Falcons Finally Subdue Huskies

The Falcons picked up their third road win of the MAC season last night in snow-ravaged DeKalb, IL, where they still may be.  In many ways, it was an ugly contest, marked by poor shooting, a lot of fouls (46 fouls and 63 free throws), a Falcon last second collapse and a near-collapse in overtime.  It did, however, end in a win in an odd environment, and as we grind through the middle of the conference season, that's what was called for.

BG traveled to DeKalb on Monday to beat the storm.  The game was on Wednesday night, and for much of that time, they were snowed in, presumably stuck in their hotel killing time.  It is very difficult to show up sharp after that.  Also, the game had an announced attendance of 465, which also makes it difficult to get fired up.  So, the whole thing had a flat feel to it.  Under those circumstances, our team managed to win.

On the other hand, this is a team that BG is probably better than, even at full strength, and NIU was not at full strength.  They had 2 starters out with the flu and a reserve had his appendix out.  So, NIU was down 3 guys off a below average team.  I know you can't really be disappointed when you don't blow a team out, but you'd think you could just handle a team in those circumstances.

BG struggled on offense, scoring only .96 points per possession, which is tied with the Buffalo game for our worst offensive performance of the season in a win.  BG shot only 41% from the field and 30% from behind the arc and combined that with sub-par free throw shooting, and that's just not the kind of offense we have been showing and not the kind you need to win comfortably.

The flip side is that we held NIU to even less, at .92 points per possession.  They shot 37% and 18% from 3, so our zone did its job, preventing them from shooting well and yet guarding the perimeter.  We did get some turnovers here and there, and held Silas below his average and kept him from taking over the game when they were short-handed.

The final seconds of games continue to be nerve-wracking.  In this game, BG had a 6 point lead with 1:13 left when we called a timeout.  We broke pressure but missed a layup when Silas blocked the shot.  NIU hit a hoop with :50 left and BG was up 4.  They fouled on the inbounds, and Brown split a pair, BG up 5 with :36 left.  BG then fouled Silas (we apparently did not get the memo about not fouling when you have a lead in the last minute) and Silas hit them both and it was a 3 point lead with :31 left, one possession but BG ball.

BG inbounds to Scott Thomas, who is fouled right away.  Even one free throw is huge here, but he misses them both and NIU drains a 3 to tie the game with :15 left.  BG called time, but it was difficult to see any evidence that it helped, as we generated absolutely nothing and missed a weak and covered shot.  (This last element was positively Dakich-like).

The OT was similar.  BG lead by 4 with :50 left and got a huge block from Danny McElroy.  However, NIU picked up the ball and was fouled (!) and sunk both free throws and the lead was 2.  They are on to us now, and foul Thomas with :27 left.  He splits a pair to put BG up 3, and NIU comes down misses two 3s in a wild melee before McElroy grabbed the board and was fouled.  Even 1 free throw ices it, but he misses both, and Silas ends the game on an NBA-3 that went in and out, and the Falcons were lucky not to be playing a second overtime.

College Basketball

Back to the defense, there is a key element in there.  NIU got a tip in after :14  to open up the scoring in OT.  They did not get another field goal for the game, and their only other points were the free throws that they made as listed above.  By that point, they were down two more guys due to fouls, and BG was struggling to score as well, but BG did string together a number of stops in OT and that as much as anything won the game.

In terms of the Four Factors, as you can see, the free throw was a cursed event, as both teams shot only 58%.  For as much as BG could have put the game away with a couple, NIU could equally feel they had a shot at leading down the stretch if they make theirs.  BG had a slight advantage shooting and in taking care of the ball, but NIU dominated BG on the offensive boards, something they have not been good at.

College Basketball Stats

In terms of individual play, Scott Thomas continues to play very well.  He had 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.  (Offensive rating 112).  It was his season high in points and 8th straight game in double figures.  A'uston Calhoun had a double-double, with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  His consistency is still coming around (he appears to alternate scoring and non-scoring games right now) but he is a huge lift to us when he is contributing.  Danny McElroy had 6 and 6 and 3 blocked shots and contributed some very solid minutes when we needed it.  Finally, Dee Brown continued to assert himself with 12 points and 3 assists.

Finally, I think we beat the Xavier Silas topic to death last night.  Just to close the loop.  Yes, he had 23 points.  He also shot 40% for the game and made 8 of NIU's 13 turnovers.  His offensive rating was 83, his lowest of the MAC season.  I do think we really clamped down on him, and coming down the stretch he did not seem to have much room to operate.

Quick freeze frame.  This team is 11-11.  At 1-8, I don't think it look very likely we would even be able to sniff a .500 record.  This team deserves huge credit for sticking with it and turning this around.  We are also in a snow-aided first place.  It is a very interesting and fun year we are having.