Michigan GDT

[NoVaJack]

Re: Michigan GDT

For some players, the game is just too big, and Chad White should of stayed home.

Way too harsh. As said elsewhere, we wouldn't have been there without him. We wouldn't have rescued that early part of the season without him, either. Both teams were playing disruptive defense specifically to attack the other teams' strengths. Their secondary guys were awfully, awfully good. This was the top-ranked team in the country for a reason. If they stay as hot as they were against us they might run the table.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Michigan GDT

Last night there was a lot of disappointment that we just didn't give Michigan our best shot. I think we all felt (right, wrong, or through blue-colored glasses) that we would play well against Michigan. There were lots of reasons to think that. We returned essentially the same team as last year, we had a team dominated by upper classmen, Michigan was young, Michigan's defense is suspect, and the Nater effect. It never occurred to me and I suspect many Jacks fans that we wouldn't play well and be a reasonably easy out.

Well, the sun came up today and it was right on time. Today, I am back to feeling the pride that I had all week and before the game. Truth is it never left just the emotion of the game took over. What an amazing run this team has had over the last two seasons! Thanks to Tony and Nate for moving the bar up a few notches this year as seniors. They carried on where Griff left off last year. Both of them will be missed in a Jacks uniform but are going to go on to much bigger and better things in life. Obviously Nate left an impression that has become instant legend not only at SDSU but in the conference, the state, and even the NCAA. It has been a real treat to have had the opportunity to watch him develop into the player he has become. We may never have the opportunity to see anyone like him again. That is for the future. They leave as seniors on a team that was the first to win a regular season conference title, the first to win the Summit League Tournament not once but twice, qualify for the NCAA tournament, and beat a ranked team in New Mexico. Not to mention individual numbers for Nate that have never been equalled by anyone in the NCAA since they kept stats on assists. First ever with 2,000 points, 600 rebounds, and 600 assists. It's safe to say we will never say that again. All that said, the best thing about these two fine young men is that they are better people off the court than they are on it.

Today I am just thankful and proud to be a fan of these players, this coaching staff, Jackrabbit athletics, and South Dakota State University. That was a season for the ages and something that will never be forgotten.

Sadly we turn the page today on the careers of Nate and Tony. At the same time, we must still all be excited for what the program has become, the great players we have coming back, the recruits that are coming to make their impact on the program, and whatever the future holds for MBB at SDSU.

Well played gentlemen!

SUPERBUNNY

[NoVaJack]

Re: Michigan GDT

Guys lets be honest here. We missed our shots. We had plenty of good looks,. Sometimes that happens.....its basketball. We make a couple more threes in the first half its a completely different game.

And the TV timeouts are LONG. You really notice it when your sitting in the arena.

This. There was a stretch midway through the second half where the deficit was single digits (think it was nine) and we missed two wide open threes and gave up two breakaways on bad passes. Make those two and eliminate the bad passes and it's an even game with about 12 to go. Our shot selection could have stayed more deliberate.

[JackJD]

Re: Michigan GDT

We know that fans of other schools visit other message boards. So, fans of other schools reading this thread: take note that sentiments expressed by the overwhelming posters on this thread are like those expressed by Superbunny. One fan took an unsupportable and unkind shot at White, a favorite player of many of us and a guy who may be the key to us returning next year to the dance. So, if you run back to your home fan board and report a melt-down on SDSUFans.com, you're sorely mistaken. We're damn proud of these guys...it's been a great ride this year...and next year we're going to shock the pants off everybody by having a different look but one that will be exciting and likely will get us to the dance again -- and if we don't get to the dance, the team will at least put us in position to be contending for that spot.

So run to your home boards and report that the crazy, delusional Bunnies on the Bunny Board are drinking the blue kool-aid again (JUST LIKE WE DID THIS YEAR).

[Nidaros]

Re: Michigan GDT

I think this is an accurate game summary.

I agree, but CBS panel reviewing the game had it right, in that if the stars dont do their thing, you dont win. It was quite simple for MU to make an effort to stop Wolters and make the other guys produce. I think if White could have connected on that air ball early on, it might have been a different game. Also overlooked was Wolters defensive effort against Burke.

The panel was having some fun with our mascot. The leader asked Kenny Smith if he had ever been close to a Jackrabbit and his reply was, no I haven't. I from New York City". Of course Sir Charles Barkley commented that rabbit tastes like chicken. I thought that was kind of funny. Good exposure for South Dakota if nothing else.

[TK22867]

Re: Michigan GDT

We definitely wouldn't be here without Chad White, there is no debating that - see Summit Tourney. Didn't he hit a couple big shots against Baylor last year?

I think the problem with Chad's play last night, as recognized by others but probably put into less diplomatic terms, was that he was 100% ABSENT from last night game. Sure he missed some threes, but did you guys watch him on the defensive end? He was out of position on nearly every play, got beat on cuts to the basket several times, and failed to block out his man on several key defensive rebounding situations.

I think the frustration from certain posters is why was a sub not even considered? In fact, didn't Nagy pull Chad like 25 seconds into Nate the Great's IUPUI game for lack of effort and not being physical? If that's true, Nagy should have seen that coming when Chad got beat on a cut to the basket and had to foul on the very first posession, and then comes down the floor and shoots an airball.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Michigan GDT

I agree, but CBS panel reviewing the game had it right, in that if the stars dont do their thing, you dont win. It was quite simple for MU to make an effort to stop Wolters and make the other guys produce. I think if White could have connected on that air ball early on, it might have been a different game. Also overlooked was Wolters defensive effort against Burke.
.

I think in many ways that Nate may have actually helped his status as a prospect at the next level last night with his defensive effort. He really was tough on Burke and took him out of his game. From what I have heard or read the knock on Nate at the next level has to do with his defensive skills. He showed last night against the NCAA Player of the Year that he can falt-out defend. That will get noticed. His offensive stats speak for themselves and there is plenty of film out there of him scoring against top talent. He put on a defensive clinic last night.

SUPERBUNNY

[Kemo]

Re: Michigan GDT

Disappointed in the outcome of the game, but I looked at a few other scores and realized I could have been more disappointed.

In retrospect, we had a good season with quality individuals representing SDSU extremely well. We should be proud and thankful of this team.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Michigan GDT

I agree, but CBS panel reviewing the game had it right, in that if the stars dont do their thing, you dont win. It was quite simple for MU to make an effort to stop Wolters and make the other guys produce. I think if White could have connected on that air ball early on, it might have been a different game. Also overlooked was Wolters defensive effort against Burke.

The panel was having some fun with our mascot. The leader asked Kenny Smith if he had ever been close to a Jackrabbit and his reply was, no I haven't. I from New York City". Of course Sir Charles Barkley commented that rabbit tastes like chicken. I thought that was kind of funny. Good exposure for South Dakota if nothing else.

Good post.

Last night (and most nights) Michigan had more stars.

[2002jack]

Re: Michigan GDT

Disappointed in the outcome of the game, but I looked at a few other scores and realized I could have been more disappointed.

In retrospect, we had a good season with quality individuals representing SDSU extremely well. We should be proud and thankful of this team.

^^^^THIS. It was a great season. Looking back five years ago, I wasn't sure if we would ever participate in the tournament, now I am wondering if we will ever win a game in the tournament. We are a mid-major or even a low-major right now, we just have to accept what we are. It will be pretty rare for us to compete against B1G teams and the ACC. The focus is on building a program that can win Summit League titles, not National Championships. Mission Accomplished.

[rabidrabbit]

Re: Michigan GDT

Any one else notice the very high numbers of ball screens Michigan threw at Nate last night trying to free up Burke? Didn't work to well either.


http://nydailynews.com/sports/colleg...icle-1.1295685
"We were trying to make Glenn Robinson beat us. Unfortunately, he kind of did tonight."
—Jordan Dykstra

Quote of the night.


Jacks fans recognize that SDSU had to be completely "on" to have a chance to win vs UM. Jacks weren't totally on. Versus 250 + teams in D-I, Jacks may still have won. But a top 20, that gets the play of the season from a 3rd or 4th scorer, tough to handle.


Nate's defensive lock down on Burke was very solid. Michigan used 4 different guys to guard Nate. R-E-S-P-E-C-T from a top 20 team. It's still a loss, but Nate/Rabbits dictated that game.

[Southeast]

Re: Michigan GDT

^^^^THIS. It was a great season. The focus is on building a program that can win Summit League titles, not National Championships. Mission Accomplished.

Perspective. I completely agree. It's easy to forget this when the season ends with a loss. The dissapointment will fade and we'll be back to bragging about our back-to-back tournament run in no time. It is something to be very proud of in the short time we have been eligible.

[KUlawJack]

Re: Michigan GDT

I think in many ways that Nate may have actually helped his status as a prospect at the next level last night with his defensive effort. He really was tough on Burke and took him out of his game. From what I have heard or read the knock on Nate at the next level has to do with his defensive skills. He showed last night against the NCAA Player of the Year that he can falt-out defend. That will get noticed. His offensive stats speak for themselves and there is plenty of film out there of him scoring against top talent. He put on a defensive clinic last night.

SUPERBUNNY

Agree with all of this. Nate's defensive effort was spectacular. If anyone thinks he's too slow, they don't know what they're talking about.

[slosho]

Re: Michigan GDT

I'm gonna add one thing. Jacks fans represented today. The pregame rally at hoops was unreal. The place was so full of Jacks fans they were turning away Michigan fans. The band and DANCE TEAM stopped by and played the school song in the bar. Unreal experience today. If you weren't able to attend you missed out.

Disappointed we could not win. We needed some threes to drop and they never did.

FIFY.

[yoteforever]

Re: Michigan GDT

Congrats on an awesome season. Nuff said.