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[QUOTE="Ghost, post: 1683905, member: 581"]
Eh, next year we will be fine.  We give up between 59-66 points per game every year - at least over the last 7 years.  With Chukwu back there we can protect the rim, sort of like we were able to with Rak, so we should be in the middle of that range.   3 point defense is always pretty good, except for the Ennis/Cooney year.  We should be better than that combo up top defensively next year.

The biggest difference is that the offense will be functional.  Having players that can put the ball on the floor will be huge, and being able to create off the bounce will pay dividends for everyone.  Guard play drives college basketball, and we had no traditional guards.  G did an admirable job, and Howard shows potential, but otherwise, it was just too hard to overcome the deficiencies. We seem to be addressing that - at the very least we're going to have more playmakers on the court together.  That's a good thing.

I can see Roberson being better, DC, etc...I think what you saw in the second half is the major benefit of having playmakers on the floor making plays.  Running around a decoy is great for creating space, if space won games we would be undefeated I guess, but you never had to help on defense, etc...it just didn't do enough for this roster to help much.

We know Lydon and Mali can shoot. If we can get something resembling respectable numbers from a third option, and we should, we will be fine in that regard as well.  Howard can shoot whatever he wants, teams are going to guard him.  He was always known as more of a scorer than shooter in HS, so I think he can get it done...that floater should be a good weapon.  If Battle is ready from Day 1, and by all accounts he should be, we're going to be good by year's end.  No doubt. Maybe a little.  :)
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