Watched replay of the Arizona and Northern Arizona game today. Tough to get a true gauge with NA being out manned, but looks like gonna be a real toughie. Few things that stood out.
1. They got height. Nnaji and Jeter start but also have Stone Gettings, a stretch 4 type transfer from Cornell.
2, They like to get up and down court. In fact that is what I noticed most about Nnaji — he really runs the floor. Has other strengths to his game, but he was going against smaller NA players so tough to see how it will play tonight against bigger foes.
3. Nico Mannion is really good. He doesn’t necessarily wow you all at once, but he is in control and runs the team.
4. They’ve got other talent at guard/wing and seem to be relatively unselfish with good ball movement.
I’ve not seen the Illini yet this year, so haven’t seen Kofi. And like I said NA was outclassed by Arizona, so hard to know exactly where they’re at. But though they have some big pieces who are young they also have some experience and are pretty deep. It is that depth that worries me because it looks like quality depth to me. If Illini win this it will be a well-earned victory — and not out of the question. But based upon what I’ve read on here so far about the play so far this year might have to be happy with a moral victory of keeping it close and something to build upon. Then again maybe the bad play has been because I haven’t been able to watch. Go Illini!!!!!