All Things 2023 Gophers Basketball Recruiting Thread

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
58,289
Reaction score
11,153
Points
113
Not going the prep school route- coming to the U early and will be on the roster this season.

U staff must really think they have a big time talent in Betts and don't want to run the risk of him backing out and going somewhere else...not to mention, we wouldn't move this up if we didn't think he could come in and contribute immediately.

Go Gophers!!
 

Zeppelin Gopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
3,607
Reaction score
846
Points
113
U staff must really think they have a big time talent in Betts and don't want to run the risk of him backing out and going somewhere else...not to mention, we wouldn't move this up if we didn't think he could come in and contribute immediately.

Go Gophers!!
I'm guessing the Fox injury had a lot to do with this as well (assuming my source is correct here and this actually happens :)
 

Bob_Loblaw

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
18,863
Reaction score
12,260
Points
113
I'm guessing the Fox injury had a lot to do with this as well (assuming my source is correct here and this actually happens :)
Yeah, you're not going to do it unless there is a real chance for significant PT.

They must also think he's pretty mature because he will likely struggle a lot. This isn't a rip on him but most freshman going through growing pains, so it's quite the leap for someone who should be a HS SR. Not all 17 year old people improve by going through adversity but the mature ones do.

I'm excited about this opportunity for him, it gives him a chance to get PT but he won't be needed to carry anything. We have some depth in those positions (Garcia, Ihnen, Battle, Payne, etc.) but there are definitely still minutes for him to play.

If everything works out, we should have a pretty seasoned and talented team heading into the 23-24 season.
 

eker0016

Importer Exporter
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
1,840
Reaction score
1,162
Points
113
Not going the prep school route- coming to the U early and will be on the roster this season.
Holy shit this is a great and creative move by Ben.

I was hoping the whole "extra scholarship" thing would give them flexibility for a late transfer but I had not considered this. I just got even more excited for this season.
 

Holy Man

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
5,848
Reaction score
3,228
Points
113
U staff must really think they have a big time talent in Betts and don't want to run the risk of him backing out and going somewhere else...not to mention, we wouldn't move this up if we didn't think he could come in and contribute immediately.

Go Gophers!!
I kind of wondered why he was going prep school route after high school graduation anyway. That route seems more odd than coming straight to the U. It didn’t get a lot of attention when he committed and I just assumed he was going prep for his senior year not an extra year. That wasn’t the case. Not sure how old he is.
 



UpAndUnder43

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Messages
12,591
Reaction score
9,811
Points
113
Interesting news on Mookie’s cousin. We’ll see if he plays much or just being on campus, working out, etc is the move.
 


Gopherfan84

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
4,536
Reaction score
3,278
Points
113
Holy shit this is a great and creative move by Ben.

I was hoping the whole "extra scholarship" thing would give them flexibility for a late transfer but I had not considered this. I just got even more excited for this season.
Better than any portal add we would’ve gotten. Good move for bench depth.
 



Gopherfan84

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
4,536
Reaction score
3,278
Points
113
I kind of wondered why he was going prep school route after high school graduation anyway. That route seems more odd than coming straight to the U. It didn’t get a lot of attention when he committed and I just assumed he was going prep for his senior year not an extra year. That wasn’t the case. Not sure how old he is.
He skipped his SR year. He’s still young. Just accelerated graduation
 


eker0016

Importer Exporter
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
1,840
Reaction score
1,162
Points
113
Better than any portal add we would’ve gotten. Good move for bench depth.
Yup, and I love that he will develop with the Gophers program instead of with some 1 year prep school.

I also wonder if it makes us a slight bit more attractive to Nolan Winter, since he would not be in the same class as Betts now.
 









Drake University Gopher

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
639
Reaction score
427
Points
63
Phenomenal news. Sounds exactly like Ben’s kind of personality! The amount of love we were showing him is amazing to hear.
 

skyman31

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2019
Messages
551
Reaction score
888
Points
93
Nice! Another good get, need to see them all on the court still but been really pleased with Ben’s high school recruiting in general so far.
 

skyman31

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2019
Messages
551
Reaction score
888
Points
93
Gonna be interesting to see how Ben approaches the rest of the 2023 class. With only 2 guaranteed spots for next year, does he take someone like Winter? Or do you hold out for Chatman? Do you take 3 and assume someone leaves?
 


WriterGoph

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
5,885
Reaction score
6,055
Points
113
Gonna be interesting to see how Ben approaches the rest of the 2023 class. With only 2 guaranteed spots for next year, does he take someone like Winter? Or do you hold out for Chatman? Do you take 3 and assume someone leaves?

I think if they can get both, they 100% take both. Would guess Winter decides in August and Chatman maybe a little later.
 


short ornery norwegian

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
16,803
Reaction score
9,668
Points
113
as we head further into an era with more roster churn and uncertainty, I think you have to grab talent whenever and wherever you can grab it.

the future will take care of itself - coaches have to focus on the "right here and right now."

So if a recruit wants to commit, you take him. If that leads to roster issues down the road, well, you cross that bridge when you come to it.

adding talent is always good.
 

forever a gopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
2,743
Reaction score
2,428
Points
113
Gonna be interesting to see how Ben approaches the rest of the 2023 class. With only 2 guaranteed spots for next year, does he take someone like Winter? Or do you hold out for Chatman? Do you take 3 and assume someone leaves?
Absolutely. With the way things are now, there is almost 100% chance somebody leaves before then.

This may sound bad, but now with the portal and how quickly kids are cutting bait, I think that has to go both ways. I don't envision any more Diedhiou's on the roster for 4-5 years any longer. If you're clogging up a spot, you will be encouraged to seek greener pastures.
 


WriterGoph

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
5,885
Reaction score
6,055
Points
113
Agreed. It's highly unlikely everyone will be back.

I think chances are fairly high that between Garcia, Battle and Cooper, at least 1 or maybe 2 of them moves on. Depends how their seasons go obviously, but Garcia is already a borderline pro and Battle and Cooper will both have their degrees. There is also the likelihood that someone who isn't pleased with playing time decides to go elsewhere.
 


skiumah1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Messages
2,318
Reaction score
2,337
Points
113
I'm not waiting on Chatman for anything. If we get him, awesome, love it, but those guys that get the Blue Bloods involved it's just too tough to count on.

I'll take another PG right now that's solid.

*Good stuff with Betts and Christie, Ben workin'
 




Top Bottom