Thanks for the clarification. Yes, I agree this rebuild is a lot tougher than many expected. Like you, I'm hoping he and his staff can continue to build on what they have begun. We need several solid recruiting classes with shooters, shooters and more shooters. I counted five MSU players who could easily knock down the three point shot (three starters and two subs). We seem to have one (Williams) and a cross your fingers with Thiam, Corey and Nigel. We just don't have too many shooters that scare anyone and therefore the defense collapses into the paint more.
If we had more consistent shooting from the outside, the paint would be open more for Gettys, Doorson, Diallo and even Freeman. Freeman however, needs to adjust his game and shoot more from fifteen feet and closer. Every time he tries to go down low he's either stuffed or forced to drive into the body of the defender which keeps getting him called for an offensive foul. He should know by now that what he did pre-conference games cannot continue. I think he can score double figures again if the shoots more from the outside.
I'm hoping Gio Baker is as good a shooter as he portends to be. I hope Mammadou Doucore can get here for next year's class so Pikiell can bring in more shooters for the next two classes. No doubt Bac, that this is a three plus year rebuild to get us competitive night in and night out in the B1G. I do think our great start blinded some of us to the obvious flaws in this team, but we're all so desperate for winning basketball on the banks again that we were willing to look at this as a "sign" of Pikiell being a miracle worker.
