NIU Redux

So, BG gets a quick rematch with NIU, who they beat only 2 weeks ago at the Stroh.  So, not too much has changed since then, and here's the preview from that game.

Since the BG game, NIU beat EMU in DeKalb and then lost @Buffalo and @Akron.  They are 9-10 and 2-4, with only one home loss all season.

As you can see, the game at the Stroh was offensively challenged.  Shooting was pretty even and BG lost the turnover battle.  However, the Falcons kept a very physical NIU team off the offensive boards.  BG also made 80% of their FTS for a +6 advantage on its way to a 9-point win.

In the first game, Wiggins led the way for BG with a 15-15 double double.  Turner scored 14 and Frye 11, though they both had pretty poor shooting nights.  On the NIU side, Eugene German, who was all-freshman with Dylan Frye, scored 19 and Gairges Daow had 7 rebounds.

For this game, I don't think there's any mystery.  BG will be hard pressed to do THAT well on the boards again and both teams shot more poorly than they are used to.  NIU is also a very young team.  BG is hard to figure out.  I don't believe they will be able to get away with shooting 43% and turning the ball over 25% of the time.  The formula for winning has typically been shooting decently, protecting the ball, getting to the line and playing decent defense.  That's a little more sustainable. 

The other interesting issue will be to see if BG can bounce back from Saturday's disappointing collapse.  Best case:  they've been itching to get back onto the floor as soon as possible.  Worst case is a loss of confidence that could take some time to resolve.