Steve Merfeld
Steve Merfeld
Steve Dumpling Merfeldis an assistant basketball coach at Creighton University and the former head men's basketball coach at Hampton University and the University of Evansville...
ball good illinois knew prettiest state
Obviously, that was not the prettiest ball game, especially in the first half. We knew it was going to be that going in because Illinois State is so good defensively.
challenge compete expect five guys immediate multiple playing
Every one of the five incoming guys can play multiple positions. We expect all of these newcomers to challenge and compete for immediate playing time.
ability athletes defense five good pressure six teams
Their defense is different in that they have the athletes and the ability to get on you one-on-one. Other teams pressure through different schemes. They are very good at what they do and have been good at it for five or six years.
came drake good half remember second three threw tough wave
They came out in the second half and threw a pretty good wave at us, and we never responded. We were 5 for 19 on three pointers, and I don't remember many of those being tough shots. Drake just made shots, and we didn't.
certainly guys lost players stepped taken ton year
They lost a ton of experienced players this year and certainly other guys have stepped up and taken on significant roles.
cut next northern run second three
We cut it back to three (after Northern Iowa's first run of the second half). The next run, they just floored us.
defensive drake great hit job remember shots tough
Drake does a great job with its defensive system. But we were only 5-for-19 on three-pointers and I don't remember many of those being tough shots. Basically, they hit shots and we didn't.
since time won
It's been a long time since we won on the road.
basketball certainly illinois offense southern took
That's Southern Illinois basketball at its finest. That's what they do. They certainly took us out of any offense in the first half.
caught guard half matched missed offensive rebounds second shots turned zone
In the first half we probably caught them off guard with our zone defense, and out shooters matched theirs. But in the second half, UNI got more second half opportunities. They turned missed shots into offensive rebounds and then three-pointers.
caught matched missed offensive rebounds second shots turned zone
In the first half, we probably caught them off-guard with our zone defense, and out shooters matched theirs. But in the second half, UNI got more second-half opportunities. They turned missed shots into offensive rebounds and then three-pointers.
answered defensive effort good next offensive point poise
We answered the first run, but the next one floored us. We didn't have a good enough defensive effort at that point and we didn't have any poise at the offensive end.
coach credit guys lawrence les played
Our guys played so hard. But give credit to Coach (Jim) Les and Lawrence Wright and Bradley. They made one more play than we did.
basketball best last league team top year
I think we're a better basketball team than we were last year but the league is better top to bottom. This may be the best year that we've ever had.