This NDSU over SDSU men’s basketball nine-game winning streak, we’ve been told, is just a media thing and the teams don’t care much about it. That may be true, so let’s talk about it.
Back when these teams were considering a Division I transition, it’s possible that you could see a nine-game winning streak in this series — by SDSU. The fact it’s reached this point in favor of NDSU is historically remarkable. The Jacks were the kings of basketball in the North Central Conference.
Not so in D-I.
“Goofy things happen in basketball,” said NDSU head coach Saul Phillips. “Goofy streaks. I’m sure they’re not looking at it like they’ve lost a bunch. I’m sure they’re looking at it to get some momentum going into the tournament. I would be the first to admit that plenty of times we’ve been fortunate down the stretch to pull it out. It would be one thing if we were blowing them out by 30 every time but that simply has not been the case.”
Considering the odds of sports and all streaks eventually coming to an end, Bison fans can be excused if they’re having a little paranoia on the eve of the biggest home game of the year. SDSU is without a doubt the favorite at 18-10 overall, 10-7 in the league and an advantage at most positions, most notably point guard with Nate Wolters.
Jeff, I agree with everything you said but I still believe the Bison will find a way to beat the SDSU men. Is it true that the UNI defensive coordinator interviewed for the Bison DB coaching job? Why would a coach interview for a job that would be viewed as being demoted???Is something going on at UNI that we aren’t aware of? I know there has been talk about money issues in the athletic department. Go Bison!
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The article says the UNI defensive coordinator interviewed for the defensive backs coach job at NDSU, but in the story the UNI players say they are losing their defensive backs coach. Did he do both jobs? What defensive system does UNI run? We don’t need another coach like the defensive coordinator we hired from Wyoming that really messed up our defense. If he is coming to help and coach the system the way it works best that is great but if he is going to mess it up, I’ll take somebody else.
NDSU men’s team has been a big disappointment. Hopefully they can make a run during the Summit tourney but more than likely they will be one and done.
Is NDSU men’s team going to be one that makes a run at the NCAAs then has 3-5 yrs of mediocrity? Are most years going to be .500? I ask these questions to the more “rabid” BB fans out there. Can NDSU be a more consistent NCAA tourney team? Is Saul the right coach for us?
I don’t see the Bison having a run like they did in ’09 for a while. I think Saul has some serious deficiencies as a coach that is evidenced by the number of close games the Bison have lost this year and last and the number of games they have gone into the half with the lead and ended up losing. I don’t think Saul works the referees nearly as much as he should and I don’t think he is good at drawing up crunch time plays or making crunch time adjustments.
Having said that he is a good recruiter and is a great PR guy. I think he gets a pass from most fans because he’s very likable and the feel good vibes from ’08-’09 are still pretty fresh in everyone’s minds. But I have doubts about whether this team will ever be NCAA tournament caliber again with him at the helm.
This program seems like it will perpetually have 12-18 to 18-12 teams that will never get too high or too low. Hopefully, the upgrade in facilities will allow us to bring in even better recruits so Saul can rely on the players as much as he did in ’08-’09.
Take my message below with salt, I’m a football guy after all and I have little experience with college basketball (did not play the sport) other than casual watching of the march madness tournament.
But, what kind of sport is college basketball when one of the duties of the head coach is to “work the refs”? Are outcomes of games really so dependent upon swinging the ref in your favor by “working him”? Seems like how talented the players are and how well prepared they are (by the coaching staff) are the key reasons that games are won or lost, in any sport.
It may not sound en vogue to the purists but working the referees to protect your players is a major responsibility for a basketball coach at any level. You don’t have to be boisterous and deragotory to work the referees but you do have to stick up for your players and get into a confrontation with a referee every once in a while rather than just put your hands in the air and shake your head.
I was disappointed last year, and I’m disappointed this year (for what it’s worth). We haven’t been close when we’ve played the UofM, and really we’ve been inconsistent across the board. I feel bad that Tveidt was so good in getting us to the NCAAs – he helped keep us in in those Summit Tournament games – and now won’t get back there.
Saul has 5-6 plays, lundberg said that in bison illustrated. Bringing in HS kids from his home state hasnt helped any and please use that big post down low more, please.
There will be 5000+ there right?
There is one player from Wisconsin on this team and a lot of what we do offensively came from Miles. The offense would probably be more productive with a better point guard but Lundberg did fill that role nicely yesterday.