MBB Final: Louisiana 105, Nicholls 80

[Just1More]

Pretty amazing second half by the Cajuns.

[RaginScotsman]

Nicholls isn’t a terrible basketball team. That’s a hell of a comeback when the Home team has you on the ropes in the second half and you absolutely blow them out.

[Cajunsmike]

Did they make this run without Bryce?!

Most of run was with Justin Miller in for Bryce. He did a fine job and did not force things like he did against McNeese. Made some free throws, drew charges, made some nice passes, and made more layups than Bryce was making. Zone was key as it slowed Nicholls down. It seems strange that you would use a zone against a team that likes threes. However the Colonels like to shoot transition threes off turnovers from their press. They seemed to struggle when it was more of a half court setup. Once they stopped scoring, they could not press us and that is how they got a lead. When they did the adjustment to throw it over the top of them and let Gant go get it was successful. Anyone count how many "and ones" we got by doing that, it was several. I was surprised Nicholls stayed with that so long. Winning by 25 on the road without your point guard is satisfying. If Stroman had played we may never had been in trouble as he would have handled the press. I wonder if they play him against Loyola. I understand wanting him to be 100% for Tech but if you hold him out till then it will be two weeks since he played and he could be rusty. I guess you hold him out and go at him hard in practice with better athletes than Loyola has. Going forward if we find ourselves down by 10 in second half on the road in a conference game, perhaps we can take something form this game and know we can come back.

[IberiaCajun]

Most of run was with Justin Miller in for Bryce. He did a fine job and did not force things like he did against McNeese. Made some free throws, drew charges, made some nice passes, and made more layups than Bryce was making. Zone was key as it slowed Nicholls down. It seems strange that you would use a zone against a team that likes threes. However the Colonels like to shoot transition threes off turnovers from their press. They seemed to struggle when it was more of a half court setup. Once they stopped scoring, they could not press us and that is how they got a lead. When they did the adjustment to throw it over the top of them and let Gant go get it was successful. Anyone count how many "and ones" we got by doing that, it was several. I was surprised Nicholls stayed with that so long. Winning by 25 on the road without your point guard is satisfying. If Stroman had played we may never had been in trouble as he would have handled the press. I wonder if they play him against Loyola. I understand wanting him to be 100% for Tech but if you hold him out till then it will be two weeks since he played and he could be rusty. I guess you hold him out and go at him hard in practice with better athletes than Loyola has. Going forward if we find ourselves down by 10 in second half on the road in a conference game, perhaps we can take something form this game and know we can come back.

I agree with most of what you said. Conference competition will be tougher. What was Nicholls fg% against the zone? I don't see another team going that cold. Defeating their press definitely helped us to shoot something like 80% in the second half. I don't see that happening again; shooting that high a percentage! I thought coach almost waited too late to go to the zone. Miller did play better tonight. A lot of players contributed. I think the bench just got a little deeper tonight.

[Cajunsmike]

I agree with most of what you said. Conference competition will be tougher. What was Nicholls fg% against the zone? I don't see another team going that cold. Defeating their press definitely helped us to shoot something like 80% in the second half. I don't see that happening again; shooting that high a percentage! I thought coach almost waited too late to go to the zone. Miller did play better tonight. A lot of players contributed. I think the bench just got a little deeper tonight.

Nicholls shot well less than 20% when we went to zone. You are right in that you can't expect a team to go that cold and stay there quite often. However, our guys did a real good job in the zone. They moved quickly to cover the perimeter shooters as the ball was swung from side to side. You are also correct in that a team won't stay in a press as long as Nicholls did. Hopefullly we have STroman healthy for hose games.

[Boomer]

Nicholls shot well less than 20% when we went to zone. You are right in that you can't expect a team to go that cold and stay there quite often. However, our guys did a real good job in the zone. They moved quickly to cover the perimeter shooters as the ball was swung from side to side. You are also correct in that a team won't stay in a press as long as Nicholls did. Hopefullly we have STroman healthy for hose games.

Great zone defense is great man within your area.....anticipation helps to get to the man being passed to to get the man for man set up......If the match up is played correctly it does almost look like man......the 2-3 also helps defend the feed passes to the biggies down low.....I remember Southhall's trying to cross the lane and being cut off by three guys teaming up down low....love Syracuse's through the years!!!

[HOUCajun]

Beat down

[ZoomZoom]

Most of run was with Justin Miller in for Bryce. He did a fine job and did not force things like he did against McNeese. Made some free throws, drew charges, made some nice passes, and made more layups than Bryce was making. Zone was key as it slowed Nicholls down. It seems strange that you would use a zone against a team that likes threes. However the Colonels like to shoot transition threes off turnovers from their press. They seemed to struggle when it was more of a half court setup. Once they stopped scoring, they could not press us and that is how they got a lead. When they did the adjustment to throw it over the top of them and let Gant go get it was successful. Anyone count how many "and ones" we got by doing that, it was several. I was surprised Nicholls stayed with that so long. Winning by 25 on the road without your point guard is satisfying. If Stroman had played we may never had been in trouble as he would have handled the press. I wonder if they play him against Loyola. I understand wanting him to be 100% for Tech but if you hold him out till then it will be two weeks since he played and he could be rusty. I guess you hold him out and go at him hard in practice with better athletes than Loyola has. Going forward if we find ourselves down by 10 in second half on the road in a conference game, perhaps we can take something form this game and know we can come back.

Great summary. Now, do you remember the prize the guy won for the layup, free throw and 3 pointer? That may have been the wieredest prize ever.

[Hatch]

The depth really showed tonight, doing that without Stroman and making the big run with Bryce on the bench was impressive. I thought Marquetti really stepped it up rebounding when Bryce got the 4th foul, he is a well rounded player. Stove seems to be over the injury, he was leaping out the gym on some of those dunks and rebounds as well. It really was a fun atmosphere to watch a game in. I agree that Nicholls is a pretty good team, they will be near the top of the Southland. Overall a great win.

[BeauCajun]

Great summary. Now, do you remember the prize the guy won for the layup, free throw and 3 pointer? That may have been the wieredest prize ever.

Hotel night. My wife and I had a good laugh about that.

I was impressed with Nicholls press. Small time basketball gym. Nice location on campus. Fairly good student turn out. Makes me appreciate the Cajundome a whole lot even without my cup holder.

[ZoomZoom]

A night at the Hampton Inn of Thibodeaux. That’s kind of a head scratcher.

[CajunSaint]

I ll take Stevie P any day Not boring

no! never!! not him, please.