In losing Djurisic & Thornton, what can we expect next year??...

[Eastmandawg]

Lawd knows we need some big men that can run the floor. We have Ogbeide coming in (6-8, 240). Probably just a dream, but it would be nice to get Jaylen Brown. Forte (6-7) and Maten (6-8) are coming back...not sure about Kessler (6-10), he has looked good at times, but he is more of a role player imo. Iduwe (6-11) will probably still be a project next year......need some big men....thoughts, or do any of y'all GAS??

 

[teddy_bulldawg]

We can expect to have really good guard play and trouble down low unless we can procure a seasoned very good big man through the graduating transfer market ( like Russell wilson).
Turtle and E'torrion will keep good ball players on the court from the 1-3 spots at all times.
Forte is what he is, a 4 in a 3 body. If he comes back next yr looking like MT in the upper body, he can help at 4. He is a gifted scorer around the rim, but unless he gets a lot stronger will be exposed on the defensive end in the post.
Maten will be damn good and Ogbeide will help. Kessler could surprise, but more than likely if he sees much action, we will be in trouble. Iduwe needs to go to big man camp and reapply in a season or two.

 

[matdawg]

thanks Teddy...insightful***

N m

 

[DawgFacedGremlin]

Why do so many expect "good guard play" next year?

it was pretty damn pitiful this year.

 

[teddy_bulldawg]

Nothing pitiful about our guard play

This year.
Mann was a sore thumb the first half of the season with turnovers and ft shooting, but he improved a lot imo over the last 10-15 games as he better understood his role sharing the point with JJ and understanding how to play 3 when he did.
Gaines was a mixed bag, but some of that was his mono early in the season and his injury late. He is a great defender, streaky shooter, but he is a tough matchup for most everybody.
JJ was mostly really good. A very smart player who when hot, one of the best outside shooters we have had. I expect all 3 to be leaders next yr and improve upon this season.
The biggest improvement opportunity however will be with depth. Turtle and E'torrion will be able to give us 20-30 quality minutes between them instead of having to rely on KPG, a walk on and an out of position Forte.
I am not a big fan of a lot of pt for JP, but he is a heckuva lot better than having to give 5-10 minutes to guys that make you hold their breath when they are in.

 

[StoneColdKillerDawg]

Free throw percentage and finishing at the rim need to drastically improve*

Nm

 

[Eastmandawg]

That killed us, especially yesterday.....so did the breakaways. My last ...

Count was 17, not sure how many MSU ended up with.

 

[teddy_bulldawg]

17 refers to?

We only had 12 turnovers with 10 in the first half.

 

[Eastmandawg]

The # of breakaways MSU pts had, by my last count. Dawgs were not getting....

Back. A lot were off turnovers.

This post was edited on 3/21 3:57 PM by Eastmandawg

 

[teddy_bulldawg]

Re: The # of breakaways MSU pts had, by my last count. Dawgs were not getting....

The break away points were a product of great coaching by Izzo. We ask our guards to crash the boards, Izzo saw that and took advantage.