2023-24 roster

[Queens_NYC]

We've been linked to Moussa Cisse and Russel Tchewa - both centers - post commitment of Reynolds.

Is Wes afraid Reynolds won't get a waiver (Cisse may have them same issue though). Or is it a sign that the anticipated last transfer may be coming from a surprise player (Sage)? If we sign 2 centers who can both play immediately, I'd take it as a very strong signal that Sage is not ready to play any minutes.

I just went through Twitter and didn't see any updates from today linking us to Cisse although I do know Wes recruited him two summers ago as a transfer from Memphis.

Considering Tchewa entered the portal nearly a week ago, it's possible that we only reached out before Reynolds' visit and were just listed today as a school that had reached out "at some point".

You may have information that I don't but it would certainly be an intriguing development if we're recruiting another big.

 

[sedziobs]

We've been linked to Moussa Cisse and Russel Tchewa - both centers - post commitment of Reynolds.

Is Wes afraid Reynolds won't get a waiver (Cisse may have them same issue though). Or is it a sign that the anticipated last transfer may be coming from a surprise player (Sage)? If we sign 2 centers who can both play immediately, I'd take it as a very strong signal that Sage is not ready to play any minutes.

Yeah, this is getting weird. Even if you leave out Sage, we're looking at three centers who would all expect to play 20+ minutes. Vik can maybe play some 4, but I don't think he can defend that position full time. There are a lot of stretch 4s or big wings in the Big12 that would cross him up on the perimeter. Defending screens is a lot different when you have to fight through them as a big.

There's gotta be some eligibility issues at play. Tchewa would make a lot of sense if Reynolds has to sit out. Maybe Cisse would have to sit a year but Reynolds can get a waiver due to the coaching change. That punts the log jam to 2024-25, and maybe Lahkin can be a pure 4 by then.

 

[skyblade]

Yeah, this is getting weird. Even if you leave out Sage, we're looking at three centers who would all expect to play 20+ minutes. Vik can maybe play some 4, but I don't think he can defend that position full time. There are a lot of stretch 4s or big wings in the Big12 that would cross him up on the perimeter. Defending screens is a lot different when you have to fight through them as a big.

There's gotta be some eligibility issues at play. Tchewa would make a lot of sense if Reynolds has to sit out. Maybe Cisse would have to sit a year but Reynolds can get a waiver due to the coaching change. That punts the log jam to 2024-25, and maybe Lahkin can be a pure 4 by then.

I hope Vik isn't the guy who's going to leave, it would explain why we are recruiting centers so heavily though. Being foreign makes it hard to give him NIL money. Could he be considering playing in Europe or going to a team that has the ability and willingness to send him on a trip outside the country so the can pay him a ton of NIL money in a week?

 

[TheRealMick]

I hope Vik isn't the guy who's going to leave, it would explain why we are recruiting centers so heavily though. Being foreign makes it hard to give him NIL money. Could he be considering playing in Europe or going to a team that has the ability and willingness to send him on a trip outside the country so the can pay him a ton of NIL money in a week?

I believe Vik getting his NIL money this year. We playing in overseas event.

 

[Queens_NYC]

Couple updates from the past few days:

-We're made Aaron Estrada's top 4. He has already visited and will announce on 4/29 after completing more visits.

-Bradley transfer/target Rienk Mast recently committed to Nebraska.

-We have a Zoom meeting scheduled with Moussa Cisse today

 

[TheRealMick]

Figured this would be possible way we add our last couple spots with foreign players. Us playing in overseas tournament looking like it's about pay off in huge way.

 

[sedziobs]

Figured this would be possible way we add our last couple spots with foreign players. Us playing in overseas tournament looking like it's about pay off in huge way.

I assume this is a reference to Simas Lukosius. He seems to be a Davenport replacement. Shot the three well at 38% last year, but was just 27% the previous year. Doesn't get to the rim or the free throw line much. Pretty good assist rate but about the same as his turnover rate. Poor rebounder. Zero dunk attempts is strange for a 6'6 guy.

He led Butler in minutes but isn't one of their top 5 players on EvanMiya, and Butler was bad. His ORtg is lower than everyone on our team except Skillings. Not a whole lot to be excited about here, unless we use him purely as a shooter. We badly need a scorer on the wing now with Nolley gone.

 

[sirthought]

He's totally a Davenport type player. Tons of energy and heart, but not a lot of great results. I'm surprised he's leaving Butler, since he started for them all season.

 

[Bearcat_Z]

Adams-Woods is apparently staying for a fifth season.

 

[sirthought]

Not too surprising. He's not going to gain anything more by transferring. Hopefully he gets some good education and a good final year of hoops.

 

[waterhead]

I assume this is a reference to Simas Lukosius. He seems to be a Davenport replacement. Shot the three well at 38% last year, but was just 27% the previous year. Doesn't get to the rim or the free throw line much. Pretty good assist rate but about the same as his turnover rate. Poor rebounder. Zero dunk attempts is strange for a 6'6 guy.

He led Butler in minutes but isn't one of their top 5 players on EvanMiya, and Butler was bad. His ORtg is lower than everyone on our team except Skillings. Not a whole lot to be excited about here, unless we use him purely as a shooter. We badly need a scorer on the wing now with Nolley gone.

Butler being bad could explain some of his numbers but the Athletic ranks him 8th in the portal. I agree he is not athletic but we do need a shooter. Wes would get him to rebound better. It could be a trade for JD but he puts the ball on the floor better and watching some tape I am surprised he doesn't get fouled more. He seems to mix it up.

 

[sirthought]

I think he would be an upgrade over Davenport. Just not sure by how much.

 

[justinhub2003]

I think he would be an upgrade over Davenport. Just not sure by how much.

Better passer and playmaker for sure.

JD had a higher Offensive Rating 110 vs 101
Simas Shot better from 3 38% to 33%
Neither draw fouls
JD's TO rate was 2x better 9 vs 17
Simas better 2pt FG%
JD better rebounder on both sides of the ball
JD actually shot better in conference 3 than Simas did.. 37% to 35%
JD blocks more shots and steals are around the same
JD was a better free throw shooter
Sima assist rate is much better at 18 to 10


Honestly on paper, it's really not a huge difference between the 2. The biggest advantage for Simas is that he still has 2 years to play and grow and get better whereas JD is a 5th year guy who is who he is.

Also a plus for Simas is that he has beaten Xavier 2x in 2 years VS JD going 0-4

 

[skyblade]

Better passer and playmaker for sure.

JD had a higher Offensive Rating 110 vs 101
Simas Shot better from 3 38% to 33%
Neither draw fouls
JD's TO rate was 2x better 9 vs 17
Simas better 2pt FG%
JD better rebounder on both sides of the ball
JD actually shot better in conference 3 than Simas did.. 37% to 35%
JD blocks more shots and steals are around the same
JD was a better free throw shooter
Sima assist rate is much better at 18 to 10


Honestly on paper, it's really not a huge difference between the 2. The biggest advantage for Simas is that he still has 2 years to play and grow and get better whereas JD is a 5th year guy who is who he is.

Also a plus for Simas is that he has beaten Xavier 2x in 2 years VS JD going 0-4

I'm not sure Simas has much room to develop. He seems very much in the JD mold of he is who he is and his physical limitations mean he won't be able to improve much (especially on defense).

He's a trade for JD and I don't think it's clear we come out better for it. I'm hoping that our interest in him isn't bery serious.

 

[justinhub2003]

I'm not sure Simas has much room to develop. He seems very much in the JD mold of he is who he is and his physical limitations mean he won't be able to improve much (especially on defense).

He's a trade for JD and I don't think it's clear we come out better for it. I'm hoping that our interest in him isn't bery serious.

Unfortunately our interest has to be serious since he is the only guy we hav scheduled coming for a visit. Estrada is choosing Bama. Simas is the last hope to land a scorer.

That said. I don’t believe a ton in synergy defensive grades but it’s worth noting that simas grades out as excellent and JD was the word on the team and one of the worst in D1

I’ll take Simas because it’s honestly all we have right now unless Wes pulls a rabbit out his hat

 

[sedziobs]

Wow, a jhub sighting. We're back in business!

We can quibble over the differences, but Simas is much more of a Davenport replacement than a Nolley replacement. We need somebody to create offense on the perimeter or the freshmen are going to have to fill the void. MAW, Newman and Skillings aren't really creators.

 

[sedziobs]

Simas is basically a wing version of MAW. Their Ast/TO and FG attempt rates are almost exactly the same. Shooting percentages are within a couple points both inside and outside the arc. Both bad rebounders. Neither had a single dunk attempt all season. Simas gets to the line a bit more, but he gets to the rim even less than MAW. Both are decent defenders but not very quick or disruptive.

Starting MAW and Simas together isn't the most inspiring backcourt.

 

[sirthought]

Just from the games I watched him play, he does mix it up on defense a little different, which could be a good thing. I think his shot attempts were often dictated by the offensive scheme, which could be somewhat different under Wes. There would be hope, but I really am hoping the freshmen are amazing. We need Wes' recruits to start turning a corner.

 

[cincrulz11]

Simas is basically a wing version of MAW. Their Ast/TO and FG attempt rates are almost exactly the same. Shooting percentages are within a couple points both inside and outside the arc. Both bad rebounders. Neither had a single dunk attempt all season. Simas gets to the line a bit more, but he gets to the rim even less than MAW. Both are decent defenders but not very quick or disruptive.

Starting MAW and Simas together isn't the most inspiring backcourt.

MAW plus a guy that is a less athletic version of him? Together? In the big 12?

We needed to upgrade athleticism. I still don't know what the plan is for a team. I don't think Miller has one. Or at least not one he can put together here.

 

[cincrulz11]

I mean I think the plan is ball dominated PG that can create his own shot and get to the rim, but it doesn't seem like he can get them to bite. It's going to be really hard for this team to play offense without one.