NDSU at Minnesota

[JackJD]

is on the Big Ten Network tonight.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Minnesota cold to start. NDSU doing everything right...nice intensity on both ends for the Bison.
9 - 6 Bison.
15:03left in the first half.
Minnesota ratcheting up the defense.

[Southeast]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Good point on the intensity. Watching NDSU tonight really shines a spotlight on what I have not been seeing with SDSU. The Bison do not look intimidated and they are being the aggressors. Braun's big dunk set the tone early. Of course, it does not hurt that UM has missed a few relatively easy shots. They were red-hot against us (certainly part of that was due to our lack of defense).

[Kemo]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Andre Hollins for UM has just been on fire lately. He made tons of difficult shots against us and now he's doing it to NDSU. I don't know if he can keep this up, but the Gophers will be tough to beat by any team if he shoots like this.

[Southeast]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

The first half was ugly on both sides of the floor, which is mostly due to two good defenses going at it. U of M finally started shooting better from outside and widened the gap to 11 at the half.

This is my first time seeing NDSU. There is no question that their defense is very good. I'm glad we did not have to play them in the last couple of weeks because it would not have been pretty. We have a couple weeks to get our act together. I hope it happens.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Good point on the intensity. Watching NDSU tonight really shines a spotlight on what I have not been seeing with SDSU. The Bison do not look intimidated and they are being the aggressors. Braun's big dunk set the tone early. Of course, it does not hurt that UM has missed a few relatively easy shots. They were red-hot against us (certainly part of that was due to our lack of defense).

Your observations continue to be true into the second half...now there's 6:13 left in the game and UM up 59-47. Minnesota still not shooting as well as they did against SDSU but they're starting to heat up. I agree that their shooting percentage is affected by the NDSU defense (and was "positively" affected by the SDSU defense). Even so, on plays when NDSU not playing great defense (at time they have played some nice defense), Minnesota shots not falling at the same pace as against SDSU.

L Alexander for NDSU looking about as good as I've seen him play. Braun really belongs on that court, too.

Minnesota pounded us underneath a few times and the Bison are contesting those shots a lot better.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Braun just fouled out with around five to go. Well, that's a consequence of the tough, aggressive defense. No question there was a foul: Braun was all over the guy trying to stop him from getting a shot.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

As long as we have a timeout....

Okay, call me a homer but comparing the Jackrabbits to the Bison (I've watched the Bison play twice this year and listened to a couple other games on the radio): Up to now, we've been missing intensity -- the Bison have it. Have to give the nod to the Bison if both teams continue to play as they have so far this season. BUT teams change. If the Jacks can find that intensity and play defense the way Nagy knows they can, we'll beat this Bison team. It'll be a battle but I wouldn't vote against the Jackrabbits. We're 8-3 without a lot of intensity.

Added later: I also think Nate and company will draw lots of fouls from the Bison and NDSU will be another team watching us score more free throws than they have appearances at the charity stripe.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Game winding down.
UM 70, NDSU 57 with :38.7 left in the game. Benches now out on the floor.

[rabbitfarmer]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Felt sucks 0-7

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

And that's the final. 70-57.

Actually, I thought the Bison looked pretty good for much of the game. A 13-pt margin is probably a fair measure and that's not bad because the Gophers are proving to be very good this year.

Right now, I'd put the Summit League target on their backs for a while.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Yeah, Felt was really off. He just hasn't developed like they had hoped when recruited. He can still get hot but tonight showed he can still be very cold, too.

[jackmd]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Far from impressed by the Bison. Not that talented. Play hard because they absolutely have to. Jacks could use some of their intensity but I'll take our talent over theirs.

[OldHare]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

Minnesota defense forced NDSU to take some ill advised shots as well. They handled pressure fairly well, but Minnesota has a tough defense. NDSU tried to answer with defense, but they had some fouls and Gophers started knocking down more outside shots as well. The bison had some foul troubles in each half. The first half seemed as though Gophers had big edge on offensive rebounds. I would not concede any games to the bison yet. A healthy Jack team might surprise some when the conference starts.

[JackJD]

Re: NDSU at Minnesota

I agree with JackMD and OldHare. For now, I think its fine some people think the top team in the Summit is NDSU...let them have the target for a while. We get healthy and play like we can...we'll be just fine.

I do like that intensity the Bison demonstrate -- JackMD is right in noting that they must play with intensity to make up for some deficiencies but still, I thought they looked okay tonight.