What to take away from the WMU game
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:30 am
here are the big things to take away from last night's game:
- the big one: Right now we're getting the Nate Miller we expected at the beginning of the year when he was preseason 1st team all MAC. He's really taking control of the offense without resorting to the "Miller Time" offense from late in games a year ago. He's limited his outside shooting and has focused on getting better shots for himself and his teammates (led the team in assists last night.. albeit with a whopping 3 of them) He's also been an absolout ANIMAL on the boards lately too... and rebounds aren't just falling to him.. he's going up and getting them in traffic.. much like Otis and Chris are right now as well..
- Speaking of Otis, we finally have an inside presence on BOTH ends of the floor. He's been A LOT more aggressive on the offensive end and is going up strong and getting to the line, where he has been pretty respectable (I'll take 8-12 from our big guy any day). Getting a big dunk in traffic at home last night can only do wonders for this guy's confidence!
- We are gonna NEED Eric Marschall to continue to step up his game.. Western didn't have much to offer in the post (if anything at all), but Marschall looked better on the defensive end and especially on the glass. We know he's not Otis defending in the paint but if he can hold his own on the glass we'll be ok. Teams are going to start being aggressive taking the ball inside to try to get a cheap 2 fouls on OP from here on out... trust me.. especially with Larson out. Teams are well aware that we're not the same team defensively with the big guy on the bench... so we need this guy
- We also played a good second half last night with our most versatile guy (Knight) on the bench last night.. another great sign of our depth.I wouldn't be too concerned with him only getting 17 minutes last night.. as I'm sure coach Orr had him ready to go in the event we needed him.
- Did anybody else find it strange that late in the game (foul situation) BG ran a play to Nate Miller.. and WMU waited until he passed it to attempt a foul? That never would have happened a year ago.. great job Nate on improving that aspect of his game!!!! also great vision on that same play to find OP for the FLUSH!!
- Finally, we're winning games right now despite shooting like the Canadian Olympic team, eh. I've got a feeling that's going to start coming around and hopefully it all comes together and we can shoot 50% one night.. and hopefully that night is Friday or Saturday night at the Q.
Big Win!! I'm excited for this team and what they are capable of accomplishing this year!
- the big one: Right now we're getting the Nate Miller we expected at the beginning of the year when he was preseason 1st team all MAC. He's really taking control of the offense without resorting to the "Miller Time" offense from late in games a year ago. He's limited his outside shooting and has focused on getting better shots for himself and his teammates (led the team in assists last night.. albeit with a whopping 3 of them) He's also been an absolout ANIMAL on the boards lately too... and rebounds aren't just falling to him.. he's going up and getting them in traffic.. much like Otis and Chris are right now as well..
- Speaking of Otis, we finally have an inside presence on BOTH ends of the floor. He's been A LOT more aggressive on the offensive end and is going up strong and getting to the line, where he has been pretty respectable (I'll take 8-12 from our big guy any day). Getting a big dunk in traffic at home last night can only do wonders for this guy's confidence!
- We are gonna NEED Eric Marschall to continue to step up his game.. Western didn't have much to offer in the post (if anything at all), but Marschall looked better on the defensive end and especially on the glass. We know he's not Otis defending in the paint but if he can hold his own on the glass we'll be ok. Teams are going to start being aggressive taking the ball inside to try to get a cheap 2 fouls on OP from here on out... trust me.. especially with Larson out. Teams are well aware that we're not the same team defensively with the big guy on the bench... so we need this guy
- We also played a good second half last night with our most versatile guy (Knight) on the bench last night.. another great sign of our depth.I wouldn't be too concerned with him only getting 17 minutes last night.. as I'm sure coach Orr had him ready to go in the event we needed him.
- Did anybody else find it strange that late in the game (foul situation) BG ran a play to Nate Miller.. and WMU waited until he passed it to attempt a foul? That never would have happened a year ago.. great job Nate on improving that aspect of his game!!!! also great vision on that same play to find OP for the FLUSH!!
- Finally, we're winning games right now despite shooting like the Canadian Olympic team, eh. I've got a feeling that's going to start coming around and hopefully it all comes together and we can shoot 50% one night.. and hopefully that night is Friday or Saturday night at the Q.
Big Win!! I'm excited for this team and what they are capable of accomplishing this year!