09-06-2016, 10:10 AM
EMU
BSU
WMU
NIU
UT
CMU
Guard play dictates. Quality big differentiates. Defense suffocates.
EMU has quality and seasoned perimeter play including Bond. Thompson IV use and success will be the tie breaker. If EMU guards dont just jack up 3's and use IV as their hub they should advance. The 2-3 match up is less a novelty but nothing others see regularly and if you don't have the players and scheme you struggle. That plays into their favor.
BSU too has seasoned and skilled guard play. Not as deep as EMU but have two wings in Weber and for FOY who spread the floor. Moses doesn't part the sea but is better than some would credit inside. If he can defend and rebound well enough to help offset is counter parts that is enough. Franko House is match up problem for many.
WMU gets the nod with superior guard play. Wilder may be the best in the conference. Moore is less. It will be interesting to see if he or another perimeter player steps up to augment Haymond who is the 2nd leg of the 3 legged stool. Last year his head was elsewhere. Had trouble adjusting. I expect better. Dugan is the quality big that differentiates particularly on D. Drake is more refined offensively and bodies well on D but plays much shorter. He struggles with OU, Akron, NIU and EMU bigs. Looking for and may have found the catalyst off the bench or even to start in Kennedy. Likely Havlichek as 6th man. A true freshman or Davis must step up along with Kennedy. Spread the wealth and keep legs fresh.
NIU has one of the bigger but less respected bigs in Maric. Can do damage both in and outside. To lax on D for my taste. If he would focus at that aspect he'd be a killer. Talent on the perimeter but very young. Armstead is overrated in my book. Too easily gotten into his head rendering him less than. Like the two Milwaukee 2nd year forwards who both play big inside but can step you out some. If they can get solid guard play (limit turnovers, utilize the bigs and defend without help) that puts them on par with a more seasoned WMU.
UT has a lot of ?'s at guard. Starting PG Mosely was sent packing. Incumbent is a shooting guard who is 2nd year, Jon Jon who too prefers to shoot and several JUCO's that aren't proven. Stevie Taylor was the best out of Illinois (per polls) in 2012. But also determined to be the weakest class in recent history. Was nothing special at Marquette and sent packing. 1 year left. Does he buy in or look out for himself? Big ? to answer. Already have several others who play with Velcro on their mitts on offense. Typical Coach K underachievers.
CMU used to have depth with quality on the perimeter. Still have some quality but depth is thin with unproven newcomers and Corey Redman. Meyer is serviceable and may get a chance to prove he isn't just a Dime store Wooden Indian. Not enough in the quiver for any long drawn out battle. Maybe an occasional sneak attack skirmish or two. How?
BSU
WMU
NIU
UT
CMU
Guard play dictates. Quality big differentiates. Defense suffocates.
EMU has quality and seasoned perimeter play including Bond. Thompson IV use and success will be the tie breaker. If EMU guards dont just jack up 3's and use IV as their hub they should advance. The 2-3 match up is less a novelty but nothing others see regularly and if you don't have the players and scheme you struggle. That plays into their favor.
BSU too has seasoned and skilled guard play. Not as deep as EMU but have two wings in Weber and for FOY who spread the floor. Moses doesn't part the sea but is better than some would credit inside. If he can defend and rebound well enough to help offset is counter parts that is enough. Franko House is match up problem for many.
WMU gets the nod with superior guard play. Wilder may be the best in the conference. Moore is less. It will be interesting to see if he or another perimeter player steps up to augment Haymond who is the 2nd leg of the 3 legged stool. Last year his head was elsewhere. Had trouble adjusting. I expect better. Dugan is the quality big that differentiates particularly on D. Drake is more refined offensively and bodies well on D but plays much shorter. He struggles with OU, Akron, NIU and EMU bigs. Looking for and may have found the catalyst off the bench or even to start in Kennedy. Likely Havlichek as 6th man. A true freshman or Davis must step up along with Kennedy. Spread the wealth and keep legs fresh.
NIU has one of the bigger but less respected bigs in Maric. Can do damage both in and outside. To lax on D for my taste. If he would focus at that aspect he'd be a killer. Talent on the perimeter but very young. Armstead is overrated in my book. Too easily gotten into his head rendering him less than. Like the two Milwaukee 2nd year forwards who both play big inside but can step you out some. If they can get solid guard play (limit turnovers, utilize the bigs and defend without help) that puts them on par with a more seasoned WMU.
UT has a lot of ?'s at guard. Starting PG Mosely was sent packing. Incumbent is a shooting guard who is 2nd year, Jon Jon who too prefers to shoot and several JUCO's that aren't proven. Stevie Taylor was the best out of Illinois (per polls) in 2012. But also determined to be the weakest class in recent history. Was nothing special at Marquette and sent packing. 1 year left. Does he buy in or look out for himself? Big ? to answer. Already have several others who play with Velcro on their mitts on offense. Typical Coach K underachievers.
CMU used to have depth with quality on the perimeter. Still have some quality but depth is thin with unproven newcomers and Corey Redman. Meyer is serviceable and may get a chance to prove he isn't just a Dime store Wooden Indian. Not enough in the quiver for any long drawn out battle. Maybe an occasional sneak attack skirmish or two. How?