Game recaps from February 20 to March 1
The Wisconsin Herd ended the week (or a little over) going 2-3, making their path to the playoffs much more difficult from here. Here are this week’s results:
Wisconsin Herd vs. Capital City Go-Go: LOSS (106-113)
- Henry Ellenson: 24 points, nine rebounds, two steals, 9/14 FG
- Chris Livingston: 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, 7/17 FG, 0/4 3PT
- Stanley Umude: 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, 6/15 FG, 2/9 3PT
I couldn’t watch this game, but the team does seem to be missing the pace AJ Johnson provided a little bit. Another solid game from Ellenson, as has largely become custom for him. CL seems to be picking it up of late; got to get some of those threes to go, though. Umude appeared to really struggle in this one; again, those three-point numbers simply must improve for his game to translate, man. I do like his size and the way he moves his feet on defence, but the offence must get better at the G League level. If you wanted to be charitable, you could posit that offseason ankle surgery has messed with his rhythm this year.
Wisconsin Herd vs. Motor City Cruise: LOSS (91-127)
- Chris Livingston: 20 points, three steals, 7/12 FG, 2/4 3PT, three turnovers
- Stanley Umude: 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, 6/16 FG, 2/4 3PT, three turnovers
- Henry Ellenson: 14 points, 5/13 FG, 0/2 3PT, four turnovers
This game was competitive until halftime, and then the wheels fell off. Wisconsin’s inability to run Detroit Pistons two-way player Daniss Jenkins off the line was staggering. This dude went for 41 points on 8/11 from three. As far as Herd guys go, I would say this was an encouraging game from Chris Livingston; he made a few catch-and-shoot triples where the release looked quicker, which is what I’m looking for most from him. And the numbers from this game do look nice on paper, but I can’t shake that much of it looked unrepeatable to me; quite a few of his looks were contested, off-the-dribble attempts that rolled around and went down. I want to see it with Chris, I do. But he just has a janky-looking jump shot and these boxy, stiff movement patterns that give me major pause. Funnily enough, you could say similar things about Stanley Umude’s movement patterns, who I thought played decent in this one overall; he just really struggles to finish around defenders at the rim. Umude’s three-ball looked smooth, and if Terence Davis would ever look cross-court (or really look to pass at all) when he penetrates, Stanley would’ve had a bunch more attempts. Seriously, TD can be a frustrating watch sometimes.
Wisconsin Herd vs. Windy City Bulls: LOSS (104-106)
- Henry Ellenson: 35 points, 12 rebounds, 15/26 FG, 4/6 3PT
- Stephen Thompson: 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, 10/15 FG, 5/9 3PT
- James Akinjo: 15 points, 11 assists, 6/18 FG, 2/6 3PT, five turnovers
No Bucks-rostered guys played in this one, and I didn’t watch the full game, so these notes will be short. The most notable part of the game from the highlights was that the Herd were up 14 points in the final frame but managed to choke away the game due to a 19-35 period. In terms of player performances, Ellenson obviously stands out. Any time I watch Stephen Thompson, I come away thinking, “he’s got some stiff to him with his movement shooting; just too small for the NBA, probably.” Terence Davis played just eight minutes, so I assume he got injured.
Wisconsin Herd vs. Raptors 905: WIN (118-104)
- Stanley Umude: 33 points, four assists, 11/16 FG, 6/9 3PT
- Henry Ellenson: 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, 8/14 FG, 2/3 3PT, five turnovers
- James Akinjo: 20 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, 7/16 FG, 2/4 3PT, zero turnovers
The Herd finally snapped their six-game losing streak in this one. The headliner is obviously Stanley Umude, who unequivocally had his best game of the season thus far. I mean, Umude showcased the full skillset in this one: contested catch-and-shoot threes, catch and quick rips to the hoop for floaters, and even movement threes after he was feeling it. There were a few off-ball lapses on defence, but Stanley was good on that end for the most part as well. His size is really apparent on the G League court, it just needed to come together on offence. I will say that I had been frustrated with the way Terence Davis was running the team (or not running it) when he was playing; well, he didn’t suit up in this one and… anyway. Contrastingly, James Akinjo was an excellent floor general with 12 assists (!) and no turnovers. It’s not his fault, but I also couldn’t help but notice that without Chris Livingston suiting up for this one, Umude’s role felt much clearer than it had prior.
Wisconsin Herd vs. Raptors 905: WIN (104-102)
- Henery Ellenson: 30 points, 13 rebounds (five offensive), 10/21 FG, 2/4 3PT, 5/5 FT
- James Akinjo: 19 points, 14 assists, two steals, 9/20 FG, 1/6 3PT, two turnovers
- Justise Winslow: 16 points, 4/11 FG, 4/7 3PT
After playing the day prior, Stanley Umude was in Dallas with the Bucks for this game. Well, Henery Ellenson stepped up in his place with a monster performance to power the Herd to their second straight win in as many nights. I couldn’t watch, but 30 points on nearly 50% shooting is amazing. Even more impressive might be the five free throw attempts (considering the G League free throw rules). James Akinjo with another ridiculous assist/turnover game. And for NBA veteran Justise Winslow, who I believe was injured prior to this one, the three-point shot is what will get him back to the league; good to see him go 4/7.
The Herd are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-13 record.