It was a tough one on Thursday night, I will admit that. But I give Northwestern credit they shot the ball very well. In most games against most team Northwestern would have either won or been in the game. They have a well balanced team and great discipline on floor spacing. What hurt PSU the most was their role players. I am talking their 4,5,6,7 men on NW team came to play.
That's the difference in that game was the secondary players. PSU doesn't have the depth to match up with most team in their secondary players. Look at most the games, it is Taylor and Shep with little margin for error after that! Now, Washington and Reeves played well, so maybe they carry that into Sunday?
One big issuie I took from the NW game was our ball movement. That HAS got to be addressed coming into next season, which I think it will. It is really elementary school basics, ball fakes, bounce passes, and just nice crisp passes. Like at all the good teams, college and pro, their ball movment is flawless.
Illinois game thoughts:
1) I am predicting a win Sunday I think PSU bounces back tonight. They close the regular season out with a win and have some momentum going into next week.
2) I really want to see some defesnsive disruption. That's one thing I am looking forward to seeing change next season. I think we play tough D already. But to have the bodies to mix and match and disruption in the passing lanes.
3) What will the secondary players show? Can Reeves, Banks, and Washington give us a little more of a punch?
4) Win or loss, in my opinion, I have seen enough to consider this season a step in the right direction. I know a lot of us focus on wins and losses, but I have seen in game progress. The wins against NW at their place, IU, and Iowa were types of games that I wanted to see us win or compete. Let's see what tomorrow at noon brings us.
Go Lions
That's the difference in that game was the secondary players. PSU doesn't have the depth to match up with most team in their secondary players. Look at most the games, it is Taylor and Shep with little margin for error after that! Now, Washington and Reeves played well, so maybe they carry that into Sunday?
One big issuie I took from the NW game was our ball movement. That HAS got to be addressed coming into next season, which I think it will. It is really elementary school basics, ball fakes, bounce passes, and just nice crisp passes. Like at all the good teams, college and pro, their ball movment is flawless.
Illinois game thoughts:
1) I am predicting a win Sunday I think PSU bounces back tonight. They close the regular season out with a win and have some momentum going into next week.
2) I really want to see some defesnsive disruption. That's one thing I am looking forward to seeing change next season. I think we play tough D already. But to have the bodies to mix and match and disruption in the passing lanes.
3) What will the secondary players show? Can Reeves, Banks, and Washington give us a little more of a punch?
4) Win or loss, in my opinion, I have seen enough to consider this season a step in the right direction. I know a lot of us focus on wins and losses, but I have seen in game progress. The wins against NW at their place, IU, and Iowa were types of games that I wanted to see us win or compete. Let's see what tomorrow at noon brings us.
Go Lions
