This years team vs. Last year.

[mviale]

I know it is early, but I think this years team is better.  More athletes and more big bodies.  I think the OX would light us up last year.

[Markusquette]

I think it will be hard to live up to Lazar's play and Cubi and Mo's experience at guard.  Of course I hope we're better.

[cheebs09]

I think our perimeter defense is much better so far this year. Obviously the competition hasn't been super high, but I like the way we pressure the ball. I think Lazar was a crafty defender inside. Also, I think our three point shooting will be better last year, but we have more options to score and can score in a variety of ways. Also, last year when there was a foul I crossed my fingers hoping it wasn't Lazar or Jimmy. This year we can overcome foul trouble easier and guys won't have to be in situations as much where they can get deeper in foul trouble.

[muguru]

They don't shoot 3's nearly as well as last year's team though, and that could prove costly down the road at times. The inside game however is much better this year(so far). I also think this years team is better defensively. No question this team is deeper and more athletic though.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Long way to go.  Expect more turnovers, more possessions, a lower percentage jump and free throw shooting team.  Expect more points in the paint, rebounding, steals and turnovers forced.  There will be games where we struggle offensively and others where we will surprise.  The luxury of depth will lead to what we saw today: Buzz constantly changing the pieces to see the ones who fit vs. the situational match-ups.

[mviale]

Yes, love the depth.  The team never looks tired and not scared of tough defense.

[Daniel]

Last year, we moved the ball so well and got lots of open look threes.  Harder to defend.  Scoring in the paint like we have been this year so far, when we meet the elite or tougher teams, will be easier to defend against than us being fantastic shooters from 3 point land.

We need to really be good in the paint to win if we can't hit jumpers or 3s.  Ideally, we need both options open to us which will spread the defense.  Yet to be seen if we can do that, but this team is exciting to watch.

[PGsHeroes32]

I think we will be able to tell alot more once conference play starts. We will be tested more this non conference playing alot better teams. Even our "should be" wins are tougher like Bucknell, Green Bay and Milwaukee. Definilty going to be better for the RPI.

[wojosdojo]

Yes, love the depth.  The team never looks tired and not scared of tough defense.

Sure, but Buzz needs to find out who his best 5, 6, 7 go to guys are.

[NersEllenson]

Sure, but Buzz needs to find out who his best 5, 6, 7 go to guys are.

Pretty sure he already has that figured out:

Buycks
DJO
Vander
Jimmy
Jae
Gardner

What gets hard is to figure out PG - Cadougan or Smith?  Only other lock for minutes would be Otule.  Then you can split hairs between a few energy minutes to be competed for between Fulce and Williams.  Think Jamail Jones is the odd man out this year.

[NersEllenson]

Long way to go.  Expect more turnovers, more possessions, a lower percentage jump and free throw shooting team.  Expect more points in the paint, rebounding, steals and turnovers forced.  There will be games where we struggle offensively and others where we will surprise.  The luxury of depth will lead to what we saw today: Buzz constantly changing the pieces to see the ones who fit vs. the situational match-ups.

I'd say this is pretty much spot on analysis.  I believe points off of turnovers will be the key stat for this year's team, as well as free throw attempted disparity/margin.

[4everwarriors]

This team has far more talent.

[bilsu]

This team has far more talent.

Quite obvious, since DJO cannot crack the starting lineup.

[NotAnAlum]

We went pretty much the same pattern in the early games last year.  None of the games were as close as Bucknell but the opponents weren't as good as Bucknell up until the Orlando Tournement.  I think this is because Buzz said last year that he puts in the defense first and doesn't do much offense early.   They were pretty bad shooting free throws early in the season as well and that came together as the season went on.
As far as point guard I think that Buzz "wants" Junior to be the starting point but he wants him to earn it by showing more intensity.  I want a point guard who drives with a purpose to move the defense and open up lanes for the rest of the team and then gets the ball to those teammates where they need it.  Junior does that.  Reggie, while he is good defensively doesn't break down a defense with the purpose of passing and Buycks looks for his own shot first. 

[77ncaachamps]

Buzz will go with the hot hand each and every time.
Unfortunately, not many hands can get scorching hot on this team.

If last year's team was guts, this year's team is energy because they sure are showing a lot of it.

Margin of error, though, stays the same: SLIM.

[jaybilaswho?]

Yes, love the depth.  The team never looks tired and not scared of tough defense.

+1. feels good to have a bench. havent had that for a while now.

[KipsBayEagle]

Its just nice to see discussions about possible lineups and who may start, whereas in the last 5 years the lineup has been set in stone due to neccesity and not choice.

[willie warrior]

This year's team has more talent, depth and length, and will be better defensively with the depth.

Last year's team had a once in a 5 year-decade player with Lazar who unfortunately had to play out of position.

Only intangible is which team will be better in close contests. Last year did pretty well in those.

[Canadian Dimes]

Not sure Davante would have had the last two games he had if Lazar was guarding him.  But who cares he isnt.

This years team collectively is better ,  but last years team had a tremendous amount of experience at the top.  Invaluable.