North Dakota State University

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

Just some simple stats on NDSU

Record: 20-7

7-6 on the road

4-4 in their last 8 games

On Feb. 14th they lost to Western Illinois 49-36 (I have no idea about this one and how they only scored 36)

RPI: 82

Tallest Starter: Marshall Bjorklund at 6'8" with 12 ppg

[Dave in Green]

NDSU started off 15-3 in their first 18 games and built up a good RPI, losing only to #1 Indiana, #13 Minnesota and Green Bay. Then they lost leading scorer (15.222 ppg) Taylor Braun, a 6-7 junior, to an injury and have gone 5-4 in the 9 games since, with their RPI falling below the Zips. Pomeroy still has them ranked #59, not far below the #50 Zips. They're #113 in adjusted offense (Zips are #62) and #33 in adjusted defense (Zips are #50). This will be the 3rd highest ranked defense the Zips have faced this season behind only Oklahoma State and Middle Tennessee. Their offensive number would be better had they not lost their leading scorer. While it would have been a tougher matchup against the Bison at full strength, they're still good enough that the Zips will not be able to sleepwalk through this game.

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

NDSU started off 15-3 in their first 18 games and built up a good RPI, losing only to #1 Indiana, #13 Minnesota and Green Bay. Then they lost leading scorer (15.222 ppg) Taylor Braun, a 6-7 junior, to an injury and have gone 5-4 in the 9 games since, with their RPI falling below the Zips. Pomeroy still has them ranked #59, not far below the #50 Zips. They're #113 in adjusted offense (Zips are #62) and #33 in adjusted defense (Zips are #50). This will be the 3rd highest ranked defense the Zips have faced this season behind only Oklahoma State and Middle Tennessee. Their offensive number would be better had they not lost their leading scorer. While it would have been a tougher matchup against the Bison at full strength, they're still good enough that the Zips will not be able to sleepwalk through this game.

Thanks, so that's why they only scored 36. We definitely have the size on them, so hopefully we can control the boards and penetrate the post.

[taxpayer]

Can we assume they like a half court or walk it up style of play based upon those statistics?

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

Can we assume they like a half court or walk it up style of play based upon those statistics?

With their leading scorer out one would think they will try and slow the pace down. Additionally, they are 23rd in the country in Field Goal Percentage, so they know they can make shots when needed.

[Dave in Green]

Bad news on the NDSU game pace. Pomeroy ranks the Bison #343 in adjusted tempo. To give you an idea from teams the Zips have played this season, Princeton has a slightly faster tempo at #341, while Western Michigan, at #347, has the slowest tempo in the country. This is going to look a lot like a MAC West game, but with more talented players.

[fargobison]

Can we assume they like a half court or walk it up style of play based upon those statistics?

NDSU plays a style that is similar to Wisconsin. Saul Phillips our head coach played for and coached with Bo Ryan(Bo's son Will is also on our coaching staff). Our tempo with Braun is a bit faster but we are a half court team.

Offensively losing Braun has hurt and unfortunately for us he won't be cleared to play until next Monday. Defensively though we have stayed pretty consistent without him.

[LZIp]

DiG- if you dont have a career in analytics, well...you should.

[Captain Kangaroo]

NDSU plays a style that is similar to Wisconsin.

Too bad you're playing the Zips, and not Ohio State.

[ZachTheZip]

Akron eats these kind of slow-paced teams for breakfast. Even with Walsh out, I'm not worried.

[Dave in Green]

@fargobison, thanks for the scouting report. The Zips have a lot of experience going up against deliberate half-court offenses this season, so the Bison won't catch them by surprise.

@LZip, all I do is navigate to websites with quality data like KenPom and read his charts. No expertise in analytics is required to quote someone else's numbers.

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

How many fans will NDSU bring?

I'm sayin' they bring 12, with 2 of them being baby buffaloes

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

NDSU plays a style that is similar to Wisconsin. Saul Phillips our head coach played for and coached with Bo Ryan(Bo's son Will is also on our coaching staff). Our tempo with Braun is a bit faster but we are a half court team.

Offensively losing Braun has hurt and unfortunately for us he won't be cleared to play until next Monday. Defensively though we have stayed pretty consistent without him.

Do you have fans coming to Akron for the game??

[fargobison]

Do you have fans coming to Akron for the game??

Probably not many, but I do know one Bison fan that lives in Columbus that said he is going to go.

[Dave in Green]

@fargobison, let your friend in Columbus know that he can check in here if he has any questions about anything.

[Blue & Gold]

George Thomas on tonight's matchup.

[Captain Kangaroo]

“I want a better shooter with [Nick] Harney and a worse shooter with Jake [Kretzer],” he said. “I want balance because they play sagging man, which means they’re going to give up some jump shots.”

They will sag on Ibitayo because he shoots 17% from three point range. Would you rather double down on Zeke, who shoots 68% from 2-point range, or put a man on Ibitayo?

Play McAdams. Add Ibitayo as the newest member of Jonas and the Human Victory Cigars.

[johnnyzip84]

They will sag on Ibitayo because he shoots 17% from three point range. Would you rather double down on Zeke, who shoots 68% from 2-point range, or put a man on Ibitayo?

Play McAdams. Add Ibitayo as the newest member of Jonas and the Human Victory Cigars.

First, I agree that McAdams should start tonight. The only concern with Reggie (and Jake) is that they have both had periods of forcing the issue on 3's. And this leads me to a crazy idea I thought about (way too much) last night. Is there a scenario, say down by 2 or 3 with only a few seconds left, where Jonas comes off the bench to provide another option from behind the arc (particularly if Walsh's replacements have been struggling with their shot)?

[johnnyzip84]

Zips are 6.5 point favorites.

[Sergeant Zip]

Zips ready to play

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

I wanna some BisonBurgers tonight

[RootforRoo44]

First, I agree that McAdams should start tonight. The only concern with Reggie (and Jake) is that they have both had periods of forcing the issue on 3's. And this leads me to a crazy idea I thought about (way too much) last night. Is there a scenario, say down by 2 or 3 with only a few seconds left, where Jonas comes off the bench to provide another option from behind the arc (particularly if Walsh's replacements have been struggling with their shot)?

I highly doubt it. He hasn't really proven the ability to come off the bench and hit shots in garbage time let alone in crunch time.

Maybe in a few years.

[johnnyzip84]

He hasn't really proven the ability to come off the bench and hit shots in garbage time let alone in crunch time.

I'll admit he hasn't been able to recreate the magic of his "miracle versus Pine-Bluff", where his shooting percentage from 2PT, 3PT and the free throw line were all 100%. But his overall 3PT shooting stats , in limited time of course, is still a loftly 50%. Now I'm not necessarily advocating that he grab more time. His defense and rebounding are highly suspect. BUT, if you need to simply hit one 3 pointer I'm not sure he wouldn't be in my top 3 or 4 choices from the Zips' current roster.

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

Anyone going to Barley Blouse before the game??

[zippy5]

I'll admit he hasn't been able to recreate the magic of his "miracle versus Pine-Bluff", where his shooting percentage from 2PT, 3PT and the free throw line were all 100%. But his overall 3PT shooting stats , in limited time of course, is still a loftly 50%. Now I'm not necessarily advocating that he grab more time. His defense and rebounding are highly suspect. BUT, if you need to simply hit one 3 pointer I'm not sure he wouldn't be in my top 3 or 4 choices from the Zips' current roster.

Nothing againts Jonas.. but there's a big difference between hitting threes when you're up 20 and hitting them when you're down by 2 in the final minute.