Recruiting
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The general idea is that at some point he will be making money playing basketball. But I’m thinking that could be anywhere from Next year (not likely in my opinion) to 3-4 years from now. That’s why I think he could have been shirted if we had to. He would have had a year to catch up to his peers in age while preserving a year of eligibility. It didn’t happen, no big deal and he got some valuable playing time early this year.
He got a handful of starts (early) but only 25 minutes in league play. He’s behind on the depth chart if no one leaves and a big question mark if we sign someone else. It could be til his Junior year where we see him get starter type minutes. Who knows
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One thing we cannot do is recruit over Greene. A shooter like this doesn’t usually come to KU. But he have him, he gaining confidence and playing more minutes, and we are seeing the benefits of having a prolific shooter in the game. With Wayne’s shot coming on, can you imagine if we had a back to the basket big who could draw double teams? We haven’t seen that since Arthur throwing it out of double teams, making the defense scramble and making the extra pass to hit Mario or Rush on the wing.
My friends, this year is not over, and I am excited to what we are going to do in March. But next year with Cliff developing a better skill set, only to have Mason, Seldon, Greene, or Svi (better shooters with another off season under their belt) to pass back out to, that is a magical offense that has me giddy.
Get a shot blocker to come in 15-20 minutes a game (I prefer Diallo. Reminds me of a Baylor Acy if he hads some muscle) and that team will do baaaad things.
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Again, do you see Svi staying 5 years at KU? I really don’t. If he red shirts, he has to practice, train and travel with the team just the same, so she does not have any more time for studying than any other non-red shirt player, he just cannot play in games, the one thing that gives him real on-court experience against real competition. No worries, not a big deal anyway.
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At this time, I can see only Oubre as potentially leaving. If this is the case and if we pick up just one more quality big, then we have a super talented and complete team with experience to boot.
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@JhawkAlum Great point. I really hope we don’t recruit over Greene. He is a guy who simply needs reps to get to his ceiling which incredibly high. Has KU ever had a pure shooter this tall? He really is a rare breed.
I know Bill is looking at multiple OAD perimeter players but I honestly hope we don’t land them. I say go all in on post players. Landen / Mickelson are not the answer. Cliff may or may not leave but probably only get another year from him at the most. Bragg is going to be good but how good? We all thought Cliff would be more dominant than he has been. Jamari is a great energy guy and will be a senior along with finesse post player Perry (not an insult, a fact).
I have posted on here multiple times that next year is our year. I am not saying this year is a done deal but KU could be flirting with a 1-2 loss season next year if everyone comes back (except Oubre who is gone) and we get another talented back to the basket player.
Again, sorry that I have posted this multiple times but I am incredibly pumped that next years starting lineup will most likely be predominantly seniors and juniors. A rarity in the OAD era.
Sorry for all of the “next year” talk. I really do think we have a good shot to go far this year. Just hoping that someone, somewhere, somehow can take down the Evil Empire that is Kentucky. If not us, who?
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@truehawk93 Dude, I totally agree with you. I think next year will be a galactically stellar year for KU. I also only see Oubre as a definite possibility of declaring for the draft. I think there is a possibility he stays too but him going is higher. The kid is good. Somewhere between Ben and Wigs. He should go, but I think he may also need to take care of his Fam the way Ben did a couple years back. Cliff? He is like Trob in that another year or two will see him get much better and increase his draft stock.
This season, we arent at our peak yet. I dont feel we will be disappointed in the NCAAs this year at all. But next year with what we have potentially coming back and the new guy or two? I would imagine we would be one of the pre season favorites to win it all.
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@drgnslayr I do think Ellis has set a standard for McDs players. I think he’s sent a message at least to McDs KU recuits that it’s ok to stay 3-4 years. I really think Ellis staying is huge for KU basketball.
I think you might be onto something with this comment. I hope so.
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@jayballer54 There is nothing but unrest in the Ukraine region. If nothing else, Svi is fairly safe. No…I think his parents will influence his decision. European players and kids have a different mindset. They have a totally different work ethic.
I would say to remember Sasha Kaun? He loves Sasha and one of the reasons he chose KU. It doesn’t make sense to come a year and then go back. If he didn’t want to come, he wouldn’t be here. I think he’s here for the long haul. Also, he wants to play in the NBA.
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He just described KU’s system: Pick and pop, pass, and physical inside presence. I don’t think Zona or UK has much of an inside game. I’m not sure what Alford has at UCLA. I’m not too familiar with UNLV either. I think he fits perfectly at KU with his game. He’s much like Withey.
Steve is going to the NBA regardless of the school he picks. The question is which coach and program will showcase his talents. He’ll just be another big at UK. Calipari won’t develop him. I have no idea what Tarc is doing in Zona. I haven’t heard a word from him since he’s been there. I would think the only other teams that might help him are UNC and L’ville.
Once again, I wish he could speak with Withey. I think Withey could really give him some great input. Interestingly enough, remember that Withey transferred from Zona when Olsen retired and Miller took over, why?
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@joeloveshawks Love, love, love Greene. I was never a critic. I followed him from day one from Georgia to KU. Then many KU fans started bashing his defense. I stayed with him. He is the total package. Don’t forget either, he’s an “A” student too. He’s a great rep in the classroom.
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I would like to get Newman and if not Newman, Zimmerman. We have Bragg. I’d be content with Bragg and all others returning. We need Zimmerman he’d be a huge piece to our run in the tourney. He would be the inside rim presence we so desperately need.
Did you read what Niang said about KU this year? When asked what was different about KU this year…he said…“they don’t have that monster Embiid…” Niang went on to say it was impossible to shoot over him. Now, tell me we don’t need Zimmerman.
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@konkeyDong There you are…
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Illinois had constant access to Alexander too.
I don’t think Calipari develops bigs at all. In fact, Calipari has too many talented players he can’t begin to develop them.
I respectfully disagree with the competition between Alex, Bragg and Zim. Yes, I think Alex and Bragg will compete. In fact, Bragg is all in Alex’s 4 spot. If I were Zim (and I’m not), I would look at the 5. We don’t have a true 5. We don’t have anyone that even comes close to what Zim offers. Alex is not a 5. He is a PF, solid 4. Perry is arguably turning more into a big 3. Perry’s individual game has blossomed right in front of our eyes. He has turned the corner on his perimeter game and his ability to break his man down. He’s proven to be a true post player.
In short, I don’t think Alexander or Bragg should have any bearing on Zimmerman at all. They are two totally different players. We don’t need anymore guards. We need a real inside footer presence, and his name is Stephen Zimmerman.
I agree with you concerning Mickelson. The team chemistry has changed drastically since his arrival. Great guy, but he’s not quite able to secure any real mins. If Zimmerman comes, Mickelson is history.
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@wrwlumpy Nice lookin’ KU superstar, stud, beast, and all around magnificent athlete.
thanks for posting
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@drgnslayr I think my Zimmerman post was for you, not @konkeyDong…sorry, wrong reply.
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I ate up your post like a bear on honey! I’m lovin’ it!
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@Shanghai_RCJH I like your thinking. I’d take Thon if this crazy “qualifying” crap wasn’t such an issue. I’d rather have Zim at this point. But, if we can get Thon qualified, sure, take him.
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Zimmerman better have some springs and long arms to play near the basket, because he has a looooong neck and that means he plays less like a footer and more like a 6-9 guy from the shoulders down.
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@jaybate-1.0 Physically he may be built a lot like Aldrich. However, he seems a bit more athletic, agile, and has good feet. His offense is better too.
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He is very smooth and has a conventional jump shot both of which are rare for footers.
But that long neck, plus the rounded shoulders, means he probably should be a stretch four if he has the footwork needed.
I like him and would love to have him on our team. I just don’t see him as a dominant shot blocker, unless his arm measurements are crazy long like Cole’s.
The other thing he has going for him is he seems intelligent.
He reminds me of Raef LaFrentz.
Another guy he reminds me of is that forward that played for Rick Majerus at Utah. Superb college player that didn’t translate too well to the pros. But Zim seems taller and so much more likely to cut it.
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Wigs is proof that some guys with long necks can overcome them and play even taller than they are.
Of course, it helps to be able to jump out of the gym.
So glad his management seems finally to have green lighted him.
He will slowly, but inexorably overwhelm the NBA. I expect his career to go like Michael Jordan’s did. 3-4 seasons laboring getting all his skills in order and plugging a few gaps, then he gets his Phil Jackson and its off to the races.
Rock Chalk, Wigs!!!
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The thing about Wilt was, he just couldn’t jump and he wasn’t strong enough.
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Zim would be a monster get.
He will instantly turn us into a top team for the trophy in March.
We’ll have back just about everyone and add in Bragg… So we have the 1-4 covered with guys that are experienced playing without a strong 5 who can shot block. Now add in Zim.
The problem we have had before is our 1-4 were spoiled with someone like JoJo so we were easily beat at the 1-4 spots. Adding in Bragg isn’t adding in a slouch either.
And on offense… hopefully Self keeps the threat alive from 3, and then adds in low post scoring feeds, instead of discounting the 3 like he used to. Hopefully, he continues on the Mayor path of taking what the defense gives and exploit match up areas… spread the floor.
Does anyone know… can Bragg or Zim shoot on the perimeter? I hear Zim talking about pick and pop… but does he have range?
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Love the stamps. Love how they had to stretch them long to an unconventional length to fit in the Big Dipper.
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@drgnslayr With the guys we have returning (or assumed to be) we are going to be a top 5 team with or without Zimmerman. He would be amazing to have of course but we are going to be a really deep and Junior / Senior heavy team regardless of who we sign from here on out.
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@truehawk93 So on the issue of competition between Bragg, Big Cliff, and Big Zim, yeah, I get that Zim’s a 5 and the others are 4s, but Self has played a 4b when he had a true 5 available in the past (see 2008 team), so it wouldn’t be unprecedented for him to play a forward over a center. But more to the point, despite being #1 in his position in his class, generally regarded as very coachable, and usually making a big impact in the minutes he’s given, Cliff still doesn’t start, nor is he regularly getting starter level minutes in the rotation, despite playing behind a much less talented and somewhat spastic Jr. So that raises the obvious question, why come to KU where your minutes aren’t guaranteed when UNLV is more than willing to roll out the red carpet (not to mention that really, there’s no one else standing in the way once Christian Wood declares)? If Self were willing to guarantee Zim 30 minutes a game, I don’t think it would be an issue, but we both know that’s just not how he operates.
I’d love nothing more than to land Zimmerman, but I think it’s much less of a realistic possibility at this point when compared to other available bigs, including Rabb, Diallo, and Thon Maker. And don’t try to apply logic and/or reasoning to this cause we all know logic has nothing to do with 18 yr olds behavior.
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The exposure you get at KU is considerably more than what you get at UNLV, not only because the Big 12 is a better conference, but the time difference does not work well with the sport press which is by and large East Coast based.
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@JayHawkFanToo Didn’t hurt Anthony Bennett a couple years ago.
I think the exposure factor is only relevant if you need to get noticed. Pro scouts have already noticed Zimmerman, so he’ll get watched regardless of where he goes to school.
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@truehawk93 I agree that Cliff staying shouldn’t, logically, influence Zimmerman’s decision. He would be the only true 5. But that doesn’t mean it won’t influence him. He may see Perry, Cliff, Bragg, and Jamari and see a crowed front court. You would think super talented kids wouldn’t worry about that …but quite often they sure seem to.
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And the other two player from UNLV drafted in the last 10 years before Bennett are Joel Anthony in 2008 and Louis Amundson in 2007. UNLV has not been a hotbed for NBA prospects recently, at least not the powerhouse (and NCAA PITA) it used to be under Tarkanian.
The exposure you get playing for an elite program cannot be discounted. Just sayin’
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@jaybate-1.0 Thats what Im sayin! Wigs is gonna be an effing stud! Making his Jayhawk nation proud.
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@Lulufulu I’d say if he gets ROY, he pretty much is a stud!
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@Crimsonorblue22 Almost looks like he is a lock for ROY right now, considering the current competition. Its what Wigs does with his next 5 years that will make him one of the greats.
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@JayHawkFanToo So are you stating that UNLV players aren’t getting drafted because they’re just as good but not getting the exposure?
The other possibility, and more likely, is that they haven’t had the talent that elite programs have, and thus are not getting drafted.
Yes you get exposure at elite level programs. I’m not saying that’s not true. But if you’re a blue-chip, top 10 high school player it’s not going to matter as much where you go. Again, pro scouts know about Zimmerman already. I mean…look at Emmanual Mudiay. He’s playing in freakin’ China! Talk about a time difference…yet look at mock draft boards. Still top 5 (most have him at 2 or 3).
Just sayin’
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I am referring to the less heralded players that bloom in college and it take longer to get discovered because they do not have the exposure. Look at player like Damon Lillard, not highly recruited out of HS who ended up at Weber State where he played for 4 years and was drafted #6…don’t you think that had he had the exposure of a big program maybe he would have gone sooner?
Top ranked players have big egos and want to have attention and be on National TV often; don’t you think that it is a big part of the Allure of Kentucky? or KU? or Duke? or …you get the idea…This is something that smaller programs cannot offer and it is a big selling point for elite programs.
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@joeloveshawks **I have posted on here multiple times that next year is our year. I am not saying this year is a done deal but KU could be flirting with a 1-2 loss season next year if everyone comes back (except Oubre who is gone) and we get another talented back to the basket player. **
The season next year will be quite special. I still think these guys this year could take the title, so back to back, perhaps?
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@KUSTEVE @joeloveshawks I agree you guys. This season, I dont think they have reached their peak yet and I get the sense that once they do get there they should not have much drop off, if any.
Next year, our guys are gonna be scary. Legit final four contenders all year long.
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@Lulufulu At some point, the lightbulb for Cliff will come on. When it does, we’ll be nearly impossible to beat. I think Big 12 play will help us, as WVU’s pressure defense will get us ready for that type of defense we could see in the tournament., and Faylor and UT’s zone defenses will prepare us as well. Our excellent guard play will keep us in games this year we lost last year. Who would’ve thought we could lose the # 1 and #3 NBA picks, and have a significantly better team this year?
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@JayHawkFanToo said:
I am referring to the less heralded players that bloom in college and it take longer to get discovered because they do not have the exposure.
Exactly. This was exactly my point when I said “the exposure factor is only relevant if you need to get noticed.” We aren’t talking about less heralded players here. We’re talking about Zimmerman. He doesn’t need to get discovered. So while exposure might feed his ego, it isn’t a selling point for Zimmerman getting PT, improving his stock, being an OAD, and going high in the 2016 draft. All things which seem more important to him than being seen on TV more often during what he hopes is one year of college. So I would disagree that it is a BIG selling point in terms of recruiting Zimmerman.
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@KUSTEVE Back to back would be nice. Highly unlikely but more probable than a Chiefs Super Bowl victory.
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@Lulufulu I remember having that feeling with the 2008 team. Thinking “we should not lose a game all year this year”. I was pretty close to being right!
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@joeloveshawks Is it March yet? Im already pretty mad! ( crazy mad, not mad mad ) We gonna beat them Pokes by 20 today. Sharpie
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Calipari strongly disagrees with you. He sells the program on the exposure they get and the contacts they make; this is something that nobody has been able to match and he ends up with 10 McD All Americans, same for Duke and his contacts with the NBA via the US National Team, and to a lesser extent KU. Look at Kentucky, every single player would be the top star at most every other school and yet players are sacrificing playing time for the exposure and contacts the get at UK. You cannot underestimate the ego of HS sports stars; in many ways, it is that ego that makes them good. I guess we just agree to disagree?
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@JayHawkFanToo We can agree to disagree, sure. But I think we’re arguing two different tracks. My point, my initial point, was that Zimmerman does not need the exposure in order to achieve his goals. If we’re to believe that his primary goals are playing time and being a OAD and getting college out of the way and getting to the NBA as quickly as possible, going to UNLV doesn’t hurt him.
Does Calipari disagree with me that a top 10 high school recruit isn’t already on pro scouts’ radars? I doubt it.
I am in full agreement that elite schools like Kentucky, Duke, & KU can sell the exposure angle. They can also roll out the red carpet for incoming recruits that lesser schools (i.e. UNLV) can’t. They have better facilities. And they have better coaches. The exposure thing is a factor, but I believe it is not as high on the list, especially for a guy like Zimmerman who again, doesn’t need the exposure as much to ascend to the next level.
