Positive Wilson update

[Mike_Edwards]

You’re assuming Pope can “pick and choose”. Recruiting the portal will be brutal. More difficult than recruiting incoming freshmen in my opinion.

I”m 0 percent worried about Pope’s ability to recruit the portal. He basically selected who he wanted this year for an entire roster. Now he will be selecting 3 to 4 and will be very specific ,picky and successful IMO.

 

[G-PIP]

UConn had three freshman/ sophomore lottery picks on their national championship teams.

You need the mix of elite talent and veterans when you are at our level. Duke/Uconn/Kansas level. Something our last coach was portly suited to understanding.

I don’t think Pope intends to make the same error.

I don’t think the mix to chase titles necessarily includes OAD freshmen – or even ideally includes them. I’m sure Pope won’t build teams reliant on freshmen, and Hurley hasn’t done that either.

Pursuant to the way Hurley builds rosters, UConn’s 2023 recruiting class included 5 freshmen - four 4-stars and one 5-star (Castle - listed as a 6’6” PG by recruiting services). Hurley played Castle at SF, and he was a role player and the 5th scoring option most of the time. The top two scoring options for UConn were senior transfers. The other four freshmen didn’t really play, but they do this season – which is the roster continuity Hurley and the best coaches strive for.

I’m not saying that a team that has an OAD freshman can’t win, but the best use of freshmen on contending teams is as a supplemental piece. What you need, in my opinion, is good basketball players who make a lot of right plays and few of the negative ones; and a group that fit together well as a team to function efficiently on both offense and defense. Talent that hasn’t ripened by maturity and skill development into efficient production has limited value, and OAD freshmen generally make too many negative plays and not enough winning plays. If you rely on them to carry too much of the load their lack of experience, physical maturity and development is too often going to bite the team in the end.

 

[yoshukai]

In the past I saw a lot of images of him in Carolina blue (not official team gear - just the color). Made me wonder if he might not have been a UNC fan growing up. But maybe a team or two he played for had pale blue as its color and that's why I saw that.

He has had a relationship with UNC and Hubert Davis for awhile. He said in an interview that he had been there many times on unofficial visits and sat in on their practices. Just the fact that Pope has put us in this position with him is impressive. I still think he will be a cat .

 

[bucsrule8872]

Wilson (if he comes here) and Johnson will be in the rotation and probably starters. Lewis and Moreno will be rotation players, but like 8th and 9th off the bench, probably.

Oweh is going to be option 1 scoring next season, most likely.

Garrison will be our starting Center.

Need to add one of the top PGs in the Portal, plus a really good 4/5 to split time with Wilson, and a really good wing shooter.

Top priority for me is a PG to replace Butler.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Wilson must be third or fourth option in our offense if he comes here.

But if he goes to UNC, he thinks he may be the first option, the "guy" on their roster.

This may be his thinking, he may not want to be role players for us and instead want to be the "star" and no.1 option in unc. He can show more for his nba draft stock, which may be more important for him than winning games in college basketball

So if he goes to UNC, it makes sense in basketball wise

Still want him here, think he can be Jonathan Isaac type player and a solid starter.

I would be fine with him being the second option. Oweh is going to be first.

But if Wilson plays like the Miller kid for Bama a few years back or even a Newell (UGA) this year, that could work.

Just depends on how good he is.

 

[B.B.H.]

I would be fine with him being the second option. Oweh is going to be first.

But if Wilson plays like the Miller kid for Bama a few years back or even a Newell (UGA) this year, that could work.

Just depends on how good he is.

He isn’t that kind of player. He’s a versatile type guy but definitely defense is far more advanced than his offense. That poster is correct, you probably don’t want Wilson being your 2nd scoring option unless he really grows his game.

 

[yoshukai]

Newell looked pretty good against our transfers Tuesday.

Yeah at home with the refs help . We’ll see how he does on the road in hostile environments. Who you taking Justin Edwards or Dalton Kennect ? Lamont Butler or Boogie Fland ? ANY FRESHMAN (Even the great Cooper Flagg) of Johnie Broome? I’ll take every one of the portal guys listed.

 

[Catluv]

All UK fans know the greatest night is the NBA draft night!!

 

[yoshukai]

Hard to say.

He can become the absolute core on the court, control the ball, and have unlimited shooting privileges if he goes to UNC. UNC will lack of solid players next year. He must only play more limited role in UK.

So he may think going to UNC is more helpful for his draft stock. If he get 16+8 in UNC, his draft stock is definitely higher than getting likes of 11+7 in UK. He could show more offensive skills with ball handling in his hand, which could be very helpful for his draft stock

He goes to UNC is reasonable. Being the core of the team is not always helpful for player development but definitely will make his stats better for draft stock. He may not be better player in long term but could be drafted in higher picks and makes more money instantly.

I definitely could see he goes to UNC for this kind of reasons

And MAYBE, he sees how the road games are officiated in the sec and says “to hell with that !” Just kidding…….kinda …..lol

 

[bucsrule8872]

Yeah at home with the refs help . We’ll see how he does on the road in hostile environments. Who you taking Justin Edwards or Dalton Kennect ? Lamont Butler or Boogie Fland ? ANY FRESHMAN (Even the great Cooper Flagg) of Johnie Broome? I’ll take every one of the portal guys listed.

Tre Mitchell over Anthony Davis?

Sahvir Wheeler over John Wall?

I get what you are saying, but if you can get a superstar out of HS to go with your Portal players, then you are cooking with Crisco!

 

[yoshukai]

Tre Mitchell over Anthony Davis?

Sahvir Wheeler over John Wall?

I get what you are saying, but if you can get a superstar out of HS to go with your Portal players, then you are cooking with Crisco!

Right. My point was , just because Newell did well against our transfers doesn’t mean much . Lots of variables.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Newell looked pretty good against our transfers Tuesday.

I wouldn’t mind having Newell on our team, alongside Butler and company.

Elite Freshmen are fine, just can’t rely on them to lead the way.

We need a balance of young talent and experience.

I think we will have that next season with Oweh and Garrison back, Johnson and hopefully Wilson coming in, and a couple of top level Portal guys. Throw it together, shake well, and hope it turns out.

 

[westerncat]

Just how good of a shooter is Wilson ? Some say he is not a good shooter and I have never seen him play.

 

[true blue1]

Wilson (if he comes here) and Johnson will be in the rotation and probably starters. Lewis and Moreno will be rotation players, but like 8th and 9th off the bench, probably.

Oweh is going to be option 1 scoring next season, most likely.

Garrison will be our starting Center.

Need to add one of the top PGs in the Portal, plus a really good 4/5 to split time with Wilson, and a really good wing shooter.

Top priority for me is a PG to replace Butler.

Lewis will be replacing Butler.

 

[B.B.H.]

Just how good of a shooter is Wilson ? Some say he is not a good shooter and I have never seen him play.

He’s capable. It is by far not a strength of his. Definitely a growth area to become a better scorer