(01-28-2022 05:21 PM)Growler83 Wrote: (01-28-2022 04:01 PM)HuskieDave Wrote: (01-28-2022 03:37 PM)Growler83 Wrote: Here are some random observations after attending last night’s game.
This teams plays hard and is fun to watch even though they are not winning.
Last night’s game was a winnable game and like most conference games, winning and losing comes down to a few key possessions. As this team gains experience, I believe these losses will become wins.
Quickness and athletic ability is a strength of this team. I really like the energy Russell brings off the bench. His quickness in creating turnovers keyed a run that led to a brief lead.
Need post players that can finish better around the rim. The effort is there but the execution isn’t. Also there is a need for more physically mature baseline players. Our post players are constantly fighting foul trouble due to lack of size.
Cochran’s outside and free throw shooting has really improved. He was very pumped for the game last night. He came out to take the floor before the tip-off screaming and chest bumping his teammates.
The student section had three rows of fans which is more than we normally have. Even though they were small, they were very into the game and were fun to watch. The even cheered on the floor mop guy. I hope they continue to grow in numbers.
Good comments, however, I don’t understand the “As this team gains experience, I believe these losses will become wins” narrative. If you look at the roster, we have six seniors and four juniors on the 14 man roster. I have also heard the broadcasters (particularly road broadcasts) refer to how young we are. This is NOT a young team, in fact, it is very heavily upperclassmen. Thankfully, I think it will help Coach Burno turnover this roster, which clearly needs to happen.
I was looking at the future starting next year. I agree there could be a lot of turnover with the front line going into next year. That is where most of the upper class men are.
It’s hard to tell right now who will be moving on or returning with the extra year of eligibility. It could improve this season as this years players continue to adapt and gain experience with the new coach and system, plus there are a lot of new players who have not played together before.
Right. This is how I interpret it as well.
Just going off of the roster and how they have players listed by class. This team will see the following players depart:
Trendon Hankerson
Kingsley Okanu
Zool Kueth
Adong Makuoi
Anthony Crump
I could see Crump returning for that extra year. This isn't based on anything other than I just think he's the kind of guy who just wants to play basketball and this is about as good as it gets for him.
IMO, Hankerson, Okanu, Kueth, and Makuoi are gone. Either way, even if Crump stays, they get to replace his scholarship slot (same with any of these guys who decide to go).
Then, the seniors on the team are:
Kaleb Thornton
Chris Osten (he's listed as a senior but I was under the impression he was coming to NIU with 2 years of eligibility remaining. I do know, he's not eligible for the extra covid year because of his transfer. Well...I'm pretty sure that's the rule).
Edward Manuel
Darweshi Hunter
Drew Weimers
Yazid Powell
Outside of Thornton and Powell, this is a group of depth. Osten is a body that can best utilize 5 fouls. Manual is a non-factor but isn't a liability on the floor. Hunter is okay. Weimers is a walk-on who never plays.
The juniors would be:
Keshawn Williams
Maurice Mitchell (I think...he might be a sophomore though)
This is a small group but (if Mitchell is in this group), this is the strength of the team.
The sophomores would be:
Noah Kon
Zion Russell
David Coit
All guard depth baring a transfer of some kind. Kon could really develop. I think we all like Russell. I don't know a ton about Coit.
The freshmen would be:
Montavious Myrick (assuming he redshirts)
Xavier Amos
These are two big post players who could be really good.
I think there's 1 more scholarship slot available unless Osten is actually a senior and moves on. In that case, there would be 2 slots.
If there's just one, I would have a hard time deciding who I'd slot as my top choice (of the offers on the table). However, if there's 2 slots, I'd 100% want to have Jaylen Drane (from Simeon) and Anthony Roy (JUCO transfer).
And yes...I'm fully aware I put together a comment like this about once a week in the post-game threads. I'm just going to have to insist you get used to it. I'm clearly obsessed with it. ;-)