NIU Red Riot

77-63 NIU

NIU led 42-21 at the half, but Augustana came out and played really well in the second half.

I was impressed by Augustana’s size and height. All-around they were a much bigger team than the #13 Aurora team we played last Friday. They resembled the MAC teams we’ll play in conference. The only guy who really played well for them was Chandlor Collins. I can definitely see why they’re a powerhouse program in Division III.

NIU’s Shaun Logan had another good game with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Michael Hart who walked on and played at Division III Carthage played really well. He had 13 points and 6 boards but got into foul trouble early. I like how strong he is down low and he’s very athletic. Every time he gets the ball i’m waiting for him to posterize his defender. Senior Ryan Paradise came out and had a nice game tonight with 15 points and 5 steals. Sophomore Cody Yelder was tearing it up as usual. He had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and two steals. This kid is gonna be really good for us. I was saying that last year when he averaged 9.8 ppg as a true freshmen and became a starter later in the season. This is the kid who broke Dwayne Wade’s career scoring record at Richards High School. Sean Smith played well again. I really like his shooting range for a forward. Bristan Kelley is a nice compliment when he comes off the bench. He had 6 points and 5 boards. Only player who hasn’t played well is Ben Rand. He doesn’t look the same ever since his knee injury two years ago. He’s had surgery on it twice and hasn’t played much ball the last two years, but he was really good in high school and played at Iowa before transferring to NIU. This is his senior year and it doesn’t look like he’s going to get much PT based on his results.

Saw a lot of good things out of our team tonight. We ran a faster paced offense, which is one of the things Patton said he would bring in. I was expecting more turnovers as a result, but surprisingly we did a really good job in that regard (with 11 total).

Cody Yelder, Sean Smith (from Vincennes JC), Shaun Logan, Michael Hart (new walk-on), and Jarvis Nichols played really well. I was very impressed with Nichols who had 14 points and shot well from the three (3-for-3). Sean Smith one of our 2007 recruits that Patton brought in looked good with 11 points and a nice shooting touch. Shaun Logan nearly had a double double with 14 points and 9 boards.

On The Score aftershow, Patton said he was happy with Nichols but wants him to be more aggressive on the boards. He said tonight was more about getting all the players out tonight to see who would redshirt. He also said there are a lot of sets that they are waiting to use in the regular season. Najul Ervin was out due to a pulled muscle.

Some things we need to work on are our free throw shooting (50% on the night) and perimeter defense. Aurora shot very well from beyond the arc (13-for-27). No doubt they had some nice sharp shooters like the little guy MaGee and Trudo, but we needed to disrupt them better on the perimeter.

Our second and final exhibition game is on Monday, November 5 vs. #5 Augustana. You can listen to the game on 670 - The Score.

Here’s a link to the game recap: http://niuhuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110207aab.html

According to ChicagoHoops.com, NIU Men’s Basketball has received its third 2008 verbal commitment from Bryan Hall today.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/hallniu.html

“ Hall, a 6-2 point guard, is known for his all-around strong play on the basketball court. Hall is a player who finishes everything in transition! He is also a superb defensive talent who excels on-the-ball, and actively uses his length to clog passing lanes.

Hall noted to ChicagoHoops.com that the coaching staff, potential to play right away, style of play, and the fact that Northern Illinois felt like a great overall fit all factored in his decision to select NIU. Hall also mentions Whitney Young head coach Tyrone Slaughter as playing a central role in guiding him through the recruiting process. An excellent student, Hall excels both in the classroom, where he sports a 3.4 grade point average, as well as on the basketball court. “

Some thoughts on last Friday’s (Oct. 26th) Huskie Hoopla event.

Michael Hart will be starting at center. Without a doubt he is the strongest and biggest player we have available to play. He’s very athletic. They had him posting up in drills and he was pushing people around. He also won the slam dunk contest.

I like Sean Kowal (the transfer from Colorado), he’s a good short to mid-range shooter. Good rebounder.

Jarvis Nichols came in second place in the slam dunk contest. I see him starting at shooting guard. He’s a good shooter as well.

Cody Yelder is the best point guard we have, but i’m still sure Paradise will start because he’s the senior and has the experience. But Cody will see significant playing time. He’s quick, aggressive at taking the ball to the hoop, good shooter, and he’s got mad hops.

Those are the four players that stood out most to me.

I think Shaun Logan will start at power forward with Egan Grafel backing him up.

I’m still waiting for Ben Rand to go back to his 2005 form where he looked like he was gonna be a good player for us. I think that knee injury really screwed him up. Even though he’s a senior i’m not sure he’s gonna start.

IMO, Najul Ervin didn’t play well. He doesn’t seem like a good ball handler. I don’t know if he didn’t take the scrimmage seriously or what.

Sean Smith (the JUCO from Indiana) didn’t stand out much. I don’t think i saw him do much of anything.

Bristan Kelly lost weight, he looks a lot thinner now. I don’t know if Coach wanted him to do that or what. I liked that he had the beef on him last year so he could push people around more.

I like Lee Fisher and Jake Anderson. I see Jake backing up Jarvis Nichols at SG.

My starting five prediction:

Center - Michael Hart
P. Forward - Shaun Logan
S. Forward - ? No one really stood out who would play this spot, maybe Lee Fisher
S. Guard - Jarvis Nichols
P. Guard - Ryan Paradise

As for the Women’s team, all those newcomers look really good. Even though this team has a lot of new incoming players, they all look like they’re gonna be good players now and in future years. I like M. Adams (Boilingbrook), that girl is aggressive and a strong rebounder.

Information taken from Joe College Blog.

Breaking down the 2007-08 Men’s roster:

SENIORS:
G Ryan Paradise - 10.1 ppg in 2006-07
G/F Zach Pancratz - 8.9 ppg (medical redshirt; left shoulder surgery)
F Shaun Logan - 7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg
G/F Ben Rand - 4.9 ppg
F Egan Grafel - 1.8 ppg
F Michael Hart - Walk-on averaged 7.7 ppg at Div. III Carthage in 2005-06

JUNIORS:
F Sean Smith - 13.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg at Vincennes JC in 2006-07
G Jarvis Nichols - Redshirt last year (dropped to walk-on this year)

SOPHOMORES:
G Cody Yelder - 9.8 ppg, 1.9 apg
F Bristan Kelley - 2.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg
F Najul Ervin - 4.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg at Kankakee CC in 2006-07
C Sean Kowal - Colorado transfer (0.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg) must sit out this year
G Richard Oruche - 0.8 ppg (walk-on)

FRESHMEN:
G Jake Anderson - Non-qualifier last year; should be big contributor
G Jeremy Landers - Strong scorer and on-ball defender
F Darrius Gaters - Redshirted last year
G Michael Patton - Legit point-guard candidate (walk-on)
C Michael Fakuade - Von Steuben walk-on played in Public League all-star game
F Lee Fisher - Thornridge walk-on averaged 13.4 ppg and 12.1 rpg

The Red Riot will earn a reputation as one of the rowdiest, wittiest, well-organized college athletics fan groups in the land. We accomplish this while promoting a positive image of NIU and its student body. We make NIU’s athletic facilities the toughest places to play in the MAC. Our team loves us, and opponents fear us!

To become a part of Red Riot, register HERE!

General Questions

Q. What is Red Riot?
A. Red Riot will earn a reputation as one of the rowdiest, wittiest, well-organized college athletics fan groups in the land while promoting a positive image of NIU and its student body. Red Riot is a critical element in building the tradition of Northern Illinois Athletics.

Q. How was Red Riot formed?
A. Red Riot was formed by a group of enthusiastic NIU students with the help of the Athletic Department along with Coach Rob Judson. The goal was to create a student section that would support the basketball team while also representing the university in a positive manner at all NIU sporting events. The goal is to grow the group from a few dozen students to a few thousand and become a model for student sections around the MAC.

Q. How does one buy tickets for athletic events?
A. Tickets are FREE for NIU students with a valid student ID.

Q. What is the cost of Red Riot membership and what does it include?
A. Red Riot membership is FREE. However, by registering you receive membership in the group, invitations to exclusive Red Riot events, a seat in the exclusive Red Riot section at home games, opportunities to participate in special in-game promotions, opportunities to receive special in-game giveaways, and an official Red Riot T-shirt.

Q. Will students have the same seat for each game?
A. Seating in the Red Riot student section is first-come, first-serve.

Q. Where are Red Riot seats located?
A. Red Riot has seats in the lower bowl of the Convocation Center between the visitor’s bench and the NIU band. Seat locations at other NIU Athletics events TBD.

Q. How does one purchase a tailgate parking pass for the football season?
A. For $50, students can buy a season parking pass for home football games. Students must register for Red Riot first, and upon registration Red Riot members will be given the option to purchase a pass. The pass can be purchased with a credit card at that time. Parking for students will be located on the grass directly east of Huskie Stadium. TAILGATE PARKING PASSES FOR THE 2006 FOOTBALL SEASON ARE SOLD OUT!