Demo

Conerway, easily. 1 of the things I’m putting a lot more stock in this year is the whole chip-on-their-shoulder, “I’m gonna prove everybody wrong and I’m earning every dime of this” element. I fell totally in love with Wilkerson about 3 weeks ago watching an interview in which he was nice and respectful and clearly a good kid, but he had this tone in his voice and look in his eye that said, “I”m gonna make everyone who doubts me eat $hit.” Conerway’s got that and then some. That kid wants to stick his finger in everybody’s eye. You want to build culture? Build it with kids like that.

Every coach thinks they’re the guy who can pull it all together for a kid.

Per Sam Kaiser at 247 IU has reached out to Mizzou 7 footer Peyton Marshall. Former top 50 recruit. Didn’t play a ton last year and his motor runs hot and cold, but he’s a big kid with very good hands and feet and 3 years of eligibility.

He’s not gonna beat good guys cold off his bounce, he doesn’t have that kind of 1st step, but he’s really strong and physical. If you run, say, a zoom action with him where he’s getting the ball on the move he can keep a defender on his hip and finish through contact.

In fairness, Woody would have done the same if the Wilkerson’s live on the 18th at Penble Beach.

Hunter won a Heisman, so sure. But Sanders?

https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-volunteers-football-unprecedented-exit-nil-holdout-family-drama-josh-heupel-dan-lanning/ Don’t know how much of this is accurate, and the writer clearly needed a better editor, but if it’s even mostly true who’s gonna touch this kid?

Per Rothstein IU is among many, many schools that have reached out to ASU SG Adam Miller. Didn’t like him much at Illinois though haven’t watched much ASU BB the last couple of years.

Interesting stat from his profile: almost 7 boards a game as a wing. If DeVries really wants to play a perimeter oriented lineup that would be a nice little addition.

See, I can absolutely see that. Pope’s a really likable guy with a great offense and an almost complete roster. He can just throw on cut ups of Koby Brea and say, “Dude this is you.” And UK’s UK. No matter how much he might like IU and DDV there’s still a lot of faith required here. But, it’s a bunch of money and a bunch of minutes and a bunch of shots and that’s not nothin’. So I’m cautiously optimistic.

Yeah we are, but I’ll say this: I find it hard to believe, but If the rumored difference in NIL is true, combined with the fact the kid would walk into AH with 30 mins and 15 shots a night no questions asked and he punts on that to go to UK that would mean, 1) the kid’s 1st priority is winning. and 2) there was nothing DDV could do about it. Not only would I not be mad at the kid, I would respect him leaving that kind of money on the table to hunt a Natty enormously.

Per Jack Pilgrim, who’s a UK beat writer, Wilkerson cancelled his Auburn visit and is deciding between IU and UK. But he didn’t suggest that it’s done with UK.

Is Mullins generally more highly regarded by the UConn folks than Adams?

Eric was on the fence with Branham and I just gave him a little nudge. Ok, maybe that’s not quire how that went.

Well, if he paid for his food before he took off that would be a nice change.

I was at his 2 Saturday games. Quick, dirty eval: Legit 6’4”. Thin age-appropriate frame but looks like he’ll add weight ok. Ok length. Good athleticism. Quick 1st step. Solid change of direction. Dunked 2 handed off 2 feet in warmups with no problem. Really nice skill level for such a young kid. Solid handle, a touch high, going both ways and handled ball pressure easily. Right handed but didn’t favor it. Stroke is textbook with college 3-pt range. Pure PG. Sees the whole floor and processes quickly. Kept the ball and other guys moving(side note: that’s a pretty well-coached travel team). Got cute trying to make a couple of tough passes but by and large took care of the ball. Strange for a young PG, but the kid has a decent understanding of how to play without the ball. Stayed in motion and timed up a couple of cuts beautifully. Was constantly directing and orchestrating. Defense was travel ball quality. Made a couple of nice plays in the passing lanes and a couple of nice help moments.but lost man awareness a few times and got a bit bored a couple of times. Kid was a fun watch. Looking forward to seeing him in high school games to see if he’s assertive enough to just take over. My guess would be he is.

Thompson is in that “any idiot sees it” category. You work him until he tells you to go away.

Pope probably told him the Thoroughbred Quarter Pounder w/cheese was a must try and that thing’s just not for everybody.

Correct. Particularly with 1 year kids the IU situation may not be the fit they’re looking for short of a straight overpay, and DDV may not be willing to do that for anyone. But a kid like Wilkerson may decide that getting a big check, playing P4 at a high profile gig, getting shots until his arm falls off and having the chance to rebuild something might be appealing if he’s the right sort. I would love for him to talk to a guy like Hood-Schifino who could tell him about literally becoming a legend in 1 year. That doesn’t happen many places.

Don’t you have a meeting to conduct or something?

Anyone who puts value in being a MCDAA or not being one really needs to look at Baye Fall. He was there on the strength of a couple of good camps and that he was an elite run/jump athlete who could really change direction. But he straight up hated contact and he was a glacially slow mental processor. When IU showed some interest in Baye Ndongo I found a couple of games they played against each other and there was simply no question who the better player was. Ndongo flat handled him.

Also read some post that I can’t find anymore that the kid just got in the country in August and the 2nd half of their season his stat line averages was something like 13/13/5blks.

Yeah, that’s right. The JUCO years not counting anymore is gonna take me a while to get used to.

I get that, though scouting stat lines can be pretty sketchy, particularly in the JUCO world, and if you were recruiting to Woody’s system with the plan to play through him he’s probably not ready for that. But as a rim runner/PnR finisher /rim protector who’s a rotation piece with a matchup specific role and has 3 years of eligibility to develop him, I see the value in that.

Yeah, I think the theory behind taking a 22yo to the track and the reality of doing it may not align that well. My 22yo self would have been over that in about 15 mins.