Posted:
#1
New Mexico St Aggies v Northern Colorado Bears
I try to hang my hat on betting Colorado (and mostly Northern Colorado and the Big Sky) teams, and have done a pretty good job over he past few years. I was not able to post as much as I wanted to, due to working 16-18 hour days in BFE North Dakota. I moved to Denver, so I will be doing more Denver games. I'm hoping to make a bigger contribution this year.
Anyway, this Northern Colorado team has been a blast to watch the last 2 years, even making it to the big dance last year. This year will be a big rebuilding year, and is full of question marks.
They lost 4 starters, with only Elliot Llyod returning. This team has never really had "Bigs" (the bigs played more on the outside), but that is especially true this year. They have a couple young guys with size-Emmanual Addo and Connor Osborne. Addo was really inconsistant lat year, but showed flashes last year. Osborne was hurt last year, and brings much needed size to the front court.
Mike Proctor is their true "Big" but really struggled with defense last year, which got him a lot of minutes on the bench, compared to year's past. He really needs to step up his game for NC to do anything this year. I really like Soph guard, Paul Garnica. He will probably take over for the BSky Player of Year, Bietzel and take over at PG, moving Lylod to his more natural position at the 2. Garnica is a much better defended that Bieztel, but lacks the offense, although he is good at getting to the rim, but may be a year away from being "the guy" (reminds me a lot of Will Figures, if he can develop his long range game) This team will struggle at first to find the right mix/chemistry. They have a bunch on other young, unproven guards, and ju-co transfer could be a nice piece for this team.
They will continue to be a team that lives and dies by the 3 point shot, however, this year I have read that Coach Hill is going to try to emphasize more of an attack style offense; we'll see.
Like NC, NMSt loses their best players from last year as well, Troy Glenwater. Unlike NC, the Aggies pretty much bring back everyone else, including Wendell McKines who was hurt last year. McKines is a big dude who can mash inside. McKines has the ability to be one of the best players (if not the best) in the WAC this year. Also, senior guard Hernst LaRoche returns and IMO should be able to step up as the leader, and although not be able to replace the scoring of Glenwater, he should continue to get the rest of his team involved, and score between 13-15 pts per game. They have a decent backcourt, and with a year under their belt, they should be much improved, especially on defense. I have read in several places that coach Menzies wants to go to a more aggressive man2man style offense, and mix in a bit of zone; again, we'll see.
These 2 teams played last year in Las Cruces, with UNC winning the game in a nail biter. These 2 teams are completely different match-up wise, compared from last year. To me this game comes down to a team who has players that have played a lot with each other vs a team that will need time to mesh, as well as size (NMSt) and lack there of (NC). NC can usually shoot lights out at home, but I expect a lot of nerves and sloppy play from all the new guys. And with the size on the inside, I see NMSt being at to dominate the paint and get easy buckets and get to the line. Also, if NC is not hitting from outside, outside the Proctor, I don't see much rebounding from the Bears.
I like NM ST 68 Northern Colorado 61
We'll see what the line comes out at.
Depending on the line, not sure I will be this.
GL fellas, and if I missed something or have anything to add or have any questions, feel free to drop it one me. If I have time I will have thoughts on Portland St and Denver.
I try to hang my hat on betting Colorado (and mostly Northern Colorado and the Big Sky) teams, and have done a pretty good job over he past few years. I was not able to post as much as I wanted to, due to working 16-18 hour days in BFE North Dakota. I moved to Denver, so I will be doing more Denver games. I'm hoping to make a bigger contribution this year.
Anyway, this Northern Colorado team has been a blast to watch the last 2 years, even making it to the big dance last year. This year will be a big rebuilding year, and is full of question marks.
They lost 4 starters, with only Elliot Llyod returning. This team has never really had "Bigs" (the bigs played more on the outside), but that is especially true this year. They have a couple young guys with size-Emmanual Addo and Connor Osborne. Addo was really inconsistant lat year, but showed flashes last year. Osborne was hurt last year, and brings much needed size to the front court.
Mike Proctor is their true "Big" but really struggled with defense last year, which got him a lot of minutes on the bench, compared to year's past. He really needs to step up his game for NC to do anything this year. I really like Soph guard, Paul Garnica. He will probably take over for the BSky Player of Year, Bietzel and take over at PG, moving Lylod to his more natural position at the 2. Garnica is a much better defended that Bieztel, but lacks the offense, although he is good at getting to the rim, but may be a year away from being "the guy" (reminds me a lot of Will Figures, if he can develop his long range game) This team will struggle at first to find the right mix/chemistry. They have a bunch on other young, unproven guards, and ju-co transfer could be a nice piece for this team.
They will continue to be a team that lives and dies by the 3 point shot, however, this year I have read that Coach Hill is going to try to emphasize more of an attack style offense; we'll see.
Like NC, NMSt loses their best players from last year as well, Troy Glenwater. Unlike NC, the Aggies pretty much bring back everyone else, including Wendell McKines who was hurt last year. McKines is a big dude who can mash inside. McKines has the ability to be one of the best players (if not the best) in the WAC this year. Also, senior guard Hernst LaRoche returns and IMO should be able to step up as the leader, and although not be able to replace the scoring of Glenwater, he should continue to get the rest of his team involved, and score between 13-15 pts per game. They have a decent backcourt, and with a year under their belt, they should be much improved, especially on defense. I have read in several places that coach Menzies wants to go to a more aggressive man2man style offense, and mix in a bit of zone; again, we'll see.
These 2 teams played last year in Las Cruces, with UNC winning the game in a nail biter. These 2 teams are completely different match-up wise, compared from last year. To me this game comes down to a team who has players that have played a lot with each other vs a team that will need time to mesh, as well as size (NMSt) and lack there of (NC). NC can usually shoot lights out at home, but I expect a lot of nerves and sloppy play from all the new guys. And with the size on the inside, I see NMSt being at to dominate the paint and get easy buckets and get to the line. Also, if NC is not hitting from outside, outside the Proctor, I don't see much rebounding from the Bears.
I like NM ST 68 Northern Colorado 61
We'll see what the line comes out at.
Depending on the line, not sure I will be this.
GL fellas, and if I missed something or have anything to add or have any questions, feel free to drop it one me. If I have time I will have thoughts on Portland St and Denver.
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