RedbirdSoxFan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2017
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Zero players on Illinois State are in the top 15 in minutes played in MVC games.Looking at minutes played in the last few games, it seems Mal, Luke and Darius are over 30 minutes regularly. As this continues, and given how hard they need to play, I wonder if some of last night was due to tired legs. Have not watched last nights game, so would like some others perspective on the minutes played issue.
On another note, watching Bradley play many times this season, a few items to consider to stay with them come to mind:
Double team Mast as soon as he receives the ball. He is a decent passer, but I would rather take a chance on others shooting than Mast. He is just too good inside.
Get Duke Dean on a switch and have the screener take him into the paint. You’ll either get a good look or get fouled. Get him in foul trouble early. His back up, Weathers plays fast and doesn’t shoot well.
Get Mal open for a lot of 3 point shots. Though Bradley plays very good defense, they get lazy on defending the three point line later into the shot clock. Belmont beat them twice doing this.
Bradley plays physical similar to Mo State. Get them to foul you inside and let’s get in the bonus as quickly as possible. We won’t be able to match them bucket for bucket. We need to have a large difference in made free throws to have a chance.
If we can get Dean out, they like to put Hickman at the point(If Weathers does not play well). He has not scored much when he plays point.
Don’t let Darius Hannah go left!!!
Finally, match their physicality on the boards as much as possible.
With all that said they will come out pissed off at their loss to Belmont and will look to demolish the Birds early. Need to do something we have not done well…… play from the opening tip!!