Nance played awful and we blew a lead but few even expected us to hang with IU on the road with an extremely inexperienced team and 2 starters out.
Positives:
1. We played IU very tough and the game went down to the wire
2. We didn't give up after being 10 pts down in what was looking like a blow-out in the first half.
3. Kopp is looking more and more like a legit 3 pt weapon that can be a key piece. He's a big strong kid with a quick, high release. He is a good defender and has the size to rebound so he's not 1 dimensional. But still plenty of room to improve, most of all the ability to shoot off the dribble.
4. Beran had some good minutes and could be Kopp with more athleticism and length next year.
5. Young continues to show poise and nice footwork. He is not gonna be a superstar but he hung with a very tough front court.
6. Jones showed some real athleticism including a couple of great block shots and tough defense. He is raw, but his size, strength and athleticism is promising. He is improving game to game. If he works hard and figures it out, he has a high ceiling.
7. A couple weeks ago many of us thought Spencer couldn't really play PG in the big ten and he had been figured out. But he had his best game of the season and his swagger will hopefully rub off on the young guys. I would love for the guys to clear out and let him play the post whenever a small guard is on him--he can back him down and find the open man if he gets doubled. Wouldn't be pretty and he may turn it over a bunch, but his physicality would be fun to watch.
8. Turner played well. He's a mystery--long, tall, athletic kid with a nice handle and shot about 40% from the 3 at BC, but really hasn't put it together here. Had a nice game.
9. Nance played his worst game of the year, Buie and Gaines were out and we still played tough against IU on the road.
Positives:
1. We played IU very tough and the game went down to the wire
2. We didn't give up after being 10 pts down in what was looking like a blow-out in the first half.
3. Kopp is looking more and more like a legit 3 pt weapon that can be a key piece. He's a big strong kid with a quick, high release. He is a good defender and has the size to rebound so he's not 1 dimensional. But still plenty of room to improve, most of all the ability to shoot off the dribble.
4. Beran had some good minutes and could be Kopp with more athleticism and length next year.
5. Young continues to show poise and nice footwork. He is not gonna be a superstar but he hung with a very tough front court.
6. Jones showed some real athleticism including a couple of great block shots and tough defense. He is raw, but his size, strength and athleticism is promising. He is improving game to game. If he works hard and figures it out, he has a high ceiling.
7. A couple weeks ago many of us thought Spencer couldn't really play PG in the big ten and he had been figured out. But he had his best game of the season and his swagger will hopefully rub off on the young guys. I would love for the guys to clear out and let him play the post whenever a small guard is on him--he can back him down and find the open man if he gets doubled. Wouldn't be pretty and he may turn it over a bunch, but his physicality would be fun to watch.
8. Turner played well. He's a mystery--long, tall, athletic kid with a nice handle and shot about 40% from the 3 at BC, but really hasn't put it together here. Had a nice game.
9. Nance played his worst game of the year, Buie and Gaines were out and we still played tough against IU on the road.