MBB future

[heitclone]

I don't think you lose Kane and Ejim and get better next year.

They're too important. There will be a drop off.

I'd take Kane or Ejim over Vaughn next year if the NCAA would allow it.

I wouldn't if Vaughn came with Custer, McKay and Nader. Not to mention Thomas, Morris, Hogue and that Niang guy with another year under their belts. I'm not saying national championship type of stuff but Fred has done good things with a lot less than that. Next year could be his deepest team at ISU, he's shown every year here that he can handle turnover, we may look like a different team but he still finds ways to win. In the past he has had to rely on one or two guys to be a mismatch problem for other teams, next year he'll have a handful of guys that can do that and a guy in Niang who will be as good as anyone in the country next year on the offensive end.

 

[madcityCY]

I don't think you lose Kane and Ejim and get better next year.

They're too important. There will be a drop off.

I'd take Kane or Ejim over Vaughn next year if the NCAA would allow it.

Don't lose sight of the fact that other teams will lose their best and most experienced players to the NBA or graduation, too.

 

[heitclone]

Niang wouldn't want to leave even if he could. He's that kind of kid methinks.

Plus have you seen this years draft? All the one and done guys are going to be making the money, plus a couple Soph's who came back (Marcus Smart for one). I think we'll see a lot of guys stay who may have gone pro in the past.

 

[isuno1fan]

In regard to Fred Hoiberg and the ISU MBB future, I only have this to say:

 

[cyrocksmypants]

Kane will be difficult to replace but you are losing one good Combo guard and adding 1 year experience to his back up Morris, Naz, Thomas, Bluford, and SDW plus adding another top 150 player in Custer. Right there you would say we are better at the guard spot this year. This is not including if Vaughn signs and potentially having Thomas who starts the whole season now coming off the bench.

As far as Ejim goes, he will be replaced with both McKay and Nader. Nader has been rumored to be the best player in practice so far this year and there was talk that when McKay practiced with the team he dominated. McKay adds a level of athleticism that has not been at Iowa State for a long time. There is very real chance that Hogue will be coming off the bench once McKay is eligible. This will go along with Niang, Hogue, and Edozie having another full year of experience.

I will say that with or without Vaughn we will be much improved after next year, in particular once conference play starts and we have McKay in the line up.

While it is fun to speculate how good we will be once each player is a senior, Vaughn is not the only one who may leave to the NBA early.

Niang: Because of his size and game I would put money on him staying 4 years.
Morris: Ranked higher than Trey Burke and playing better as a freshman, I could see him leaving after 3.
Nadar: Has stated he would like to be a one year guy, Good measurable and longest wing span for a player Fred has ever had, if he has a monster year he could leave after 1.
McKay: Most athletic and could lead us in scoring next year, it hurts that he would only have a semester to play but will be against good opponents.

Hypothetically in ISU makes a final four run with Morris, Vaughn, McKay, Nadar, and Niang we could see Vaughn, and possibly Nadar and/or McKay leave next year. With the spot light being on Morris and Niang in there Junior and Senior years respectively.

I would absolutely love that scenario, because that has mean we are now one of the big time programs and other potentially NBA players may start lining up to play Hoiball.

Just my personal opinion, but I don't see Thomas coming off the bench. I think he's a four year starter for us.

 

[Psiclone]

I don't think you lose Kane and Ejim and get better next year.

They're too important. There will be a drop off.

I'd take Kane or Ejim over Vaughn next year if the NCAA would allow it.

Mmmm, I recall similar statements on this site after Royce left. As much as I love Ejim's game, McKay + Nader > Ejim (guess here).

What we may miss the most is Kane's and Ejim's toughness. But, Hogue will be much improved next year and he already is a good defender and rebounder. For all we know, McKay/Nader may end up being as tough as Ejim/Kane, and I have no doubt Niang will be tougher. Our guards will also be much better with another year's experience under their belts.

Bottom line: no one knows exactly how next year's players will pan out and the ones who know are the coaches. I trust Fred to plug any areas of perceived weakness.

 

[Guetterdone1]

With all of this being said I believe we will have the deepest bench in the Hoiberg era next year. It's something that creates competition in practice and should transfer onto the court.