Quick Reaction: NT MBB 76 Tulane 66
The chat called it a get-right game. This was a chance to get a win over a solid team, but to really play well at home. During the six-game win streak North Texas was winning sort of in spite of themselves. We attributed that to some quality intangibles but you can only power-through ugly basketball for so long. Losing to UTSA was bad, and then following that up with a loss to rival UAB was more bad. NT came out of the jump with aggression. The first half lead was 13, thanks to the same number from Jonathan Massie. He didn’t score in the second half, but didn’t need to. Brenan Lorient added 11 of his 15 in the second period to close out the Tulane squad. The lead shrank a little in the second, but for the most part the rest of the game saw the squads trading buckets. With a ten-plus lead, that is fine.
1. Massie Needs To Be This Aggressive All The Time
We wrote last week that Massie needs to get 10 points on something like one three, and two-to-three twos and free throws. He can turn it over once or twice, but he needs to grab between 5-7 rebounds. Tonight? 13 points on 5/`0, 3/5 from three. He had 7 rebounds and one turnover.
He brings a level of chaos that is needed. This team can be a little predictable and having a wildcard that will throw up a lefty runner high off the glass is how you make the defense unsure.
2. Brenan Lorient Is Best When He Plays Simply
I love adding things to your game, but Lorient is best when he makes a quick decision with the ball and allows his athleticism to create the space .One pump fake? Sure. But go up strong and score. Also, don’t try to over-handle the ball right now.
Lorient had a nice 15 points that saw him score his unfancy buckets of put-backs, short posts, and cuts. It is simple and effective. Make the defense force you into a series of pump-fakes, don’t just do that to start with.
3. Newell or Sissoko Need To Score
One or the other will need to be a force. Tonight it was Newell. Mou didn’t play his most aggressive game — he seemingly saves that for only the very best teams — and he probably could have went up strong when catching it deep in the paint. He opted instead for kick out passes that sometimes ended in turnovers. Go up strong, young man.
Newell is a stretch guy, who can sometimes put it on the floor. We don’t need the second coming of AD out here from a limited guy, though. Just catch and finish, and make decisive plays based on your size.
This was a good win against a solid team. GMG