#6 UND (15-17) vs #1 NDSU (24-8) 3/10 800 PM

[SWSiouxMN]

UND used hot shooting from 3 to start and dominate defense in the 2nd half to come away with a semi-final victory over the Dons.  Now UND finds themselves in new territory, in the Summit League Championship for the very first time.... they take on a very familiar foe:  the defending champions from NDSU.

For one team, they were expected to be here.  NDSU was pointing to this season being the year they made their move in the conference.  That plan got sped up when they won the Summit Tournament last year as an underdog.  Now they play the role of the favorite and more than expected to see a SoDak school in the final.  

Funny thing about March.... its Mad.

UND finds themselves in a brave new world, back in the conference championship game for the 3rd time in their D1 history, but the first in the Summit League.  It would be hard to find more than 5 people who would have though UND would be at this point:  playing for a chance to go to the dance.    

In what should be the biggest clash between the 2 in-state rivals in their history, it is quite fitting that this would be the 300th time that they will meet to play basketball.  

These two teams split against each other, each winning on their home courts.   

Key Player: Tyson Ward

He has given UND problems all year long and this game and he has played very well in the tournament.  UND is going to have to solve this puzzle in some way shape or form to have a chance. 

The Fallen:

Fort Wayne:  Its hard to say goodbye, but the Dons just didn't get it going against UND and now will be send packing to the Horizon League.  They should have a good guard tandem and their big guy Carl will be solid as well.  Should have a good 1st year there

Oral Roberts:  Tough way to finish for a team some thought could win it all.  Lose all Summit Nzekwesi and a solid player in Burns, but they return Obanor and Abmas and a solid soon-to-be junior class.  They could compete again for a top 3 spot. 

Keys:

1) The Fatigue Factor

2) Vinnie vs Marlon

3) Can UND solve the Ward problem?

Milestones:

DAE is 15 points away from the freshman record.  This is something that is well within his reach.  If UND were to win, he will most likely break it. 

Stewart has 166 assists this season, which is good for 7th place in the single season record book.  He would need to get 1 to get to 6th place. His 361 assists are 8th best all time at UND, and would need 4 to pass Aaron Anderson for 8th. Also, his 1247 career points at UND is 18th all time in scoring.  

The Call: 

Lets be real, NDSU will come in as big favorites.  They have the experience of last year and the extra day of rest.   UND lacks depth and will be playing its 3rd game in 3 days and fatigue will play a factor.  So you think the Bison will go to the dance right?  Well if I went with my head... yes.

I'm not a head person, I'm a heart person.  UND knows they can play and beat the Bison, they showed that a few weeks ago in Grand Forks.  They cannot allow themselves to let the moment become too big.  Play the game in 4 minute increments.   At the end of the day..... Marlon and company will do enough.

The damn slipper still fits.... UND go grabs their dancing shoes for the 2nd time ever.

UND 74-72

Game is on ESPN2.

***Even though the stakes are MASSIVE.... my expectations are still the same: KEEP IT CLEAN on BOTH SIDES.

[forksandspoons]

Let’s go!!

[cowboys5xsbs]

I am already getting heart palpitations 

[Siouxperfan7]

UND playing with house money.  NDSU expected to be in this position.  Not many people thought UND would.  But you damn well know that Sather thought they could be here and he convinced the team as well.  The pressure is all on NDSU.  they are the 1 seed.  They had not looked dominant in either one of their games.  UND has shown they can beat the Bison.  If we play relaxed and confident, we got a chance.  With a trip to the big dance on the line, our boys should be ready.  It's been a crazy year all over college basketball this year.  Upsets almost every night.  So why not have the 6 seed punch their ticket to the dance out of the Summit!!  Go HAWKS!!!

[Siouxperfan7]

NDSU opens as a 6 point favorite. 

[Oxbow6]

Ward is the key. Can't let him go for 20 and 10.

[SWSiouxMN]

It appears I have made an error on UND's record during the tournament.  They should be 15-17 right now.  I can't change the title anymore to reflect that. 

My bad. 

[SWSiouxMN]

I would guess that Richman will not make the same mistake as he did in Grand Forks and have the Bison pay more attention to Marlon tonight.

So Rebraca, Walter, DAE and Brown all need to step up and hit shots.  The last two mentioned especially.  We need the USD version of Brown tonight and the first half Fort Wayne version of DAE.

If UND can get that... I like their chances. 

[jdub27]

Despite what some claimed, Marlon was the best player on the floor last time these two teams met. Last night,  he played very reserved and conservative for 2/3's of the game last night stepping it up to finish off the game. Should give him a little extra energy for tonight.

That forumla works and Marlon doesn't need to drop 30 as long as the other guys show up.

Keys

• Marlon needs to let the game come to him and take what he is given, particularly tonight since I have to imagine he's going to get more attention. 
• DAE needs to avoid dribbling in traffic.
• KW can take his shots as long as he doesn't have to rush them.
• BB needs to be aggressive and take the open 3 when he has it and also finish off his drives instead of kicking it out to the wing, which he almost always does and is too predictable at this point.
• Filip needs to keep composure, stay out of foul trouble and play solid defense.
• Bench play has been solid between EI, G and BD.

Need to limit 2nd chances, take care of the ball and play solid defense. Lock down Ward and make Vinnie or someone else beat you. If VS is off, let him keep shooting. If he's on, adjust. And be agressive. Sather's offense runs on getting to the paint. Make NDSU try to defend. USD and FW both got into foul trouble. Do it again, particualrly of Eady is still out and they have one less guy in their rotation.

Let go!!

[sioux24/7]

DAE is a solid player but he needs to avoid dribbling at all costs. One thing he needs to work on big time. 

[fightingsioux4life]

2 hours ago, Siouxperfan7 said:

UND playing with house money.  NDSU expected to be in this position.  Not many people thought UND would.  But you damn well know that Sather thought they could be here and he convinced the team as well.  The pressure is all on NDSU.  they are the 1 seed.  They had not looked dominant in either one of their games.  UND has shown they can beat the Bison.  If we play relaxed and confident, we got a chance.  With a trip to the big dance on the line, our boys should be ready.  It's been a crazy year all over college basketball this year.  Upsets almost every night.  So why not have the 6 seed punch their ticket to the dance out of the Summit!!  Go HAWKS!!!

This is what I have been thinking this morning as well. Now we have a chance to ruin NDSU's season. 

[UNDBIZ]

1 hour ago, SWSiouxMN said:

It appears I have made an error on UND's record during the tournament.  They should be 15-17 right now.  I can't change the title anymore to reflect that. 

My bad. 

Fixed

[UND1983]

55 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

DAE is a solid player but he needs to avoid dribbling at all costs. One thing he needs to work on big time. 

He has like no awareness of who is around him or he has bad vision and cannot see opponents...or something.  He dribbles into people - its really strange

[sioux24/7]

10 minutes ago, UND1983 said:

He has like no awareness of who is around him or he has bad vision and cannot see opponents...or something.  He dribbles into people - its really strange

I agree. The talent is there but yeah he seems to have no basketball sense out there at times. 

[Siouxperfan7]

Clay Matvick with the call tonight on ESPN2.  Clay Matvick is from Princeton, MN and grew up went to High School with.........Paul Sather!! 

[coyotecrazie5]

Great tourney for the Hawks so far, I for one am rooting for you! Hopefully that doesn't bring you bad luck. 

[siouxfan512]

27 minutes ago, Siouxperfan7 said:

Clay Matvick with the call tonight on ESPN2.  Clay Matvick is from Princeton, MN and grew up went to High School with.........Paul Sather!! 

interesting fact, I would have had no idea.

[Siouxperfan7]

1 hour ago, coyotecrazie5 said:

Great tourney for the Hawks so far, I for one am rooting for you! Hopefully that doesn't bring you bad luck. 

Definitely cheering for the Lady Yotes in the tourney.  Have a chance to make a deep run this year.

[streetsahead]

How many UND fans do you think will be there tonight?  Free tickets for current students and a relatively short trip for everyone else....would be nice to see a good UND crowd.

[UND1983]

4 minutes ago, streetsahead said:

How many UND fans do you think will be there tonight?  Free tickets for current students and a relatively short trip for everyone else....would be nice to see a good UND crowd.

I honestly think there will be 500-750.  I know a bunch going

[streetsahead]

2 minutes ago, UND1983 said:

I honestly think there will be 500-750.  I know a bunch going

Nice!  I strongly considered going but not a great time to get away from work.  Excited to watch tonight though.

[SiouxFan100]

Anyone willing to share pics from Sioux Falls or watch parties?

[CMSioux]

I hope it's the loud and robust student, not the smart phone watching students, oh wait the former were in the 1980s.

[SWSiouxMN]

1 minute ago, CMSioux said:

I hope it's the loud and robust student, not the smart phone watching students, oh wait the former were in the 1980s.

I think in these situations, you get more of the former than the latter.  That's what made the Fargo regional awesome when I went as a student in 2015, it wasn't the selfie crowd, it was the hardcore ones. 

[ChrisUND1]

Let's go!!!