Much of this blog will continue to be about things besides basketball, and even when we talk hoops it will probably be in a fluffy, feature-like sense. Say grading the officials, perhaps. But, before we get started on any games over here in Italy, let’s get down to some real basketball talk.
Here are five things I’ll be watching for in Italy, in no particular order.
#1 – The ‘4’ Spot – Arguably this is the most competitive spot for the Panthers’ starting five. Tony Meier? Ryan Haggerty? Kyle Kelm? Go small and go with Ryan Allen? The answer is probably a combination of guys depending on the matchups, but just having four guys that could all play gives you an indication of the competition. And, I didn’t even throw in some minutes from Christian Wolf or a super-big lineup with Anthony Hill and Mitchell Carter on the floor at the same time. Jobs will not be won or lost in four foreign-tour games, but I know every guy on that list is eager to show what they can do. And there are plenty of options, many of which bring something different to the table.
#2 – Pace Of Play – Some of this will be forced because of the 24-second shot clock here in Europe, but there is little doubt the Panthers want to play faster in 2010-11. Why not? With a host of guards, great depth overall and a number of guys that can really shoot it in transition, the Panthers look like a team that could really score points in bunches. But, trying to do it and doing it successfully – picking the right quick shots and not throwing the ball into the balcony – might involve a pretty big learning curve. When you get past some of that learning, though, you have freshman Evan Richard scoring 10 points in a two-minute span of a scrimmage during practice this past week in Milwaukee. How much of that will we see here? It will probably come in fits and spurts, but that’s exactly what this trip is for.
#3 - Tone Boyle – Honestly, I am 100 percent confident Tone is completely back. He gives no indications of any physical issues on the court, nor does he speak of any at any time off the court. But it is possible – as I talked with him about before the trip – that getting in actual games on this trip could be the perfect way to get him truly back in the groove. So, while I won’t draw many conclusions if he misses a few shots, I will be watching him to see that he feels good and is comfortable and confident to begin his senior season. I go into these games fully expecting a positive answer on this front.
#4 – Kaylon Williams – I just want to see him play in a game. His teams have consistently been the best in practice, whether he is with the first team, the second team or a mix therein. He will be UWM’s point guard come Oct. 15 (I’m allowed to give away starting jobs now), but of course everyone has a lot of work to do between now and then. All of this expectation heaped on him won’t be easy to handle, and in the long run it will probably take Kaylon some time and a few turnovers to truly settle in. But the Panthers have a “true” point guard to run their offense – and to guard on the other end – and I can’t wait to watch.
#5 – In Your Face Defense – I almost didn’t put this on the list because, honestly, it is hard to know what you learn about your defense with a 24-second shot clock in exhibition games. But, if Kaylon Williams, Ryan Allen and Jerard Ajami all make their way to the floor at the same time, they will be completely locked down on the other team’s guards and/or small forwards. The Panthers have options for guarding in the backcourt now, and that will be extremely helpful come January and February in a guard—oriented league. So I hope that comes out at least a little bit here, perhaps to the dismay of a few opponents that would like some easy shots. C’mon, I have to mention defense, right?
