PLAYERS: 4-0 , COACHES: 0-4

[Sunduntz]

One positive from the Long Beach game was the play of David Busma. If he can continue to score 20 and rebound 10, the Bengals should be competitive in most of their games, and hopefully win their fair share.

The next order of business is to start knocking down the 3-ball.

Stucki, Kilpatrick and Bay need to become consistent threats.

Hopefully the coaches will make setting screens a priority so as to give these guys space to get their shots off.

The pieces are all there, can the coaches put them together?

 

[boisebengal]

I think we'll be pretty competitive with league teams when conference play rolls around, and I don't think we have anything to complain about. The WAC's quite a bit better basketball conference than the Big Sky is, and BSU is the defending WAC champion and Hawaii isn't a bad team. And I think that Long Beach will be pretty solid this year -- we had a tough time with their quickness.

I just question O'Brien's philosophy as far as playing the toughest non-conference schedule that he can. Because it won't do anything for their confidence if we lose the next 10 games, and if I were the coach I'd mix in a few weaker teams in the schedule to give the kids some confidence so that when they do win they'd have the mindset that they can win most of their games. We don't match up with the talent that teams like BYU, Utah, USU, ASU and Wazzu has, and it would be a big upset if we were to win those games. We may not win again until Dec. 29 when we play at home against Idaho, although the Wisconsin-Green Bay game looks like a winnable game. What do you guys think?

 

[bengalcub]

I've wondered about the schedule as well, but this team has had pretty tough non-conference schedules the past two years. The schedule to me doesn't seem to rattle the team as they appear to be ready to compete at the Big Sky level. Plus, I think that kids relish the opportunities to play up against the tough competition. My concern comes more with home games and away games. At least this year, ISU isn't playing 4-5 on the road then coming home for 1 game only to hit the road for 4-5 more. They play 3 games on the road once, so I don't think it is too overwhelming.

By playing up, things slow down for the team in conference play. They also has a chance to find out where they are weakest and they can use the schedule as a recruiting tool. He tries to play teams on the road that kids back home at least once for friends and family. They are working for a game at Memphis next year--because ISU has a few kids on the roster from that area.

Against LBSU, ISU shot well from the field, won the rebound battle--but shot poorly from the FT line and turned the ball over too much. I don't think this team will win many shootouts, but I think they can score in the 70 point range and hold most teams in the low 60's. I think that will win them there share of conference games.

 

[protege]

cub, devils advocate here

I think the tough schedule hurts the team rather than prepares it, here is why;

you don't have a chance to play the players that need the work to integrate into your schemes, especially if someone goes down in the conference portion of the schedule and you ask a bench player who as you say" needs the games to prepare, not practice" and they have not had more than 3 minutes a game because the schedule is so difficult coach wants to try and win rather than develop players (BTW I dont blame him here)

2nd, its not good for the RPI, we could take a note from Portland State (which I HATE) DID I SAY HATE!

while they have a difficult schedule its one that allows for competitive games as well as some soft games, keeping EVERYONE involved and should they do well, they have accomlished both goals, preparing the team all the while competing at a high level before BSC play and look at their RPI WOW 7th or 8th in the country?

since we have burned the red shirts of most players, seems we should be playing them when we can, with this schedule - NO CHANCE that happens unless someone gets hurt, and God help us that doesn't happen!

3rd, we cant work on things we need to work on, we are always fighting for our competitive lives, you cant institute a new offense or press break or much of anything when your next game is the likes of BYU, ASU, WSU etc....I dont disagree with the schedule completely, I rather dig it, good chance we are on TV alot more when they will cover the opposing team vs. watching us play NAIA teams! but I do wish it was a bit more balanced

Lord knows we can't change it, but maybe next year we could throw a game or two in every 3rd game or so that allows us an opportunity for a win and WORK while offering a strong RPI staying true to Obriens goals

anyway, the schedule is set and I pray the players stay healthy and continue to improve

 

[Paul Grimm]

This is turning into the best thread of the basketball season so far...

It's an interesting dilemma for O'Brien right now:

Should he try to win games by using an 8-man rotation, or should he go 12 (heck, why not 14?) deep and get everyone involved?

What happens if we lose 10+ games in the non-conference? Does it matter?

What happens if we enter league play with shattered confidence?

On the other hand, maybe there is a method to O'Brien's madness?

 

[dave84again]

and maybe Protege should just write another letter to the Pres. asking for O'Brien's job, much the same as he did ISUSID?? just thinking out loud. I still feel Protege is, as Cub eluded to, a short term poster who will be gone soon enough. i'm always amazed at how people's identities are discovered on here...Protege