Zakai Ziegler is 5’9 and was the defensive POY last year. He also scored 20 today on Auburn.
Get to know this guy. He could be our next pg
- Thread starter twwilliams9
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Braden Smith = not Ziegler and not Mark Sears.
Do you guys actually think Braden Smith is in their league?
Braden and Ziegler are system guys. They were developed for years in their current programs, if you put them on a different team, they will not be the same players you see them as now.
I hope we get him he is in conversation as the number one point guard and would rank number one in the portal
Last year Elite 8 Purdue vs Tennessee:
Ziegler 9 points 8 assists
Smith 9 points 7 assists
you only mentioned size. And immediately proven wrong.
Why do you think this matters?
Yesterday, in a loas to Michigan, he went 2-10 from 3pt range and 5-18 overall. Care to talk about that?
You’ve been presented factual statistical data in this thread by several posters. Sounds like you're the one who needs to learn
No I wasn't, I explained why those players aren't the same.
Just because Tyler Ulis can play at UK, doesn't mean every 5'9" kid can do it.
It matters because you were emphatic he wasn't in Ziegler’s league. What better way to compare than head to head?
He is a Senior not sure on eligibility but would be a guy to go after if he does
Smith will be the number 1 rated player in the portal.
Doesn’t fit my definition of “stud”.
The guy might be the best PG in college basketball. Is certainly in the conversation of it. Definitely a stud
While we are on the subject of rumors and things being heard:
At UK's last home game there was talk that LSU had put together
a $4 Mil package offer for Oweh, which he rejected to stay with Pope
At UK's last home game there was talk that LSU had put together
a $4 Mil package offer for Oweh, which he rejected to stay with Pope
If anything, “stud” from the portal I would expect they mean less of a star than Smith is.
Lol you people need to get over yourselves.
Pope will be recruiting a different type of player than Coach Cal did.... and that is okay!
If he can just merge the shooters and athletic pieces something Cal couldn't do then we will be okay.
Pope will be recruiting a different type of player than Coach Cal did.... and that is okay!
If he can just merge the shooters and athletic pieces something Cal couldn't do then we will be okay.
UK will need at least two portal guards. There's 0% Lewis is our starter next year.
This year builds like a Gonzaga team, would definitely works better in WCC. We need more athletic players next year
Matt Jones, who is obviously plugged in, was pretty definitive that Jasper Johnson will be the only freshman starter next year. If we get Braden, we need a good 3 and D guy at the 3 to along Smith, Oweh and you have one of the best, if not the best backcourt in the country. I’m saying that from the standpoint of starters Smith, Johnson and Oweh then a good 3 and D traditional SF type and Lewis off the bench. Would be scary
I'd welcome Smith in a heartbeat. Been on some good Purdue teams. Good shooter and distributor.
Why are you so convinced Braden Smith is that much worse than Sears (and Ziegler, Clayton, other top SEC guards)? Between Sears and Smith, their advanced stats are similar and Smith is ahead in some significant ones, including PER (22.5 vs 19.3). He leads the country in assist percentage, he leads the Big Ten in points produced. They've shot a comparable number of threes this year (Smith 203 vs Sears 227) and Smith is shooting quite a bit better (38.4% vs 34.4%). He has 120 more assists and 40 more steals on the season than Sears, and leads the Big Ten in both. They both might be first team All Americans this season, but I think Smith is the more likely of the two.
UK would be a huge offseason winner if we got Smith in the transfer portal.
Then you don't know ball, simple as that. Almost 40% career 3 point shooter, probably a top 10 player in all of college basketball, and might be the best PG in the country.
I believe Pope knows that... but when you only had a month or so to build out a brand new roster you take what you can get.
All things considered this year has been hugely successful for Year 1.
Those Indiana boys know nothing but ball. He'd be a great fit here and would be a fan favorite. He's tough as nails, too. He'd be the perfect Pope PG if you ask me.
I bet he's solid since the biggest boobs here "can't be bothered with him."
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That kid is good and is a winner. His basketball IQ is off the charts. If we can get him that would be great.
Big Ten POY as well. What the hell is not to like?
