at Northern Iowa - 01/18/2023 - 7:00 PM - ESPN+

[ISU86]

TWO offensive rebounds (both resulted in buckets) the entire game (UNI had only five). Blind luck should get you more than that.

Part of the reason our guards were able to get inside was the Panthers, unlike most teams, were not collapsing into the lane. This (partially) allowed Seneca to have a good night inside as he was not caught in no man's land.

Unlike most on the board, I think Darius is more effective when he is closer to the basket. His outside shot has not resulted in a good percentage, but when he gets nearer the rim he seems to be able to create a decent look (not always a decent pass).

Had no issue with Joe's last shot. It was a clean look, and he appeared more sure of himself on the court.

Bottom line is, with Lewis/McChesney/Sissoko contributing zero points, seven rebounds and three turnovers combined, it was the guards that shot well enough to keep us in the game (and that has not always happened) ; heck, if we hit our three-pointers at our usual clip, the game is in overtime. Only five points from our "frontcourt" (such as they are, most are more backcourt in their play).

It is always said someone has to step up when a team's go-to guys are having an off night. We contained Anderson and Born, then Campbell has a career night (he also played well against Belmont the game prior).

 

[ISU86]

I agree with this. The team fights hard, but at the end of the day, it's tough to play nearly 40 minutes which leads to fatigue down the stretch. You can condition all you want in practice, but it's tough to simulate in-game conditioning. You never know how many screens a guy will have to run around on a given night. Luke and Malachi played 38 min, Seneca with 35, and DB 34 and that's all of your scoring.

Ultimately, the team really only has 7 guys, one of which is battling through injuries and hasn't been consistently available and two were hindered by foul trouble and combined for 0 points. So, you're asking them to go out and win only having 4 dudes. It's a tough ask. I was excited to see Joe make one. He's the ultimate teammate. The shot he took, which would've tied the game, was a good one. Tough break on the in and out. If these guys are going to make a run, it's going to take other guys stepping up outside of the main 7. Whether that be Joe, Ryan, H...they need at least one of them to help the team collectively take a step forward.

Also, maybe it's because I don't expect to win every game this year so I'm not as emotionally tied to each outcome, but I felt the game overall was very well officiated. Yeah, there were some weird calls, but I felt it was fair both ways. Free throws were 15-14 in favor of the Birds, fouls were ISU 19, UNI 16. If Seneca hits his FTs...we might be talking about a W.

As far as officiating, other than the Pollard double-foul (he always seems to have one call outside the norm), it was relatively consistent. I thought they were different inside versus outside (let them play inside versus more tight on the outside) but it was same for both teams throughout.

 

[Hamdonger]

I was telling a buddy this. Lewis has been slacking the last few weeks- maybe a month. He has to get to the 10 points 5 rebounds a game minimum and the close to the same for McChesney if they want to be a clear contender. It doesn’t alway have to be on the offensive end. Sometimes it’s as simple as the offensive glass! Play smart- be aggressive.

100% 100% 100%. I keep pressing on Liam to impact the game outside of scoring. When he doesn't score he's mentally about half the player. I can see his ceiling (which is pretty high) but his mental game has a long way to go for him to surpass that ceiling. I'm not sure what's up with Kendall. As a leader on this team you can't get completely shut out of scoring 2 games in a week or 2 unless you're pulling down 15 rebounds. I really like Kendall but doggone it. Find your game, leader!! We're pulling for you. C'mon Liam - it's hard, man, but rise to the occasion!!! Stop letting circumstances dictate your play! Respect the game and she'll respect you!

We've got to get Malachi off the ball next year. He's not our answer at PG and our offense suffers because of it...he just can't break a defender down. A BIG credit to him, though, for stepping up and filling the slot. He's a SOLID player with safe ball-handling, and he's most definitely an asset...perhaps one of our best, maybe even our best when it comes to steadiness. I really like his attitude on the court. He's got the Tony Bennett feel about him. We need him on the team next year...just not full-time PG.

I like all these guys. I thought at the beginning of year it might be Feb 1 before we start seeing good basketball...hopefully. Man this feels like a long trip. See ya Saturday, 'Birds. Give the students a reason to let loose on campus after the game!

 

[Popsto4]

100% 100% 100%. I keep pressing on Liam to impact the game outside of scoring. When he doesn't score he's mentally about half the player. I can see his ceiling (which is pretty high) but his mental game has a long way to go for him to surpass that ceiling. I'm not sure what's up with Kendall. As a leader on this team you can't get completely shut out of scoring 2 games in a week or 2 unless you're pulling down 15 rebounds. I really like Kendall but doggone it. Find your game, leader!! We're pulling for you. C'mon Liam - it's hard, man, but rise to the occasion!!! Stop letting circumstances dictate your play! Respect the game and she'll respect you!

We've got to get Malachi off the ball next year. He's not our answer at PG and our offense suffers because of it...he just can't break a defender down. A BIG credit to him, though, for stepping up and filling the slot. He's a SOLID player with safe ball-handling, and he's most definitely an asset...perhaps one of our best, maybe even our best when it comes to steadiness. I really like his attitude on the court. He's got the Tony Bennett feel about him. We need him on the team next year...just not full-time PG.

I like all these guys. I thought at the beginning of year it might be Feb 1 before we start seeing good basketball...hopefully. Man this feels like a long trip. See ya Saturday, 'Birds. Give the students a reason to let loose on campus after the game!

That’s a great post I enjoyed reading it. You’re absolutely right about Mal being at the 1. He would be a really good assets along side a true pg. Remember this I really his first time playing this position let alone at this level. The last time he played pg was his high school senior year. Other than that he’s always been the 2. This team is a true pg and a true big/inside presence away from being really good I think. Hopefully they will arrive next year.

 

[Bird Friend]

TWO offensive rebounds (both resulted in buckets) the entire game (UNI had only five). Blind luck should get you more than that.

Part of the reason our guards were able to get inside was the Panthers, unlike most teams, were not collapsing into the lane. This (partially) allowed Seneca to have a good night inside as he was not caught in no man's land.

Unlike most on the board, I think Darius is more effective when he is closer to the basket. His outside shot has not resulted in a good percentage, but when he gets nearer the rim he seems to be able to create a decent look (not always a decent pass).

Had no issue with Joe's last shot. It was a clean look, and he appeared more sure of himself on the court.

Bottom line is, with Lewis/McChesney/Sissoko contributing zero points, seven rebounds and three turnovers combined, it was the guards that shot well enough to keep us in the game (and that has not always happened) ; heck, if we hit our three-pointers at our usual clip, the game is in overtime. Only five points from our "frontcourt" (such as they are, most are more backcourt in their play).

It is always said someone has to step up when a team's go-to guys are having an off night. We contained Anderson and Born, then Campbell has a career night (he also played well against Belmont the game prior).

Not sure anybody disagrees that Burford is better closer to the basket. He is better there . . . BUT . . . he needs to be more aware of when it isn’t going to work, needs to recognize that when he has 4 defenders collapsed on him that there are at least three guys open and give up on getting his own shot off.

I think this more of what Pops is referring to when talks about BB-IQ. You have to know your options when you begin your moves. If you’re taking it to the hoop, what will do if you’re cut off. If you’re driving the lane intending to get a shot, what will you do if that’s not going to work. And a key attribute of BB-IQ is recognizing when what you intend to do isn’t going to work. Burford and Knight are particularly guilty of not recognizing when to give up on getting a shot off during a possession.

Conversely, it seems McCheese has been too quick of late to give up on getting his shot. He has passed up some wide open treys solely because a defender looks like he may try to contest the shot. I appreciate that he’s not taking a shot when he’s not comfortable taking it, but I think he needs to get comfortable with guys contesting his threes.

 

[Popsto4]

Not sure anybody disagrees that Burford is better closer to the basket. He is better there . . . BUT . . . he needs to be more aware of when it isn’t going to work, needs to recognize that when he has 4 defenders collapsed on him that there are at least three guys open and give up on getting his own shot off.

I think this more of what Pops is referring to when talks about BB-IQ. You have to know your options when you begin your moves. If you’re taking it to the hoop, what will do if you’re cut off. If you’re driving the lane intending to get a shot, what will you do if that’s not going to work. And a key attribute of BB-IQ is recognizing when what you intend to do isn’t going to work. Burford and Knight are particularly guilty of not recognizing when to give up on getting a shot off during a possession.

Conversely, it seems McCheese has been too quick of late to give up on getting his shot. He has passed up some wide open treys solely because a defender looks like he may try to contest the shot. I appreciate that he’s not taking a shot when he’s not comfortable taking it, but I think he needs to get comfortable with guys contesting his threes.

That’s what I’m always talking to Mal about. A shooter have to be able to knockdown contested shots. That’s a skill set all in its own. Very few of Liam’s shot will be contested. He needs to be able to just shoot over defenders closing out or not. It’s amazing how many games this team have been in without a true pg, or a true big coupled with a lack of team ball IQ. That’s where the true pg would come into play. Of every position on the floor he’s got to have the best eyes. As a collective strong basketball IQ team even without a true pg or true big the Birds could easily have at minimum 3-5 more wins. All in all I’m liking what I’m seeing from them in competing, playing hard and not giving up. I can tell with more talent at our exposed positions Pedon can do very well in this conference.

 

[Popsto4]

100% 100% 100%. I keep pressing on Liam to impact the game outside of scoring. When he doesn't score he's mentally about half the player. I can see his ceiling (which is pretty high) but his mental game has a long way to go for him to surpass that ceiling. I'm not sure what's up with Kendall. As a leader on this team you can't get completely shut out of scoring 2 games in a week or 2 unless you're pulling down 15 rebounds. I really like Kendall but doggone it. Find your game, leader!! We're pulling for you. C'mon Liam - it's hard, man, but rise to the occasion!!! Stop letting circumstances dictate your play! Respect the game and she'll respect you!

We've got to get Malachi off the ball next year. He's not our answer at PG and our offense suffers because of it...he just can't break a defender down. A BIG credit to him, though, for stepping up and filling the slot. He's a SOLID player with safe ball-handling, and he's most definitely an asset...perhaps one of our best, maybe even our best when it comes to steadiness. I really like his attitude on the court. He's got the Tony Bennett feel about him. We need him on the team next year...just not full-time PG.

I like all these guys. I thought at the beginning of year it might be Feb 1 before we start seeing good basketball...hopefully. Man this feels like a long trip. See ya Saturday, 'Birds. Give the students a reason to let loose on campus after the game!

Malachi breaks his defender down to get off pull up jumpers. Earlier in the season he was getting to the rim but his shot selection was horrible honestly. He’s had a really bad shooting percentage inside the arch because of his shot selection and coming from playing out of position. The last three or four of the games are him being Mal on the offensive end. He’s even better playing off ball.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

This has been one of the best strings I can remember reading. Thank you everyone for your insightful commentary.

I agree with most that the officiating was decent. I believe it was the same crew who did Kansas/Kansas State on Tuesday night.
There was one call that I disagreed with that was quite costly. Seneca drove down the lane and made the basket and was called for a charge.
I believe we were up 5 at the time when the basket and FT were taken away. UNI then banked in a 3. Huge momentum change.
How did others see that call?

 

[Popsto4]

This has been one of the best strings I can remember reading. Thank you everyone for your insightful commentary.

I agree with most that the officiating was decent. I believe it was the same crew who did Kansas/Kansas State on Tuesday night.
There was one call that I disagreed with that was quite costly. Seneca drove down the lane and made the basket and was called for a charge.
I believe we were up 5 at the time when the basket and FT were taken away. UNI then banked in a 3. Huge momentum change.
How did others see that call?

I didn’t see it as a charge but k ight did give him a nice forearm/elbow to his chest. I think that’s what drew the call against him

 

[Popsto4]

This has been one of the best strings I can remember reading. Thank you everyone for your insightful commentary.

I agree with most that the officiating was decent. I believe it was the same crew who did Kansas/Kansas State on Tuesday night.
There was one call that I disagreed with that was quite costly. Seneca drove down the lane and made the basket and was called for a charge.
I believe we were up 5 at the time when the basket and FT were taken away. UNI then banked in a 3. Huge momentum change.
How did others see that call?

I didn’t see it as a charge but k ight did give him a nice forearm/elbow to his chest. I think that’s what drew the call against him

 

[Redbirdfan06]

That’s what I’m always talking to Mal about. A shooter have to be able to knockdown contested shots. That’s a skill set all in its own. Very few of Liam’s shot will be contested. He needs to be able to just shoot over defenders closing out or not. It’s amazing how many games this team have been in without a true pg, or a true big coupled with a lack of team ball IQ. That’s where the true pg would come into play. Of every position on the floor he’s got to have the best eyes. As a collective strong basketball IQ team even without a true pg or true big the Birds could easily have at minimum 3-5 more wins. All in all I’m liking what I’m seeing from them in competing, playing hard and not giving up. I can tell with more talent at our exposed positions Pedon can do very well in this conference.

Other than Penn at Drake, I don’t know if there are many teams in the Valley operating with a true point guard offense. I don’t think a lack of a true point guard is our primary issue. Our problem is our guards lack in certain skillsets that can take any one of them out of a game at any point. But our biggest problem is we have no presence inside and teams can pack it in on us and hope our guards can’t break them down.

Yuri Collins at SLU is a true point guard, but he constantly has the ball in his hands and their offense is stagnant most of time because everyone is waiting for him to do something. And their head coach is catching heat because this team hasn’t performed to pre season expectations.

 

[Hamdonger]

It’s amazing how many games this team have been in without a true pg, or a true big coupled with a lack of team ball IQ.

That's a really good point.

 

[Hamdonger]

Other than Penn at Drake, I don’t know if there are many teams in the Valley operating with a true point guard offense. I don’t think a lack of a true point guard is our primary issue. Our problem is our guards lack in certain skillsets that can take any one of them out of a game at any point. But our biggest problem is we have no presence inside and teams can pack it in on us and hope our guards can’t break them down.

Yuri Collins at SLU is a true point guard, but he constantly has the ball in his hands and their offense is stagnant most of time because everyone is waiting for him to do something. And their head coach is catching heat because this team hasn’t performed to pre season expectations.

I'd have to respectfully disagree on Collins...and SLU. They're 5-1 in conference and have been in every game this season except 2. I'd take Collins any day and a pg like him would revolutionize our team. Just my opinion, though. Yet...I haven't seen him play in person. Can't really get a true read on a player...or team...until you see them live. Multiple times. I do believe you've just talked me into taking a road trip south.

 

[Redbirdfan06]

I'd have to respectfully disagree on Collins...and SLU. They're 5-1 in conference and have been in every game this season except 2. I'd take Collins any day and a pg like him would revolutionize our team. Just my opinion, though. Yet...I haven't seen him play in person. Can't really get a true read on a player...or team...until you see them live. Multiple times. I do believe you've just talked me into taking a road trip south.

I wasn’t saying Collins was a bad player. This was a team getting votes in the top 25 preseason and had the entire team back. My best friend is a SLU fan and their coach Travis Ford is catching heat because their whole offense is based on Collins. Not saying it’s all Collins fault but he is a true point guard with a much more talented roster than any team in the A10 outside of Dayton. Who they haven’t played.

And the A10 is down this year. I think the bottom of the A10 is worse than the bottom of the Valley. SLU definitely wasn’t a team their fans thought Edwardsville would beat at home.

 

[Hamdonger]

I wasn’t saying Collins was a bad player. This was a team getting votes in the top 25 preseason and had the entire team back. My best friend is a SLU fan and their coach Travis Ford is catching heat because their whole offense is based on Collins. Not saying it’s all Collins fault but he is a true point guard with a much talented roster.

And the A10 is down this year. I think the bottom of the A10 is worse than the Valley. SLU definitely wasn’t a team their fans thought Edwardsville would beat at home.

Point taken. I really want to see this team play live.

 

[Birdswin]

This has been one of the best strings I can remember reading. Thank you everyone for your insightful commentary.

I agree with most that the officiating was decent. I believe it was the same crew who did Kansas/Kansas State on Tuesday night.
There was one call that I disagreed with that was quite costly. Seneca drove down the lane and made the basket and was called for a charge.
I believe we were up 5 at the time when the basket and FT were taken away. UNI then banked in a 3. Huge momentum change.
How did others see that call?

The foul call was on Lewis for blocking/moving pick - the announcers thought it was a charge initially, but the foul was on Lewis. Which I thought was questionable at best and it was a HUGE difference in the game. Knight made the basket - taken away.

 

[SgtHulka]

This has been one of the best strings I can remember reading. Thank you everyone for your insightful commentary.

I agree with most that the officiating was decent. I believe it was the same crew who did Kansas/Kansas State on Tuesday night.
There was one call that I disagreed with that was quite costly. Seneca drove down the lane and made the basket and was called for a charge.
I believe we were up 5 at the time when the basket and FT were taken away. UNI then banked in a 3. Huge momentum change.
How did others see that call?

I thought it was a flop. He flew back like Krutwig railed on him. Surprised Pollard didn't whip at least one of those out.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I did not pick up the foul was on Lewis. ALthough, I don't like it, that makes more sense. THANK YOU.

 

[cubird]

Looked like Lewis was rolling to get in rebound position. Some how Liam and him need to avoid at least 1 cheap foul a game. Need to get your $ worth when u do foul.

 

[stielowp]

Ever since the Indiana State game you can tell a true defensive identity is seeming to come into place. There have been far fewer defensive breakdowns over the last several games and the results have been trending much better. This team still doesn’t know how to string an entire complete game consistently yet but if they continue to play like this and Kendall can get out of this awful cold stretch he has been in over the last month the wins will start to come. We are at least competing in road games again, something we did not see over the last 4 years or so of Dan’s tenure.

Over in the B10 Chris Holtmann and the Buckeyes of Columbus have lost 5 straight and are a disappointment at 10-8 overall. How much of that is losing Coach Pedon or EJ Liddell, hard to tell but I thought it was worth noting.

Same thing happened to him at Butler (with Pedon). Once the player he inherited left, things took a turn for the worst. Maybe he will jump to ND next.