uneblinst's postgame chatter: vol 16; ed 24 - Northwestern

Statistically speaking, the big lineup of our 3 posts plus Brice and Keisei has been one of our best in conference.

One issue this can inadvertently bring up, especially if the coach is bright, is that guarding Mast with a smaller player limits his effectiveness, especially as a distributor.  Collins brought it up in his presser last night, along with stating we don't have a starting PG.

Speaking of Mast as distribution, here are our conference win totals grouped by Mast assist totals

2 or less assists - 0-5
3 assists - 3-2
4+ assists - 3-0

1 minute ago, hhcmatt said:

 

 

Speaking of Mast as distribution, here are our conference win totals grouped by Mast assist totals

2 or less assists - 0-5
3 assists - 3-2
4+ assists - 3-0

So we need Mast to be a distributor and also knock down some threes?  Sounds like a PG to me!  Lol

In all seriousness, it seems that this team goes as Mast goes.  Nights where he’s dishing and hitting turn out well.  
 

Nights where he is off, the team is off.

5 minutes ago, millerhusker said:

It is puzzling. Brice is incredibly frustrating to watch play, but this team is not better when he's on the bench. 

On the other hand, while he puts up good numbers, you have to wonder if this team would be better off with a David Rivers type in his spot - a guy who is not potent offensively, but plays mistake-free basketball with elite defense and constant hustle. 

The numbers would seem to indicate we're better offensively and worse defensively with Brice on the court which seems to back up the 'I can't live with or without you' feeling one gets when watching him.  Given that you need to play someone and that he's generally a wash, it seems like it's about playing whatever guy or lineup you can unlock him defensively with

Ya Mast just didn't seem to get into any rhythm last night and credit Northwestern for that.

1 minute ago, ConkintheCorner said:

Ya Mast just didn't seem to get into any rhythm last night and credit Northwestern for that.

He hit a few shots late… oddly enough when we were running and gunning.  Maybe this team needs to try and play a little faster at times?  Less thinking and more just letting it rip.  

18 minutes ago, hskr4life said:

So we need Mast to be a distributor and also knock down some threes?  Sounds like a PG to me!  Lol

 

In all seriousness, it seems that this team goes as Mast goes.  Nights where he’s dishing and hitting turn out well.  
 

Nights where he is off, the team is off.

One thing to note is this could be absolutely meaningless as the home book determines what is an assist and you'll often get inflated numbers at home because of this. Another thing to note is that Mast was probably a focus of Collins because he had 6 assists last time vs NW so they likely spent time trying to figure out how to keep the ball out of his hands.

11 hours ago, hskr4life said:

Lose Saturday and the wheels may really fall off.

 

Win Saturday and you get a week off before your next game and 13 straight days at home.

After a great performance at Illinois and a total dud at Northwestern, I expect a very high effort level at home on Saturday against Juwan Howard's resurgent squad, which just won vs Wisconsin unexpectedly. GBR

52 minutes ago, hskr4life said:

So we need Mast to be a distributor and also knock down some threes?  Sounds like a PG to me!  Lol

 

In all seriousness, it seems that this team goes as Mast goes.  Nights where he’s dishing and hitting turn out well.  
 

Nights where he is off, the team is off.

Yep, it's Mast's ship to sail or fail.

52 minutes ago, hhcmatt said:

 

The numbers would seem to indicate we're better offensively and worse defensively with Brice on the court which seems to back up the 'I can't live with or without you' feeling one gets when watching him.  Given that you need to play someone and that he's generally a wash, it seems like it's about playing whatever guy or lineup you can unlock him defensively with

If Brice seems locked in offensively, then he tends to play better defensively. That's what it appears to be so polarizing, he needs to be locked in no matter what. A lot of guys who came from a lower level of ball had that type of mentality, he seriously needs someone to get him locked-in for whatever role he has with this team. If he's supposed to score, then do that. If he's supposed to be a pseudo-point guard, then do that. I don't think he's not trying to do well, I think he's hard on himself & has a hard time locking in. It's what I see from watching him, tbh.

Notes from UNL

*-Juwan Gary made his first start since Jan. 17, and reached double figures for the 11^th time this season with 15 points before fouling out.
*-Brice Williams with first double-double of season and fifth of his career with 13 points and 10 rebounds
*-Jamarques Lawrence came off the bench for 12 points, the 21^st time in 24 games where NU had a double-figure scorer off the bench

Big L for the Cats.  His last moment of the season was mocking someone the Big 10 loves too.  

This is a devastating blow for them.  He opens up the court so much and now they are ridiculously thin and would love to see them in the 4-5 game somehow in Minneapolis.