U of Minnesota Game Thread

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I agree with astat. I'm not trying to be critical of the effort Mack or Michael give each game. They do the best they can. They just aren't as good as what we need to really compete at this level. That said, they are going to see playing time so I'm going to support them.

The point of my comments was on astat's failure to broaden his view a little on scorers...I stick by that belief and think he has agreed to that. I didn't stick Casey's name in to call him a scorer, but only that the fact that he did score pretty well against the defending conference champions gets him a little respect, in addition to his very solid numbers on turnovers. Could we use a better point guard...sure, just like we could use some better players at other positions as well. OK...enough from me, and I agree with you that we have what we have, for now at least.

[jackmd]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I agree with astat. I'm not trying to be critical of the effort Mack or Michael give each game. They do the best they can. They just aren't as good as what we need to really compete at this level. That said, they are going to see playing time so I'm going to support them.

[astat32]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I think you are being a little narrow on your take on our scorers astat32. I think we have several people you didn't mention who aren't or won't be scorers. First, let me say, that we have three go-to people, although I know Kai has been struggling. But I don't think anybody would write him off as a non-scorer. Even with some problems this year, he scored 20 (Central Ark), 16 (Central Florida), 13 (San Jose) and 13 (Drake).

In addition to our go-to players,Garrett, Clint and Kai, I think we have some other emerging possibilities. Remember that Josh Cassaday hasn't had a lot of playing time due to injuries, but he is really coming on and had 14 points against Oral Roberts, and I think will only get better. In addition, Anthony Cordova is improving rapidly and had 13 against San Jose, and 8 points and 5 rebounds against Central Florida. With Griffan Callahan joining us soon, I think we will have another shooter as he gets into the flow.

And I know Mackenzie takes some knocks, but in addition to his low turnovers, he did score 12 points against Oral Roberts. Add in "role" players, who will get a few points and I think we're not in bad shape. Not many teams have more than three "prolific" scorers, and I think for the others, additional playing time is/will result in others chipping in.

I do agree about Kai being a scorer, and Cordova has blown me away this year. What is troublsome for AC is that he is only 6 foot 6 and at the D1 level that is generally a 3 or 4 mans height, not center. And AC has done wonders there. Your Cassidy point was also very valid, I just don't see his outside game that polished and i think that hinders him from being a legit scorer.

I just don't think Casey or Palarca have much business being out on the floor. They handle the ball and play great D, but absolutely kill us offensively. Sure Casey had a 12 point game, well Linas Klieza for the Nuggets had a 42 point game last year. I mean it all comes down to consistancy and I see none of it out of our point guard spots and in the end I think it ends up prohibiting the Jacks from winning more games

[jack power]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

Cordova threw that pass. Kai cut to the hoop and Cordova threw a bounce pass between 2 defenders. If the pass was 1 second later, I agree it would have been a hugh dunk.

Even if that pass was on target,it would have taken a major league catcher to snag that bullet.

[91jack]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I agree. It was great to see Kai shoot the ball 16 times, even if only 2 went in. As stated, they will start to go in more and more. I remember one play as well where Kai drove the lane behind the UM defense (can't remember if it was a give and go or not) but the pass to Kai was to far ahead of him and went out of bounds. That would have been a huge dunk.

Cordova threw that pass. Kai cut to the hoop and Cordova threw a bounce pass between 2 defenders. If the pass was 1 second later, I agree it would have been a hugh dunk.

[91jack]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

[QUOTE=goon;98497]I agree. It seems we are just a few pieces short. We have 3 players on any given night could be the leading scorer and all getting 15 or more a game. No I don't expect one of them to constantly put up 25 plus point outings but atleast 3 players on this team should be able to do so. The role players are still factors. just getting into a flow with everyone and role players knowing what shots to take and how to score will only help. This team has had no where to go but up for the last several years and I feel that they have less depth this year and experience but yet i think they are a better team.

I don't really agree about "less depth this year and experience".
Depth- Berte was injured so you really can't count him. I think now that Cassaday is healthy, him and Casey will play as much as Beren and Loney. In 2 weeks, we'll add Griffen to the team. That will be 3 players to replace the 2 that left.
Experience- We lost 2 seniors but look at all the players that were freshmen/So's last year. Would you rather have 2 Sr's, 3 Soph's and 5 freshmen or 3 Jr's, 5 So's and 1 red-shirt Fr? That's 9 years of added experience that at least equals losing 2 players. I think adding another year of experience is more important that having 2 seniors. That's just my opinion of it though.
The rest of your post, I agree with completely.

[RowdyRabbit]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

Relaxing and shopping at MOA? Impossible for the two to go together. Of course college athletes are much better of focusing on task at hand and ignoring distractions than I ever was, so maybe they could do it.

Especially this time of year....blech...

[1stRowFANatic]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

So the team are on their way to Denver for the game after having a few hours of relaxation and shopping for Christmas Presents at the "mall of america" they get to go to a NBA game too, later in the evening on Saturday so hoping they come back relaxed and ready to have a great game at Frost next week.

Relaxing and shopping at MOA? Impossible for the two to go together. Of course college athletes are much better of focusing on task at hand and ignoring distractions than I ever was, so maybe they could do it.

[bballfan54]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

So the team are on their way to Denver for the game after having a few hours of relaxation and shopping for Christmas Presents at the "mall of america" they get to go to a NBA game too, later in the evening on Saturday so hoping they come back relaxed and ready to have a great game at Frost next week.

[Nidaros]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I am convinced that I have nothing to say on this topic that has not been said more than once. Still early in the season, and if Coach Nagy can get his guys to believe in themselves, the whole program will improve.

[RowdyRabbit]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

Some may disagree, but I was pleased to see Kai get some more shots up last night. Sometimes it seems like he could be a little more aggressive and he showed he could be aggressive last night. In the past, my philosophy was that a "bad" shot by Kai was better than a "good" shot by almost everyone else...save a couple. So, I was always frustrated that he didn't shoot more and last night he forced the issue a bit more. I thought it was very encouraging because we all know he's going to have more shots start falling sooner or later. I believe Kai needs to keep his shot volume up and we will start to see more falling...then, look out 'cuz he's going to start putting up some numbers. It's nice to see us compete with ORU and Minnesota with Kai having an off game. It gives me some confidence that the team has made some strides in the last couple of years.

I agree. It was great to see Kai shoot the ball 16 times, even if only 2 went in. As stated, they will start to go in more and more. I remember one play as well where Kai drove the lane behind the UM defense (can't remember if it was a give and go or not) but the pass to Kai was to far ahead of him and went out of bounds. That would have been a huge dunk.

[RabbitinTea]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

Some may disagree, but I was pleased to see Kai get some more shots up last night. Sometimes it seems like he could be a little more aggressive and he showed he could be aggressive last night. In the past, my philosophy was that a "bad" shot by Kai was better than a "good" shot by almost everyone else...save a couple. So, I was always frustrated that he didn't shoot more and last night he forced the issue a bit more. I thought it was very encouraging because we all know he's going to have more shots start falling sooner or later. I believe Kai needs to keep his shot volume up and we will start to see more falling...then, look out 'cuz he's going to start putting up some numbers. It's nice to see us compete with ORU and Minnesota with Kai having an off game. It gives me some confidence that the team has made some strides in the last couple of years.

[goon]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I think you are being a little narrow on your take on our scorers astat32. I think we have several people you didn't mention who aren't or won't be scorers. First, let me say, that we have three go-to people, although I know Kai has been struggling. But I don't think anybody would write him off as a non-scorer. Even with some problems this year, he scored 20 (Central Ark), 16 (Central Florida), 13 (San Jose) and 13 (Drake).

In addition to our go-to players,Garrett, Clint and Kai, I think we have some other emerging possibilities. Remember that Josh Cassaday hasn't had a lot of playing time due to injuries, but he is really coming on and had 14 points against Oral Roberts, and I think will only get better. In addition, Anthony Cordova is improving rapidly and had 13 against San Jose, and 8 points and 5 rebounds against Central Florida. With Griffan Callahan joining us soon, I think we will have another shooter as he gets into the flow.

And I know Mackenzie takes some knocks, but in addition to his low turnovers, he did score 12 points against Oral Roberts. Add in "role" players, who will get a few points and I think we're not in bad shape. Not many teams have more than three "prolific" scorers, and I think for the others, additional playing time is/will result in others chipping in.

I agree. It seems we are just a few pieces short. We have 3 players on any given night could be the leading scorer and all getting 15 or more a game. No I don't expect one of them to constantly put up 25 plus point outings but atleast 3 players on this team should be able to do so. The role players are still factors. just getting into a flow with everyone and role players knowing what shots to take and how to score will only help. This team has had no where to go but up for the last several years and I feel that they have less depth this year and experience but yet i think they are a better team. Not writing off this year yet but next year with the additions we are getting compared to what we are losing is only going to make even better strides. We are getting more athletic and skilled players along with Davis hopefully, and a full year of experince and confidence for the returning players. I think the team next year will surely make a name for themselves in confrence and even OOC play, That is if they don't start making that progress this year which i think is totally possible.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

I think you are being a little narrow on your take on our scorers astat32. I think we have several people you didn't mention who aren't or won't be scorers. First, let me say, that we have three go-to people, although I know Kai has been struggling. But I don't think anybody would write him off as a non-scorer. Even with some problems this year, he scored 20 (Central Ark), 16 (Central Florida), 13 (San Jose) and 13 (Drake).

In addition to our go-to players,Garrett, Clint and Kai, I think we have some other emerging possibilities. Remember that Josh Cassaday hasn't had a lot of playing time due to injuries, but he is really coming on and had 14 points against Oral Roberts, and I think will only get better. In addition, Anthony Cordova is improving rapidly and had 13 against San Jose, and 8 points and 5 rebounds against Central Florida. With Griffan Callahan joining us soon, I think we will have another shooter as he gets into the flow.

And I know Mackenzie takes some knocks, but in addition to his low turnovers, he did score 12 points against Oral Roberts. Add in "role" players, who will get a few points and I think we're not in bad shape. Not many teams have more than three "prolific" scorers, and I think for the others, additional playing time is/will result in others chipping in.

[astat32]

Re: U of Minnesota Game Thread

The negative one has returned to offer my thoughts on the squad thusfar into the season.

I am very encouraged with the intensity the guys put forth every game. I am confident that the Jacks will never, ever get blown out of a game due the tremendous Defense that is played every game. With that said it also brings me to my greatest worry about this team.

It just seems that there aren't enough "scorers" on the squad to put us over the humph in any of the battles with teams slightly better then us. It is like in many games we battle equally with squads for about 35 of the 40 minutes, but it is the other 5 mintues were teams go on little runs that put us in 10-15 points holes that end up just being to big to overcome.

I feel it is a little discouraging to be a D1 Summit League team and really only have 2 (maybe 3 with Kai) guys that can consistently put the ball in the basket. The aforementioned Engen, Casey, Moss, Palarca and basically everyone else on the squad are only role players. They play great D but can not score consistantly for the life of them. Then you look at almost all the other schools we play and it is I would say all but maybe 2 guys that see the court can consistantly score if need be.

Maybe Nagy focuses a little too much on defense when recruiting? I mean I don't think it would hurt to go grab a guy who may be a little lackluster on Defense but has an offensive mindset. It just seems like something this team needs .

All in all this isn't a negitive message, but a positive one, for the Jacks have battled thusfar and have Griffen's return looming, which means an offensive threat the Jacks most definately need. I feel when he comes into the mix the Jacks will immenslely improve and most definately will battle for a conference tourny bid