Pardon

[Jonny2TheP]

Man, we are going to miss him next year- he's such a key part to this team. The biggest problem is that we have no one on the roster that can do anything even close to what he does. I really like Benson as a person and teammate, but he has had a really tough time on the floor this year. I feel he can play with some big men in the conference, but when he faces a guy like Fernando or Nick Ward, he's so over-matched that he is called for a foul on nearly every possession. I feel for him- he just can't even get close to hanging with those guys.

We'll miss Law too, because he's our best scorer, a great defender, and a leader, but we have several other players on the roster that play a similar role to he does, and the drop off isn't nearly as great from him to other players as it with Pardon to our other big men.

Hoping somehow we can land a big man on the grad transfer market that can come in and at least be serviceable. That, or Young can give us more quality minutes than I am expecting. If neither of those occur, I got to think we'll play a lineup without a true center because I can't see Benson being a 30 minute a game guy at this point. Just racks up too many fouls too quickly.

 

[Medill90]

The announcers said last night that Benson can't shoot so the Maryland center did not need to come out on him. I recall that in Benson's first two years he knocked down shots from free throw line extended in. Nice form and he converted at a high rate. NU seems to have removed that from his game this year.

 

[lou v]

Man, we are going to miss him next year- he's such a key part to this team. The biggest problem is that we have no one on the roster that can do anything even close to what he does. I really like Benson as a person and teammate, but he has had a really tough time on the floor this year. I feel he can play with some big men in the conference, but when he faces a guy like Fernando or Nick Ward, he's so over-matched that he is called for a foul on nearly every possession. I feel for him- he just can't even get close to hanging with those guys.

We'll miss Law too, because he's our best scorer, a great defender, and a leader, but we have several other players on the roster that play a similar role to he does, and the drop off isn't nearly as great from him to other players as it with Pardon to our other big men.

Hoping somehow we can land a big man on the grad transfer market that can come in and at least be serviceable. That, or Young can give us more quality minutes than I am expecting. If neither of those occur, I got to think we'll play a lineup without a true center because I can't see Benson being a 30 minute a game guy at this point. Just racks up too many fouls too quickly.

I agree that Pardon is an irreplaceable part right now. Look at the last two games: Pardon has been overmatched vs. Happ and Fernando, and when NU can’t get him going in the post, the offense just stalls and you get what we’ve seen the last two games.

Looking at next year without No. 5 is not very pleasant. Benson just hasn’t taken the next step in his development. I don’t know if he could last a half before fouling out if he was getting starter’s minutes. We don’t know anything about Young yet, but he was a developmental take so I don’t think NU can count on him carrying much of a load. Jared Jones is coming in next year and has a college-ready body right now, but we don’t know what he’ll be able to contribute, either. A grad transfer may be the best option, but that would be four big men on the roster.

 

[IdahoAlum]

So what you're telling me, Lou, is that the "trajectory" (the new favorite word of commentators) for this program, at least near-term, is downward. Or at least, "failure to launch."

 

[lou v]

So what you're telling me, Lou, is that the "trajectory" (the new favorite word of commentators) for this program, at least near-term, is downward. Or at least, "failure to launch."

Think of this team. Now take away Law and Pardon. It's not pretty.

 

[JournCat]

Put Falzon at power forward, Nance at center, and play 40 minutes of 1-3-1. Done!

 

[hdhntr1]

I agree that Pardon is an irreplaceable part right now. Look at the last two games: Pardon has been overmatched vs. Happ and Fernando, and when NU can’t get him going in the post, the offense just stalls and you get what we’ve seen the last two games.

Looking at next year without No. 5 is not very pleasant. Benson just hasn’t taken the next step in his development. I don’t know if he could last a half before fouling out if he was getting starter’s minutes. We don’t know anything about Young yet, but he was a developmental take so I don’t think NU can count on him carrying much of a load. Jared Jones is coming in next year and has a college-ready body right now, but we don’t know what he’ll be able to contribute, either. A grad transfer may be the best option, but that would be four big men on the roster.

I think Young might be a surprise. We really have not seen anything of him and they have been able to RS him (something they wanted to do with Pardon but were unable to) Just saying we really do not know... But we do know that we have significant help coming on the wings with Kopp and Nance more likely to be ready for the grind, Falzon hopefully healthier (I like what I have seen out of him) and we will have actual guards on the roster. Greer will be better and more able to handle the point and Turner will have had a year in the BIG likely taking over for Taylor plus the incoming Frosh. Just saying I do not really fear next year as much as many

 

[Medill90]

So, Falzon on the court has made a big difference on the defensive end, I'd argue. He's 6 8" and not so easy to move. Not cat quick, but knows the game.

I think Falzon starts and plays a ton of minutes. So does Nance, and Pete's length will make up for some other deficiencies with NU's post D. Finally, Jared Jones is a beast. If that translates at all to the next level he jumps over guys. Next year's post will be this year's PG....by committee.

Pardon is a huge loss for tons of on court and off court contributions.

Next year you have to start....Gaines, Falzon, Nance and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones.

The PG (Greer/Booie or grad transfer) takes the fifth spot.

Beran, PG and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones first off the bench.

Assuming another PG commits...could be stronger squad than this year.

 

[hdhntr1]

Think of this team. Now take away Law and Pardon. It's not pretty.

I will agree that Pardon will be a loss. Unfortunately the way Law has been playing over the last month because of injury, though we will miss him, I am not sure how much. Now if after the time off this week he is able to return to form....Then the drop off might be much more significant.

 

[hdhntr1]

So, Falzon on the court has made a big difference on the defensive end, I'd argue. He's 6 8" and not so easy to move. Not cat quick, but knows the game.

I think Falzon starts and plays a ton of minutes. So does Nance, and Pete's length will make up for some other deficiencies with NU's post D. Finally, Jared Jones is a beast. If that translates at all to the next level he jumps over guys. Next year's post will be this year's PG....by committee.

Pardon is a huge loss for tons of on court and off court contributions.

Next year you have to start....Gaines, Falzon, Nance and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones.

The PG (Greer/Booie or grad transfer) takes the fifth spot.

Beran, PG and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones first off the bench.

Assuming another PG commits...could be stronger squad than this year.

You are forgetting Young. He was RS(remember we wanted to RS Pardon and look how he turned out) and we really don't know what we have with him. I feel he will have something to say about the post

 

[NUCat320]

So, Falzon on the court has made a big difference on the defensive end, I'd argue. He's 6 8" and not so easy to move. Not cat quick, but knows the game.

I think Falzon starts and plays a ton of minutes. So does Nance, and Pete's length will make up for some other deficiencies with NU's post D. Finally, Jared Jones is a beast. If that translates at all to the next level he jumps over guys. Next year's post will be this year's PG....by committee.

Pardon is a huge loss for tons of on court and off court contributions.

Next year you have to start....Gaines, Falzon, Nance and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones.

The PG (Greer/Booie or grad transfer) takes the fifth spot.

Beran, PG and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones first off the bench.

Assuming another PG commits...could be stronger squad than this year.

You’re very smart about basketball, but I assume marginal contribution from freshmen until proven otherwise.

Wasn’t Pete Nance , who has scored 61 total points this season, our highest rated recruit prior to Beran?

 

[Jonny2TheP]

I think Falzon starts and plays a ton of minutes.

Think of how ridiculous this would have sounded if you said it eight days ago.

 

[TheC]

So, Falzon on the court has made a big difference on the defensive end, I'd argue. He's 6 8" and not so easy to move. Not cat quick, but knows the game.

I think Falzon starts and plays a ton of minutes. So does Nance, and Pete's length will make up for some other deficiencies with NU's post D. Finally, Jared Jones is a beast. If that translates at all to the next level he jumps over guys. Next year's post will be this year's PG....by committee.

Pardon is a huge loss for tons of on court and off court contributions.

Next year you have to start....Gaines, Falzon, Nance and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones.

The PG (Greer/Booie or grad transfer) takes the fifth spot.

Beran, PG and one of Kopp/Benson/Jones first off the bench.

Assuming another PG commits...could be stronger squad than this year.

I love the optimism, but either the current underclassmen will have to take HUGE leaps forward or one of these incoming frosh will have to be waaaay better than any frosh we've had in a while for next year to be better.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I love the optimism, but either the current underclassmen will have to take HUGE leaps forward or one of these incoming frosh will have to be waaaay better than any frosh we've had in a while for next year to be better.

CCC has no choice but to play them through the growing pains next year. I think Kopp and Greer have to play more for the remainder of the season. Next year looks scary.

 

[Medill90]

Think of how ridiculous this would have sounded if you said it eight days ago.

I've sounded pretty ridiculous about Falzon for three or four years.

 

[Medill90]

I love the optimism, but either the current underclassmen will have to take HUGE leaps forward or one of these incoming frosh will have to be waaaay better than any frosh we've had in a while for next year to be better.

I am the rose colored glasses guy when it comes to NU bball.

I do think Nance takes that leap. His length turns games upside down...I think he'll leave all the freshman uncertainty and mistakes behind.

The key is PG. Will they have a highly competent PG? If not, a very difficult year.

I'm over the moon about Jones....how he moves...jumps...his size and athleticism. But it's the next level so who knows.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

I've sounded pretty ridiculous about Falzon for three or four years.

Ha- that wasn't a knock on you at all. Just crazy how much our opinion of what Falzon can still contribute has changed over the last eight days. I think at this point we are hopeful that if he can stay healthy, he can still be a nice piece on the team that fills a scoring void.

 

[Chuckster1973]

When is Jones expected to sign

 

[lou v]

When is Jones expected to sign

During the spring signing period.

 

[TheC]

Ha- that wasn't a knock on you at all. Just crazy how much our opinion of what Falzon can still contribute has changed over the last eight days. I think at this point we are hopeful that if he can stay healthy, he can still be a nice piece on the team that fills a scoring void.

Exactly. Two weeks ago, people on this board were pretty convinced that he wouldn't be invited back for his redshirt senior year. Now we're counting on him to start!