Backcourt
dbaldrich1-
I like most of what you say about the backcourt but would add or change the following:
Nolen-He is an outstanding ballhandler and makes us practically impossible to full court press. Nolen possesses tremendous quickness. I believe he is the best defensive guard in the B10 and probably one of the best in the nation. However, he tends to force some passes when driving the lane. He needs to do a better job of staying out of foul trouble. While capable of hitting open jump shots he is an average shooter from distance. He is an absolutely terrible finisher in the halfcourt. If he can improve as a scorer, he has NBA potential.
Westbrook-The guy has guts. If anyone on the team should be taking the last second shot, its him, whether he has scored a lot in that particular game or not. He wants to be the man. If we were down one with no time left on the clock and he had two free throws, I'd bet you a thousand dollars we will win the game. I think we will make the tournament and if we win any games it will be because Westbrook stepped up on the offensive end. The key for him on both ends seems to be consistency. At times, he appears to be tuned in on defense and at other times his man is cutting through the lane wide open.
Hoffarber-While others on this board think he provides other things to the team, I don't. While he doesn't make a lot of mistakes, I just don't think he should be on the floor if he's not making shots. He's a below average ballhandler and passer. He is strictly a spot up shooter and is completely incapable of creating his own shot. Defensively, he seems to be in position most times, but is not creating turnovers or shutting down the opposition. Both Joseph and Bostick are better options right now. BTW, I expect every jumper he shoots to go in and I always love great shooters (and MN HS kids), it kills me that he's struggling. I wish Hoffarber was shooting better because we really need that sharpshooter off the bench-it can, (and has in the past when he was shooting better) fire up the entire team.
Joseph-Its hard to know what to expect of a freshman PG, but he has played very well. At times, he has played better than Nolen and has sparked the team off the bench. He is capable of scoring on the catch and shoot as well as off the dribble, although shot selection has sometimes been an issue. Joseph is a good ballhandler and passer, but he has had trouble initiating the offense against some of the quicker PG's. I have been surprised at his defensive abilities especially in creating fast break opportunities on steals. He is one of the better backup PGs in the B10.
Bostick-Has the size that none of our other guards possess. He appears to be our best one on one scorer as evidenced by the WI game. The only player on our team that I think is capable of consistently scoring off the dribble. I am puzzled about why he doesn't play more, but I trust Tubby. I know I am totally speculating here, but there must be other things going on in terms of attitude, effort, or understanding the system b/c he is more talented and versatile than JAS or Hoffarber and is getting very few minutes.
Abu-Shamala-Another shooter who is struggling with his shot. Not a great ballhandler or defender, but I think he produces a lot more other things than Hoffarber. He is more willing to mix things up on the boards and to be physical. He takes and makes some shots inside the three point line and is capable of creating space with a headfake or a couple of dribbles, which Hoffarber doesn't or can't do.
I think that MSU clearly has a better backcourt, but you could argue for the Gophers against any other B10 team. Illinois would seem to be better, but we absolutely destroyed them (36 points scored). I wouldn't trade our backcourt for Purdue's backcourt, but they have some good players. Battle is doing amazing things as a freshman (and I'd trade him for any one of our guards) but no way their backcourt for ours. Wisconsin's backcourt isn't in the discussion.