Looking ahead to 2021-2022

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#52      
One thing about our class I love is each of our guys (assuming podz) is going to get better and better every year. All three can be huge by the time they are sophomores and juniors.
 
#54      
You take the 2 incoming 6’7 wings, plus (hopefully) Podz at 6’6, and combine with 6’5 Hutch, 6’10 Hawkins and Payne that is a whole lot of length.

Still think we need one of Burnett, TyTy, or Franklin as a lead/Ayo type guard.

Would love to add a stronger, more physical 4 who can stretch the floor as well. Would love for it to be Tre Mitchell but also pulling for Verdonk to fill that role as well. Still think Verdonk has potential to contribute, and staff must think so too as he seemed to serve as our “emergency 5” towards the end of last year after not getting cleared until January or so.

Will be a lot of reshuffling for sure but interested to see what the staff can do with all these pieces.
 
#55      
Convinced that quickness is more important than length but nothing better than both. Can’t play defense with slow footed players. Reason Iowa didn’t win despite great shooters. I can’t judge that in highlight videos but if Melendez and Goode have it we will be fine. Love to see us get another 6’10” athlete who can shoot. Also still need another PG.
 
#56      
The floor is well below 25.....dont be fooled.
Seriously. Without Ayo, Kofi, Miller, Trent Giorgi and Damonte, and with the only additions being Omar Melendez and Goode, we are not 25. Surely more additions and hopefully not all those subtractions, but as it stands, 25 feels a little much.
 
#62      
It will be interesting to see how Wisconsin fares this off-season; it could really be the beginning of the end for Gard depending on what happens with their seniors.

- 7 of the top 9 players are seniors
- seniors accounted for 73% of minutes played, and 81% of points scored
- Jonathan Davis (FR) and Tyler Wahl (SO) are the only two non-seniors to average more than 2 minutes per game
- They have had only 1 four star or better recruit (Ben Carlson) since the 2017 class when Reuvers and Davidson were freshman 4 stars
 
#63      

B-ILL

Working From Home
The floor is well below 25.....dont be fooled.
I meant the floor for where Illinois starts the year ranked. But yes, maybe if the worst case scenario comes to pass, then you're correct.

rachel dratch snl GIF by Saturday Night Live
 
#64      
It will be interesting to see how Wisconsin fares this off-season; it could really be the beginning of the end for Gard depending on what happens with their seniors.

- 7 of the top 9 players are seniors
- seniors accounted for 73% of minutes played, and 81% of points scored
- Jonathan Davis (FR) and Tyler Wahl (SO) are the only two non-seniors to average more than 2 minutes per game
- They have had only 1 four star or better recruit (Ben Carlson) since the 2017 class when Reuvers and Davidson were freshman 4 stars
This years team is probably a pretty good preview of what to expect under Gard. Few wins against the talented teams, and ground out wins against almost everyone. They have a solid identity and culture centered around their system and role players. I expect that they will settle into a consistent 5th-7th place finish in the Big, and make the tournament most years.
 
#68      

Tacomallini

Washington State
Melendez is going to be an impact player. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't Underwood's 5th straight player on the all BIG freshman team.
Pretty impressive factoid that I hadn’t considered before - all B1G freshman team each year as coach. Trent, Ayo, Kofi, Curbelo. BU definitely plays talented freshman
 
#70      
Another "Way Too Early" 2021-22 ranking from Seth Davis at the Athletic:


If you're not a subscriber, Seth has us at #10. He assumes that Kofi returns and that Trent and Miller are gone.

He calls the pickup of Omar "terrific" and notes Brad's "high hopes" for Hutcherson.

Seth has Gonzaga at #1, Michigan 2nd (he assumes that Dickinson stays, but says it's a "big question"), UCLA 3rd (assumes Juzang and Jaquez return, but calls it "iffy") and Purdue 4th. He has the Champs dropping to #7 with the loss of four starters.
 
#71      
B-ILL, sorry I didn't see your link to the Athletic article before I posted.

Didn't mean to steal your thunder! :)
 
#74      
He calls the pickup of Omar "terrific" and notes Brad's "high hopes" for Hutcherson.

Omar's brutal obliteration of John Fulkerson was really hard to watch, and will remain in my memory. Can't recall a dirtier play off the top of my head. I hope the staff is comfortable with Omar, and works on how he handles his aggression. Everyone has mental lapses or bad days, but some are worse than others.

I hope I'm not having a double standard. I'll admit I enjoyed rooting for Lucas Johnson, and he was physical on the court. But my memory is that he didn't lose control of himself, even when he was fighting for a rebound or a loose ball. Omar's elbow to the head just seemed vicious and intended to take the other player out.
 
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