The early 2017 thread

[IGNORE2]

With all the banter and eagle eyed prognosticators on the other thread, let's look at to 2017-18 200. I'm calling out mike, va and glades to specifically contribute. Ok, with two schollies still open, here is mine:

PG - Mac - 30
SG - Lindsey - 32
SF - Law - 32
The 4 - Falzon - 28
C - Pardon - 23

Brown -20
RI - 20
Benson - 15

RS - for Gaines
One transfer sitting out a season

Our annual injury...Mac (all the rest have had their respective injuries over the past 4 years). Cats try to avoid burning Gaines' shirt. If they land a 5th transfer at G, then Brown slips into the PG and maybe. Otherwise, Gaines burns the RS and we all wonder if Lindsey and Law can handle the secondary ball handling role...again.

If NU dodges the injury plague, then this becomes the historic and storied first NU team to dance, making the Dance Marathon the second biggest NU dance of the year.

Ash is on the outside picking up garbage and injury time. If no transfer, CCC lands a project that doesn't see the floor in the next two years.

Anyone else wanna play while we wait for the B1G to begin? Glades - you know you have nothing to do anyway....

 

[Medill90]

Anyone who thinks the selfless and dedicated Gavin Skelly -- who is the heart and soul of this team -- will be reduced to 0 minutes is smoking dope.

 

[NUCat320]

You're one of my favorites, Bob, but I'll wait until next year to think about next year. These guys are goooooood.

 

[NJCat]

Anyone who thinks the selfless and dedicated Gavin Skelly -- who is the heart and soul of this team -- will be reduced to 0 minutes is smoking dope.

I think he assumed he goes into the NBA draft after this season.....

 

[Deeringfish]

Anyone who thinks the selfless and dedicated Gavin Skelly -- who is the heart and soul of this team -- will be reduced to 0 minutes is smoking dope.

I don't know much about these things but I would agree that Skelly will see the court more than 0 minutes. It also seems like Benson might see the court more considering his experience this year has been pretty solid considering his youth, but maybe 15 minutes is enough.

 

[JournCat]

I also think Skelly is likely to start next season, though it's not guaranteed. If Pardon and Law improve at the levels we might expect, we could get by with less defense at the 4 and benefit from Falzon's far superior shooting. Skelly is a nice fit in his current role as the 4-5 hybrid off the bench, and we might want to preserve that.

Ash will get a chance to get minutes with his defense. I think his best-case comp is Jeremy Nash, who turned himself into a decent offensive player along with his solid defense. Rapolas and Gaines will have their opportunities to contribute as well.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ashley get 15 minutes next year

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ash will get 15 minutes or more

 

[IGNORE2]

Anyone who thinks the selfless and dedicated Gavin Skelly -- who is the heart and soul of this team -- will be reduced to 0 minutes is smoking dope.

Yup, I forgot about Skelly. But i
I will stick to my rotation. Maybe he picks up a few regular minutes at 4 and 5, but my two deep at the bigs is deep - if they play to their potential or better.

 

[IGNORE2]

I don't know much about these things but I would agree that Skelly will see the court more than 0 minutes. It also seems like Benson might see the court more considering his experience this year has been pretty solid considering his youth, but maybe 15 minutes is enough.

Ok, so whose minutes drop from my list? Only 200 to go around. If i add 5 to Skelly, ill take little more than one each of the fours and five.

This is assuming no injury adjustment.

 

[IGNORE2]

I also think Skelly is likely to start next season, though it's not guaranteed. If Pardon and Law improve at the levels we might expect, we could get by with less defense at the 4 and benefit from Falzon's far superior shooting. Skelly is a nice fit in his current role as the 4-5 hybrid off the bench, and we might want to preserve that.

Ash will get a chance to get minutes with his defense. I think his best-case comp is Jeremy Nash, who turned himself into a decent offensive player along with his solid defense. Rapolas and Gaines will have their opportunities to contribute as well.

Ok, but everyone cannot play 30 minutes unless they run an A and B game. When you give,you must take. Raise your hand of think law,lindsey or Mac fall under 30. Or if you think pardon doesn't play heavy minutes. Or that Falzon or RI cannot beat out Skelly for quality minutes.

Giving minutes is easy, where are you taking them from.

 

[IGNORE2]

Ash will get 15 minutes or more

This year or next? Is he paired with ashley?

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

Ok, but everyone cannot play 30 minutes unless they run an A and B game. When you give,you must take. Raise your hand of think law,lindsey or Mac fall under 30. Or if you think pardon doesn't play heavy minutes. Or that Falzon or RI cannot beat out Skelly for quality minutes.

Giving minutes is easy, where are you taking them from.

I think skelly and RI will take over lumkins min and then falzone gets Taps rest is similar except pardon and BMac get more rest as brown and benson gain experience I expect brown to turn some heads next year

 

[NJCat]

I expect brown to turn some heads next year

This. The game will slow down next year and you can see the young man has all the tools to be a big time player.

 

[mikewebb68]

With all the banter and eagle eyed prognosticators on the other thread, let's look at to 2017-18 200. I'm calling out mike, va and glades to specifically contribute. Ok, with two schollies still open, here is mine:

PG - Mac - 30
SG - Lindsey - 32
SF - Law - 32
The 4 - Falzon - 28
C - Pardon - 23

Brown -20
RI - 20
Benson - 15

RS - for Gaines
One transfer sitting out a season

Our annual injury...Mac (all the rest have had their respective injuries over the past 4 years). Cats try to avoid burning Gaines' shirt. If they land a 5th transfer at G, then Brown slips into the PG and maybe. Otherwise, Gaines burns the RS and we all wonder if Lindsey and Law can handle the secondary ball handling role...again.

If NU dodges the injury plague, then this becomes the historic and storied first NU team to dance, making the Dance Marathon the second biggest NU dance of the year.

Ash is on the outside picking up garbage and injury time. If no transfer, CCC lands a project that doesn't see the floor in the next two years.

Anyone else wanna play while we wait for the B1G to begin? Glades - you know you have nothing to do anyway....

BMac 33 (he's been at 33, 36, and 33 the last two years, don't see his minutes dropping in his senior season)
Law- 30
Lindsey - 30 (both get into too much foul trouble to average more, imo
Falzon- 27 (wildcard due to the injury, but with no Tap, I expect his minutes to increase by two per game from his freshman year)
Pardon- 28 (he was averaging nearly this before he went down this season, no reason to expect that to drop next year, imo, presuming he can continue to reduce the number of silly fouls)

So only 52 left after starters for me, divided up thusly:

Brown-- 19 (he is at 17 per so far this year, and I expect that to trend up to 18 by season's end as he continues to figure things out, and I expect the upward trend to continue next yer
Skelly -- 18 (has had a BIG step up in minutes (now 20 per game!) due to Pardon going down, but I think he stays close to that level as his skills continue to improve
Rap--10 (another wildcard due to the injury, could easily be more, my best guess since he is a freshman and coming off a major injury
Benson- 5 (averaging nearly 10 now, but the bulk of that was with Pardon out; really needed to reshirt this year, imo, and that will set him back a bit, but if he sticks with it I think he becomes a force by his junior year once he has a BIG body and becomes used to playing with one)
Gaines: RS
Ash: I know that this may come as a shock to some, but I think he might transfer. I struggle to see his role on this team with the current talent level If he stays, give him 2 minutes per game (he is averaging only 3 and change in the non con right now, which will go down once BIG play starts) and take away one each from BMac and Brown.

 

[IGNORE2]

I think skelly and RI will take over lumkins min and then falzone gets Taps rest is similar except pardon and BMac get more rest as brown and benson gain experience I expect brown to turn some heads next year

I hope Falzon is not Tap 2.0

I still believe Falzon is a player that will command 20+ minutes. I hope the same is true for RI. If not, then my faith in the recruiting of CCC will be truly diminished.

So 11 minutes for RI and 14 minutes for Falzon would be a failure in recruiting and development in my mind. After JV, that would be constitute strikes two and three. And also make me think the dance is a real long shot.

 

[IGNORE2]

BMac 33 (he's been at 33, 36, and 33 the last two years, don't see his minutes dropping in his senior season)
Law- 30
Lindsey - 30 (both get into too much foul trouble to average more, imo
Falzon- 27 (wildcard due to the injury, but with no Tap, I expect his minutes to increase by two per game from his freshman year)
Pardon- 28 (he was averaging nearly this before he went down this season, no reason to expect that to drop next year, imo, presuming he can continue to reduce the number of silly fouls)

So only 52 left after starters for me, divided up thusly:

Brown-- 19 (he is at 17 per so far this year, and I expect that to trend up to 18 by season's end as he continues to figure things out, and I expect the upward trend to continue next yer
Skelly -- 18 (has had a BIG step up in minutes (now 20 per game!) due to Pardon going down, but I think he stays close to that level as his skills continue to improve
Rap--10 (another wildcard due to the injury, could easily be more, my best guess since he is a freshman and coming off a major injury
Benson- 5 (averaging nearly 10 now, but the bulk of that was with Pardon out; really needed to reshirt this year, imo, and that will set him back a bit, but if he sticks with it I think he becomes a force by his junior year once he has a BIG body and becomes used to playing with one)
Gaines: RS
Ash: I know that this may come as a shock to some, but I think he might transfer. I struggle to see his role on this team with the current talent level If he stays, give him 2 minutes per game (he is averaging only 3 and change in the non con right now, which will go down once BIG play starts) and take away one each from BMac and Brown.

No Ash or other two schollies? I largely agree thought more RI and less Skelly means RI really panned out and only good things can come from it. How about this curveball: a legit 5th year big guy comes in. Add a healthy Pardon and Skelly, maybe get Benson that RS next year? If Benson has the talent to be a star, let's get some separation in eligibility. Besides, no big talent taking the last two schollies anyway, so a 2018 talented big could RS w a senior Pardon and developed Benson manning the middle.

 

[mikewebb68]

No Ash or other two schollies? I largely agree thought more RI and less Skelly means RI really panned out and only good things can come from it. How about this curveball: a legit 5th year big guy comes in. Add a healthy Pardon and Skelly, maybe get Benson that RS next year? If Benson has the talent to be a star, let's get some separation in eligibility. Besides, no big talent taking the last two schollies anyway, so a 2018 talented big could RS w a senior Pardon and developed Benson manning the middle.

I edited it immediately to include Ash; didn't comment on the other schollies since I don't know if they will go to anyone unless it is a slam dunk for us; doubt Collins is taking any marginal guys or projects after the Vassar situation. Agree with your thoughts on Rap. Wish we could redshirt Benson next year, but don't know if you can after freshman year unless it is for medical.

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

I hope Falzon is not Tap 2.0

I still believe Falzon is a player that will command 20+ minutes. I hope the same is true for RI. If not, then my faith in the recruiting of CCC will be truly diminished.

So 11 minutes for RI and 14 minutes for Falzon would be a failure in recruiting and development in my mind. After JV, that would be constitute strikes two and three. And also make me think the dance is a real long shot.

Well falzone showed an ability to drive he just needed to put on muscle same with rebounding his defense was lacking in my opinion but not near as bad as taphorns was I think he has more upside but I don't think you recover from a knee injury that quickly. He's going to be better than taphorn. But their game is similar (at least freshman falzone) but taphorn has more muscle just falzone has a lot more upside in my opinion.

 

[NJCat]

Wish we could redshirt Benson next year, but don't know if you can after freshman year unless it is for medical.

You can red shirt any academic year. Athletes have 5 years to complete 4 years of competition. The medical red shirt comes into play when an athlete potentially wants to get a 6th year.

 

[IGNORE2]

Well falzone showed an ability to drive he just needed to put on muscle same with rebounding his defense was lacking in my opinion but not near as bad as taphorns was I think he has more upside but I don't think you recover from a knee injury that quickly. He's going to be better than taphorn. But their game is similar (at least freshman falzone) but taphorn has more muscle just falzone has a lot more upside in my opinion.

Falzon was much more highly regarded coming in and I would like to believe in CCC's eye for talent. (Tap was from BC) All indications are that Falzon had minor surgery (that is surgery on somebody else). So I would expect him to return with the body of a third year college kid - that should be built to play in the B1G. And would hope that he and RI are hitting the gym together and recognize how it helped Lump and Tap remain relevant.

By the way, your autocorrect keeps adding an e to Falzon.

 

[NJCat]

Falzon was much more highly regarded coming in and I would like to believe in CCC's eye for talent. (Tap was from BC) All indications are that Falzon had minor surgery (that is surgery on somebody else). So I would expect him to return with the body of a third year college kid - that should be built to play in the B1G. And would hope that he and RI are hitting the gym together and recognize how it helped Lump and Tap remain relevant.

By the way, your autocorrect keeps adding an e to Falzon.

I agree. Falzon had a good true Freshman year. Much better than Tap's true Freshman year. Not sure how much you can hit the gym until your injuries heal, but both Rap and Falzon will be bigger and stronger than they would be without sitting out.

 

[mikewebb68]

You can red shirt any academic year. Athletes have 5 years to complete 4 years of competition. The medical red shirt comes into play when an athlete potentially wants to get a 6th year.

Cool, thanks for clarifying!

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

Falzon was much more highly regarded coming in and I would like to believe in CCC's eye for talent. (Tap was from BC) All indications are that Falzon had minor surgery (that is surgery on somebody else). So I would expect him to return with the body of a third year college kid - that should be built to play in the B1G. And would hope that he and RI are hitting the gym together and recognize how it helped Lump and Tap remain relevant.

By the way, your autocorrect keeps adding an e to Falzon.

Thanks for telling be about the autocorrect. I fully believe falzon will be much better just I don't see him pushing to lots of min past law Lindsey and Skelly granted he'll be playing more than taphorn is rn in my opinion. (I could be rating skelly too high but I think his hustle and ability on the boards get him a starting nod next year if not I bet falzon takes it) I have no problems with falzone.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Anyone who thinks the selfless and dedicated Gavin Skelly -- who is the heart and soul of this team -- will be reduced to 0 minutes is smoking dope.

Skelly will miss next year due to a medical. They are going to transplant Sanjay's giant basketball brain into Gavin's formidable power forward body, and create a double-double machine that speaks six languages and makes a mean brisket. This Frankenskelly will give us our second straight Tournament appearance.

 

[NJCat]

Skelly will miss next year due to a medical. They are going to transplant Sanjay's giant basketball brain into Gavin's formidable power forward body, and create a double-double machine that speaks six languages and makes a mean brisket. This Frankenskelly will give us our second straight Tournament appearance.

Brain? I thought it was his Heart and Soul that we wanted to transplant......

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We can be a sweet 16 team this year next year we can be even better

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Jordan Ash will play a lot this year in the Big Ten and next year even more he's a good big time player

 

[JournCat]

Ok, but everyone cannot play 30 minutes unless they run an A and B game. When you give,you must take. Raise your hand of think law,lindsey or Mac fall under 30. Or if you think pardon doesn't play heavy minutes. Or that Falzon or RI cannot beat out Skelly for quality minutes.

Giving minutes is easy, where are you taking them from.

This is fair, and I accept the challenge, with the caveat that I think there are at least two injuries that scramble the breakdown below:

Mac 34
Lindsey 28
Law 30
Skelly 25
Pardon 25

Brown 20
Falzon 15
RI 13
Benson 7
Ash 3

Skelly plays a good amount of 5, Brown plays a good amount of 2, and we keep Lindsey and Law's minutes down to preserve their legs for the end of games.

 

[Deeringfish]

Brain? I thought it was his Heart and Soul that we wanted to transplant......

Their going to do that too. Docrugby is going to do it.

 

[Deeringfish]

Ok, but everyone cannot play 30 minutes unless they run an A and B game. When you give,you must take. Raise your hand of think law,lindsey or Mac fall under 30. Or if you think pardon doesn't play heavy minutes. Or that Falzon or RI cannot beat out Skelly for quality minutes.

Giving minutes is easy, where are you taking them from.

Not that I think the injury curse will continue in full fashion but there will be games where guys are under the weather or nursing a sprain, maybe some match up that will favor one of the guys from the bench in certain games. Some minutes will come that way.

 

[IGNORE2]

Not that I think the injury curse will continue in full fashion but there will be games where guys are under the weather or nursing a sprain, maybe some match up that will favor one of the guys from the bench in certain games. Some minutes will come that way.

The exercise here is to examine full strength scenario, not final stats scenario. What do you expect to see to start the OOC season?

 

[Walker Fan]

Are you kidding me? The conference season starts tomorrow and premature Bob is spewing irrelevant topics about minute projections for 2017-2018 and he forgets that Skelly is on the team. This too funny!

Is everyone aware that NU is at PSU tomorrow and at East Lansing on 12/30? Those are real topics of conversation. And yes, MVP talk prior to the Big 10 season is the embodiment of being premature.

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

Are you kidding me? The conference season starts tomorrow and premature Bob is spewing irrelevant topics about minute projections for 2017-2018 and he forgets that Skelly is on the team. This too funny!

Is everyone aware that NU is at PSU tomorrow and at East Lansing on 12/30? Those are real topics of conversation. And yes, MVP talk prior to the Big 10 season is the embodiment of being premature.

But is it not exciting to think what could happen next year when this team is finally healthy and gains more experience and the only major departure will be lumpkin?

 

[purplejustice]

I am much more concerned about Pardon's minutes for the remainder of this season and thinking about what could happen this season. Any word?

 

[IGNORE2]

Are you kidding me? The conference season starts tomorrow and premature Bob is spewing irrelevant topics about minute projections for 2017-2018 and he forgets that Skelly is on the team. This too funny!

Is everyone aware that NU is at PSU tomorrow and at East Lansing on 12/30? Those are real topics of conversation. And yes, MVP talk prior to the Big 10 season is the embodiment of being premature.

Go away Walker, my little friend. You have shown that you are irrelevant and too young. Grown ups can manage to have more than one conversation at a time and we do make mistakes. Chiding everyone here for participating in a rational and friendly conversation will not win you any more friends. Go open a thread with va and discuss whatever it is you want to discuss. Maybe we will even come over and participate. But probably not.

 

[IGNORE2]

A few quality big men have announced their intent to transfer. I doubt we are high on any of their lists, but they would be a nice addition for 2017 and eligible for conference play if signed soon. With our international presence at NU, the Australian intrigues me.

Harry Froling
Dante Williams
Isaac Copeland

PG Traci Carter would be a nice addition too - I know, pipe dream...

 

[mikewebb68]

A few quality big men have announced their intent to transfer. I doubt we are high on any of their lists, but they would be a nice addition for 2017 and eligible for conference play if signed soon. With our international presence at NU, the Australian intrigues me.

Harry Froling
Dante Williams
Isaac Copeland

PG Traci Carter would be a nice addition too - I know, pipe dream...

I believe the problem is that demand far exceeds supply with regard transferring big men. Look at all the teams we have played/will play who are height challenged, even in Power 5 conferences...

 

[IGNORE2]

I believe the problem is that demand far exceeds supply with regard transferring big men. Look at all the teams we have played/will play who are height challenged, even in Power 5 conferences...

For sure. But we do have appealing characteristics: potential first dance and related national coverage, elite degree, proximity to Chicago, Chris Collins and available PT next year.

 

[mikewebb68]

For sure. But we do have appealing characteristics: potential first dance and related national coverage, elite degree, proximity to Chicago, Chris Collins and available PT next year.

Agreed. This may perhaps be the reason why Collins took only one early signee for '17.