2023-24 Portal Options

[721Comstock]

As I recall, Fielder didn't make it on campus for his visit.

I think it would be an uphill battle.

IIRC -
That's because Ed Cooley went and visited him at his home.

(something JAB often couldn't be bothered to do)

IIRC, he then cancelled his OV shortly after that, and then committed to PC.

Or course, he may want to follow Cooley to G-Town (chokes back puke), so yeah - who knows if we have any chance here, or not??

 

[Orangezoo]

Just watched Zach Hicks' portal highlight video:
The entire thing consists of spot-up 3-pointers. Looks like a good player. He'll be a Junior. I assume he would demand a starting position. Which tells me Red may be moving away from Bell at the 3. My problem is this: if we're looking for a transfer wing to start (which I'm on board for), I hope they land a do-it-all stud wing. Not sure this guy beats defenders off the dribble. Seems pretty similar to Bell, so why not just go with Bell. As a sophomore he rebounded better than Bell as a freshman. That's a big deal if Bell can't learn to rebound. If either him or Bell would settle for a bench position, then it's good to have options of shooters at the 3. If Judah and JJ start at guard, we'll definitely need shooting forwards. Both guards excel at getting to the rim, so we should surround them with shooters and I suppose it's less important for our 3 to beat guys off the dribble, although I'd really like that.

I guess I'm just wondering if we could do better at the forward position if we're moving away from our current guys. Remains to be seen whether Bell takes a big sophomore leap. His shot is pure and he's athletic. I only watched this one video, and he could be capable of more than I saw. Also it's early in the portal so it's good to see the staff building relationships, and perhaps better players enter the portal later they can pursue. I'm open to someone changing my mind.

I think it's fair to say it's just good to see the staff being aggressive in the portal. Whether Hicks is someone we end up landing or not seems things are happening in general to find guys who make us better.

 

[Orange Barrel]

Just watched Zach Hicks' portal highlight video:
The entire thing consists of spot-up 3-pointers. Looks like a good player. He'll be a Junior. I assume he would demand a starting position. Which tells me Red may be moving away from Bell at the 3. My problem is this: if we're looking for a transfer wing to start (which I'm on board for), I hope they land a do-it-all stud wing. Not sure this guy beats defenders off the dribble. Seems pretty similar to Bell, so why not just go with Bell. As a sophomore he rebounded better than Bell as a freshman. That's a big deal if Bell can't learn to rebound. If either him or Bell would settle for a bench position, then it's good to have options of shooters at the 3. If Judah and JJ start at guard, we'll definitely need shooting forwards. Both guards excel at getting to the rim, so we should surround them with shooters and I suppose it's less important for our 3 to beat guys off the dribble, although I'd really like that.

I guess I'm just wondering if we could do better at the forward position if we're moving away from our current guys. Remains to be seen whether Bell takes a big sophomore leap. His shot is pure and he's athletic. I only watched this one video, and he could be capable of more than I saw. Also it's early in the portal so it's good to see the staff building relationships, and perhaps better players enter the portal later they can pursue. I'm open to someone changing my mind.

He definitely has the ability to put the ball on the floor and make something happen, but to your point, it was usually a surprise when he actually did. Maybe McKie wanted him camped out at the arc. I couldn't say for sure. He certainly isn't afraid to mix it up with the big guys.

 

[Melancer46]

Just watched Zach Hicks' portal highlight video:
The entire thing consists of spot-up 3-pointers. Looks like a good player. He'll be a Junior. I assume he would demand a starting position. Which tells me Red may be moving away from Bell at the 3. My problem is this: if we're looking for a transfer wing to start (which I'm on board for), I hope they land a do-it-all stud wing. Not sure this guy beats defenders off the dribble. Seems pretty similar to Bell, so why not just go with Bell. As a sophomore he rebounded better than Bell as a freshman. That's a big deal if Bell can't learn to rebound. If either him or Bell would settle for a bench position, then it's good to have options of shooters at the 3. If Judah and JJ start at guard, we'll definitely need shooting forwards. Both guards excel at getting to the rim, so we should surround them with shooters and I suppose it's less important for our 3 to beat guys off the dribble, although I'd really like that.

I guess I'm just wondering if we could do better at the forward position if we're moving away from our current guys. Remains to be seen whether Bell takes a big sophomore leap. His shot is pure and he's athletic. I only watched this one video, and he could be capable of more than I saw. Also it's early in the portal so it's good to see the staff building relationships, and perhaps better players enter the portal later they can pursue. I'm open to someone changing my mind.

How dare you, there were at least 5 plays in there where he wasn't just spotting up lol.

Seriously though, his shot diet is definitely extremely similar to Bell where they both almost solely attempt 3's. Bell showed very little ability to do anything off the bounce (outside of some transition buckets) in high school as well, but he showed a little more of a well-rounded game this season IMO.

Just based off the highlight video you mentioned above and looking at Hicks' stats, it appears that Hicks may do a better job of relocating on the 3 point line to find openings vs. Bell mostly just being a standstill shooter. Rebounding obviously isn't very close at this point; Hicks was around 6-8 rebounds per 40 minutes vs. Bell being around half that.

Sam Vecenie said that NBA teams are keeping an eye on Hicks due to his shooting ability and athleticism, but he doesn't really look like much athletically to me; Bell seems quicker/more bouncy.

 

[Cuse'91]

Hicks kinda reminds me of BJ; not a bad thing.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

I feel like we can do better that Hicks in the portal at the position. Good to see the staff being active though.

 

[CardiacCuse]

I feel like we can do better that Hicks in the portal at the position. Good to see the staff being active though.

I agree based on stats - but I noticed in the release that ...Hicks said: GMac is looking for shooting at the forward spot.

makes a lot of sense...JJ and Judah are not 3pt specialists...so that means the forwards almost MUST be.

overall, I would want a versatile forward who can do everything AND shoot 3s and not be so one dimensional...BUT I get it. THAT kind of forward might not necessarily be easy to find.

re: Hicks vs Bell...well rebounding matters. and seems hicks may also be slightly better as a shooter.

 

[UpstateSM]

Would be a solid Plan C option if we need a four and whiff on top guys. Numbers would have been much better if he wasn’t stuck behind the coach’s kid.

 

[Sherman20]

I really wanted this kid. I hope we get back involved.

Same. I wonder if Fielder follows Cooley to Gtown. Or if we can get back in it with Red and Griff.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Fly Rodder]

I think it's fair to say it's just good to see the staff being aggressive in the portal.

absolutely. Cast that wide net. Not every target will commit, but check on all them of that might/can/could help.

 

[jdubs30]

This guy is very, very good

 

[M2MPrinciples]

This guy is very, very good

According to hoop-math, more than half his shots in 2021-22 were jumpers, but he's 6'9" and 250. I'd expect a lot more dunks and layups from someone that size. Anyone know what happened there?

 

[CardiacCuse]

According to hoop-math, more than half his shots in 2021-22 were jumpers, but he's 6'9" and 250. I'd expect a lot more dunks and layups from someone that size. Anyone know what happened there?

perhaps he is more than a big body and can actually play basketball?? (perhaps he isnt a high flyer, either) idk just a guess

 

[Iony44ny]

According to hoop-math, more than half his shots in 2021-22 were jumpers, but he's 6'9" and 250. I'd expect a lot more dunks and layups from someone that size. Anyone know what happened there?

Kinda like Bennie, he can’t dunk either lol

 

[Jake]

I have a feeling we’re turning our entire roster over in 2 years. It will look nothing like, and play nothing like this years team.

 

[RF2044]

I have a feeling we’re turning our entire roster over in 2 years. It will look nothing like, and play nothing like this years team.

Agreed.

And that's a good thing, on both counts.

 

[JDubbin]

Any insiders tapped in on if, or when, Girard makes his decision?

 

[Orangefizz]

For those who needed a refresher this is the kid that beat up on Estrella. He was supposed to visit but Cooley outworked us and got the commitment.

Would MUCH MUCH rather have grad transfer Josh Oduro from George Mason than freshman Drew Fielder.

 

[UpstateSM]

Any guard or wing from Temple should definitely wait to commit until they see if they hire Langel

 

[Jake]

Any insiders tapped in on if, or when, Girard makes his decision?

I’m not convinced it’s his decision to make.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Any guard or wing from Temple should definitely wait to commit until they see if they hire Langel

Really thought Langel could do better than Temple...

 

[cusefan88]

Really thought Langel could do better than Temple...

He played at Penn so he could have an attachment to coaching in Philadelphia.

 

[Cusesky8214]

 

[Cuse4455]

From New Hartford, avg 13pts -9 Reb