Around College Basketball

[Marillac2]

To be clear, I don't have inside info on anything but I enjoy connecting dots. Its very rare to stay at a school all five years, he plays CRP's style, and has a very very clear connection with our staff. He'd also be able to stay close to NJ, where he moved at 14. It just makes a ton of sense on paper.

CJ Wilcher is a guy Matt A recruited to Nebraska. He'd be another fifth year guy. He would fit the profile of a guy with size and three point shooting. He may also be seen as a bonus to his brother, Simeon, who we should prioritize retaining & developing.

There are 4 very interesting connections to me. Cliff and CJ for reasons that have been discussed. Cliff almost certainly won’t be back at Rutgers (UConn and others will be after him).

The next is a long shot, but Walter Clayton would offer 2 years in Pitino’s system — something no other major player can offer. Would pair exceptionally well with a soph Sim IMO. There is a real opening there for him. Clayton is strong as an ox and an excellent defender that can play on and off the ball while Sim develops into a lead guard.

Then there are the New Mexico guys. Mashburn Jr. has to move on. Staying a 4th year makes no sense and can’t help him.

I think Mash Jr. is the floor for the combo guard we add.

 

[dk423]

There are 4 very interesting connections to me. Cliff and CJ for reasons that have been discussed. Cliff almost certainly won’t be back at Rutgers (UConn and others will be after him).

The next is a long shot, but Walter Clayton would offer 2 years in Pitino’s system — something no other major player can offer. Would pair exceptionally well with a soph Sim IMO. There is a real opening there for him. Clayton is strong as an ox and an excellent defender that can play on and off the ball while Sim develops into a lead guard.

Then there are the New Mexico guys. Mashburn Jr. has to move on. Staying a 4th year makes no sense and can’t help him.

I think Mash Jr. is the floor for the combo guard we add.

Pitino going to WCJ's game in Florida definitely put that idea in the back of my head. That is really weird to do just for the sake of doing.

 

[Marillac2]

Pitino going to WCJ's game in Florida definitely put that idea in the back of my head. That is really weird to do just for the sake of doing.

Same. He’s obsessed and always thinking several moves ahead.

Clayton has something nobody else in the country can offer him. That’s fun to think about.

 

[lawmanfan]

Same. He’s obsessed and always thinking several moves ahead.

Clayton has something nobody else in the country can offer him. That’s fun to think about.

But why would Clayton come to SJU next year after (1) declining to do so last year; and (2) having success where he's at?

 

[dk423]

But why would Clayton come to SJU next year after (1) declining to do so last year; and (2) having success where he's at?

Yeah that's why I'm more confused than confident about the situation

 

[espken]

Pitino going to WCJ's game in Florida definitely put that idea in the back of my head. That is really weird to do just for the sake of doing.

Wasn’t aware Pitino went to see his game in Gainesville. I thought it was the Gators MTE event at Barclays last November.

 

[dk423]

Wasn’t aware Pitino went to see his game in Gainesville. I thought it was the Gators MTE event at Barclays last November.

Ah I htink you're right. That makes a lot more sense.

This from a couple days ago does have WCJ saying he still texts Pitino, lol. https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...clayton-jr-take-it-easy-on-those-kentuckians/

 

[espken]

Recap of Florida’s game at Barclays.
Pitino jokingly tells him he still can’t play defense after lighting up Pitt.
Coach Mass and Jenkins there as well.

Clayton Shows Off, Gators Show Out in NIT Win - Florida Gators

Guard Walter Clayton, the Iona transfer, scored 28 points while his former coach sat courtside and soaked in the Gators' 86-71 win against Pittsburgh in opening-round

floridagators.com

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

Don't think his coach is that high on him. With a little over 2 minutes left in a close game he took him out, never to return in a close game. He shot 4for 15 and only had 2 fouls. In crunch time his coach took him out.

I agree . Watched the Purdue-Wisconsin game and wondered why Storr was on the bench at Crunch time .
No one disputes he’s talented and can shoot but, , why would the Coach have him sitting in a game they wanted to win at home ?

 

[kranmars]

But why would Clayton come to SJU next year after (1) declining to do so last year; and (2) having success where he's at?

Under normal circumstances, that is logical. But as we have seen, the college football and basketball landscape regarding transfers makes far less sense now.

 

[lawmanfan]

I agree . Watched the Purdue-Wisconsin game and wondered why Storr was on the bench at Crunch time .
No one disputes he’s talented and can shoot but, , why would the Coach have him sitting in a game they wanted to win at home ?

If you look at Storr's stat lines at Wisconsin you will find that he has the same flaw that he had when he was here: the ONLY thing he does is shoot. For a guy with his physical skills the lack of rebounds, assists, defense, or any other thing that contributes to winning basketball besides shooting is a crying shame.

Kranmars - I fully understand, but unless the departures free up NIL money that would result in SJU outbidding Florida I just don't get it. But that is definitely possible. The new world of college sports sucks.

 

[logen]

I remember during Lavin's tenure, we beat Lehigh who had CH McCollum. They went on to make the NCAA tournament. This will never happen again. After his Sophmore season, there would have been a bidding war. Each year, players become free agents, and can go to the highest bidder. Michigan would probably be a Big 10 favorite if Hunter Dickerson was still there. Rumor is he got 2 million from Kansas, smh. The NIL is destroying college sports as we know it.

It is the NCAA's fault for coming up with this idea without putting any limits on it.

The NCAA did what it has always done, protect its own interest$, students, fans, etc. be damned. They rank right up there just below the Ponzi and Madoff level of schemers and maybe that is being way too easy on them.

 

[panther2]

If you look at Storr's stat lines at Wisconsin you will find that he has the same flaw that he had when he was here: the ONLY thing he does is shoot. For a guy with his physical skills the lack of rebounds, assists, defense, or any other thing that contributes to winning basketball besides shooting is a crying shame.

Kranmars - I fully understand, but unless the departures free up NIL money that would result in SJU outbidding Florida I just don't get it. But that is definitely possible. The new world of college sports sucks.

If you watch how Wisconsin plays, Storr is either in the corner or at the top of the key, limiting his chances for rebounds. Also, he does not create for himself.

 

[lycidas]

Under normal circumstances, that is logical. But as we have seen, the college football and basketball landscape regarding transfers makes far less sense now.

Believe Clayton Jr. and his girlfriend had a baby in October. Think family considerations complicate all of this.

 

[kranmars]

Believe Clayton Jr. and his girlfriend had a baby in October. Think family considerations complicate all of this.

Unless Pitino was asked to be the baby’s Godfather.

 

[CBA69]

There are 4 very interesting connections to me. Cliff and CJ for reasons that have been discussed. Cliff almost certainly won’t be back at Rutgers (UConn and others will be after him).

The next is a long shot, but Walter Clayton would offer 2 years in Pitino’s system — something no other major player can offer. Would pair exceptionally well with a soph Sim IMO. There is a real opening there for him. Clayton is strong as an ox and an excellent defender that can play on and off the ball while Sim develops into a lead guard.

Then there are the New Mexico guys. Mashburn Jr. has to move on. Staying a 4th year makes no sense and can’t help him.

I think Mash Jr. is the floor for the combo guard we add.

I agree with all of the players you mentioned. They would be valuable additions. One thing that may help with Clayton is Florida is not setting the world on fire. Both Lunardi and Decourcey have us in the tournament as 9 and 10 seeds respectively but Florida is not in any of Decourcey's brackets and is the first one out in Lunardi's brackets.

I do have a question why you prefer Cliff over Holmes. Is it because Cliff is a center and Holmes is a forward or is it because Holmes would be an impossible get? According to ESPN are about the same size and statistically Holmes has the edge, 20.0 PTS, 7.8 REB, 2.6 AST, 55.2 FG% vs 11.0 PTS, 9.1 REB, .5 AST, 51.4 FG%. If I remember correctly Holmes ate up Soriano in the Charleston Tournament.

 

[SJU85]

You could probably take the “probably“ out

I don't know what they have done to that program. Sienna should be a good spot as a mid major for some up and coming coach if their administration figures it out. Good fan base, access to a nice off campus arena and the perfect conference for them.

 

[lawmanfan]

If you watch how Wisconsin plays, Storr is either in the corner or at the top of the key, limiting his chances for rebounds. Also, he does not create for himself.

I understand - but to some extent it may be a chicken-or-the-egg question: did Wisconsin put him there to maximize the one thing he is willing to do on the court, or is he limited (still) to that one thing because that's how they use him? My lean is the former, they are maximizing his strength and hiding his weaknesses. But the alternative is a reasonable theory as well - he was never a complete player here so until I see it I remain a skeptic is all

 

[Moose]

There are 4 very interesting connections to me. Cliff and CJ for reasons that have been discussed. Cliff almost certainly won’t be back at Rutgers (UConn and others will be after him).

The next is a long shot, but Walter Clayton would offer 2 years in Pitino’s system — something no other major player can offer. Would pair exceptionally well with a soph Sim IMO. There is a real opening there for him. Clayton is strong as an ox and an excellent defender that can play on and off the ball while Sim develops into a lead guard.

Then there are the New Mexico guys. Mashburn Jr. has to move on. Staying a 4th year makes no sense and can’t help him.

I think Mash Jr. is the floor for the combo guard we add.

Why does Mashburn have to move on?

 

[Silly Donovan]

I remember during Lavin's tenure, we beat Lehigh who had CH McCollum. They went on to make the NCAA tournament. This will never happen again. After his Sophmore season, there would have been a bidding war. Each year, players become free agents, and can go to the highest bidder. Michigan would probably be a Big 10 favorite if Hunter Dickerson was still there. Rumor is he got 2 million from Kansas, smh. The NIL is destroying college sports as we know it.

It is the NCAA's fault for coming up with this idea without putting any limits on it.

From what I understood and have heard from one particular D1 coach is that the NCAA did try to represent the potential issues that would arise from the NIL concept to the Supreme Court but apparently the court said they had no right to limit a students earning opportunities. While the NCAA is weak for sure, the Blue Bloods and Caliparis of the hoops world jumped on the concept to gain a decided advantage with their financial backers. Yes I blame the NCAAs weakness but also the Big Money schools who have really encouraged this thing to get out of control.

I personally have an issue with the NIL concept. While I am a die hard fan, I would much rather donate to the schools scholarship fund then the NIL. Athletes are already getting free tuition, room and board while many families can’t afford to send their children to college in the first place.