3 losses have been to good teams who will make the field of 68 come March. Looking at these games on the schedule, I thought 1-2 maybe 2-1. Last night's debacle was gut-wrenching, but we lost to the # 4 team on their court in the final minute (unfortunately it was ISU).
As others have pointed out, the 3 losses this year are eerily similar to last year's trail of tears with Texas, Villanova, and ISU. I will raise my hand and say I hit the panic button last season, only to be surprised how the team responded during the big ten season. I don't remember the exact sequence, but I believe there were 2-3 bad conference losses around mid-season, but team pushed through to make the tourney and win a game.
Heading into this season, I hoped to see an improved Uthoff, Uhl, and, Jok, and Ellingson and more scoring options / athleticism with the influx of the new recruits. The 4 guys mentioned have improved, but we continue struggle to get production from Gesell and Clemmons. Woodbury has been more consistent and isn't sitting with 2 fouls at the 15 minute mark, but given our guard problems, the lack of a post game really hurts. Essentially 3/5 of our starting 5 is extremely challenged offensively to the point where you really can't expect much--all 3 seniors I would add. This puts a premium on Jok and Uthoff carrying the load and makes bench production a must vs. nice to have.
Uhl, Baer, and Ellingson have done some nice things and with more PT / confidence, their contributions should increase. Wagner has done a nice job in limited action on the boards, but isn't going to add much offense this season. Flemming and Williams appear to be insurance policies against injuries, although I would love to see Williams get some PT to give us another dimension at the PG spot. So where does this leave us?
Without an interior game, we are going to be living / dying on the 3. Our dribble penetration capabilities remain below average and outside of Uthoff and Uhl, we don't have guys who can create their own shot (Jok occasionally). When teams really get into us defensively, I suspect we are going to revert to Keystone Cops and look inept offensively. When guys not named Jok or Uthoff contribute and we can spread the floor, we should stay in most games.
Ultimately I think the season will be determined by Gesell and Clemmons, which does not send a rush of optimism through anyone I suspect. These guys have to find the balance between playing within themselves and creating for their teammates. As seniors, they need to step it up big time in the leadership department to avoid meltdowns like last night. Neither is blessed with tremendous offensive skills, but both can do more than what they have done thus far. Love to have Ulis or even Washpun, but we don't and these two guys need to suck it up and start leading this team, or we will end this season in the NIT or worse.
As others have pointed out, the 3 losses this year are eerily similar to last year's trail of tears with Texas, Villanova, and ISU. I will raise my hand and say I hit the panic button last season, only to be surprised how the team responded during the big ten season. I don't remember the exact sequence, but I believe there were 2-3 bad conference losses around mid-season, but team pushed through to make the tourney and win a game.
Heading into this season, I hoped to see an improved Uthoff, Uhl, and, Jok, and Ellingson and more scoring options / athleticism with the influx of the new recruits. The 4 guys mentioned have improved, but we continue struggle to get production from Gesell and Clemmons. Woodbury has been more consistent and isn't sitting with 2 fouls at the 15 minute mark, but given our guard problems, the lack of a post game really hurts. Essentially 3/5 of our starting 5 is extremely challenged offensively to the point where you really can't expect much--all 3 seniors I would add. This puts a premium on Jok and Uthoff carrying the load and makes bench production a must vs. nice to have.
Uhl, Baer, and Ellingson have done some nice things and with more PT / confidence, their contributions should increase. Wagner has done a nice job in limited action on the boards, but isn't going to add much offense this season. Flemming and Williams appear to be insurance policies against injuries, although I would love to see Williams get some PT to give us another dimension at the PG spot. So where does this leave us?
Without an interior game, we are going to be living / dying on the 3. Our dribble penetration capabilities remain below average and outside of Uthoff and Uhl, we don't have guys who can create their own shot (Jok occasionally). When teams really get into us defensively, I suspect we are going to revert to Keystone Cops and look inept offensively. When guys not named Jok or Uthoff contribute and we can spread the floor, we should stay in most games.
Ultimately I think the season will be determined by Gesell and Clemmons, which does not send a rush of optimism through anyone I suspect. These guys have to find the balance between playing within themselves and creating for their teammates. As seniors, they need to step it up big time in the leadership department to avoid meltdowns like last night. Neither is blessed with tremendous offensive skills, but both can do more than what they have done thus far. Love to have Ulis or even Washpun, but we don't and these two guys need to suck it up and start leading this team, or we will end this season in the NIT or worse.
