Recruiting

[Katatonic]

After two Solid seasons why do we only have one recruit for 2017

Not particularly worried.

Figured that after the initial Collins hire excitement/bump that recruits 3-4 years down the line would want to see tangible results on the court and the past 3 years have been pretty lean (even the 20 win season in 2015-16 was more smoke and mirrors due to scheduling as the 'Cats didn't get an NIT bid).

That's why placed great importance on this season to at least make the NIT - as the program will need a good '18 class to help fill in the holes when BMac, Lindsey and Skelly depart (and maybe add 1 more for the '17 class, but wouldn't sweat it if they didn't).

With the 'Cats looking to be on the verge of a historic NCAA bid, might be what pushes 1-2 of the last remaining '17 recruits to Evanston and should set up things nicely for the '18 class.

He's supposed to be a high energy guy and scouting reports that I have seen have been more positive on his defense than his offense. His outside shot is supposed to be the weakest part of his game. Falzon will probably never be a great defender or rebounder but he should be able to create mismatches at the 4 on offense. From what I saw his freshman year, he is not nearly as consistent from 3 as Taphorn (few are) but he can get his shot off more quickly and can carry the team when he is hot. If everyone is healthy, I envision next year's team being a little less of a lock-down defensive team and little more explosive offensively with the transition from Lumpkin to Skelly, Rap and sometimes Falzon.

Yeah, from what I have read/heard about Rap is that he is more of a going to the basket type F who should be a nice counter-balance to Falzon who is a stretch-4 (tho, wouldn't hurt for Rap to develop a nice 15 foot jumper - which he is reportedly working on).

Agree that next season, the 'Cats will substitute defense with more offense (altho with both Pardon and Benson continuing to improve, post defense should get better).

A senior Tap is a more consistent shooter than the freshman Falzon. I wouldn't bet money against Falzon having the better shooting career. And any year Falzon has quicker feet and is a better defender.

Rap is a legit 6 9". He is a very crafty scorer from the free throw line in. And his distance shooting is getting there.

Tap's best shooing % from the arc was during his soph year when he shot at a 50% clip (this season, Tap is at 45%).

Who knows if Falzon will hit that 50% mark from 3 pt range next season, but regardless, expect to see significant improvement.

What I want to see more out of Falzon is doing other things better beyond shooting behind the arc - primarily doing a better job of scoring around the basket, defending and rebounding (Falzon started to show signs of improvement in those areas late last season), where he should end up being better than Tap, but probably not as good as Rap.