2022 Recruiting/Transfer Class

[isucy86]

No one has said their skills don’t differ. In fact, the opposite was implied. But they will still compete for minutes at the 4.


It’s about who you defend. Tre King isn’t ideal on defense or offense against the guards and wings you often find in the Big 12 at the 3. His best attributes are being more athletic and perimeter skilled than bigs, and although he has some perimeter skills for a frontcourt guy, those too are mitigated if he’s the 3. You just made him positionally slower with worse skills than if at the 4.

Now with his size you could try to post him up like we used to Kane, but with Ward, Jones, or a guy like Bates are at the 5, plus Gabe and Williams, that’s a congested offense.

Scotty made comments a couple weeks ago that described more of the Ejim role

I agree he may not match up against shorter/quicker guards in the Big12. So the staff would need to design our defense accordingly. Maybe they don't automatically switch. Maybe they play more zone. It will definitely help on D if we have a shotblocker playing the 5.

Also, going big with King at 3 could present mismatches for opponent defenses. Especially if we have 2 posts who can step out and hit 3's.

It's not like the only way to build a starting 5 is small ball. Look at KU- Braun would be considered their starting 3. Tech played a bigger 3 and same goes for TCU.

IMO get your best offensive guys on the floor and then the coaches need to scheme a defense. After all, a lot of defense is about effort and team work.

I don't think this season will be TJ's approach go forward. If we have better offensive talent, I think he will approach the game with a more aggressive offensive mindset. I'm not saying defense won't still be important, but we look to be a solid defense while playing more up tempo. Obviously, that is assuming we add a couple more high level players this spring

 

[WhoISthis]

I agree he may not match up against shorter/quicker guards in the Big12. So the staff would need to design our defense accordingly. Maybe they don't automatically switch. Maybe they play more zone. It will definitely help on D if we have a shotblocker playing the 5.

Also, going big with King at 3 could present mismatches for opponent defenses. Especially if we have 2 posts who can step out and hit 3's.

It's not like the only way to build a starting 5 is small ball. Look at KU- Braun would be considered their starting 3. Tech played a bigger 3 and same goes for TCU.

IMO get your best offensive guys on the floor and then the coaches need to scheme a defense. After all, a lot of defense is about effort and team work.

I don't think this season will be TJ's approach go forward. If we have better offensive talent, I think he will approach the game with a more aggressive offensive mindset. I'm not saying defense won't still be important, but we look to be a solid defense while playing more up tempo. Obviously, that is assuming we add a couple more high level players this spring

You just laid out several reason why he won’t see much time at the 3.

Could it be overcome? Could we play him there in a pinch? Perhaps, but it’s not likely to one of our best lineups. A clear sign is if “the staff would need to design our defense accordingly” or go zone to hide him.

You want King covering Braun? A bigger 3 is one thing. A forward like King is another.

We’ll still prioritize defense.

King is better on offense and improved our defense if in the front court. He has mismatch potential there. You don’t get better on offense by making a guy slower and less skilled for his position. King is best as a guy to pull the front court defenders out or go by them, while adding to our versatility on defense.

 

[isucy86]

You just laid out several reason why he won’t see much time at the 3.

Could it be overcome? Could we play him there in a pinch? Perhaps, but it’s not likely to one of our best lineups. A clear sign is if “the staff would need to design our defense accordingly” or go zone to hide him.

You want King covering Braun? A bigger 3 is one thing. A forward like King is another.

We’ll still prioritize defense.

King is better on offense and improved our defense if in the front court. He has mismatch potential there. You don’t get better on offense by making a guy slower and less skilled for his position. King is best as a guy to pull the front court defenders out or go by them, while adding to our versatility on defense.

Yes I'd have King cover Braun. King isn't some lumbering post. He's an athletic 6'7" kid. I would love to see opponents try to guard him with a 6'3"/6'4" guard. I'd isolate him as much as possible for dribble/drive and dish out to our 3 point guys.

Look around, small ball isn't the only way to win. Leverage your talent. If we have Williams, Kalscheur and someone like AJ Green, then sure we probably play smaller.

But if we have King. Kunc, Basile/Vander Plat, Ward and Jones on the roster- then I think it makes a lot of sense to play big.

Like I pointed out, teams figure it out. KU played big, Carolina played a 6'8" SF, TT basically used 4 guys between 6'6"-6'8". It would not be a big deal to tweak our defense to play bigger.

I'll borrow a Matt Campbell mantra- Players, Formations, Plays.

 

[Statefan10]

Yes I'd have King cover Braun. King isn't some lumbering post. He's an athletic 6'7" kid. I would love to see opponents try to guard him with a 6'3"/6'4" guard. I'd isolate him as much as possible for dribble/drive and dish out to our 3 point guys.

Look around, small ball isn't the only way to win. Leverage your talent. If we have Williams, Kalscheur and someone like AJ Green, then sure we probably play smaller.

But if we have King. Kunc, Basile/Vander Plat, Ward and Jones on the roster- then I think it makes a lot of sense to play big.

Like I pointed out, teams figure it out. KU played big, Carolina played a 6'8" SF, TT basically used 4 guys between 6'6"-6'8". It would not be a big deal to tweak our defense to play bigger.

I'll borrow a Matt Campbell mantra- Players, Formations, Plays.

We really haven’t seen a lick of Tre yet so I’m not confident he could cover Braun possession after possession.

 

[isucy86]

We really haven’t seen a lick of Tre yet so I’m not confident he could cover Braun possession after possession.

Curious, could Jaz guard Braun?

 

[Statefan10]

Curious, could Jaz guard Braun?

Not consistently, no.

 

[WhoISthis]

Curious, could Jaz guard Braun?

Jaz is much more likely to see some time at the 5 than the wing. Particularly to increase minutes for King to be a mismatch at the 4. There aren’t that many 5s that can exploit him efficiently on the block and on offense he opens the paint.

With Enaruna not favored by the staff, he pretty much had to be a 4 last season. We didn’t want Conditt or Jones defending some of these 4s.

The great thing about Ward is he could defend the athletic 4 while playing the 5 on offense if needed. That likely works well with Basile, who we don’t want defending some 4s imo. King or Kunc would both allow Basile to be the 5 on both ends. A very versatile foursome in the frontcourt. 1st semester Watson could perhaps pickup some of King’s 4 minutes

 

[Cyclonepride]

I agree he may not match up against shorter/quicker guards in the Big12. So the staff would need to design our defense accordingly. Maybe they don't automatically switch. Maybe they play more zone. It will definitely help on D if we have a shotblocker playing the 5.

Also, going big with King at 3 could present mismatches for opponent defenses. Especially if we have 2 posts who can step out and hit 3's.

It's not like the only way to build a starting 5 is small ball. Look at KU- Braun would be considered their starting 3. Tech played a bigger 3 and same goes for TCU.

IMO get your best offensive guys on the floor and then the coaches need to scheme a defense. After all, a lot of defense is about effort and team work.

I don't think this season will be TJ's approach go forward. If we have better offensive talent, I think he will approach the game with a more aggressive offensive mindset. I'm not saying defense won't still be important, but we look to be a solid defense while playing more up tempo. Obviously, that is assuming we add a couple more high level players this spring

I think they have designed their defense that way. The ability to switch 1 through 5 effectively includes the ability to switch briefly and just effectively enough, with help, negate a scoring opportunity until we can switch back.

 

[WhoISthis]

I think they have designed their defense that way. The ability to switch 1 through 5 effectively includes the ability to switch briefly and just effectively enough, with help, negate a scoring opportunity until we can switch back.

Agree.
A big part of our defense was we often didn’t need to hide anyone. Hunter elite and could defend his man. Gabe likewise. IB could be when needed. Kunc had some moments but a crafty MF. Conditt night and day better than a year ago, and there just aren’t many skilled 5s. The offense had to do something to create. And when they did, our help defense elite because instead of reacting and recovering to a blown man-to-man situation like the previous decade, it was often dictating. If not attacking after rope a dope.

I think putting a forward like King at the wing could hurt that. All while hurting his offense too.

 

[cyfan92]

A little nervous CF hasn't posted a thread about contacting Council...

I WANT HIM!!

 

[Kaner04]

A little nervous CF hasn't posted a thread about contacting Council...

I WANT HIM!!

So do a lot of other good programs

 

[GoldCy]

Any reason to recruit HS players other than future relationship in transfer portal.? I'm serious.

 

[Cyclad]

Any reason to recruit HS players other than future relationship in transfer portal.? I'm serious.

Solid question.
I don ‘t know.
In the future you may not be able to afford the best portal guys, but you could catch people moving down.
I think you recruit high school kids. You will not get the elite, but hopefully good players. It may become more like a junior college where the best move up for the money after 1-2 years.
New world - and not a good one imo.

 

[CyLyte2]

I wouldn’t spend a lot of time recruiting high school kids.

 

[Stormin]

Any reason to recruit HS players other than future relationship in transfer portal.? I'm serious.

We have played freshmen in important roles in the past. And generally our classes are not Elite talents. Classes that mature together, grow together, and stay give the program a better culture. HS Recruits are signed at this point. We have some returners. We have some leaving whose spots will be filled on the Portal. That will be the future IMO. At least for now.

 

[12191987]

Any reason to recruit HS players other than future relationship in transfer portal.? I'm serious.

Fear of missing out.

Ultimately if the so called “power conferences” want to retain their status they may need to negotiate rules to reduce the temptation of their programs from taking an expensive flyer on unproven kids.

Just spitballing, but perhaps instituting some kind of age requirement? Then again, that might not be sufficient as some kids could reach the age without demonstrating their abilities against high-level competition.

How about a combination like age and a waiting period after high school graduation? Perhaps something like a player on the roster and/or under an affiliated NIL contract must be at minimum 19 years of age and no less than one year beyond the graduation of their high school class?

 

[WhoISthis]

Yes I'd have King cover Braun. King isn't some lumbering post. He's an athletic 6'7" kid. I would love to see opponents try to guard him with a 6'3"/6'4" guard. I'd isolate him as much as possible for dribble/drive and dish out to our 3 point guys.

Look around, small ball isn't the only way to win. Leverage your talent. If we have Williams, Kalscheur and someone like AJ Green, then sure we probably play smaller.

But if we have King. Kunc, Basile/Vander Plat, Ward and Jones on the roster- then I think it makes a lot of sense to play big.

Like I pointed out, teams figure it out. KU played big, Carolina played a 6'8" SF, TT basically used 4 guys between 6'6"-6'8". It would not be a big deal to tweak our defense to play bigger.

I'll borrow a Matt Campbell mantra- Players, Formations, Plays.

It’s not about playing small ball. It’s about playing your best lineup. King at the 3 is not leveraging his talent. It is more likely mitigating it. You’re making King relatively less athletic and less skilled when at the wing.

For what gain? Likely worse defense and a more congested offense. King is playing the 4 on all those teams you listed.

You’re advocating for the opposite of CMC’s approach. Campbell isn’t forcing a player into a role that he’s not bust suited for. He’s not playing a guy that’s not best at TE just because one year we used 3 TEs and this player could kind of fill in. If he’s better as a Lazard type WR, he’ll be a WR. TJ isn’t playing a 6’8”F at the wing just because UNC had Manek and Bacot in the frontcourt and a wing that happened to be 6’8”. Remember, it’s players, formation, plays…which means putting King at the 4 we’re he’s best suited and working around that. It’s not formation, players, plays, match UNC’s lineup height

 

[Cyforce]

Fear of missing out.

Ultimately if the so called “power conferences” want to retain their status they may need to negotiate rules to reduce the temptation of their programs from taking an expensive flyer on unproven kids.

Just spitballing, but perhaps instituting some kind of age requirement? Then again, that might not be sufficient as some kids could reach the age without demonstrating their abilities against high-level competition.

How about a combination like age and a waiting period after high school graduation? Perhaps something like a player on the roster and/or under an affiliated NIL contract must be at minimum 19 years of age and no less than one year beyond the graduation of their high school class?

I think the simplest rule to put some stability back in CBB is to require an athlete to be at a school for a year before they can sign an NIL. Pretty sure the courts would shoot it down but it would give the initial school a fighting chance.

 

[isucy86]

Any reason to recruit HS players other than future relationship in transfer portal.? I'm serious.

Because it seems like recruiting the portal is like playing the lottery. 1300 kids in the portal, 20 have interest in your school, half dozen might have serious interest, hope you fill your needs. If you don't- Shi7 Outta Luck.

At least with HS recruiting & fall signing, if you miss out on recruits, there is always the spring.

 

[isucy86]

It’s not about playing small ball. It’s about playing your best lineup. King at the 3 is not leveraging his talent. It is more likely mitigating it. You’re making King relatively less athletic and less skilled when at the wing.

For what gain? Likely worse defense and a more congested offense. King is playing the 4 on all those teams you listed.

You’re advocating for the opposite of CMC’s approach. Campbell isn’t forcing a player into a role that he’s not as well suited for. He’s not playing a guy that’s not best at TE just because one year we used 3 TEs and this player could kind of fill in. If he’s better as a Lazard type WR, he’ll be a WR.

Players, formations, plays means putting King at the 4 we’re he’s best suited and working around that.

I guess I have more confidence that King has the talent and athleticism to play the 3. I guess we'll find out next fall.