Talent is there

[Southport Cat]

The game in Iowa City really chaps in retrospect because this is a soft Iowa team. Even without Brooks and Jalen we are a clear step above on the talent ladder.

I do not understand the “next year is rebuilding” crowd at all. Maybe my Cat glasses are rosier than others, but assuming no attrition of the returning core we will be as competitive as this year at the least again with only one of the incoming fab five contributing and a shooter from the portal. Replacing Ty’s shooting is priority one. Need a pure guy in the Langborg mold. Clayton and Hunger are showing they can give non-embarrassing minutes against B1G competition when they play within themselves. If more than one frosh can give real minutes or a surprise comes along (is Barkley anything? Second rotation guy from the portal?) and the ceiling is there.

So bummed that we couldn’t get Ty and Brooks healthy at the same time because this is a top 5-6 team in the league this year with the true version of both. Too much ball watching with Brooks on the floor and since Ty didn’t have his legs yet we weren’t shooting through ruts at all.

I realize the level of competition is lower on the back half of our schedule, but for Pete’s sake we are without our best and fourth best guys. I will repeat that only Purdue and MSU looked above our weight class this entire season and neither of them saw a healthy Ty or Brooks. Silver lining to Brooks healing up for his pro career is it gave both Mullins and Windham the minutes they needed to blossom. Expect huge things from both next year. Heck, I expect them now in this beautiful late tourney run.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

The game in Iowa City really chaps in retrospect because this is a soft Iowa team. Even without Brooks and Jalen we are a clear step above on the talent ladder.

I do not understand the “next year is rebuilding” crowd at all. Maybe my Cat glasses are rosier than others, but assuming no attrition of the returning core we will be as competitive as this year at the least again with only one of the incoming fab five contributing and a shooter from the portal. Replacing Ty’s shooting is priority one. Need a pure guy in the Langborg mold. Clayton and Hunger are showing they can give non-embarrassing minutes against B1G competition when they play within themselves. If more than one frosh can give real minutes or a surprise comes along (is Barkley anything? Second rotation guy from the portal?) and the ceiling is there.

So bummed that we couldn’t get Ty and Brooks healthy at the same time because this is a top 5-6 team in the league this year with the true version of both. Too much ball watching with Brooks on the floor and since Ty didn’t have his legs yet we weren’t shooting through ruts at all.

I realize the level of competition is lower on the back half of our schedule, but for Pete’s sake we are without our best and fourth best guys. I will repeat that only Purdue and MSU looked above our weight class this entire season and neither of them saw a healthy Ty or Brooks. Silver lining to Brooks healing up for his pro career is it gave both Mullins and Windham the minutes they needed to blossom. Expect huge things from both next year. Heck, I expect them now in this beautiful late tourney run.

NU still needs to get at least one big and that outside threat you mention. Do those two things and we’ll be decent.

 

[DaCat]

I can’t believe the development of KJ these last few games. The kid can flat out ball. He changes the outlook for next year, where a lead guard from the portal is not as high a priority as it was just a month ago. Clayton has also developed into a solid point guard. Collins needs to go all out to get a quality big to replace Nicholson. We’ll have growing pains with the fab five freshmen but our solid core of veterans will help.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I can’t believe the development of KJ these last few games. The kid can flat out ball. He changes the outlook for next year, where a lead guard from the portal is not as high a priority as it was just a month ago. Clayton has also developed into a solid point guard. Collins needs to go all out to get a quality big to replace Nicholson. We’ll have growing pains with the fab five freshmen but our solid core of veterans will help.

There’s a pattern under CCC and probably most good coaches that the Freshman struggle out of the gate but improve over the season and become good players by their second season. It takes time.

 

[GatoLouco]

The game in Iowa City really chaps in retrospect because this is a soft Iowa team. Even without Brooks and Jalen we are a clear step above on the talent ladder.

I do not understand the “next year is rebuilding” crowd at all. Maybe my Cat glasses are rosier than others, but assuming no attrition of the returning core we will be as competitive as this year at the least again with only one of the incoming fab five contributing and a shooter from the portal. Replacing Ty’s shooting is priority one. Need a pure guy in the Langborg mold. Clayton and Hunger are showing they can give non-embarrassing minutes against B1G competition when they play within themselves. If more than one frosh can give real minutes or a surprise comes along (is Barkley anything? Second rotation guy from the portal?) and the ceiling is there.

So bummed that we couldn’t get Ty and Brooks healthy at the same time because this is a top 5-6 team in the league this year with the true version of both. Too much ball watching with Brooks on the floor and since Ty didn’t have his legs yet we weren’t shooting through ruts at all.

I realize the level of competition is lower on the back half of our schedule, but for Pete’s sake we are without our best and fourth best guys. I will repeat that only Purdue and MSU looked above our weight class this entire season and neither of them saw a healthy Ty or Brooks. Silver lining to Brooks healing up for his pro career is it gave both Mullins and Windham the minutes they needed to blossom. Expect huge things from both next year. Heck, I expect them now in this beautiful late tourney run.

I actually agree with nearly all of this and am not in the next year is rebuilding, therefore low expectations, crowd. But there are legitimate question around us being able to get portal talent that can contribute immediately like Langborg did. The graduate pool is almost non existent.

Still no reason to think we are not an at least 7 win team next season.

 

[DaCat]

I actually agree with nearly all of this and am not in the next year is rebuilding, therefore low expectations, crowd. But there are legitimate question around is being able to get portal talent that can contribute immediately like Langborg did. The graduate pool is almost non existent.

Still no reason to think we are not an at least 7 win team next season.

I think we did pretty well in the portal this year - Leach and Fitzmorris were solid contributors. I would be happy with a similar haul for next year, but maybe an upgraded version of Fitz.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I too am excited about KJ and even Gelo, but this team is losing a ton of experienced talent in Brooks, Matt, Ty and Leach. Each of these guys had a specific role on a team that was competitive but not dominant. They will be missed.

I hope Mullins has a great offseason and improves his shot. I think he’s ideally a 3 and D guy whose outside shot teams will have to respect. Not there yet but some signs…

I think KJ could be quite good down the road.

Gelo is in a rough stretch but I love his athleticism and moxie.

Then there are the 5 young bodies. Singleton and Kropp are most likely to see meaningful minutes.

Those guys, along with Nick and probably Hunger, are your bench until portal season.

 

[GatoLouco]

I think we did pretty well in the portal this year - Leach and Fitzmorris were solid contributors. I would be happy with a similar haul for next year, but maybe an upgraded version of Fitz.

I would be too. But the point is that the pool where Leach and Fitz came from, the graduate pool, is close to nothing now that the Covid year is gone. We are much more playing in the Mullins, just finished Freshman or Sophomore year pool.

 

[mickbula]

If I were collins...I'd seriously consider starting 3 forwards and 2 guards next season. Martinelli, kropp, singleton, wyndam, and jello or next best up. Bring in hunger when the opposition is calling for taller d. Bring in the young point guard for full court presses and others as warranted. Of course, I am not collins...and many people think I am an idiot at times- so what the hell do I know???

 

[Davidgolds5]

If I were collins...I'd seriously consider starting 3 forwards and 2 guards next season. Martinelli, kropp, singleton, wyndam, and jello or next best up. Bring in hunger when the opposition is calling for taller d. Bring in the young point guard for full court presses and others as warranted. Of course, I am not collins...and many people think I am an idiot at times- so what the hell do I know???

I know it’s all positive feels with the win streak, but I can’t get excited about clayton and hunger for next year. Sorry. I watch the games and don’t see it. Maybe 5-10 mins of fill in action each but I see no more than that. With emergence of KJ and Jake West coming in, a Clayton transfer might be the best cats scenario.

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

Looking ahead to next season, anytime you return a potential Big Ten leading scorer, you should be in a good position to stay competitive. With KJ, Gello, and Mullins expected to contribute, and if KJ continues to improve, Northwestern could have the point guard position locked down for the next few years. However, expecting a group of five freshmen to make an immediate impact is a tall order. Defense, in particular, takes time to develop.

Speaking of defense, Northwestern will lose key players like Berry and Matt, both of whom have been vital on that end of the floor. Matt’s absence will especially be felt, he’s been the cornerstone of NU's defense for three years, with everything they do on that side starting and ending with him. Berry, still a very valuable defender in his own right, brought valuable floor spacing and stretch ability as well. Berry is also a veteran presence with very good off ball movement. He will certainly be missed as well.

That said, let’s stay optimistic. The transfer portal has already brought in key players like Langborg, Audige, and Leach, and it’s a tool that could continue to benefit NU. If they can land a guy or two who can make a similar impact, this team could become dangerous, especially as the freshmen get more practice and experience throughout the season. Next year will be heavily dependent on who they bring in the portal unless Hunger develops a ton and someone steps into the 3rd scorer behind Martinelli and KJ. Let’s get back to focusing on this current team. There’s still some basketball left and a chance to keep the season going. Go Cats!

 

[hdhntr1]

The game in Iowa City really chaps in retrospect because this is a soft Iowa team. Even without Brooks and Jalen we are a clear step above on the talent ladder.

I do not understand the “next year is rebuilding” crowd at all. Maybe my Cat glasses are rosier than others, but assuming no attrition of the returning core we will be as competitive as this year at the least again with only one of the incoming fab five contributing and a shooter from the portal. Replacing Ty’s shooting is priority one. Need a pure guy in the Langborg mold. Clayton and Hunger are showing they can give non-embarrassing minutes against B1G competition when they play within themselves. If more than one frosh can give real minutes or a surprise comes along (is Barkley anything? Second rotation guy from the portal?) and the ceiling is there.

So bummed that we couldn’t get Ty and Brooks healthy at the same time because this is a top 5-6 team in the league this year with the true version of both. Too much ball watching with Brooks on the floor and since Ty didn’t have his legs yet we weren’t shooting through ruts at all.

I realize the level of competition is lower on the back half of our schedule, but for Pete’s sake we are without our best and fourth best guys. I will repeat that only Purdue and MSU looked above our weight class this entire season and neither of them saw a healthy Ty or Brooks. Silver lining to Brooks healing up for his pro career is it gave both Mullins and Windham the minutes they needed to blossom. Expect huge things from both next year. Heck, I expect them now in this beautiful late tourney run.

We are replacing 4 starters (#s 2,3,4 in scoring and the anchor of the D) from what this year was supposed to be. That is a lot to replace. and is the very definition of rebuilding. Yes a couple of the pieces might be there but it is still a lot to replace that much maturity at one time, Frosh will be Frosh and if they are good enough to get minutes, they will likely be inconsistent for a lot of the year.

Hunger has been inconsistent this year and seems more comfortable against starting lineups without a big 5 to go against and in the BIG, most everyone has that big man. It makes it pretty important to get a solid BIG through the portal that can start, and probably an outside threat as well. If we get them, you can remove the rebuilding title but till then that is what next year will be

 

[DaCat]

If I were collins...I'd seriously consider starting 3 forwards and 2 guards next season. Martinelli, kropp, singleton, wyndam, and jello or next best up. Bring in hunger when the opposition is calling for taller d. Bring in the young point guard for full court presses and others as warranted. Of course, I am not collins...and many people think I am an idiot at times- so what the hell do I know???

Personally I'll let Collins figure it out, and watch (and sometimes complain about) the results. He kind of knows what he's doing, although some still think he doesn't.

-- top returners
LG - KJ
Wing - Gello
Wing - Mullins
Wing - Martinelli
Big - Hunger
-- bench / possible transfers out
Clayton
Smith
Barkley
-- first years
West
Gill
Singleton
Kropp
Bennerman

Collins will have a lot of pieces to work with, plus a transfer Big hopefully.

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

Personally I'll let Collins figure it out, and watch (and sometimes complain about) the results. He kind of knows what he's doing, although some still think he doesn't.

-- top returners
LG - KJ
Wing - Gello
Wing - Mullins
Wing - Martinelli
Big - Hunger
-- bench / possible transfers out
Clayton
Smith
Barkley
-- first years
West
Gill
Singleton
Kropp
Bennerman

Collins will have a lot of pieces to work with, plus a transfer Big hopefully.

Add a starting B1G quality big and someone who can be the 3rd scoring in the portal would make that team way more competitive.

 

[No Chores]

I would not rule out Bennerman as our starting Center next year. He is very athletic, and potentially a much better scorer than MN. I really don't know how many better big men will be available in the portal, but we'll see.

 

[jensberg]

Add a starting B1G quality big and someone who can be the 3rd scoring in the portal would make that team way more competitive.

I think the team will be quite competitive. Martinelli will be as good or better than this year. KJ looks like he's a starter for sure. G e l o we'll see major Improvement would be my guess. I'm not sure about Mullins or Clayton and offensively but I think they both are viable big ten players. Then I think one or two of the freshmen will definitely be in the rotation. That's a fairly solid group.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Clayton has made defensive strides since he was a real liability in his first few games. You can't just expect him to walk in from the inactive list to competitive games - and play well. So I'll just assume he can keep improving. He's not Windham, but Windham is arguably better than Leach.

By the way, I appreciate the objective perspective of the initial post - thanks Southport Cat! Collins was able to bring in a LOT of talent. Thats a great thing. The next class looks to be outstanding. However, "We" messed up by not playing Windham - I think that is undeniable now. We had ball-handling problems for most of the season and the answer was sitting on our bench watching. So, that is extremely unfortunate, for fans who can only root for the guys on the court.

Unless the current active roster can pull off a real miracle, this year is going to go down as a season where we should have made the tournament - even when Barnhizer and Leach got hurt. And that makes our recent wins very sweet, but with some bitterness.

Having said all of that, I do want to credit Coach Collins for the way he has managed the roster and the games since we imploded against Nebraska.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Clayton has made defensive strides since he was a real liability in his first few games. You can't just expect him to walk in from the inactive list to competitive games - and play well. So I'll just assume he can keep improving. He's not Windham, but Windham is arguably better than Leach.

By the way, I appreciate the objective perspective of the initial post - thanks Southport Cat! Collins was able to bring in a LOT of talent. Thats a great thing. The next class looks to be outstanding. However, "We" messed up by not playing Windham - I think that is undeniable now. We had ball-handling problems for most of the season and the answer was sitting on our bench watching. So, that is extremely unfortunate, for fans who can only root for the guys on the court.

Unless the current active roster can pull off a real miracle, this year is going to go down as a season where we should have made the tournament - even when Barnhizer and Leach got hurt. And that makes our recent wins very sweet, but with some bitterness.

Having said all of that, I do want to credit Coach Collins for the way he has managed the roster and the games since we imploded against Nebraska.

Do you think it’s possible Windham wasn’t ready early in the season? Could have needed an adjustment period and a ton of practice time to be ready? Can we just assume that what we saw towards the end of the season was what would have seen early on? KJ has really hit his side after being incredibly inconsistent early on. Some rather to that as “growing pains”.

 

[SDakaGordie]

Clayton has made defensive strides since he was a real liability in his first few games. You can't just expect him to walk in from the inactive list to competitive games - and play well. So I'll just assume he can keep improving. He's not Windham, but Windham is arguably better than Leach.

By the way, I appreciate the objective perspective of the initial post - thanks Southport Cat! Collins was able to bring in a LOT of talent. Thats a great thing. The next class looks to be outstanding. However, "We" messed up by not playing Windham - I think that is undeniable now. We had ball-handling problems for most of the season and the answer was sitting on our bench watching. So, that is extremely unfortunate, for fans who can only root for the guys on the court.

Unless the current active roster can pull off a real miracle, this year is going to go down as a season where we should have made the tournament - even when Barnhizer and Leach got hurt. And that makes our recent wins very sweet, but with some bitterness.

Having said all of that, I do want to credit Coach Collins for the way he has managed the roster and the games since we imploded against Nebraska.

Tough argument to make that Windham is better than Leach. Turnover ratio for Windham’s last 6 games vs. Leach’s is almost identical (each about 1.6 per game), so there’s no justification that Leach was having such a rough time handling the ball and Windham was the solution on our bench. And Leach was playing against a much tougher schedule. You also rarely mention defense; Windham has a lot to improve on. That is obvious and is of course the reason he did not play more, as Collins will not allow for it.

I think you are in the very, very small minority having “some bitterness” about this season.

 

[No Chores]

Tough argument to make that Windham is better than Leach. Turnover ratio for Windham’s last 6 games vs. Leach’s is almost identical (each about 1.6 per game), so there’s no justification that Leach was having such a rough time handling the ball and Windham was the solution on our bench. And Leach was playing against a much tougher schedule. You also rarely mention defense; Windham has a lot to improve on. That is obvious and is of course the reason he did not play more, as Collins will not allow for it.

I think you are in the very, very small minority having “some bitterness” about this season.

I agree with this Leach was just an excellent pick up for us in the portal. He was a very good shooter, including at the free throw line, where he rarely missed. All this being said, I'm very high on Windham and believe he will have a great career at NU.

 

[hoosboot]

I do not understand the “next year is rebuilding” crowd at all. Maybe my Cat glasses are rosier than others, but assuming no attrition of the returning core we will be as competitive as this year at the least again with only one of the incoming fab five contributing and a shooter from the portal.

I don't think it is particularly rosy to say you think the team will be as competitive as this year given that a bottom half of the league finish seems in the cards for this year. I suspect next year's team will be wildly inconsistent. There is talent coming in, but the talent isn't the overwhelming variety (there is one Top 150 recruit) and the team is losing a ton of experience. I don't know that I'd call it rebuilding, but it will require one of CCC's better coaching efforts to get the team into postseason play.

 

[NVAcat]

I think we did pretty well in the portal this year - Leach and Fitzmorris were solid contributors. I would be happy with a similar haul for next year, but maybe an upgraded version of Fitz.

Yes, but we really need a really solid big to anchor the defense. Hunger is not even close to Matt’s defensive presence although he might score a bit more. Without a stoppe, the defense will not be nearly as strong as the last 3 years.

 

[IGNORE2]

I too am excited about KJ and even Gelo, but this team is losing a ton of experienced talent in Brooks, Matt, Ty and Leach. Each of these guys had a specific role on a team that was competitive but not dominant. They will be missed.

I hope Mullins has a great offseason and improves his shot. I think he’s ideally a 3 and D guy whose outside shot teams will have to respect. Not there yet but some signs…

I think KJ could be quite good down the road.

Gelo is in a rough stretch but I love his athleticism and moxie.

Then there are the 5 young bodies. Singleton and Kropp are most likely to see meaningful minutes.

Those guys, along with Nick and probably Hunger, are your bench until portal season.

Seems like wet often have that annoying guy. Brooks, Sanjay come to mind. I think Gelo is the next in that line.

 

[NVAcat]

Yes, but we really need a really solid big to anchor the defense. Hunger is not even close to Matt’s defensive presence although he might score a bit more. Without a stopper,, the defense will not be nearly as strong as the last 3 years.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

KJ has really hit his side after being incredibly inconsistent early on.

this is an urban legend being repeated ad nauseum by a few regulars.
Kid was ready right away and outplayed Leach in the Dayton game.
He has literally had two games that any fair person would call "bad."
Collins just didn't play him. Why, I don't know.
Coaches screw up with their personnel - and in this case it cost us pretty significantly.

 

[SDakaGordie]

this is an urban legend being repeated ad nauseum by a few regulars.
Kid was ready right away and outplayed Leach in the Dayton game.
He has literally had two games that any fair person would call "bad."
Collins just didn't play him. Why, I don't know.
Coaches screw up with their personnel - and in this case it cost us pretty significantly.

Speaking of ad nauseum - even if we accepted your unproven premise on offense - have you ever focused on the other part of the game - defense?

 

[Davidgolds5]

this is an urban legend being repeated ad nauseum by a few regulars.
Kid was ready right away and outplayed Leach in the Dayton game.
He has literally had two games that any fair person would call "bad."
Collins just didn't play him. Why, I don't know.
Coaches screw up with their personnel - and in this case it cost us pretty significantly

I thought he looked good early and then sparingly played, has to be harder to perform well if you only get limited minutes.

 

[Hkjb]

Slightly OOT but still related to the question of talent. The "gym rat" culture is there too - which is important in developing that talent to the point where it wins games. In the Io_wa post game press conference with Nicky meatballs and KJ, Nick talked about how they just played pickup for about 3 hours during KJ's recruiting visit. This is a team of guys who love/eat/breathe/sleep ball, and they can't get enough of the gym. It's great to see both the more experienced and the younger players cut from this cloth. This culture is new to our program and likely plays a big role in our future success. As an aside to that, I loved seeing the bonding between the two of them.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Tough argument to make that Windham is better than Leach. Turnover ratio for Windham’s last 6 games vs. Leach’s is almost identical (each about 1.6 per game), so there’s no justification that Leach was having such a rough time handling the ball and Windham was the solution on our bench. And Leach was playing against a much tougher schedule. You also rarely mention defense; Windham has a lot to improve on. That is obvious and is of course the reason he did not play more, as Collins will not allow for it.

I think you are in the very, very small minority having “some bitterness” about this season.

Windham is a better defender than Leach. I say that regularly, so I don't know how you've missed it.
I liked Leach enough this year. He was still improving when he got hurt. But he was not a plus defender. Offensively, he played better off the ball. Good shooter. Unfortunately when he played the point against good point guards, he generally struggled. Its not his fault. But Ty Berry is a better defender than Leach.

I've said all year that Windham should be getting minutes off the bench with Leach or Berry as the shooter. Maybe even use all 3 together at times to rest Barnhizer or Martinelli. If Leach and Berry are getting it done as the backcourt, fine. If not, the offense will be more dynamic with Windham playing point guard - and defensively Windham is better on the ball than Leach.

I'm confident we'd have a few more wins had we done this.