Northwestern Basketball Player Review: Bryant McIntosh

Over the next few weeks, I will review each player on Northwestern's basketball team and go over what they need to improve  for next season. Up next is junior guard Bryant McIntosh

McIntosh shouldered a large portion of the offense as he
got Northwestern to the NCAA tournament

Season Review: Bryant McIntosh is an interesting player to review. He was very good this season, but he could have easily been great. McIntosh played too much hero ball, in my opinion. Even when his shot wasn't falling, he continued to heave up jump shots. What made McIntosh special, though, was when his shot was falling. McIntosh could score on anyone when he was feeling it; his floater is unguardable and he could hit a three off a high screen over anyone. Scottie Lindsey's illness seemed to have more of an effect on McIntosh than I thought it would. With Lindsey out, McIntosh felt more pressure to carry the offense (Lindsey's absence also coincided with Vic Law's worst slump of the season). This led to him playing hero ball more often than ever and really hurt the team. Overall, McIntosh had a great season and was the engine that drove Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament.
Off-season: Shooting, shooting, shooting. That's the only word McIntosh needs to worry about this off-season. If he can shoot consistently, there will no longer be "Good BMac" and "Bad BMac", just "Great BMac". He should also work on consistently playing within the offense. He is at his best when he plays within the offense, but also looking for his own shot. He (and the offense as a whole) struggles the most when he holds the ball for 20+ seconds and then tries to get off a shot. In the end, if McIntosh can shoot consistently he will be the key piece in taking Northwestern to new heights.