Class of 2023 C Owen Freeman (IL) Portal to Auburn

[007]

The concern is now we might be stuck with someone even worse. I did not like him at all, but it is possible we like the guy we end up with even less.

Well...yeah we absolutely could. Or, we could add another high end rim protector/rebounder to pair with the defenders that Gerry already has.

To be clear though, every team needs to have an interior scoring threat to be highly competitive at the P5 level, IMO. I'm not talking about scoring big numbers per se, but the threat of post up scorer to force teams to defend it. It does not necessarily have to come from the 5, but that's the ideal prototype.

 

[granthath9]

We've now missed on Freeman, Wilkins, Jalen Cox, and a bunch of the other "bigger" names we've been linked to. It's not one guy. If the program wants us to believe they have money, they need to show us they have it.

Jalen Cox hasn’t committed anywhere yet… Wilkins got way more money than he should have from Kentucky and Freeman is no sure thing like I said. I don’t know why you’re freaking out.

 

[SaveSUHoops]

Jalen Cox hasn’t committed anywhere yet… Wilkins got way more money than he should have from Kentucky and Freeman is no sure thing like I said. I don’t know why you’re freaking out.

Do you think the roster we have right now is good enough to make the tournament? Say we add Wilson or Williams to play the 5. Is that a Top 6 ACC Roster? Do you think that's a team a Top 6 ACC Payroll brings you?

I'm "freaking out" because since the portal opened we haven't been a factor in CBB. We were told that G-Mac (who I am behind 100%) would bring the most money of any candidate for the role. We've got to spend money at some point on some impact player.

 

[Orangezoo]

We don't have better guys right now.

This will be the dead horse back and forth the next 4 months. If Donnie was healthy and the player we thought he would be I’d say sure ( maybe he still will hey). George was easy to replace with better as was JJ. Kingz is the hardest one to replace. Kyle is tbd and how much we improve over George will depend on who we add at lead guard.

 

[granthath9]

Do you think the roster we have right now is good enough to make the tournament? Say we add Wilson or Williams to play the 5. Is that a Top 6 ACC Roster? Do you think that's a team a Top 6 ACC Payroll brings you?

I'm "freaking out" because since the portal opened we haven't been a factor in CBB. We were told that G-Mac (who I am behind 100%) would bring the most money of any candidate for the role. We've got to spend money at some point on some impact player.

I’m not arguing with you. You’re clearly way too emotional over teenagers decisions.

 

[Nicknack]

Freeman is 21 yrs old

 

[RedtheGOB]

Dodged a bullet guys. 12th man on a bad team for a reason. Below the rim, slow, dealing with some anxiety when he comes into games ala JJ, chuck Knoblauch, so bad he would fumble the ball, throw it away, etc to the point he was unplayable along with his inability to guard anyone. Way to slow for the 4, wish him the best at Auburn.

Ha why didn’t you just say he had the JJ yips way back. We wouldn’t have been such a jerk to you.

 

[granthath9]

Ha why didn’t you just say he had the JJ yips way back. We wouldn’t have been such a jerk to you.

No kidding lol

 

[Red Holzman]

I'd rather have a team of 8-9 guys who can all play, then blow the budget on one player and fill in the gaps with scrubs.

Yes.
Risk: $$$$$ guy injured, out for the season = season over.
The guys assembled so far can play, and they have upside.
I'm trusting that the staff will coach up their guys, and the whole > sum of its parts.
A bunch of hungry scrappers that want to win vs. "got my bag" top-tier NIL 3M's (Multi-Millionaire Mercenaries).
A team with a chip on their shoulder, looking to prove themselves, that are equals with no 3M Alpha Dog distraction.
I'm OK going that route.

 

[pearl31]

No kidding lol

yeah I mean the repeated vague assertions to apparently "protect" Freeman's reputation were actually more detrimental to said reputation than just simply stating what the actual (perceived) issues was/is

 

[RF2044]

Risk: $$$$$ guy injured, out for the season = season over.
The guys assembled so far can play, and they have upside.
I'm trusting that the staff will coach up their guys, and the whole > sum of its parts.
A bunch of hungry scrappers that want to win vs. "got my bag" top-tier NIL 3M's (Multi-Millionaire Mercenaries).
A team with a chip on their shoulder, looking to prove themselves, that are equals with no 3M Alpha Dog distraction.
I'm OK going that route.

I think it needs to be both.

"Hungry scrappers" isn't good enough. It's a rationalization to think otherwise.

Our best teams have had a handful of talented difference makers, surrounded by scrappers.

Not sure who the talented difference makers are on next year's roster yet. Maybe it is 3M. Maybe Tobiason. Or maybe they aren't here yet.

But I don't think we can just put together a bunch of Siena guys and win in the ACC. We need good players, and we need some guys who can elevate both the floor and the ceiling of the team.

 

[bnoro]

I think the issue is less "Gerry can't close" and more "Gerry thinks we're consistently in a better spot with kids than we actually are".

I'll continue to give him the benefit of the doubt but if a kid is visiting other schools after your visit, you can't think you're in the drivers seat. I'm hoping the pivot we saw with Luke Wilson was him realizing we weren't landing Freeman.

 

[007]

I'm "freaking out" because since the portal opened we haven't been a factor in CBB.

We have not been a factor in CBB for 5 years now. Are you certain we do not have a better roster and a better staff going into next season?

We were told that G-Mac (who I am behind 100%) would bring the most money of any candidate for the role.

Some of the most connected posters we have indicated that this is likely true.

We've got to spend money at some point on some impact player.

I share your concern about adding another impact player. It's the supposition that we have not spent money part that I wonder about. Unless you know with certainty how much was spent on Tobiason, Dotty, Dual, and Euros or, more importantly what their potential impact could be.

Too early to jump to those conclusions. But, without question, a lot is riding on Gerry's ability to know "good" when he sees it.

 

[DoctahLexus]

We might not ever have another winning season, we might lose half the team to injury, we might have another pandemic and lose the post season.. it’s far easier to pile onto the overwhelming feeling of frustration and apathy than to let some hope and trust sneak in. I’m not sure we could do a better job of sowing doubt on this hire and how the roster will perform once complete than we have as a fanbase so far. So kudos to everyone for appropriately carrying the appropriate level of skepticism to be in full force come this winter.

The doubt has risen naturally due to the quality of guys we have landed/been in the conversation for so far. Fanbase is acting appropriately based on the early results, especially with the speculation from credible posters that we went with Gmac for NIL reasons compared to other potential coaches. We have shown no signs of having a next level competitive NIL war chest in these early stages.

The fanbase will stop doubting when we are given a reason to stop doubting. It is not over the top pessimistic to be concerned with our ability to land guys out of the portal so far.

 

[Orangezoo]

I think the issue is less "Gerry can't close" and more "Gerry thinks we're consistently in a better spot with kids than we actually are".

I'll continue to give him the benefit of the doubt but if a kid is visiting other schools after your visit, you can't think you're in the drivers seat. I'm hoping the pivot we saw with Luke Wilson was him realizing we weren't landing Freeman.

To me now the tell tale is did we step into the Wilson conversation to say let’s land this plane asap and get it done vs drag this out.

 

[Cusefan78]

I hope you aren't saying that I crapped on your opinion because I didn't. I disagree with it. Money is always going to be an issue but we have money to compete this year. We are not at the top of the heap and anyone that said that would have been wrong. As wrong as the people that think we are one of the sisters of the poor. Wrong on both counts. A lot of money came in with Gerry. More than we could probably of had with any other choice. And if you don't remember, Gerry wasn't my first choice. But I will give the devil his due. no other coach that we were considering would have raised the money that Gerry has. We have spent a great deal of money to get the guys that we have got. I have heard what we have offered Freeman. It would make Omaha sick.

We are in full agreement here. I wanted a new system and to get away from jb. After that wasn’t going to be the option we wanted him I’m fully on board with gmac and I think they will do great and out coach a lot of better teams. I really worry about recruiting and bringing in enough talent to compete though, that’s my only gripe. If he can figure out that aspect then we will get back to a respectable level.

 

[cusefan88]

I think the issue is less "Gerry can't close" and more "Gerry thinks we're consistently in a better spot with kids than we actually are".

I'll continue to give him the benefit of the doubt but if a kid is visiting other schools after your visit, you can't think you're in the drivers seat. I'm hoping the pivot we saw with Luke Wilson was him realizing we weren't landing Freeman.

Feels like the portal rule of thumb is if you got a visit and prospect left without signing that ship is likely sailing.

 

[CapitalO]

 

[MSOrange]

I had forgotten, but Auburn has a former Iowa assistant on their staff. I know money guides decisions these days, but that could have also played a factor.

 

[Cusefan78]

It is just the current reality. It is going to take us turning the ship around for top guys to want to come here. It isn't a permanent mentality, but we have to fix the program first. If Gerry can win this year, it makes it more probable to land top guys next cycle.

Auburn is not a better brand then Syracuse when it comes to basketball even with the past down years. Stop making excuses. Other schools are plain old paying more

 

[pearl31]

We have not been a factor in CBB for 5 years now. Are you certain we do not have a better roster and a better staff going into next season?


Some of the most connected posters we have indicated that this is likely true.


I share your concern about adding another impact player. It's the supposition that we have not spent money part that I wonder about. Unless you know with certainty how much was spent on Tobiason, Dotty, Dual, and Euros or, more importantly what their potential impact could be.

Too early to jump to those conclusions. But, without question, a lot is riding on Gerry's ability to know "good" when he sees it.

Great post.

 

[Orangezoo]

Auburn is not a better brand then Syracuse when it comes to basketball even with the past down years. Stop making excuses. Other schools are plain old paying more

Right now they are a better brand with NBA placement and success.

 

[Red Holzman]

I think it needs to be both.

"Hungry scrappers" isn't good enough. It's a rationalization to think otherwise.

Our best teams have had a handful of talented difference makers, surrounded by scrappers.

Not sure who the talented difference makers are on next year's roster yet. Maybe it is 3M. Maybe Tobiason. Or maybe they aren't here yet.

But I don't think we can just put together a bunch of Siena guys and win in the ACC. We need good players, and we need some guys who can elevate both the floor and the ceiling of the team.

Agree regarding difference makers may be committed already -or will be signed.
Not 5* players -but at this point what's assembled is more than "a bunch of Siena guys".
GMac is in my Circle Of Trust -will wait for the song to stop in this game of musical chairs!

 

[pearl31]

Auburn is not a better brand then Syracuse when it comes to basketball

Right now it most certainly is. (Sad) reality

 

[McCuse]

To me now the tell tale is did we step into the Wilson conversation to say let’s land this plane asap and get it done vs drag this out.

I like Wilson! And Freeman sounds a little shady after reading his thread. Plus the injury factor. Wilson's highlights show a fighter down low, loves contact.