The next 2 games are crucial if the Cats want to seperate themselves from the middle of the pack teams. Both ND and SJU fall into the 2nd tier teams in the BE and the Cats must start winning these games. Neither game is going to be easy, but if they play hard nosed defense, limit turnovers, and avoid digging a big hole, they can win both. I still have high expectations for this team, and I know the players also do. But they need to correct some of the mistakes they made in the losses to Villanova and Syracuse, and improve their mental toughness if they are to take the next step in joining the upper echelon teams in BE.
ND and SJU
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psax889906
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If they can shoot a reasonable percentage and keep from having the 5 minute stretches of both offensive and defensive ineptitude they seem to have had once a half against 'Nova and the Orange they'll be okay. Very few teams are able to go to the Pavilion and the Dome and win. I'd settle for 1 of the next 2, but am hoping for both.
The problem with projecting ahead is that the team we see today isn't always the same team when UC plays them. ND is a different team away from home. At home they can't miss three pointers and of course the calls, for some reason (sarcasm), always go in their favor. SJU however is beatable, but you have to be able to make some shots, and UC couldn't make any up there last year. Despite this, they had the game won, and as we all know, gave it away. Both games are winnable, but UC has to be mentally tough and not let the refs take them out of their game to come out with victories.
bearcat jeff
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The Irish are a different team at home.
As is UC
bearcat jeff
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Your point? We play them in S. Bend. Us playing better at home means nothing. The Cats need to learn to win on the road in this league to rise above mediocrity in league play.
What teams have won at Villanova or Syracuse this season?
MDW79
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Really hated to see ND lose the way they did today against SJ. That certainly won't make it any easier.
I watched some of the second half and SJU pressed ND after every made basket. By midway in the second half ND already had a season high 18 turnovers. Mike Brey also had a technical called on him as the calls definitely had some home cooking. Unfortunately ND gets very favorable calls at home, thus if the Cats try and employ a press, I am worried that the refs will call touch fouls and won't let them play. If the Cats thus get tentative, it could be a long night. Anyone know the crew that will be working the game?
Kingsley Court
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So you think they don't need to learn how to win on the road?
Thegreatone
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It is nearly impossible to learn how to win on the road in the big east verse Top 10 teams. Winning @ syracuse in front of 25000 is not exactly as simple as learning to win on the road.
Look at Purdue. #8 goes into unranked WVU and loses. It is a different beast. Still need to steal a couple road games.
Look at Purdue. #8 goes into unranked WVU and loses. It is a different beast. Still need to steal a couple road games.
Kingsley Court
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Whats your point? I think every team at some point needs to learn how to win on the road, it's not really an "insult." It's just that UC hasn't learned how to win on the road yet- something you have to do in the BE.
I wouldn't read to much into Purdue's ranking, they lost to every good team they have played so far.
I wouldn't read to much into Purdue's ranking, they lost to every good team they have played so far.
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bearcat jeff
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Notre Dame will have problems with quick athletic teams all season.
St. Johns lost to St. Bonaventure at home and followed that up with a loss at Fordham. UC should beat them at home--though what they did to ND was bad- They played ND two times in three games, not a fan of that scheduling. ND dominated them at home then got dominated at St. John.s--goes to show how different ND is at home.
Especially if they aren't hitting three's with consistency.
BearcatAlum1
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Road wins that we should get: Providence and DePaul.
Providence plays teams close at home. This will be no cake walk. They could very well beat us, and that would be a bad loss. We should beat DePaul by 10+.
Coin Toss: ND & SJU
ND is very good at home. We're going to get homered, no doubt. We're more athletic, but they're at home. We win this game by 8-12 points at 5/3. On the road...???
We are better than them, but it is at SJU. It won't be viewed as a bad loss, but it would be a very good road win on our resume.
Unlikely: Pitt, Georgetown and Marquette.
Not likely at Pitt.
We've got a better chance of winning at Georgetown, IMO.
Marquette is soooo tough at home.
Providence plays teams close at home. This will be no cake walk. They could very well beat us, and that would be a bad loss. We should beat DePaul by 10+.
Coin Toss: ND & SJU
ND is very good at home. We're going to get homered, no doubt. We're more athletic, but they're at home. We win this game by 8-12 points at 5/3. On the road...???
We are better than them, but it is at SJU. It won't be viewed as a bad loss, but it would be a very good road win on our resume.
Unlikely: Pitt, Georgetown and Marquette.
Not likely at Pitt.
We've got a better chance of winning at Georgetown, IMO.
Marquette is soooo tough at home.
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psax889906
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Win out @ home and get 4 road wins. That would be my game plan. They really HAVE to win one of the next two.
