Northern Arizona is probably a better shooting team than MSU, but I don't think they are athletes the way that Bozeman was. NAU will shoot anywhere from 20-30 three's. It's going to be interesting to see how our guys react to seeing a team hoist up that many long rang bombs (specifically Martin as he launched half of our 3's last game where MSU shot 30 three's).
NAU has only one true center on their team and he's only played in 5 games. They've only got two guys over 200 lbs that play on a regular basis. Seyfert should dominate tonight. If he plays half the way he did going against Beye and Towsley, he'll have a huge night. This is a team we need to get physical against. They average 15 TO's and I think you can make that go up if you're tough with them.
Feurbach has shot 135 times, 110 of those from 3. He's one of two seniors on the team and plays like it. Almost a 2 to 1 assist/TO ratio.
Golob has shot 94 treys as well. Really solid player, probably their most rounded one as well. Doesn't score as much as he has in the past, but when you got 5 guys who average double figures, you can't complain. He's a guard who gets shots from all over and gets his fair share of boards. Him and Criswell are very similar and they'll definitely go at it (Criswell beat Golob out of Freshman of the year in 2003, but has never beaten NAU).
Sir has 51 shots, 39 from 3. Sir is a transfer from San Diego State and has only played in 6 games this year because of the timing of the transfer. At 6'6", he might cause problems for us.
Stevens was a solid player for them before his hospitilization. The only guard who consistently scored from inside the 3-point line. However, Cedric Hill has been starting in place of him even before he was hurt. Stevens was playing less than 20 minutes/game so I don't think his absence will have too much affect on the game. Hill shoots more from outside, although he probably shouldn't (4-24 from three). But he's been getting those inside points that Stevens had earlier in the season.
The only guys NAU play down low are Boykin and Landry. Garnett plays a decent amount and McCurdy gets a little playing time, but it looks like those two go in only when Boykin and Landry need a break.
Boykin is 6'7" 185 lbs. Landry is 6'9" 205 lbs. Both guys shoot about 50% inside, with no outside shooting. Boykin is favored slightly in the offense, but Landry can also get it done. Both played well against ISU, but neither were a factor against the bigger WSU team. Allred, Riggs and Patten all got it going from inside against NAU.
We really need Seyfert and Strait to have big games. I think McKay should see a lot of playing time as that would completely shut down NAU's inside game, and we can focus on perimeter defense. We need to play solid defense tonight. We can't give up open looks as NAU will knock 'em down. Our guards need to have patience tonight and not get caught up in NAU's style of play. There's also a chance for a milestone tonight as Criswell only need 10 points to get to 1,000 for his career.
A little sidenote about WSU. Goodell is not playing because of academic troubles and there are rumors that he should have been out the weekend when the Montana schools went there. If there's any truth to this Weber would have to forfeit those games.