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A tough last 10 minutes for UND haunted them as they dropped a 76-66 decision out in the Palouse to put up a bagel on the 3 game road trip. Now UND heads home for two more non-conference tune-up before conference play starts in 10 days (yes... 10 days). First up, the high octane Redhawks from Seattle. About the Redhawks Seattle has a interesting basketball history in the NCAAs. In the 1950s and 1960s, they were actually a NCAA Power, making the tournament 11 times, going to the sweet 16 5 time, and finishing runner up in 1958 with some dude named Elgin Baylor. Then things got weird as they actually dropped to the NAIA in the 80s but then managed to work their way back up to the D1 world in 2008. After a few years in the independent world, they joined the WAC conference, which at that point was a shell of its former self. The Redhawks where not able to get past 4th place under Cameron Dollar, so they went another direction. Our old friend Jim Hayford stepped in and attempted to bring Seattle to the next level after a successful stop down the road at Eastern. After their first 20 win season since 2008, they slowly started to slip in the standings. Then in November 2021, Hayford was asked to step down after it was reported that he used racial slurs at a scrimmage. Chris Victor took over the reigns at a interim position and proceded to lead the Redhawks to their best season since their return to D1 play: 23 wins and a share of the WAC conference crown. This season, they look to build off of that, with a roaring start in non-conference play, only losing to cross town rival Washington by 10, Seattle is using their high octane offense to cause major issues to their opponents. They also know how to defend the basketball very well. Could this be the recipe for the RedHawks to finally break through? We shall see? About the Coach: Chris Victor (29-10 overall, 14-4 WAC) The former coach at Citrus College (103-39, 44-16) stepped into a interim role after the Hayford incident and made the most of it. Winning a share of the conference for a program that had been strugging to gain traction. When you do that, it is pretty obvious that you are going to get the full time gig, which he did. Now he is looking for more and trying to take the next step. He is off to a good start in Seattle and continued success could lead him to bigger and better things. Moral of the story: Make the most of your opportunities because you don't know when they are going to come. Key Player: Cameron Tyson (6'3 Junior Guard) This guy has been a few places. Started his career in Idaho where he had an impressive freshman season before transferring to Houston where he played in a reserve role on their Final 4 team. Looking for a place to get more playing time, he transferred up to Seattle and it fit his style like a glove. If there is one thing that this guy can do is score the basketball. So far this season he is averaging 23.6 ppg and has improved his field goal shooting (45%) and from 3 (43%). He loves to shoot the ball from 3 and when he gets hot, look out. Keys: 1) 3 point defense 2) Get the offense going 3) Can UND muck it up enough 4) Rest or Rust for Seattle Keys: This is a good team that UND is playing once again at home, but they are going to have to bring up their play from Thanksgiving to have a shot at this one. The defense is going to need to play very well on the perimeter. I would seriously considered inserting Brooks into the starting lineup to help out with their perimeter defense. If UND can play well enough of the defensive side of the basketball, they will have a chance. One thing to watch: Seattle hasn't played since November 30th, they will be well rested but they could have some rust. If the 2nd option occurs, UND needs to jump on it and take advantage. I think UND gets back to the play that they were showing at Thanksgiving, but Seattle just have a little too much on the offensive side of the basketball. Seattle 78-73 Game is on ESPN+

Allow me to recycle a joke I made a few years ago. *Holds envelop on head Cockroaches Twinkies The WAC conference *takes envelope off of head, opens envelope Name three things that could survive a Nuclear Weapon.

Greatest conference revival ever... if this get pulled off

Trent did what many of us was calling for last night and actually was aggressive on the offensive side of the basketball. He actually looked to score and he needs to do that more. People have talked about his turnovers from ealier in the year. The reason for the turnovers? It was because defenses figured out that Trent always looked to pass the ball first so they clogged the passing lanes knowing, he wont score. Last night was a step in the right direction to fixing that issue. I like that he took a few outside shots and hit a midrange shot, he needs to do more of that as well. Loved Brooks last night and Omot as well. His 3 point shot is getting better and so is his defense. However, outside of those three (and some flashes from Norman and Sueker), tell me what everyone else did last night? Yes the free throws were bad but I am here to tell everyone that is not the reason why UND lost last night. Even if they made all of their free throws last night, they still lose. 3 point perimeter defense was awful last night and they gave up the most 3 pointers since the Pacific game in 10. Too many open looks. The last 10 minutes were a step back to the beginning of the year. I can live with teams hitting contested 3 pointers, contested 2 pointers all night. If a team can hit those shots... you tip their cap to them, nothing you can do about it. However, it was too many open looks last night. Whether it was not closing out or not rotation over or getting lost on screens, this cannot happen. With all of that said... there appears to be growing evidence that the Summit is going to be more wide open this year as the top teams have struggled to establish themselves and the bottom teams have shown improvement from last year. There are going to be some very interesting results in the first couple of weeks of conference play. I think UND can get back to that play they showed over the Thanksgiving Weekend. However, it time for this staff to make some decision on a set rotation and run with it.

Game was lost in the last 10 minutes of the game. Brooks, Trent, and Omot were good on the offensive side of the basketball, which is good to see. Sucky night for UND, Sucky night for the Summit. Get home, figure some things out, get ready for league play.

74-66 Vandals 36.9 to go timeout

missed by Trent and it was hard off of the back iron

Trent gets fouled and..... counts!

73-64 Vandals

Brooks 71-64 UND

71-62 Vandals 1:42 to go timeout UND

Really lost this game in the last 10 minutes

ball game

66-59 Vandals

66-58 Vandals

nope missed them both

T get fouled and will shoot 2 need them both

64-58 Vandals 3:34 to go Go time.

Hold up, Trent only has 4.

Stick Omot on Moffitt 63-58 Vandals 3:38 to go

Omot 63-58 Vandals now need a stop

63-56 Vandals 4:24 to go

Okay offense, who is going to score?

Trent is done

61-56 Vandals 4:58 to go Best 5 minutes of the season needs to happen