[bpiercehawks]

After our game in the Barn I said I'd be disappointed if we didn't beat Minny by 15 in Carver. I now hope we can play defense and escape with a win. Coleman has sparked them. We need someone (Matt G) to man up and draw a line in the sand.

[hawkIhoops]

Wisconsin needed a last second put back by Taylor to hit the 17 mark at half against PSU. Maybe there is hope to sweep WI. I think MN's guards will cause us fits and they have bigs that crash the boards.

[Hawkcrush]

Well it will most likely either be a close win by us or a huge blowout by them, there seems to be no in-between with this team.

[bpiercehawks]

People in Minny are talking NCAAs. Would be nice to sweep them.

[JHHawk]

Minny has come on strong since we last played them. As you note, Coleman is a difference-maker,and the kind of matchup we struggle with...an athlete who can slash.
Rod Williams is playing his arse off also. The Hollins Bros. are playing better as is that pg who came out of nowhere. I am braced for a loss or nail-biter ....we need Minny to shoot bad tonite to win this game.

[storminspank]

Minnesota is playing better basketball than Iowa right now. I can see a loss for Iowa, but will likely predict a Hawkeye win in my release this afternoon.

[HawkForce]

We will lose by probably 17, we're just not playing very decent basketball right now.

[JHHawk]

Spank: Can we get away with starting White,McCabe and Marble in the frontcourt? McCabe on Sampson? White on Williams? Maybe Zach can harrass Sampson,but Williams will light up White, doncha think? Melsahn...we need you!!

[uofihawkInation]

I have a feeling Mel will come along tonight. Hopefully.

[bpiercehawks]

I'd love to say Mel is going to step up one of these games, but unfortunately I think that ship has sailed at least for this year. I should clarify my OP in that IMO Matt G is about the only mentally tough defender we have. If he doesn't put his proverbial foot down, we will continue to give up gobs of points.

[storminspank]

Originally Posted by JHHawk

Spank: Can we get away with starting White,McCabe and Marble in the frontcourt? McCabe on Sampson? White on Williams? Maybe Zach can harrass Sampson,but Williams will light up White, doncha think? Melsahn...we need you!!

McCabe can hold his own vs Sampson, he did it up in The Barn. It also helps that RSIII is one of the most passive big men in the game.

Williams is playing sick ball right now. But he's more of a 2nd chance, dunking, big play type of guy. He's not going to take over a game, even if he's improving that facet of his game.

I like Melsahn in this one.

Big thing will be how this game is called.

[JHHawk]

Eliason questionable tonite with an ankle injury. It does weaken their big man rotation if he is out. Tubby says they will probably go with Olesinko(sp), behind Sampson.
Aaron White could guard him if needed,imo.

[Igothawked]

I think Archie should start tonight and the Hawks come out in the 2-3 zone like the 2nd half up in the Barn a month or so ago. That really seemed to take Sampson out of the game. It also helped that the goofers did not shoot well from behind the arc, but I think the Hawks need to play the same game tonight.

[bpiercehawks]

That zone befuddled the Goofs up north. It's funny b/c it's the most basic of zones. Get the ball inside, free throw line, short corner... Attack it from the inside out. At the Barn Tubby's guys just jacked up shots. My guess is they have worked a great deal on attacking this since then. Not that we shouldn't try it tonight, but Tubby should donate some money to charity if they don't play better against it (and I would expect they will).

[storminspank]

Originally Posted by JHHawk

Eliason questionable tonite with an ankle injury. It does weaken their big man rotation if he is out. Tubby says they will probably go with Olesinko(sp), behind Sampson.
Aaron White could guard him if needed,imo.

Eliason isn't a big loss, though, in my opinion.