SWSiouxMN Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 UND exacted a little revenged on an old rival and future conference member as they went down to Fargo and came away with a road victory to complete a 5-7 conference record. Its conference play from here on out and a critical 3 game road stretch faces UND to finish our the first half of conference play. First up, an old opponent from the NCC days, the Bears of Northern Colorado. Put yourselves in the situation that UNC faced last year, knowing that you have no postseason due to the transgressions of the previous coach. You would imagine that it would lead to a very tough year and it did. Now with the ban behind them and under coach Jeff Linder, the Bears were a surprise pick by the coaches to finish in the top 4 of the conference. They certainly made an early splash by knocking off Idaho at home, but were brought back down to earth with losses to the Griz, Cats, and Weber. They bounced back against ISU to even the record and now look to re-establish themselves as a threat in the conference race. Since UND has joined the Big Sky, the series is dead even at 5-5, UNC had the advantage at home by a margin of 3-2. The story of this series has been how close these matchups have been between the two. Last year, both games went to overtime. Key Players: Andre Spight and Jordan Davis This 1-2 punch at the guard post is a big reason why UNC has enjoyed its success. The ASU transfer Spight has been averaging nearly 20 points a game and is a threat on both ends of the floor. Davis is shooting an impressive 52% from the field, although his 3 point percentage is a little low alongside his free throw percentage. Nevertheless, they are both capable of putting up 30+ points at any time. Geno and Marlon are going to have another tough matchup. Key Questions: 1) Can UND improve its rebounding margins? Despite the win, one troubling number was the rebounding where NDSU dominated 38-21 on the boards. While this team won't be mistaken for a great rebounding team, a better effort in keep the margins respectful is a must going forward. 2) Will the team continue its improved play? UND has played well in most facets in the last two weeks, picking up a couple of decent wins. Will this continue on in this important stretch or will the team revert back to its play from the beginning of conference play? 3) Who will make more of the "little" plays? With this series being traditionally close, the "little" plays become that much more important for the two years, whoever can come away with more of them will more than likely win this one Other Games: Griz (6-0) @ Cats (4-2) Game of the day will be in Bozeman as the in-state rivals go at it. The Griz have been solid in the 1st third of conference play and look to stay at least two ahead of their competition with a win. The Cats had a bad roadtrip and would like to be the ones to give their arch-rivals their first lost. Should be a great matchup EWU (4-2) @ SUU (1-5) The Eagles have been a pleasant surprise in the first 1/3 of the conference season, finding itself positioned in the slog of 2 loss teams behind Montana. They hope to sweep the road trip by taking on a T-Birds teams that has improved from last year but hasn't been getting the results to show it. If the Eagles truly want to be a threat, they need to win this one and then prep for a big homestand. Idaho (4-2) @ NAU (0-6) The Vandals also find themselves in the slog of two loss teams and outside of a couple of hiccups they have been taking care of business so far. NAU looks to once again be the worst team in the conference but they aren't going to make it easy on anybody. Idaho needs to get this one and prepare for a big home stand next weekend. PSU (3-3) @ Weber (4-2) Weber bounced back from a disappointing loss at UND by holding off a pesky Sac State team, PSU got a win in Poky. It would be a big win for the Vikings if they can go into Odgen and come away with the victory and find themselves in the hunt for a first round bye. Weber just needs to defend the homecourt and stay within striking distance of the Griz. SAC (2-4) @ ISU (3-3) ISU needs to stop the bleeding after dropping its 3rd straight conference game. Sac State has been better than what their record shows and would like to continue ISU misery. The Call: This is an important stretch for UND. A good showing on the road these next 3 games would put them in decent shape for the 2nd half of the conference season. Heck if things broke right today they could find themselves back in the middle of the pack standing wise. They certainly have been playing much better but can they keep this going. This has been close games between the two and I wouldn't expect anything less between the travel partners. I think they will hit some shots, improve the margins and do just enough to come away with their 4th win in a row. UND 82-80 In the other games: MSU, EWU, Idaho, Weber, Sac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Davis has speed, speed and more speed UNC 6 UND 2 18:01 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 UND has a little 6-0 run to get back into this after a slow start, we are at the first media UNC 11 UND 8 15:21 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 I swear Walter has concrete in his shoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Geno isn't getting the calls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Brown smacks a 3 and we are tied at 15! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 saw that one coming, UNC player was parked there. UNC 15 UND 15 under 12 media Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 nice shot by Geno tied up at 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Geno is feeling it Rebound is atrocious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Stewart 3 gives UND its first lead at 24-22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Defense has been good to above average so far. UND 24 UNC 22 8:18 1st Geno has 10 to pace the team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Can Franken get Walters minutes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 team looks a little discombobulated after Geno exited with a rolled ankle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 he comes back in and make a great play 31-30 UND Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 UND offensively is looking lazy on the ball passes UNC 36 UND 33 2:42 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 offensive looks horrible UND TO UNC 43 UND 33 1:38 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Seales breaks the drought as UNC calls for time with 34 seconds in the half UNC 43 UND 35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 UND got away with what made them successful on both ends of the floor in the last 4 minutes and the Bears made them pay. Adjustments are needed at the half UNC 46 UND 37 Half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kab Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Poor passing which most jr. high teams can do better jones doesn’t know how to stop runs with a time out either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 good start to the 2nd half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 Davis is soooo fast UNC 50 UND 47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 UNC 55 UND 49 Seales will shoot 2 after the break Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 UNC 58 UND 55 13:10 2nd Its going to have to be Geno and Seales doing the dirty work the rest of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 UNC 63 UND 57 11:58 2nd hanging around, but Spight is killing them with 3's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 wow.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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