SWSiouxMN Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 It took an extra frame, a travel call, and clutch free throws, but UND was able to escape Malcomb with a win and a sweep of Western Illinois. Now UND returns home for the last homestand of the season (god the season went fast) and hope to exceed their win records from last year when they take on SDSU, who is looking to finish off a surprising run to the conference crown. Since we last left SDSU: SDSU surprise season has continued and outside of a slip up in Vermillion, they have continued to roll in first place. With three games left in the season, they are in a very good spot to lock down either the 1 or the 2 seed in Sioux Falls. However... if you are a Jacks fan, you have two reasons to be nervous. First off: they did win two games at home, at the end of the day, that is what you want to do. However they struggled in the first halves in both games and needed to make adjustments to pull away from DU and Fort Wayne. Secondly: The schedule gets tougher from here on out. A trip to UND is on the docket and while that should be a win for the Jacks, they know that cannot pull what they did against DU and Fort Wayne anymore and get lucky. UND is capable of beating them if they do that again. After that, its a showdown in Brookings with the arch-rival, who is desperately trying to claw back into the race and has already beaten you once. If you survive those two: the big one, the trip to Fargo that could decide it all. After what happened last year, they cannot afford another repeat of events. It is right there for the taking for SDSU, lets see if they can grab the brass ring. Last Time Out: The Bunnies used a strong 1st half finish and never looked back in a 87-66 win in Brookings. Douglas Wilson had 22 points in the win. Marlon had 17 points to lead UND. Key Player: Douglas Wilson (6'7 Junior) He has been a godsend for the Jackrabbits this year. He has been deadly in the paint this year in both the offensive and defensive end. He not only should be a favorite to win newcomer of the year and be on 1st team All-Summit, but should be one of the favorites to come away with the player of the year award. Series History: SDSU leads the D-1 series 7-1, UND leads the all-time series 106-86 Milestone Watch: As we approach the end of the season, there is a record that can be obtained. DAE has scored 372 points so far this season, which puts him 81 points away from breaking the freshman scoring record set by Troy Huff in 2010-2011 (452). Given that UND is guaranteed 5 games (4 regular season + 1 in Sioux Falls) the rest of the way, he would have to score 16 points a game to tie it and would have to score 1 more point to break in. He has been averaging 17.7 in his last 6, so if he can keep that average up for the rest of the way, he will break it. If UND can advance farther in Sioux Falls or get hot enough to make a postseason tournament somewhere, his chances greatly increase. Other Games: Wednesday NDSU (10-2) @ USD (9-4): This game had all the headlines as a showdown between the two conference favorites battle for the conference crown... then USD stubbed their toe in Tulsa. Still a big game yes, but not as much on the line. While USD still has a small chance at the crown, they are going to need some help in addition to winning out. They also need to watch out for a charging ORU squad with a favorable schedule. 2 losses + 3 ORU wins and NDSU winning the league means they get the 3 seed over USD. NDSU would like to have a sweep of USD for tiebreaking purposes and stay on pace with SDSU, with their showdown looming in Fargo next week. Thursday Omaha (6-6) @ Fort Wayne (5-8): Two middle-tier teams locking horns in Fort Wayne. Omaha is trying to keep pace with ORU for the 4th seed, where any slip up from them could mean Omaha sliding into that spot. They can basically knock out one of the team chasing that spot by beating the Dons, who are trying desperately to finish strong. Their best hope could be the 6th seed, where they are 1.5 games back of UND, but compared to their schedule, have it a bit easier. Beating Omaha would greatly help that journey. ORU (7-6) @ DU (1-12): The Golden Eagles did exactly what they needed to do, with both their games at home, and now take to the road to take on DU. ORU sits in the 4 spot in the seedings and are heavy favorites to stay there given their schedule. They even have a shot at the 3 seed if USD continues to fall. They still have to take care of business as they play a Denver squad who will be desperate to get that 2nd win on the season and try to be the final team to make it into Sioux Falls. They are running out of time and chances to make that happen, so wins here against ORU or at Fort Wayne are going to be necessary.... or their finale against WIU will be a moot point. The Call: At some point, UND needs to beat an I-29 school (this 0-14 record is getting old) and also get a good win in conference play. A win would also eclipse their win totals from last year. A win would also put them one step closer to being no worse than a 6 seed in Sioux Falls and would stay in the running for a top 4 seed. UND is going to have to play a full 40, which they haven't been able to do against a top Summit team this year. SDSU is going to be a tough cookie, but they have shown some signs that they can be beaten. I think UND will play well and it will be a closer contest than it was down in Frost... but UND will fall short again. SDSU 77-72 Game is on the Plus and Midco Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 SDSU takes full advantage of a mismatch down low 6-5 SDSU Rebraca responds 7-6 UND Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 Not a bad start for UND MEDIA! UND 9 SDSU 8 15:47 1st Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 Media UND 15 SDSU 14 12:00 1st Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 Ethan getting minutes tonight it seems. Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 Media great game so far SDSU 30 UND 27 6:10 1st Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 UND played well for first 18 last two has been killer. TO UND 44-36 SDSU Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 That has been the issue, UND just hasn't put together a full game, and those lapses against good teams have killed them. Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 Walter 3 we go to the half SDSU 44 UND 39 Quote
Kab Posted February 20, 2020 Posted February 20, 2020 We shout ourselves in the foot with the dumb turnovers i don’t know who the hell some of these passes are going too Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 20, 2020 Author Posted February 20, 2020 In other Summit League action: NDSU up 35-26 at the half against USD Quote
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