crazybuckfan40
Head Coach
I know this is early, and some are still thinking that KK comes back and we are still looking to bring in maybe a juco...But we have a big idea of what we are looking at...
Anthony "Noopy" Crater - Many are going to question what he is going to do next season until he steps foot on the court next year, but for me personally I am just as excited to see him take the reigns of this team than I was to see Jamar take over the team his sophomore season. Crater was the number 2 rated pg after his sophomore year. He was dominating camps, showing off his passing skills, his solid jumper, and his ability to create...He went toe to toe with Brandon Jennings in one game and was just as impressive from reports...Then he had a solid junior season at Southwestern where he averaged 14pts 10 assts...His stock started to drop, and then into the spring where it really plummetted due to him playing with some new guys on the AAU circuit and his shot not going down, but honestly I thought that was crazy since he was playing with guys where his offensive game was counted on much and he was just tyring to create...
So with all that said I truly expect Crater to have a big year for us...I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop 8 or so dimes a game...THat might be a little high, but with the other guys around him that can score, all Crater has to do is create for them...He also has the ability to play off the high screen that we run quite a bit...He can attack the rim and also hit the jumper if teams play back...He also has the ball on a string and will not turn the ball over, and will make some spectacular passes, and push the ball...
Some might question his defense, and I think that may be a minor concern, but if we play the zone again next year I think he will be fine at the point of the zone...
PJ Hill - Honestly PJ is one of my favorite players...He plays very hard, and is not the scrub that I have seen him referred to at times...Matta just felt a lot more comfortable with Butler on the court this year as he should have and I think if he had to do it all over again, he would get PJ more time like he did during the NIT...During the middle of the season when Butler was playing 40 minutes/game PJ could of gave him a break...He was much more confident with the ball down the stretch, and with a good offseason of working on his outside shot, midrange game and foul shooting he will be a very good option as the back up pg...He also brings lots of energy to the floor...
Evan Turner - Evan really finished the season on a very high note...Turner is the true triple threat...He can score, rebound, and pass...Next year all that will be even more improved...He will have better handles, and the turnover numbers will be down, the shot will be back where it was at early in the season and in the last game, after he had recovered from the wrist injury. It is great to have a guy on the wing that can create from a point forward type position to go along with Crater at the point...He will also be able to help against pressure like he did in the NIT, and with added strength in the weight room and his length he will become and even better defender and rebounder which will greatly help the team next year...
David Lighty - He really turned his game on in the NIT as well...We were about 7-0 or so when Lighty scored 13 or more points...He truly has a very solid offensive game...His shot has come along way, he does well off curl cut with his little pull up jumper, and really excels in the open court...I think Lighty will see quite a bit of time at the 4 position and will have some mismatches on offense and we will need him to do some off the bounce to take advantage of the mismatches...Another one that I expect to really improve his jumper, and improve his overall game...
Jon Diebler - He really struggled this year...It was not what any of us expected...It was hard to watch him struggle, his shot is there, and I have mentioned it all year that it had lots to do with him just needing a mass amount of shots and they weren't there...Lets just hope that in the off season he can really find his shot and his midrange game, get stronger, and just find his role off the bench as a defense stretcher and an energy guy...He will have his time before he leaves here to really take some reigns to the offense, but next year he will need to fit in and find his points...Have some games of 10-15 points and score around 6-8 points every night instead of going scoreless like he did in games this season...I am in no way giving up on Jon, he has a very smart basketball IQ and won't allow people to outwork him, and will make a mark on this program before he leaves here...Just remember as I have posted all year that Butler shot 23% from behind the arc his freshmen season...
William Buford - I truly believe that he will have a better freshmen season that we have seen out of guys like Turner, Lighty, Cook, Diebler over the past couple seasons...He could be the leading scorer for us next year...He doesn't just rely on the 3 pointer or the inside game like some of these guys...He has one of the best midrange games that i have seen...He runs the floor well, he can shoot off the bounce, uses the glass for his jumper, has great ability to get hit and still score inside...He has done it on the AAU circuit along with his high school team...He will be ready for college ball, and while he forced a couple shots in the mcdonalds AA game he showed that he has the ability to get his shots off and he will also create for teammates as he is a good passer, and will help rebounding from his wing position...He average 11 bds and 5 assts per game this year...
Walter Offut - Really not sure what to expect...I would say we have David Lighty version 2.0 before the injury, with his lack of a great jumper, but great explosiveness to the hoop and great defense...It will be interesting to find out more about his knee injury and how that is progressing and whether or not he will contribute next year or take a redshirt year...When healthy he will also be able to help out some at the point and play a combo type guard...
Eric Wallace - I think at times this year we could of used him this year, to rebound out of the zone, but I just don't think the staff felt comfortable with him out there...He showed well in mop up time, and he can really rebound and has a solid stroke from the outside, but he just doesn't handle the ball well, and will need to improve on that aspect of his game along with picking up the offense...His athletic ability is probably the best on the team...His dunks during warm ups are really something to see...I truly expect to see a different Eric Wallace next year...I think he will see time at the 4 and will man the position very well, much like JJ Sullinger did here...
BJ Mullens - I maybe his biggest fan around...I have seen him play 4 times live, a couple times on tv and once in the elite 24, and also the mcdonalds AA game...I have always been impressed...I have seen some things that I don't like, like at times when he doesn't look to be exerting the most effort, but at times you have to figure it gets boring playing against guys that are about half your height...In playoff games he always went hard it seemed and his game against beechcroft his junior season was a very impressive game, he was blocking shots, getting rebounds out of his zone, and just dunking it home every time...He has a nice drop step, nice hook shot, powerful jams, uses both hands well, solid jump shot and will do well at the foul line...he will draw double teams, and he will pass well out of them...He does a good job of keeping the ball high....He is also very aggressive around the hoop, he dunks with authority and is not a version of a soft big guy...he will fight for the ball, get balls out of his zone and will also be effective on the defense end in terms of being an enforcer in the lane...Maybe not as much as Oden, but overall I expect him to affect the game in ways that Oden did...
Dallas Lauderdale - Another one that I would of liked to see get more time this season, but it was clear that his offensive game just wasn't there, and he struggled with picking up the offense...He is a force in the lane on defense and getting some putbacks, rebounds, and blocks...he reminds me of Dorsey with a little better defense...He has a very long wingspan which allows him to be able to do these things...Hopefully he can improve his offensive game and allow for him and BJ to be on the court at the same time...He is another energy guy and will get lots of time next year...
Kyle Madsen - Madsen was a guy that many didn't know what to expect this season and we still don't know what to expect next season...I think he is going to be called upon to get some mintues at the 4 position...Maybe about 10-15 game...I think he has a solid game and with some more time int he weight room he will be able to help out next year as we won't be able to run out Lighty and Wallace at th 4 all the time and Lauderdale and Mullens on the court won't be an option at all time...I know that some felt good about Madsen's role to the team this year, but it never worked out, as he struggled to find time...
Projected starting lineup...
Crater/Hill
Buford/Diebler/Offut
Turner
Lighty/Wallace/Madsen
Mullens/Lauderdale
The biggest challenge next year will be breaking in the new guys once again...We will need to work Mullens, Crater, and Buford in...All of them have lots of skill and Mullens and Buford would start for just about every team in the country next season...Mullens is a top 5 draft pick in 2005 and Buford could be a top 20 pick by the end of next season if he has a season he is capable of...I hope that there aren't any problems with chemistry with breaking these guys in, but Mullens talks to a lot of these guys already and talked to Diebler about his 62 point game after it took place, and the others have been down to play open gym with these guys...Hopefully Lighty can lead the team also...
What we will see next season is probably a lot of Matta's famous 4 out 1 in offensive system...We have had Sullinger and Sylvester play the 4 here and Lighty/Wallace will be no different...We showed it in the NIT against Dayton and we will present lots of match up problems going small like that...We could also see Lauderdale and Mullens on the court at the same time if we stick in the zone...It might clog the lane up and we will have to work on a different scheme kinda like a 3 out 2 in motion on offense, but it is very doable...Also expect to see Madsen at the 4 some as well...I hope we stick with the zone as it will keep Mullens/Lauderdale in the paint and in the back line, and we have the length to really bother teams on the wing...Some might think that Rebounding will be even worse next year than it was this year, but with Mullens in the paint, and knowing that we need more rebounding out of Lighty/Wallace/Buford/Turner from the wing I think we will be better ont he glass...KK was soft in there, and Hunter got out of position some...
I also expect us to be more uptempo which really seemed to work in the NIT...We will need to slow down at times to make sure that MUllens gets his touches, but Lauderdale can spell him for minutes and man the C position...
I really like what this team has going for it next season...Lots of people will look at the team and say 3 frosh starters, losing senior starters Butler and Hunter and lack of inside presence, but the identity of the team will be totally different, and I think the style fits Matta's coaching style much different, Matta will be more healthy himself next season, and the youth will be unknown some much like Purdue was this season...
Not ready to make predictions in terms of where this team could go, but top 15-20 is about where I would have them right now, and I do believe if the team comes together this team could win the big ten next year...Lots of mismatch problems, and it will depend on the schedule...We will probably struggle on the road with a young team...
Anthony "Noopy" Crater - Many are going to question what he is going to do next season until he steps foot on the court next year, but for me personally I am just as excited to see him take the reigns of this team than I was to see Jamar take over the team his sophomore season. Crater was the number 2 rated pg after his sophomore year. He was dominating camps, showing off his passing skills, his solid jumper, and his ability to create...He went toe to toe with Brandon Jennings in one game and was just as impressive from reports...Then he had a solid junior season at Southwestern where he averaged 14pts 10 assts...His stock started to drop, and then into the spring where it really plummetted due to him playing with some new guys on the AAU circuit and his shot not going down, but honestly I thought that was crazy since he was playing with guys where his offensive game was counted on much and he was just tyring to create...
So with all that said I truly expect Crater to have a big year for us...I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop 8 or so dimes a game...THat might be a little high, but with the other guys around him that can score, all Crater has to do is create for them...He also has the ability to play off the high screen that we run quite a bit...He can attack the rim and also hit the jumper if teams play back...He also has the ball on a string and will not turn the ball over, and will make some spectacular passes, and push the ball...
Some might question his defense, and I think that may be a minor concern, but if we play the zone again next year I think he will be fine at the point of the zone...
PJ Hill - Honestly PJ is one of my favorite players...He plays very hard, and is not the scrub that I have seen him referred to at times...Matta just felt a lot more comfortable with Butler on the court this year as he should have and I think if he had to do it all over again, he would get PJ more time like he did during the NIT...During the middle of the season when Butler was playing 40 minutes/game PJ could of gave him a break...He was much more confident with the ball down the stretch, and with a good offseason of working on his outside shot, midrange game and foul shooting he will be a very good option as the back up pg...He also brings lots of energy to the floor...
Evan Turner - Evan really finished the season on a very high note...Turner is the true triple threat...He can score, rebound, and pass...Next year all that will be even more improved...He will have better handles, and the turnover numbers will be down, the shot will be back where it was at early in the season and in the last game, after he had recovered from the wrist injury. It is great to have a guy on the wing that can create from a point forward type position to go along with Crater at the point...He will also be able to help against pressure like he did in the NIT, and with added strength in the weight room and his length he will become and even better defender and rebounder which will greatly help the team next year...
David Lighty - He really turned his game on in the NIT as well...We were about 7-0 or so when Lighty scored 13 or more points...He truly has a very solid offensive game...His shot has come along way, he does well off curl cut with his little pull up jumper, and really excels in the open court...I think Lighty will see quite a bit of time at the 4 position and will have some mismatches on offense and we will need him to do some off the bounce to take advantage of the mismatches...Another one that I expect to really improve his jumper, and improve his overall game...
Jon Diebler - He really struggled this year...It was not what any of us expected...It was hard to watch him struggle, his shot is there, and I have mentioned it all year that it had lots to do with him just needing a mass amount of shots and they weren't there...Lets just hope that in the off season he can really find his shot and his midrange game, get stronger, and just find his role off the bench as a defense stretcher and an energy guy...He will have his time before he leaves here to really take some reigns to the offense, but next year he will need to fit in and find his points...Have some games of 10-15 points and score around 6-8 points every night instead of going scoreless like he did in games this season...I am in no way giving up on Jon, he has a very smart basketball IQ and won't allow people to outwork him, and will make a mark on this program before he leaves here...Just remember as I have posted all year that Butler shot 23% from behind the arc his freshmen season...
William Buford - I truly believe that he will have a better freshmen season that we have seen out of guys like Turner, Lighty, Cook, Diebler over the past couple seasons...He could be the leading scorer for us next year...He doesn't just rely on the 3 pointer or the inside game like some of these guys...He has one of the best midrange games that i have seen...He runs the floor well, he can shoot off the bounce, uses the glass for his jumper, has great ability to get hit and still score inside...He has done it on the AAU circuit along with his high school team...He will be ready for college ball, and while he forced a couple shots in the mcdonalds AA game he showed that he has the ability to get his shots off and he will also create for teammates as he is a good passer, and will help rebounding from his wing position...He average 11 bds and 5 assts per game this year...
Walter Offut - Really not sure what to expect...I would say we have David Lighty version 2.0 before the injury, with his lack of a great jumper, but great explosiveness to the hoop and great defense...It will be interesting to find out more about his knee injury and how that is progressing and whether or not he will contribute next year or take a redshirt year...When healthy he will also be able to help out some at the point and play a combo type guard...
Eric Wallace - I think at times this year we could of used him this year, to rebound out of the zone, but I just don't think the staff felt comfortable with him out there...He showed well in mop up time, and he can really rebound and has a solid stroke from the outside, but he just doesn't handle the ball well, and will need to improve on that aspect of his game along with picking up the offense...His athletic ability is probably the best on the team...His dunks during warm ups are really something to see...I truly expect to see a different Eric Wallace next year...I think he will see time at the 4 and will man the position very well, much like JJ Sullinger did here...
BJ Mullens - I maybe his biggest fan around...I have seen him play 4 times live, a couple times on tv and once in the elite 24, and also the mcdonalds AA game...I have always been impressed...I have seen some things that I don't like, like at times when he doesn't look to be exerting the most effort, but at times you have to figure it gets boring playing against guys that are about half your height...In playoff games he always went hard it seemed and his game against beechcroft his junior season was a very impressive game, he was blocking shots, getting rebounds out of his zone, and just dunking it home every time...He has a nice drop step, nice hook shot, powerful jams, uses both hands well, solid jump shot and will do well at the foul line...he will draw double teams, and he will pass well out of them...He does a good job of keeping the ball high....He is also very aggressive around the hoop, he dunks with authority and is not a version of a soft big guy...he will fight for the ball, get balls out of his zone and will also be effective on the defense end in terms of being an enforcer in the lane...Maybe not as much as Oden, but overall I expect him to affect the game in ways that Oden did...
Dallas Lauderdale - Another one that I would of liked to see get more time this season, but it was clear that his offensive game just wasn't there, and he struggled with picking up the offense...He is a force in the lane on defense and getting some putbacks, rebounds, and blocks...he reminds me of Dorsey with a little better defense...He has a very long wingspan which allows him to be able to do these things...Hopefully he can improve his offensive game and allow for him and BJ to be on the court at the same time...He is another energy guy and will get lots of time next year...
Kyle Madsen - Madsen was a guy that many didn't know what to expect this season and we still don't know what to expect next season...I think he is going to be called upon to get some mintues at the 4 position...Maybe about 10-15 game...I think he has a solid game and with some more time int he weight room he will be able to help out next year as we won't be able to run out Lighty and Wallace at th 4 all the time and Lauderdale and Mullens on the court won't be an option at all time...I know that some felt good about Madsen's role to the team this year, but it never worked out, as he struggled to find time...
Projected starting lineup...
Crater/Hill
Buford/Diebler/Offut
Turner
Lighty/Wallace/Madsen
Mullens/Lauderdale
The biggest challenge next year will be breaking in the new guys once again...We will need to work Mullens, Crater, and Buford in...All of them have lots of skill and Mullens and Buford would start for just about every team in the country next season...Mullens is a top 5 draft pick in 2005 and Buford could be a top 20 pick by the end of next season if he has a season he is capable of...I hope that there aren't any problems with chemistry with breaking these guys in, but Mullens talks to a lot of these guys already and talked to Diebler about his 62 point game after it took place, and the others have been down to play open gym with these guys...Hopefully Lighty can lead the team also...
What we will see next season is probably a lot of Matta's famous 4 out 1 in offensive system...We have had Sullinger and Sylvester play the 4 here and Lighty/Wallace will be no different...We showed it in the NIT against Dayton and we will present lots of match up problems going small like that...We could also see Lauderdale and Mullens on the court at the same time if we stick in the zone...It might clog the lane up and we will have to work on a different scheme kinda like a 3 out 2 in motion on offense, but it is very doable...Also expect to see Madsen at the 4 some as well...I hope we stick with the zone as it will keep Mullens/Lauderdale in the paint and in the back line, and we have the length to really bother teams on the wing...Some might think that Rebounding will be even worse next year than it was this year, but with Mullens in the paint, and knowing that we need more rebounding out of Lighty/Wallace/Buford/Turner from the wing I think we will be better ont he glass...KK was soft in there, and Hunter got out of position some...
I also expect us to be more uptempo which really seemed to work in the NIT...We will need to slow down at times to make sure that MUllens gets his touches, but Lauderdale can spell him for minutes and man the C position...
I really like what this team has going for it next season...Lots of people will look at the team and say 3 frosh starters, losing senior starters Butler and Hunter and lack of inside presence, but the identity of the team will be totally different, and I think the style fits Matta's coaching style much different, Matta will be more healthy himself next season, and the youth will be unknown some much like Purdue was this season...
Not ready to make predictions in terms of where this team could go, but top 15-20 is about where I would have them right now, and I do believe if the team comes together this team could win the big ten next year...Lots of mismatch problems, and it will depend on the schedule...We will probably struggle on the road with a young team...
oug Lesmerises