SWSiouxMN Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 After the disaster in Missoula, UND shook things up before the matchup against the Cats and looked better. Unfortunately, it still wasn't enough and ended in defeat against the undefeated Cats and kept UND from their first conference win. They look to turn the tide at home, taking on a team that they have never, ever, ever, ever have lost to at least in Big Sky play, the surprising Idaho State Bengals You know the old saying addition by subtraction? You could easily apply this to this team. Last year, there was a bit of a buzz in Poky with Ethan Telfair leading the team that maybe, they could sneak into the Big Sky title picture... well that didn't go so hot. They went 5-26 and was bounced in Day 1. Not much was expected this year, but a funny thing has happened... ISU doesn't look too shabby. They already own a road victory over Weber and held serve at home verses SUU/NAU. They know that this week will be a better test to see where they stack up and getting back to Poky with at least a split and a 4-1 record in conference play a third of the way through the conference season wouldn't be so bad. Since UND has joined the Big Sky, they are a perfect 10-0 against the Bengals, with a 5-0 record in Grand Forks Player to watch: Jared Stutzman SO 6'6 The UVU transfer has made his way back to his home state and has made a big impact for the Bengals. He has shot the ball very well from the field so far this season and has put up big numbers. Will be an interesting matchup against UNDs defense given his 6'6 size and more than likely be at the 3/4 spot. Things to watch: 1) Was UND starters from MSU a one off or a new lineup? I thought the line up that Jones threw against MSU was pretty good and for the most part was a different team than the one that went up against the Griz. Now will this be the new normal or was this just a wake-up call. 2) The emergence of Tray UND has been begging for another player to step up and give them production: Since the start of conference play, Tray Buchanan has delivered. Averaging 13.25 ppg in the first 4 games in conference play and is just shooting below 39% from beyond the arc from 3 in conference play. His overall season numbers still look low but a few more games like this will help with the overall numbers and will help this team going forward. 3) Where out thou Geno? Since his outburst against the Zags, Geno has been very quiet in Big Sky play so far, only averaging just above 10 points a game. He didn't have the greatest weekend up in Montana and if this team is going to make even a sense of a 2nd half run in conference play, Geno needs to step it up and get it going. Other games: (EWU/Idaho and SUU/NAU are playing each other on Saturday so they aren't playing Thursday) Weber (2-1) @ UNC (2-2) Weber got back on track by taking care of business against NAU/SUU over the weekend, while UNC couldn't quite get the job done getting swept out in Montana. This is still an important game for the pecking order, not getting too far behind the Montana schools and ISU, and the first round bye. UNC already has one big win over the preseason favorite Idaho, can they score another against another top preseason favorite? Or will Weber get a key road win on a tricky road trip to stay within striking distance of the Montanas Griz (4-0) @ Sac State (1-2) Despite their record, Sac State has proven they are going to be a pest all year long, so the Griz need to be careful going into Sacramento. The Griz know that survival of this weekend will lead to possible the biggest clash against the rival in quite some time. Cats (4-0) @ PSU (1-2) Portland went into Moscow and stole one away from the Vandals and are now looking to get back into the thick of the conference race by hopefully taking down the Cats. So far so good for MSU as they defended the home court against UND and UNC. Like the Griz, they know that if they get a sweep, the matchup at home verses the Griz will be the biggest basketball game in a long, long time. The call: I felt there was a few positive signs after the Cats win that could lead to bigger and better things for this team going forward. What they decide to do with it is up to them. This is a team that they have historically dominated, but this isn't the Bengals of old. Evans is a defensive oriented coach and will throw everything he's got at them. Being that this is at home and I think Jones will throw the exact same lineup as he did against MSU, I think UND will continue its dominance over the Bengals and break through with win #1 in conference play UND 79-77 I'm going road teams in the other 3: Cats, Griz, and Weebs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UND Fan Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Anyone know if ISU made it to GF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamsioux Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 3 hours ago, UND Fan said: Anyone know if ISU made it to GF? UND just issued statement that game will be played as scheduled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darell1976 Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 4 hours ago, teamsioux said: UND just issued statement that game will be played as scheduled. They arrived on Santa’s sleigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 I forgot to mention this: It is stating the obvious yes, but this is a must win game tonight. The schedule after this weekend is a trip to Greely next weekend and then the next three weekends is a repeat of the first three weeks of conference play for opponents. Its been ugly yes, but it could get even uglier if UND is not careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDPritch Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Just what in the heck is going on with Geno Crandell? Got like 80 total points in 3 games in the Hawaii tournament but since then, and especially of late, just not the same Geno. He hardly drives to the hoop anymore and seems to struggle at times just to reach a dozen points. He just doesn't look confident out there and confused with his role. Is he in Jones' doghouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Back to the usual starting lineup for tonight. Geno, Stewart, Seales, Jones, Avants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiouxFan100 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Hard to stay interested with this team. I don’t see much hope to improve the rest of the year other than a game or two surprises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 UND burns a quick TO Jones not happy with his starters, sloppy start 2-0 ISU 18:38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 For the most part, UND responded well. ISU is getting open looks however and not cashing in. UND 12 ISU 7 15:38 1st Dale and Avants with 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIOUXFAN97 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 does pluto tv ever work correctly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 One noticeable thing I have seen is a lot of 4 guard + Dale/Avants so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 beautiful movement and a backdoor cut up Tray leads to a and-1 situation, which he cashes in UND 19 ISU 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 ISU TO (will count as media as well) UND 23 ISU 16 10:28 1st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 On the court: Brown/Tray/Seales/Marlon/Jones was able to force a few turnovers in the last few defensive possessions. Jafar or Walter have yet to step on the court Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 UND 25 ISU 23 7:56 1st UND ball after Avants took the charge. He and Dale both lead the way with 8 point for UND. Topalovic has 10 for the Bengals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 good ball movement gives Avants and easy bucket and the 1st UND player to double digits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Brown hit a 3 then got handsy on the defensive end 30-26 UND Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Dale hits a 3 off the o-board, but commits the cardinal sin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 UND 35 ISU 26 3:22 1st Dale has 11 points and has hit all 4 of his shots, 3 of them for 3's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Walter is in, Seales cans a mid range jumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 never fails, when it doubt... play ISU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Half UND 41 ISU 29 Overall it was a decent half, still some lapse of D and some overaggressivness on the offensive end. Lots of use of 4 guards + Dale/Avants in the first half, which led to much of their success. This might be the route they have to take to turn their season around. Assisting on 10 of 18 shots is pretty decent. Seales might flirt with a triple-double at this rate, has 6 pts, 5 boards and 5 assists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoops44 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Geno still in a funk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWSiouxMN Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Just now, hoops44 said: Geno still in a funk He doesn't look very confident either, very passive, not taking shots he usually would take, he has to find a way out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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