Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Doc,
I would probably be out in front of you if this had been a regular season game. Then we could throw in a bunch of things about why in he** was the substition patterns the way the were, etc. But this was an exhibition. If the next game resembles this, then it is a different story. That being said, I expect the Jacks team in the last game of the season would blow away the team that plays the U of Mary.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

The men ran one set play last night. One. And that play resulted in a bucket. The rest was just pass it around until somebody's open.

[jackmd]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

While I would certainly concur that more court time will be necessary to make a judgement on the abilities of this team, I was concerned as anyone when I tuned in to find it such a close ballgame. I didn't even hear about the early lead by the Jacks until I read Terry's game blog, so you can imagine that I was very surprised and concerned.

For now I'm willing to chaulk it up to playing everyone, knocking the rust off, playing in a glorified scrimmmage setting in front of a small crowd. Talk to me in January and we'll see how we all feel then.

-JackrabbitGuy

Succinct, honest, I like it.

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

While I would certainly concur that more court time will be necessary to make a judgement on the abilities of this team, I was concerned as anyone when I tuned in to find it such a close ballgame. I didn't even hear about the early lead by the Jacks until I read Terry's game blog, so you can imagine that I was very surprised and concerned.

For now I'm willing to chaulk it up to playing everyone, knocking the rust off, playing in a glorified scrimmmage setting in front of a small crowd. Talk to me in January and we'll see how we all feel then.

-JackrabbitGuy

[jackmd]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Overall, I think they showed some things they can build on. I think peopel need to remember they are going to be starting either 2 freshman at the guard position or one soph and one freshman. Then throw in an experienced 3 man that is only a soph. We are bound to go through some growing pains at the beginning of the year with that youth seeing so many minutes. I have posted it before, I think we can expect some struggles at the beginning, but by the end of the year this team will look night and day different because of the youth being forced to grow up.

Excellent insight and I agree in full. I just thought we could walk over a DWU team regardless. I've played a lot of ball with guys I'm not familiar with and its definitely harder than playing with an experienced team. I don't need any convincing from anyone who posts on this board or otherwise, the team will be playing games that count soon enough. In the meantime I'll remained concerned. Maybe I'm the only guy who is concerned, that seems unlikely though.

Next game, Monday the 12th U of Mary at Frost. This one counts.

[HoboD]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Im going to be positive and accept the Coaches approach to how he handled the game with two exceptions:
1. The score and winning IS important for ANY game and especially a home game. Winning is a marketing tool. It builds enthusiasm for the product which in this case is ticket sales for the rest of the season and I would think to some extent for recruiting.
2. If you are really not concerned about the final score, THEN DONT SCHEDULE EXHIBITIONS AGAINST IN STATE SCHOOLS! Bring in schools from out of state so that if we do lose it isnt perceived as a big deal.

[jackmd]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Are we comparing scores in exhibition? Let's all meet at the campanile tonight and jump off of the top because our men's basketball team in going to go 0-30 this year. This was equivalent to a practice. The Jacks did not prepare for DWU. They played everyone. Had we played our normal rotation we would have won by 30.

Thats what we have to compare right now. We could compare the last couple of seasons but I think we all agree that we should leave the difficulties related to the transition thus far behind.

I'm talking about this game because this is where we are right now. We just barely got by DWU in an exhibition game. Believe what you want but the casual college BB fan at HyVee and Subway are certain that USD has a much better men's program than SDSU right now, I just overheard them talking about it. Did I volunteer my opinion? Could I argue strongly otherwise? Would I have facts to support that argument?

I guess we will see, at least indirectly.

[ViciousCircle]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

I think some of the comments are a bit harsh.

I was at the game, and did not think they looked too bad at all.

Some people are failing to realize that at times we had four subs in with only Callahan (who was struggling mightily) on the floor for 4-5 minute stretches. That is not a knock on Callahan at all, he did some nice things, some good passes throughout the game.

When the Starting five, or Pallarca at the 1 with Sargent, Kai, Berte and Beran put together stretches the team looked good. I think the Jacks had a chance to bury them in the first half if it had not been for the subbing. But, you can't fault Nagy for subbing so much, it is an exhibition and this is the time to get a feel for how people are going to react in a game situation.

As for SDSU not being physical enough. I don't think it is possible to judge that with the way the game was officiated. It was definitely officiated more like a lower level GPAC game than a D1 game. A lot of ticky tack fouls, that you would normally see let go. Playing physical was not an option for either team. Several players talked about the game being much less physical than they are taught to play in practice because of the foul situations.

Overall, I think they showed some things they can build on. I think peopel need to remember they are going to be starting either 2 freshman at the guard position or one soph and one freshman. Then throw in an experienced 3 man that is only a soph. We are bound to go through some growing pains at the beginning of the year with that youth seeing so many minutes. I have posted it before, I think we can expect some struggles at the beginning, but by the end of the year this team will look night and day different because of the youth being forced to grow up.

Defensively, I thought Pallarca and Sargent played very well. The posts seemed to struggle with the quickness of DW smaller players. The middle of the lane was wide open, because all of their players stepped out to shoot three's.

[jackmd]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Someone needs to bring a perspective other than thing look like they will be better this year. I'll be that guy for now. Things can't be worse or we have even bigger problems than I imagined.

I listened to the game on WNAX and Imming was a bit perplexed about our lack of defensive intensity and the inability to get easy shots against their defense given our size advantage. FT shooting was horrible. Refs were a little early to the whistle. I'll ask him his opinion face-to-face when we meet Monday. I'm sure he will be real but positive, he always is which is great.

I'm not concerned about offending others when I'm critical about the performance of the team. Call me fanatic, call me obsessed, call me a jerk. I want nothing more than to see this team compete at the level they were expected to. If a 6 point win over DWU is where expectations are, I guess I haven't made the adjustment some others have.

I think Terry V. shared many of my sentiments, read his blog or ask him specifically about what he saw. Of course, I can't speak for him and I may be out of line. Stig and last years FB team helped me put my big foot in my even bigger mouth after the debacle that won't be directly referenced. I hope Nagy and his team do the same this year.

I don't see any harm in calling them out for a less then stellar performance last night. I'll say it again, I don't need to hear excuses. I understand what the game was about last night. We should have won by 20, going away or coming back, regardless of the game plan. Thats how I see it and thats what I expected. Onward an upward as they say.

[valleyrabbit]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Are we comparing scores in exhibition? Let's all meet at the campanile tonight and jump off of the top because our men's basketball team in going to go 0-30 this year. This was equivalent to a practice. The Jacks did not prepare for DWU. They played everyone. Had we played our normal rotation we would have won by 30.

[joeboo22]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

DWU could probally beat Bemiji State so I wouldn't use that as an example..... The way it sounded to me was like the bigs couldn't handle the fact that they were actually bigger then the people defending them, some of that is nerves some is refs, some of it is it is hard to play physical when they are 5 inches shorter then you and also you have to remember that DWU is a small team they are use to taking charges they will probally play zone almost all the time this year so they are use to there defense they have had practices longer and play great TEAM....

[Cadsev]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

My take....first off the attitude of the team was this is an exhibition and thats the effort we are going to give. There were some bright moments but they should have pounded DWU by 20+. Hats off to DWU for competing the entire game. Last years SD HS leading scorer (Chase Walder) looked comfortable as ever scoring 16+ points in his first collegiate game.

Ok some SDSU points:

1.) Kai Williams can lead and carry this team, however he needs to strap it on all the time and not give a subpar performance. The kid has talent, but he couldn't have guarded me last night and I suck. It just looked to me like he was going to give enough for the team to win and I'll attribute that to only being a Sophomore. Accept your leadership status and bring it every night every game if you want success for your team.

2.) Clint Sargent competed and played a solid game. He hit some much needed big shots and provided the only consistency from the perimeter. Still it will affect his scoring if he has to play the 1 against good teams. He may not get the ball back.

3.) The fresheman, Moss, Cordova and Parcala looked good at times but who knows who is redshirting or playing. Obviously Cordova will play and my guess is that Parcala will as well. Moss most likely redshirts which is ok since they are playing for nothing.

Overall, too many substitutions for anyone to get into a flow. The officiating was God awful. The three guys forgot that people were there to see the athletes not them. 45+ fouls in a game that was far from physical was ridiculous. No flow ever to the game, every trip up the floor a foul called. This helped DWU keep it close even if the fouls were 7-2 against them in the first half. It disrupted the flow of the game. Those three officials should be back at the HS level. The substitutions were done for a reason and I can't imagine that happens in the regular season. The exhibition tag is like an organized scrimmage, yes it matters to some extent but I don't see it as a big deal so much. Play that way during a real game then you have issues.

Key stats of the game.......way too many missed free throws. I'm guessing there are many being shot today.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Here is what I am hearing. We barely beat an NAIA DII team but we learned alot about our team. What did we learn?

NDSU won by 30 over a NCAA DII team. Does that mean they didn't learn as much about their team and just went out and kicked a lesser teams butt?

I'm not buying it. This was a poor performance and better not be reflective of the problems that seemed apparent for the last 30 minutes of the game. You can't come out and play 10 intense minutes and call it a game. I'm getting tired on Coach Nagy's comments about not worrying about scores and who wins the game. What really is the point of trying to improve? I would say the purpose is to help you "win the game!!!!!"

I don't need anyone to tell me the sky isn't falling. It fell already. We need to rebuild the roof on the house that collapsed when it did. Last night wasn't much of a foundation builder. Sorry for the cliches.

Jeez, Jackmd, you are certainly entitled to your opinion but your comments might be a bit harsh. I saw this salvo was fired when I was typing my thoughts on the game. Where you even at the game or listen to it on the radio?

On paper, the result was horrible but it wasn't like the starting five all saw 30 minutes of time. If all you did was pick up a paper this morning, the natural reaction would be to say it's going to be a rough year again. That is why I posted my summary. The game wasn't what it appeared at face value.

Maybe others can chime in on what they saw. What did Imming say on the radio?

After the last few years, Nagy needs to turn the corner. I'm sure he feels that.

For now, I'll look at the glass as half full. You look like you need a refill!

SUPERBUNNY

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

My thoughts on the game are similar to Btownjack's. We came out and looked great for the first 10 minutes of the game and then went flat. His comments were on the mark.

It was puzzling to me how we struggled to get the ball inside against a team that was much smaller. It was an exhibition so I'll take it for what it's worth. They may have been focused on other things in their game plan. They did turn up the intensity at the end and came out on top but not to sugarcoat things, that is a team that we need to blow out! Nagy played a ton of guys (16 were dressed and I think 13 played) which is what he said he would do going in to the game to figure out where everyone will fit.

Also, I did see a number of things to be positive about. Here they are:

1. Kai Williams looked awesome at times. You can tell he has improved a lot is going to be an absolute force. Just a smooth looking player that has a lot of tools. He was hot early which had everyone pumped up. He went flat for a while until late in the game. Defensively it wasn't his best but everything will improve. Going to be fun to watch him for 3 more seasons. The dunk he had was just sick!

2. Ben Beran had a quiet 16 points but looked good to me. It is great to have him back on the court. He will be a consistent player this year. Would have loved to see the ball get to him inside more, he could have scored a bunch.

3. Clint Sargent played a great game. He is going to be a great player for SDSU. Good size for a guard and a very quick shot from the outsife and a great stroke! You wouldn't have known he was a freshman!

4. Dale Moss is a great athlete. He is going to be fun to watch. When he gets more comfortable in the system, he is going to be a great player.

5. Michael Pallarca provided a nice spark at times. This kid has serious wheels! He will be fun to watch in the open court.

6. OVERALL ATHLETICISM. This team is completely different than the teams over the last few years. The returning players have all put on some muscle and the new additions are all extremely athletic. This team is bigger, stronger, faster, and deeper.

Those things all being said, you'd have thought we won by 30. The defensive effort wasn't there last night. That will change. The hallmark of Nagy's teams has always been defensive effort and I have no doubt he will get that effort out of this team.

These guys just need time playing together to become a cohesive team. Beran and Berte bring some experience back to the team but it is important to remember that they haven't been on the court for a while. I believe even more that this team is going to suprise some people.

Many will no doubt look at the result last night as a negative but I hope they keep an open mind.

Sorry for the length but hopefully some will find this helpful.

SUPERBUNNY

[jackmd]

Re: Dakota Wesleyan Game Thread

Here is what I am hearing. We barely beat an NAIA DII team but we learned alot about our team. What did we learn?

NDSU won by 30 over a NCAA DII team. Does that mean they didn't learn as much about their team and just went out and kicked a lesser teams butt?

I'm not buying it. This was a poor performance and better not be reflective of the problems that seemed apparent for the last 30 minutes of the game. You can't come out and play 10 intense minutes and call it a game. I'm getting tired on Coach Nagy's comments about not worrying about scores and who wins the game. What really is the point of trying to improve? I would say the purpose is to help you "win the game!!!!!"

I don't need anyone to tell me the sky isn't falling. It fell already. We need to rebuild the roof on the house that collapsed when it did. Last night wasn't much of a foundation builder. Sorry for the cliches.