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Thought I would get a thread started for the game and get perspective from WL fans or opposing team fans who are familiar. From what I know, WL likes to press, speed up the game, and get lots of shots up in a high-scoring affair. It will be quite the contrast in styles.
NW has 2 POY of the year candidates in PG Hudgins who is probably the best PG in all of D2 and F Hawkins who averages 22 and 8 but can shoot from outside or post up and he is really athletic for a player his size.
NW will want to slow the game down. They are very methodical with their offense and execute at a high level. I haven't seen any efficiency stats this year but last year they were the most efficient offense in all of college basketball. Their points will come from the lane, 3's, or FT's. They don't mess around with mid-range shots. They shoot at a very high level- 42% from 3 as a team and all of the regulars shoot it at 38% or higher except for one of them who rarely shoots the 3. Hudgins is second in all D2 in 3pt percentage.
Defensively, they are going to get into you in the half court. They are one of the top defensive teams in the country based on points given up. Hudgins and Bernard are quick (and I'm not sure that justifies what Bernard is). Bernard is an athlete unlike many other. He is a shutdown defensive player. He will most likely guard the best guard on the opposing team. That player may get their points but it's going to be a miserable experience the entire game as long as Bernard stays within himself and out of foul trouble. He is a freak athlete considering speed, quickness, and jumping ability. The rest of the team doesn't do anything spectacular, just sound and fundamental team defense. There will be very few uncontested shots.
We only play about 7 guys although there are 8 who average 10 or more minutes on the year. This is nothing new for NW under McCollum. Freshman Alexander is first off the bench and he is a slashing player who went 10-10 from the field in the Regional and was MOP. The 8th man has rotated between 3 players this year but is currently a freshman PG. With the WL press, I imagine he will be the 8th man in this game if needed. NW players are used to playing a lot of minutes so I don't imagine that will be an issue, even with the press.
Two contrasting styles. In the last few years, NW has played similar style teams in Fairmont St in the national title game and St. Thomas Aquinas a couple years ago and were able to impose their will on the pace of the game. I know WL has a long history with their system so it may be a tougher task for NW. I've personally always viewed the press as a gimmick. It works against lesser teams with poor ballhandlers but teams with a good PG will eat it up. NW has the best PG in the country so I'm hoping my personal belief is correct. I'm guessing the first few minutes of the game may present some adjustment periods for NW. Ultimately, the best defense against a press is not to let the other team score so they can set it up. As I said, NW is up there in scoring defense. They are #15 in the country in that area while playing in a very tough conference. That may be the best press breaker they have.
Would love to get thoughts and insight from WL perspective!
NW has 2 POY of the year candidates in PG Hudgins who is probably the best PG in all of D2 and F Hawkins who averages 22 and 8 but can shoot from outside or post up and he is really athletic for a player his size.
NW will want to slow the game down. They are very methodical with their offense and execute at a high level. I haven't seen any efficiency stats this year but last year they were the most efficient offense in all of college basketball. Their points will come from the lane, 3's, or FT's. They don't mess around with mid-range shots. They shoot at a very high level- 42% from 3 as a team and all of the regulars shoot it at 38% or higher except for one of them who rarely shoots the 3. Hudgins is second in all D2 in 3pt percentage.
Defensively, they are going to get into you in the half court. They are one of the top defensive teams in the country based on points given up. Hudgins and Bernard are quick (and I'm not sure that justifies what Bernard is). Bernard is an athlete unlike many other. He is a shutdown defensive player. He will most likely guard the best guard on the opposing team. That player may get their points but it's going to be a miserable experience the entire game as long as Bernard stays within himself and out of foul trouble. He is a freak athlete considering speed, quickness, and jumping ability. The rest of the team doesn't do anything spectacular, just sound and fundamental team defense. There will be very few uncontested shots.
We only play about 7 guys although there are 8 who average 10 or more minutes on the year. This is nothing new for NW under McCollum. Freshman Alexander is first off the bench and he is a slashing player who went 10-10 from the field in the Regional and was MOP. The 8th man has rotated between 3 players this year but is currently a freshman PG. With the WL press, I imagine he will be the 8th man in this game if needed. NW players are used to playing a lot of minutes so I don't imagine that will be an issue, even with the press.
Two contrasting styles. In the last few years, NW has played similar style teams in Fairmont St in the national title game and St. Thomas Aquinas a couple years ago and were able to impose their will on the pace of the game. I know WL has a long history with their system so it may be a tougher task for NW. I've personally always viewed the press as a gimmick. It works against lesser teams with poor ballhandlers but teams with a good PG will eat it up. NW has the best PG in the country so I'm hoping my personal belief is correct. I'm guessing the first few minutes of the game may present some adjustment periods for NW. Ultimately, the best defense against a press is not to let the other team score so they can set it up. As I said, NW is up there in scoring defense. They are #15 in the country in that area while playing in a very tough conference. That may be the best press breaker they have.
Would love to get thoughts and insight from WL perspective!
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