Time to shift gears...
--Tyler Madsen--
Now that the fall sports season is behind us and there's a lot of snow on the ground, it's time to look ahead to the winter sports seasons that have, in a sense, snuck up on us. It's been hard to focus on the sports that will keep us busy for the next three or four months due to the success of soccer and volleyball this fall. Since I'm covering men's basketball every week, that's what I'll be focusing on here as well.
The Bulldogs are 6-1 after a 69-35 win over unknown Vennard College (Iowa). Despite the fact that the Cougars rivaled the Wisconsin Badgers of the late 1990s in strategy, (man-to-man defense; not shooting until there were less than five seconds on the shot clock), they certainly didn't rival them in the ability factor whatsoever. Last night's game provided a great chance for the freshmen guards (Estridge, Taylor & Kearns) to get some time and show what they can really do.
The really interesting statistic about this team so far is the fact that they have given up more than 60 points in only TWO of the first SEVEN games this season. They've held THREE opponents under 55, and TWO of those opponents haven't been able to top 42. Those are some low numbers on defense.
Teams are only shooting 36% from the field against the 'Dogs, and with Truman sealing the deals by shooting an MIAA-leading 77% from the foul line, things are certainly pointing to a good season for the purple and white if they can keep it up.
This weekend will be a great chance to see how the 'Dogs will stand in the conference this year (at least if they'll be able to hang around up top). #24 Southwest Baptist awaits on their home court, and boy do they have a LOT of weapons.
They've got an Oklahoma State transfer, 7'2" Frans Steyn, underneath averaging almost 13 points/game and about 7 rebounds/game so far. Juan Lopez has started eight of the nine SBU games so far, and gives them an athletic element at 6'6" who could give Andy Calmes and/or Derek Lindsey some fits.
The big key will be if the Bulldogs can contain SBU senior point guard Sheldon Pace. This year, Pace is leading the team with a 13.8 points/game average and also has done a great job at dishing the rock with a 7.4 assists/game average. If Chip Sodemann can just contain Pace and hold him down a little bit and the 'Dogs shoot well from the field, then a win in Bolivar to start the conference season is certainly a possibility.
What's everybody thinking about the team so far this season? Things to be excited about? Things that might worry you a little bit? Sound off and let everyone know!
Now that the fall sports season is behind us and there's a lot of snow on the ground, it's time to look ahead to the winter sports seasons that have, in a sense, snuck up on us. It's been hard to focus on the sports that will keep us busy for the next three or four months due to the success of soccer and volleyball this fall. Since I'm covering men's basketball every week, that's what I'll be focusing on here as well.
The Bulldogs are 6-1 after a 69-35 win over unknown Vennard College (Iowa). Despite the fact that the Cougars rivaled the Wisconsin Badgers of the late 1990s in strategy, (man-to-man defense; not shooting until there were less than five seconds on the shot clock), they certainly didn't rival them in the ability factor whatsoever. Last night's game provided a great chance for the freshmen guards (Estridge, Taylor & Kearns) to get some time and show what they can really do.
The really interesting statistic about this team so far is the fact that they have given up more than 60 points in only TWO of the first SEVEN games this season. They've held THREE opponents under 55, and TWO of those opponents haven't been able to top 42. Those are some low numbers on defense.
Teams are only shooting 36% from the field against the 'Dogs, and with Truman sealing the deals by shooting an MIAA-leading 77% from the foul line, things are certainly pointing to a good season for the purple and white if they can keep it up.
This weekend will be a great chance to see how the 'Dogs will stand in the conference this year (at least if they'll be able to hang around up top). #24 Southwest Baptist awaits on their home court, and boy do they have a LOT of weapons.
They've got an Oklahoma State transfer, 7'2" Frans Steyn, underneath averaging almost 13 points/game and about 7 rebounds/game so far. Juan Lopez has started eight of the nine SBU games so far, and gives them an athletic element at 6'6" who could give Andy Calmes and/or Derek Lindsey some fits.
The big key will be if the Bulldogs can contain SBU senior point guard Sheldon Pace. This year, Pace is leading the team with a 13.8 points/game average and also has done a great job at dishing the rock with a 7.4 assists/game average. If Chip Sodemann can just contain Pace and hold him down a little bit and the 'Dogs shoot well from the field, then a win in Bolivar to start the conference season is certainly a possibility.
What's everybody thinking about the team so far this season? Things to be excited about? Things that might worry you a little bit? Sound off and let everyone know!
posted by Anonymous at Friday, December 09, 2005
3 Comments:
Nice work again Tyler. It will be interesting to see how the team does in conference play. I agree the match-ups with be interesting. I remember talking to Schrader on Tuesday and him saying that Lindsey MIGHT guard the point guard.
Who do they put n the 7'2" guy Grimm or Calmes? Should be a fun game to watch.
Joe, I could actually see Lindsey guard Pace, because their other starters (Deon Davis and a 5'11" guy) would match up decently with Chip and Austin.
As for Steyn .. I would think we'd have a battle of the big boys (6'9" I think Grimm is and 7'2")
What happened to Ross' blog? I enjoyed the banter.
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