NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

[wsuguy87]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Mustangs need another 2-0 weekend.

If we can contain Gage I think we'll win at Cloud.

Consider me a believer in the Mustangs. They have what I think to be the key ingredients for success in this league-balance, good size inside, depth, and a go-to scorer who can take over when the time calls.

[NSU4LIFE]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Just a reminder, Midco Sports Network will have the Bemidji State vs. Northern State women's/men's doubleheader live from Wachs Arena on Friday at 6 & 8 PM. Tune in if you're a fan or if you can! Myself (David Brown) and Greg Stemen (former SMSU men's coach) on the call from Aberdeen.

Taking the wife and little ones back to town for the weekend of games. If you need a cool halftime segment, stop into one of the grocery stores before the games and just find some of the older generation and interview them about NSU hoops, they won t hold back and there will be awesome stories! Plays right into that Don Meyer quote.

[Guest69]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

I was torn with Crookston v. Moorhead. Crookston could be the better team this year.

Crookston is the fourth-best offense (114.7 points per 100 poss or O Rating) and by far the fastest pace (84 possessions per game -- second is UIU at 74 poss/gm). Moorhead has the second worst defense (116.1 O Rating) and a relatively fast pace (72 poss/gm). What I'm trying to say is if Moorhead doesn't ake a massive jump in defensive capability, Crookston could score 110 points and beat the Dragons by 40.

Because I will jam analytics down this message board's throat, I made most of my picks based off the early season data (dangerous because of all of the nonconference noise).

Some insight to my picks:

Friday, December 8
U-Mary at Wayne State (Wayne is 4-0 at home and one of NSIC's top defenses)
UM-Crookston at MSU-Moorhead (As stated above, all the data leads me to believe Moorhead will get run. Walthall has his work cut out for him)
Concordia-St. Paul at Upper Iowa (CSP is the worst team in the league by efficiency margin: O Rating - D Rating. Also, Upper Iowa is due ;) )
Southwest Minnesota State at UM-Duluth (Duluth has the worst defense in the league and Bruggeman will pick them apart)
Minot State at Augustana (*rubs bridge of my nose between my eyes so hard that it shatters* **takes deepest breath ever recorded** Minot State played a reasonable nonconfernece schedule and have the most efficient offense while Augie's defense has been underwhelming and has faced two of the bottom five offenses in the league in their first three conference games. Only thing left up in the air is a substantial difference in pace; Augie is five possessions faster per game so hopefully a good outside shooting night will derail the John Wooden National Player of the Year Tyler Rudolph train. This is me trying to be objective: Minot by 8)
MSU-Mankato at Winona State (Winona will lose another close one because apparently that's what Winona does)
Bemidji State at Northern State (Two really slow-playing teams with mediocre offenses. Northern continues its slow strut to the conference title)
Sioux Falls at St Cloud State (Game of the night: St. Cloud State's offense has been surprisingly underwhelming, while USF's has been cooking this season. However, Gage "Always a Bridesmaid" Davis is back and that changes the game drastically. They are 3 and 4 in margin so I think it will be tight throughout. However, I think USF's two-headed attack of Guebert and Evans overcomes St. Cloud's law partners Davis and Averkamp.

Saturday, December 9
Bemidji State at MSU-Moorhead (Bemidji has a much higher efficiency margin, but that non-conference schedule reminds me of Buzz's girlfriend...woof!)
UM-Crookston at Northern State (Hooooo boy. This game should be fun. Major difference in pace: Crookston plays at 84 poss/gm and Northern averages 67 poss/gm. Northern has an above average offense, but Crookston is more consistent -- and lethal -- on O. Northern's defense should give them some fits, especially since they are like 7 deep at the 2, 3 and 4 positions, and those guys can run a team out if they all start banging threes (but that's all there is in Aberdeen anyway). Northern gets a three-point boost for playing at home and another three points for playing Bemidji the night before. Northern by 12 points, but a very uncomfortable 12 points. )
Minot State at Wayne State (Tyler Rudolph scores 40 against the undersized Wayne defense. Kaminsky gets 39th technical of the season while complaining about verticality)
Sioux Falls at UM-Duluth (USF rolls up slow-playing and awful defensive Duluth. Bulldog fans, just be happy you lost in the NCAA hockey title game last year. Go Pios!)
MSU-Mankato at Upper Iowa (Numbers say Minnesota State, but this was the only one I picked against them. I don't trust Margenthaler to win the first four games of conference season. Plus, Charlie Brown will be distracted , looking for an ugly tree that he takes pride in.)
Concordia-St. Paul at Winona State (Winona by double digits)
U-Mary at Augustana (Augie in a closer than comfortable single-digit win)
Southwest Minnesota State at St Cloud State (Ryan Bruggeman is trash. The kid is good at basketball, but he is the most infuriating player to watch. In no way should that dude be second in the league in free throws with 61 FTA (6.8/gm) and he gets an even friendlier whistle away from the basket. SMSU gets the benefit of probably resting him 20 minutes after playing Duluth the night before and St. Cloud should be coming off a close game with heavy minutes by their key guys. However, Southwest has been substantially less efficient on the road, albeit from difference in home/visiting opponents. I'm going to trust the process and pray the officials don't screw over the Fightin' Gage Davises like the league coaches did last year)

[Stanger86]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

(Ryan Bruggeman is trash. The kid is good at basketball, but he is the most infuriating player to watch. In no way should that dude be second in the league in free throws with 61 FTA (6.8/gm) and he gets an even friendlier whistle away from the basket.)

LOL

[Augieholic]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Augie men up 19-16 on Minot at the under 10 TO. John Warren has a quick ten points while guarding everyone from Luis Ricci Maia to Tyler Rudolph.

[NSUguy]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Northern down 26-20 at 5 minute mark. Northern can't buy a bucket.

[NSUguy]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

And just like that NSU is at the line to tie it up after a timeout.

[NSUguy]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Northern down 32-31 at half in a game that really has no flow. Bemidji is playing tough defense and their little point guard is their only inside presence so far. Weird game.

[Augieholic]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Augie up 37-32 at half as Warren leads the way with 16 points. That was one of the best defensive halves for the Vikings so it doesnt bode well that theyre only up 5.

[Stanger86]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

This Mamadou Ngom kid is giving Bruggeman fits so far.

[simple as a $3 bill]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Huskies up 11 at half. Gage Davis is NOT in the building. Don't ask, I have no idea.

[Millsy]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Northern down 32-31 at half in a game that really has no flow. Bemidji is playing tough defense and their little point guard is their only inside presence so far. Weird game.

What little bit of the game I watched on my phone (got the BSU Hockey game ot TV), I am surprised Northern isn't trying to pound it inside more. Lots of threes being tossed up when you have the big guys to pound it with.

[NSUguy]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

They have definitely been feeding the post but they arent finishing. Every time Carter touches the ball he rushes up some wild shot. I understand he's trying to beat a double team but his wild shots aren't working. I don't know minutes played but I'm pretty sure Carter has more minutes that Logan Doyle right now which is extremely surprising considering game flow.

I do agree though that there have been far too many 3s, however at home, northern is usually solid in that area.

[NSU4LIFE]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Barnett Center getting restless....Bemidji has played some pretty good D but we are shooting horribly! Thank goodness for Carter.

[NSUguy]

Re: NSIC Pickem: Week 2 Chat

Barnett Center getting restless....Bemidji has played some pretty good D but we are shooting horribly! Thank goodness for Carter.

If it weren't for Peterkas 5 minute stretch to open up the second half we would be losing. Carter is playing hard but hate his shot selection.