U of Mary Game Thread

[propar80]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Amen to that propar! I just love it when we are playing the second game of the season, and somebody makes a statement like that. Doesn't take a genius to think that we need to get better fast, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that we need a better season this year for a number of reasons. But it's one thing to think that way, and another to be saying them at this stage. Yeh, we need to get better. Let's see if that happens. In the meantime, I appreciate jackmd for realizing the same thing.

There is no doubt that we will learn a lot more Saturday night when Montana comes to town, about where we stand (as of the third game of the season anyway).

I was at the game, and yes, it was an uncomfortable feeling. Seeing Kai have a real off night (and hit the floor HARD several times) wasn't fun. To ask Ben not to shoot when he is inside and has the ball, is not the answer IMHO, but he just could not quite get them over the front of the rim. AC hit the boards hard and looks to do a great job of getting into position for the rebounds. I believe Sargent will be an excellent player, but he didn't have a very good night either. Onward and upward...Go JACKS!

I will preface my reaction to rabbit_boy's post, with this: If we still look like this in a month, I will be on rabbit_boy's side.


Go Jacks!!

[jackmd]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Guys, how long do we have to wait? I mean Ben and Mo are gone at the end of the year and with Engen and Bassett being non-factors, we have to rebuild the front cout again. Sarge and Palarca maybe a couple of years away from being being consistently good players and by that time Kai maybe gone. Moss and cassady have potential but as many question marks and not one of the recruits impresses me. This SHOULD be our best year since going Div I and it is looking like less than stellar. What is the answer????????

Your frustration is well understood. It just doesn't do any good to be negative even when its an honest assesment. I think everyone who considers themselves a true Jackrabbit fan recognizes that things don't look good right now in the same way they recognize that men's basketball at SDSU has laid one big egg during the move to DI. I've made and read all the excuses so I won't rehash them now and ask that nobody else do that either.

Fact is, some people are talking about 15 plus wins for this team. I have never been one of them and I don't understand why anyone thinks this team is ready to win on a consistent basis. Sure, on paper, they look like group of players with some talent and the potential to succeed at the current level. However, the fact remains that they haven't proven anything this year and the recent past suggests that we won't be very good.

I remember the DII days when each game was a winnable one, I mean each and every game. Now, each game is a losable one, I mean each and every game. Tough pill to swallow so get a big glass of water.

This team is somewhere in the middle for now. To say 15 wins is ridiculous. To say worse than last year is ridiculous. This team is this team and right now they have a lot of work to do. I'm sticking with them through thick and thin. That doesn't mean I'm going to buy any of this foolishness about 15 wins. I just want to see us compete and I'm not sure we've really done that thus far this year.

[collegewatcher]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Just got back from the game, very sloppy on both sides of the ball. Thank goodness Mary's guards are terrible or it could have been worse. A couple of things that concern me were the decisions made by our young guards and the pure lack of confidence. Nobody looked like they wanted to shoot. The best thing about the night we won. Mary is not going to win a ton of games but we beat them. Hopefully we can find some swagger and confidence.

Mary went 9 - 18 last year, and is picked to finish 7th in the Northern Sun Conference of Division II.

[jackmd]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Mary went 9 - 18 last year, and is picked to finish 7th in the Northern Sun Conference of Division II.

Oh, I think everyone here knows Mary is no powerhouse. If you want to try and spin anything about DII to DI, don't do it. No one in the current NCC has close to the DII success we had in men's basketball. It doesn't necessarily translate to DI success, nor does mediocre performance predict DI failure. Look no further than the SU's to see that. I'll continue to say it doesn't matter who the opponent has been thus far, SDSU hasn't played like they should.

[sdsurulz08]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Oh, I think everyone here knows Mary is no powerhouse. If you want to try and spin anything about DII to DI, don't do it. No one in the current NCC has close to the DII success we had in men's basketball. It doesn't necessarily translate to DI success, nor does mediocre performance predict DI failure. Look no further than the SU's to see that. I'll continue to say it doesn't matter who the opponent has been thus far, SDSU hasn't played like they should.

We seem to never want it as much as the opponent does regardless of who is better on paper!

[Cadsev]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Ok went to the game tonight... few observations.

Once again strong start and lots of intensity. Then after a 12-0 run to start the game they lose momentum basically when they went to the bench. With the exception of Anthony Cordova ... poor bench play tonight.

This team desperately needs to learn to play hard for 40 minutes. The guard play sucked again tonight. Twenty-one+ turnovers and 50% free throw shooting spells doom against quality opponents. I realize the team is young but there are far too many unforced mistakes being made during the game.

I hear they are practicing solid and playing hard in practice now bring that intensity to the court. I look first to Kai Williams. Kid you have talent and are the expectant leader of the team. Time to put on the big boy pants and play to your level. Enough half speed already...leave it out on the floor each time you step on the floor. Saving it for Montana isn't going to work. You need to strap it on all the time.

The team lacks a consistent outside shooter besides Clint Sergant. He's not enough to carry the load. They need more perimeter scorers...there are some in HS out there available..ah hem Jordan Miller, Michael Felt (Junior at Redwood Falls, MN). Time to start figuring out how to get these kids signed.

This is a DI program. If you don't have the studs to get it done then go get the players. Figure out some things and get it done. This team is in trouble, they haven't performed well when it counts and it gets very difficult Saturday night. They play a decent DI program led by a SD kid who will come into Frost with something to prove. He's a big game player and Saturday night will mean a ton to Matt Martin. SDSU doesn't seem to have anyone who wants to defend and after watching the play tonight I tend to agree with JackMD more and more.

In order to have success they need to find a way to increase the intensity, maintain the intensity, cut down the turnovers against poor teams and make freethrows. Otherwise things won't be pretty in Brookings.

[BTownJack]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Thomas Bassett didn't look like he was terribly interested in being on the team. That's too bad, we'll need his size and strength at some point this year. I hope he achieves a successful attitude adjustment.

I will agree with Filbert on this and say that Basset's attitude was pathetic tonight. He needs to figure something out.

[JackJD]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Amen to that propar! I just love it when we are playing the second game of the season, and somebody makes a statement like that. Doesn't take a genius to think that we need to get better fast, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that we need a better season this year for a number of reasons. But it's one thing to think that way, and another to be saying them at this stage. Yeh, we need to get better. Let's see if that happens. In the meantime, I appreciate jackmd for realizing the same thing.

There is no doubt that we will learn a lot more Saturday night when Montana comes to town, about where we stand (as of the third game of the season anyway).

I was at the game, and yes, it was an uncomfortable feeling. Seeing Kai have a real off night (and hit the floor HARD several times) wasn't fun. To ask Ben not to shoot when he is inside and has the ball, is not the answer IMHO, but he just could not quite get them over the front of the rim. AC hit the boards hard and looks to do a great job of getting into position for the rebounds. I believe Sargent will be an excellent player, but he didn't have a very good night either. Onward and upward...Go JACKS!

And AMEN! to Jacks#1Fan...a voice of reason. Rep points. Everyone needs to take a breath. This team has talent. They're young so that means it will take a little time but if those players are willing to put in the effort, wins will come. Listen to Nagy, he's giving hints of his own optimism, hints we didn't hear the past couple of years.

Every time I start getting pesimistic, I just think back to all the Chicken Littles (yep, me too) posting on this message board after the first three games of Andy Kardoes's senior year on the gridiron. We would have elected him President just a few weeks later (you know, not a half-bad idea considering...but I digress).

IT'S A WIN! One game at a time. Let's get a W against Montana.

[1bunnies]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

And AMEN! to Jacks#1Fan...a voice of reason. Rep points. Everyone needs to take a breath. This team has talent. They're young so that means it will take a little time but if those players are willing to put in the effort, wins will come. Listen to Nagy, he's giving hints of his own optimism, hints we didn't hear the past couple of years.

Every time I start getting pesimistic, I just think back to all the Chicken Littles (yep, me too) posting on this message board after the first three games of Andy Kardoes's senior year on the gridiron. We would have elected him President just a few weeks later (you know, not a half-bad idea considering...but I digress).

IT'S A WIN! One game at a time. Let's get a W against Montana.

I agree JackJD. One thing all of us need a little more of is patience. Good things come to those who wait. Go Jacks. We will be alright.

[jack power]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

I came home thinking the Jacks were 1-0, then i read this thread. Has anybody heard of playing down to your competition? After watching both games this year, thats what it looks like to me.

A few opinions:
Kai- Started off scoring well, just like the DW game. Keep going the WHOLE game.... its ok to bury a team.
Ben- Needs to keep doing what hes doing... just finish your "bunnies"
Garrett- Might be trying to force things a bit
Clint- Has a great future, by far the best shooting guard, but the problem is if you don't shoot it, it can't go in
Team- Quit worrying about missing free throws... their not going in anyway. Just relax and put the ball in hole.

Coaches- There is a time to yell at and a time to teach the players... perhaps try a little more of the latter...they are young

[Nidaros]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Gosh have no time to read this thread this morning, but did have time to take the game in.

I think patience is the word in my mind. We have talent, it needs time to develop. Cordova looks to me to be more than a former name of a Dodge car. I like his aggressiveness and I have high hopes for him on the floor. Maybe the scoreboard people should try to find those old 1970's commericals with Estes Montivon? Not sure of the name or spelling. You know, the guy who had the sitcom about an island and also included a short man. We could play them when Cordova a spectular play and I have a feeling there will be many.

There is no question, the team is work in progress, but I dont expect any shutdowns this season. The machine is tooled and ready to run. The new kids are very coachable.

Rabbit boy, I have had my moments of impatience, but making coaching changes is not the answer, unless you have a public scandal, that makes the student athletes want to leave the institution. We dont have that so we are better off with the status quo. Any new coach would have to start over and with everything. At least Coach Nagy knows what the institution wants in terms of an athletic program. A new coach would have learn all that and some, and he is not likely to bring fiver or more NBA potential athletes with him which would instantly produce a 20 win season and the Big Dance. Its just wont happen at SDSU unless you have millions to shell out in coaching salary. End of my rant this AM

[Grizzled_Jack]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

For the record it was a Chrysler Cordoba pitched by Ricardo Montalban..."Soft Corinthian Leather"


Bonus Ricardo Montalban quote-o-the-day:

" Hollywood does not write parts for people like me, an elderly gentleman, and when they find out you're crippled, forget about it. No, I'll never work again. "

[BTownJack]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Here is Terry's write up in the Argus:

Young Jackrabbits Win
SDSU defeats Mary despite turnovers, poor free-throw shooting

By Terry Vandrovec

BROOKINGS - South Dakota State scheduled a game against an NCAA Division II team in an attempt to gain confidence.

That didn't necessarily happen Monday, but the Jackrabbits did beat the University of Mary 61-54 before a crowd of 1,367 at Frost Arena, winning their season opener for the first time in their Division I history.

Even in a contest that featured as many turnovers as field goals (44), it was obvious that SDSU, with the addition of seven new faces and two recycled one, has better parts than it did last year.

But, just as clearly, those parts are not used to working together - nor are they accustomed to the college level.

Maybe the two most telling stats: The Jacks committed 23 turnovers with just 10 assists and went 17 of 32 from the free-throw line.

"I look out there and almost the entire game there's three freshmen on the floor, and that's where we're at," said Coach Scott Nagy, whose club hadn't opened a season at home since 1999. "I can't change that we had a lot of people leave us and put us in this situation. Our freshmen are good, but things aren't going to flow early.

(read more)

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

And AMEN! to Jacks#1Fan...a voice of reason. Rep points. Everyone needs to take a breath. This team has talent. They're young so that means it will take a little time but if those players are willing to put in the effort, wins will come. Listen to Nagy, he's giving hints of his own optimism, hints we didn't hear the past couple of years.

Every time I start getting pesimistic, I just think back to all the Chicken Littles (yep, me too) posting on this message board after the first three games of Andy Kardoes's senior year on the gridiron. We would have elected him President just a few weeks later (you know, not a half-bad idea considering...but I digress).

IT'S A WIN! One game at a time. Let's get a W against Montana.

I've said enough on this subject already, JackJD, but your comments about Kardoes reminded me to look back at some of the early football posts this year, on the need to dump Berry at quarterback after he had a bad first game at WIU, and ditto for comments about Dean Priddy, our kicker. Looks like a little patience was needed, as I don't see those comments today. We all have high aspirations for this team (maybe too high and too unrealistic in some ways), but I know this...we are a much better basketball team this year. I'll swallow the sword if time proves me wrong.

[FarSouthBison]

Re: U of Mary Game Thread

Let me start by saying i was at the game last night. What should of been a blowout by the Jacks didn't happen. In one of the posts it was said that Mary wasn't a very good team, did you look and see how young they are. I take it that the player from Canada on the Jacks team is one of or not the best player for them, and you guy's said he had a off night, well from what i seen I think that some of the Mary defence on him was very good and that was why he didn't light them up. My over all thoughts on the Jacks team, going to be a long year for the fans.