Fingers crossed that Livers can return in a few weeks if we make a deep run. I tend to try to find positives during negative moments, so if anyone wants some of my maize and blue kool-aid, I am happy to share with you!
With Johns and Williams, we have two talented guys who bring a lot to the table, mostly on the boards and on defense. They cannot shoot like Livers, but we have other guys who can emerge to fill some of that shooting void. Between Johns, Williams and Brown, we can covers a lot of what Livers does; the extra 3 point shooting needs to come from Franz, Brooks and Smith; Dickinson should benefit from leaving B10 competition at least for a few rounds. New opponents may not be as prepared to challenge him to use his 2nd or 3rd options in the post.
I've been waiting for Johns to have his DJ Wilson moment. He's capable; if he can be a 35 percent willing 3 point shooter, play good defense and dominant the boards, we should be good. Williams plays with confidence and he appears to be a competent defender and good rebounder; his outside shooting needs work, but he can give you serviceable minutes.
If Livers comes back in 2-3 weeks, he likely won't have his wind, so he could come off the bench; if Johns is playing well I think that may benefit the team. Livers can come in and pick his spots and give you 6-7 minutes a half for 12-15 minutes total.
The Livers injury has some carry-over to next season. Johns getting to play some big minutes here likely pushes him toward sticking around (no indication of a transfer, but who knows).
Sounds like Smith is likely to come back; if you have Dickinson, Smith and a productive senior Johns coming back that's a nice starting point.
Think Kobe Bufkin has a chance to start at the two guard as a freshman and Caleb Houston at the other forward.
A starting five of Dickinson, Johns, Houston, Bufkin and Smith is excellent
Could be a situation where the backup 5 is Johns shifting over and Diabatte - doubt Austin Davis wants to come back, but there's certainly an opportunity with no true backup center on the roster
What happens at the back up point - can Zeb emerge or does Frankie Collins take that spot? Zeb is big enough to play some 2 to backup Bufkin, but he's not a good enough shooter yet
Assumption is Barnes and Tschetter aren't in main rotation next year, but I do wonder if Tschetter grows a bit, can be play some at the 5 as a freshman?
With Johns and Williams, we have two talented guys who bring a lot to the table, mostly on the boards and on defense. They cannot shoot like Livers, but we have other guys who can emerge to fill some of that shooting void. Between Johns, Williams and Brown, we can covers a lot of what Livers does; the extra 3 point shooting needs to come from Franz, Brooks and Smith; Dickinson should benefit from leaving B10 competition at least for a few rounds. New opponents may not be as prepared to challenge him to use his 2nd or 3rd options in the post.
I've been waiting for Johns to have his DJ Wilson moment. He's capable; if he can be a 35 percent willing 3 point shooter, play good defense and dominant the boards, we should be good. Williams plays with confidence and he appears to be a competent defender and good rebounder; his outside shooting needs work, but he can give you serviceable minutes.
If Livers comes back in 2-3 weeks, he likely won't have his wind, so he could come off the bench; if Johns is playing well I think that may benefit the team. Livers can come in and pick his spots and give you 6-7 minutes a half for 12-15 minutes total.
The Livers injury has some carry-over to next season. Johns getting to play some big minutes here likely pushes him toward sticking around (no indication of a transfer, but who knows).
Sounds like Smith is likely to come back; if you have Dickinson, Smith and a productive senior Johns coming back that's a nice starting point.
Think Kobe Bufkin has a chance to start at the two guard as a freshman and Caleb Houston at the other forward.
A starting five of Dickinson, Johns, Houston, Bufkin and Smith is excellent
Could be a situation where the backup 5 is Johns shifting over and Diabatte - doubt Austin Davis wants to come back, but there's certainly an opportunity with no true backup center on the roster
What happens at the back up point - can Zeb emerge or does Frankie Collins take that spot? Zeb is big enough to play some 2 to backup Bufkin, but he's not a good enough shooter yet
Assumption is Barnes and Tschetter aren't in main rotation next year, but I do wonder if Tschetter grows a bit, can be play some at the 5 as a freshman?
