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Starters Minutes

Happy new year, PWB.

My point, which will not please you, I fear, was that a 7-man rotation essentially obviates the need for (or at least significantly diminishes the value of) +/-.

As to Windham/Ciaravino - I would love to see them to crack the rotation, but having seen them thus far, it will take much more time. It’s not saying they (or anyone else historically) will not be good - they just aren’t there yet and some garbage minutes at the end will not help that.

Hey, I am ok with a 7 man rotation, as long as we're winning.
I used to complain that Collins played too many guys!
There's always value in the +/- numbers, but sure a 7 man rotation limits the data.

I think any experience helps the bench, garbage time or no. Especially the freshman. Lots of psychological reasons to play the bench guys whenever possible.

Notes from my first trip to the "new" WRA

We will be tested severely in our next game at State Pen with their full court press.
Big time. They are a good defensive team all around, but Ace Baldwin is without a doubt the best on ball defender in the Big Ten. This is going to be a really tough game considering we don’t have a true PG that is a strong ball handler. If I were PSU, I’d at least do a soft press the entire game to test what is one of our biggest weaknesses. Going to take an A effort to win this one IMO. I just don’t love how we match up against them - especially in State College.

Torvik's/Smelly's Big Ten predictions

Sure. Here you go...

12/3​
at Iowa​
L​
-4.4​
12/6​
Illinois​
W
-2.0​
1/2​
at Penn St.​
L​
-3.2​
1/5​
at Purdue​
L​
-4.7​
1/12​
Michigan St.​
W​
1.8​
1/16​
Maryland​
W​
0.0​
1/19​
at Michigan​
L​
-8.8​
1/22​
Indiana​
W​
5.7​
1/26​
at Illinois​
L​
-8.5​
1/29​
Rutgers​
W​
8.1​
2/1​
Wisconsin​
W​
2.4​
2/4​
USC​
W​
6.7​
2/8​
at Washington​
W​
3.9​
2/11​
at Oregon​
L​
-7.2​
2/16​
Nebraska​
W​
2.4​
2/20​
at Ohio St.​
L​
-3.2​
2/25​
at Minnesota​
W​
5.0​
2/28​
Iowa​
W​
3.6​
3/3​
UCLA​
L​
-0.4​
3/7​
at Maryland​
L​
-7.1​

The number in the fourth column is the expected difference between the two teams. The third column is either the expected result or the actual result if the game occurred (Illinois game was in bold because the expected result and actual result differed).

You'll note the Maryland game is 0.0. I gave the advantage to NU because they're at home but it can obviously go either way, as can most of these.
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Starters Minutes

Happy New Year Gordie...

But why would you not want Ciaravino or Windham to crack the rotation and help NU play better.
That mindset confuses me.

"We are who we are" means we can't improve. I disagree wholeheartedly. People have said the same thing the last two years and have been proven wrong. "Martinelli will never be any good." WRONG Nicholson is useless. WRONG. Barnhizer is not a Big Ten player. WRONG. Ty Berry sucks. WRONG It is a long list of mis-evaluations based on limited play.

I'm rooting for the young guys to step up and make the team better - and I think they can, just like a bunch of guys before them.
Happy new year, PWB.

My point, which will not please you, I fear, was that a 7-man rotation essentially obviates the need for (or at least significantly diminishes the value of) +/-.

As to Windham/Ciaravino - I would love to see them to crack the rotation, but having seen them thus far, it will take much more time. It’s not saying they (or anyone else historically) will not be good - they just aren’t there yet and some garbage minutes at the end will not help that.
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Notes from my first trip to the "new" WRA

I go to about a dozen games a year. Most compliments of my buddy Uber and his ticket brokerage conglomerate for unused tickets. On Sunday, I was in Ubers own seat and after I returned home discovered I didn’t have my wallet. I cancelled my credit/debit cards and began the journey of tracing my steps.

There were about 4 potential numbers to call. As you can imagine, getting anyone to pick up the phone on a holiday week wasn’t easy. However, the old standby NU Police are 24 x 7 and they were great. Navigating me to the WR lost and found and eventually following up with them 2 days later ( after they opened) and calling me on NYE that they did in fact find the wallet.

WR opened for a Women’s game yesterday and they told me to get there before it ended. The student ticket taker knew I was going to be there and after asking me my name handed me my wallet in 30 seconds. Apparently, there was another sap who also lost his wallet. I have no idea who turned in the wallet to lost and found, fan, security, custodian, but it was returned and all $228 in it was still there. Very thankful for all the NU personnel involved. There are good people associated with this University.
That would never happen at Purdue
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Starters Minutes

Happy New Year to all (and to less questioning of useless bench play (or not) at end of games)! We have a 7 person lineup. We are who we are. Go Cats!
Happy New Year Gordie...

But why would you not want Ciaravino or Windham to crack the rotation and help NU play better.
That mindset confuses me.

"We are who we are" means we can't improve. I disagree wholeheartedly. People have said the same thing the last two years and have been proven wrong. "Martinelli will never be any good." WRONG Nicholson is useless. WRONG. Barnhizer is not a Big Ten player. WRONG. Ty Berry sucks. WRONG It is a long list of mis-evaluations based on limited play.

I'm rooting for the young guys to step up and make the team better - and I think they can, just like a bunch of guys before them.
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