SeattleJay wrote:vivid_dude wrote:With the core set, what’s the rotation?
Who is the #4? Kaluma’s defense, energy and athleticism will be tough to replicate. I don’t believe one guy steps in and replaces his production. Multiple guys could, with some improved shooting (Traudt and Miller) and ability to thrive without being ball dominant (Green). We will miss the things Art brought that no one else can. We won’t miss the moments that were frustrating.
Who is the backup PG? Somebody mentioned staggering the rotation. I endorse that plan. Ashworth and Trey bring the ball up the court most times. Bring in Farabello and Lawson at the #2 when one of those starters is on the bench. Maybe some Baylor at the #2 if we have Kalk and two of three (Green/Traudt/Miller) joining him in front court? Workable.
Will we rebound as well? I don’t think we take a step up in that category. Could be wrong.
Shooting - better. Potentially great, if Ashworth is as advertised, Miller and Traudt step in and Bello remembers what he was. Baylor could shoot better now that he’s used to the high major pace. Trey will improve because Trey will always improve. Plus, Kalk could be intriguing based on his combine video. As the resident Bello fanboy, I’m predicting 40% for him. Let’s get it!
Defense - experience and strength could offset Kaluma’s loss. I do not think we can say Ashworth is a step up over R2. Slight downgrade?
Experience - huge step forward.
Shot creation - worry? When a possession breaks down and we need someone to create on their own, who is it? Trey comes to mind, but no one else does. Not that R2 and Kaluma were great here, but I feel like their replacements are a step back. Prove me wrong!
Depth - I naively thought this was going to be good last year. I was wrong. Again, I think we should be solid this year. Hope I’m not wrong again.
Ball handling - step back. Ashworth isn’t as quick or as natural with the ball as R2. Could Creighton struggle against the press or aggressive on-the-ball defenders? Possibly.
Balance - CU was as balanced as any team in the starting lineup last year. If we could spread the production of Kaluma and R2 with 3-5 players, I think that’s good for the team. Let Baylor, Trey and Kalk be the centerpieces of the offense. Ashworth spreads the defense and makes threes. Bench players do the same. Assume a role and do it well around the core.
Who surprisingly steps up? Green doesn’t get a lot of hype. Does he outperform Miller and Traudt? Does Lawson validate the disappointment of Memphis fans? Are Vice or Knox players? What is Dotzler this season? Can’t wait to find out.
Great analysis and questions.
A few comments: yes, PG is the least deep. Gotta see if Dotzler can help. Otherwise, it could be Bello after Ashworth and Trey.
Starter at the 4 is probably between Traudt and Miller which feels like a step back defensively from Art. However, might be better offensively.
Elsewhere on defense, I expect Lawson to give us a big boost at the backup 2 or 3.
Depth - it feels much deeper this year. Like you, I was fooled last year.
3 point shooting is potentially much better.
That’s all in my humble opinion and based on reading about the new guys rather than seeing them play. To be fair to Green, I haven’t seen him play either.
Traudt and Lawson were both at or near top 50 in their HS class in national rankings.
Pretty exciting.
Fellas, fellas, fellas...worried about PG? I guess it's natural for Jays fans who still shudder at the Mo injury. But R2 played 34.8 minutes a game as a freshman and 34.0 minutes a game this past year. Ashworth played 33.2 for USU. With Trey getting some run at the point, there aren't many minutes left for anyone else. FF proved capable for smaller stretches if fouls are an issue in a particular game. I do worry a little about shot creation for anyone not name Trey but assume improved shooting will help space the floor.
I don't understand the concern expressed in a diff post about potentially redshirting guys. If we have 13 guys on scholie and Mac has a pretty set track record of 9 guys getting meaningful minutes, reshirting seems like a good plan. No idea how many of those incoming are BE ready...but Dotzler strikes me a "play 4 years" guy so why waste one when he may only get 5-6 minutes a game? Freshman under Mac have gotten minutes out of sheer talent or necessity. It doesn't appear the latter will be the case.
