Analysis of non-seniors, at Wisconsin game

[bc2211]

I understand what you are getting at, and I agree that there are few option to take his minutes... I just honestly think that Joey has hit his ceiling. His strength is a catch and shoot guy, so we'll have to wait and see if Jarvis and Dorsey can demand as much attention as the Dres so that King is still left open at the three point line. But King rarely creates his own shots, and his statistics have definitely plateaued.

Can you explain why you think he will (or at least may) become a better scorer (or rebounder, or playmaker, or on ball defender) in the big ten than what he's shown in two full seasons? I'm not going to project at who will pick up Hollin's, Mathieu, and Walker's slack (perhaps guys at those positions) - but what I am hoping for is that someone can come in at PF and be more effective than 7.5 pts and 2.3 rbs in 29 minutes a game in the big ten. And I'm not trying to whine and complain about him - he's out there working hard, but I am trying to use stats and observations to justify my position that King isn't going to get any better. In my opinion, if an upper classman isn't getting it done in a rebuilding season, and there's a guy in need of experience at the same position, you play the younger guy.

Also my opinion that King would get fewer minutes this season was that Buggs would take minutes away from him. So, I was about half correct, except that Buggs has taken minutes at small forward rather than power forward. I completely agree that there were several posters way too optimistic about Martin, I was not one of them.

 

[Goldy Gopher]

EE has hardly played in the B1G this year, so I'm sure anyone will be able to replace him. The Gophers will not be an NCAA tournament team next year. Hopefully we see promise from this recruiting class and have a nice one coming in the following year. College freshmen almost never make the kind impact you are expecting unless they are McDonalds All-Americans. It's a huge jump.

I think we can get the same kind of impact from Dorsey and Johnson that Mason has given this season. The last 3 scholarships are crucial to what this team can be next season but if we are able to add a longer scoring wing like Ellison and a JUCO/GRAD big or 2 I think this team can get to the NCAA tournament. The other 2 things that could be real keys are can Morris and Buggs continue to develop over the offseason and be more consistent.

 

[ethomasp31]

I understand what you are getting at, and I agree that there are few option to take his minutes... I just honestly think that Joey has hit his ceiling. His strength is a catch and shoot guy, so we'll have to wait and see if Jarvis and Dorsey can demand as much attention as the Dres so that King is still left open at the three point line. But King rarely creates his own shots, and his statistics have definitely plateaued.

Can you explain why you think he will (or at least may) become a better scorer (or rebounder, or playmaker, or on ball defender) in the big ten than what he's shown in two full seasons? I'm not going to project at who will pick up Hollin's, Mathieu, and Walker's slack (perhaps guys at those positions) - but what I am hoping for is that someone can come in at PF and be more effective than 7.5 pts and 2.3 rbs in 29 minutes a game in the big ten. And I'm not trying to whine and complain about him - he's out there working hard, but I am trying to use stats and observations to justify my position that King isn't going to get any better. In my opinion, if an upper classman isn't getting it done in a rebuilding season, and there's a guy in need of experience at the same position, you play the younger guy.

Also my opinion that King would get fewer minutes this season was that Buggs would take minutes away from him. So, I was about half correct, except that Buggs has taken minutes at small forward rather than power forward. I completely agree that there were several posters way too optimistic about Martin, I was not one of them.

We I definitely thought Martin was going to better than he was....and wish we still had him.

The reason I think Kings numbers will improve is because he is going to have to become more of a focal point. He can shoot and score.....and Hollins graduated....so we are going to need someone who can shoot and score. I'm not expecting him to be Randy Wittman or Ted Kitchel, but I expect him to become better. Usually players do become better between their junior and senior years. Why would I expect anything different?

I expect Buggs to get a little better as well. Why would I expect Buggs to make huge growth and King to stay the same?

 

[bga1]

I'm not going to disagree or agree with you....but using your logic....we aren't a good team, and we won't be next year either. And if we are a good team next year, one of the reasons is because King took a step up....because he is going to get between 26-30 minutes a game next year too.

Well- he's going to have to improve a lot. He's really not a good player for this system. He's just not quick enough nor does he rebound at all. 2 rebounds a game for a PF is just unacceptable. I took another look at the NW game, we lost that purely for two reasons: 1. They get several threes (at least 3 of them) in just a few minutes time off of second chances where we failed to close out on the boards. That's not specifically on King but your big guys have to take care of that. Pitino wants to get out and run and we can't even get the ball off the boards-so we hardly ever get a early bucket from a defensive rebound and quick outlet. 2. If you are going to press you have to have quickness-more than once NW beat the press and our guys were not quick enough to recover. King was unable to cover his guy more than once on this type of made three.

I hope Joey gets better and I see no reason that he cannot make a nice contribution to a good team. But if he's the starter we are going to be weak on the boards and on interior defense again next year. When the inside defense is weak- you are forced to double down to help and then the 3 point shooters are open. This happened plenty yesterday.

Realistically, next year is not going to be easy but I think the problems will be different and more related to inexperience than lack of ability. That-if true would give me hope. Chances are we are two years away but perhaps the ceiling will be higher than in the past.

 

[ethomasp31]

I think we can get the same kind of impact from Dorsey and Johnson that Mason has given this season. The last 3 scholarships are crucial to what this team can be next season but if we are able to add a longer scoring wing like Ellison and a JUCO/GRAD big or 2 I think this team can get to the NCAA tournament. The other 2 things that could be real keys are can Morris and Buggs continue to develop over the offseason and be more consistent.

I don't think Morris has developed at all and is poor defensively. Hopefully Dorsey and Johnson can be as good as mason has been this year. Maybe even better, but that has yet to be seen, and they could be worse. Even if they are as good as Mason, you still have huge questions marks at the 3, 4 and 5 and need a lot of things to go right to get to in the conversation of the NCAA bubble. I'm hoping that next years class has a good year and we have another good class the following year. I'm definitely willing to give Pitino that much time....and am not going to judge him on making the NCAA next season, because realistically we most likely aren't. But if we see hope after next season and another good recruiting class coming in, I think Pitino will be successful here.

 

[bga1]

We I definitely thought Martin was going to better than he was....and wish we still had him.

The reason I think Kings numbers will improve is because he is going to have to become more of a focal point. He can shoot and score.....and Hollins graduated....so we are going to need someone who can shoot and score. I'm not expecting him to be Randy Wittman or Ted Kitchel, but I expect him to become better. Usually players do become better between their junior and senior years. Why would I expect anything different?

I expect Buggs to get a little better as well. Why would I expect Buggs to make huge growth and King to stay the same?

Because Buggs has a ton more natural ability. You can see that the light is finally coming on. This is the first off season where he has had enough feedback where he might believe he can be a Big Ten starter (you can tell that up until recently he hasn't really believed in himself as a player- unlike Carlos who perhaps believes in himself a bit too much at the moment). Forget about how long he has been here or how old he is- some guys develop at different rates. If Buggs hits the weights and can begin to rebound and post guys up - he could become a really nice player. Just the past two games we have seen drives to the hoop that we have never seen from Buggs before. Until now he has been so afraid of making mistakes that I think he just doesn't do a lot of things he could do. No guarantees, but Buggs could really help this team next year if he dedicates himself to it.

 

[ethomasp31]

Well- he's going to have to improve a lot. He's really not a good player for this system. He's just not quick enough nor does he rebound at all. 2 rebounds a game for a PF is just unacceptable. I took another look at the NW game, we lost that purely for two reasons: 1. They get several threes (at least 3 of them) in just a few minutes time off of second chances where we failed to close out on the boards. That's not specifically on King but your big guys have to take care of that. Pitino wants to get out and run and we can't even get the ball off the boards-so we hardly ever get a early bucket from a defensive rebound and quick outlet. 2. If you are going to press you have to have quickness-more than once NW beat the press and our guys were not quick enough to recover. King was unable to cover his guy more than once on this type of made three.

I hope Joey gets better and I see no reason that he cannot make a nice contribution to a good team. But if he's the starter we are going to be weak on the boards and on interior defense again next year. When the inside defense is weak- you are forced to double down to help and then the 3 point shooters are open. This happened plenty yesterday.

Realistically, next year is not going to be easy but I think the problems will be different and more related to inexperience than lack of ability. That-if true would give me hope. Chances are we are two years away but perhaps the ceiling will be higher than in the past.

I think we agree on more than you think. I don't expect the Gophers to be an NCAA tournament team next year. I don't like the roster makeup of returning players and was hoping to be further along after two seasons of Pitino. Joey King is not a starting PF on a good B1G team, but we aren't a good B1G team, and won't be a good B1G next year either. I'm not saying we should move in another direction from Pitino, I'm just disappointed. I don't think Tubby left Pitino with a lot of good players, but I think Pitino has left Pitino with a more messed returning roster this year than he was given when he came.

HOPEFULLY....this next class will give us hope to build for the future along with Mason....kind of like Shek, Coffey, Burton and Newburn did...and then Lynch came the next year. And then we got Carter and McDonald and Lenard and it kind of grew.

 

[ethomasp31]

Because Buggs has a ton more natural ability. You can see that the light is finally coming on. This is the first off season where he has had enough feedback where he might believe he can be a Big Ten starter (you can tell that up until recently he hasn't really believed in himself as a player- unlike Carlos who perhaps believes in himself a bit too much at the moment). Forget about how long he has been here or how old he is- some guys develop at different rates. If Buggs hits the weights and can begin to rebound and post guys up - he could become a really nice player. Just the past two games we have seen drives to the hoop that we have never seen from Buggs before. Until now he has been so afraid of making mistakes that I think he just doesn't do a lot of things he could do. No guarantees, but Buggs could really help this team next year if he dedicates himself to it.

I think Buggs will improve....but I don't think he is a starting small forward on a good B1G team either. That's going to be our problem....we aren't that great at the 3, 4 or 5 and we will be really young in the backcourt. We have too many guys who should be coming off the bench but have to start for us because we are weak on the front court. There are all kinds of guys who are good athletes who aren't great basketball players. Jeez even Rutgers had a lot of nice big athletes, but they arent a good basketball team

 

[cjbfbp]

Joey King is not a starting PF on a good B1G team, but we aren't a good B1G team, and won't be a good B1G next year either.

I don't disagree with any of that, but you're implying that Pitino is helpless to do anything to improve that team weakness. He has three scholarships left and the staff appears to be considering the Boucher kid; some reports also indicate the Boucher has some interest in coming here. This kid has put up phenomenal numbers in junior college. He won't come close to those numbers in the Big Ten, but I can't imagine Joey or Buggs putting up those kinds of numbers in junior college either. There is also the possibility that Buggs could be the starter at the four next year with someone else starting at the three and Joey coming off the bench to sub at times for both positions. Pitino recent comments don't indicate an unshakeable faith in Joey. The kid has started for two years but that position has been the most consistent weakness over that period and it's unthinkable that Pitino doesn't feel of bit of that.

As they say in the investment commercials, past performances are no guarantee of future results. Some people around here maintained that Pitino would never depart from a three guard lineup but now he has.

As far as how good we will be next year, I don't know the answer to that. We shouldn't be that good, but we could be better than many of us think depending upon the performances of the newcomers. I remember early in the century when Iowa had a bad team but acquired Reggie Evans from junior college for the next year. He made a tremendous difference and the team had nine more wins the following year. I'm not saying there's a Reggie Evans out there for the picking but collective performances of multiple newcomers could lead to a better year than this one.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Boy, I don't get the enthusiasm that some of you have for next year. We're talking about a team that is losing its best scorer (Hollins), best post player (Walker), a veteran PG (Little Dre), and a veteran backup post (EE.) Of the returning players, Mason shows the most promise, but I see him as a good complimentary player - not a star or top scorer.

That is the real problem with the Gophers in my opinion. In BB, the good teams have at least one or two really top-flight players - guys with star potential - and they surround them with good complimentary players to have a well-rounded roster.

The Gophers have no "star" players returning, leaving them with a roster full of complimentary players and really raw prospects. In order for this team to be competitive next year, at least one or two of the incoming players have to be able to step in and immediately play at an all-conference type level. Some of these guys look like decent players - but I would be shocked if any of them came in and immediately begin playing at that type of level.

I'm not giving up on Pitino, but he needs to bring about a major talent upgrade on this roster, and he needs to do it ASAP. In short, Pitino needs to go out and land a Mc Donald's All-american, or a similar type talent. And, I'm just not confident that he will be able to do that.

 

[bga1]

Boy, I don't get the enthusiasm that some of you have for next year. We're talking about a team that is losing its best scorer (Hollins), best post player (Walker), a veteran PG (Little Dre), and a veteran backup post (EE.) Of the returning players, Mason shows the most promise, but I see him as a good complimentary player - not a star or top scorer.

That is the real problem with the Gophers in my opinion. In BB, the good teams have at least one or two really top-flight players - guys with star potential - and they surround them with good complimentary players to have a well-rounded roster.

The Gophers have no "star" players returning, leaving them with a roster full of complimentary players and really raw prospects. In order for this team to be competitive next year, at least one or two of the incoming players have to be able to step in and immediately play at an all-conference type level. Some of these guys look like decent players - but I would be shocked if any of them came in and immediately begin playing at that type of level.

I'm not giving up on Pitino, but he needs to bring about a major talent upgrade on this roster, and he needs to do it ASAP. In short, Pitino needs to go out and land a Mc Donald's All-american, or a similar type talent. And, I'm just not confident that he will be able to do that.

I think you need to replace the word enthusiasm with the word hope. There is no known reason to have high expectations for next year's squad. On the other hand there was no known reason last year why this year's team wouldn't be a good bet to be an NCAA qualifier or better. Next year's team will be different and it will be young. I just watched Michigan beat OSU with Rahkman, Dawkins and Doyle ( all frosh who were rated lower than the guys we have coming in) on the floor with Albrecht and Irvin. A short and inexperienced team that is competing. You just never know. There are going to be 6 or 7 new guys in here next year and some guys who played this year will develop. I expect that it will be tough. I'm excited to see it and hopeful that maybe we get surprised. Maybe the new guys will be a better fit. Maybe we will be quicker and bigger and a better defensive club. Maybe we will find that one of the new guys is a lay it on the floor leader.

 

[cjbfbp]

The Gophers have no "star" players returning, leaving them with a roster full of complimentary players and really raw prospects. In order for this team to be competitive next year, at least one or two of the incoming players have to be able to step in and immediately play at an all-conference type level. Some of these guys look like decent players - but I would be shocked if any of them came in and immediately begin playing at that type of level.

One could argue that they don't have any star players this year either.

I don't see a lot of optimism. I just see some people who are not convinced pessimists about next year. We could be better next year than this year. It's not a big hurdle to clear and stranger things have happened. Iowa lost three seniors from last season who played significant minutes throughout their careers (one of them is now on the Orlando Magic) and they have gotten very little from their new recruits. Nevertheless, they have a decent shot of finishing with a better conference record than last year.

 

[cjbfbp]

I think you need to replace the word enthusiasm with the word hope. There is no known reason to have high expectations for next year's squad. On the other hand there was no known reason last year why this year's team wouldn't be a good bet to be an NCAA qualifier or better. Next year's team will be different and it will be young. I just watched Michigan beat OSU with Rahkman, Dawkins and Doyle ( all frosh who were rated lower than the guys we have coming in) on the floor with Albrecht and Irvin. A short and inexperienced team that is competing. You just never know. There are going to be 6 or 7 new guys in here next year and some guys who played this year will develop. I expect that it will be tough. I'm excited to see it and hopeful that maybe we get surprised. Maybe the new guys will be a better fit. Maybe we will be quicker and bigger and a better defensive club. Maybe we will find that one of the new guys is a lay it on the floor leader.

Well said. All of that is possible. And with a most likely outcome of 6 conference wins this year, it's not like next year's team has big shoes to fill.

 

[maxwellsmart]

Your analysis is...........

+1

 

[Goldy Gopher]

Boy, I don't get the enthusiasm that some of you have for next year. We're talking about a team that is losing its best scorer (Hollins), best post player (Walker), a veteran PG (Little Dre), and a veteran backup post (EE.) Of the returning players, Mason shows the most promise, but I see him as a good complimentary player - not a star or top scorer.

That is the real problem with the Gophers in my opinion. In BB, the good teams have at least one or two really top-flight players - guys with star potential - and they surround them with good complimentary players to have a well-rounded roster.

The Gophers have no "star" players returning, leaving them with a roster full of complimentary players and really raw prospects. In order for this team to be competitive next year, at least one or two of the incoming players have to be able to step in and immediately play at an all-conference type level. Some of these guys look like decent players - but I would be shocked if any of them came in and immediately begin playing at that type of level.

I'm not giving up on Pitino, but he needs to bring about a major talent upgrade on this roster, and he needs to do it ASAP. In short, Pitino needs to go out and land a Mc Donald's All-american, or a similar type talent. And, I'm just not confident that he will be able to do that.

Hollins will be very tough to replace and when Mo is playing well on the offensive end he is very good but that doesn't happen consistently. Mathieu was great last year but has been horrible this season and I am very confident Dorsey and Johnson will at the very least be able to play at the level he has this season. Konate can at least replace EE and has done so at times throughout the season. I like the recruiting class Pitino has assembled so far and depending on what he can add with the 3 open scholarships I am very optimistic that we can be in the bubble conversation next season.

 

[maxwellsmart]

I still say something is wrong with this team off the court. My best hope for next year is that we are lucky and the problems move on.

 

[bga1]

One additional thought about where we are at. Last year we brought in 5 recruits rated by ESPN as follows:

Martin 79
Mason 78
Gaston 40 (not rated)
Lofton 40 "
Konate 40 "

Personally, I think the 3 that stayed will be fine and Mason has really been good for a frosh. But all of these guys were plan B or C and the two bigs were definitely projects. Pitino and staff definitely were confident that they could shoot for the moon and were unable to close the deal on any of the plan A guys including some of the locals. Perhaps they made a tactical error but who could blame them for holding out to the last minute on Travis.

This year with their feet on the ground they landed three guys ranked 80 and McBrayer who is unranked by ESPN because he is a prep is a guy who some think is the best of the lot. If Pitino recruits like that for a few more years- he will be successful -no doubt about it. Need to catch a break in spring recruiting this year.

 

[GameDay]

I'm very concerned with Jarvis' progress. I think he's more of a project type player, but Mason and Dorsey should become a very nice backcourt as they grow together. Buggs should keep improving too, and I still think Morris can come back next year and be a good player for us. We need to pick up a serviceable post player immediately though, and if Marshall or Jones want to commit (assuming they aren't an absolute cancer), you take them. We aren't in a position to be turning down those types of players.

 

[Dano564]

Buggs: low BB IQ and will never be more than a bit player showing occasional competence.

Gaston: Should be serviceable in a couple years but "nice form" on a missed shot? Seriously?

Konate: don't see him ever being a major contributor

King: has major limitations but we are about 15 pts./game better with him in the game v. anyone else we have at forward. The bashing is silly and has a racial component

Morris: agree 100%

I agree 100% with what you stated.

Gaston and Konate won't be much until 2017.

 

[DeathClutch]

I'm very concerned with Jarvis' progress. I think he's more of a project type player, but Mason and Dorsey should become a very nice backcourt as they grow together. Buggs should keep improving too, and I still think Morris can come back next year and be a good player for us. We need to pick up a serviceable post player immediately though, and if Marshall or Jones want to commit (assuming they aren't an absolute cancer), you take them. We aren't in a position to be turning down those types of players.

Jones as is in Chris Jones? His college career is over.

 

[GameDay]

Jones as is in Chris Jones? His college career is over.

Oops, good catch.

 

[Urbandale]

Buggs: low BB IQ and will never be more than a bit player showing occasional competence.

Gaston: Should be serviceable in a couple years but "nice form" on a missed shot? Seriously?

Konate: don't see him ever being a major contributor

King: has major limitations but we are about 15 pts./game better with him in the game v. anyone else we have at forward. The bashing is silly and has a racial component

Morris: agree 100%

Hmmm...

On Buggs: I still find it strange that the group think narrative is that he's a dumb basketball player. I don't see that at all. And I don't know what your definition of "bit player" is, but right now he's a starter on a Big Ten team. That suggests to me that he is already more than a bit player. Kendal Shell is a bit player.

On Konate: You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and you may even turn out correct. But that's pretty sharp-focus clairvoyance for limited evidence.

On King: I like King. I think he has some really craft post moves, and I wish we'd see him down on the offensive block more often. But the criticism of his shortcomings is valid, and I don't believe it's any more racial in nature than calling Buggs a low-bb-IQ player.

 

[cjbfbp]

I like the recruiting class Pitino has assembled so far and depending on what he can add with the 3 open scholarships I am very optimistic that we can be in the bubble conversation next season.

I'm not so confident about being in the bubble conversation but I'm reasonably optimistic that we have a decent shot at exceeding 6 conference wins. Throughout the majority of this season I assumed next year would be worse, but given how badly this team underachieved, I no longer have that assumption.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

One additional thought about where we are at. Last year we brought in 5 recruits rated by ESPN as follows:

Martin 79
Mason 78
Gaston 40 (not rated)
Lofton 40 "
Konate 40 "

Personally, I think the 3 that stayed will be fine and Mason has really been good for a frosh. But all of these guys were plan B or C and the two bigs were definitely projects. Pitino and staff definitely were confident that they could shoot for the moon and were unable to close the deal on any of the plan A guys including some of the locals. Perhaps they made a tactical error but who could blame them for holding out to the last minute on Travis.

This year with their feet on the ground they landed three guys ranked 80 and McBrayer who is unranked by ESPN because he is a prep is a guy who some think is the best of the lot. If Pitino recruits like that for a few more years- he will be successful -no doubt about it. Need to catch a break in spring recruiting this year.

You're making comps based on ESPN ratings of 80 vs. 79 and 78? Good grief.

I'll throw in a few thoughts...

Martin - fans were way out there in their expectations. Absolutely ridiculous and there are posts on here to prove it. He was going to take time. Relative to 2015-16, he's someone who you'd be hoping could step up and give solid minutes as a sophomore.. obviously that ship has sailed. His performance before leaving was zero surprise to me.

Mason - Came in as a quality recruit; adapted quite well early on.. has had his bumps, but overall he's exceeded my expectations. Was worried about his size and while still not ideal, he's a heck of an addition to the program. The HOPE should be that one or two FR can perform as well as he has next season.

Diedhiou - a miss. He does have size.

Lofton - Risk/reward play and the U lost on this one. Good chance to take though. Very talented. Him being here next year would have changed the upside outlook quite a bit.

Konate - I liked the addition. Has never lived up to where some thought he might be ~4 or 5 years ago and I'm not sure he will.. but still think he can be a quality player for Minnesota. Needs a big jump next year.

-----------

McBrayer - the player he most reminds me of is Morris... a number of similarities. Capable of having some big, big scoring games as soon as day 1. How consistent can he be?? Saw him do some great things this past summer.

Dorsey - really quick... small... turnovers will be key to watch. Can be plugged into this defense and be strong on that side of the ball right away. Not sold on his shooting, but if he can be a distributor who doesn't turn it over a ton and does his thing on the defensive end, great.

Jarvis - think the feeling out process may take a little time.. still hopeful the upside can be achieved. Can do some things very well at times.

Nwankwo - big, strong guy. Let's see what his foul rate looks like and how well he rebounds. Hope he can put in quality defensive minutes with a 15%+ DR%... not sure he can, but that would be the hope next year.

------------

Could really** use some rebounding & physicality inside... then you hope the young guys step up.. and you find a way to the tourney. Tall, tall order as things look as of today.

 

[GibsonSG]

One additional thought about where we are at. Last year we brought in 5 recruits rated by ESPN as follows:

Martin 79
Mason 78
Gaston 40
Lofton 40
Konate 40

Personally, I think the 3 that stayed will be fine and Mason has really been good for a frosh. But all of these guys were plan B or C and the two bigs were definitely projects. Pitino and staff definitely were confident that they could shoot for the moon and were unable to close the deal on any of the plan A guys including some of the locals. Perhaps they made a tactical error but who could blame them for holding out to the last minute on Travis.

This year with their feet on the ground they landed three guys ranked 80 and McBrayer who is unranked by ESPN because he is a prep is a guy who some think is the best of the lot. If Pitino recruits like that for a few more years- he will be successful -no doubt about it. Need to catch a break in spring recruiting this year.

247sports has a composite ranking which includes their rankings, scout, rivals, and ESPN (I believe but I am not 100% sure.) So if you look at the freshmen brought in so far...

McNeil #233

Mason #172
Martin #229
Konate #268
Diedhiou #353

Dorsey #93
McBrayer #136
Nwankwo #166
Johnson #172

So yeah....on paper the recruiting is improving. Dorsey is ranked higher than everyone on the current team, including Hollins (who was just outside the consensus top 100.) Let's hope we are getting more Masons and less Martins when the guys hit the floor next fall. I'm anxious to see who else the gophers add after the season is over.

 

[gopherhoopsguy]

I'm sorry, but King will see just as much time next year as he has this year. He sets picks, he takes charges and he shoots the ball well from the outside. A better guess is that he will be a much better player next year than anyone expects him to be.

Well he was playing 40 mins a game now he is down to 20 mins so yes he is playing less with buggs getting same or more mins than king

 

[HOOP DREAMS]

Diedhiou - a miss. He does have size.

Really looking forward to you knocking down the kid if he does well over the next few years.

 

[HOOP DREAMS]

Martin - fans were way out there in their expectations. Absolutely ridiculous and there are posts on here to prove it. He was going to take time. Relative to 2015-16, he's someone who you'd be hoping could step up and give solid minutes as a sophomore.. obviously that ship has sailed. His performance before leaving was zero surprise to me.

I'll say 10.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg

Chop those in half and I might be on board with you!

'Chopped in half' = 5.25 ppg 3.6 rpg

Actual- 1.3 ppg 1.0 rpg.

Zero surprise? Your prediction was waaaaaaay off big fella.

 

[DeathClutch]

You're making comps based on ESPN ratings of 80 vs. 79 and 78? Good grief.

I'll throw in a few thoughts...

Martin - fans were way out there in their expectations. Absolutely ridiculous and there are posts on here to prove it. He was going to take time. Relative to 2015-16, he's someone who you'd be hoping could step up and give solid minutes as a sophomore.. obviously that ship has sailed. His performance before leaving was zero surprise to me.

Mason - Came in as a quality recruit; adapted quite well early on.. has had his bumps, but overall he's exceeded my expectations. Was worried about his size and while still not ideal, he's a heck of an addition to the program. The HOPE should be that one or two FR can perform as well as he has next season.

Diedhiou - a miss. He does have size.

Lofton - Risk/reward play and the U lost on this one. Good chance to take though. Very talented. Him being here next year would have changed the upside outlook quite a bit.

Konate - I liked the addition. Has never lived up to where some thought he might be ~4 or 5 years ago and I'm not sure he will.. but still think he can be a quality player for Minnesota. Needs a big jump next year.

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McBrayer - the player he most reminds me of is Morris... a number of similarities. Capable of having some big, big scoring games as soon as day 1. How consistent can he be?? Saw him do some great things this past summer.

Dorsey - really quick... small... turnovers will be key to watch. Can be plugged into this defense and be strong on that side of the ball right away. Not sold on his shooting, but if he can be a distributor who doesn't turn it over a ton and does his thing on the defensive end, great.

Jarvis - think the feeling out process may take a little time.. still hopeful the upside can be achieved. Can do some things very well at times.

Nwankwo - big, strong guy. Let's see what his foul rate looks like and how well he rebounds. Hope he can put in quality defensive minutes with a 15%+ DR%... not sure he can, but that would be the hope next year.

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Could really** use some rebounding & physicality inside... then you hope the young guys step up.. and you find a way to the tourney. Tall, tall order as things look as of today.

He's shooting 81% from the line (148-179) and his shot doesn't look bad in any of his videos, so I don't think we are looking at an Al Nolen type player. He wont be a high volume guy, but I suspect his shot will be good enough to keep defenses honest.
Kevin has played on many high level teams. Paul VI, Team Takeover in the EYBL, and he was going to play for Monteverde Academy this season. I don't know what happened there, but to even be considered to play for one of the best basketball schools in the country shows he has good talent. Really looking forward to see what he can do next season.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

If we are still an NIT team in year 3, I'm going to be pretty disappointed with Pitino.

Look at what we have (so far) for next year and tell me if you see an NCAA appearance in the crystal ball?

C- Bakary So
C- Nwanko Fr
PF- King Sr
PF- Gaston So
SF- Morris Sr
SF- McBrayer Fr
G- Mason So
G- Dorsey Fr
G- Jarvis Fr