What to Watch: MSU offense vs. North Florida,

None of it will have anything to do with North Florida, because in reality, they don't matter. If this team is going to hang banners, the opponent in games like this doesn't mean a whole lot. It's about a level of play that you are trying to consistently play towards. 1. Offensive structure --- I am of the belief (and data through the exhibition season backs this) that this team will run less offensive sets than Izzo teams of the recent past. I believe it will be transition, secondary break options, drag looks, and even quick iso options. I think the secondary look of the trailing big who takes the ball out setting a high ball screen for Cassisus is one of our best offenses, it was the difference maker in the UM game at home. I think Coach can trust a team with more offensive playmakers and not have to maneuver as many possessions. 2. Bridges mid-range game --- If he is going to be an improved mid-range player, I want to see how, and not just in videos of him working on it 1 on 0. I want to see if there is a jab step series, shot fake arsenal, quick dribble pull-ups, or more mid-range post game. I want to see if there are sets to create those opportunities or he creates those on his own. 3. Post touches --- Who gets them and how do they get them? Ward rim runs, then pins or seals as well as anyone when he's in great shape and rested up. How big of a focus is that in early offense? In addition, what does the trailing 4 do when we get those early entires? Is that the same focus on rim-runs for Jackson, Schilling, Carter, or X? How many sets do we run where we mandate post touches? Who are they for and same/new looks? 4. 15-18 feet for Josh Langford --- He has as good of a quick jab/dribble/17 foot athletic movement as any player we've had for awhile. Now, it doesn't always go in, but with his ability to shoot the ball in the mid 40's from 3, this part of his game could really help him evolve. I've noticed a major drift on the shot fake and quick dribble to the left, so hopefully that is a balance issue they've worked on in practice. I'm not sure he's ever going to be a guy that beats you on a straight line drive off the bounce with a dribble move, but he's REALLY good at the footwork and ball skills from 3 point line to 15 feet. He just hasn't made many yet this year. 5. How Izzo uses JJ --- We know how versatile he is and can do a little bit of everything...are there post iso's, ball screen and pop, elbow isolations, big to big ball screens, etc. By dictating where he goes in transition and running certain sets, we may see more of where Izzo sees his primary role (although he'll do a bit of everything) on offense. 6. Cassius with 2nd ball screen read --- If you really want to watch how special his vision is, watch his eyes during ball screen action. When he goes explosion dribble, then freeze dribble, even really good PG's are thinking getting their own or the roller. He's often looking to a secondary pass based on the help that comes to him or the ball screener. I can't even put into words how special that is. It came into play late in the shot clock last year and is a nightmare to prepare for. A quick example would be he's on the wing, gets a ball screen by Ward who dives to the basket. While Ward dives, Langford who is in the corner/his man helps slighltly onto Ward, Cash zips it to Langford for a corner 3. Normal PG's and teams need 2 passes to make that play, Cash makes it on his own. It's my single favorite thing to watch in his game. 7. High/Low action? - Izzo all of a sudden has a plethora of bigs to use. He also has some pretty good passers like X and JJ. I'm interested if he runs some inside triangle stuff and/or some traditional high-low looks with two the bigs. Hoops season is upon us!!!