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Topic: Official Game 13 Thread: Northern Illinois
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Ted Thompson
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Posted: 1/2/2016 11:15 AM
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Use this thread to talk about anything game-related.

Date: January 6th, 2016  8:00 PM

Opponent: Northern Illinois   (10-2, 0-0 MAC)

Site: NIU Convocation Center

TV: None

Radio:  Ohio Radio

Webcast: ESPN3.com

Ohio Game Notes

NIU Game Notes

Northern Illinois' media guide, roster and statistics.  

Northern Illinois fan site:  The Dog Pound 

Last Edited: 1/6/2016 9:12:28 AM by Ted Thompson
bobcat2nc
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Posted: 1/3/2016 4:28 PM
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As has been stated before, this is the first of 18 big games.

Go Cats!
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 1/3/2016 5:17 PM
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Per Sagarin, the line on this game will either be a toss up or NIU favored by one.
perimeterpost
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Posted: 1/3/2016 5:58 PM
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RPI
116 Ohio
118 NIU

SOS
221 Ohio
308 NIU



RPI for NIU's OOC opponents-

L 75 Suckeyes(9-5)

W 120 Idaho(8-5)
L 131 Missouri(7-6)
W 153 Wright St(5-7)
W 164 S Dakota(7-7)

W 289 CSU Northridge(3-9)
W 293 FIU(4-7)
W 299 Chicago St(1-12)

W 344 Ill Chicago(0-10)
Last Edited: 1/3/2016 5:59:11 PM by perimeterpost
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 1/4/2016 12:40 AM
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Get this one...get a big MAC start!
The Optimist
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Posted: 1/4/2016 8:54 AM
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They all count as one game, but this one really feels like it is of great importance. We need to set the tone off right in MAC play and NIU looks to be a pretty good squad. A win here for a very young squad who has had some early success against a less than stellar schedule would go a long way.

GO BOBCATS!
71 BOBCAT
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Posted: 1/4/2016 9:38 AM
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We were 1-8 last year in road games.
With these 1st two games on the road, to start the season, there are no bigger games, as these could set the stage for how our season will play out.




GO BOBCATS
100%Cat
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Posted: 1/4/2016 9:41 AM
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It's really tough to get a feel for NIU considering their schedule. Half of the teams I have never even heard of. Judson College? A win on the road to start MAC play would be huge, let's get it done!
OU_Country
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Posted: 1/4/2016 12:32 PM
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71 BOBCAT wrote:expand_more
We were 1-8 last year in road games.
With these 1st two games on the road, to start the season, there are no bigger games, as these could set the stage for how our season will play out.




GO BOBCATS

Just making sure - are you saying win the first two road games (always good), or that the first two are on the road? Saturday vs Ball U is at home, and I can't wait!

Totally agree getting this W could be a nice tone setter for conference play.
OU_Country
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Posted: 1/4/2016 12:32 PM
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100%Cat wrote:expand_more
It's really tough to get a feel for NIU considering their schedule. Half of the teams I have never even heard of. Judson College? A win on the road to start MAC play would be huge, let's get it done!
Sadly, the same could be said for multiple MAC teams thus far.
OhioBobcat
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Posted: 1/4/2016 12:50 PM
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I think NIU is a fraud and will be exposed on their home floor by Ohio.
OUVan
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Posted: 1/4/2016 2:08 PM
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Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
Per Sagarin, the line on this game will either be a toss up or NIU favored by one.
That surprises me. I would think it would be -3+ for NIU.
NIU007b
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Posted: 1/4/2016 4:02 PM
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OhioBobcat wrote:expand_more
I think NIU is a fraud and will be exposed on their home floor by Ohio.
I don't know if I'd say "exposed". Everyone knows we aren't your typical 11-2 team. If I had to guess I'd say the team is very similar to last year, with a little more depth as the freshman have been playing nearly as well as the starters (in some cases, better). And making way more of their free throws, oddly enough. And short jumpers, now that I think about it.

We still are overall missing too many free throws and too many outside shots. I'd guess we'll go about .500 in MAC play, or a little worse, since the MAC seems a little stronger overall this year.
OUVan
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Posted: 1/4/2016 4:31 PM
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NIU007b wrote:expand_more
I don't know if I'd say "exposed". Everyone knows we aren't your typical 11-2 team. If I had to guess I'd say the team is very similar to last year, with a little more depth as the freshman have been playing nearly as well as the starters (in some cases, better). And making way more of their free throws, oddly enough. And short jumpers, now that I think about it.

We still are overall missing too many free throws and too many outside shots. I'd guess we'll go about .500 in MAC play, or a little worse, since the MAC seems a little stronger overall this year.
Some of that applies to us as well except we are tons better than we were last year and have shot well. Our personnel this year just suits what Saul likes to do more. We are having some of the same defensive problems as we did last year although it seems like we've improved some there as well. It's really hard to draw any conclusions from any MAC teams this year based on the OOC schedule. Much like you guys we won the games we were supposed to and lost the games we were supposed to. Sure wish this one was at home.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 1/4/2016 8:38 PM
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Your defensive stats and rebounding are impressive even considering the light schedule.
NIU007b
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Posted: 1/5/2016 9:43 AM
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Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
Your defensive stats and rebounding are impressive even considering the light schedule.
Since our coach used to work under Izzo at Michigan State I believe he has the same philosophy and concentrates on defense. Rebounding has generally been good as well. I wonder sometimes if the concentration on that takes away from their shooting, as that's been a problem for some time. The freshmen seem to actually shoot better, but probably don't play as well on defense so they're still coming off the bench.
ytownbobcat
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Posted: 1/5/2016 10:44 AM
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Anybody seen Game Notes?

The game is about 30 hours from now. Seems like we have really dropped off in this area.
Ted Thompson
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Posted: 1/5/2016 1:13 PM
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Some interesting matchups on KenPom.com. Ohio's strong on the offensive end averaging 107.7 points per 100 possessions (73rd in the country) while NIU is strong defensively giving up just 100.8 (133rd in the country). The Bobcats are great at shooting 2's (56% ranking 17th in the country) while the Huskies allow just 42.1% on 2's (26th in the country). Meanwhile, Ohio is poor defensively giving up 105.1 (236th in the country) while Northern struggles offensively averaging 101.1 (204th in the country).

A couple of other interesting numbers. Ohio is one of the worst in the country in turnovers, turning the ball over on 20.7% of possessions (295th in the country). The Huskies are one of the best at forcing turnovers, opponents are turning the ball over 21.6% (37th in the country) of the time.

Perhaps the strongest part of NIU's game is FT percentage defense. The Huskies are "allowing" teams to shoot shoot just 63.5% from the line (16th best in the country).

bobcatsquared
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Posted: 1/5/2016 3:04 PM
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Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more
Perhaps the strongest part of NIU's game is FT percentage defense. The Huskies are "allowing" teams to shoot shoot just 63.5% from the line (16th best in the country).
They must practice that FT % defense a lot.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 1/5/2016 3:37 PM
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Haven't done any research on this, but I've noticed over the years that there is a seeming correlation between a teams FT percentage and opponents FT percentage. On the face of it this makes no sense. Would like to see a statistical analysis of this. The only possible explanation I can think of if there is such a correlation is the old idea that "shooting is contagious".

Trying to bait JSF back...
Last Edited: 1/5/2016 3:38:57 PM by Jeff McKinney
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 1/5/2016 6:27 PM
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I predict that our bench will contribute some good minutes during the first three games. May not be vs. NIU, but I think that we'll see some totally solid minutes from the bench which will have people happy about the coming next years.



[admission: i think this is a somewhat easy prediction...i hope so...given the hints that we have seen already]
BobcatSports
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Posted: 1/5/2016 7:51 PM
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It opens as a pick-em game.
GroverBall
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Posted: 1/5/2016 10:06 PM
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I don't read the opponent fan sites very often, well almost never, but for some reason I clicked on the link above. Not only do I appreciate BA more, but I was surprised how many of their fans are predicting a loss for NIU tomorrow. Given their record, and our record last year, should I be surprised by this? Or has their fan base been following the 'Cats this year and are somewhat understandably pessimistic?
RSBobcat
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Posted: 1/5/2016 11:50 PM
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Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
Haven't done any research on this, but I've noticed over the years that there is a seeming correlation between a teams FT percentage and opponents FT percentage. On the face of it this makes no sense. Would like to see a statistical analysis of this. The only possible explanation I can think of if there is such a correlation is the old idea that "shooting is contagious".

Trying to bait JSF back...
Good/Smart teams foul the right players, at the right time. Typically that is poor FT bigs in the paint to deny the 2 and put them on the line where they might get 1.
OhioBobcat
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Posted: 1/6/2016 9:14 AM
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GroverBall wrote:expand_more
I don't read the opponent fan sites very often, well almost never, but for some reason I clicked on the link above. Not only do I appreciate BA more, but I was surprised how many of their fans are predicting a loss for NIU tomorrow. Given their record, and our record last year, should I be surprised by this? Or has their fan base been following the 'Cats this year and are somewhat understandably pessimistic?
No you shouldn't be surprised. Ohio is the better team. We know it, and they know it.
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