LA Tech and MSU Square Off in NIT Semifinals

[News_Bot]

A new article has been posted on www.latechsports.com:



For the first time in 35 years, Louisiana Tech will take part in the NIT Final Four as they square off against Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. inside the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

More...

Discuss it here.

[champion110]

Let's go DAWGS (the right Dawgs)!!!!!!!!!! Keep playing like we did in the last two with a LOT of energy and we got this! Hoping Crawford shines a little more in this one, but the same performace from the others too will do the trick! Not much time to study film for either team, so we will see how good Konkol is at coaching today with a plan.

[HogDawg]

I love this. This is tournament basketball, where you don't typically know your opponents tendencies, and it's win or go home! The WKU game was a little different because the Toppers were a CUSA opponent, and we knew them pretty well. I hope Lofton has another big game, and Kalob LeDoux stays hot from 3-pt land. We're tough to beat when that happens.

[boxerdog]

I love this. This is tournament basketball, where you don't typically know your opponents tendencies, and it's win or go home! The WKU game was a little different because the Toppers were a CUSA opponent, and we knew them pretty well. I hope Lofton has another big game, and Kalob LeDoux stays hot from 3-pt land. We're tough to beat when that happens.

If you get time, I'd like to read your keys to winning against Miss State. I thought your breakdown going against Western Kentucky was good.

[HogDawg]

If you get time, I'd like to read your keys to winning against Miss State. I thought your breakdown going against Western Kentucky was good.

Thanks, boxer. Unfortunately, I don't know the Miss State team the way I know (or knew?) the WKU basketball team and Rick Stansberry's coaching style.

I will say this: Mississippi State is being led in this tournament by two sophomore Guards, DJ Stewart and Iverson Molinar. These two players combined for 40 points against Richmond on Thursday, and for 39 points against Saint Louis in Round one. Since they are averaging almost 60% Mississippi State's team scoring, the obvious recipe to beating MSU is to slow these two guys down a bit. We will need Cobe Williams to step up defensively, in this one. In the Richmond game, Stewart actually hit a 3-pointer with only 3 seconds remaining to beat the Rams, 68-67. Both MSU players are also 82% free throw shooters, and in the NIT they have averaged shooting about 68% of the team's free throws. So, fouling them is not the answer.

I honestly believe LA Tech is better than Mississippi State. We just have to do a better job of managing our turnovers (here's looking at you, Mr. Crawford & Mr. Archibald!), and play some smothering defense against these two sophomores. DEFEND THE THREE POINTER!!!

[dawg80]

They can shoot...we can't. Down 8-0 quickly. They are 3 for 3, we are 0 for 4.

[Blue Dawg]

gonna be a long game unless we can remember how to play basketball

[Dixonfor6]

Dude is 4-4 from three. We will be fine. We will claw our way back. We will match their energy. We have good leadership.

[Tech52]

Freaky shooting from their player so far. Still early.

[Blue Dawg]

Freaky shooting from their player so far. Still early.

Yes. Crazy.

[Blue Dawg]

It may have been crazy but they are maintaining that 10-pt lead pretty easily so far.

[FriscoDawg]

It may have been crazy but they are maintaining that 10-pt lead pretty easily so far.

Can't get a run without hitting a couple of 3s.

[johnnylightnin]

Bad officiating...

[Blue Dawg]

This is the Techiest of Tech games. Absolutely believable performance.

[Tech52]

Holy cow. Every time we get under 10 something pushes it back.