The Texas that hired Luke Yaklich as associate head coach? Yeah, I think they’ll be better this year.
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They’ve finished top 25 the past three years AdjD and 177, 89, & 29 AdjO so I don’t think defense has been the problem. Yak isn’t going to make the team worse by any means, but it also isn’t like his hire addressed a major hole.
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Michigan finished 3 and 2 in that category the past two years. I have no idea how much leeway he is being given by Smart (probably not “defensive coordinator” level as he had here, especially since Smart is known as a defense-first coach as well), but as you say, the hire can only help.
I think you’re underrating how much of that has to do with the fact that we had one of the best PG defenders in the country, one of the best wing defenders in the country, and one of the best post defenders in the country.
I think Yak’s scheme was fantastic and credit where credit is due, but it starts with the players. I don’t know much about Texas’ team but I find it hard to believe they’ll elevate into uncharted defensive territories just due to Yak.
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I wouldn’t call Mo one of the best post defenders in the country. 
I don’t know much about the personnel of Texas either, and I’m not discounting the defensive skill of Charles Matthews or anyone else. I just think coaching looms large as well. Virginia never has a starting 5 of freak athletes.
I have no idea where Texas will finish defensively this year. I believe Yaklich is a great coach, however, and that he offers more than teaching defense. I can only envision Texas being improved with him on staff.
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I actually liked seton hall a lot coming into the year. Even though Wofford knocked them out in round one I was impressed by them watching that game and they were returning a ton of pieces if I recall correctly.
Myles’s a beast and I remember thinking the European big man they had looked like a possible star/pro. I think 13 might be a bit high but I would have certainly had them top 25 and probably top 20
Some others pointed this out too but I’m actually a firm believer that Michigan st is a weaker squad this year compared to last year. Losing mcquaid and goins was going to be to hard to fill in for. They were perfect pieces along with Tillman to sprinkle in around Cassius. Skill set wise they fit perfectly next to Winston but when you account for their senior leadership, b-ball iqs, composure and all the winning intangibles a good upper class men brings, then no matter how well one of these young state players fills in or plays it will be a step back still for sparty.
I’m very excited to see x and crew get another crack after last year.
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Teske, not Mo
I agree. Izzo had always required some seniors as role players. I don’t know that I feel good about facing them this year, bit the losses off that squad were significant.
Hence the wink. I knew he was referring to Teske, but Mo was the starting big on one of the two teams that finished top 3 in AdjD.
Brevin Pritzl looks so likely to take the Grady Eifert Memorial Award for senior role-player who knows their job and does it to perfection.
Wisconsin with an easy win over Marquette. Good for the Big Ten.
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I went back through the Torvik archives to try and expand on this. Here’s my picks for Big Ten Senior Glue Guy of the Year historically:
2018: Grady Eifert (Purdue)
2017: PJ Thompson (Purdue)
2016: Matt Costello (Michigan State)/Zak Showalter (Wisconsin)
Anyone want to throw in some names?
Kenny Goins
Brevin Pritzl seems like he should win an award for the player who’s name seems like it’s a word scramble and not their actual name.
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Is the Illinois game being delayed for a replay of Baylor Oklahoma?
It is at 8, right?
Looks like my cable listing was wrong
Cassius Winston is a certified legend.
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Kaleb Wesson looks like he lost 200lbs