Question about newcomers

[Hime_Peterson]

Looking at UNI's rotation this year, I'm very interested to see how the newcomers fit into the equation.

Based on last year, there are four players who have solidified their starting roles and should all play 30+ minutes a game: Erik Crawford, Ben Jacobson, Eric Coleman, Grant Stout.

Brooks McKowen I imagine would have to enter the year as the starting point guard, but this is a position where I wonder if some of you experts could tell me if there is a chance for newcomers to contribute. I know there is a JUCO point guard who is small but cat-quick with the ability to guard full-court, and I know there are two freshman combo guards, Stewart and Brown. Jared Josten is also on the roster with the ability to play point guard. My question is, if Brooks McKowen doesn't improve from how he played last year, could this be a postion that is handled largely by committee like the last two years?

Also, can any of the newcomers see back-up action at the wing in addition to John "Ludacris" Little?

[tcondon]

I've heard a lot of good things about Williams, the JUCO point guard. I wouldn't be suprised to see him win the starting job, and if not see over 20 minutes a game off the bench.

Most have said that Stewart and Brown could be redshirted this season, which certainly isn't a bad thing for the program to bring in two pretty nice MVC players and be able to redshirt them. The minutes just aren't going to be there at the guard position to have them burn a year of eligibility. We'll see on Raffington, but last year early on before he transferred Vince wasn't ready to play physical basketball, and his defense wasn't up to par.

[Hime_Peterson]

That's kind of what I was thinking.

The one thing that I think UNI's team was missing last year was a quick point guard who had the ability to take people off of the dribble and create open shots for his teammates. A point guard like this who can get to the lane with ease will only allow more open looks for Ben Jacobson, Crawford, and more easy dunks for the big guys.

Brooks McKowen is a tough and heady player who I think will re-discover his shooting that was absent last year. Another thing working in his favor is that he has been in the program for two seasons and Coach Mac runs a complex system with a lot of set plays.

That said, if the JUCO kid can grasp the system and play smart, it's hard for me to imagine the Panthers not actually being a better team with him on the floor.

[Panthers to the Bone]

We'll see on Raffington, but last year early on before he transferred Vince wasn't ready to play physical basketball, and his defense wasn't up to par.

Raffington has been touted as a better defensive player, but not as good offensively as Polakovic. Raffington is 6'8/6'9 and plays in the post...Polakovic as we all saw was more of a perimeter player. If Vince would have established more of a defensive game, his offense would have been pretty nice to have last year and this year.

Raffington was named as one of the top 5 HS players in Germany 2 years ago by Dirk Nowitzski. His game is much different, and more of a post, but with two all-conference type players in Stout and Coleman here for the next few years, we really don't need someone to come in and provide anything more than spot minutes for the first two years. Santos has also made some big strides this off-season and I think we will see a stronger, and much more confident post player.

[Hime_Peterson]

PTTB,

What are your thoughts on the point guard situation?

[Panthers to the Bone]

I think Brooks had a sophomore slump, but I think he will bounce back this year...as the starter.

I also think that we lost two quality PG's in Chris Foster and Pete Schmit, and so the addition of a veteran point guard was necessary, IMO.

[Hime_Peterson]

I too agree that McKowen will bounce back. He has probably been living in the gym since the season ended.