SWMS game thread

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: SWMS game thread

It's an exhibition game and the FB team is on fire.

[filbert]

Re: SWMS game thread

Is it odd that we are barely beating SWMS in hoops and I don't feel real concerned or overly excited either way about the game. Anybody else feel that way?

1) it's an exhibition,
2) it's 9/15 of our full-strength team.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: SWMS game thread

i know, i know.  I just found it odd.  I think it does have more to do with the football team than anything.  Either way.....Cadwell = Stud.

[filbert]

Re: SWMS game thread

Nagy and Kai Williams:

Kai:
It wasn't the greatest start by us but it was good to get out there and start playing. We were short-handed tonight but things like that happen and you just have to deal with it. I'll play anywhere I have to, whatever we'll need. I can't wait to get it started and get things rolling. You want to play people who are good, who were in the tournament, you might as well get started right away.

I don't mind playing defense--it's tough and you have to work hard but it's definitely something you have to do.

Nagy:
With the way we're set up right now, we'll have to play Kai a lot inside, it's not his position. He'll have some games where he struggles but he's a good leaper. There will be some ups and downs for him as a freshman.

Everybody knew the ball would be in Cadwell's hands at the end of the game. I don't know if I've ever coached a kid who hits shots like he does. We only played him 26 minutes.

It was tough because Mark Engen was in foul trouble most of the game. We have Thomas, Mark, and Kai. It'll help to get Mike Loney back. I'm disappointed we got beat by 10 on the glass--we've always been a great rebounding team. It will be a struggle this year, we'll need a lot of people who will help.

I don't think we'll have this lineup the rest of the year, with Garrett, Mike, and Blake out, that's two and maybe three starters out. It was great for the other players to go through a game like this. Bassett played great in the second half, really pleased. Really pleased with how Kai played. I thought Andy played well. He's relaxed, having more fun, just a different player for us this year.

Having these people down really helps us, gets some of the other guys some playing time. Another guy who I thought did a good job was Jose off the bench.

Mike will probably be ready to play Sunday Night, Blake might be ready for Kent State. We've been playing with Garrett in practice at the point all this time in practice--we haven't spent any time with Matt there. I thought the guys did a real good job.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: SWMS game thread

Coach doesn't say anything about Mario Brandon's or Bob Bilitz return to the team. Anybody know anything?

[1bunnies]

Re: SWMS game thread

I heard at the game that Bilitz has some academic issues. They also said the Brandon just didn't show up. Something must be up there.

[Haldersham]

Re: SWMS game thread

64-58...3:45 to go

Everything we've heard about Kai Williams sure seems to be accurate...he's the real deal.  Amazing performance for a freshman's first game.

I was at the game. Williams is the real deal. Tom Bassett is showing promise in just one game.

[thebluehatman]

Re: SWMS game thread

Was a interesting game to watch. Bob is probably out until December. Kai was a stud and Caddy took over the game. Basset made his presence known. It will be a great team to watch Sunday. Loney should be back then. Otherwise, not a bad student crowd. Nagy kept subbing in the freshmen on a steady basis.

[thebluehatman]

Re: SWMS game thread

Crowd size of 1544 for the guys game.

[Jacked_Up]

Re: SWMS game thread

I hope that Mario Brandon is still around. The Jacks need his experience (jr.) and height (6-5). Without Loney and Bilitz, this is a small team. Even with those two guys, it will be young team. As a senior, Kleinjan will have a share a lot of the leadership. He seems capable of that. He's also got the ability to score in bunches and take some of the heat off Cadwell.

[89rabbit]

Re: SWMS game thread

From the Argus:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...60/1002/SPORTS

Injury bug stings SDSU basketball

By Terry Vandrovec
tvandrovec@argusleader.com
PUBLISHED: November 1, 2006

(T)he South Dakota State basketball teams opened the exhibition schedule by sweeping a pair of NCAA Division II opponents Tuesday night in the only home doubleheader of the season.

The scouting report? It's secondary to the injury report. Both teams won, but the breaks so far haven't been good.

The men were missing three starters, most notably true freshman point guard Garrett Callahan, who will miss four weeks after breaking his right hand (it's in a cast) during practice Friday. . . .

Meanwhile, the men didn't have many options. They dressed only nine players, including four freshmen.

Projected starters Callahan, redshirt freshman forward Blake Yackley (high ankle sprain) and junior forward Mike Loney (deep thigh bruise) didn't play in a 67-64 victory against Southwest Minnesota State. Plus, junior forward Mario Brandon was not with the team because he's tending to family issues.

So what did Jacks coach Scott Nagy learn? That Matt Cadwell can still play; the team's top returning scorer posted 16 of his 23 points in the second half and hit the game winner - a 3-pointer - at the buzzer over a defender from the right elbow.

"I don't expect we'll be this shorthanded the rest of the year," Nagy said. "At least. I hope not." (read more)


Go State!

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: SWMS game thread

For the first time in 3 years, I actually feel good about the future of the basketball team. I know, I know, we only beat SMSU by 2. But we have basketball players again. I saw smart plays, teamwork, chemistry, ball movement, etc...

I was impressed with Kai. Like Coach Nagy said, he will have ups and downs as a freshman, but the potential is definitely there.

Cadwell is Cadwell. He did what he do.

If we can keep people eligible and enrolled, I like where this team could be in 2 years.

[filbert]

Re: SWMS game thread

I hope that Mario Brandon is still around. The Jacks need his experience (jr.) and height (6-5). Without Loney and Bilitz, this is a small team. Even with those two guys, it will be young team. As a senior, Kleinjan will have a share a lot of the leadership. He seems capable of that. He's also got the ability to score in bunches and take some of the heat off Cadwell.

From Terry V's article:

Plus, junior forward Mario Brandon was not with the team because he's tending to family issues.

[jackmd]

Re: SWMS game thread

Lots of growing pains can be expected. Key will be not to get frustrated (I'm telling myself this every minute of last nights game). Nagy was really counting on a dynamic 3 guard attack lead by Cadwell and Callahan, now that will be delayed.

The frontcourt is going to struggle big time. Bassett is a stud but he is only 6'5", Engen is a work in progress and I mean a lot of work. Williams is not a 4 but will have to spend some time at that spot.

Don't know what to say about Brandon except that he isn't on the court.

Growing pains for sure but if we can keep these young kids focused on a team effort there will be improvement each week. Thats all we should expect right now.

[EQguy]

Re: SWMS game thread

Engen is a work in progress and I mean a lot of work.

I agree but I also remember Ben Beren spent a lot of his first games in foul trouble. He didn't turn out too bad!