I’ll go ahead and play…
My 2 cents:
Overall: Assuming we stay healthy, good-to-very-good year. Top 3 in B1G, Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight in tourney.
Non-conference = 12-2 losses - # of games might be off due to tourneys we are in. (losses = Villanova, Louisville, but these are winnable and we benefit greatly because they are on the schedule! Good scheduling CMP!), we win our 1st Crossroads classic against ND
Conference = 13-5 (@MSU, @IU, Wisc, + 2 unknown)
B1G Tourney = 1-1 (Semi Final)
26-7 prior to NCAA +/- 1 or 2 games
Range = 2-6 seed – If 2, 3 or 6 seed, Elite Eight. If 4/5, Sweet Sixteen with loss to #1 seed. I’m hopeful that after Little Rock last year, we don’t fall to the underdog, though – of course – it’s possible.
I think offensively, we are very, very solid. Defensively, we aren’t as good as last year, but we should be good. I think our team overall is better because we are more multi-dimensional. We were WAAAY too predicable last year in our game-to-game approach/strategy and when opposing teams would take our strength away (which wasn’t often), other role guys didn’t have the mindset to take advantage of what the opposition was giving us. IMO that is more of a reflection of CMP coaching style than the quality of talent of our players. This year, we are more dynamic in terms of what we are going to do and all players (but specifically role players) will spend the season sharpening their decision making and being more of a threat on the court.
Things I like:
· Biggie’s improved athleticism
o I'm just basing this on the few highlight videos I've seen thus far. Honestly, I doubted much of an improvement, not because of Biggie, but because I think this is one of the hardest things to do as a player. He’s not an uber athletic player and may never be, however, Biggie is a worker and doesn’t take or want any shortcuts. Probably more than any player we’ve had, this guy wills himself to being better through work ethic.
· Problems with the press shouldn’t be AS MUCH of an issue
o I think the additions of off-season improvements from last year's players, adding Spike, Carsen and Basil, should be enough to handle a press.
o It might cause an issue from time-to-time, but not like last year.
· Spike
o He has that old man game. Not going to zip around anyone, but he is solid, poise and a gamer. He takes advantage of his opportunities and has a go-for-it attitude that will benefit the team and the culture. He’s also a team player that is a glue to a good team. I don’t expect him to be a savior of any kind, but I like him a lot compared to other guards we have. Hope he stays healthy.
· Carsen
o While I heavily temper expectations for a freshman, he’ll be a solid contributor or more this season. There will be freshman mistakes and frustrations, but he’s above average for a freshman performer.
Things I don’t like:
· Honestly, there isn’t much I don’t like.
We seem to have better chemistry. I think we will have a successful season, top 3 team or better in B1G and the team will be very fun to watch and support.
Wild cards:
· Athletic, but lesser skilled teams will be our biggest issue.
o However, if we can somewhat neutralize or slow down just a tad the NBA type caliber, athletic players (guards & bigs), our ceiling is higher. Interested in seeing if Vince/ Basil can fill in that R Davis type defensive stopper type role.
o I think we might win these type of games, but we must play a solid 40 minutes of taking care of the ball, making consistently good offensive decisions and collectively (everyone) having poise/moxy throughout.
· Can Issac Haas stay on the court for 25 minutes?
o If he has the stamina (and able to avoid foul trouble) to be a 25 minute guy, our team ceiling is raised.
