FGCU Season Opener

[ricohill]

What I like about this team is the potential to grow throughout the season. They weren't great last night, but you can tell they have talent. I will take a talented team over a finished product on night one every time.

They have more options to score than last year and I think they can be a good defensive team (this needs more help than the offense).

I think it is going to be a fun season. Saturday at Belmont will be a big test.

 

[Adunk33]

Phil Fayne shold touch the ball every possession. He can kick out from that point or whatever but he is a great decision maker and I trust his judgment. FGCU couldnt stay in front of him, which is why the spent so much time on the line. He's wirey.

Milik's TOs were a direct result of him trying to do too much. We also saw why he's going to be first team all-conference. He gets to the bucket probably easier than anyone we've had. He also showed that he can defend the 1-5 when he wants to.

Josh Jefferson is a really good player on both sides. I think by the time MVC play comes around teams will have to have JJ in their scouting report like the rest of the league looks at Jordan Barnes.

Copeland is not just a scorer. He's a playmaker. He had 5 assists to 1 TO.

I was as surprised as all of you when Ike was in the starting line up. I figured Milik just pissed Muller off or something and Ike was killing it in practice which led the the start. But then he kept coming in. I have not been as critical as a lot of you have been with Ike. He played really good defense last night, jumped a few passing lanes, and had some good hustle plays. No, he's not the most athletic guy but neither is most of UNI's team (historically). You don't have to be an athlete to be a contributor.

We missed a lot of shots overall that I think we'll make moving forward. Key still needs to settle in, and so does Ike.

The first half vs second half subs were pretty clear. He played the guys in the second who showed him something in the first. Ten guys played in the first half, it's tough to get cohesion like that. I don't think Chastain got his fair shot, which leads me to believe his knee was sore or something. Rey was nervous for his first D1 game and it showed. He missed two shots that weren't even close and kept getting caught on switches defense. I have confidence in him.

I think the 8 man rotation will depend on the type of team we're playing. If the other team has more bigs we will likely play Rey more than Ike. If the other team is smaller (bulk-wise) we'll go with Ike. Keep in mind Ike has some of the most D1 experience on the team. He played in all but 1 game last season.

Also, it's probably about time to quick dogging on Hein. Muller sees him as a valuable asset, which should be good enough for us. He is below average on offense and a decent defender. This is his third season, we know what we're getting.

Good win against a team with a lot of talent that doesn't know how to play together yet. I think FGCU will be pretty good come March. I'll pick them to go to their conference tournament championship.

On to Belmont.... Saturday is their first game. So they have film on us but we don't have film on them. However, they have had the same coach for a while, so the offense and defense should be pretty consistent to past years.

 

[isuquinndog]

Good with the bad. Milik with 17 pts, 9 rebounds but 5 turn overs. He had 5 of the team's 12.

 

[isuquinndog]

Also surprised Rey only got 4 minutes.

 

[Atrey22]

Already dealing with the Milik noise with him not being in the lineup on opening night. I wonder why he did not start. Anyone know?

Apparently there were some issues with Milik at practice yesterday...Milik was put on the scout squad team & he & Dan had some harsh words at the end of practice that lead to him not starting. I really hope Milik stays focused & on track and makes it through what promoses to be a very good season for this group.

 

[jbird]

5 point swing with Gassman’s NAIA athleticism missing a bunny

We struggled yet led the last 30 minutes. I'll take it and happily not read the NIT talk that usually accompanies game 1

1-0

But is it too soon to begin discussion about securing a Top 6 seed heading into St. Louis???

 

[bawhale88]

1-1 after Saturday if we play like tonight again

 

[SgtHulka]

Already dealing with the Milik noise with him not being in the lineup on opening night. I wonder why he did not start. Anyone know?

Apparently there were some issues with Milik at practice yesterday...Milik was put on the scout squad team & he & Dan had some harsh words at the end of practice that lead to him not starting. I really hope Milik stays focused & on track and makes it through what promoses to be a very good season for this group.

From a blurb in the Pantagraph article Muller was unhappy with his defense in practice this week

 

[SgtHulka]

We struggled yet led the last 30 minutes. I'll take it and happily not read the NIT talk that usually accompanies game 1

1-0

But is it too soon to begin discussion about securing a Top 6 seed heading into St. Louis???

I like to wait until at least halftime of game 2 to go down that road.

 

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

next game will be a big indicator.

 

[ricohill]

Phil Fayne shold touch the ball every possession. He can kick out from that point or whatever but he is a great decision maker and I trust his judgment. FGCU couldnt stay in front of him, which is why the spent so much time on the line. He's wirey.

Milik's TOs were a direct result of him trying to do too much. We also saw why he's going to be first team all-conference. He gets to the bucket probably easier than anyone we've had. He also showed that he can defend the 1-5 when he wants to.

Josh Jefferson is a really good player on both sides. I think by the time MVC play comes around teams will have to have JJ in their scouting report like the rest of the league looks at Jordan Barnes.

Copeland is not just a scorer. He's a playmaker. He had 5 assists to 1 TO.

I was as surprised as all of you when Ike was in the starting line up. I figured Milik just pissed Muller off or something and Ike was killing it in practice which led the the start. But then he kept coming in. I have not been as critical as a lot of you have been with Ike. He played really good defense last night, jumped a few passing lanes, and had some good hustle plays. No, he's not the most athletic guy but neither is most of UNI's team (historically). You don't have to be an athlete to be a contributor.

We missed a lot of shots overall that I think we'll make moving forward. Key still needs to settle in, and so does Ike.

The first half vs second half subs were pretty clear. He played the guys in the second who showed him something in the first. Ten guys played in the first half, it's tough to get cohesion like that. I don't think Chastain got his fair shot, which leads me to believe his knee was sore or something. Rey was nervous for his first D1 game and it showed. He missed two shots that weren't even close and kept getting caught on switches defense. I have confidence in him.

I think the 8 man rotation will depend on the type of team we're playing. If the other team has more bigs we will likely play Rey more than Ike. If the other team is smaller (bulk-wise) we'll go with Ike. Keep in mind Ike has some of the most D1 experience on the team. He played in all but 1 game last season.

Also, it's probably about time to quick dogging on Hein. Muller sees him as a valuable asset, which should be good enough for us. He is below average on offense and a decent defender. This is his third season, we know what we're getting.

Good win against a team with a lot of talent that doesn't know how to play together yet. I think FGCU will be pretty good come March. I'll pick them to go to their conference tournament championship.

On to Belmont.... Saturday is their first game. So they have film on us but we don't have film on them. However, they have had the same coach for a while, so the offense and defense should be pretty consistent to past years.

As always, great work by Adunk. The first point might be the most important one. Fayne needs to touch the ball as much as possible. We struggle when we go long stretches without getting the ball in the post. It happened last night when we just settled for 3's. You can shoot a 3 almost any time during a possession. Fayne needs to be our centerpiece and guys get shots because of him.

As the old saying goes, "We are all day to do". I think that might apply to Chastain on the court. I think there might be nights with his knee that he just can't go.

 

[jbird]

Hein getting torched defensively.

What game are you watching?? Hein has shut down Cheatham all game long and caused numerous turnovers. Come up with something new.

I think that I have outgrown the simplistic conclusion that Hein doesn't belong on the floor of a D-1 basketball game.Will he ever be our best or most athletic player??? Obviously not. But he was pretty damn good defensively last night and to pick out an occasion when he might have been burned doesn't mean anything unless you also believe that no other Redbird had one or more defensive breakdowns. Two years ago, I probably didn't see what HCDM saw in #5 or why he was getting any time on the floor at all other than "mop up/blowout" minutes; I don't feel the same way now. When #5 plays within his limitations (i.e., doesn't try to drive through the lane and scoop a shot past Taco Falls) he is an asset..........sure, he will occasionally make a turnover or take a poor shot or get beat defensively, but the same can be said of every other Redbird.

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

MY-- Still turns the ball over but can take over a game when needed. It seems he wills the ball into the basket at times.
Evans and Tinsley-- both struggled shooting. Tinsley was a rebound machine
Gassman- Very tentative shooting, shot and missed his layup like it was a layup line. Finisher stronger!!!
Jefferson shot lights out but FGCU clamped down after his 2nd 3 in the 2nd half
Copeland settled in nicely, very active
Fayne was dialed in last night and hopefully all year, he must have forced 8-9 fouls on FGCU
Rey Looked lost out there and his 2 shots were hurried. Reminds me of Hank Cornley in size
Chastain Looked tentative hopefully after a dozen games or so he will be comfortable and contribute

FGCU shot the 3 very well especially Casimir, several with hands in his face. Only reason the game was tight late. They had several Milik's on their roster, several unforced turnovers.

 

[Hamdonger]

I don't think it matters if Phil touches the ball via teammates, because he has a knack for finding himself around the ball. (but I get it, get him the ball!) While not our "best" player, I do believe -and I felt this way last year and most of the last half of the '17 group - he is our most valuable.

Congrats fellas. Let go smash some geetars come Saturday night.

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

Forgot to include Hein. I know some don’t like him but he gave quality minutes last night.

 

[cpacmel]

next game will be a big indicator.

Yeap. @Belmont is a big one. They will be much more disciplined than FGCU was. A lot less athletic too. Veteran coach vs rookie one. Hope the boys are up for the challenge!

 

[TrueRedbirdFan23]

Phil Fayne shold touch the ball every possession. He can kick out from that point or whatever but he is a great decision maker and I trust his judgment. FGCU couldnt stay in front of him, which is why the spent so much time on the line. He's wirey.

Milik's TOs were a direct result of him trying to do too much. We also saw why he's going to be first team all-conference. He gets to the bucket probably easier than anyone we've had. He also showed that he can defend the 1-5 when he wants to.

Josh Jefferson is a really good player on both sides. I think by the time MVC play comes around teams will have to have JJ in their scouting report like the rest of the league looks at Jordan Barnes.

Copeland is not just a scorer. He's a playmaker. He had 5 assists to 1 TO.

I was as surprised as all of you when Ike was in the starting line up. I figured Milik just pissed Muller off or something and Ike was killing it in practice which led the the start. But then he kept coming in. I have not been as critical as a lot of you have been with Ike. He played really good defense last night, jumped a few passing lanes, and had some good hustle plays. No, he's not the most athletic guy but neither is most of UNI's team (historically). You don't have to be an athlete to be a contributor.

We missed a lot of shots overall that I think we'll make moving forward. Key still needs to settle in, and so does Ike.

The first half vs second half subs were pretty clear. He played the guys in the second who showed him something in the first. Ten guys played in the first half, it's tough to get cohesion like that. I don't think Chastain got his fair shot, which leads me to believe his knee was sore or something. Rey was nervous for his first D1 game and it showed. He missed two shots that weren't even close and kept getting caught on switches defense. I have confidence in him.

I think the 8 man rotation will depend on the type of team we're playing. If the other team has more bigs we will likely play Rey more than Ike. If the other team is smaller (bulk-wise) we'll go with Ike. Keep in mind Ike has some of the most D1 experience on the team. He played in all but 1 game last season.

Also, it's probably about time to quick dogging on Hein. Muller sees him as a valuable asset, which should be good enough for us. He is below average on offense and a decent defender. This is his third season, we know what we're getting.

Good win against a team with a lot of talent that doesn't know how to play together yet. I think FGCU will be pretty good come March. I'll pick them to go to their conference tournament championship.

On to Belmont.... Saturday is their first game. So they have film on us but we don't have film on them. However, they have had the same coach for a while, so the offense and defense should be pretty consistent to past years.

I’ve never understood the love for Chastain on here. He is healthy guys... he just has major flaws. He is a one trick pony... he jumps really high. That’s it. His overall skill level is bad and his lateral quickness does not match up with his vertical athleticism. He does not move well enough side to side to make up for his lack of offensive skill. I get it, it’s easy to see the jumping ability and get excited. That’s why teams took a chance in him out of HS. But the other parts of his game don’t translate well to this level. I also don’t get the “he didn’t get a fair shot”... how many weeks have we been practicing? These guys see them in practice EVERY DAY. If you can’t do it in practice, you can’t do it in a game. We want Chastain to do it... but the reality is, he can’t. Your top 8 right now are clear: Milik, Key, Phil, Zac, Boogie, Jefferson, Ike & Hein. *Taylor when he gets healthy.

#BackTheBirds

 

[MadBird]

And all the posts on attendance...geez what do you expect? It’s an early start time on a Tuesday. That said, the crowd doesn’t look too bad on tv. But oh well, just win

Yes, was at the Wisconsin-Coppin St. game last night, about half full, student section half full. They had a T-Shirt toss after a student free-throw shooting contest, tossed t-shirts to the winning section, and in the first balcony everyone in the section got a shirt because there were only about 8-10 people up there!

 

[Hamdonger]

next game will be a big indicator.

Yeap. @Belmont is a big one. They will be much more disciplined than FGCU was. A lot less athletic too. Veteran coach vs rookie one. Hope the boys are up for the challenge!

Probably making too much of this but Dan's a rookie? I know the Belmont coach teaches good basketball and has about 800 wins, but Dan's been going at it for 20 yrs now. I agree with the point of your post though.

Also, you'll see Stallings at the game. Closer to the Belmont coach than he is Dan!

 

[ricohill]

next game will be a big indicator.

Yeap. @Belmont is a big one. They will be much more disciplined than FGCU was. A lot less athletic too. Veteran coach vs rookie one. Hope the boys are up for the challenge!

Probably making too much of this but Dan's a rookie? I know the Belmont coach teaches good basketball and has about 800 wins, but Dan's been going at it for 20 yrs now. I agree with the point of your post though.

Also, you'll see Stallings at the game. Closer to the Belmont coach than he is Dan!

Would be cool to beat Belmont with Stallings there. It would give Dan one more win than Stallings at ISU.