Enough of the Wire Coyotes

One could almost go so far as to say the men’s basketball team likes wires.

They ride atop the Great West Conference, with a very impressive 8-1 conference record, and an equally impressive 17-9 record overall. Sounds like one heck of a basketball team. The number two team, Houston Baptist, is 8-2 in the Great West, and 9-19 overall, which probably says a lot more about their opponents than the quality of the squad.

But take a look at how they win. It’s less domination and more a matter of being just better than the other team. A one point victory over Texas-Pan Am, which showed the glory of teamwork against all odds. A neck and neck three point defeat handed to Utah Valley. An equally intense four point win over Chicago State.

This past weekend, the team had a double digit lead throughout the second half. Then, with 3:18 to go, poof, it was a five point lead. A few key plays by the Highlanders and it would have been one sweet comeback for a team that rests happily (or not so happily) just outside the podium spots in the Great West.

Then, once the wire was properly established, it was time to do what the Coyotes seem to be doing best this season—shoot free throws. Whatever it is about free throws, the male ‘Yotes seem to like them best when the game comes down to the bloody end, and they promptly regained the lead and had a suitable 10 point win.

Obviously, it works. If all anyone really wants is that W, it works splendidly. If the fans who sit idly by in the student section want a good show they get one each and every time the Coyotes play.

In my opinion, they don’t want a good show, because while the Coyotes fend off last minute comebacks with gritty play and free throws, they sit there like they are attending a golf tournament where stern looking guards wave SHHHH signs at them. But that’s a debate for another day.

The Great West conference championships are coming up, and while it may be fun to have those wire victories and seize the bit at the last possible second, to play like the team which is behind, to drive and have that fire throughout the game, not just the end, is what really matters.

USD Women vs. Chicago State Live Blog

Tonight, Chicago State will be in Vermillion to take on USD in a double header. The link for the live blog is below.

Chicago State is 10-14 and 5-2 in the Great West Conference, which is good for third in the conference. USD is 9-11 and 2-3 and in fifth place in the GWC.

Click Here

Final Update

UND has really been laying on the fouls tonight, 10 team fouls and there’s still a minute left.  Make that 11 now.  Thomas has just finished scoring two free throws, and he adds a third here on the 44 second mark. USD holds a 10 point lead, and the clock begins its downward spiral. Krogman goes to the free throw line, he’s been having a very good night and notches a couple more points for himself here, to create a 12 point lead.  It’s looking like USD will be 1-2 on the doubleheader, with the men avenging a women’s very close loss.  A two point sway in the women’s game would have changed it from a L to a W for the USD women. UND seems to be using fouls to their advantage, Krogman has been fouled yet again.  He misses two but USD wins, 74-64.

A very good game!

Update #4

It’s definitely two top notch double-headers tonight, as the men’s game is going to be a close one against North Dakota.  The Coyotes just can’t seem to drop the ball in, and keep getting fouled instead as the ball goes flopping everywhere but through the hoop.  UND is putting up a tight defense, but the need for points is evident right now, as this game is going to be by millimeters.  Krogman drops a nice 3-pointer with 5 minutes remaining, to take a one point lead.  Anyone who came here for the 500 free t-shirts is getting much much more tonight, as this is some high intensity basketball on the court.  Neither team has the definitive advantage, its all back and forth and back again!

Under 5 minutes, Gentry shoots some free throws and scores one, following it up with a basket to give three desperately needed points to the Coyotes in the hectic last minutes of the very exciting game. The crowd begins to chant in their favor, its all the home court out for the Coyotes right now, and I’m sure its helping.  Four point lead. Four minutes left.  Cain misses a dunk and back the ball goes to North Dakota.

Then back the ball goes again. Gentry once more has a free throw opportunity, but a timeout is called. Gentry drops it in. Yotes up by six with three minutes remaining. Ball switches over to the UND side, but finds its way back and Thomas drops one of his famous threes, a long one and well received. Crowd and band burst into cheers for the Yotes as play resumes with less than three minutes.

This is what makes covering basketball so much fun. The intensity of the fans, the skill of the players, and the harrowing moments when you just don’t know what’s happening next. Gentry gets fouled again, and drops in a pair of free throws to give the Coyotes a ten point lead, the largest of the game so far. They are really making a stand in these final minutes of the game.

Update #3

Still a tight game in the second half, with the ball being blitzed from one end of the court to the other, with plenty of fouls to match. 7 team fouls on UND, 4 on USD, and the game almost always within a few points either way.  Just over seven minutes left, and the Coyotes lead by a single point.

This will be another down to the wire match.

Update #2

Its been a fast paced stretch of scoring in the first six minutes of the 2nd half, with several chances at the free throw line for the Coyotes and North Dakota.  North Dakota is on a small run, but the Coyotes aren’t letting them get very far.  However, the Yotes need to drop in a few more of their shots, as UND has slipped past them again to 40-37.  Gentry now up with some frees, 1, 2 and the Yotes down by one with 14 minutes left.

USD Men’s basketball

At the half, we are looking at a two point Coyote lead, and have seen some truly impressive play by the USD men’s team. Louie Krogman and Roman Gentry have led the pack in a fast paced, hard fought game against the University of North Dakota. Krogman has scored 9 points, Gentry 10 in this first half, but all the players have put up a good effort in keeping the lead on their GWC rivals to the north.

The Yotes have made 76% from the free throw line in the first half.  Vibrantly red crowds here tonight, and a great turnout in the DakotaDome double header against North Dakota.  Plenty of Coyotes showing their school spirit and celebrating their first weekend back.

Comment about UND-USF game in Volante Issue

Hey  J R,

Thanks for the comment. For your first point, of supporting it with facts, I didn’t have enough room in the paper to put down Meierkort’s record or scores against NAIA opponents, but I made sure to go over past results to make sure it was a true fact.

I also agree that D-III isn’t much better, if at all then NAIA, but the fact is that USD put up a lot better fight against Wisconsin-La Crosse than UND did against USF. UND didn’t even show up.

The point I am trying to make is that UND had NO interest in playing that game and played uninspired and uninterested in that whole game and looked like they didn’t care if they would lose to USF.

USD has always played NAIA schools with the want to beat them, which is what UND didn’t do. The players have always been motivated to beat those types of schools. USD isn’t the only school like this of course.

I will agree the ending is rough. I will agree this definitely isn’t my best column and the comment was warranted. I hope this answers your question and if it doesn’t, well post another comment. Thanks!

Justin Rust – Volante Sports Editor

Kicking does cost the Coyotes, Veazie contributes

In the comment on the column ‘Kicking Costs Coyotes,’ a comment was stated about kicker Justin Veazie, who is in fact a senior. I am sorry about that. However, Veazie has contributed this year. He has had a couple of kickoffs this year, even though he is injured. Yes he has been battling injuries for most of the year, but he is also on full scholarship to attend USD. Yes he is injured, but there have been injured players who have lost their scholarship before. Also, based on his horrible performance last year, should he have a scholarship? If you look at the column, you will notice Drew mention last year, which does include Veazie, who did miss extra points, so the column is valid. Right now, USD has three field goal kickers, one injured, but still three. There is a problem, trust me.

Justin Rust

Volante Sports Editor

UND’s nickname column

There has been a post on the column by Drew Quandt about the University of North Dakota’s nick-name battle that is going on and will reach a boiling point tomorrow.

Here is the link: http://www.volanteonline.com/sports/column-rebranding-north-dakota-athletics-1.1931824

Now there is a comment that Drew didn’t get his facts right. He knew they can retain the rights, but the decision on Thursday could also result in the announcement in a new nickname that day as well, which will be used next year. This isn’t known for sure there could be this announcement, but I have heard buzz that it could be. But it’s just buzz right now.

Mostly, it was a fun column by Drew about what UND could do and some nickname possibilities. I thought it was a great column, which Drew usually puts out week in and week out. So for anyone else that reads the column, please read this as well and realize the column was all in fun. Sorry if anyone is offended by it, but all I have to say to that is you are taking life WAY too seriously. Thanks you.

Justin Rust – Volante Sports Editor.