IthacaMatt
Old Timer / Unofficial Contributor for 25+ years
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BUT HE SAID LIFE CHANGING OFFER
Yeah, that's kind of troubling. I hope they didn't have to pay much money for a kid like this.
BUT HE SAID LIFE CHANGING OFFER
Of course it is. But this board is ridiculous. This kid is a practice player. He is not going to play ahead of JJ, George or Fennell. Why are people upset about this addition? Not going to play ahead of Anthony either. So what exactly is the objection?
Some dumbasss posted his Evan Miya and all his efficiencies like 5 mins after the announcement bashing him. As if they mean anything in the Mountain West and Juco leagues. He's 6'4 and 25 years old and it not injured. All 3 of those things are big upgrades.
The upgrades are pretty significant honestly and I don’t think that’s controversial either. The real unknown is coaching. With good coaching this roster should be hands down a tournament team once we add Deng or a similar player. With the coaching we have? A huge unknown.
Didn’t have anyone over 6’9 in 08-09 and 09-10 either. Dude is the 11th or 12th man at best.
Donnie Freeman is that guy for us next year. He was a ranked 33rd by RSCI as a junior in October of 23 (listed at 6’7, btw) because of his post game and overall athleticism.We still lack a legit big man, someone with size who can get a basket or get to the line when you throw it into the low post. That is necessary to open up the outside shooting, folks.
It was no accident that Bell started shooting well late in the year when Eddie was playing so well offensively. They had to guard, if not double him in the post. That creates an open shooter.
Donnie Freeman is that guy for us next year. He was a ranked 33rd by RSCI as a junior in October of 23 (listed at 6’7, btw) because of his post game and overall athleticism.
By May of 24, he had shot up to 8th in those same rankings for three reasons, one major, two minor. First, he was now listed at 6’9 (those couple of inches and their corresponding additional length really matter). Secondly, he started showing much better handle on the perimeter. But most importantly, Freeman started showing he has consistent three point shooting.
He also said our projected centers have 7’1” and 7’3” wing spans and Kyle has a 40 plus vertical. It sounded like he’s very comfortable with center.Red said tonight that Donnie has grown another inch. He’s up to 6’10, 6’11”.
He also said our projected centers have 7’1” and 7’3” wing spans and Kyle has a 40 plus vertical. It sounded like he’s very comfortable with center.
They are being picky with whats left in the portal. It has to be the right fit. Those were Red and Alex Klines words tonight.Except if even one of them gets in foul trouble, that means we are playing either Donnie or Saddiq out of position at center. And if somebody gets hurt, what then?
We would be in the same boat as the last couple years. Red hopefully has learned that the team needs a viable 3rd center in case of foul trouble or injury.
umm cmon manYeah, that's kind of troubling. I hope they didn't have to pay much money for a kid like this.
Where are they talking?They are being picky with whats left in the portal. It has to be the right fit. Those were Red and Alex Klines words tonight.
They had a state of the program webcast for some donors/season ticket holders that I was invited to tonight.Where are they talking?
umm cmon man
I agree with most of what you said. Freeman should be involved in all the offensive possessions. I want him posting up often, I especially want him setting screens in the pick and roll. Freeman is a walking mismatch, but he’s a merely good shooter, not a great one. Kingz can be the decoy a lot of possessions spreading the floor while Freeman and George (or Starling) are running the pick and roll.Here's the problem, Donnie likes the 3 too much. He doesn't play in the low post, like ever. All he gets are put backs or dump offs down low. Nearly 1/3 of his shots were from the 3 point line in limited time last year. He's likely to shoot even more from three this year.
He thinks he's an NBA three, and so that's what he's going to want to do this year, just like Dontae Green or Oshae Brissett neglected what we needed them to do (be more physical) to try to show they can play outside at the next level. It wasn't about team.
If I were coaching next year's offense, I would go back to the high-low post of the Arinze & Rick years. Kyle plays the low block where he can finish a lob or a dump off. But we need him to be able to get up a decent shot with his back to the basket, or else this offense won't work.
To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.
That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.
Oh nice! Any other good nuggets?They had a state of the program webcast for some donors/season ticket holders that I was invited to tonight.
Striving to be nationally relevant. Alex Kline mentioned Houston and UConn(Barf) multiple times. Looked for guys who can play both ways and will play hard.Oh nice! Any other good nuggets?
You have no idea what they paid, so why get upset over it? I'm sure it wasn't ridiculous.I'm not looking to complain, but to me we need another big body much more than we need a practice guard. It might be big money in this kid's life, and i respect that, but I only hope we didn't overpay for a guy less likely to play than a guy in a position of need (if they learned anything at all as coaches these last 2 years ...)
Thanks! Good stuff.Striving to be nationally relevant. Alex Kline mentioned Houston and UConn(Barf) multiple times. Looked for guys who can play both ways and will play hard.
Height wasn’t everything for centers. They looked at wingspan and athleticism for that position. You can tell they are really excited about George.
Kline watched as many games as possible across all conferences to scout possible transfers last season. They rely on any means possible to find players. AAU coaches, Euro coaches, and tips they receive. Kline sounds really impressive. Reminds me of listening to someone like Bob Myers who was the Warriors GM forever.
That would require... COACHING.To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.
That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.
I can't disagree about Donnie drifting too much to the 3 pt line. But a big part of that could have been...where was he going to post up with Eddie taking up the lane? I love the idea of Donnie as the screener, it could lead to a lot of open jump shots because Donnie may need to be doubled. How Donnie develops is basically the season to me.Here's the problem, Donnie likes the 3 too much. He doesn't play in the low post, like ever. All he gets are put backs or dump offs down low. Nearly 1/3 of his shots were from the 3 point line in limited time last year. He's likely to shoot even more from three this year.
He thinks he's an NBA three, and so that's what he's going to want to do this year, just like Dontae Green or Oshae Brissett neglected what we needed them to do (be more physical) to try to show they can play outside at the next level. It wasn't about team.
If I were coaching next year's offense, I would go back to the high-low post of the Arinze & Rick years. Kyle plays the low block where he can finish a lob or a dump off. But we need him to be able to get up a decent shot with his back to the basket, or else this offense won't work.
To me, I'd rather see Donnie between the foul line / elbow and the three point line. Let him - not Eddie - be the screener, and you have a more dynamic offense. Donnie is made to shoot that midrange jumper over guards on the switch. He can obviously pop out to the 3 point line, or dive to the basket.
That's how he has to be used, not just stand around the 3 point line waiting for a pass. That's what I'm afraid of from Donnie next year.
You have no idea what they paid, so why get upset over it? I'm sure it wasn't ridiculous.
I can't disagree about Donnie drifting too much to the 3 pt line. But a big part of that could have been...where was he going to post up with Eddie taking up the lane? I love the idea of Donnie as the screener, it could lead to a lot of open jump shots because Donnie may need to be doubled. How Donnie develops is basically the season to me.
He clearly figures into the plans if we brought him in.Do you know? All I know is what the kid posted.
I just hope it wasn't a lot paid for a guy who doesn't figure into our plans.