2023 SF/PF Mackenzie Mgbako to INDI-F’N-ANA

[Demo 20,369]

Mgbako has such a nice stroke. So does little brother. His looks a lot like Buddy Hield’s. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 85,233]

https://hoosierillustrated.com/indiana-basketball-freshman-mackenzie-mgbako-tabbed-as-a-dick-vitale-diaper-dandy-this-season/?fbclid=IwAR3laK2IxI5ARnIU9RAiQCaC82yWwZIfB-UDQqeuiUn2SjoBDdTjfIvtprk#google_vignette

[go iu bb 6,273]

1 hour ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

https://hoosierillustrated.com/indiana-basketball-freshman-mackenzie-mgbako-tabbed-as-a-dick-vitale-diaper-dandy-this-season/?fbclid=IwAR3laK2IxI5ARnIU9RAiQCaC82yWwZIfB-UDQqeuiUn2SjoBDdTjfIvtprk#google_vignette

Bronny James is on that list. 

- Like many other honors he's gotten, would he be if his dad wasn't Lebron? Doubtful. He's good but not great from everything I've read of him. Sounds like he's getting overrated and overhyped.

- Will he even play this year after his cardiac arrest? Seems pretty risky. Damar Hamlin (NFL/Bills) is playing again but his cardiac arrest was ~9 months ago and could be attributed to getting hit in the chest. It hasn't been nearly as long form Bronny and I don't think it was caused by contact.

Also on that list is Booker. I think he's very overrated. Has a ton of talent but doesn't seem to have the mentality to be great. I guess we'll see.

IU will play against at least 2 of the players on that list.

[RaceToTheTop 26,188]

2 hours ago, go iu bb said:

Bronny James is on that list. 

- Like many other honors he's gotten, would he be if his dad wasn't Lebron? Doubtful. He's good but not great from everything I've read of him. Sounds like he's getting overrated and overhyped.

- Will he even play this year after his cardiac arrest? Seems pretty risky. Damar Hamlin (NFL/Bills) is playing again but his cardiac arrest was ~9 months ago and could be attributed to getting hit in the chest. It hasn't been nearly as long form Bronny and I don't think it was caused by contact.

Also on that list is Booker. I think he's very overrated. Has a ton of talent but doesn't seem to have the mentality to be great. I guess we'll see.

IU will play against at least 2 of the players on that list.

Bronny James is ranked 95th by 247….not exactly a watch list type.

[go iu bb 6,273]

2 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

Bronny James is ranked 95th by 247….not exactly a watch list type.

You must be remembering old rankings. I don't remember him being that low, usually ranked in the 40s or 50s until somewhat recently. They have him as a 4* at 27 with a composite ranking of 5* at 22. While I think those are inflated by who his daddy is, the most likely rankings to really be huge difference makers in year 1 are top 5 or top 10. His classmate is much more likely have a huge impact than him. That's if he even plays this year.

https://247sports.com/player/bronny-james-46058619/

[RaceToTheTop 26,188]

Just now, go iu bb said:

You must be remembering old rankings. I don't remember him being that low, usually ranked in the 40s or 50s until somewhat recently. They have him as a 4* at 27 with a composite ranking of 5* at 22. While I think those are inflated by who his daddy is, the most likely rankings to really be huge difference makers in year 1 are top 5 or top 10. His classmate is much more likely have a huge impact than him. That's if he even plays this year.

https://247sports.com/player/bronny-james-46058619/

Oops…I was looking at a rating, not a rank.

[go iu bb 6,273]

2 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

Oops…I was looking at a rating, not a rank.

Looks like I typed his usual rankings wrong. 30s and 40s was what I meant. I was thinking top 40 and top 50.

[IU_FanClub 1,682]

Sorry if this has already been talked about been awhile since I've been on here but I am really confused with all the national media talk of our frontcourt overlapping. They're basically saying Mgbako and Malik are the same player and I do not see it whatsoever. Maybe Mack's lateral quickness won't be all the way where it needs to be defensively but from all the video I've seen he looks more than comfortable playing offense on the wing whereas Malik is a down low guy. Plus with Ware's shooting ability I really don't see where the "clogged paint" is coming from other than these guys just being lazy in their coverage.

 

Obviously that is not to say we have a perfect team in fact I would be shocked if we did not experience growing pains during the season but our roster is way better than it is getting credit for IMO.

[HoosierFan1994 4,754]

55 minutes ago, IU_FanClub said:

Sorry if this has already been talked about been awhile since I've been on here but I am really confused with all the national media talk of our frontcourt overlapping. They're basically saying Mgbako and Malik are the same player and I do not see it whatsoever. Maybe Mack's lateral quickness won't be all the way where it needs to be defensively but from all the video I've seen he looks more than comfortable playing offense on the wing whereas Malik is a down low guy. Plus with Ware's shooting ability I really don't see where the "clogged paint" is coming from other than these guys just being lazy in their coverage.

 

Obviously that is not to say we have a perfect team in fact I would be shocked if we did not experience growing pains during the season but our roster is way better than it is getting credit for IMO.

I've said the same thing as you. I think Malik, Mack, and Kel'el will work. The staff wouldn't have put them together if they didn't feel it wouldn't work. 

[Home Jersey 8,140]

Not at all concerned about Mack's ability to fit next to Malik and Kel'el on offense (defense either, but a little more than offense)

I think people are suddenly low on his shooting ability for two main reasons: A) They're only looking at the most recent EYBL stats, where he had a poor shooting stretch for a few games that really brought down his averages. B) The narrative around him as a prospect definitely changed substantially post Duke de-commit. Probably to be expected given their hype train, but he's still the same guy. 

Like I said, I'm not expecting 20/5/5 from day 1.

But, he is going to bring a great work ethic and help us stretch the floor. Very confident in his ability to do that. 

Tip-off can't come soon enough! 

[HoosierFan1994 4,754]

2 hours ago, TeeterInNJ said:

Not at all concerned about Mack's ability to fit next to Malik and Kel'el on offense (defense either, but a little more than offense)

I think people are suddenly low on his shooting ability for two main reasons: A) They're only looking at the most recent EYBL stats, where he had a poor shooting stretch for a few games that really brought down his averages. B) The narrative around him as a prospect definitely changed substantially post Duke de-commit. Probably to be expected given their hype train, but he's still the same guy. 

Like I said, I'm not expecting 20/5/5 from day 1.

But, he is going to bring a great work ethic and help us stretch the floor. Very confident in his ability to do that. 

Tip-off can't come soon enough! 

Early on might be a struggle with playing UConn, possibly Texas, Auburn, and Kansas. However, I think by January this team will look good. 

[Demo 20,369]

Not that it hasn’t been clear from the jump, but Mgbako is an impressive kid and he will rep the school very well.

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,547]

10 minutes ago, Demo said:

Not that it hasn’t been clear from the jump, but Mgbako is an impressive kid and he will rep the school very well.

Work hard Play hard.  He says he’s 6’6” which is semi interesting.  Either way he’s playing the 3 which was presumed by everyone. He sees himself as a SF and so does the staff it seems.  
Front court looks nice. 

[go iu bb 6,273]

9 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Work hard Play hard.  He says he’s 6’6” which is semi interesting.  Either way he’s playing the 3 which was presumed by everyone. He sees himself as a SF and so does the staff it seems.  
Front court looks nice. 

I heard 6'8" but it could easily be heard as 6'6".

[MemphisHoosier 2,266]

2 hours ago, go iu bb said:

I heard 6'8" but it could easily be heard as 6'6".

I heard 6'8" as well, but more importantly - WOW what an impressive young man.  Mature, grounded, and extremely likable, great job by CMW & Staff!

[Ricochet 53]

Without a doubt he said 6'8.

[BGleas 7,917]

4 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Work hard Play hard.  He says he’s 6’6” which is semi interesting.  Either way he’s playing the 3 which was presumed by everyone. He sees himself as a SF and so does the staff it seems.  
Front court looks nice. 

I would love it if we had the guard/wing depth to play Mgbako at the 4 in smaller, more skilled and athletic lineup. 

[J34 1,490]

47 minutes ago, BGleas said:

I would love it if we had the guard/wing depth to play Mgbako at the 4 in smaller, more skilled and athletic lineup. 

Agree. I believe we will see plenty of either Ware, Malik, or Sparks playing the 5 with MM, Kaleb, Trey/CJ, and X.

Looking forward to see how Coach utilizes all of these interchangeable parts he has. Although we're thin in the backcourt, if we're fortunate enough to avoid any setbacks, this team could be very dangerous down the stretch. Not many pg's in the country,  I would take over a healthy/under control, 6th year XJ.

[realTomCrean 1,544]

11 hours ago, BGleas said:

I would love it if we had the guard/wing depth to play Mgbako at the 4 in smaller, more skilled and athletic lineup. 

X

Galloway

Banks

MM

Ware/Reneau

I would think this is a possible lineup. 

[Banksyrules 4,863]

16 hours ago, Demo said:

Not that it hasn’t been clear from the jump, but Mgbako is an impressive kid and he will rep the school very well.

I never knew I can love someone at first sight until now....