We had no depth beyond Grove for those two games. 6'9 in college is pretty good right now. We don't have 6'7 inside players coming back next year. Crocker-Johnson is 6'8, Groves 6'9, Vaihola 6'8 (and wide so keeps people off block), and Mpoyi (sp?) is 6'11. Yes, doesn't hurt to add a player, but they aren't all that small entering the year considering Niko only plays one guy "inside" anyway. He has three to play that spot in Groves, Vaihola and Mpoyi now.
You can’t teach height, as they say.
Volume shooter?
I don't understand why everybody says we need a post. We've got Vaihola and Groves coming back. JCJ can play center in a pinch, and frankly I liked the way the offense worked when he was in there and a threat to score from 3. And we have a freshman in Mpoyi coming in.
I don’t think a shot blocker is commonly a poor defender. They are not mutually exclusive skills. And the presence of a hot blocker can change whether the other team challenges the paint.
They need someone to fill Tyson’s scoring output. That should interest some offensive minded players.
Rudy Gobert seems to be pretty good at both
Niko evidently has a philosophy to get it done with shorter guys. He had no bigs at CSU and none here (who play anyway). IDK. Michigan and Illinois focus on height...yet somehow we were in the game late versus both with our rag tag 6 (lost to both by 10...but were closer until the end). I dunno...I agree it would be nice. The incoming freshman is an outlier... maybe he changes Niko's philosophy and we go get some tall European recruits.
I smile because pretty sure it is not on the radar...at least not yet.
The coach said it today as well. Bigger and more depth.
Your point about us having okay size is correct. We're not tall but (when healthy) we'll go at least JCJ-Grove-Vaihola (he'll be back next season 99%), Mpoyi (in a pinch) & whover they add in the portal (Kyle Jorgenson?).
Yep, didn’t even realize I wrote Groves. I think the guys he has bring different looks and strengths as well. Grove turned out to be a real good passer, and defends well - will be even better when he doesn’t have to be so careful not to foul. I think Mpoyi may surprise a lot of us. Have heard the staff pretty high on him.
Where did he say that? Is there a new podcast/interview out?
this guys has had quite the journey
That and we just need more guys that can shoot it. Once the injuries happened we had 2 of 5 guys on the floor who were no threat from deep. Add to that, Grove wasn't a guy you could post up for a score so the offense, which has a terrific design, became too easy to defend. If we could get someone that can drive like Reynolds, but still commands respect from 3 pt range in addition to a 6-6 to 6-9 shooter than can replace Tyson- that's a start. Maybe Anderson is one of the answers.
hard pass
Grove. Not Groves.
Shooters? How about Kyan Evans from UNC (via CSU) who knows Niko & the system, Nolan Groves from Texas Tech (via Orono) who Niko recruited hard & Kyle Jorgenson from CSU (via Mpls Washburn) who Niko recruited & coached?
Haha funny thing when I typed it I told mysef "it's Groves, not Grove, don't screw it up!"
Never ever!!! In my life did I think I would feel the need to broach this subject again, but s as I’m dying to know his wingspan
And to think....he started his college career in 2017 as a DB with the Gophers
I mean he can almost dunk the ball without leaving his feet....7'9"....crazy to even think about being that tall.Never ever!!! In my life did I think I would feel the need to broach this subject again, but s as I’m dying to know his wingspan
Hard pass for me.
Just having to duck to get through most doorways would drive me insane
Like I said...it's going to be difficult to improve on 11th place losing two of the most important pieces. We have to get dramatically better players...not just "Niko will develop our players" and we'll magically win 10 games next year.
He met the media yesterday and talked about size, depth, and right fit for additions. Playing for something bigger than themselves.
