NIT picking

[Lobot]

Since it looks like all of us forgot about this ….. We’ve already played these guys this year.

https://vb.bearcatnews.com/forum/bas...schedule/page7

[Carthage World]

Indiana State are 3.5-point favorites going into tonight.

ISU's only home loss of the season was a 80-67 defeat to Illinois State (KenPom #179) on February 13th. They shot a season-low 36.4% from the field and 21.1% from 3.

[GoBearcats31]

Fran Fraschilla:

First time ever in Terre Haute for NIT Quart-finals between @GoBearcatsMBB & @IndStBasketball. LOVE watching Sycamores offense. It’s “Beilein on steroids!” Bearcats’ Jizzle James is on a Shead/Frank Mason trajectory with hard work.

[sedz]

The Bearcats will face the best shooting team in the country in Terre Haute. Indiana St makes 59.8% effective field goals, a full 1.3 percentage points ahead of second place Wright St (I don't know how Scott Nagy hasn't landed a high profile job by now) and 2.4 points ahead of the best high major shooting team, Creighton. The Sycamores are efficient at the rim (67%), from three (38%), and the free throw line (81%). They take very few midrange shots, only 5 per game as a team. That's less than a lot of players will put up in a game. This is a team that has embraced modern basketball, aware that a 43% midrange jumper is a horrible shot when you're getting over 60% everywhere else. They have a lot of shots blocked (1 in 9), again aware that a blocked rim look is no worse than a bricked midrange shot. Three pointers grab attention, but they convert 63% inside the arc, #1 in the country. The Bearcats don't even convert 63% at the rim, much less on all twos. The tradeoff is Indiana St doesn't hit the offensive glass, where they rebound only 24% of their misses, #328 nationally, so the overall offensive efficiency falls to #20.

Defensively they are average, playing a conservative style that's just outside the top 100 in efficiency. They don't turn you over or block shots, but they also don't give up offensive rebounds or put you on the line. It's a defense that can be scored on, but they won't give you much for free. The defensive strategy mirrors their offense - they allow more shots from midrange than anywhere else on the court. They allow assists on only 39% of made baskets, the third lowest rate nationally. Combined with the low foul rate, that indicates a lack of aggressive help and we should be able to spread them out and let Jizzle and Skillings go to work as slashers.

Robbie Avila is the best player on both ends of floor, leading in offensive and defensive box plus minus. He leads in assist rate (25) as a big, which would be best on our team. His turnover rate of 13 is also better than any of our regulars. 6'8" forward Jayson Kent is the most efficient scorer with an insane 72% true shooting percentage. He makes 77% at the rim, 36% from three, and has only taken 12 midrange shots ALL YEAR. Kent is the only decent offensive rebounder with a rate just below Skillings. Everyone on the roster can shoot threes, so we have to be aware of that at all times. Guards Julian Larry, Xavier Bledson, and Jake Wolfe are turnover prone (Larry coughed it up 5 times against Minnesota).

[London 'Cat]

Thanks for the write-up, Sedz. It appears to me that UC could be in trouble in this game. As Lobot pointed out, we played ISU in a pre-season scrimmage and lost. However, Lukosius played very sparingly and neither Aziz nor Jamille were eligible at that time. I am concerned with ISU's shooting percentages and don't feel like UC's offense is set up to succeed against ISU's defense - too many mid-range shots and 3s make me leary. UC must move the ball well and find the open man for good looks at the basket. Don't fall in love with the 3s this game either because despite their recent success, UC is not good from 3.

[bearcatbret]

I liked the officiating against Bradley. I hope the officials take the same approach on this game. It would be a shame to lose this one at the free throw line.

[leo from jersey]

Thanks for the write-up, Sedz. It appears to me that UC could be in trouble in this game. As Lobot pointed out, we played ISU in a pre-season scrimmage and lost. However, Lukosius played very sparingly and neither Aziz nor Jamille were eligible at that time. I am concerned with ISU's shooting percentages and don't feel like UC's offense is set up to succeed against ISU's defense - too many mid-range shots and 3s make me leary. UC must move the ball well and find the open man for good looks at the basket. Don't fall in love with the 3s this game either because despite their recent success, UC is not good from 3.

So you are saying that you would feel mot confident if UC had a floor leader. So would I, but if DS is thinking, ISU has no answer for him. Would like to see Dan drive and then a little pass to Aziz for the dunk. This is a game I would feel better with DayDay and his defense. Regardless ISU better be on as due to their offense, they play out and are not set up to rebound misses. Concerning ISU defense, UC will show some muscle which ISU has not really seen. If we had our whole team, ISU would be worn down. That includes our bigs coming to play.

I am tired of hearing about ISU and their big boy. Good, yes and not to be taken for granted. IF the team settles down (they are used to Big 12 crowds) and don't play hero ball, but Bearcat Basketball -----NEXT

[leo from jersey]

To ISU's credit, they know who they are. They realize their limitations and what they do well. That being playing as a team and not hero ball. It works because 5 are working together as it was done in the days of love of the game and not personal glory. They are not hearing how great they are, and, in the future, UC will tear down that statue by the area and put one up for them. They are not hearing how next year they will be great superstars. They are playing today and playing to win. I think the Cats can get there as I have seen traces. If the Cats don't get there, it will be exits from tourneys, transfers and sulking over not lucrative enough NIL agreements. In other words, ISU has learned simple math. Five guys, but one ball.

[bearcatbret]

This does not say a whole lot but is meant to keep people interested in tonight's game.
SHOWDOWN ALERT: Cincinnati Bearcats Battle Indiana State in NIT Quarters | Fan Recap

[Lobot]

Five guys, but one ball.

Remind me not to hire their team doctor

[Longtime Lurker]

Remind me not to hire their team doctor

Bravo....we see what you did there. Nearly spat out my drink with that one.

[sedz]

Today is the 45th anniversary of the infamous 1979 title game between Magic's Spartans and Bird's Sycamores. I assume we'll hear a lot about that tonight.

[leo from jersey]

Remind me not to hire their team doctor

how bout their coach?

[leo from jersey]

Today is the 45th anniversary of the infamous 1979 title game between Magic's Spartans and Bird's Sycamores. I assume we'll hear a lot about that tonight.

I remember the Mid West games they played in the tourney that year. The ISU fans were rocking. I remember them coming to Clifton after the games/.

[Lobot]

Today is the 45th anniversary of the infamous 1979 title game between Magic's Spartans and Bird's Sycamores. I assume we'll hear a lot about that tonight.

Dan Hoard mentioned that the entire run to Final Four for ISU happened mostly at "Newly opened" Riverfront Coliseum.