Let's Talk '22

[ChooChooCat]

Does Arkansas have a unlimited supply of scholarships?

Musselman’s guiding principal is to recruit over his current guys whenever possible.

Muss is truly a massive piece of shit and it’ll eventually catch up to him.

[dmjcat]

We recruited him out of high school. Great shooter but he looked a bit slow to me. Wonder if we'll have any interest.

[Postmaster]

Did our assistant recruit him to UNC?

Sorry, drawing a blank on coach’s name.

[dmjcat]

[YoDeFoe]

Not really an Arizona target, given the disparity between what we need and what he wants.

[ChooChooCat]

You never know, but I see this going the way the other guards we reached out to have.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Not really an Arizona target, given the disparity between what we need and what he wants.

Arizona doesn't really have a starter role on the perimeter open. We're basically looking for Justin Kier II.

That will necessarily limit our options.

[ChooChooCat]

Not really an Arizona target, given the disparity between what we need and what he wants.

Arizona doesn't really have a starter role on the perimeter open. We're basically looking for Justin Kier II.

That will necessarily limit our options.

Yup.

[YoDeFoe]

Did our assistant recruit him to UNC?

Sorry, drawing a blank on coach’s name.

Steve Robinson; no he wasn't the lead on this one, and the Arizona connection was to the old staff. But also... not sure what benefit Walton brings Arizona. Lacks defense, physicality, ball handling - to name a few.

[Irish27]

duplicate

[Spaceman Spiff]

Did our assistant recruit him to UNC?

Sorry, drawing a blank on coach’s name.

Steve Robinson; no he wasn't the lead on this one, and the Arizona connection was to the old staff. But also... not sure what benefit Walton brings Arizona. Lacks defense, physicality, ball handling - to name a few.

The ability to do 10 mpg without being in contention for more? Also contingent on psychological acceptance of that fact.

[YoDeFoe]

Did our assistant recruit him to UNC?

Sorry, drawing a blank on coach’s name.

Steve Robinson; no he wasn't the lead on this one, and the Arizona connection was to the old staff. But also... not sure what benefit Walton brings Arizona. Lacks defense, physicality, ball handling - to name a few.

The ability to do 10 mpg without being in contention for more? Also contingent on psychological acceptance of that fact.

Do we have a need for 10mpg on the wing? Because Walton doesn't solve any PG or shot creation concerns.

I agree though that step 1 in any eval of a potential transfer is answering the questions you posed.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Did our assistant recruit him to UNC?

Sorry, drawing a blank on coach’s name.

Steve Robinson; no he wasn't the lead on this one, and the Arizona connection was to the old staff. But also... not sure what benefit Walton brings Arizona. Lacks defense, physicality, ball handling - to name a few.

The ability to do 10 mpg without being in contention for more? Also contingent on psychological acceptance of that fact.

Do we have a need for 10mpg on the wing? Because Walton doesn't solve any PG or shot creation concerns.

I agree though that step 1 in any eval of a potential transfer is answering the questions you posed.

If you look at his freshman year, he might have potential to be a servicable backup PG with the emphasis on serviceable. His 15 assist % as a freshman isn't far off from Kier's history.

He also sort of cratered across the board as a soph. I'd also say we might need some mpg on the wing, as recapitulating last year's rotation depends on Larsson being a starter, Bal filling Larsson's role and good health throughout. So a little stopgap might help with Nowell in the portal.

I mean, I just wonder if we aren't winding up with an 8 mpg and pray option at backup PG regardless.

[YoDeFoe]

If you look at his freshman year, he might have potential to be a servicable backup PG with the emphasis on serviceable. His 15 assist % as a freshman isn't far off from Kier's history.

He also sort of cratered across the board as a soph. I'd also say we might need some mpg on the wing, as recapitulating last year's rotation depends on Larsson being a starter, Bal filling Larsson's role and good health throughout. So a little stopgap might help with Nowell in the portal.

I mean, I just wonder if we aren't winding up with an 8 mpg and pray option at backup PG regardless.

I think we have an attractive pitch for the right player:

the baseline:
* Great coaching staff that genuinely cares for and develops players
* Marquee program and facilities and atmosphere (on and off court)
* Offensive style that is extremely attractive which allows for highlight plays, green light shooting, and plenty of shared sugar
* Team that will compete for championships (at the conference and national level)

the position:
* Back-up PG spot with opportunities to create and take shots
* Scoring guard with the first team / second unit microwave
* 20min/g

There's an opportunity for a player who wants to win, develop some more before they go pro, and who would appreciate being surrounded by high level players so that they can showcase their strengths without the burden of being the man every game. If we got Justin Kier for this role last season - with no benefit of the success and positive attention we gathered - it stands to reason we'll get an upgraded version of that role player this season.

[ChooChooCat]

Did our assistant recruit him to UNC?

Sorry, drawing a blank on coach’s name.

Steve Robinson; no he wasn't the lead on this one, and the Arizona connection was to the old staff. But also... not sure what benefit Walton brings Arizona. Lacks defense, physicality, ball handling - to name a few.

The ability to do 10 mpg without being in contention for more? Also contingent on psychological acceptance of that fact.

Do we have a need for 10mpg on the wing? Because Walton doesn't solve any PG or shot creation concerns.

I agree though that step 1 in any eval of a potential transfer is answering the questions you posed.

If you look at his freshman year, he might have potential to be a servicable backup PG with the emphasis on serviceable. His 15 assist % as a freshman isn't far off from Kier's history.

He also sort of cratered across the board as a soph. I'd also say we might need some mpg on the wing, as recapitulating last year's rotation depends on Larsson being a starter, Bal filling Larsson's role and good health throughout. So a little stopgap might help with Nowell in the portal.

I mean, I just wonder if we aren't winding up with an 8 mpg and pray option at backup PG regardless.

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Do we have a need for 10mpg on the wing? Because Walton doesn't solve any PG or shot creation concerns.

I agree though that step 1 in any eval of a potential transfer is answering the questions you posed.

If you look at his freshman year, he might have potential to be a servicable backup PG with the emphasis on serviceable. His 15 assist % as a freshman isn't far off from Kier's history.

He also sort of cratered across the board as a soph. I'd also say we might need some mpg on the wing, as recapitulating last year's rotation depends on Larsson being a starter, Bal filling Larsson's role and good health throughout. So a little stopgap might help with Nowell in the portal.

I mean, I just wonder if we aren't winding up with an 8 mpg and pray option at backup PG regardless.

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

I can't say that excites me. As I've posted before, he looks like a guy who needs a year and to become a stretch 4.

[YoDeFoe]

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

I can't say that excites me. As I've posted before, he looks like a guy who needs a year and to become a stretch 4.

DT
Pelle
Borovicanin
Henri
Ballo

Only a coward wouldn't...

[goslingswagg]

Do we have a need for 10mpg on the wing? Because Walton doesn't solve any PG or shot creation concerns.

I agree though that step 1 in any eval of a potential transfer is answering the questions you posed.

If you look at his freshman year, he might have potential to be a servicable backup PG with the emphasis on serviceable. His 15 assist % as a freshman isn't far off from Kier's history.

He also sort of cratered across the board as a soph. I'd also say we might need some mpg on the wing, as recapitulating last year's rotation depends on Larsson being a starter, Bal filling Larsson's role and good health throughout. So a little stopgap might help with Nowell in the portal.

I mean, I just wonder if we aren't winding up with an 8 mpg and pray option at backup PG regardless.

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

I can't say that excites me. As I've posted before, he looks like a guy who needs a year and to become a stretch 4.

I trust Tommy on this one, but from what I've seen/heard, I would agree with that. Even Givony had a bit of a muted reaction to his signing compared to our typical international signings - seems like Tommy and the staff feel like he is a better player currently than others do, so it will be very interesting to see how good he actually is year one.

[Jefe]

Even Givony had a bit of a muted reaction to his signing compared to our typical international signings

Veesaar signed? Link?

[IndianaZonaFan]

Even Givony had a bit of a muted reaction to his signing compared to our typical international signings

Veesaar signed? Link?

I think that quote was talking about Borovicanin

[Spaceman Spiff]

Even Givony had a bit of a muted reaction to his signing compared to our typical international signings

Veesaar signed? Link?

I think that quote was talking about Borovicanin

It was.

[Jefe]

Ahhh that explains it. Henri will get time at the wing too haha

[Beachcat97]

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

Choo, I've watched the same video as everyone else, probably. Is there a former AZ player's game this new guy's reminds you of?

[Beachcat97]

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

I can't say that excites me. As I've posted before, he looks like a guy who needs a year and to become a stretch 4.

DT
Pelle
Borovicanin
Henri
Ballo

Only a coward wouldn't...

Kerr Kriisa is also an AZ player who exists.

[YoDeFoe]

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

I can't say that excites me. As I've posted before, he looks like a guy who needs a year and to become a stretch 4.

DT
Pelle
Borovicanin
Henri
Ballo

Only a coward wouldn't...

Kerr Kriisa is also an AZ player who exists.

Line-up is tongue-in-cheek - it's a bunch of absolutely massive dudes for their position. Pelle would be the shortest guy on the court, and Tommy played him at the four last season (at times). It's also, somehow, a somewhat reasonable line-up.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The new Euro is going to get PT on the wing this year.

Choo, I've watched the same video as everyone else, probably. Is there a former AZ player's game this new guy's reminds you of?

I feel like we need to define which Euro we speak of.

I posted before Borocavinin reminds me of a larger, less athletic Pelle Larsson, so that's my player comp.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Ahhh that explains it. Henri will get time at the wing too haha

I sort of hope not. One of his bigger strengths is being very athletic and mobile for a guy with center size. Playing the 3, he's just average athletically. Playing the 4 or 5 he's very athletic and can capitalize on staying closer to the rim to exploit his shotblocking instead of having to guard smaller, quicker guys 30 feet from the rim.

[goslingswagg]

Ahhh that explains it. Henri will get time at the wing too haha

lol certainly hope not!

[Jefe]

I sort of hope not. One of his bigger strengths is being very athletic and mobile for a guy with center size. Playing the 3, he's just average athletically. Playing the 4 or 5 he's very athletic and can capitalize on staying closer to the rim to exploit his shotblocking instead of having to guard smaller, quicker guys 30 feet from the rim.

Oh yeah not by position, just comparing Veesaar to Lauri who spent a ton of time behind the 3 point line.

Imagining Ballo, Veesar and Tubelis on the court together

[Jefe]

[dmjcat]

[YoDeFoe]

Visiting along with his Bonnies teammate Osun Osunniyi - looks like they may be thinking package deal. Would be a major boost for Florida to pick up the two time A10 POY and his buddy, the two time A10 DPOY.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/bask ... n-osunniyi

We simply don't have the minutes to satisfy these guys (barring a loss of both DT and HV).

[azgreg]

[YoDeFoe]

We need to introduce this boy to a burrito and a squat rack

[dmjcat]

Article on Leonard Miller.

Unfortunately, if it does come down to Kentucky/AZ I doubt we have the $$$$ to out-bid UK

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-dr ... time-elite

If he opts to go the college route, he’ll pick between Kentucky and Arizona. He has until June 1 to make that decision and thus withdraw his name from the NBA draft if he wants to play at the collegiate level.

If that deadline passes, he will still have until June 13 to withdraw from the draft. In such a case, Miller could still use an alternative pathway to the pros like the G League Ignite (with a salary up to $500,000) or Overtime Elite (which pays players at least $100,000 a year) while still maintaining his eligibility for the 2023 NBA draft.

Among all these options, Bleacher Report’s draft expert Jonathan Wasserman notes that it is “most likely” that Miller stays in this draft class.

[dmjcat]

[dmjcat]

Ramey would be an excellent replacement for Kier.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... tney-ramey

https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/l ... =ramey-wvu

[YoDeFoe]

Ramey would be an excellent replacement for Kier.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... tney-ramey

https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/l ... =ramey-wvu

Ideal replacement. Tough tough tough player, tons of high level experience, can run the point and provides good point of attack D. His efficiency leaves some to be desired but he'd make for a great change of pace to our current backcourt - he likes a dribble pull-up and putting pressure on defenses through isolation and penetration.

Let's see if we can land him.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Ramey would be an excellent replacement for Kier.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... tney-ramey

https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/l ... =ramey-wvu

I struggle with why Ramey would come here unless Dalen leaves. As I've said before, and saying he's a Kier replacement implies, chances are low we have a starting perimeter role to offer.

So Ramey is a guy who has started 106 of 128 games as a high profile program. I assume he is transferring because he wants a showcased role at a high profile program.

If Dalen returns, he's doing it to be the primary perimeter option. Kerr will start at PG. Tubelis and (presuming) Veesar get the ball as bigs. I don't see why Ramey leaves TX to maybe be on the bench or at best a 3rd option as a starter.

[RawleArenas]

I'm in the minority here, but I think Ramey is a slam dunk. Major talent in a major conference playing in major games that matter? Sign me up. We certainly need that leadership presence on our team. I see him as the closest thing to what NWG brought to Gonzaga. A lot of the other names being floated around didn't make sense for '22, but his does.

Major selling point for Ramey would be tag teaming with Kriisa for a shot at a FF. If Ramey, Obogidi and Veesar come with Terry returning, this a top 10 team minimum. However, its far more important that we play the right way and peak at the right time. The goal is to get the team to the point where seedings don't matter because the roster is bulletproof.

Also, all Lloyd has to do is point to getting great players on the fringes to the next level of development. He did it last year in a major way and at Gonzaga as well. If major development were to happen at Texas, it would have happened already. He improves key stats like A/TO and shooting percentage, he could end up in a far better place then he could have ever imagined like Koloko and Terry.

[ChooChooCat]

I'm in the minority here, but I think Ramey is a slam dunk. Major talent in a major conference playing in major games that matter? Sign me up. We certainly need that leadership presence on our team. I see him as the closest thing to what NWG brought to Gonzaga. A lot of the other names being floated around didn't make sense for '22, but his does.

Major selling point for Ramey would be tag teaming with Kriisa for a shot at a FF. If Ramey, Obogidi and Veesar come with Terry returning, this a top 10 team minimum. However, its far more important that we play the right way and peak at the right time. The goal is to get the team to the point where seedings don't matter because the roster is bulletproof.

Also, all Lloyd has to do is point to getting great players on the fringes to the next level of development. He did it last year in a major way and at Gonzaga as well. If major development were to happen at Texas, it would have happened already. He improves key stats like A/TO and shooting percentage, he could end up in a far better place then he could have ever imagined like Koloko and Terry.

For what we're looking for, yeah we couldn't have hoped for any better. Let's hope we wrap him up.

[YoDeFoe]

I struggle with why Ramey would come here unless Dalen leaves. As I've said before, and saying he's a Kier replacement implies, chances are low we have a starting perimeter role to offer.

So Ramey is a guy who has started 106 of 128 games as a high profile program. I assume he is transferring because he wants a showcased role at a high profile program.

If Dalen returns, he's doing it to be the primary perimeter option. Kerr will start at PG. Tubelis and (presuming) Veesar get the ball as bigs. I don't see why Ramey leaves TX to maybe be on the bench or at best a 3rd option as a starter.

Ramey is leaving Texas because he's not a fan of Coach Beard - he stayed on after they fired Smart and hired Beard and seemed to regret it based on the rumblings of a potential mid-season transfer last season.

But to your bigger question: would Ramey come to Arizona with no clear path to starting... maybe. Who knows. If he wants to win more than 1 tournament game in his now five year NCAA career, I'm not sure that he's going to get a starting opportunity.

Again I'd point to Remy Martin (!) as an example of what a fifth year transfer is looking for... if you've already done 35min/g and haven't had success, maybe you're okay taking 20min/g and actually winning something.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I struggle with why Ramey would come here unless Dalen leaves. As I've said before, and saying he's a Kier replacement implies, chances are low we have a starting perimeter role to offer.

So Ramey is a guy who has started 106 of 128 games as a high profile program. I assume he is transferring because he wants a showcased role at a high profile program.

If Dalen returns, he's doing it to be the primary perimeter option. Kerr will start at PG. Tubelis and (presuming) Veesar get the ball as bigs. I don't see why Ramey leaves TX to maybe be on the bench or at best a 3rd option as a starter.

Ramey is leaving Texas because he's not a fan of Coach Beard - he stayed on after they fired Smart and hired Beard and seemed to regret it based on the rumblings of a potential mid-season transfer last season.

But to your bigger question: would Ramey come to Arizona with no clear path to starting... maybe. Who knows. If he wants to win more than 1 tournament game in his now five year NCAA career, I'm not sure that he's going to get a starting opportunity.

Again I'd point to Remy Martin (!) as an example of what a fifth year transfer is looking for... if you've already done 35min/g and haven't had success, maybe you're okay taking 20min/g and actually winning something.

I had meant my larger point more as your second thing, which is whether a guy who's spent a career starting at a big time program is ready for a transfer into the 20 mpg backup role Kier leaves.

Even if he wasn't a Beard fan, I have to believe his TX role conditions him a bit. On Remy, I remember you bringing him up before and I always wonder if the role he had at KU was the role he was sold on when he transferred. Part of that is because I feel like Self isn't up front with a lot of recruits and transfers.

[ChooChooCat]

[Dave]

Are we assuming Pelle is taking all of Benn's minutes?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Are we assuming Pelle is taking all of Benn's minutes?

I'd call him the presumptive starter. How many minutes he clocks as such probably depends on how he plays as well as other options.

The natural progression would seem to be that Pelle becomes Benn and Bal becomes Pelle.

[Dave]

Abogidi would blow up under Lloyd. I would be very excited about landing him.

[Beachcat97]

Can you imagine this guy in our frontcourt, alongside AT and OB:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fda-HgX7UkM

[EastCoastCat]

Abogidi would blow up under Lloyd. I would be very excited about landing him.

Was thinking the same thing. Was impressed with his game, energy, etc...

[Spaceman Spiff]

Can you imagine this guy in our frontcourt, alongside AT and OB:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fda-HgX7UkM

I can't imagine alongside those two and Veesar.