The opening nights of Big Ten play give way to the weekend and after a handful of games, some faithful sense optimism while others have heart palpitations. Without mincing words, Illinois looked horrible at home and Jamar Buter made Ohio State look ready to compete. Penn State made Northwestern look demoralized in the second half en route to an earnest win. If not for a late spurt, Indiana would have lost at Carver Hawkeye. On Saturday we get our first conference glimpses of the Spartans, Boilermakers, and Golden Gophers.
Here’s Geary
At the hands of Penn State’s Geary Claxton and Jamelle Cornley, Northwestern lost badly at Welsh-Ryan in a game Bill Carmody needed to win. Penn State controlled the tempo with excellent guard play by Talor Battle and Stanley Pringle, which is a great indicator for their future success. Although it was against Northwestern, a team noted for solid defense if not strong post players, the Lions showed they’ve discarded last year’s nightmare in the dumpster outside The Basement in State College. Penn State should be able to compete all season and expect them to challenge for an NCAA berth.
Illini Tension
Bruce Weber made no significant personnel moves in the wake of the loss to Tennessee State. Against Ohio State, Chester Frazier still played 38 minutes, accounted for six turnovers, launched numerous bad shots and simply could not guard Jamar Butler in the second half. The schedule remains difficult for Illinois with Penn State, Wsconsin and Indiana on the horizon. It’s worth noting that Illinois beat Oklahoma State and Missouri and should have beaten Arizona and Maryland earlier this season. They are not as bad a team as they’ve looked the past two weeks, but unless they figure out a way to get consistent play from their point guard, the season is on the precipice.
Move the Limestone
Going forward, Indiana needs to pass the ball. With the talented perimeter players, IU’s offense is devolving into a system reminiscent of one on one steetball with players standing around. If that persists, strong defensive teams like Michigan State and Wisconsin will manipulate Kelvin Sampson and his one year deliance with Eric Gordon. Oddly, Iowa’s Kurt Looby and Seth Gorney we’re effective and efficient in the post, perhaps tipping the scouting report to the conference on IU’s shallow frontcourt.
Reality Bites
Minnesota should get a reality check today in East Lansing. It’ll take a complete and out of body effort by the Golden Gophers to beat a team as solid as Michigan State. Still, there are lessons to be learned in playing great teams and Minnesota, regardless of the outcome, should be a better team after playing the Spartans.
Painting a Team
In his third full season in
In its loss to Wisconsin on Wednesday, Michigan showed the ability to compete, if not succeed, against a very good team. Despite being undermanned, Kelvin Grady, Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims are talented players. Playing against young teams throughout the conference, such as Purdue, it should come as a shock to no one when Michigan begins to pull a few upsets. Today’s game in Mackey is as important to Purdue as any thus far this season as a loss is a major setback in their quest for an NCAA berth.
Chemistry Lesson at Purdue
In any event, Hoopraker can’t wait to watch Purdue develop. With a high degree of personnel turnover from a season ago, the Boilermakers still have great team chemistry. Hummel and Martin, who played together at Valparasio High, and E’twann Moore, JuJuan Johnson and Nemanja Calasan have seamlessly been integrated into major roles on the team without the development of the often attendant ego. Calasan, orginally a Utah recruit, is a Big Ten ready 6′9″ 240 pounds and if he can control his turnovers, he provides a legitimate low-post scoring threat. A captain as a sophomore, Chris Kramer epitomizes the team first mentality at Purdue by setting up his teammates as well as any point guard in the conference.
Like Izzo at Michigan State, Painter is recruiting players who want to be Boilermakers consistent with the long line of tradition in West Lafayette. Painter has developed a system conducive to unselfish players, which he’s reinforced with a challenging non-conference schedule. They are balanced, evident by the distribution of shots taken throughout the lineup. And they are smart, evident by the aspects of the game not obvious on a stat sheet, making the extra pass, a strong defensive stop or diving to keep the ball alive. That’s another lesson worthy of emulation and one which should serve them well over the next two months.
