They were selected to finish dead last in conference play. Their head coach resigned 10 games into the season. The interim coach was in his first year on staff when he was selected to his position.
So, how are the Bengals in position to end up as high as the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Big Sky Tournament? What has been the key to Idaho State’s resurgence, to Deane Martin’s 7-9 record this season, which is 7-6 in the BSC? What is going on in Pocatello?
Let’s break this down in three different sections.
Statistically
On Dec. 26, 2-9, pre-conference: ISU was scoring 64.6 ppg and giving up 72.6, a minus-8 scoring margin. Field goal percentages: 41.4 for, 45.2 allowed. 3-point percentages: 32.5 for, 37.2 allowed. 32.2 rebounds for, 35.5 allowed, minus-3.3 margin.
On Jan. 23, 5-14, 3-4 conference: ISU was scoring 64 ppg and giving up 69, a minus-5 scoring margin. Field goal percentages: 42.4 for, 51 allowed. 3-point percentages: 34 for, 50 allowed; 6 per game. 28.6 rebounds for, 29.7 allowed, minus-1.1 margin.
On Feb. 21, 9-17, 7-6 conference: ISU nets 67 ppg and gives up 72.4, a minus-5.4 scoring margin. Field goal percentages: 42.7 for, 49.7 allowed. 3-point percentages: 49.7 for, 37.3 allowed; 7.2 per game. 29.5 rebounds for, 32.7 allowed, minus-3.2 margin.
What does it all mean? All right, well, the points per game for have gone up and the points against went down, even if it was a very minimal drop. The field goal percentages for and against went up. The 3-point percentage for skyrocketed, while the percentage against dropped a ton from the first seven BSC games through the next six. What it says at face value is that ISU started shooting better on offense and got better on defense.
Let’s look at some individual performances
Chase Grabau: Jan 23 – 18.3 ppg, 59.7%, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals; Feb 21 – 17.5 ppg, 55%, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Kenny McGowen: Jan 23 – 13.3 ppg, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals; Feb 21 – 16.8 ppg, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals
Melvin Morgan: Jan 23 – 11.3 ppg, 2.1 steals; Feb 21 – 11.6 ppg, 1.8 steals
Abner Moreira: Jan 23 – 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals; Feb 21 – 7.7 rebounds
What does it all mean? Grabau started hot and continues to play well but got a lot of help from McGowen and Morgan in the past six games.
All right that’s enough stats-crunching, except for this: a four-game win streak produced an 82 ppg average.
Analytically
Well, there is definitely something to be said about this coaching change. The fanbase is happy as heck that this team was left for dead, looked like it and then Joe O’Brien left. No one will say it on the record out of respect for O’Brien, but this team needed a change. They seemed more jovial, if nothing else, listening to Martin in the huddle.
Along with the coaching change, McGowen’s emergence as the no. 2 behind potential Big Sky first-teamer Grabau is the bigegst sticking point. He went on a tear during the four-game win streak, scoring 22.3 ppg, and now gives ISU the 4-5 spots in conference scoring per game (Grabau at 17.5, McGowen at 16.8). The two JUCO seniors – two of a handful of JUCO kids – are leaving their mark on Bengal history and setting the table for Morgan, Andre’ Hatchett and whomever is left/sticks around, as only Grabau, Morgan and Moreira graduate.
You have to factor in some luck/being put in a position to make their luck. Of the seven conference victories, four of them have been two points or less, including the overtime win and the road contest at Sacramento State. McGowen hit a buzzer-beating 3 in Ogden, then twice in Bozeman to secure those victories. There was also a double-OT win in Greeley along with the OT win on the road and a 4-3 road conference record.
Right now they’re tied with Portland State for third. PSU has the upper hand with a sweep, and the Bengals have yet to play Eastern Washington. Twice in the final three games – how fun. But things are looking really good for the Bengals, who are in and have a good chance of hosting as either the No. 3 or 4 seed.
