The biggest takeaway from the closed door game/exhibition and game #1 is Eli Brooks is probably a solid 2 guard for 30 minutes a night. He doesn't need to be a superstar, he just needs to fill a role. I think he can be on par with a Rahkman as an upperclassman. He is a better ball handler, on-par defender (maybe a hair better), less ability to get to the basket, but potential equal shooter.
Eli Brooks playing within the system, shooting 35-40 percent and playing good defense really lays a strong foundation for this season and next. It's nice to have a reliable 2nd ball handler out there, and he may challenge for the PG spot, sliding over as a senior if DDJ doesn't emerge. Might be a little like Burke/Spike/Walton - Jackson can easily come in and win the job as a freshman, but Eli is back and reliable
Speaking of DDJ, I was able to explain what a "brick" was to my 5 year old on one his attempts - yikes. I know he's feeling some pressure to get his, but he doesn't look good out there - I remain optimistic he will improve as a soph who didn't play much as a freshman.
X will be fine - he will need to adjust to being "the man" for now - I think as the year goes on, he can slide back down to his role he played last year once Livers/Wagner grow into their roles.
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Liked the limited shooting of Nunez - texted my friend if he can be Duncan-lite, that's fine, but Robinson is a legit NBA rotation guy now, so not as easy as I would have thought a few years ago. I think Nunez's role is a 8-10 minute guy who will play more or less depending on his night/opponent.
That being said, if X and Eli are starting in the backcourt, you can put Franz at his most comfortable spot at the 3, and Livers at the 4.
Johns is there as a defender, he will have ups and downs on offense - may take the DJ Wilson route (hopefully a year sooner) - a lot of untapped ability but takes a little longer to get there. If Brooks is a 30 plus minute a night guy, you can basically choose between playing Johns, Nunez or Castleton, DDJ extra minutes with lineup flexibility.
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I really liked what I saw from Teske, but it was very obvious how tired he was - maybe Juwan wants to get his stamina up with the next game being 7 days later, but there seemed to be a few spots where you put in Castleton and let Teske freshen up - the ideal split is probably 28/12 at the 5
Castleton didn't look out of place at the 4 - it seemed to cut into his minutes at the 5 though - once Franz is back, using Castleton at the 4 can be a bit more limited, I'd like him to be ready to go for 12-15 minutes at the 5
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Creighton is an important game - win that and you're likely 4-0 and potentially getting Franz back for the Bahamas - goal is 2-1 on that trip, you're 6-1 and probably top 25 and have some good momentum for recruiting as the holiday season rolls around
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When everyone is healthy and clicking, I can see something like this:
Simpson (33-35), DDJ (5-7 minutes)
Brooks (30-33), Nunez or DDJ (7-10)
Franz (32), Livers (8)
Livers (24), Johns/Castleton (combined 16)
Teske (30), Castleton (10)
That's 9 guys with Bajama, Davis as your extra guys
A little surprised Bajama didn't play last night - you can't RS him, you only have 11 guys on scholarship
A 5 of Simpson, Brooks, Franz, Livers and Teske is pretty good IMO
Castleton, Johns, DDJ and Nunez as your bench isn't bad either, but one of DDJ and or Nunez really need to emerge to make the bench a strength
Eli Brooks playing within the system, shooting 35-40 percent and playing good defense really lays a strong foundation for this season and next. It's nice to have a reliable 2nd ball handler out there, and he may challenge for the PG spot, sliding over as a senior if DDJ doesn't emerge. Might be a little like Burke/Spike/Walton - Jackson can easily come in and win the job as a freshman, but Eli is back and reliable
Speaking of DDJ, I was able to explain what a "brick" was to my 5 year old on one his attempts - yikes. I know he's feeling some pressure to get his, but he doesn't look good out there - I remain optimistic he will improve as a soph who didn't play much as a freshman.
X will be fine - he will need to adjust to being "the man" for now - I think as the year goes on, he can slide back down to his role he played last year once Livers/Wagner grow into their roles.
___________________________________________________________
Liked the limited shooting of Nunez - texted my friend if he can be Duncan-lite, that's fine, but Robinson is a legit NBA rotation guy now, so not as easy as I would have thought a few years ago. I think Nunez's role is a 8-10 minute guy who will play more or less depending on his night/opponent.
That being said, if X and Eli are starting in the backcourt, you can put Franz at his most comfortable spot at the 3, and Livers at the 4.
Johns is there as a defender, he will have ups and downs on offense - may take the DJ Wilson route (hopefully a year sooner) - a lot of untapped ability but takes a little longer to get there. If Brooks is a 30 plus minute a night guy, you can basically choose between playing Johns, Nunez or Castleton, DDJ extra minutes with lineup flexibility.
____________________________________________________________________
I really liked what I saw from Teske, but it was very obvious how tired he was - maybe Juwan wants to get his stamina up with the next game being 7 days later, but there seemed to be a few spots where you put in Castleton and let Teske freshen up - the ideal split is probably 28/12 at the 5
Castleton didn't look out of place at the 4 - it seemed to cut into his minutes at the 5 though - once Franz is back, using Castleton at the 4 can be a bit more limited, I'd like him to be ready to go for 12-15 minutes at the 5
__________________________________________________________________
Creighton is an important game - win that and you're likely 4-0 and potentially getting Franz back for the Bahamas - goal is 2-1 on that trip, you're 6-1 and probably top 25 and have some good momentum for recruiting as the holiday season rolls around
_________________________________________________________
When everyone is healthy and clicking, I can see something like this:
Simpson (33-35), DDJ (5-7 minutes)
Brooks (30-33), Nunez or DDJ (7-10)
Franz (32), Livers (8)
Livers (24), Johns/Castleton (combined 16)
Teske (30), Castleton (10)
That's 9 guys with Bajama, Davis as your extra guys
A little surprised Bajama didn't play last night - you can't RS him, you only have 11 guys on scholarship
A 5 of Simpson, Brooks, Franz, Livers and Teske is pretty good IMO
Castleton, Johns, DDJ and Nunez as your bench isn't bad either, but one of DDJ and or Nunez really need to emerge to make the bench a strength
