you're  D-II "scholly", already eliminated form postseason and talking smack about an unbeaten D3 team that beat you in your own house. Need a life C-StP?

Well, last night was the final night of the Shoe.  What a way to say goodbye to a great venue. The only better way would have been to host and win the next two rounds.

THE most amazing thing in last night's box was the fact that UST committed ONE turnover in the entire 2nd half.
Scott did a fantastic job defending Rortvedt, holding him scoreless.

UPS wont be easy, but the NCAAs aren't supposed to be easy.

UPS won't be easy, but it's probably a better matchup than playing wash U or wheaton in the sweet sixteen.  Puget travels farther and will probably be bringing fewer fans than wash u.  After watching the video of wheaton beating platteville despite Skemp being unstoppable, it is perhaps right that Wheaton is hosting.  They've got a bigger gym and they are PC's pick to win it all.

I was really impressed with Wheaton's program when they came to play at Northwestern back in 03-04.  Classy, hard-working program.  It also doesn't hurt that they are institutionally set up much like Northwestern.

[Drake Palmer]

In Cmob style ...

i think this week i am going to focus on "poking" folks on facebook

just to give them all something to think about....

I'm so tired of eating chicken...

[localcoach]

I don't know specifics about Puget Sound's current players but I can tell you that they will press for 40 minutes, running guys in and out using a specific substitution pattern.  It is based on time and score.  I can also tell you that they will push in transition for 40 minutes and generally speaking a shot (usually a 3-pointer) will be taken within 7-10 seconds. 

A key stat of PS's this season is their 3-point shooting. 
239-675 3FG = .354 (Opponents have taken 489 3's)

As a comparison here UST has taken 452 3's this season for a .387%

Also of note is the fact that Puget Sounds FG% defense is .432 overall and .317 from 3-pt land.  That's pretty darn good.  They average 86ppg and give up 70.3ppg.  The Tommies average 78.6ppg and give up 58.4ppg.

One final key stat.  PS's pressure causes their opponents to commit 21.8 turnovers/game while UST averages on 11.9 turnovers/game.  Something has to give here. 

Basically at first glance I would say that the first team to 80 points will win this game. 

[Pugetsoundfan]

Hey, all, we're looking forward to watching UPS test themselves against UST and (we can hope) somebody else out there in Illinois.  The line you have on the team's style is correct, though I think you'd be wrong to discount this UPS team's commitment to defense.  They give up some easy shots out of the press, to be sure, but these guys are fast and deep and they play hard halfcourt defense.  I understand that UST pushes it as well--it'll be a really fun game to watch if that's true. 

Until the conference championship game, an overtime loss to a fine Whitworth team that absolutely needed to win to make the tournament, UPS had not lost to a D3 team this season.  They had lost to an NAIA team that was nationally ranked at least at the time, and to a DII team that was also nationally ranked at the time.  The Loggers' conference, the NWC, is a good league, and UPS is a good league champion.  It'll be a blast to see how they match up against the best in the country in the Illinois games. 

[Nites]

I guess I was expecting more from the Pointers. I thought El-Amin and Beamish both played especially poorly...and they weren't even being guarded by the "good" Tommie defenders.

Their best player might have been Krull, who didn't play enough IMO. He killed Viau on three straight possessions in the second half to give UWSP the lead...and then sat for the next 6 minutes. That's the second year in a row that I've questioned UWSP's playing time in the national tournament. Has this been a consistent complaint, I wonder? Any WIAC posters out there who'd care to comment?

Anyway, got a another bit up about the win.

Willy, I'd actually give a little more credit to the Tommies' D rather than simply saying that those guys and Rorvedt (who was a non-factor if you want to add him as well) played poorly.  I saw the Tommies bellying up on defense and moving their feet constantly, and when their man got a step on them, there was a help defender there instantly.  Just outstanding half court defense IMHO.  There were a couple of possessions when Krull broke down the defense on the left side and drove to the hoop.  He made a couple of nice moves each time.  Are you sure it was Viau that he beat on each occasion?  You may be right, but I thought that at least twice that it was Peltier or someone else he beat, and that Fritz then subbed out for that person.

As close as the game was and as good as Point is, the Tommies had the lead for most of the game and had Point chasing them.  I thought that the margin of victory could have been greater had the Tommies converted about 4 or 5 chippy baskets that they missed.  In any event, just a great game for those that like good, hard nosed defense.

[Nites]

Hey, all, we're looking forward to watching UPS test themselves against UST and (we can hope) somebody else out there in Illinois.  The line you have on the team's style is correct, though I think you'd be wrong to discount this UPS team's commitment to defense.  They give up some easy shots out of the press, to be sure, but these guys are fast and deep and they play hard halfcourt defense.  I understand that UST pushes it as well--it'll be a really fun game to watch if that's true. 

Until the conference championship game, an overtime loss to a fine Whitworth team that absolutely needed to win to make the tournament, UPS had not lost to a D3 team this season.  They had lost to an NAIA team that was nationally ranked at least at the time, and to a DII team that was also nationally ranked at the time.  The Loggers' conference, the NWC, is a good league, and UPS is a good league champion.  It'll be a blast to see how they match up against the best in the country in the Illinois games. 

Just another great matchup in the Bracket of Death!     UPS steamrolled one of the upper echelon teams in the MIAC earlier in the year so no one is about to take them lightly.  They appear to have a similar style to UST so it ought to be a fantastic contest.  UST doesn't have much size and they haven't been tested much this year so that's where they may be vulnerable.  They don't shoot that well from the line as a team, but we'll have to see if they can make them in the clutch.  Any achilles heels for UPS?

[Chocolate Hoops]

I guess I was expecting more from the Pointers. I thought El-Amin and Beamish both played especially poorly...and they weren't even being guarded by the "good" Tommie defenders.

Their best player might have been Krull, who didn't play enough IMO. He killed Viau on three straight possessions in the second half to give UWSP the lead...and then sat for the next 6 minutes. That's the second year in a row that I've questioned UWSP's playing time in the national tournament. Has this been a consistent complaint, I wonder? Any WIAC posters out there who'd care to comment?

Anyway, got a another bit up about the win.

Willy, I'd actually give a little more credit to the Tommies' D rather than simply saying that those guys and Rorvedt (who was a non-factor if you want to add him as well) played poorly.  I saw the Tommies bellying up on defense and moving their feet constantly, and when their man got a step on them, there was a help defender there instantly.  Just outstanding half court defense IMHO.  There were a couple of possessions when Krull broke down the defense on the left side and drove to the hoop.  He made a couple of nice moves each time.  Are you sure it was Viau that he beat on each occasion?  You may be right, but I thought that at least twice that it was Peltier or someone else he beat, and that Fritz then subbed out for that person.

As close as the game was and as good as Point is, the Tommies had the lead for most of the game and had Point chasing them.  I thought that the margin of victory could have been greater had the Tommies converted about 4 or 5 chippy baskets that they missed.  In any event, just a great game for those that like good, hard nosed defense.

I  agree with you Nites. I thought it was a great game, not boring or ugly at all. 

The game had considerably more "action" to it than the final score would  indicate.

[Willy Wonka]

Someone posted this in the comments section, but I figured I'd share my response here for those that might have missed it...

Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion. You have every right to disagree with me and I always appreciate the feedback.

At what point, in your opinion, does a defensive struggle become an display of offensive ineptitude? I mean, the Tommies were one of the most efficient offensive teams in MIAC history this year...and they just shot 35 percent and barely broke 50 points. I'm not saying they're bad players — they clearly aren't — but it was an awful offensive game.

It was the lowest scoring game of the tournament thus far by a wide margin. Of the 40 games played thus far, only seven teams have failed to score 60 points. The two lowest numbers took place Saturday at The Shoe.

My high school coach always made us strive for a point-per-possession average of 1.0. We achieved that most nights, but heard about it when we didn't. A lot. The Tommies posted a PPP total of roughly .74 last night.

To me, calling that game a defensive struggle is taking the glass-over-flowing approach.

[PurpleReign]

local coach - you make make some great points and thanks for all the comparative statistics.  I was wondering how much of the substitution patterns and such go out the window come "Elite 8" time?  Each possession becomes critical at this point, and like come playoff time the bench does get shortened.  Just curious what your take is, thanks.

I don't know specifics about Puget Sound's current players but I can tell you that they will press for 40 minutes, running guys in and out using a specific substitution pattern.  It is based on time and score.  I can also tell you that they will push in transition for 40 minutes and generally speaking a shot (usually a 3-pointer) will be taken within 7-10 seconds. 

A key stat of PS's this season is their 3-point shooting. 
239-675 3FG = .354 (Opponents have taken 489 3's)

As a comparison here UST has taken 452 3's this season for a .387%

Also of note is the fact that Puget Sounds FG% defense is .432 overall and .317 from 3-pt land.  That's pretty darn good.  They average 86ppg and give up 70.3ppg.  The Tommies average 78.6ppg and give up 58.4ppg.

One final key stat.  PS's pressure causes their opponents to commit 21.8 turnovers/game while UST averages on 11.9 turnovers/game.  Something has to give here. 

Basically at first glance I would say that the first team to 80 points will win this game.