When you have experienced seniors and juniors, sustaining a winning culture is a lot easier. Replacing players with more talented players also helps. When you replace players who had limited skill sets with returning four-star players like Falzon and Ivaunaskas who looked to be 6'9"-6'10" by the end of the season, you might actual improve production. Many people thought that without Demps and Olah that last season would not be a success. Oh, were they wrong! Also, when you bring in a slashing or penetrating SG (Anthony Gaines) when that was missing from last season's team that will help also. As for improvements of the complementary players like Ash that is a good sign. But talent usually wins out and the more talented players will play more minutes. For example, NU was in a battle with Minnesota in Evanston last season and the defense laid off Skelly who bricked a couple of threes and went 0 for 6 from threes and NU lost. Against UofI in Evanston, the game was tied with 3-4 minutes left when all we needed was to make a play and a basket and we could not do it. My guess and hope is that Lindsey does not get mono in the heart of the Big 10 season and Falzon will not be 0 for 6 from threes based on his natural shooting ability. So yes, every season will bring challenges, but if your talent levels improve year by year, the chances of sustained success are higher and higher.
