Optimistic yet realistic scenarios for next year

torque-cat

Redshirt
Dec 11, 2018
1,234
0
0
Greer, Buie and a grad transfer PG solidify that position.

Nance and Kopp make major strides after getting meaningful experience as frosh and not having to defer to the seniors. They show flashes of being all big ten guys down the road and at least average big ten wings as sophs.

Turner gets back to 38% 3 pt shooting which gives him confidence to be a good big ten wing.

Gaines develops into a 33-35% 3 pt shooter who teams can’t play off. He continues to improve his finishes around the rim and is the heart and soul of the team. All big ten defender (frankly he’s there already).

Beran adds solid depth to a very deep roster of wing players.

Loss of Pardon is bad, but Benson loses the baby fat and becomes a serviceable big and we also play “small ball” without a big and our roster of long, versatile, skilled wings now with PGs to run offense actually creates matchup headaches and good perimeter shooting while opening the middle for drives.

That directional improvement could result in a very competitive big ten team that is a tough out and could sniff NIT.
 

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
21,326
1,501
113
Greer, Buie and a grad transfer PG solidify that position.

Nance and Kopp make major strides after getting meaningful experience as frosh and not having to defer to the seniors. They show flashes of being all big ten guys down the road and at least average big ten wings as sophs.

Turner gets back to 38% 3 pt shooting which gives him confidence to be a good big ten wing.

Gaines develops into a 33-35% 3 pt shooter who teams can’t play off. He continues to improve his finishes around the rim and is the heart and soul of the team. All big ten defender (frankly he’s there already).

Beran adds solid depth to a very deep roster of wing players.

Loss of Pardon is bad, but Benson loses the baby fat and becomes a serviceable big and we also play “small ball” without a big and our roster of long, versatile, skilled wings now with PGs to run offense actually creates matchup headaches and good perimeter shooting while opening the middle for drives.

That directional improvement could result in a very competitive big ten team that is a tough out and could sniff NIT.
As is often said in the business world, "Hope is not a strategy"......
 
Aug 5, 2010
4,995
38
0
Greer, Buie and a grad transfer PG solidify that position.

Nance and Kopp make major strides after getting meaningful experience as frosh and not having to defer to the seniors. They show flashes of being all big ten guys down the road and at least average big ten wings as sophs.

Turner gets back to 38% 3 pt shooting which gives him confidence to be a good big ten wing.

Gaines develops into a 33-35% 3 pt shooter who teams can’t play off. He continues to improve his finishes around the rim and is the heart and soul of the team. All big ten defender (frankly he’s there already).

Beran adds solid depth to a very deep roster of wing players.

Loss of Pardon is bad, but Benson loses the baby fat and becomes a serviceable big and we also play “small ball” without a big and our roster of long, versatile, skilled wings now with PGs to run offense actually creates matchup headaches and good perimeter shooting while opening the middle for drives.

That directional improvement could result in a very competitive big ten team that is a tough out and could sniff NIT.

Ryan Young and Jared Jones will get a lot of minutes
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
The best case scenario is that Buie, Gaines, Kopp, Nance (or Beran), and Jones end the season as the starting five, because they’ve all earned it.
 

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
27,091
2,516
113
Greer, Buie and a grad transfer PG solidify that position.

Nance and Kopp make major strides after getting meaningful experience as frosh and not having to defer to the seniors. They show flashes of being all big ten guys down the road and at least average big ten wings as sophs.

Turner gets back to 38% 3 pt shooting which gives him confidence to be a good big ten wing.

Gaines develops into a 33-35% 3 pt shooter who teams can’t play off. He continues to improve his finishes around the rim and is the heart and soul of the team. All big ten defender (frankly he’s there already).

Beran adds solid depth to a very deep roster of wing players.

Loss of Pardon is bad, but Benson loses the baby fat and becomes a serviceable big and we also play “small ball” without a big and our roster of long, versatile, skilled wings now with PGs to run offense actually creates matchup headaches and good perimeter shooting while opening the middle for drives.

That directional improvement could result in a very competitive big ten team that is a tough out and could sniff NIT.
NU will win a few games that they are heavy dogs, but a tourney is not happening barring absolutely everything falling into place.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,499
1,883
113
The best case scenario is that Buie, Gaines, Kopp, Nance (or Beran), and Jones end the season as the starting five, because they’ve all earned it.

I'm hoping that Beran is that unicorn this program needs, an impact player as a freshman.
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,226
1,074
113
Greer, Buie and a grad transfer PG solidify that position.

Nance and Kopp make major strides after getting meaningful experience as frosh and not having to defer to the seniors. They show flashes of being all big ten guys down the road and at least average big ten wings as sophs.

Turner gets back to 38% 3 pt shooting which gives him confidence to be a good big ten wing.

Gaines develops into a 33-35% 3 pt shooter who teams can’t play off. He continues to improve his finishes around the rim and is the heart and soul of the team. All big ten defender (frankly he’s there already).

Beran adds solid depth to a very deep roster of wing players.

Loss of Pardon is bad, but Benson loses the baby fat and becomes a serviceable big and we also play “small ball” without a big and our roster of long, versatile, skilled wings now with PGs to run offense actually creates matchup headaches and good perimeter shooting while opening the middle for drives.

That directional improvement could result in a very competitive big ten team that is a tough out and could sniff NIT.
I think you are missing the contributions of Young and Jones. Jones gives the solid PF that helps both Benson and Young. Greer gets back to his HS form from outside giving him more freedom on his drive.

And the big plus, we stay healthy for a change
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,226
1,074
113
The best case scenario is that Buie, Gaines, Kopp, Nance (or Beran), and Jones end the season as the starting five, because they’ve all earned it.
Or Greer instead of Buie or Young instead of Jones. Interesting that this includes only one upper classman