We are going to be pretty good next year and I think we will surprise some teams this year as the RAC will once again become a very tough place to win. As down as I am about the football team, I’m the complete opposite in hoops. I think it started with hiring a coach who built a program and had to find great assistants, recruit, get kids to practice hard and he’s a helluva coach who changes up defenses and believes in rebounding. Now that we finally have shooters, it can all come together.
There are unanswered questions that I have about the newcomers so once I see them, the picture will get more clear. I know Doorson has changed his body and he’s healthy but he has limitations offensively and on the FT line. We lost games because of missed free throws. So my questions are with Myles Johnson and Shaq Carter, do we have two legit big men? And can Doucore live up to his 4 star rating and make a big jump forward from last season. He looks the part but didn’t play that well last year. He was a young freshman so maybe we will see that growth?
And with McConnell and Mathis, how good are they in shooting. I think they could add a lot especially if teams have to focus on Baker and Kiss? Is Ron Harper in physical shape to play in the Big 10 and is he fast enough to get to open spots and shoot. Thiam had this problem for his first few years. Harper is much stronger but does he have the quickness? And then there’s Eugene? I was really impressed with his growth last year. Does he take the next step in scoring? I’d like to see him post up and go strong to the hoop. I know he’s worked on his outside shot but I think there are better outside shooters and I don’t want waste possessions.
The real key this year could be our defense. With the depth we have I think we could really get opponents out of synch. I’m excited for the season and looking forward to seeing the final spot solidified for 2019. I’m thinking that’s the first year for post season and then we can begin to really rock in 2020.
It really all starts this year so I’m pumped