The exhibition game

[PURPLECAT88]

First impression was that it's going to take a while to get used to seeing B-Mac in a suit.

All ten scholarship guys played significant minutes. starters were Greer, Gaines, Kopp, Nance and Young. At the first break, they were replaced by Buie, Spencer, Turner, Beran and Jones. The second group was way more exciting and fun that the first. Overall strengths of the second group were ball movement and energy. The first group seemed to be aiming for open three. Shooting is shooting. I don't know how well that will play. The most notable weekness is interior defense. Quincy seemed to get a ton of points inside. Also what a foul-fest! NU might have been called for thirty fouls. I'm not sure about the rules for reffing in an exhibition game, but if I were a conspiracy theorist, I would suspect that CCC instructed the refs (I assume we hired them) that once NU got out to a commanding lead to call the game very close on us just to test the players.
Anyway here's my very amateur individual breakdown (in order of class):
Spencer: Looks like the best player on the team. Absolutely belongs, fun to watch. Can shoot, pass and finish. Plays with great energy.
Turner: Nothing new. Lets the game come to him. Looked good with the second group.
Gaines: Best defender on the team. Shot looks somewhat improved
Kopp: Versatile offensive player. Settles too much for the outside shot. Hot & cold
Nance: Much improved from last year. Still a bit awkward at times, but much more instinctive. Still not a great finisher.
Greer: Capable back-up PG. The offense slows down when he's in there, but he doesn't make a lot of mistakes. Just like a lot of guards NU has had over the years. If he plays more than 15 mins/game, we're in trouble.
Young: Uses his big body well at the offensive end and in rebounding. Not much of a factor defensively.
Buie: FEARLESS. Just what you want in a freshman. Should be starting by B1G season. I would live with the mistakes and have him starting now.
Jones: Very athletic. Showed good things inside and out on offense. A big part of the weakness of the interior defense. Hope Coach James can improve that with both him and Young.
Beran: You can see flashes of why he's a 4-star, but he's just not ready for this level yet. Way to much in his own head. Always a beat or two before he figures out what to do, and that takes him out of shooting rhythm as well. Needs time and confidence more than anything else.

It's going to be a long year, but there's some hope after one exhibition game.

 

[willycat]

First impression was that it's going to take a while to get used to seeing B-Mac in a suit.

All ten scholarship guys played significant minutes. starters were Greer, Gaines, Kopp, Nance and Young. At the first break, they were replaced by Buie, Spencer, Turner, Beran and Jones. The second group was way more exciting and fun that the first. Overall strengths of the second group were ball movement and energy. The first group seemed to be aiming for open three. Shooting is shooting. I don't know how well that will play. The most notable weekness is interior defense. Quincy seemed to get a ton of points inside. Also what a foul-fest! NU might have been called for thirty fouls. I'm not sure about the rules for reffing in an exhibition game, but if I were a conspiracy theorist, I would suspect that CCC instructed the refs (I assume we hired them) that once NU got out to a commanding lead to call the game very close on us just to test the players.
Anyway here's my very amateur individual breakdown (in order of class):
Spencer: Looks like the best player on the team. Absolutely belongs, fun to watch. Can shoot, pass and finish. Plays with great energy.
Turner: Nothing new. Lets the game come to him. Looked good with the second group.
Gaines: Best defender on the team. Shot looks somewhat improved
Kopp: Versatile offensive player. Settles too much for the outside shot. Hot & cold
Nance: Much improved from last year. Still a bit awkward at times, but much more instinctive. Still not a great finisher.
Greer: Capable back-up PG. The offense slows down when he's in there, but he doesn't make a lot of mistakes. Just like a lot of guards NU has had over the years. If he plays more than 15 mins/game, we're in trouble.
Young: Uses his big body well at the offensive end and in rebounding. Not much of a factor defensively.
Buie: FEARLESS. Just what you want in a freshman. Should be starting by B1G season. I would live with the mistakes and have him starting now.
Jones: Very athletic. Showed good things inside and out on offense. A big part of the weakness of the interior defense. Hope Coach James can improve that with both him and Young.
Beran: You can see flashes of why he's a 4-star, but he's just not ready for this level yet. Way to much in his own head. Always a beat or two before he figures out what to do, and that takes him out of shooting rhythm as well. Needs time and confidence more than anything else.

It's going to be a long year, but there's some hope after one exhibition game.

Assuming Audige is on scholarship but has to sit out a year?

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Assuming Audige is on scholarship but has to sit out a year?

Right, I meant ELIGIBLE scholarship players.

 

[willycat]

Right, I meant ELIGIBLE scholarship players.

Thanks.

 

[DaCat]

Interesting that many fans who attended the game thought Spencer was the best player on the floor. For the cup-half-full crowd, that will create some excitement. For the half-empty crowd, it'll cause some hand-wringing.

 

[lunker35]

Interesting that many fans who attended the game thought Spencer was the best player on the floor. For the cup-half-full crowd, that will create some excitement. For the half-empty crowd, it'll cause some hand-wringing.

No. He’s truly a good basketball player and one hell of an athlete. I know it was an exhibition game, but what I saw overall was far better than anything last year. I really thought the new guys as a whole outperformed the vets. I’m not saying we’re winning the conference, but we should have a heck of a lot more life and be way less depressing to watch.

 

[DaCat]

No. He’s truly a good basketball player and one hell of an athlete. I know it was an exhibition game, but what I saw overall was far better than anything last year. I really thought the new guys as a whole outperformed the vets. I’m not saying we’re winning the conference, but we should have a heck of a lot more life and be way less depressing to watch.

I'm definitely with the half-full crowd, so I'm pleased and excited to see Pat Spencer in purple this year.

 

[PurpleFaze]

No. He’s truly a good basketball player and one hell of an athlete. I know it was an exhibition game, but what I saw overall was far better than anything last year. I really thought the new guys as a whole outperformed the vets. I’m not saying we’re winning the conference, but we should have a heck of a lot more life and be way less depressing to watch.

You can at least see we have some young talent to build towards future success- now it's up to collins to supplement with more recruits.

Spencer will be an absolute fan favorite. The type of player who can bring some needed energy to the team. If you played basketball he's one of those guys you respected, but hated to play against.

 

[JournCat]

I'm definitely with the half-full crowd, so I'm pleased and excited to see Pat Spencer in purple this year.

I'm taking too much out of a preseason game, but a Buie-Spencer backcourt may actually be ... fine?

 

[SmellyCat]

Spencer will be an absolute fan favorite. The type of player who can bring some needed energy to the team. If you played basketball he's one of those guys you respected, but hated to play against.

Without watching any of the game, I can appreciate this description, as I know exactly what you mean. Will the fans of other teams hate him? That might be a good thing.

 

[mickbula]

Will we have Spencer for one season or two?? Sounds like he is going to be a great player for us!

 

[thewildcat2011]

No. He’s truly a good basketball player and one hell of an athlete. I know it was an exhibition game, but what I saw overall was far better than anything last year. I really thought the new guys as a whole outperformed the vets. I’m not saying we’re winning the conference, but we should have a heck of a lot more life and be way less depressing to watch.

I think “life” is the right word. We’re vastly improved just by having multiple ball handlers. Turner went from having to be starting PG to first wing off the bench. That’s a good thing.

 

[willycat]

Will we have Spencer for one season or two?? Sounds like he is going to be a great player for us!

ONE. Grad transfer. Then he will coach the Men's Lacrosse team.

 

[TheC]

ONE. Grad transfer. Then he will coach the Men's Lacrosse team.

Or the Men's Basketball team if he really turns out to be our best player this year. I guess that puts me in the half-empty crowd. Glad he looks so good, but would be horrified if he's our best player.

 

[cwcorgi-ks]

Or the Men's Basketball team if he really turns out to be our best player this year. I guess that puts me in the half-empty crowd. Glad he looks so good, but would be horrified if he's our best player.

Half-empty crowd is an apt description of the attendance last night.

No reason to be horrified if Spencer is that good. If he's truly better than Gaines, Kopp, etc., that would be a good thing. Can't have too many good players.

I really liked the aggressive style of play for Spencer and Buie from the guard spots. We'll see if they can continue that and make good decisions doing that when the competition level improves.

 

[TheC]

Half-empty crowd is an apt description of the attendance last night.

No reason to be horrified if Spencer is that good. If he's truly better than Gaines, Kopp, etc., that would be a good thing. Can't have too many good players.

I really liked the aggressive style of play for Spencer and Buie from the guard spots. We'll see if they can continue that and make good decisions doing that when the competition level improves.

Buie's performance was the most exciting take-away from last night for sure! To have a tough, competent point guard for the next four years would open up so much.

 

[rwhitney014]

Spencer won't be the best player on the team, but he's got a good handle, good footwork, and his alley-oop from Buie was the highlight of the night. We lacked last year for anyone we could put on the floor, and I think he'll be a fun story. We've got the roster space, so why not?

Buie was the most impressive performance of the night, by a long shot. He's physically capable, he handles the ball well, he's not afraid to shoot. He's a point guard. We didn't have one last year.

Jones' stroke from outside is clean and smooth, and he's much bigger and more physically developed than any big man we've had as a true freshman lately. Yes, more than Pardon. He also fouled out, so there will be some development matters to iron out, but I was expecting raw raw raw, and he's a basketball player, not just a big, strong dude.

Gaines, Kopp, Turner, etc., will all be just fine. Kopp will lead the team in scoring. Nance still needs to continue to develop but the physical tools are tantalizing. Beran was a true freshman in his first exhibition game, but he's big and long and moves well. Young was better around the rim than I expected and shot some free throws confidently. If he can play the typical "Michigan State 6th man/big man" role in his time here, that'd be fantastic.

It's hard to draw many conclusions, but after last year, I'll take us putting 100 up on ETHS if it means seeing the ball go through the damn nylon.

 

[Titanium999]

Spencer won't be the best player on the team, but he's got a good handle, good footwork, and his alley-oop from Buie was the highlight of the night. We lacked last year for anyone we could put on the floor, and I think he'll be a fun story. We've got the roster space, so why not?

Buie was the most impressive performance of the night, by a long shot. He's physically capable, he handles the ball well, he's not afraid to shoot. He's a point guard. We didn't have one last year.

Jones' stroke from outside is clean and smooth, and he's much bigger and more physically developed than any big man we've had as a true freshman lately. Yes, more than Pardon. He also fouled out, so there will be some development matters to iron out, but I was expecting raw raw raw, and he's a basketball player, not just a big, strong dude.

Gaines, Kopp, Turner, etc., will all be just fine. Kopp will lead the team in scoring. Nance still needs to continue to develop but the physical tools are tantalizing. Beran was a true freshman in his first exhibition game, but he's big and long and moves well. Young was better around the rim than I expected and shot some free throws confidently. If he can play the typical "Michigan State 6th man/big man" role in his time here, that'd be fantastic.

It's hard to draw many conclusions, but after last year, I'll take us putting 100 up on ETHS if it means seeing the ball go through the damn nylon.

Nice recap

 

[haywood jahblowme]

 

[NCPurplecat]

Jones is critical to the future of the program. Having a quality big like Pardon is essential. Guards can be found. Spencer is a good story and a positive while we wait for a solid recruiting class. Buie is our Reggie Hearns.. spark plug who competes. 2 Year out look is not bad given young team.. this year will be tough

 

[BleedingPurple15]

With the caveat that this exhibition was against a bad Division II team, here were my takeaways:

Spencer: Plays with energy and showed some craftiness. Best utilized on a fast break.

Turner: Nothing new. A bench asset at best.

Gaines: Marginally better than what we've seen in the past. Shot may have improved by consistency is the key.

Kopp: Picked up where he left off last year. Not much changed at this point.

Nance: More assertive, but needs to improve and get more consistent in all facets of the game.

Greer: Useless.

Young: Can rebound a little bit but hard to tell if that will carry over against bigger and better competition. Not much else to offer. Better free throw shooter than Pardon.

Buie: Impressed. Infinitely better than Greer.

Jones: Impressed. Gives us a type of big guy that we haven't had before. Feels like a combination of Olah and Pardon in some ways. Much better than Young.

Beran: Terrible. Will always be a liability on defense given how skinny he is. Offers no resistance in the post, which is surely where he will find himself often on defense as a function of his height.

Overall: Relief to see that we have options (or at least players who can play roles) beyond Greer, Young and Turner. Hard to take away more than that at this point.

 

[Pukecat]

With the caveat that this exhibition was against a bad Division II team, here were my takeaways:

Spencer: Plays with energy and showed some craftiness. Best utilized on a fast break.

Turner: Nothing new. A bench asset at best.

Gaines: Marginally better than what we've seen in the past. Shot may have improved by consistency is the key.

Kopp: Picked up where he left off last year. Not much changed at this point.

Nance: More assertive, but needs to improve and get more consistent in all facets of the game.

Greer: Useless.

Young: Can rebound a little bit but hard to tell if that will carry over against bigger and better competition. Not much else to offer. Better free throw shooter than Pardon.

Buie: Impressed. Infinitely better than Greer.

Jones: Impressed. Gives us a type of big guy that we haven't had before. Feels like a combination of Olah and Pardon in some ways. Much better than Young.

Beran: Terrible. Will always be a liability on defense given how skinny he is. Offers no resistance in the post, which is surely where he will find himself often on defense as a function of his height.

Overall: Relief to see that we have options (or at least players who can play roles) beyond Greer, Young and Turner. Hard to take away more than that at this point.

wow I’m guessing you decided not to renew your season tickets based on that. Lol

Terrible and Useless are good nicknames.

 

[PZAZ]

wow I’m guessing you decided not to renew your season tickets based on that. Lol

Terrible and Useless are good nicknames.

 

[PZAZ]

Yep. After one game against a low quality team, we're clearly not that good. Even if we did beat them by much more than our NCAA tourney team did. Should I stop following them?

 

[haywood jahblowme]

With the caveat that this exhibition was against a bad Division II team, here were my takeaways:

Spencer: Plays with energy and showed some craftiness. Best utilized on a fast break.

Turner: Nothing new. A bench asset at best.

Gaines: Marginally better than what we've seen in the past. Shot may have improved by consistency is the key.

Kopp: Picked up where he left off last year. Not much changed at this point.

Nance: More assertive, but needs to improve and get more consistent in all facets of the game.

Greer: Useless.

Young: Can rebound a little bit but hard to tell if that will carry over against bigger and better competition. Not much else to offer. Better free throw shooter than Pardon.

Buie: Impressed. Infinitely better than Greer.

Jones: Impressed. Gives us a type of big guy that we haven't had before. Feels like a combination of Olah and Pardon in some ways. Much better than Young.

Beran: Terrible. Will always be a liability on defense given how skinny he is. Offers no resistance in the post, which is surely where he will find himself often on defense as a function of his height.

Overall: Relief to see that we have options (or at least players who can play roles) beyond Greer, Young and Turner. Hard to take away more than that at this point.

to be fair i think turner stat line was 12, 8, 8

 

[NJCat]

to be fair i think turner stat line was 12, 8, 8

In just 21 minutes. He'll be fine.

 

[CatQ]

Had to come over here so my head doesn't explode from the football game.

I can't believe no one hasn't pointed out that Tino (and the other new walk-on, Dylan Sandhu) got in - and that Tino scored! We've been waiting four years for that! Freakin' awesome (he knows one of my sons and played a little HS ball with him - great kid)!

As far as the rest, I'll add my impressions of Spencer: for a kid his height, he's perhaps the most physically gifted played NU has had in recent memory. His first step was unbelievably quick and his elevation when he went up equally so. He plays in100% control. But one particular play gives me hope that he's going to be a great player for us in his one year here (and, yes, I realize this was against Quincy, but bear with me): on a fast break, he exploded ahead for a lead pass which was just a little too low and far ahead. He turned it up a gear at full speed to catch it well inside the free throw line; then he decelerated -hard - and made the most effortless and smooth layup while under total control. That's even hard for good seasoned players to do, and it's what you see from the best college players. He many not be that, but his athleticism is going to be fun to watch. I lost count of how many dunks he had, but pretty sure he lead the team with something like 5 or 6.... and most of those were NOT off transition but was him driving the lane and surprising people with his athleticism.

 

[docrugby1]

Had to come over here so my head doesn't explode from the football game.

I can't believe no one hasn't pointed out that Tino (and the other new walk-on, Dylan Sandhu) got in - and that Tino scored! We've been waiting four years for that! Freakin' awesome (he knows one of my sons and played a little HS ball with him - great kid)!

As far as the rest, I'll add my impressions of Spencer: for a kid his height, he's perhaps the most physically gifted played NU has had in recent memory. His first step was unbelievably quick and his elevation when he went up equally so. He plays in100% control. But one particular play gives me hope that he's going to be a great player for us in his one year here (and, yes, I realize this was against Quincy, but bear with me): on a fast break, he exploded ahead for a lead pass which was just a little too low and far ahead. He turned it up a gear at full speed to catch it well inside the free throw line; then he decelerated -hard - and made the most effortless and smooth layup while under total control. That's even hard for good seasoned players to do, and it's what you see from the best college players. He many not be that, but his athleticism is going to be fun to watch. I lost count of how many dunks he had, but pretty sure he lead the team with something like 5 or 6.... and most of those were NOT off transition but was him driving the lane and surprising people with his athleticism.

You got to love those Tewaaraton Award winners

 

[DaCat]

Had to come over here so my head doesn't explode from the football game.

I can't believe no one hasn't pointed out that Tino (and the other new walk-on, Dylan Sandhu) got in - and that Tino scored! We've been waiting four years for that! Freakin' awesome (he knows one of my sons and played a little HS ball with him - great kid)!

As far as the rest, I'll add my impressions of Spencer: for a kid his height, he's perhaps the most physically gifted played NU has had in recent memory. His first step was unbelievably quick and his elevation when he went up equally so. He plays in100% control. But one particular play gives me hope that he's going to be a great player for us in his one year here (and, yes, I realize this was against Quincy, but bear with me): on a fast break, he exploded ahead for a lead pass which was just a little too low and far ahead. He turned it up a gear at full speed to catch it well inside the free throw line; then he decelerated -hard - and made the most effortless and smooth layup while under total control. That's even hard for good seasoned players to do, and it's what you see from the best college players. He many not be that, but his athleticism is going to be fun to watch. I lost count of how many dunks he had, but pretty sure he lead the team with something like 5 or 6.... and most of those were NOT off transition but was him driving the lane and surprising people with his athleticism.

A 6-2 guy throwing down an alley oop is pretty impressive too. If we're not going to be good this year, we may at least be entertaining.

 

[Sec_112]

Just a couple more comments ...

1) Collins was obviously concentrating on keeping combinations together. Boo was almost always in there with Spencer along with with mostly Jones, Beran, and Turner. The other group was Greer, Kopp, Nance, Gaines and Young.
2) The good: Boo and Spencer may be the two best guards from the word go. I agree with what most said about Boo. Watch for his stepback jumper. His doesn't seem to be some BS shot he will only make 15% of the time. That might be a weapon.
3) I'm wasn't wild about Greer last yera, but I thought he looked improved - especially on defense. That's a nice piece off the bench.
4) The bad ... I mean really scary: Jones and Beran both had fouled out against a pretty scrubby team. I know they're freshman, but ... I think the Cats are going to regularly use 15 fouls at the 4 and 5.
5) It's so hard to see how a game like this translates to B10 play.
6) The fun part of the game: What-there-was-of-the-student-section starts chanting, "Tino, Tino, Tino ..." near the end of the game. Collins is being his usual-stubborn self about walk on time. Another minute or so passes. Then the WR is so quiet because there's so few fans. Suddenly everybody hears hears Collins yell, "Tino!" for him to go into the game. The lower level erupts as much as 300 or 400 people can. I found it to be fun. Good to see the other walk ons also.

 

[Titanium999]

Had to come over here so my head doesn't explode from the football game.

I can't believe no one hasn't pointed out that Tino (and the other new walk-on, Dylan Sandhu) got in - and that Tino scored! We've been waiting four years for that! Freakin' awesome (he knows one of my sons and played a little HS ball with him - great kid)!

As far as the rest, I'll add my impressions of Spencer: for a kid his height, he's perhaps the most physically gifted played NU has had in recent memory. His first step was unbelievably quick and his elevation when he went up equally so. He plays in100% control. But one particular play gives me hope that he's going to be a great player for us in his one year here (and, yes, I realize this was against Quincy, but bear with me): on a fast break, he exploded ahead for a lead pass which was just a little too low and far ahead. He turned it up a gear at full speed to catch it well inside the free throw line; then he decelerated -hard - and made the most effortless and smooth layup while under total control. That's even hard for good seasoned players to do, and it's what you see from the best college players. He many not be that, but his athleticism is going to be fun to watch. I lost count of how many dunks he had, but pretty sure he lead the team with something like 5 or 6.... and most of those were NOT off transition but was him driving the lane and surprising people with his athleticism.

Who needs Jordan Ash? We got Spencer!

 

[NUCat320]

Who needs Jordan Ash? We got Spencer!

Don’t do it, rassler...

 

[Medill90]

A 6-2 guy throwing down an alley oop is pretty impressive too. If we're not going to be good this year, we may at least be entertaining.

He is not Derrick Rose.

But the way he gets his size off the floor and above the rim reminds me of Rose.

The way he bodies guys in the post on D, guys bigger than him is a huge asset.

Don't know about his handle yet. Don't see how it could be better than average having not played for so long.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Who needs Jordan Ash? We got Spencer!

Spencer is ready way ahead of Ash.