Again I'd say that our overall talent is far ahead of what we have seen with NU in the past. I don't think CC uses his talent as creatively as BC and his stars are certainly no better than BCs, but he certainly has better top to bottom talent. When a guy like Nance or Beran can comfortably come off the bench instead of be a focal point that is saying something.
Here is my player ranking based on 1 extremely limited game (plus some information from last year)
1. Kopp: He has a lot of limitations but he is big, strong, good athlete and his 3 pt shot will keep us in some big ten games.
2. Audige: Maybe a mini-Geno Carlisle? Better athlete, not as pure a scorer but a good offensive player and good defensive player I think. Plays with confidence, which we need.
3. Beran: This is mostly a talent ranking as he hasn't shown it in productivity. But he's got the most physical and basketball talent on the team in my view. Most likely to get a Free agent look in the NBA a la Vic Law. Not quite as athletic but taller and prettier shot.
4. Buie: Didn't show that much yesterday, but he did have a couple nice classic finishes at the rim that only he can do on this team. Nice handle, showed some playmaking ability, plays with confidence. If he can get hot 30% of games rather than 10% of games, he'll be a beast.
5. Young: Not pretty but flat out effective in the post. Good footwork, fundamentals, puts the ball in the basket, doesn't make big mistakes.
6. Nance: Most physical talent other than Beran, but still doesn't seem to know what to do with it. Nice player to give us a stretch 5 option and once in a while he starts feeling it and makes plays. If he had confidence of Buie or Audige he'd be a beast.
7. Greer: I have always thought the kid is much better than people give him credit for. He gets the white kid bias in my view (and I'm not white). He plays hard, moves his feet very well on defense, stays in front of guys as well as anyone on the team, and showed good passing ability. I've heard he's an amazing worker and team guy. His body language always stays upbeat no matter what is happening and if he's on the bench. This stuff matters.
8. Berry: Limited athletically, but his 3 pt shot looks sweet. He may be our Duncan Robinson if things go well forcing teams to really defend Kopp and him aggressively and opening up options for Audige, Buie, Young, Beran etc..
9. Gaines: Athleticism and toughness are there and good defense. Just so limited on offense that teams don't guard him on the outside. On a team with limited offense it's challenging to put him out there. He will very likely move up this list but I don't like teams playing us 5 on 4 on defense and just letting him sit in the corner. But wouldn't be a shocker that he reaches top 5 in big ten season 'cause he's a tough, athletic player that we will need.
10. Nicholson: Looks like a taller, longer version of Ryan Young. Which is not at all a bad thing. His sweet pass to the cutter makes me think of him could go the direction of the the high IQ Euro big man mold. Albeit Michigan is not quite Europe.
Here is my player ranking based on 1 extremely limited game (plus some information from last year)
1. Kopp: He has a lot of limitations but he is big, strong, good athlete and his 3 pt shot will keep us in some big ten games.
2. Audige: Maybe a mini-Geno Carlisle? Better athlete, not as pure a scorer but a good offensive player and good defensive player I think. Plays with confidence, which we need.
3. Beran: This is mostly a talent ranking as he hasn't shown it in productivity. But he's got the most physical and basketball talent on the team in my view. Most likely to get a Free agent look in the NBA a la Vic Law. Not quite as athletic but taller and prettier shot.
4. Buie: Didn't show that much yesterday, but he did have a couple nice classic finishes at the rim that only he can do on this team. Nice handle, showed some playmaking ability, plays with confidence. If he can get hot 30% of games rather than 10% of games, he'll be a beast.
5. Young: Not pretty but flat out effective in the post. Good footwork, fundamentals, puts the ball in the basket, doesn't make big mistakes.
6. Nance: Most physical talent other than Beran, but still doesn't seem to know what to do with it. Nice player to give us a stretch 5 option and once in a while he starts feeling it and makes plays. If he had confidence of Buie or Audige he'd be a beast.
7. Greer: I have always thought the kid is much better than people give him credit for. He gets the white kid bias in my view (and I'm not white). He plays hard, moves his feet very well on defense, stays in front of guys as well as anyone on the team, and showed good passing ability. I've heard he's an amazing worker and team guy. His body language always stays upbeat no matter what is happening and if he's on the bench. This stuff matters.
8. Berry: Limited athletically, but his 3 pt shot looks sweet. He may be our Duncan Robinson if things go well forcing teams to really defend Kopp and him aggressively and opening up options for Audige, Buie, Young, Beran etc..
9. Gaines: Athleticism and toughness are there and good defense. Just so limited on offense that teams don't guard him on the outside. On a team with limited offense it's challenging to put him out there. He will very likely move up this list but I don't like teams playing us 5 on 4 on defense and just letting him sit in the corner. But wouldn't be a shocker that he reaches top 5 in big ten season 'cause he's a tough, athletic player that we will need.
10. Nicholson: Looks like a taller, longer version of Ryan Young. Which is not at all a bad thing. His sweet pass to the cutter makes me think of him could go the direction of the the high IQ Euro big man mold. Albeit Michigan is not quite Europe.
