Season Updates

[sedziobs]

What’s wrong with maw? I’m not saying the guys great but he’s a decent role player, that shoots it ok, and plays good defense. And he’s a sophomore. He could be solid player in a year. I know people want a whole team of stars but that’s not the real world. You have to have some guys that are fine with playing a role and not having to have the ball.

It's the 30+ minutes. I see him as a Kevin Johnson type player. He's fine as a role player getting 20 minutes or less, but not 30+ on a good team. I want to see us bring in a wing to replace some of his minutes, or give them to Mikey and Mason.

 

[cincyguy13]

It's the 30+ minutes. I see him as a Kevin Johnson type player. He's fine as a role player getting 20 minutes or less, but not 30+ on a good team. I want to see us bring in a wing to replace some of his minutes, or give them to Mikey and Mason.

The minutes are by necessity. I think Kevin Johnson is a good comparison even though I think maw might be a little better. I feel like cronin would have loved maw. Perfect cronin player.

We do need a good wing though.

 

[IDC]

One more note about Mika. He is averaging 8.6 ppg this year. I think he can reach double figures next year, and if he maintains a 10 ppg average the next 2 years he will be a 1000 point scorer.

Kevin Johnson was a good role player, but he only averaged 7.9 ppg as a senior, with the same amount of minutes Mika is getting now as a sophomore.

Mika's stats are better as a soph in every category compared to Kevin's senior year.

 

[cincyguy13]

Justin Powell entering the portal. 3 star class of 2020, went to auburn. Decent numbers in limited time due to injuries. 6’5 from Kentucky and we were in on him last year. Probably a chance. Looks like a gabe replacement if no gabe. Will have to compete with all the big boys for him though

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I'll take mAw all day everyday. Some bad takes on here regarding his game

 

[sedziobs]

One more note about Mika. He is averaging 8.6 ppg this year. I think he can reach double figures next year, and if he maintains a 10 ppg average the next 2 years he will be a 1000 point scorer.

Kevin Johnson was a good role player, but he only averaged 7.9 ppg as a senior, with the same amount of minutes Mika is getting now as a sophomore.

Mika's stats are better as a soph in every category compared to Kevin's senior year.

Kevin Johnson was the epitome of a role player his senior year. He was basically just a catch and shoot guy on offense (and not a very good one). He was an excellent defender though, with a high steal rate and only 2.5 fouls per 40 minutes. Cronin loved players like that, but I think we can (and need to) do better. We don't have Caupain, Clark, Evans, and Washington to score for us.

In my opinion, MAW's ceiling is Kevin Johnson with maybe a better shot and worse D. His scoring total is a little higher because he's playing a few more minutes. His shooting numbers are almost identical to Johnson's senior year. I don't see him becoming an offensive threat because he's so limited with his right hand. The only way I think he'll become more efficient is to shoot 37% from three like he did last year. If he's not more efficient, then I don't want him scoring more.

Mason is a better shooter right now, and he should improve his defense, foul rate, and turnover rate like almost all players do after their freshman year. Those things are more predictable than shooting. Ideally they are both role players, but I just don't think this team will be very good if MAW is getting 30+ minutes on the wing.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Kevin Johnson was the epitome of a role player his senior year. He was basically just a catch and shoot guy on offense (and not a very good one). He was an excellent defender though, with a high steal rate and only 2.5 fouls per 40 minutes. Cronin loved players like that, but I think we can (and need to) do better. We don't have Caupain, Clark, Evans, and Washington to score for us.

In my opinion, MAW's ceiling is Kevin Johnson with maybe a better shot and worse D. His scoring total is a little higher because he's playing a few more minutes. His shooting numbers are almost identical to Johnson's senior year. I don't see him becoming an offensive threat because he's so limited with his right hand. The only way I think he'll become more efficient is to shoot 37% from three like he did last year. If he's not more efficient, then I don't want him scoring more.

Mason is a better shooter right now, and he should improve his defense, foul rate, and turnover rate like almost all players do after their freshman year. Those things are more predictable than shooting. Ideally they are both role players, but I just don't think this team will be very good if MAW is getting 30+ minutes on the wing.

Bad take. MAW probably best defender on team currently. Already averaging more ppg.

 

[sedziobs]

Justin Powell entering the portal. 3 star class of 2020, went to auburn. Decent numbers in limited time due to injuries. 6’5 from Kentucky and we were in on him last year. Probably a chance. Looks like a gabe replacement if no gabe. Will have to compete with all the big boys for him though

Powell has the 7th best offensive numbers of all players on Torvik's transfer page: barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&xvalue=trans&year=2021

Here are the wings (6'3" to 6'6"): barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&minht=75&maxht=78
I'd take any of the 14 guys with a PRPG above 2.0.

Here are bigs (6'8"+): https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&sIndex=9&minht=80
At this point I'd probably take any of them, but I'd prefer one of the 18 guys with an OReb rate above 6 (I think offensive rebounding is the best gauge for rebounding ability).

 

[cincyguy13]

Kevin Johnson was the epitome of a role player his senior year. He was basically just a catch and shoot guy on offense (and not a very good one). He was an excellent defender though, with a high steal rate and only 2.5 fouls per 40 minutes. Cronin loved players like that, but I think we can (and need to) do better. We don't have Caupain, Clark, Evans, and Washington to score for us.

In my opinion, MAW's ceiling is Kevin Johnson with maybe a better shot and worse D. His scoring total is a little higher because he's playing a few more minutes. His shooting numbers are almost identical to Johnson's senior year. I don't see him becoming an offensive threat because he's so limited with his right hand. The only way I think he'll become more efficient is to shoot 37% from three like he did last year. If he's not more efficient, then I don't want him scoring more.

Mason is a better shooter right now, and he should improve his defense, foul rate, and turnover rate like almost all players do after their freshman year. Those things are more predictable than shooting. Ideally they are both role players, but I just don't think this team will be very good if MAW is getting 30+ minutes on the wing.

Even if maw is just Kevin Johnson. Which I think is worst case. That’s a good get for brannen in his first 2 months on the job when there wasn’t much available. I get we want to do better but these things aren’t done in a vacuum. We got maw in very limited time when we needed players. Sometimes you have to get who is available and who wants to be here. Sometimes that Yancy gates, sometimes it’s kelvin gaines. Considering the circumstances that’s a good get.

I also think he’s a good player. Gets a bad wrap on here.

 

[cincyguy13]

Powell has the 7th best offensive numbers of all players on Torvik's transfer page: barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&xvalue=trans&year=2021

Here are the wings (6'3" to 6'6"): barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&minht=75&maxht=78
I'd take any of the 14 guys with a PRPG above 2.0.

Here are bigs (6'8"+): https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&sIndex=9&minht=80
At this point I'd probably take any of them, but I'd prefer one of the 18 guys with an OReb rate above 6 (I think offensive rebounding is the best gauge for rebounding ability).

Yeah I didn’t realize Powell would be one of the best transfer out there. Supposedly uk, Louisville, and every school will be in on him. Maybe our previous relationship and interest will help. Uk wasn’t really in on him out of high school and Louisville has players. We will see. Will be a lot better get than I originally thought

 

[waterhead]

I don't worry at all about getting a transfer 5. But who we get as a wing Brannen has to be careful not to send a message to the young core a vote of no or little confidence. I would prefer to fill the wing spot with a HS kid that will have to earn his PT rather than a plug and play grad transfer taking experience and minutes away.

I think in two years if we continue to build the roster the right way...we could be very good. Next year is likely a progress and momentum year. Maybe a bubble year if we can get a good 5. I can't imagine getting a wing that will have a huge impact (in year 1) but it could cause negative effects on other player's psyche. I would prefer to keep getting young players experience and confidence for the longer haul.

If we bring in more than 2 transfers I would hope two of them are bigs and no more than 1 wing. Then go to HS for whatever is left (I realize not much left in HS). Keep one spot open for sure.

 

[waterhead]

It's the 30+ minutes. I see him as a Kevin Johnson type player. He's fine as a role player getting 20 minutes or less, but not 30+ on a good team. I want to see us bring in a wing to replace some of his minutes, or give them to Mikey and Mason.

KJ was mainly a good defender and below average at most offensive skills. MAW is probably a better shooter, driver, and ball handler. I would agree 20 minutes is probably a good minute allocation for him. Mainly when our other wings can't stay in front of the ball. MAW does not tend to hurt the team when he is out there. At worst it's a draw and at best he's on the plus side.

He would be a good 6th or 7th man ideally but still very useful.

 

[cincrulz11]

In my opinion, MAW's ceiling is Kevin Johnson with maybe a better shot and worse D. His scoring total is a little higher because he's playing a few more minutes. His shooting numbers are almost identical to Johnson's senior year. I don't see him becoming an offensive threat because he's so limited with his right hand. The only way I think he'll become more efficient is to shoot 37% from three like he did last year. If he's not more efficient, then I don't want him scoring more.

And he doesn't bring anything else to the table either. Doesn't rebound at all, low assist rate, and low steal rate. His DR% is even lower than Saunders. Madsen's DR% is more than double (16.7 vs 7.3).

He's a nice bench guy that hopefully can shoot closer to 40% as a Sr. But thats just what he is. He's limited athletically and doesn't look to have the same understanding for offense that Mason has (ability to get open with his feet set anywhere on the perimeter).

 

[sedziobs]

And he doesn't bring anything else to the table either. Doesn't rebound at all, low assist rate, and low steal rate. His DR% is even lower than Saunders. Madsen's DR% is more than double (16.7 vs 7.3).

He's a nice bench guy that hopefully can shoot closer to 40% as a Sr. But thats just what he is. He's limited athletically and doesn't look to have the same understanding for offense that Mason has (ability to get open with his feet set anywhere on the perimeter).

Agreed. Shooting doesn't necessarily improve as players get older though. Kevin Johnson's shooting got quite a bit worse as an upperclassman, even with a lower usage rate. Same with Caupain. Hopefully MAW follows the track of Clark, Jenifer, and Rashad Bishop, who improved their shooting percentages with experience. Other guys were very consistent or wildly inconsistent year-to-year. Shooting is just not something you can count on a player to improve like defense, foul rate, and turnover rate.

None of this means I think we shouldn't have recruited MAW. He's a good player for a certain role. He's just not the kind of player I worry about upsetting by recruiting over.

 

[waterhead]

Agreed. Shooting doesn't necessarily improve as players get older though. Kevin Johnson's shooting got quite a bit worse as an upperclassman, even with a lower usage rate. Same with Caupain. Hopefully MAW follows the track of Clark, Jenifer, and Rashad Bishop, who improved their shooting percentages with experience. Other guys were very consistent or wildly inconsistent year-to-year. Shooting is just not something you can count on a player to improve like defense, foul rate, and turnover rate.

None of this means I think we shouldn't have recruited MAW. He's a good player for a certain role. He's just not the kind of player I worry about upsetting by recruiting over.

But how do you recruit over MAW specifically without recruiting over another wing? If we are looking for a starter wing...we are recruiting over the other wings. We seem to be looking for shooters but Davenport at 36%, MAW at around the same for most of his career so far (minus 10 games), Mason is a shooter and Gabe can likely shoot about as well as Mason. Our PG's are not awesome at it. Tari is not awesome. but we aren't looking for PG's and 4's from what I understand.

We would like to see a volume 40% guy but that's not easy. If we can get 37.5% from current batch of wings...I would take it and run. I would rather see a defensive stopper or ball handler play making type right now than a shooter...but I would take a shooter if that's what we can get. It's definitely opening up the floor and creating driving lanes. When Keith is gone and Harvey already gone...who's driving the open lanes? Are we just going to be a shooting and passing team with cutters? IDK. But for end of clock situations we will need some type of play maker beyond DD...IMO.

 

[sedziobs]

Here are bigs (6'8"+): https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?link=y&sIndex=9&minht=80
At this point I'd probably take any of them, but I'd prefer one of the 18 guys with an OReb rate above 6 (I think offensive rebounding is the best gauge for rebounding ability).

Looks like Jake LaRavia from Indiana St would be the dream transfer 5. His offense is better than Vogt last year, and he's a better rebounder, fouls less, and has slightly better block+steal rates. He's really the only big available so far that looks good on both ends. Hugh Baxter from UCSD is a good scorer but doesn't rebound or defend. Everyone else would be defense first (which is fine). Some of the younger guys have barely played though, so judging them based on stats is impossible.

 

[sedziobs]

But how do you recruit over MAW specifically without recruiting over another wing? If we are looking for a starter wing...we are recruiting over the other wings. We seem to be looking for shooters but Davenport at 36%, MAW at around the same for most of his career so far (minus 10 games), Mason is a shooter and Gabe can likely shoot about as well as Mason. Our PG's are not awesome at it. Tari is not awesome. but we aren't looking for PG's and 4's from what I understand.

PG: DeJulius 20 / Saunders 20
SG: Transfer 10 / MAW 15 / Mason 15
SF: Davenport 10 / Transfer 15 / Gabe 15
PF: Eason 20 / Davenport 20
C: Transfer 25 / Diarra 5 / Eason 5 / Lakhin 5

Imagine Powell as the transfer wing and LaRavia as the transfer big. That's a good team. I know I'm dreaming, but that should be the goal.

I've already shared how I think MAW is limited. Mason and Gabe have potential but are still young and limited defensively. I still like all of them for 15 minutes though. Davenport I think only gets about 10 minutes on the wing because we still need him quite a bit at the 4 unless Eason can regularly stay on the floor for 35 minutes. And you're right, none of those guys can drive the ball very well. A wing who is a good all around player would be a great fit next year, even if it's just a stop gap to bring the other guys along.

 

[IDC]

PG: DeJulius 20 / Saunders 20
SG: Transfer 10 / MAW 15 / Mason 15
SF: Davenport 10 / Transfer 15 / Gabe 15
PF: Eason 20 / Davenport 20
C: Transfer 25 / Diarra 5 / Eason 5 / Lakhin 5

Imagine Powell as the transfer wing and LaRavia as the transfer big. That's a good team. I know I'm dreaming, but that should be the goal.

I've already shared how I think MAW is limited. Mason and Gabe have potential but are still young and limited defensively. I still like all of them for 15 minutes though. Davenport I think only gets about 10 minutes on the wing because we still need him quite a bit at the 4 unless Eason can regularly stay on the floor for 35 minutes. And you're right, none of those guys can drive the ball very well. A wing who is a good all around player would be a great fit next year, even if it's just a stop gap to bring the other guys along.

Minutes will not be that spread out. Rotation gets smaller as the season goes along .

At the end of the year next year there will be about 8 guys getting most of the minutes and I would bet big money MAW will be one of them.

 

[waterhead]

PG: DeJulius 20 / Saunders 20
SG: Transfer 10 / MAW 15 / Mason 15
SF: Davenport 10 / Transfer 15 / Gabe 15
PF: Eason 20 / Davenport 20
C: Transfer 25 / Diarra 5 / Eason 5 / Lakhin 5

Imagine Powell as the transfer wing and LaRavia as the transfer big. That's a good team. I know I'm dreaming, but that should be the goal.

I've already shared how I think MAW is limited. Mason and Gabe have potential but are still young and limited defensively. I still like all of them for 15 minutes though. Davenport I think only gets about 10 minutes on the wing because we still need him quite a bit at the 4 unless Eason can regularly stay on the floor for 35 minutes. And you're right, none of those guys can drive the ball very well. A wing who is a good all around player would be a great fit next year, even if it's just a stop gap to bring the other guys along.

I think you are pretty close here to what I would like to see as well. I would change it slightly. Don't think we will have Diara.

DD 25/Mike 15
MAW 15/Mason 15/Transfer 10
Davenport 15/Gabe 15/Transfer 10
Eason 25/Davenport 10/Lakhin 5
Transfer 20/Transfer 10/Lakhin 5/Eason 5

 

[waterhead]

PG: DeJulius 20 / Saunders 20
SG: Transfer 10 / MAW 15 / Mason 15
SF: Davenport 10 / Transfer 15 / Gabe 15
PF: Eason 20 / Davenport 20
C: Transfer 25 / Diarra 5 / Eason 5 / Lakhin 5

Imagine Powell as the transfer wing and LaRavia as the transfer big. That's a good team. I know I'm dreaming, but that should be the goal.

I've already shared how I think MAW is limited. Mason and Gabe have potential but are still young and limited defensively. I still like all of them for 15 minutes though. Davenport I think only gets about 10 minutes on the wing because we still need him quite a bit at the 4 unless Eason can regularly stay on the floor for 35 minutes. And you're right, none of those guys can drive the ball very well. A wing who is a good all around player would be a great fit next year, even if it's just a stop gap to bring the other guys along.

If we can get a solid mobile 5 transfer (blocks, switches and rebounds) and a guy like Bryson Spell I think that goes a long way to helping the situation. Then you can probably use Lakhin as a backup 5 and run with an offensive lineup at other times (Eason/Davenport or Eason/Spell). It seems CJB would rather have a team that can outscore the other team rather than out defend it. But we need the big who can switch when getting killed on drives.