Thinking about what we don't know that will key for this coming year and the hope we are building for the two years after that.
Does this team have the foot speed to defend man to man in the Big Ten. In years the team lacked that speed it would have to revert to zone, which is not what Collins wants to do. When it is capable of playing man, it does pretty well on D.
Does this team have enough shooters. Seems really obvious, but last year the team could not knock down shots, and that was with an elite shooter in Taylor joining the squad. It's not enough to replace Vic and Taylor, this team has to show it is more lethal from three. Kopp, Nance, Turner and Greer consistently shooting above .333 from distance in conference play opens up the lanes for other opportunities.
Does this team have multiple players who can create off the dribble and then convert at the rim. What has been lost is the automatic go-to feed into Pardon who could convert against virtually any Big Ten post player. That has to be replaced with non post offense this year. Boo Boo looks pretty capable. Gaines seemed to get better and does it in a power sort of way. Turner not running the offense may contribute. But together are they a threat to other Big Ten teams? I could not say today.
Does this team have the foot speed to defend man to man in the Big Ten. In years the team lacked that speed it would have to revert to zone, which is not what Collins wants to do. When it is capable of playing man, it does pretty well on D.
Does this team have enough shooters. Seems really obvious, but last year the team could not knock down shots, and that was with an elite shooter in Taylor joining the squad. It's not enough to replace Vic and Taylor, this team has to show it is more lethal from three. Kopp, Nance, Turner and Greer consistently shooting above .333 from distance in conference play opens up the lanes for other opportunities.
Does this team have multiple players who can create off the dribble and then convert at the rim. What has been lost is the automatic go-to feed into Pardon who could convert against virtually any Big Ten post player. That has to be replaced with non post offense this year. Boo Boo looks pretty capable. Gaines seemed to get better and does it in a power sort of way. Turner not running the offense may contribute. But together are they a threat to other Big Ten teams? I could not say today.
