6-10 forward Jackson Moni (9.5 pts, 4 rebs, 5 assists)
6-10 forward Noah Federsen (10.3 pts, 4rebs)
6th man, 6-4 wing Tajavis Miller (12pts, 4 rebs, 40% from 3)
The Bison take a ton of 3’s but have been below average shooting around 30%. Defensively, they’ve been poor with an effective FG% around 53% and are generating very few turnovers (Barkersfield had just 6 turnovers). Jacari White is the guy to stop and has scored at least 22pts in all three games; I suspect Bryan will be matched up on him.
The Bison don’t have much size after their 6-10 starting forwards. Their guards are small and when one of the forwards goes to the bench they are often playing a smallish wing as a 4. As such the Broncos should have a big advantage on the boards. Our guards and wings should be able to dominate on the boards and challenge shots on D with superior length.
The Broncos need to get healthy on the Bison and hopefully build some chemistry and confidence going in the Nevada game on Saturday. In particular we really need O’Neil to get untracked, knock down some shots and provide some scoring.
For as many times as Santa Clara has forced a turnover or gotten a block, they should be up by 20 at the half and they are only up by 10. The defense looks pretty good tonight but Santa Clara is missing way too many shots at the rim.
The finishing and spacing on breaks has been frustrating, but the defense has been pretty good. Hopefully, we continue the pressure and our depth wears NDSU out.
Weirdly like the ASU game so far in that SCU is getting open looks from three and not making them and then giving the same looks to the opponent who is converting the opportunities. The difference is just in the talent. NDSU ain’t Arizona State.
Here at game. Podz is here. The refs are letting South Dakota be a lot
more physical than they are letting the Broncos be. We are getting nailed for some real ticky tack stuff. On offense we really have to be more physical since they’re letting South Dakota be physical.
The pressure on the ball defensively has been nice. Even Cam has been a menace on defense breaking up the play at the top - but he picked up three fouls and so he’s riding bench now.
But yes. The three point is not winning us any games right now. We need to spread the floor better and look for the open shot and make them. I think it’s like 3-26 at the 3. So not sure the in and out at the rim is the real issue here. The horrific outside shooting is concerning me a little more.
Some breakdown in defensive communication and slightly weighted officiating in South Dakota favor - makes for an awful performance.
Maybe these boys are lulling us into a coma and wake up for conf play and shock us all!! One can hope.
