HoopsFan03

He is a solid player. He is averaging 13 this year but he's pretty inconsistent. Not so sure about the top ten player out of ND all time....

That is also the way you could do it. Let him score 40 and then try contain all the others to less than 25 in order to win. UND averages 70 ppg. Either way could work!

This game is all about can they stop one guy. Grant Nelson. He is the one guy that can really hurt UND and win NDSU this game. UND struggled against St. Thomas big man Parker Bjorklund and allowed him to score 29 points. If they guard Grant the same, he could score 40 in this game. Shouldn't be worried about their guards as none of them are that good and UND has excellent perimeter defenders. But Grant Nelson is the one guy you have to stop. Double him on any post up. Double him on any drive into a post up. Make him see multiple bodies at all times and HAVE TO kick the ball out. Make somebody else make a play and beat you. Don't overcomplicate things. If they do that, UND wins this game!

I don’t think you are far off with this. Every sport is moving to YOUNG coaches that can relate to players and adapt to different players skills/play styles/personalities. Even if that young coach doesn’t have the experience. If they can relate to players, motivate players, bring positivity, and be willing to adapt to kids they have a great chance at being successful. That is what it is all about in todays sports world. Old coaching is on the way out.

That is a good breakdown! One point to add, though, about the freshmen is that these 3 freshman aren't your normal run of the mill freshman. We are talking about Mr. Basketball of Kansas, Mr. Basketball of ND, and a Mr. Basketball finalist in MN. These guys have been playing high level basketball for many many years. Playing now at UND is a jump up, but it really isn't that massive of a jump. But they absolutely need to keep feeding those 3 as many minutes as they possibly can. They are the future of the program! Need them to grow up quick if they want to be competitive.

Saying we are a young team is such a copout though. We played 10 guys last night. Three of them are freshman... Mathews played 3 minutes and is a sophomore. The other 6 guys are all juniors or above. They are 14 games into the season and now 1 conference game down. At some point you just have to figure it out and find a way to at least be competitive. St. Thomas was D3 team 1.5 years ago, they were missing their 14.5 ppg scorer last night and UND wasn't even really competitive. Especially in the second half. To me, saying we are a young team is an excuse that really isn't valid at this point in the season.

That's fair, I respect that! It's easy to cheer and be a team when you're winning or when you're having a good half like the first half against Seattle or the Thanksgiving tournament games. But what really matters is how they stick together when things aren't go their way. Like, the second half against Seattle. Like the second half last night. To me, it is pretty apparent

That's correct. This is only her 2nd year as the full time head coach. I would say she has done a good job so far. 23-18 record at the moment.

He was there. Just a DNP. That's okay though!

I agree. This could go downhill real quick if they don't get back on track though. Somebody needs to get everyone on the same page and get everyone together. They don't look like a team at all. Haven't since the CS Fullerton game. Lineups and rotations constantly changing. No players can get in a rhythm. No players are cheering for each others success because they are wondering why they all of a sudden got benched. Everyone sits the whole game while on the bench. Barely clap when someone scores. You don't win games by being a bunch of individuals.

I would think a 34% win percentage over 4 seasons would do enough talking. But I guess not. That's why UND is very average at sports and will continue to be average. No accountability being held by the AD.

That’s their motion offense. A motion that is northing but double pin downs for a team of not many shooters. Not sure why Danielson, Trent, Brooks, or anyone like that would ever run off a double pin down. Makes 0 sense.

The coaches are the ones who recruited these 5’s…..

Changing the lineup and rotation every game is not going to solve their issues. It is only creating more issues and obstacles to overcome.

You would think Sather. He’s a big dude. I’d assume he played post when he played.

The droughts are always what kills them

Interesting…

Can anyone find it on ESPN+?

That's what I thought too. That ranks them 216th in the nation for that stat. However, UND shoots 36.5% as a team from three. That ranks them 84th in the nation for that stat. That surprises me as well.

Great writeup! I am a little nervous that the talent of St. Thomas will be too much for UND. Not allowing them to shoot the 3 should be a big focal point of this game. So far this season UND allows teams to shoot 34% from 3. With how St. Thomas can shoot it, they can't let them get hot. As you mentioned, the extended offensive lulls need to be cut down as well. If we go on a lull and St. Thomas hits a couple 3's it could get out of reach quick. Big game from the young guys in their first conference game would be awesome! Looking forward to watching!

Really good writeup! Think you're spot on!

I'd like to see a lineup of Trent, Brooks, Eaglestaff, Omot, and TT. You need to keep Trent and Brooks on the floor as much as possible for defending at the guard position. Omot needs to be in as much as possible as well. So it kind of leaves an odd man out between Eaglestaff and Norman for who you want in there as a shooter. In my opinion I would go with Eaglestaff because of his size and versatility. Can do more with the ball and can dribble the ball/be more of a playmaker. And maybe teams won't sag off Trent and Brooks as much as I think they will. We'll see I guess. If it were me I wouldn't guard Trent or Brooks outside of the free throw line until they show any sort of ability or want to shoot a jump shot. Brooks needs to start shooting catch and shoot 3's. Like I've said in the past, he needs to shoot around 3 a game. He can average 33% on 3 attempts a game. That keeps the defense honest and makes them have to close out to him and guard him at the three point line. Opens up the floor so much more for his drives but also for everybody else.

I would say that they are in a pretty solid spot. With a lot of young guys/new guys it will be a continuous process of them developing and getting more comfortable with each other game by game. It is going to be a real test starting conference games next Monday. Conference games are a whole different level than non-conference. The scouting/game plan by the other team is on another level, the intensity of the games, its like a whole new season starting conference play. I am worried about the inability of Trent and Brooks to shoot wide open jump shots in these conference games. I think teams will pack it in even more than we have seen on those two and really clog up things for everyone else. They need to shoot catch and shoot 3's. Especially Brooks! Need Omot to continue to be aggressive being that go-to scorer. Keep playing defense the way that they have and I think they can make some noise! Will be very exciting!

Nero doesn’t either unfortunately. Tough spot to be in with no legitimate backup PG

I’m leaving at halftime and watching on TV lol North Central is a high school JV team