NEXT SEASON

[forevershockerfan]

In UNI's win over KU, they had only 9 turnovers to KU's 15, they shot 84.2 to KU's 72.2 on the throws, and had 9 steals to KU's 5. While NIU made some big big shots, sometimes it is the diminutive areas that can make the difference in a close game. One last thing is Collins was held to below his regular average and was not the factor he usually is. Ahelegbe was given credit for not allowing Collins to get his his normal rythmn. We know all about him and he is a Junior.

So our team will need a few lock-down defenders that can hold go-to players such as Nevada had but without getting in foul trouble. I think Toure' can do that. DWill is very quick and will only get better. JT took more charges this Season and I hope he continues to improve his defense. All of our players could work on improving their shooting from both the field and our throws. Ball handling is also a crucial area that each and every Shocker could and should work on in the off Season which will help on limiting turnovers. The more I watch the teams surviving the Dance thus far, the more I get excited to see us heading in the right directions.

While the Shockers will be probably picked 1st or 2nd next Season by most in the Valley race, there are teams returning enough of their nucleus with recruits incoming that could give us trouble, especially on the road. Even so, I am eager to see who our new recruits will be also and we should be a deeper team than even 2006. Will we be better than that team? That would be a very very tall order, so stay tuned.

[tgcshock]

While NIU made some big big shots, sometimes it is the diminutive areas that can make the difference in a close game.

Nice analysis. I especially enjoyed your nuanced avoidance of the "it's the little things that make the difference" cliche. :D

[SHOXAAC]

Snapshot9 you are right about Stutz, he will improve...Durley will improve with a steady dose of practicing post moves over the summer. Right now he is very predictable with his back-in post move. He needs to develop:
1) A turn around jumper immediately upon the entry pass.
2) An immediate spin move upon the entry pass.
Right now valley schools know his limited moves inside. When he learns to be creative and spontaneous (waow...my wife says the same thing about me...ouch) he will grow to the next level...GO SHOX!!!

I think Durley has dozens of post moves and that he is difficult to stop. He could certainly do it quicker.

When he does develop "dozens" of post moves, he will become the player we all know he can be. As I said earlier, he is too predictable with his back-in post move. Yes, he has a nice fade away as he rotates clockwise and yes, he can rotate the other way, but it all is superceded by a long, lengthy back-in move. He needs to, from time-to-time, catch, turn & shoot. He needs to, from time-to-time, catch, spin & drive. I have watched several post-players from non-descript teams in the NCAA Tourny do these things. It's time Durley develops a repertoire of post moves that represents a player of his talent & potential...I'm just sayin...

[wsushox1]

I think if UNI wins another game, especially if they can win two+, they will get picked first.

I don't see how you don't pick them first even next year unless Jacobsen leaves for another job. They will be dam good next year too.

[ShockerFever]

I think if UNI wins another game, especially if they can win two+, they will get picked first.

I don't see how you don't pick them first even next year unless Jacobsen leaves for another job. They will be dam good next year too.

Uh, they also lose a large part of their gamers.

We lose only Paul Miller after our Sweet 16 year and we got picked to finish second. Finished 6th.

[jocoshock]

Don't give up on Durley yet. His progression has increased each year. I have to believe the coaching staff will do their job in helping Durley see how full the glass can be with more improvement from him.

I think there is a chance that Durley will be a much better player next year as he shifts to the 4 position. It will provide him more opportunities to play facing the basket as it does playing with his back to the basket. The lack of another prolific scorer on the front line this year caused a lot of double teaming on him.

My personal opinion is that we need Blair and Ellis to up their scoring and that will make Durly even more dangerous. Ellis got a free pass on scoring (not) this year. He can't do that next year and expect to get any significant PT on a regular basis.

With Stutz and EO there to play at the 5, Durley can be an even bigger factor next year. The concerns about his MTXE are still valid, but I think, a bit exaggerated.

[forevershockerfan]

Thanks tgcshock. Actually, I may have put the cart before the horse and might have been better served by flip-flopping sentence 1 and 2.

I was just thinking of the Season ShockerFever referenced. If I recall, the Shocks nose-dived from 8th in the Country that Season with some big wins to a team that sputtered huge in the Valley. While N. Iowa may still have confidence next Season and has some good players returning, it is hard to replace Adam Koch, Eglseder, and Farokhmanesh. Without them yesterday, NIU goes down with ease.

NIU started 3 Seniors, and 1 Junior this Season with a some good reserves. Look at our Senior group next Season of Hatch, JT, Gabe, and AE. Our Juniors will include Toure', Kyles, and Stutz. I like what I am seeing here and let's hope our recruiting goes well. This more experienced team must improve on our road wins.

[Ixiah]

I just don't see how you can pick UNI as anything better then 3rd next year with the loss of Farokhmanesh, Eglseder, and Adam Koch. That's half their scoring plus a huge loss on defense.

[wufan]

I agree that they will finish around third, although, as the year went on, it was apparent that UNI does actually have some depth. J Koch, a skinny white boy and a skinny black boy. They can all play. We'll see. They may still be hinding some high end talent on the bench.

Is Red-burns a senior?

[Ixiah]

Is Red-burns a senior?

No, O'Rear is only a junior.

[wsushox1]

I don't know.

Name two teams that will be better than UNI next year. Assuming Jacobsen stays.

I can see us being better than them but other than that who else?? Creighton? Illinois State? I am just not seeing it. Drake is a wildcard.

[1972Shocker]

I think UNI will be plenty tough next year assuming Coach Jacobson is still on the UNI sidelines. I would think that Iowa has him in their sites. Coach J may never be a hotter property than he is right now.

Personally, I think Jake will be every bit as good if not better than big brother Adam before he is through.

Alhegbe will provide plenty of leadership and toughness.

Replacing Eglseder and Farokmanesh may be tough to replace. But they have some nice looking young players in Sonnen and Dunham.

O'Rear will continue to be a pain in the ol' rear.

[AndShock]

I don't know.

Name two teams that will be better than UNI next year. Assuming Jacobsen stays.

I can see us being better than them but other than that who else?? Creighton? Illinois State? I am just not seeing it. Drake is a wildcard.

I really think Missouri State will be good next year. I don't really know why there were so low this year, they seem better.

[SubGod22]

I don't know.

Name two teams that will be better than UNI next year. Assuming Jacobsen stays.

I can see us being better than them but other than that who else?? Creighton? Illinois State? I am just not seeing it. Drake is a wildcard.

I really think Missouri State will be good next year. I don't really know why there were so low this year, they seem better.

Same reason we struggled last year. But my guess would be that WSU and MSU could be at the top. UNI will probably be 3 or 4. ISU loses a lot so I'm not sure what to expect from them. Creighton will be some sort of factor I'm sure. Southern should be but things aren't looking so hot in C-dale.

[SpanglerFan316]

I think UNI will be plenty tough next year assuming Coach Jacobson is still on the UNI sidelines. I would think that Iowa has him in their sites. Coach J may never be a hotter property than he is right now.

Personally, I think Jake will be every bit as good if not better than big brother Adam before he is through.

Alhegbe will provide plenty of leadership and toughness.

Replacing Eglseder and Farokmanesh may be tough. But hey have some nice looking young players in Sonnen and Dunham.

O'Rear will continue to be a pain in the ol' rear.

Do you think this http://www.desmoinesregister.com/art...-for-athletics will have an impact on Ben Jacobson's employment next year?