Game Preview, Game 27: North Dakota State, Part Deux

IUPUI finishes their trip to the tundra in Fargo, taking on the slipping North Dakota State Bison. Saul Phillip's club has underperformed all season, including dropping a game at Western Illinois earlier, but that's not to say they're a bad team. The Bison as 9-2 at home, losing only to Oakland and IPFW. This is dangerous ground, and the Jaguars must win to bookmark their place in second before coming home for Senior Weekend.



Team Info

North Dakota State 13-11 (7-7)

Location: Fargo, ND
Mascot: Bison
Conference: Summit League
BBState Rank: 169
RPI: 235
SOS: 311
Streak: W-1
Last 10: 5-5
Home: 9-2
Road: 2-9
Points For: 76.5
Points Against: 71.2
Head Coach: Saul Phillips (Since 2007)
Home Court: Bison Sports Arena; 5,830
Football: Yes (FCS)
Type: Public
Affiliation: None
Founded: 1890
School Colors: Yellow, Green
Student Population: 10,015 (Undergrad, full-time)

IUPUI 15-11 (9-4)

Location: Indianapolis, IN
Mascot: Jaguars
Conference: Summit League
BBState Rank: 119
RPI: 94
SOS: 104
Streak: L-1
Last 10: 7-3
Home: 8-1
Road: 5-8
Points For: 70.3
Points Against: 68.2
Head Coach: Ron Hunter (Since 1994)
Home Court: The Jungle; 1,215
Football: No
Type: Public
Affiliation: None
Founded: 1969
School Colors: Red, Gold
Student Population: 14,693 (Undergrad, full-time)

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Current Summit League Rankings

TEAM....	REC....	GB....
OAK	13-1	N/A
IUPUI	9-4	3.5
IPFW	9-5	4.0
ORU	9-5	4.0
SDST	8-6	5.0
UMKC	7-6	5.5
NDST	7-7	6.0
SUU	4-9	8.5
WIU	2-11	10.5
CENT	0-14	13

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Last Time Out

Video Highlights

NDST @ IUPUI 01/13/11, IUPUI Win (67-64)



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Key Matchup

Alex Young
vs
Three Point Line
Though he is a fairly good shooter from deep, his major success comes from when he drives to the bucket, usually from the top of the key. While SDST had a good swarming defense, NDST tries to match up a little more, and they don't have anyone to guard him one-on-one. He MUST take advantage of that and not settle for jump shots from behind the arc. Alex's own mental battle, 'do I drive, do I pull up,' will be something to watch all night.

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Keys To The Game

1) Don't Shoot Three Pointers.
Okay, I know a couple are going to sneak in here and there, but come on. In the Oakland win, they shot seven superhoops. Seven. Like Coach Hunter said, they are not a great team when they're taking jump shots. Even last year it was Rob and the rest going to the hoop for the majority of IUPUI's points. Keep doing that, draw fouls, take high percentage shots.

2) Never Let The Game Be In Doubt.
The game against South Dakota State started with a re-jump and an Alex Young foul, all in :01.0 off the game clock. That kind of mindset has to be left in the hotel. IUPUI absolutely has to come out firing, building up a big lead, and keeping doubt from creeping into their minds.

3) Play As A Unit.
When the guys get down on themselves, a few things happen. First, communication stops. Every body wants to have the ball and score 10 points in a row, but they don't talk. Second, the guys off the ball stand around. If they play as a unit (communicate and get open), they are extremely hard to beat.

4) 50% FG; 85% FT; 38% 3P.