Back In The Tournament Next Year

[Medill90]

Here's who I got to start the year. Go with guys who have been in the program to ease Lathon into his lead guard role.

Pardon
Law
Falzon
Turner
Lathon

And these two guys will each start more than 10 games, primarily on the back end of the schedule.

Kopp
Benson

These two guys will have "top seven minutes"

Nance
Ash

At some point Nance will start two games in a row. I believe that will be in the last third of the year. After which he will start every game until he ends his NU career.

Depending on what Collins and his dad hear from scouts this summer re Pardon, we may see a fair amount of of Pardon and Benson on the floor together.

Rap and Brown will be third year players and will need to outplay the guys above on both ends of the court to get minutes. Just haven't seen enough of Rap to project. Regarding Brown, NU badly needs help at guard so the door is open.

This roster can win 10 conference games if Lathon settles in. So it is said, so it will be.

 

[IdahoAlum]

Well you left out Gaines, who may start. And I’d say the chances of both Brown and Rap contributing next year are slim. As are the chances of NU getting back in the NCAA tournament. I think a winning season overall and 7 BIG wins would be a reasonable goal for what looks like an average team.

 

[Medill90]

Well you left out Gaines, who may start. And I’d say the chances of both Brown and Rap contributing next year are slim. As are the chances of NU getting back in the NCAA tournament. I think a winning season overall and 7 BIG wins would be a reasonable goal for what looks like an average team.

I think Gaines starts a couple and he may be in the mix for top seven minutes. But Turner and Kopp are hard-nosed players who also have offensive capability. Sure, if Gaines smooths out his shot, adds a reliable jumper and becomes much more adept at distributing the ball his time increases. But if he doesn't and the roster stays healthy, he could lose time.

But I think Turner starts and a healthy Falzon starts. Turner's all-around game is more equivalent to what Scotty offered. Decent size, moves well, rebounds and blocks shots, and can shoot the ball.

There's a lot of experience on this team, they don't have to content with Allstate, seven wins would disappoint. It's about chemistry. If they jell, there's enough talent and experience to win some games.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1_rivals]

...This roster can win 10 conference games...

I don't think that's outside the realm of possibility, but winning 10 conference games may not lead to an NCAA birth if the BIG continues to be down-ish and the 'Cats fail to impress in the non-con. Multiple things to factor in there and several won't become clear until sometime in 2019.

To your larger point:

I think the projected starting five you mentioned would likely be the combination to get it done. With Pardon and Law, you have potentially two all conference caliber starters and invaluable team leadership. That's a great start, but to get back to the promised land I think you need these five things (several of which you hinted/mentioned) to happen:

1) Law and Pardon do not regress

2) At least one of Turner, Falzon, Gaines, or Lathon to give a performance somewhat resembling the Scottie Lindsey of 2016-17.

3) Jordan Ash must become capable of providing at least 10-15 mins of quality play on a regular basis.

4) Barrett Benson must be capabile of providing at least 10-15 of quality play on a regular basis.

5) One of Kopp or Nance to be capable of "spot starting".

If (and there are alot of ifs) all these conditions are met, NU should be able to overcome a normal amount of injury related attrition and the wall that the freshman will inevitably hit.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

I think we have at least one grad transfer in and someone leave the program. Right now, kinda torn between a backup PG and another big. But working with what we have, this is what I think I would like to see:

Starting the non-conf play:
Lathom, Gaines, Law, Falzon, Pardon with lots of different groupings. I am looking for:

Benson or Nance to unseat Falzon if he has not turned a corner
Turner or Kopp to unseat Gaines. I think Gaines earns the default starting spot, but holds it loosely and the best of those three move in by B1G.
Some more PT from Ash.

If RI sees the floor, it would be a bonus and a nice one. He is buried now behind a lot of talent, so his emergence would indicate development....or everyone got hurt....

I struggle to see Brown in this picture. Nothing from this season suggests he is anything more than a round peg in a square hole system. He is a SG, not a PG nor a LG. I don't think expecting him to change is reasonable or realistic. I think CCC made a mistake here. IB would be better served on a run and gun team in a smaller conference.

What I fear is less than 13 useful schollies. I hope CCC can afford to red shirt Young. But if RI can't get on the floor, if IB can't work within the system, if either are gone and not replaced, we could start with 11 schollie players! And if Young is truly the project that many believe him to be...we are down to 10 before any injuries... On a 7-8 man rotation, that leaves little room for injury, regression, the famous doghouse.

I wonder when and what we will learn about IB and RI. I am pining for more haywood information. Since the school year goes into June, I could see an IB announcement coming pretty late. And if RI is a medical retirement, who knows when that decision would be made. Hopefully not in September.

Tre Campbell is a graduating transfer PG from Georgetown. He might be worth a look...

 

[IdahoAlum]

I think Gaines starts a couple and he may be in the mix for top seven minutes. But Turner and Kopp are hard-nosed players who also have offensive capability. Sure, if Gaines smooths out his shot, adds a reliable jumper and becomes much more adept at distributing the ball his time increases. But if he doesn't and the roster stays healthy, he could lose time.

But I think Turner starts and a healthy Falzon starts. Turner's all-around game is more equivalent to what Scotty offered. Decent size, moves well, rebounds and blocks shots, and can shoot the ball.

There's a lot of experience on this team, they don't have to content with Allstate, seven wins would disappoint. It's about chemistry. If they jell, there's enough talent and experience to win some games.

Can’t see Falzon starting, shot 35 percent from the field, less than 2 rebounds a game and is a defensive liability. Maybe he plays a Taphorn role as a designated zone buster, but even then he needs to be more consistent than 37 percent from three.

 

[DaCat]

I think Gaines starts a couple and he may be in the mix for top seven minutes. But Turner and Kopp are hard-nosed players who also have offensive capability. Sure, if Gaines smooths out his shot, adds a reliable jumper and becomes much more adept at distributing the ball his time increases. But if he doesn't and the roster stays healthy, he could lose time.

No.

Gaines has made tremendous, um gains, and I think a starting spot is his to lose.

 

[willycat]

I think Gaines starts a couple and he may be in the mix for top seven minutes. But Turner and Kopp are hard-nosed players who also have offensive capability. Sure, if Gaines smooths out his shot, adds a reliable jumper and becomes much more adept at distributing the ball his time increases. But if he doesn't and the roster stays healthy, he could lose time.

But I think Turner starts and a healthy Falzon starts. Turner's all-around game is more equivalent to what Scotty offered. Decent size, moves well, rebounds and blocks shots, and can shoot the ball.

There's a lot of experience on this team, they don't have to content with Allstate, seven wins would disappoint. It's about chemistry. If they jell, there's enough talent and experience to win some games.

If Turner and Falzon start were does Law fit in? He's not a 2. Is Turner a backcourt possibility?

 

[Hungry Jack]

Does Falzon look like a guy who is ready to start? He disappeared for long stretches. If his shot is not on, he’s hard pressed to contribute in other ways.

 

[willycat]

Does Falzon look like a guy who is ready to start? He disappeared for long stretches. If his shot is not on, he’s hard pressed to contribute in other ways.

He was hurt. Did you notice the difficulty he had running or even walking?

 

[ColumbusCatFan1_rivals]

If Turner and Falzon start were does Law fit in? He's not a 2. Is Turner a backcourt possibility?

"3"

...but it's probably best to refer to Law as a "wing" (along with Turner) in Collins' somewhat positionless system.

It's a good fit for Vic because his NBA prospects likely hing on his ability to contribute as a" 3 and D" guy.

 

[DaCat]

If Turner and Falzon start were does Law fit in? He's not a 2. Is Turner a backcourt possibility?

I think at the start of the season, could see:

Lathon
Gaines
Law
Falzon
Pardon

By end of season:

Lathon
Gaines
Law
Nance
Pardon

.. with Turner, Kopp, Falzon, Benson, Ash getting minutes in this order.

 

[NJCat]

Does Falzon look like a guy who is ready to start? He disappeared for long stretches. If his shot is not on, he’s hard pressed to contribute in other ways.

Well, he started 29 games as a true Freshman, so starting isn't a novel concept. But NU should have better wing talent next year, so I agree that he may not earn a start. Still plenty of opportunity to contribute off the bench but only if there is a lead guard who can create stand-still opportunities for him to shoot the 3.

 

[MysticCat]

"3"

...but it's probably best to refer to Law as a "wing" (along with Turner) in Collins' somewhat positionless system.

It's a good fit for Vic because his NBA prospects likely hing on his ability to contribute as a" 3 and D" guy.

NBA prospects?

 

[hoosboot]

NBA prospects?

You don't think that highly skilled, 6'7" wings who are athletic and very good defensively have a shot at getting to the NBA? That's Law, so probably not drafted out of college, but yeah...NBA prospects. Reggie Hearn should teach you to stop questioning our players.

 

[hoosboot]

Here's who I got to start the year. Go with guys who have been in the program to ease Lathon into his lead guard role.

Pardon
Law
Falzon
Turner
Lathon

And these two guys will each start more than 10 games, primarily on the back end of the schedule.

Kopp
Benson

These two guys will have "top seven minutes"

Nance
Ash

At some point Nance will start two games in a row. I believe that will be in the last third of the year. After which he will start every game until he ends his NU career.

Depending on what Collins and his dad hear from scouts this summer re Pardon, we may see a fair amount of of Pardon and Benson on the floor together.

Rap and Brown will be third year players and will need to outplay the guys above on both ends of the court to get minutes. Just haven't seen enough of Rap to project. Regarding Brown, NU badly needs help at guard so the door is open.

This roster can win 10 conference games if Lathon settles in. So it is said, so it will be.

A lot of interesting thoughts there. We need a few guys to develop over the summer and take command of some spots to make it back to the tournament. Gaines and Law need to develop a better 3-point shot and their handles to go along with their terrific motors and strong defense. Turner needs to plug in and gel at one of the wing spots. Pardon needs to develop a consistent 12-15 foot jumper to allow him to play PF alongside Benson. Lathon, Nance, and Kopp need to become college players quick!

That's a lot of need to's but if a few of them slide into place we could have a versatile roster that can play an up-tempo Duke style (Lathon, Gaines, AJ, Vic, and Pardon) or a slower Purdue style (Lathon, AJ, Vic, Pardon, and Benson). With experienced rotation guys like Falzon and Ash (and even Brown) plus talented, buzzy frosh like Kopp and Nance competing for minutes (with the potential bonuses of Rap and Brown), there's a lot of versatility and ability to play with. It's up to the players to make it a problem worth debating then it's up to CCC to find the magic formula with these pieces...if they can develop.

 

[Catreporter]

My biggest concern is point guard, by far! It's the most important position on a college basketball team, like quarterback is to a football team.

 

[Medill90]

If Turner and Falzon start were does Law fit in? He's not a 2. Is Turner a backcourt possibility?

Turner was recruited out of high school as a guard. He describes himself as an off guard with size. Watching tape from his previous college, he has a nice shot. Tapes don't show defense.

 

[Medill90]

Can’t see Falzon starting, shot 35 percent from the field, less than 2 rebounds a game and is a defensive liability. Maybe he plays a Taphorn role as a designated zone buster, but even then he needs to be more consistent than 37 percent from three.

I am the irrational Falzon supporter. Criticism of his defense is consistent across a bunch of guys but I don't see it. Not saying he's a great defender but he has size, stays in front of guys, blocks shots and rebounds.

More importantly, he just doesn't look right physically and I really hope he doesn't have to go under the knife again. Hope we can see him compete at a 100%.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

My biggest concern is point guard, by far! It's the most important position on a college basketball team, like quarterback is to a football team.

I agree. We have exactly one natural ball handler / distributor next year. Gaines and Law are hardly on ball guards. Brown, if present, is a one on five ball handling black hole. Ash, bless his little heart, is a turnover looking to happen. Lanthom is facing 35 mpg and God forbid he is not bmac 2.0+.

 

[NJCat]

Lathom,

It's LathoN......think of Northwestern.....

 

[NJCat]

Lanthom is facing 35 mpg and God forbid he is not bmac 2.0+.

It's LathoN. Geez......

 

[MysticCat]

You don't think that highly skilled, 6'7" wings who are athletic and very good defensively have a shot at getting to the NBA? That's Law, so probably not drafted out of college, but yeah...NBA prospects. Reggie Hearn should teach you to stop questioning our players.

I’m not questioning “our players.”

I’m not questioning that Vic law will go to the NBA.

Because there’s no question: he won’t.

 

[DaCat]

I agree. We have exactly one natural ball handler / distributor next year. Gaines and Law are hardly on ball guards. Brown, if present, is a one on five ball handling black hole. Ash, bless his little heart, is a turnover looking to happen. Lanthom is facing 35 mpg and God forbid he is not bmac 2.0+.

Bmac led the the team to the first ever NCAA tournament in school history. Not a bad thing.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Bmac led the the team to the first ever NCAA tournament in school history. Not a bad thing.

Don't work so hard to read everything negative. My point was that if Lathon is not at least as good as bmac from day 1, like bmac was, then we have huge problems in the ball handling / distributing department. Remind again, how often to B1G ready freshmen LG/PGs arrive? At NU? Juice. Bmac.

 

[DaCat]

Don't work so hard to read everything negative. My point was that if Lathon is not at least as good as bmac from day 1, like bmac was, then we have huge problems in the ball handling / distributing department. Remind again, how often to B1G ready freshmen LG/PGs arrive? At NU? Juice. Bmac.

Well, let's hope that Lathon can take the reins next season as lead guard/point guard. Not that it's easy, but as been posted already, even Sobolewski was a serviceable point guard as a true frosh. So let's hope that Lathon is a little bit better than Sobo as a freshman, and maybe even be better than McIntosh in his first year.

 

[hoosboot]

I’m not questioning “our players.”

I’m not questioning that Vic law will go to the NBA.

Because there’s no question: he won’t.

Maybe, but maybe not. And he'll never get there if he doesn't work like he's trying to get there. If Reggie Hearn had your attitude, he'd never have gotten there either. I'm glad Vic is more like Reggie than like you.

 

[hoosboot]

It's LathoN......think of Northwestern.....

My bad.

The rest of the post is on point though.

 

[Katatonic]

Don't work so hard to read everything negative. My point was that if Lathon is not at least as good as bmac from day 1, like bmac was, then we have huge problems in the ball handling / distributing department. Remind again, how often to B1G ready freshmen LG/PGs arrive? At NU? Juice. Bmac.

Actually think the program (since 2000) has had a pretty good run of PGs who started as frosh (mostly out of necessity, so not ideal).

2014 BMac - .421 FG%, .364 3P%, 11.4 ppg, 4.7 apg, 0.3 spg
2011 Sobo - .399 FG%, .357 3P%, 8.3 ppg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg
2007 Juice - .434 FG%, .433 3P%, 11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.1 spg
2002 TJ Parker - .452 FG%, .387 3P%, 11.4 ppg, 2.7 apg, 1.4 spg

Think Lathon should fit right in there somewhere.

 

[NUCat320]

I think at the start of the season, could see:

Lathon
Gaines
Law
Falzon
Pardon

By end of season:

Lathon
Gaines
Law
Nance
Pardon

.. with Turner, Kopp, Falzon, Benson, Ash getting minutes in this order.

I tend to think Turner is undervalued here.

As a sophomore, he went 8.4/3.3R/3.0A in the ACC, shooting 37% from 3, with only 1 TO/game. I have *never* seen him play, granted, but the stat line looks pretty good. I also *love* that Turner jumped from 26% on threes as a freshman to 37% as a sophomore - that tells you something about work ethic and desire - and, come October, he'll have had two offseasons to get better.

His *demonstrated* productivity is far better than Gaines', which is not to say that Gaines is definitely not a starter, but which is to say that Turner seems more likely to have the inside track. Gaines only saw big minutes due to injury - he was averaging about 12 mpg in conference play before Mc went down, solidly behind Ash in the rotation.

Point is, I think there's room for two 6-7 wings to start. I also think we'll see Vic play at the 4 a fair amount (though I expected that this season as well...)

 

[Katatonic]

^ Agree that Turner is being undervalued and that we may see a lineup w/ both lanky wings on the floor.

Don't think it's unreasonable for Lathon to perform at least adequately based on past performances of NU PGs who started at frosh (and would be a bit disappointed if Lathon wasn't closer to Parker, Juice and BMac - and pretty much a sure thing that he'll be a better defender than any of them were as frosh); also have to note that BMac was a more efficient scorer in his first 2 seasons than his last 2.

Also, think chances are good that at least one of the other incoming frosh will be an impact player (even if off the bench).

 

[MysticCat]

Maybe, but maybe not. And he'll never get there if he doesn't work like he's trying to get there. If Reggie Hearn had your attitude, he'd never have gotten there either. I'm glad Vic is more like Reggie than like you.

Reggie Hearn doesn’t think Law has a shot in hell either?

Well I guess I’m not alone.

 

[MysticCat]

I tend to think Turner is undervalued here.

As a sophomore, he went 8.4/3.3R/3.0A in the ACC, shooting 37% from 3, with only 1 TO/game. I have *never* seen him play, granted, but the stat line looks pretty good. I also *love* that Turner jumped from 26% on threes as a freshman to 37% as a sophomore - that tells you something about work ethic and desire - and, come October, he'll have had two offseasons to get better.

His *demonstrated* productivity is far better than Gaines', which is not to say that Gaines is definitely not a starter, but which is to say that Turner seems more likely to have the inside track. Gaines only saw big minutes due to injury - he was averaging about 12 mpg in conference play before Mc went down, solidly behind Ash in the rotation.

Point is, I think there's room for two 6-7 wings to start. I also think we'll see Vic play at the 4 a fair amount (though I expected that this season as well...)

I’d be extremely surprised if he isn’t our best player next year.

 

[willycat]

Reggie Hearn doesn’t think Law has a shot in hell either?

Well I guess I’m not alone.

Could you please post the supposed hatful quote. Or are you confusing that with someone at Holy Cross said.

 

[willycat]

I’d be extremely surprised if he isn’t our best player next year.

You are obviously watching way to much Patriot League BB.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1_rivals]

Point is, I think there's room for two 6-7 wings to start.

Add in Lathon at 6-4 and Falzon at 6-8 and you are talking about some good length on the defensive end in 80% of your starters. Not to mention Pardon's wingspan and athleticism allow him to play much larger than his height.

If Aaron can get healthy/improve his positioning/etc and Turner and Lathon aren't liabilities, that line up could cause problems for opponents.

Sure, there are several "ifs", but it's hard to not like the potential.

 

[Username Not Available]

Hopefully this embarrassment of riches in NU uniforms will manifest for real and they all play 20 minutes a game as NU dominates the conference and we can bicker over who should be getting 25 minutes of play time instead of 20.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

I think we have at least one grad transfer in and someone leave the program. Right now, kinda torn between a backup PG and another big. But working with what we have, this is what I think I would like to see:

Starting the non-conf play:
Lathom, Gaines, Law, Falzon, Pardon with lots of different groupings. I am looking for:

Benson or Nance to unseat Falzon if he has not turned a corner
Turner or Kopp to unseat Gaines. I think Gaines earns the default starting spot, but holds it loosely and the best of those three move in by B1G.
Some more PT from Ash.

If RI sees the floor, it would be a bonus and a nice one. He is buried now behind a lot of talent, so his emergence would indicate development....or everyone got hurt....

I struggle to see Brown in this picture. Nothing from this season suggests he is anything more than a round peg in a square hole system. He is a SG, not a PG nor a LG. I don't think expecting him to change is reasonable or realistic. I think CCC made a mistake here. IB would be better served on a run and gun team in a smaller conference.

What I fear is less than 13 useful schollies. I hope CCC can afford to red shirt Young. But if RI can't get on the floor, if IB can't work within the system, if either are gone and not replaced, we could start with 11 schollie players! And if Young is truly the project that many believe him to be...we are down to 10 before any injuries... On a 7-8 man rotation, that leaves little room for injury, regression, the famous doghouse.

I wonder when and what we will learn about IB and RI. I am pining for more haywood information. Since the school year goes into June, I could see an IB announcement coming pretty late. And if RI is a medical retirement, who knows when that decision would be made. Hopefully not in September.

Tre Campbell is a graduating transfer PG from Georgetown. He might be worth a look...

Is Campbell available? We need a point guard to back up Ash!

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

I’d be extremely surprised if he isn’t our best player next year.

Turner is good!

 

[hoosboot]

Reggie Hearn doesn’t think Law has a shot in hell either?

Well I guess I’m not alone.

Reggie is really busy proving haters like you wrong, cashing some NBA checks, and rooting for all the guys who play for his Alma Mater, but I suspect he'd let you keep your crappy attitude all to yourself.