I agree. I want Thorpe to come but I just don't expect him to be this world changing player that seems to be going around.
Between the Slovakian more athletic Van Horn, the amazing Thorpe, the top 8 pick Battle, the two and doner Thompson, and the flute playing basketball wizard Moyer it seems like we're a lock to win the title if I were a stranger reading this board.
In all reality with Thorpe or not (I'm guessing we get him) we're a bubble team in the bottom half of the ACC. A lot needs to go right for us not to be on the bubble, when I say a lot I mean more than I can even imagine.
Defense may not be an issue as it was last year but just because it's not as bad as last year doesn't mean it's automatically good this year. We have a LOT of new players coming in, that's tough for the zone. We have one outside shooter who was a third option last season. Battle will be fine but it does concern me that the defense is going to be all over him every game. That happens Thorpe turns into a volume shooter, not sure what happens to his numbers if that's the case. Without outside threats the paint is going to be locked down by opposing defenses which is going to hurt our talented front court.
This season just doesn't look any better than last to me.
This is a great post. My only real quibble is with your third paragraph, since I could see us being quite a bit better than that if everything clicks. I could also seeing us being quite a bit worse than last year too, so don't think I'm drinking the Kool-Aid.
Going through your points, anyone who thinks Thorpe is a game-changer, really needs to wake up. I think he'd help us and give us another option on the backcourt. A huge plus will be his ability to spell Battle a few minutes here and there.
Your second paragraph is funny. Battle could be a lottery pick but he needs to show he can go left on occasion. I also agree, he will be keyed on. That could impact him a lot but I think he will be fine. Personally, I'm expecting him to wind up either second or third team All-ACC. That is a realistic expectation.
I agree with just about every word with your paragraph on our defense.
One concern I have is our rebounding. Thompson has not shown to be a good rebounder. Lydon was. Dolezaj is a stick figure. Moyer can rebound. I think he will be fine there. Not sure about Brissett but he's a great athlete. Chukwu is not a good rebounder. Sidibe can board but he's also thin. In a nutshell, we have a lot of thin guys who can get pushed around. We also have some good athletes up front. I'd sign up to be a middle of the ACC pack rebounding team. I do hope JB instructs Tyus and our guards to help more on the glass this year. One part of Tyus's game that could come out this year is that he's a good rebounder. He's close to 6'7", so we should utilize that. We don't run much anyway. Maybe we should but if we don't, then have the guards chip to help get rebounds.
I will still be concerned by our 3-pt shooting, even if we ink Thorpe. It could be okay but I'd be shocked if we are better than league average from deep.
One other huge key: keep Battle healthy. That's another reason we need Thorpe. He can give Battle some rest and he's a small insurance policy.