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I wondered if Oakland would be walking around with their heads down a bit after being demoralized in their non-conference games against big name teams. I'm sure their fans were confident they would knock off a big name foe with their talent they had coming back. The last time they lost was to Syracuse on Dec. 22 by 32 points. Well they've won eight straight since then. So much for walking around with their heads down.
No Kangas is a good thing because that guy could shoot, and make, anything on their side of half court. It appears Benson has really stepped up his game at the offensive end at 17 ppg and his FT shooting is in the '70's, which I recall him being around 50% last year. To go along with that he's at 10 boards and about 3 blocks per game. Jones makes them tick. His assists are down from last year at just over 6 per game, but that may be because of the blowouts they ended up being on the short end of in the non-conference. He's good, don't blink or he'll pick your pocket and be at the bucket in a hurry.
AC and whoever's on Jones are the key. AC played Benson pretty well last year and was able to draw fouls on him. He didn't seem to be able to move AC's stocky frame. Benson will use and abuse Engen on both ends of the floor. They're the same player as far as frame and size goes, only Benson is way more skilled. I don't know if the right play on Jones is Palarca, Moss or Wolters. Obviously it will be a combination, but somebody's got to step up. He killed Palarca last year because they're the same height, only Jones is way quicker and can shoot over him. Moss and Wolter's size are good plays if they can keep Jones in front of them. I like Wolter's taking it at him, obviously taking care of the ball, but the shot-blocking machine looms in the middle. Maybe Wolters can draw a foul or two on him.
Oh, and they jack three's a lot too, even without Kangas. So they are obviously a very tough team to guard because they are well rounded.
NDSU only hit 3-3pointers and were only 14-22 from the line, so they definately could have beat Oakland. They drew close at the end, but didn't finish it.
Oakland is obviously tough, but beatable. 40 minutes of good basketball, not 20 against this team. Defend the home court. You guys beat a very good ORU team at Frost, you can beat an even better OU team too.
No Kangas is a good thing because that guy could shoot, and make, anything on their side of half court. It appears Benson has really stepped up his game at the offensive end at 17 ppg and his FT shooting is in the '70's, which I recall him being around 50% last year. To go along with that he's at 10 boards and about 3 blocks per game. Jones makes them tick. His assists are down from last year at just over 6 per game, but that may be because of the blowouts they ended up being on the short end of in the non-conference. He's good, don't blink or he'll pick your pocket and be at the bucket in a hurry.
AC and whoever's on Jones are the key. AC played Benson pretty well last year and was able to draw fouls on him. He didn't seem to be able to move AC's stocky frame. Benson will use and abuse Engen on both ends of the floor. They're the same player as far as frame and size goes, only Benson is way more skilled. I don't know if the right play on Jones is Palarca, Moss or Wolters. Obviously it will be a combination, but somebody's got to step up. He killed Palarca last year because they're the same height, only Jones is way quicker and can shoot over him. Moss and Wolter's size are good plays if they can keep Jones in front of them. I like Wolter's taking it at him, obviously taking care of the ball, but the shot-blocking machine looms in the middle. Maybe Wolters can draw a foul or two on him.
Oh, and they jack three's a lot too, even without Kangas. So they are obviously a very tough team to guard because they are well rounded.
NDSU only hit 3-3pointers and were only 14-22 from the line, so they definately could have beat Oakland. They drew close at the end, but didn't finish it.
Oakland is obviously tough, but beatable. 40 minutes of good basketball, not 20 against this team. Defend the home court. You guys beat a very good ORU team at Frost, you can beat an even better OU team too.
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