[NU Sports] NU BB

[Michael Jackson]

I am mostly a lurker on this list.  I have been an NU sports fan since I
went there in the early 1970's.  My wife and I had season tickets for years
to both football and basketball.  We lived through some horrible years and
have enjoyed the good years.  Fortunately, the good years are here now in
not just football and basketball but also many other sports.  

 

A few years ago, we moved away from Evanston.  The list has been a good
source of information about NU sports.  Recently, the list has taken a turn
for the worse.  It seems that too much time is spent cutting down other
people's opinions rather than adding something of substance. I would hope
that we keep the topic on the sports teams and away from opinions about
politics or the mental abilities of other members of the list.  

 

FWIW, I would like to add my own opinion about our basketball team.  I have
watched most of the games on the Big Ten Network.  It is not the same as
seeing the team in person, but it is the best I  can do now.

 

A center on a team employing the Princeton offense needs to be a good
high-post passer and screener.  It helps if he has a solid outside shot to
keep defenders from sagging to stop the cutters.  Luka Mirkovic is that type
of player.  His passing is excellent and his screening is very good.  His
outside shot is decent but not strong enough.  Considering that the center
is a high post player, Luka's offensive rebounding is very good.  What Luka
really does best is passing the ball.  Many of the good shots NU gets are
due to a good pass by Luka.  He runs the offense well.  Rowley is not the
perfect Princeton center.  He is slow and has no outside shot.  His
rebounding and screening have improved but he is still a liability.  

 

My biggest complaint on defense is the 1-3-1 zone that NU employs.  It
requires the center to be very versatile while being a good low post
defender.  When Rowley is in and NU is in the 1-3-1, we see his weaknesses
magnified.  He can't move quickly and is often out of position defensively.
Luka is really a power forward not a center.  He moves well and does an
adequate job defending even though he is not the best low post defender.
His defensive rebounding has improved greatly over last year.  He is
excelling in blocking shots as well.  If a team has two big men, the 1-3-1
is not a good defense.  Then often the second big man is guarded by the 1 of
the 1-3-1.  That is usually a quick guard who has to move from side to side
to cover the outside corner shot.  He is outmatched if a low post man gets
the ball when he is the nearest defender.  Many of the problems NU has with
big men occur in that situation.  

 

The team has done more man-to-man lately.  That has improved their defense
greatly.  It has also put men in position to get the rebound.  You can see
that from the stats. The real weakness in the 1-3-1 is that one of the
rebounders is the small guard who must cover both corners.  The 1-3-1 also
doubles the shooter, leaving fewer NU rebounders.  

 

This team has potential to get us to the next step.  There are a number of
shooters who can take over a game.  We have a slasher to break down
defenses.  The key to our success is defensive rebounding.  We need to limit
other teams to only one shot.  Luka, Shurna and Crawford have stepped up
their rebounding game.  It is making a difference.

 

I enjoy watching the games much more that previous years.  We have had the
chance to win most of our games.  The team is also improving as it goes on.
I would enjoy the season more if I learned more about the team from those
posting.  I care not to hear what one poster thinks about another.  Leave
that to the next face-to-face.  Save the rest of us from having to listen in
to your petty grievances.