[NU Sports] Basketball

[Dennis W. Brandt]

The Cats won a game last night, it was televised on BTN, and no one comments.  I will.  Sorry to say that I wasn't that impressed with Kyle Rowley.  He adds a much-needed inside presence, but he is slow, can't jump a lick, and seems a bit clumsy, none of which bodes well in a Princeton-style offense where the center often plays at the top of the key.  He got three rebounds in twenty minutes playing time against a team that starts four guards and a forward.  Maturation and experience will help, obviously, but at this point I don't see a potential All Big Ten center.  May he prove me wrong.  The team in general did not display lights-out shooting against a not-very-good U. C. Riverside.  Shooting 20% from the trey line and 65% foul-shooting will not get it done.  There is no doubt that the talent level is up somewhat, and the record should improve if the freshmen respond well, but I don't see a "Fab-whatever" to carry the Cats to glory this season.  Once again, I would love to be wrong.