Bennett Stirtz of Drake. He has all kinds of tools and offensive game. Can easily run an offense. Doesn't get speed up. Good hands on defense, but not sure if the motor is running all the time.
Potential Portal PG playing on ESPN2 now.
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Drake has a good chance to upset someone in the tournament.
If he's a guy with an inconsistent motor, then NO THANKS. I've had my fill of players coming through this program with one foot out the door, taking plays off, not wholely focused on winning something.
They certainly do. Putting together an excellent season. SOS is keeping them weighed down.
I don’t want to mislead on the “motor” issue, because I haven’t seen him enough yet. Stirtz, the frontrunner for Missouri Valley player of the year, has the ball in his hands a lot. But it just seems like he ball-watches some when he’s not involved in the play, so I wanted to watch some more actual game play of him. On the other hand, his steal numbers are really good, he rebounds good enough, and he has the size and athleticism to defend ok.
Drake and Akron are the two teams I would like to not see In 4vs13 or 5vs12
Understand that thought for sure. But at least it means Stirtz is even more likely to be in the portal if his coach leaves. If Pope wants him, maybe he can steal him with his vision and, of course, NIL.
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Honestly wouldn’t mind playing them. I don’t think they can score with us. Poor man’s Tennessee.
I can see that. But they are winners. Sometime just that will to win means a lot. They play with a lot of confidence and a lot fire. At least when I watched them back in November.
The more I watch Thornton for Ohio state the more I hope he enters the portal and Kentucky gets him
We got to add quickness to the roster next year and more shooters. It will be interesting to see how the staff recruits the portal this year. I would love to land Ament to be our final piece to our Freshman class but that is highly unlikely. I love the idea meshing top prospects with veterans in the portal to fill out the roster.
The biggest thing is that those guys have both quickness and the shooting ability.
It doesn't work to have to sub to get one or the other!
If they make it in obviously must win conference tourney they will I agree, great younger coach. He won 400 D2 games and is only 43.
As long as I’ve been aware of your posts, I’ve seen very few (if any) players that have tickled your fancy for long. I trust Pope with roster construction because I think he did a bang up job this year and I think he will find the right guys to correct the weaknesses we had this last cycle.
exactly correct
have to add quickness combined with ability
can't guys that supposedly specialize in something, that can do nothing else and aren't productive in their specialty
also need guys that don't shy away from contact. just don't understand that line of thinking. Getting fouled is an
easy to pad your scoring average, get there as many times as you can
I want a Butler clone. A guy who defends his ass off but can also get to the rim with ease.
I’m tired of watching opposing guards live in the paint.
I’m tired of watching opposing guards live in the paint.
Gonna try for Devries at WVU first but McCollum will be the next call.
And we need guys that can create their own shots and not afraid to rebound.
I’m a little torn on that issue too, Wonky. Stirtz is not Kriisa, but he’s not Butler either. He is a very good offensive player, and not just a 3pt. shooter at all. He will (and can against SEC opponents) drive and finish at the rim multiple times each game. He’s a very good passer. He has a good handle, doesn’t get sped up, varies his pace, and has no trouble handling pressure. Actually, he reminds me of a bigger more athletic Patrick Sparks.
Again, however, Stirtz is not a Butler clone. He’s not as strong as Butler, or as quick. And Stirtz is certainly not the defender Butler is (very few are), but he has good hands and gets tons of steals reminiscent of Reed Sheppard in that way. I like Stirtz a lot as a potential PG option, but would I prefer him, for example, over a guy like Bruce Thorton from Ohio St. (who may well be in the portal)? I don’t think I'm ready to say that yet.
Of course, it’s all academic just to pass the time between games. But I think it’s enjoyable to think about and watch some video on potential guys in the portal since its opening is only about a month away.
