NU Basketball TV Show - Dec 8

[throwback]

Just got caught up on my DVR – thought I’d post some notes in case some don’t receive it or forgot to DVR it.

 

Opening has graphics of Pinnacle Bank Arena floor with video board showing highlights, but the highlights on the board are from last year at Devaney Center, then last highlight is fans rushing floor after Minnesota game and Kent saying, “So long Bob Devaney!” – kind of a nice way to say good-bye to Devaney Center

 

Sharp hosting – show was taped before CU game, so no mention of it

• Miles: Once the Big Ten/ACC challenge is over, seems like you’re almost into league play
• Been a good process, pleased with the team
• Not where we want to be, better to be 8-0 or 7-1
• Only won once at Charleston, but learned  a lot about ourselves

 

Since the TV show hadn't been on for a few weeks, they had highlights from first 8 games – they skipped UMass & UAB highlights, so it felt like we were 6-0! 

 

• Miles: Great opportunity in Charleston, both from competition and bonding standpoint
• Knew UMass would be tough, probable NCAA team
• Good battle with them, had the lead for a while
• They started to pull away in 2nd half, we made a run couldn’t get over the top
• Then UAB, who has since beaten N Carolina
• They mixed defenses against us and we didn’t respond well from the UMass loss, have to be more ready to play
• Petteway was relentless in those two games
• He can take over a game, but he knows that not what we always need, so he’s ready to share the ball
• He’s a work in progress, but there’s nobody more committed to what we’re trying to do as a team
• Then Georgia, nice effort by NU
• Great athleticism & length, plenty of talent at UGa
• Got early lead, they made a run at us grabbed the lead
• I was curious how we’d respond, but we played well to win the game
• Nice activities outside the game
• Charleston is a very historic city, time on warship was neat
• Went over to a NU watch party for the NU-PSU football game on our day off Saturday 
• Nice pick-me-up for our guys after our two losses, 100+ fans
• Maybe we can get those fans to follow us to Hawaii next year

 

Highlights from Miami game

 

• Miles: Proud to be part of Big Ten/ACC challenge, we wanted to get off to a good start
• Students & fans were really into it
• We defended well, but we struggled a bit vs their zone early
• Commended our guys for hanging in there, we really stayed in it on the defensive end
• Gallegos hit a couple of key 3s late in the half
• Pitchford & Petteway hit some big 3s, Petteway really makes his 3s when he catches it in rhythm and gets his feet set
• They made a run at us, we were in trouble, but Pitchford made a couple of big plays, and Smith did too
• Webster made a FT, everybody was happy about that, just want to make him feel relaxed
• Miami’s long and athletic, so our ball handing was key late
• They started 1 of 15 on 3s, then Miami made 6 of its last 10 3s, so they made a run at us, did a nice job holding them off
• Very solid all around, good balanced scoring
• 5-0 at home, been behind at home just a small amount of time

 

Some more highlights from Miami, along with player quotes

 

• Petteway: We took a lot of pride in this game, especially playing defense, we hadn’t been guarding the ball well enough, that’s led to fouls, keep building on that, keep getting better
• Pitchford: We trust everybody, our word this year is loyalty, not all about one person, it’s about the whole team
• Petteway: Greatest fans in college basketball, they really stayed with it when Miami made the run at us, cheered loud, really helped us win
• Pitchford: As young as we are, we still can pick up stuff fast in practice, fast-learners, really helps out – when we move the ball, we find open people – get to the rim, either get a layup or find somebody who’s open

 

Twitter question: Nice to have a role player like Smith coming off the bench?

• Miles: I take issue with that, he’s not a role player
• He’s a vital part of what we do
• Smith could easily start
• Look at our bench scoring, Biggs & Smith provide a lot of pressure against our opponent
• Smith is really a team guy, spoke up at team meeting in Charleston
• Really an old soul kind of a guy
• Love coaching him, brings a lot to the table
• Kind of an undersized big, but really strong, quick to the basket, quick to the ball, improving over time
• Fortunate to have him, think he’ll have 2 great years here
• Finishes shots both left handed, right handed, good touch at rim