Northwestern 81, Michigan State 74: POSTGAME THREAD OF HAPPINESS
by Loretta8 on Jan 14, 2012 4:17 PM CST
in 2011-12 Northwestern Wildcats Basketball
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Northwestern finally got a big time win, leading for the entire second half and stopping #7 Michigan State's 15 game winning streak.
The huge story of this one was the brilliant play of Davide Curletti, who was a surprise starter and had the game of his life with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, including a posterization in the second half that brought down the house.
John Shurna had 22, Drew Crawford had 20 despite battling the flu, Reggie Hearn had 10 big points in the second half, and Dave Sobolewski had another solid floor general game with 6 assists and just 1 turnover.
More analysis later, but for now WE BEAT A TOP TEN TEAM CONVINCINGLY LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME
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Congrats!
Positives
1. Huge win, top #10 opponent win, NCAA tournament resume win, home win, beating a physical team win, beating a HOF coach win, and most of all a Big Ten win!
2. Curletti. Wow, wow, wow. What is there to say, just flat out incredible effort, skill, and heart from a player that I never expected anything from.
3. Crawford. A solid game from him today, especially considering his illness. Not incredible, but very, very good.
4. Defense, not as good as the Illinois and Michigan game, but still getting much better.
5. Hearn, what an INCREDIBLY pleasant surprise for this team. Big shots from him, and he just looks like he belongs out there, even in losses, he always looks confident.
Negatives
1. Cobb. When is he going to transfer? I mean seriously, between injuries, looking clueless on offense, being in Carmody’s doghouse, quick hooks in games, etc, he is just not getting it done, and he just doesn’t look into it. When he was out there today, he is just not an impact player on any level. I know a LARGE part of it is injuries, but I just don’t get a good vibe from him.
2. Marco. Injuries again. Just a bummer from one of my favorite players.
3. Shurna. Hold up before you jump on me, but for a guy that is an All-American/1st team All Big Ten candidate, he just doesn’t do enough for me. He did hit some HUGE shots, but 5-14, 2-7 from three is just not getting it done for me.
Overall, fantastic win for a team that badly needed it. Now, this team is on the road for two important games against the middle of the Big Ten. This team doesn’t need two wins, but one would be very nice.
SeattleCat, this is how NU can somehow get to 9-9, and for Mac, this is how this team makes the tournament.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 4:27 PM CST reply actions
Cobb - Cool your jets
In the live game thread, they said he was injured. Can’t make him a negative today.
I know..
Jeff, trust me, I want to be a HUGE Cobb fan. He is NU’s only top 100 recruit, and you know my emphasis on recruiting over X/O’s, but between everything, including injuries, he just doesn’t seem like he is liking NU. Teddy G had the rumor out about him last year, and a friend of mine who watches the games VERY intently has noted his sideline demeanor is not the same of the other guys.
I’m NOT trying to usher him out, but he just doesn’t look as good as I thought he would be.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
Cobb has every reason in the world to be frustrated.
But I don’t think it’s NU’s fault so much as the injuries. Hopefully the guys are trying to keep his spirits up. Every time he plays, I see the flashes of what could be.
Just hard to judge him right now
He didn’t play at all today, and hasn’t really been healthy at all this season. I’ve been concerned about the transfer potential as well, but no one could make an argument based on his health that he would have done anything anywhere this year.
Hopefully he stays and breaks out next year. Barring a miraculous recovery this year, I don’t think there’s a ton you can really take from his season. Hopefully he sticks around and takes a big step next year.
Yes, I know he is injured, but don't you think he would be better suited elsewhere?
I guess this is a gut feel debate, but he just doesn’t seem that into NU’s bball team.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
no
its not like there are talented wings riding the pine in favor of him
I hear you, but just watch his body language next game.
I don’t want my msg confused, I’m a fan of Cobb and want him to be a great player.
But, as much as he has been injured combined with body language plus his confusion on offense plus some transfer rumors last offseason equals significant transfer potential.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 10:33 PM CST up reply actions
I think it's a little bit hard to assess the negatives today.
At worst Shurna was a neutral. A lot of those shots were compensated by the number of times that he got to the line. I think FG % might be the wrong metric because he still averaged 1.5 pts/shot which isn’t so bad.
In fact I like the fact that he continued to shoot it despite the fact that he didn’t have a great shooting game. He stayed aggressive and got to the hoop down the stretch which he hasn’t in other games, lo and behold, we closed it out after that 7-0 run by MSU.
a few of those shots were taken when the shot clock was running out
i have no problem with crawford or shurna throwing shots up. if were going to the dance, its gonna be mostly on their shoulders
Ok fair...
Full disclosure, I didn’t see the game, rather heard it on XM, so I’m judging a lot by box score about Shurna’s stat line, but I do agree, love him getting to the line as much as he did, and overall, he is one of NU’s best players, so if anyone as the green light, it is him.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 4:50 PM CST up reply actions
I can kind of agree on Shurna offensively
He hasn’t been bad, per se, but I know he’s capable of a lot better. But don’t forget about his defensive contributions. He’s stepped up BIG TIME on that front this year. Leading the team in rebounds and second in the B1G in blocks. That’s pretty impressive for a forward.
by Purple_Storm on Jan 14, 2012 5:13 PM CST up reply actions
Also, as an addendum
Shurna’s numbers looked slightly worse than they were because he had to jack up a few crappy shots at the end of shot clocks.
by Purple_Storm on Jan 14, 2012 5:14 PM CST up reply actions
Yes and ok.
Yes, his defense, albeit not stellar, has gotten significantly better from his past three seasons.
In terms of skewing the stat line, I agree that there were a few late shot clock attempts, but if they went in, wouldn’t you count them? So, we have to be consistent.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 9:52 PM CST up reply actions
Yes
I’m just saying that they were extremely difficult shots that had very little chance of going in., due to the fact that he was merely trying to beat the clock.
by Purple_Storm on Jan 15, 2012 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
ayyyyyy mami
Vamos a disfrutar la viiiiiida
by Rodger Sherman on Jan 14, 2012 4:34 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
So pissed i didnt go to the game
that would have been something to see, but i was still a little heart broken from being at the u of i loss….but GO CATS!
GO NU
Win at Wisky! let’s show we’re growing as a team – this concept of “developing” through the season seems to be lost on us. Would be huge if we could do that and make our way into the upper tier of the B1G.
This game reminded me
Of a game my junior year, way back. The last team to beat Magic Johnson’s Sparty team? His last loss in college?
The Northwestern Wildcats, in Evanston.
by SeattleCat on Jan 14, 2012 4:51 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Man, can anyone explain...
… how this team has emerged defensively? They look totally transformed from the team that played against Baylor/Creighton.
I want this to be discussed more.
After three and half seasons of pathetic defense, NU looks like a decent defensive team.
I LOVE that.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 9:50 PM CST up reply actions
Glad you said it. TOTALLY agree.
I think their defense was the complete difference in this game. I’d love to see a shot chart. I bet MSU got less than 10% of their shots in the lane.
I said it on another board, but I don’t want to talk about Cureltti’s offense. For me, most of his baskets were in a context similar to other games. He simply made them this afternoon.
But his defense was a complete upgrade for him. He rotated at the right times and his movement up and down the lane was fabulous.
Also, I love how the Cats extended their defense. there have been games this year where the point guard was picked up at the top of the key. Today, the center and wings were picking up their areas at the top of the key.
And – excuse me because this is a pet peeve – the Cats consistently hand their hands up on defense. Amazing how that happens.
Soooo epic!!!
Great upset + Great crowd + on camera rushing the court =
LETS HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME
Just when I thought I was out...
…they pull me back in.
I had a real good time at the game today.
by NUcappy on Jan 14, 2012 8:52 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I kinda feel the same way.
I want to wait for the full nine game stretch, but this has changed the season outlook dramatically.
by NU Alumni - Class of 2002 on Jan 14, 2012 9:52 PM CST up reply actions
Random Happy Thought . . .
“Let’s Have a Real Good Time” . . ..everyone outside of this community has no idea wtf we are talking about. . . . I love that every time I see that commercial I think of the Wildcats!
Great win Cats! Had friends over watching NFL, so I missed the whole damn thing . . . but REALLY happy to see the results! Evidently I should NOT watch more often . . .
"I drank what?" - Socrates
by Damon1212 on Jan 14, 2012 10:41 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
i've seen it a few times actually
in the depths of the internet.. mighta been NU peeps in disguise
by derpityderp on Jan 15, 2012 11:45 PM CST up reply actions
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