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- Thread starter NJCat
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Based on what we saw at the STH event last week, the BB news is no surprise. We can only hope it's not a lingering thing.
There was a photo reposted from Blake Barkley's IG from the weekend which showed BB still rocking the boot (not in basketball setting, but informal off-court). I'd imagine BB's wired to wanna play ASAP, but perhaps discretion is the better part of valor here.
Also interesting to hear that Collins rates Nick and Luke as the biggest risers among returners. I'm hoping this means Nick has developed a consistent catch and shoot 3 to become a very dangerous agile stretch 4; and for Luke, I'm hoping this means he's figuring out how to assert himself defensively without collecting fouls. (Luke had 6.6 Fouls Committed/40 min, which makes it tough to keep him on the court.)
This is how it is supposed to work, right? Brooks, Matt, and Ty lead by example, Nick and Luke step up, and the new kids try filling Nick and Luke's old shoes, etc.
Glad to hear about Hunger's progress. He's been forgotten by most around here.
But I don't see Martinelli as a stretch 4 and I hope our coaches don't see him that way either.
Of course, if Nick starts lighting it up from 3, then he's first team Big Ten.
That would be great.
But Martinelli has a ton of value in the paint, so time out on the perimeter had better be productive.
But I don't see Martinelli as a stretch 4 and I hope our coaches don't see him that way either.
Of course, if Nick starts lighting it up from 3, then he's first team Big Ten.
That would be great.
But Martinelli has a ton of value in the paint, so time out on the perimeter had better be productive.
He's really a problem in the paint for a lot of bigs. Good enough ball handler and size to back a guy in, or draw him out a bit, and then go around him. And he CAN SCORE WITH EITHER HAND! HEAR THAT, ROBBIE HUMMEL?????
As long as it took Hummel to figure it out, he noticed Martinelli was a lefty long before a lot of Big Ten teams did. He loves the guy now.
I’d like to see Mart as a legit threat on the open 3 to force a defender out of the paint. But agree, not looking for him to create out there.
As for BB, agree w cappy that we shouldn’t need him except Dayton and B1G opener. But we do need him to be in basketball shape - so hope he works cardio hard whenever he can.
And BBs absence opens a spot we have tons of potential depth and gives CCC a chance to give some serious looks at depth pieces.
Collins also said in his press availability today that Brooks might play Monday.....48 second mark below:
I watched the entire 19 minutes. Great video.
The first 11 minutes of Collins was funny because Nicholson kept popping into the frame, taking jumpers from 15-17 feet, doing spin moves and whatnot.
Collins was rather engaging - which, for me, shows just how far he's come. In the past, his commentary was nonstop "coach speak" - now he is relaxed and much less guarded. Great to hear him talking about his progress as a coach. And the comment "I'd love to play everybody, but you have to decide what your rotation is, whether its 8, 9 or 10 guys." To me thats the newer and improved Collins of the last few years.
Also great to see the enthusiastic and composed Ty Berry and Matt Nicholson taking questions and responding like veterans.
The long-suspected chemistry between those two guys is apparent. Berry's comment that the team will be more defense-minded this year was notable... presumably he's talking about Langborg and possibly Buie.
And I liked how Nicholson said Hunger is going to be good this year.
I had a different take about that comment. I thought he meant that NU will miss the offense provided by Borg and Buie and will need to hang their hats on defense. Buie was a good defender.
The PG role is a true unknown at this point, and it's OK that it's a bit murky. After all, this is expected as we move on from Boo. It appears we have decent options, and likely it will be a blend.
However, what is known is that this team has the tools and experience to defend and be a real pain in the ass. Maybe not Pikell/Rutgers pain in the ass, but be a really tough customer. So then Ty Berry, a team captain, declares that defense is where they can burnish their team identity - then, I'm on board. I'm good with rock fights.
Always love hearing NU athletes speak, especially compared to those in many other programs.
