NU has as much quality depth as I can remember and for years to come. Except at the PG position. Juice Thompson is going to be the only true PG on the squad this fall. As such PG is NU's most pressing need on the recruiting front. It is very important that NU lands a good PG in the 2010 recruiting class. That would give the NU frosh some time to acclimate under Juice's wing during his senior year.
The most visible NU target is Josh Gasser, a PG from Wisconsin whom NU got "in on" early but has yet to pull the trigger on NU's offer. The scuttlebutt is that Gasser would like to play for a Big Ten team and preferably for a team that will vie for the conference championship and play in the NCAAs. Those latter two points are probably the best explanation for why Gasser hasn't committed to NU.
My best guess is that Gasser is holding out hope for a Wisconsin offer. Although I'm sure Gasser wouldn't mind offers from MSU, Illinois, or Purdue. Heck, perhaps currently downtrodden Indiana would be attractive as IU will no doubt rise like the phoenix in a matter of years under Crean.
Based on scouting reports Gasser would be a good fit for NU and would most likely get a ton of playing of time starting his sophomore year. NU faithful believe that NU is on the cusp of the NCAAs, but Gasser may not either believe this or may require proof.
With recent offers from Maryland and Arizona State I'm guessing more programs will take notice of Gasser. Plus, I suspect the reason Wisconsin never offered Gasser is because they had their eyes set on another prospect by the name of Vander Blue who had committed but has since reneged. This is not good news for NU.
Showing posts with label Juice Thompson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Juice Thompson. Show all posts
30 July 2009
19 March 2009
The crazy things fans say
The Crystal Ball Edition:
"If we don't make [the NCAAs] next year, it'll be another 3-4 year rebuilding process, and we've seen how those go . . ."
I'm as big a Kevin Coble fan as the next guy (Nash and Ryan will also depart after next year, but context suggests this comment was motivated only by Kevin's departure), but to insinuate that NU will fall off the map after he graduates is at best giving the guy too much credit and at wost giving the current sophomores (Juice, Capocci, Peljusic) and current frosh (Shurna, Mirkovic, Rowley, Fruendt, Curletti) too little credit.
It's hard enough to predict from year to year, let alone two years out. There are too many x-factors which no one can say pin down with any degree of certainty. These x-factors include:
"If we don't make [the NCAAs] next year, it'll be another 3-4 year rebuilding process, and we've seen how those go . . ."
I'm as big a Kevin Coble fan as the next guy (Nash and Ryan will also depart after next year, but context suggests this comment was motivated only by Kevin's departure), but to insinuate that NU will fall off the map after he graduates is at best giving the guy too much credit and at wost giving the current sophomores (Juice, Capocci, Peljusic) and current frosh (Shurna, Mirkovic, Rowley, Fruendt, Curletti) too little credit.
It's hard enough to predict from year to year, let alone two years out. There are too many x-factors which no one can say pin down with any degree of certainty. These x-factors include:
- How strong will the Big 10 be (injuries, transfers, early departures for NBA, etc...)
- How the current players on the roster will develop next year (and the following year)
- How strong will the incoming frosh be (Crawford, Marcotullio)
- Who will be in the Class of 2010 (currently looks like 3 scholarships will be available)
Crystal balls are fun and add to message board fodder. However, I always find it remarkable how confident some people are in their prognostications. I realize that I have my own crystal ball which forecasts NU in the NCAAs next year. I honestly believe this to be the case, but my projected confidence in that forecast is made in jest. Perhaps this fan is bluffing his crystal ball confidence? It's possible, but this poster's history suggests otherwise.
18 March 2009
NU loses 68-59
The halftime bad news outweighed the good news as Tulsa heated up from outside while Thompson got into foul trouble and handicapped our offense. Moore did about all he could, knocking down NBA threes. It came down to an open look down three points with about 30 seconds to go which came up short for Moore. Tulsa pulled away from there knocking down all their FTs.
The biggest difference was the presence of Jordan down low. We couldn't get points in the paint except for a couple of backdoors and some real difficult shots. That allowed Tulsa to press on the perimeter which really shut down the shorter Thompson and took away one of our offensive weapons. Mirkovic needed to step up from distance to draw out their big man, but he was shy on the shot. Let's hope next year that changes.
The biggest difference was the presence of Jordan down low. We couldn't get points in the paint except for a couple of backdoors and some real difficult shots. That allowed Tulsa to press on the perimeter which really shut down the shorter Thompson and took away one of our offensive weapons. Mirkovic needed to step up from distance to draw out their big man, but he was shy on the shot. Let's hope next year that changes.
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