Next steps for 2006
So, where does Northwestern go from here?
First, the coaching staff needs to make a decision on the one scholarship likely available due to Ivan Tolic's career-ending injury. Do the Cats give the scholarship to walk-on Michael Jenkins as a fifth-year senior? Or do they see what's available on the recruiting trail?
As good as Michael Jenkins has played and no matter how great a story it is, I think the Cats' best long-term bet is to sign another player in the spring recruiting period.
Next year, the Cats have five seniors on the team. That will mean Northwestern needs to add five recruits next year. Add Jenkins to the mix and the Cats will need to fill a six-person recruiting class after next season. That puts an amazing amount of pressure on the coaching staff.
No, the best bet is to sign a spring recruit. From all indications, this appears to be what coach Bill Carmody intends to do. If not, he would have already announced that the scholarship was for Jenkins.
Then the coaches need to convince freshman point guard Brandon Lee of his future at Northwestern then influence him to work hard and stay out of trouble. Lee is the point guard of the future, if he stays. His suspensions this year added to the disappointment of the season.
For next season, expect the Cats to have a greatly changed look. Carmody should have more weapons next year and can use playing time as a great motivator.
Freshman Sterling Williams and transfer Bernard Coté will receive major playing time. Tim Doyle may see only spot minutes as a role player and point guard T.J. Parker may need to fight for his starting spot with Brandon Lee or incoming freshman Craig Moore. Mohammed Hachad had a great final month of the season, but will need to play inspired early in the season or lose playing time to Wiliams.
Center Mike Thompson has a crucial offseason to improve as an offensive presence and become a bigger factor in the Princeton offense. It's hard to believe, but due to the improvement of Vince Scott, Thompson has serious competition at his position.
Northwestern enters a crucial offseason, an offseason that will determine if 2006 will be a year for NU's first NCAA berth or if the team will fall short once again.
To gain an NCAA berth next year, Thompson needs to become the inside presence he was expected to be, Parker needs to improve as a shooter and leader, Hachad needs to play with passion for a full season, Coté needs to be the shooter the team lacks and Williams or Brandon Lee need to step up as major contributers on the team.
If so, this could be a team headed for the tournament next season.