Northwestern Preview Busting Brackets

[bradcav1]

https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/10/08/northwestern-basketball-2017-18-season-preview/

Here is the Northwestern Preview on Busting Brackets. I would love to get feedback from fans on the accuracy of the analysis.

 

[Mr Wickerpark]

https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/10/08/northwestern-basketball-2017-18-season-preview/

Here is the Northwestern Preview on Busting Brackets. I would love to get feedback from fans on the accuracy of the analysis.

Our highest rated recruit, Rap, was injured with falzon last year. Both will contribute.

 

[NJCat]

https://bustingbrackets.com/2017/10/08/northwestern-basketball-2017-18-season-preview/

Here is the Northwestern Preview on Busting Brackets. I would love to get feedback from fans on the accuracy of the analysis.

I'd say you get a 9.9 out of 10 for accuracy. Very good analysis.

 

[Southport Cat]

Really nice job, thorough and accurate.

 

[Pete Purple]

Ditto. Great job.

 

[freewillie07]

Great piece. Even me and my purple-tinted glasses think #11 is a little optimistic, but, remarkably, not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Great piece. Even me and my purple-tinted glasses think #11 is a little optimistic, but, remarkably, not out of the realm of possibility.

Your glasses aren't sufficiently purple-tinted.

I expect to challenge MSU for the B1G title. This article is measured and not at all overdone in it's evaluation of NU's strength. It's a balanced, extremely deep, talented, and now veteran team. I'm not sure what you would say our weakness is. Maybe the lack of 7 footers? Perhaps, teams that have heft can push us around a little like Gonzaga did in the 1st half (though we took them in the 2nd). And maybe not if Benson has stepped it up - certainly sounds like Pardon has. I have them as a top 10 team with a solid chance of winning the B1G. And barring injuries (knocking on wood, given this is Northwestern) if they don't advance to the Sweet 16, I'll be disappointed. DareIsay Final Four is within reach? I dare!

 

[SmellyCat]

DareIsay Final Four is within reach? I dare!

 

[freewillie07]

Your glasses aren't sufficiently purple-tinted.

I expect to challenge MSU for the B1G title. This article is measured and not at all overdone in it's evaluation of NU's strength. It's a balanced, extremely deep, talented, and now veteran team. I'm not sure what you would say our weakness is. Maybe the lack of 7 footers? Perhaps, teams that have heft can push us around a little like Gonzaga did in the 1st half (though we took them in the 2nd). And maybe not if Benson has stepped it up - certainly sounds like Pardon has. I have them as a top 10 team with a solid chance of winning the B1G. And barring injuries (knocking on wood, given this is Northwestern) if they don't advance to the Sweet 16, I'll be disappointed. DareIsay Final Four is within reach? I dare!

I only said #11 is a little optimistic. Certainly, your scenario can pan out if things go right. Don't disagree that the depth and veteran talent is unlike anything we have ever seen. It would be a disappointment to not be in the Big Ten hunt.

Questions:

• Playing at a new arena far from campus. Skelly was quoted saying it was freezing at Allstate and that it was like playing on an island relative to W-R. Does this adjustment cost them early against a team like Creighton or Illinois?
• Lead guard depth/reliance: God forbid anything happen to BMac. And when he's on the court, can other players create offense? NU went through some bad dry spells again last year.
• Wing defense: without Sanjay, can the NU defense still hum and switch effortlessly? Skelly, Falzon and Rap aren't defensive stoppers. How much of an instant factor is Gaines?

Nitpicking? Maybe. Can't wait for the season to start.

 

[Alan Smithee]

Very sound analysis. Here's hoping everybody but Lindsey contracted mono over the summer. (C'mon, you know what I mean...)

 

[bradcav1]

Thank you all for the feedback. I greatly appreciate it.

Where do you guys see Ivanauskas getting playing time? Can he beat out Skelly and/or Benson?

And 11 may be a little high, but I tend to rank the more experienced teams higher than most. I just don't see the logic of ranking teams like Florida and UNC in the top ten when they lost so much talent and do not add a Duke or Kentucky esque class. Both teams are going to play entirely different styles this season while teams like NW, Min, USC, Seton Hall etc bring almost all of their team back.

 

[NJCat]

Thank you all for the feedback. I greatly appreciate it.

Where do you guys see Ivanauskas getting playing time? Can he beat out Skelly and/or Benson?.

Rap will get time at the 4 along with Skelly, who is prone to silly fouls. Benson and Pardon are the only true 5's. I suspect one of them will be on the floor at all times. Rap may start slowly given that he missed the entire season with a shoulder injury last year and is therefore the equivalent of a Freshman experience-wise.

 

[freewillie07]

Rap will get time at the 4 along with Skelly, who is prone to silly fouls. Benson and Pardon are the only true 5's. I suspect one of them will be on the floor at all times. Rap may start slowly given that he missed the entire season with a shoulder injury last year and is therefore the equivalent of a Freshman experience-wise.

Frankly it's impossible for most of us to know how Rap will fit into the rotation.

I agree with Rothstein that Falzon will start. I see Skelly, with all his experience, as first off the bench, and the "3rd string" big if Pardon or Benson can't go. How much room that leaves for Rap depends on his development thus far. Either he fights for playing time ahead of Skelly, or he's last off the bench.

It's not a knock on Rap, just a product of never playing a minute of college ball and being the same position as a senior and a RS sophomore who started as a true freshman.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

I only said #11 is a little optimistic. Certainly, your scenario can pan out if things go right. Don't disagree that the depth and veteran talent is unlike anything we have ever seen. It would be a disappointment to not be in the Big Ten hunt.

Questions:

• Playing at a new arena far from campus. Skelly was quoted saying it was freezing at Allstate and that it was like playing on an island relative to W-R. Does this adjustment cost them early against a team like Creighton or Illinois?
• Lead guard depth/reliance: God forbid anything happen to BMac. And when he's on the court, can other players create offense? NU went through some bad dry spells again last year.
• Wing defense: without Sanjay, can the NU defense still hum and switch effortlessly? Skelly, Falzon and Rap aren't defensive stoppers. How much of an instant factor is Gaines?

Nitpicking? Maybe. Can't wait for the season to start.

I like our defense on the wings, but can McIntosh guard an elite point? Had his struggles with Trimble last year. McIntosh is the most important player on our roster, but this one question looms for me if I’m nitpicking.

 

[scru]

I like our defense on the wings, but can McIntosh guard an elite point? Had his struggles with Trimble last year. McIntosh is the most important player on our roster, but this one question looms for me if I’m nitpicking.

But Lindsey and Law can, and BMac picks up their SG. It worked last year, with exception of MD game.

 

[Kelly_32]

Hard to guard Trimble when Big 10 refs bailed him out every time he flailed his arms and threw his head back.

Mac was a liability on defense as a freshman but he’s a capable defender now.

 

[NJCat]

I like our defense on the wings, but can McIntosh guard an elite point? .

No, but few players CAN guard an elite PG. That's what makes them elite.

And most guards have trouble guarding BMac. I'm not suggesting he's "elite" but he's a pretty darn good college PG. NU will be just fine with BMac this season.

 

[freewillie07]

But Lindsey and Law can, and BMac picks up their SG. It worked last year, with exception of MD game.

Lindsey has proven to be a good defender, but not a lock-down wing like Law and Lumpkin. Of course it's fair to assume he will improve, but last year Collins was able to throw Law and Lumpkin on the opponent's two best offensive players and then go from there. Might be trickier with Falzon instead.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

No, but few players CAN guard an elite PG. That's what makes them elite.

And most guards have trouble guarding BMac. I'm not suggesting he's "elite" but he's a pretty darn good college PG. NU will be just fine with BMac this season.

PJ Fleck will not be happy with you.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Hard to guard Trimble when Big 10 refs bailed him out every time he flailed his arms and threw his head back.

Mac was a liability on defense as a freshman but he’s a capable defender now.

Yep, absolutely. Wasn't a knock on Mac really- I'm just nitpicking. As others have said, elite PG's are a challenge for any defender.