Looking ahead...Phil Nolan and the frontcourt

[hungry husky]

What's the upside for Phil? I'm assuming it will take him until next year or even his junior year to put on weight and make any significant impact. If we secure Brimah, I will feel a little more comfortable with Wolf, Olander, Nolan, Facey, Daniels, and Brimah up front. Lots of fouls to give and lots of minutes to be had. I am more and more impressed by coach KO and think more and more is possible next year, especially with a deeper front court. What do you think about the front court, who will be a standout for the rest of this year and next year?

 

[mauconnfan]

I will say this, provided we keep everyone on campus next year could be special!!!!

 

[8893]

Keeping Bazz and Boat for next year is absolutely the key to being a really special team. But a few more performances like this and I am predicting that we see at least one significant big man decommit elsewhere to commit here. The opportunity available here is just too good too pass up imo, and someone is going to realize it sooner rather than later and want to jump on it.

 

[benjordan]

It's always tough to project what impact freshman will have but if we add Brimah it certainly will seem like we have enough bodies that someone will emerge.

In the short term Wolf has progressed big time, Olander took a nice step forward and Daniels has shown he can play the 4 for stretches when called upon. Doesn't seem like Nolan will contribute much this year, maybe next year.

 

[Danzz]

It's always tough to project what impact freshman will have but if we add Brimah it certainly will seem like we have enough bodies that someone will emerge.

In the short term Wolf has progressed big time, Olander took a nice step forward and Daniels has shown he can play the 4 for stretches when called upon. Doesn't seem like Nolan will contribute much this year, maybe next year.

Nolan's body has to mature a bit and he needs to get stronger so he made need some time. He is a good athlete so he has a chance to be very good.

 

[Wise2]

Nolan's body has to mature a bit and he needs to get stronger so he made need some time. He is a good athlete so he has a chance to be very good.

I don't like his hands. Too may rebounds come to him and he doesn't snatch them cleanly. It appears like he bobbles almost all of them unless then just come down softly into his hand. He also bats the ball around alot too.

I was at the Depaul game and the stat sheet said he had 7 rebounds and I can't remember him getting more than one. That really shocked me. I hope he can develop, but I just don't see him ever being a force down low. I hope I'm wrong and will eat a lot of crow. Maybe the chamber of doom will improve him and he will be a beast next year.

 

[ctchamps]

I don't like his hands. Too may rebounds come to him and he doesn't snatch them cleanly. It appears like he bobbles almost all of them unless then just come down softly into his hand. He also bats the ball around alot too.

I was at the Depaul game and the stat sheet said he had 7 rebounds and I can't remember him getting more than one. That really shocked me. I hope he can develop, but I just don't see him ever being a force down low. I hope I'm wrong and will eat a lot of crow. Maybe the chamber of doom will improve him and he will be a beast next year.

I think he has the physical attributes. His development is dependent on playing more controlled. He's almost hyper on the court. I've seen a big change on the offensive end although he has a ways to go, but he's a big liability on the defensive end. It will be really interesting to watch him and see if the coaches can make him into a player.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

I hope he can develop, but I just don't see him ever being a force down low. I hope I'm wrong and will eat a lot of crow. Maybe the chamber of doom will improve him and he will be a beast next year.

We said those same things about Wolf last year, and 2 years ago.
With time, and coaching, i think he could be a good player. Maybe not great, but it all depends on how he takes coaching, and what he can accomplish in the weight room.
I think KO will take his time and develop some of the projects over this year and next. 4 year players are necessary in today's game.
Maybe he could be a Hilton-type player by his senior year. They are very similar as freshmen...imo

 

[CL82]

We said those same things about Wolf last year, and 2 years ago.

I was thinking the same thing as I read this thread.

 

[Waquoit]

We said those same things about Wolf last year, and 2 years ago.

JC never gave Wolf a real chance. Sometimes a new set of eyes, and having no other choice, makes a difference. Two years ago, Wolf showed more flashes of ability than Nolan has to date. This isn't saying than Nolan won't get better, I think he's more athletic.

 

[HuskyJJ]

I'm incredibly low on Nolan, based primarily on the fact that he CONSTANTLY misses wide open layups. In my eyes there is no excuse for that. There was one game earlier in the season where he had a wide open lay up, missed it, got his own rebound, at this point the defender was almost on it, it was partially contested, he missed it, got his own rebound, then missed the contested layup. Until he learns to DUNK THAT, I don't have much confidence in an underweight big man who cant make layups. I think that freshmen recruits will end up playing over him and he won't get significant time until at least junior if not senior year (unless he transfers)

 

[Palatine]

Nolan is very athletic and active. One of JC's favorite sayings is "never confuse activity with accomplishment."

That's true. But if Nolan can channel his energy, he could be a very good rebounder. His offensive game is beyond raw. He needs to learn to dunk because his touch around the basket is awful.

Regardless, he can contribute if plays good defensive position and grabs a few boards. His five fouls might also prove to be important at some point down the road.

 

[Waquoit]

That's true. But if Nolan can channel his energy, he could be a very good rebounder. His offensive game is beyond raw. He needs to learn to dunk because his touch around the basket is awful.

I always wondered why a guy like Nolan doesn't watch Kevin McHale videos all day long. He could learn those moves.

 

[Palatine]

By popular request McHale's greatest moves.

 

[Waquoit]

By popular request McHale's greatest moves.

Well, maybe a couple of those moves

 

[huskyharry]

Phil is a good athlete with good timing on blocks, good hands and a soft shooting touch. I think he will be play a valuable roll next year. The biggest deficiency I've see with his game this year is poor defensive positioning and adjustment (teammate gets partially screening and he fails to hedge, allowing the teammates player to get the layup etc). The opponents have gotten several open layups because of this. Hasheem was horrible in this as a freshman...he will get better.
Also, don't forget Leon T...strong kid who plays hard and is perhaps our best pure shooter. His liabilities have been similar to PN's. I could definitely see Leon play an important role next year

 

[Danzz]

I don't like his hands. Too may rebounds come to him and he doesn't snatch them cleanly. It appears like he bobbles almost all of them unless then just come down softly into his hand. He also bats the ball around alot too.

I was at the Depaul game and the stat sheet said he had 7 rebounds and I can't remember him getting more than one. That really shocked me. I hope he can develop, but I just don't see him ever being a force down low. I hope I'm wrong and will eat a lot of crow. Maybe the chamber of doom will improve him and he will be a beast next year.

Sometimes bobbling the ball has to do with hand strength. Anyway, your post was good mojo.

 

[Cheddie]

JC never gave Wolf a real chance.

Wolf was playing behind Alex and Chuck, and then Andre and Alex. THEY kept him out of games. And, for the first two seasons, he was admittedly not in the shape he is this year.