> I like all of our recruits except Mann. To me he is another CJ. Hamilton is a project. He will more than likely redshirt next year <
Not according to Mac, unless he's deceiving us.
Mac has discussed Mann several times on his call-in radio show, one time comparing him directly to CJ in response to a question. Mann, said Mac, is quicker and more athletic than CJ, has a superior perimeter game (shooting and defense) to CJ.
But, Mac said, the chief asset Mann will bring to the team is mental toughness. Mac said there are great kids on ISU's roster but the team's mental game isn't where it needs to be, and Mann is expected to help out in this way a lot. Said Mac.
Could be Mann and Hamilton are two years away from helping much, or maybe one or both will chip in important minutes next season. IMHO, we can't accurately forecast in the winter of 2008 what will develop nine months from now.
1 - Point guard -- Can play here fail to be better next year, considering DG and Petey are now experienced Div. IA players in Mac's system? Mac has labeled DG a combo guard, and he's said DB is a pure point guard.
It might not happen, but until it doesn't, I'm expecting DB to get his feet wet next season and seriously develop. And, he's supposed to be a terrific defensive player, which could up his PT a lot.
2 - Shooting guard -- Big Lucca and Ike, Mac has said without qualification that the team's outside shooting will improve dramatically with these two in the mix. He was unreserved about that point when I heard him make it.
Lucca is the team's best passer, Ike is a better ball-handler than Lucca, Mac said. With Lucca's shooting and passing game, I'm gonna believe he'll have a major impact in loosening up our interior game, helping our posts, and Craig and Wes J be better at what they do.
And Lucca is big, he ain't going to get pushed around willy-nilly. Wes must get bigger and stronger, sure, but he's reported to have a point guard-like handle and is terrific at penetrating and dishing . . . we'll see if he can earn PT time or not next season.
3 - Forwards -- Wes J, we all can't wait to see him healthy again and regain his proficiency. And Craig, I won't believe that this season was not a tremendous learning experience for him and that he can step up his game because of it. Even 10 more pounds on Craig's frame will help him during his sophomore season.
Could be Mann, with his perimeter abilities, will get more PT as a backup than many of us think?
4 - Posts -- Mac has said AT is the team's best post defender. That's important. Especially if part of his task is to bring along Hamilton and whomever the coaches sign in April.
It's not a Final Four team we'll put on the floor next season, but at least it will be veteran at all spots on the floor, unlike this season. And, unlike this season, the newcomers won't be forced into swim-or-sink situations but can be allowed to come along as their development warrants.
Unless and until it fails to materialize, I believe that ISU's offense will get a major boost from a much-improved outside shooting capability. After a year in Mac's system and a summer playing against tough competition in Europe, I'm gonna expect that Lucca will be ready to fire out of the chute in November.
