Division no more - Skullfuck the Huskers

Nordic wrote:I think we've made some real progress in this thread.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:

NigelUno wrote:

Definitely missing that.  Kohler definitely hasn't shown it yet.  Booker?  Maybe.  Hall?  Anyone?  

Hall had 20+... the 4 wasn't the problem. If you can't rely on your 5 to force other teams to check down when you feed him they get to keep 4 on the perimeter shutting down the scorers.  Doesn't have to be "good" but rebounding and 10-12 on put backs/pick and rolls. Something just to keep them concerned.

steveschneider wrote:

AvgMSUJoe wrote:
Uh, no. Gotta have a functional center.

If it were the 1980s sure but since it’s 2023 give me a stretch four.

steveschneider wrote:

AvgMSUJoe wrote:
Uh, no. Gotta have a functional center.

If it were the 1980s sure but since it’s 2023 give me a stretch four.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:

steveschneider wrote:

If it were the 1980s sure but since it’s 2023 give me a stretch four.

You realize Steve, that a team with a "stretch four" (I'm sure this is a term you heard on ESPN, and probably don't have any idea what they mean) ALSO has a 5... Yes 5 people are on the floor at every given point in time.

The last game MSU got 26 and 8 from the 4, they got 2 and 3 from the 5.

steveschneider wrote:

AvgMSUJoe wrote:
You realize Steve, that a team with a "stretch four" (I'm sure this is a term you heard on ESPN, and probably don't have any idea what they mean) ALSO has a 5... Yes 5 people are on the floor at every given point in time.

The last game MSU got 26 and 8 from the 4, they got 2 and 3 from the 5.

Outside of one game those are such impressive numbers. You must read the Athletic.
.297 from three and ranked 297th in the country from three and before the Nebraska game they were around .250. Sure seems like a stretch four would help but go on tell me how a center in the paint is what we need.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:

steveschneider wrote:

Outside of one game those are such impressive numbers. You must read the Athletic.
.297 from three and ranked 297th in the country from three and before the Nebraska game they were around .250. Sure seems like a stretch four would help but go on tell me how a center in the paint is what we need.

A functional center draws attention and frees up the remaining 4 to get open looks.

Putting Booker (a future stretch 4 in the nba) on the floor now wont fix anything if his guy is up in his grill on D. (as we've seen)

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:if only there was an easy way to get a decent center through some database of college players that may want to change schools

Turtleneck wrote:

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:if only there was an easy way to get a decent center through some database of college players that may want to change schools

OTPT, you say this like skilled centers are a dime a dozen. There are actually few compared to backcourt positions. You watch enough basketball to know this. Not to mention even some higher ranked centers struggle with the college transition. Before college they can often get away with relying on their physical advantages alone. When they get to college, they must also have excellent skills and technique to be effective on the court, and some of that might be underdeveloped because it was not always necessary.

tGreenWay wrote:

Turtleneck wrote:

OTPT, you say this like skilled centers are a dime a dozen. There are actually few compared to backcourt positions. You watch enough basketball to know this. Not to mention even some higher ranked centers struggle with the college transition. Before college they can often get away with relying on their physical advantages alone. When they get to college, they must also have excellent skills and technique to be effective on the court, and some of that might be underdeveloped because it was not always necessary.

Jud rarely had a good, true center.

Sophomore center Jaxon Kohler started doing drill work last week for the first time since the foot surgery in mid-October that has kept him on the bench all season. The team was hoping he would be able to participate in live practices beginning this week and to start playing in games before Christmas.

DWags wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:As for Xavier Booker, I remember reading at least a couple articles before the season saying he had all kinds of potential but would have to put in the work to make it all come together. I remember being surprised by that and I’m guessing quite a few people need to adjust their expectations of his impact early on.

What little I saw of him, he’d get killed on defense if he had to guard guys like eddy.  But then again, Izzo was the guy who scouted him for years.  He had to know that.   My question is what is the criteria to become a 5 star?   He ain’t JJJ.

DWags wrote:

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:

what would be a bigger selling point over the last 4 years? Competing for championships and final 4s or “development”?

It’s not working.

One final four, two sweet 16’s in the last 4 tournaments.  1 big ten tournament title in the last four years.  


I get it.  1. Recency bias.   2. He’s a victim of his own success.  


People are basically. Izzo, you aren’t as good as Izzo”.  

With his last years class and who he has coming this year, he’s selling something.  But yeah  this year sucks.   I’m guessing a players only meeting will get it right.   Or if we had a five.  

DWags wrote:

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:

what would be a bigger selling point over the last 4 years? Competing for championships and final 4s or “development”?

It’s not working.

One final four, two sweet 16’s in the last 4 tournaments.  1 big ten tournament title in the last four years.  


I get it.  1. Recency bias.   2. He’s a victim of his own success.  


People are basically. Izzo, you aren’t as good as Izzo”.  

With his last years class and who he has coming this year, he’s selling something.  But yeah  this year sucks.   I’m guessing a players only meeting will get it right.   Or if we had a five.  

AvgMSUJoe wrote:

DWags wrote:

One final four, two sweet 16’s in the last 4 tournaments.  1 big ten tournament title in the last four years.  


I get it.  1. Recency bias.   2. He’s a victim of his own success.  


People are basically. Izzo, you aren’t as good as Izzo”.  

With his last years class and who he has coming this year, he’s selling something.  But yeah  this year sucks.   I’m guessing a players only meeting will get it right.   Or if we had a five.  

Right... that's a career for many. He's earned the right to do whatever the fuck he wants for how long as he wants, we are just along for the ride. He obviously isn't 100% against transfers or Walker wouldn't be around. So if he felt what he had was enough... it was probably enough. Hopefully Kohler comes strong and Booker starts figuring it out. Christ, the top rated big outta high school, he can't be THAT lost....(although he has looked it) Why would Izzo accept a transfer over a 6' 11" 5 star?