Importance of a PG/LG?

[IGNORE2]

A recent post got me thinking. As I pine for a backup ballhandler of substance, I began to wonder if we could get by without one. I suspect there are many examples, but the old champion Bulls come to mind. Scottie was the point-forward or MJ took ball control during much of the game. Pax did not have the wheels of a traditional PG so MJ or Pippen covered the opposing PG, if necessary, allowing Pax to guard the slower player.

If Lathom proves not to be ready on Day 1 - a fair proposition as it is rarer to find a B1G ready LG frosh than not - can NU have success next year without a decent LG?

Assume in this scenario:

LG - Ash or Turner (again, just in the case that Lathom proves not to be ready or gets hurt)
SG - Gaines or Turner
SF - Law then Kopp
PF - Nance then Falzon
C - Pardon then Benson

Assume Law takes another step as does Pardon in development. Turner and/or Gaines improves from Lindsey's productivity this past year. Nance proves to be B1G ready and makes the four a productive position. Kopp and Falzon provide some pop off the bench. Then, would an Ash or equivalent be enough to bring back some success? Is the addition of another LG type really not that big of deal?

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

I'd be worried about the press with that lineup.

 

[NJCat]

If Lathom proves not to be ready on Day 1 - a fair proposition as it is rarer to find a B1G ready LG frosh than not - can NU have success next year without a decent LG?

The guy's name is Lathon...........Dang it!!!!!!

And I just hope Vic is back to the level he played at this season after his surgery. Will be hard to take another step when he pretty much can't play all summer.

 

[willycat]

A recent post got me thinking. As I pine for a backup ballhandler of substance, I began to wonder if we could get by without one. I suspect there are many examples, but the old champion Bulls come to mind. Scottie was the point-forward or MJ took ball control during much of the game. Pax did not have the wheels of a traditional PG so MJ or Pippen covered the opposing PG, if necessary, allowing Pax to guard the slower player.

If Lathom proves not to be ready on Day 1 - a fair proposition as it is rarer to find a B1G ready LG frosh than not - can NU have success next year without a decent LG?

Assume in this scenario:

LG - Ash or Turner (again, just in the case that Lathom proves not to be ready or gets hurt)
SG - Gaines or Turner
SF - Law then Kopp
PF - Nance then Falzon
C - Pardon then Benson

Assume Law takes another step as does Pardon in development. Turner and/or Gaines improves from Lindsey's productivity this past year. Nance proves to be B1G ready and makes the four a productive position. Kopp and Falzon provide some pop off the bench. Then, would an Ash or equivalent be enough to bring back some success? Is the addition of another LG type really not that big of deal?

I would think that there is more of a chance that Lathon will being ready before Nance.

 

[haywood jahblowme]

turner is not a lead guard

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Did Ash have surgery?

 

[IGNORE2]

Sounds like all our eggs are in the LathoN basket. Boy, I hope CCC has a grad trans lead guard up his sleeve.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Sounds like all our eggs are in the LathoN basket. Boy, I hope CCC has a grad trans lead guard up his sleeve.

Take it to the rant board!!!

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We need a two guard lineup to break the press or we are doomed next year. We need at least two more guards beside the Jordans

 

[NJCat]

We need a two guard lineup to break the press or we are doomed next year. We need at least two more guards beside the Jordans

A team with not one, but two, Jordans, simply cannot be beat!

Double Dang!!!!!

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Loyola and Kansas State looked very quick out there. Need speed.

 

[NJCat]

Loyola and Kansas State looked very quick out there. Need speed.

How about Hops?

 

[EvanstonCat]

A recent post got me thinking. As I pine for a backup ballhandler of substance, I began to wonder if we could get by without one. I suspect there are many examples, but the old champion Bulls come to mind. Scottie was the point-forward or MJ took ball control during much of the game. Pax did not have the wheels of a traditional PG so MJ or Pippen covered the opposing PG, if necessary, allowing Pax to guard the slower player.

If Lathom proves not to be ready on Day 1 - a fair proposition as it is rarer to find a B1G ready LG frosh than not - can NU have success next year without a decent LG?

Assume in this scenario:

LG - Ash or Turner (again, just in the case that Lathom proves not to be ready or gets hurt)
SG - Gaines or Turner
SF - Law then Kopp
PF - Nance then Falzon
C - Pardon then Benson

Assume Law takes another step as does Pardon in development. Turner and/or Gaines improves from Lindsey's productivity this past year. Nance proves to be B1G ready and makes the four a productive position. Kopp and Falzon provide some pop off the bench. Then, would an Ash or equivalent be enough to bring back some success? Is the addition of another LG type really not that big of deal?

Unfortunately, we have neither a Michael Jordan or a Scottie Pippen in the lineup that would enable us to get away without a good point guard in my humble opinion.

Luckily, I think Lathon is one and we will be fine.

 

[EvanstonCat]

A team with not one, but two, Jordans, simply cannot be beat!

Double Dang!!!!!

That would be true if either one was a Michael, but neither is unfortunately.

 

[DaCat]

How about Hops?

View embedded media

Concussion protocol! Lathon looked like he took off on a trampoline for that dunk!

 

[Sec.112]

... Assume Law takes another step as does Pardon in development. Turner and/or Gaines improves from Lindsey's productivity this past year. Nance proves to be B1G ready and makes the four a productive position. Kopp and Falzon provide some pop off the bench. Then, would an Ash or equivalent be enough to bring back some success? Is the addition of another LG type really not that big of deal?

That's an awful lot of initial assumptions Bob.

1) I think the foundational idea that Law and Pardon develop even more might be the first problem. Take a look at their stats over the last two years. It's pretty consistent except for Pardon's points.

And especially with Law coming off an injury?

Maybe Pardon's points improve a bit?

I think the assumption should be that Law and Pardon are what they are.

2) As for replacing Lindsey, I don't think for a minute Gaines and Turner will replace Lindsey's 16 ppg in the conference.

However, can they make up for his statistically horrible defense and provide a middle ground? Maybe, but don't ask me to place money on it.

In the end, if you want to take some pressure off Lathon (or be successful with Ash), the Cats are going to need either Nance or Kopp to play like experienced players. They may need both.

Also, if Nance or Kopp can score, you don't need a whole lot from the freshman point guard. You need him to take care of the ball, make good decisions, play decent defense and simply be a threat from three to open things up.

Allow me to say one more thing: I HATE this rotation's defense down low. They really need Benson to be a productive, consistent bench player.

 

[DaCat]

That's an awful lot of initial assumptions Bob.

1) I think the foundational idea that Law and Pardon develop even more might be the first problem. Take a look at their stats over the last two years. It's pretty consistent except for Pardon's points.

And especially with Law coming off an injury?

Maybe Pardon's points improve a bit?

I think the assumption should be that Law and Pardon are what they are.

2) As for replacing Lindsey, I don't think for a minute Gaines and Turner will replace Lindsey's 16 ppg in the conference.

However, can they make up for his statistically horrible defense and provide a middle ground? Maybe, but don't ask me to place money on it.

In the end, if you want to take some pressure off Lathon (or be successful with Ash), the Cats are going to need either Nance or Kopp to play like experienced players. They may need both.

Also, if Nance or Kopp can score, you don't need a whole lot from the freshman point guard. You need him to take care of the ball, make good decisions, play decent defense and simply be a threat from three to open things up.

Allow me to say one more thing: I HATE this rotation's defense down low. They really need Benson to be a productive, consistent bench player.

I'm going to assume that Lathon will ready from Day 1. That's what Coach Collins is counting on, and I think he will be proven to be correct. We will sink or swim with Lathon.

I also think Kopp will adequately replace Lindsey. Maybe not to the tune of 16 ppg, but maybe 10-12. I know that's asking a lot from a first year, but we've seen the likes of Coble (13.4 ppg) and others do quite well their first year. And Kopp may be an upgrade to Lindsey on defense.

I worry that Law won't be ready at the beginning of next season. If true, then I see Turner filling that role, and hopefully Vic will be back to 100% for the B1G season.

I also think we'll see more of the Pardon-Benson tandem, which worked at times at the end of last season. We could even see a Pardon-Benson-Nance triumvirate if we really want to go big. Even with just Pardon and Nance, we have two guys with 7-foot wingspans. I like it.

 

[FeralFelidae]

We need a two guard lineup to break the press or we are doomed next year. We need at least two more guards beside the Jordans

Uh, we play two guards almost all the time.

 

[NJCat]

Uh, we play two guards almost all the time.

Forget it, he's rolling.

 

[hdhntr1]

A recent post got me thinking. As I pine for a backup ballhandler of substance, I began to wonder if we could get by without one. I suspect there are many examples, but the old champion Bulls come to mind. Scottie was the point-forward or MJ took ball control during much of the game. Pax did not have the wheels of a traditional PG so MJ or Pippen covered the opposing PG, if necessary, allowing Pax to guard the slower player.

If Lathom proves not to be ready on Day 1 - a fair proposition as it is rarer to find a B1G ready LG frosh than not - can NU have success next year without a decent LG?

Assume in this scenario:

LG - Ash or Turner (again, just in the case that Lathom proves not to be ready or gets hurt)
SG - Gaines or Turner
SF - Law then Kopp
PF - Nance then Falzon
C - Pardon then Benson

Assume Law takes another step as does Pardon in development. Turner and/or Gaines improves from Lindsey's productivity this past year. Nance proves to be B1G ready and makes the four a productive position. Kopp and Falzon provide some pop off the bench. Then, would an Ash or equivalent be enough to bring back some success? Is the addition of another LG type really not that big of deal?

Isn't Turner a forward? How do you have him as a LG? Without Brown we only have what 3 guards on the roster> Have to figure that they are targeting a guard transfer to take Brown's spot.

 

[hdhntr1]

I'm going to assume that Lathon will ready from Day 1. That's what Coach Collins is counting on, and I think he will be proven to be correct. We will sink or swim with Lathon.

I also think Kopp will adequately replace Lindsey. Maybe not to the tune of 16 ppg, but maybe 10-12. I know that's asking a lot from a first year, but we've seen the likes of Coble (13.4 ppg) and others do quite well their first year. And Kopp may be an upgrade to Lindsey on defense.

I worry that Law won't be ready at the beginning of next season. If true, then I see Turner filling that role, and hopefully Vic will be back to 100% for the B1G season.

I also think we'll see more of the Pardon-Benson tandem, which worked at times at the end of last season. We could even see a Pardon-Benson-Nance triumvirate if we really want to go big. Even with just Pardon and Nance, we have two guys with 7-foot wingspans. I like it.

He will likely be proven to be correct because he has no real option but to put him in for trial by fire.

 

[IGNORE2]

Isn't Turner a forward? How do you have him as a LG? Without Brown we only have what 3 guards on the roster> Have to figure that they are targeting a guard transfer to take Brown's spot.

He has been listed as a 2 and a 3 on different sites. He handed out 95 assists two years ago with a low TO rate so I would like to believe he can play the 2 or 3 and help handle the rock.