Available Lead Guards

ghostzapper said:
I think it is an apples to oranges thing. Wagner was the number 4 rated recruit in the 2023 class. He represents a high level of athleticism and talent. Playing his first two years at U.K. and Arkansas he has been successful, but not wildly so. Would he dominate the Ivys? Probably so. That said, he will need to continue to grow in order for him to be the point guard to lead us to the promised land. On the other hand at a lower level of play, at Princeton, Xaivian Lee has performed at a higher level than Wagner has. His assist to turnover ratio is much better and his three point shooting is also better than Wagner's. I have seen him play numerous times and he is pretty athletic, but moving up to better competition is always a concern and it would be somewhat unknowable of how much the higher level of competition would affect him.

If you wanted to look at a recent comparison of an Ivy point guard making the leap to a higher level, you might want to look at Michael Smith moving up from Columbia to Michigan for the 2020/2021 season. While his PPG dropped significantly from 22 to 9 after transferring to Michigan, he was actually much better with his assist to turnover ratio and 3 point shooting percentage as a Wolverine. Bottom line was that he was able to be Michigan's starting point guard. He led them to a number one seed that season. They advanced to the elite eight in the tournament, where they lost a two point heart breaker to UCLA. Overall I would say Smith was different, but still quite successful at the higher level.
Click to expand...
I don’t think it’s apples to oranges since we potentially are looking at both to fill our PG vacancy.

As far as Smith to Michigan in 2020…Smith is more athletic than Lee, albeit smaller. Lee doesn’t look athletic at all. That’s the issue I have.

Smith’s 3 pt % rose because he took less than half the attempts. That’s a natural consequence off cleaning up your shot selection with a smaller role (and no double teams). His assists went up slightly because he wasn’t on a 6-win roster so he had some shot-makers to finish his passes.

I’d also add that the Ivy League Smith played in is not the same one we have now. The Ivy has been crushed like most mid-majors. The good juniors and seniors that were still largely playing when Smith was an upperclassman have transferred. Just look at last year alone…Danny Wolf transferred after his sophomore year, Malik Mack transferred after averaging 17.2 points as a freshman, and plenty of other all conference players with eligibility remaining. Also the Ivy doesn’t allow athletes to use the 5th year which put them at a considerable disadvantage the last few seasons.
 
otis said:
He still has a high-volume approach with the ball in his hands, and is generally more focused on throwing assists than he is otherwise moving the ball, .
Click to expand...

The Daniss Jenkins school of point guarding.

Other aspects of the write-up reminded me of Sim.

Never saw the kid play so no idea what his game really is or how it would fit - but I cannot imagine Pitino going into the season with a freshman as his primary PG. I could see him in the mix with Jackson and Wilcher as a sort of PG rotation though (which LMF is almost as fond of as he is of "volume scorers" which is to say not at all)
 
lawmanfan said:
The Daniss Jenkins school of point guarding.

Other aspects of the write-up reminded me of Sim.

Never saw the kid play so no idea what his game really is or how it would fit - but I cannot imagine Pitino going into the season with a freshman as his primary PG. I could see him in the mix with Jackson and Wilcher as a sort of PG rotation though (which LMF is almost as fond of as he is of "volume scorers" which is to say not at all)
Click to expand...
anyone who talks in the 3rd person get's an automatic like from me :)
 
Marillac2 said:
I’d also add that the Ivy League Smith played in is not the same one we have now. The Ivy has been crushed like most mid-majors. The good juniors and seniors that were still largely playing when Smith was an upperclassman have transferred. Just look at last year alone…Danny Wolf transferred after his sophomore year, Malik Mack transferred after averaging 17.2 points as a freshman, and plenty of other all conference players with eligibility remaining. Also the Ivy doesn’t allow athletes to use the 5th year which put them at a considerable disadvantage the last few seasons.
Click to expand...
I find it puzzling that a senior who has spent the last 3 years in the Ivy League and has virtually zero experience competing against high-major caliber athletes is now such a hot transfer prospect. This past season, Lee played only 1 game against a high-major team and that was Rutgers in December. Is this just a shortage of high quality alternatives we're dealing with?
 
Redenbacher said:
I find it puzzling that a senior who has spent the last 3 years in the Ivy League and has virtually zero experience competing against high-major caliber athletes is now such a hot transfer prospect. This past season, Lee played only 1 game against a high-major team and that was Rutgers in December. Is this just a shortage of high quality alternatives we're dealing with?
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. Not that DJ Wagner is the portal (yet), but he averaged 11 / 2.7 / 3.6 while committing the same turnovers per game as Xavian but playing against some of the best teams in the country. Maybe DJ is not as good of a pure shooter as Xavian, but what do you think his numbers would look like if he played in the Ivy league? Not saying DJ is the answer, but a quality PG that can hit an open 3 and distribute the ball without turning it over is what this team needs. Especially if they can land Ian and Sellers.

I'm not sold on an Ivy league point guard who lit up Dartmouth and Harvard is the most salivating target for SJU. Maybe better, on paper, than others, but DJ put up double digits this year against Michigan, Tenn, UK, Missouri, and UK to name just a few. Again, just using DJ as an example, but I'd be happy with any PG that has proven himself against high major talent. SJU can give us a very magical season if Rick and team can land the guys they are targeting to put alongside Zuby and Bryce. Not sure I want to gamble at the PG level for a high risk / high reward player when we can get somebody that is dependable and stable.
 
Redenbacher said:
I find it puzzling that a senior who has spent the last 3 years in the Ivy League and has virtually zero experience competing against high-major caliber athletes is now such a hot transfer prospect. This past season, Lee played only 1 game against a high-major team and that was Rutgers in December. Is this just a shortage of high quality alternatives we're dealing with?
Click to expand...
The NBA is littered with players from low level schools. The game has changed. It's not only the Power 6 who have the players. He was talked about as 2nd round pick each of the last 2 years.
 
Ralph318! said:
I can easily envision Ian and Sim as our backcourt, with Lewis as the backup PG.
Coach wants size. Switching 1-4. That’s why Deivon sat even when healthy and Kadary started at PG.
Coach brought in Deivon to start as PG. He was limited in switching ability. Sim was brought in to start at PG. He has the physical tools. He has matured. He was great for us. Many many big plays and leadership. Just watch Vice to recall.
Our backcourt with Sim and Ian, fingers crossed, will be great. They are both big strong and skilled.
Lewis will learn and develop if he commits and then star as a Sophomore at PG if he accepts Coach’s tutelage.
All of course, The Good Lord willing.
Click to expand...
Respectfully disagree on the combination you are suggesting. Imo, one PG and a combo player is about as flexible as we should go imo.
 
paultzman said:
Respectfully disagree on the combination you are suggesting. Imo, one PG and a combo player is about as flexible as we should go imo.
Click to expand...
I certainly respect your opinion. You are a tremendous poster and very insightful. I just think Coach grew up on watching Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier. And Walt and our Great Dick Barnett (RIP Dr. Barnett). All LEAD guards.
Coach is a visionary who sees things we don’t.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top