IMO defense is a bigger concern than offense. If we stay healthy, we've got a bunch of guys that can put up points. JCL can certainly be a consistent scorer. Abrams, Finke, Mav, and Thorne are also capable offensively.
However, we lack quickness across the board, and it's hard to be good defensively if the other team is quicker than you.
Both are important but IMO you need a certain threshold of offense beyond what we have seen the last few years. Once you are above that threshold, defense is a clear differentiator indeed. I agree on your point on limitations of our defense.
There is also a difference between consistent scoring options and potential. We do have players with scoring potential, but in the last few years we have not had many consistent scoring options who could "create" their own offense in critical games and carry the team. First, it was Rice really, then Hill. I think we need 2-3 players this year to emerge as consistent scoring options, players who will be able to create when the going gets tough in the B1G, players who will be able to open up defenses.
We play some "easy" games early in the schedule, but the barometer on whether we make the tournament will be the first 7-8 games in the B1G. We stay above water (.500 or better), we will likely make the tournament. That is a part of the schedule that we have had problems under Groce in previous years, and this year it is particularly tough.
