SWSiouxMN Posted February 4, 2021 Posted February 4, 2021 UND got a split from Western Illinois and to be honest, they were lucky to get that. UND looks to move on to Denver to take on a struggling Pioneers squad About Denver: There was reason for optimism for this DU squad this year. After almost upsetting NDSU in the first round of the Summit Tournament, the Pios were bringing back their entire squad, minus Murkey. They had a great guard in Townsend, a decent big man in Robert Jones, and a nice surrounding cast, perhaps it was time for DU to make their move. Um.... about that Its been more of the same for the Pios. They sit dead last in the conference and is ranked as one of the worst teams in the nation. Not having Jones has hurt but it just hasn't come together for the Pios. COVID has also bit them, missing their last games against SDSU. They have had their moments where they could have broken through, but so far they haven't delivered. The schedule has shifted towards the favor, with chances to get their first win in conference play. However, time is starting to run out. A few more sweeps and they would miss the tournament in Sioux Falls. Something that Coach Billups About Rodney Billups: (5th season, 47-87 overall, 22-46 Summit) The younger brother of Chauncy Billups and a Pio alum, Rodney has struggled to build off of his first two years at DU. In his first two years, he was 31-29 overall and 16-14 in conference play. He also had 4th and 3rd place finishes. Since then? 16-58 overall and 6-32 in the Summit. Its hard to imagine that his seat is very warm right now in Denver, and another miss in Sioux Falls could be enough, even in a COVID year, for a change to be made. Key Player: Jase Townsend (6'3 Jr Guard) If there is a bright spot for this Pios squad, it is this junior from Dallas. He is a guy that can win a game all by himself if teams allow him to do so. He averaged 31 points a game in the two games at home against ORU to prove that. He certainly is playing well at home, averaging almost 25 ppg in 8 home games. While the 3 point shot hasn't been falling as well as it did last year, he has improved his free throw percentage. UND is going to have to limit him throughout the weekend. Series History: UND leads the series 4-2, including a 4-0 mark so far in Summit play Key Questions: 1) Can the defense start to step back up? 2) Can the offense continue its solid play? Other games: USD (8-0) @ SDSU (4-0): If you want a titantic clash, we have two of them this weekend in Brookings. SDSU has had half of their schedule wiped due to COVID, but the time off should heal them up fully. The Yotes ran the table in the first half, but now we finally get to ask the question. Are the Yotes for real? Umude vs Friedel? Its hate week in Brookings! ORU (6-2) @ NDSU (8-2): If guard matchups aren't you thing, then do I have the big man matchup for you in Fargo. Rocky vs Obanor should be a great matchup in the post. Big road test here for Oral Roberts. They are good enough to win the league but have shown against KC and UND that they are vulnerable. NDSU dropped on down in Kansas City, which hurts considering they were down 3 of their best players. Winner should be in a great place for a top 3 spot. Anyone who gets swept are looking up the standings. WIU (1-7) @ Omaha (0-6) WIU are coming off their best weekend, where they should have swept UND. Omaha got swept by USD. This is a great opportunity for the Mavs to break through and get their first win and avoid a basement showdown in Denver. Western has a chance to get into the mix with UND and UMKC with a sweep in the mid-pack. Off: UMKC (3-5) If there ever was a team that needed an off week, it was the Roos. This team has been snakebit with injuries and COVID and to be honest, their record could be a lot better. (Biggest margin of defeat was 7 points). The mid-season addition of Arkel Lamar has been a godsend for the Roos. With their style of play, they will be a very tough matchup in Sioux Falls. The Call: This is the worst team in the Summit. UND needs to come away with two wins this weekend, no excuses. They need to come together and play their best two games of the season. Get Ihenacho back going again, keep Nero going with his scoring off of the bench. Keep hitting outside shots and start to step things up on the defensive side of the ball. Get home 6-6 and ready to take on USD. UND 80-73 No TV it appears, on the DU all-access. Quote
SWSiouxMN Posted February 5, 2021 Author Posted February 5, 2021 Game is now a 1 PM start. Won’t be able to give as many updates today. Quote
GoHawks Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 Looks like you can watch the game on Denver Athletic website for around $10. MBB v North Dakota (5 FEB 21) - Video - University of Denver Athletics (denverpioneers.com) Quote
SIOUXFAN97 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 3 hours ago, SWSiouxMN said: Game is now a 1 PM start. Won’t be able to give as many updates today. fake the sniffles and your get a 1 day or so break.... Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 Announcer says both teams are shooting like it's an early game. Teams combine for 5/13 shooting. UND lead 9-3 at 15:13 mark. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 25-15 UND at the 7:34 mark. Foul fest so far. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 Rebraca leads all scorers with 8 so far. 30-18 UND Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 UND 4/9 from distance. 5:44 to go in first half. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 34-21 UND at the 3:56 mark of first half. 21 combined fouls so far. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 Stripes are evening up the foul count and letting DU stay in it from the charity stripe. 34-25 UND. 3:18 to go. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 UND cooling off. 1:29 to go in first. 27 fouls called combined. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 34-29 UND. Tyree looks to hit the buzzer beating floater from close to put UND up by 7... but stripes wave it off in the end. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 8-0 run by DU the last 4 minutes of the first half to make it a 5 pt game. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 Tale of the stripe? DU goes 11/13 from the line in the first half. UND goes 4/9. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 44-46 DU. DU making it a game by draining 3s. UND needs to drive the paint more and kick out if needed for open 3s of our own. Quote
Teeder11 Posted February 5, 2021 Posted February 5, 2021 47-50 DU. UND Time out. at 12:23 to go. Quote
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