thrasher31

And AJ storr. And Tyler Wahls. And Connor essegian. That's 4 rotation level guys that they have available from the NIL budget

I think this guy, or saunders would be top of my list at this point. Santos has a gap over saunders though. Really like him. We'll see what guys emerge over the week. I think there's quality still out there, but just role guys at this level. Which isn't the worst thing, but need to set expectations to that. Meah I do think has upside. He's a prototypical rim runner/protector at the next level. Ft motion needs work though, he shoots with one hand basically lol

he was mentioned in here a while back. He's blown up since then and has quite a few HM offers. I don't know if he's coming out this year or next, but definitely something to keep our eyes on

He's one of the players in this lawsuit

Yeah wouldn't shock me. Could also see FAU. I'm not sure what Fred and co do here

Few things of note: Alvin Brooks, one of Baylors assistants, ended up at UK as an AC. John Jakus, another one of Baylors assistants, ended up the HC at FAU. Early November, looks like boyed had some kind of knee injury that forced him to miss the year (link below). He is applying for an NJCAA medical hardship waiver to get 3 years at this level because of that though. https://www.mccookgazette.com/story/3017504.html

Tall and seems to be a rim runner. Last year he had a very bad fall off from an all pac 12 defensive team season. Think he struggled with injuries. I noticed Howard and Luca followed in IG recently so at least kicking the tires.

With the new guidelines of grad transfers needing to enter before May 1st, there may be some more names enter between now and then that may have entered in the summer.

We'll see who defects from UCLA after this, because their 4/5 rotation has a lot of bodies. 4: Tyler Bilodeau (14 ppg as soph at Oregon State) Eric Daily jr (9 ppg as fresh at Oklahoma State) Berke Buyuktuncel (4 ppg as fresh at UCLA; top 50 player in HS ) Brandon Williams (3 ppg as fresh at UCLA; #70 player in HS) 5: Aday Mara (3 ppg as fresh at UCLA; #15 player in HS) Devin Williams (1 ppg as fresh at UCLA; #81 player in HS). Kyle projects behind Mara likely, or above, but there's a lot of bodies in those rooms. There will be attrition. Has to be. UCLA fans think Mara will start apparently. They also think Berke is the odd man out there, but we'll see.

No inside knowledge but Michigan so far has taken Sam Walters Danny wolf Are looking like they'll get vlad goldin from FAU and have reached out to TJ power. He did say he was coming back, but Dusty seems to be recruiting over him as it stands. That's 3 guys between the 4 and 5, and are still recruiting that 4 spot. More a want tbh. I still really really like him. There may be some overlap with Morgan, but experience in the big ten matters.

Game looks like it'll fit. Had a drop in efficiency with an increase in volume this last year. But he can shoot and looks to be effective at pulling down ORB https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/touko-tainamo-1.html

Interesting on baba. He would fit that "versatile 4 who can defend, but not really shoot" mold. Is it based on fit or something you're hearing? https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/baba-miller-1.html

If I'm gonna be completely honest, I prefer Hausen between the two. But, having big ten experience is something I would like, and worst case scenario, Janowski is sitting right there. I'm on board with this one though. Getting an off ball movement shooter was obviously a priority, and Connor/Hausen fit that to a T.

For those asking about essegian and the fall off he had, he had a back injury at the first game of the season and he never found his footing after that. Storr obviously was outstanding, and they did need size at that spot. Blackwell coming in and being as good as he was, that was as bit unexpected also. Barely a top 250 guy that outperformed expectations a lot. So that put Connor 4th in the pecking order in that 2/3 slot for minutes. I think there's some stuff there for sure. Defense needs improvement definitely, but he has good size at 6'3-6'4. He plays with a bit of fire I remember from the Wisconsin games I watched.

Steve Forbes needs to stay away.

That would be interesting honestly. Not sure what to think of it

Looks like Hausen is at KSU right now too and coming on Monday. Get one of these and I'm fine. I prefer Hausen, but I'd take either.

He would've been cool actually.

Both Hausen and essegian would be filling a movement shooter role that departed with CJ and Keisei. Very comparable and honestly it's a toothpick difference. Personally like Hausen quite a bit. He has some *shit* to his game I think. And I mean good shit. As far as janowskis role, beat one of those two OR ulis out for minutes. Ie, be rollies sub and trade off initiating offensive sets with Brice. He's going to be hard to keep out of the rotation though. I've said that for a while, and I'll continue to say that.

For me it depends on what happens with Mast. I feel good about him coming back, solely based on it seeming like he's hosting visits (he usually follows the portal guys immediately following visits on IG). 1) an athletic big is non-negotiable for me. Has to happen. Whether that be Kyle or someone new, has to happen. 2) a shooter. Brendan Hausen would definitely be a good option. Essegien would also if he doesn't commit to IU here soon. There's others out right now, but an off ball movement shooter needs to be a priority. 3) if mast is back and good to play, then this one is a bit of a wild card. I could see this one being a 4 body with multiple years of eligibility (Sam Walters for example). If he ISN'T good to play, Igor is the priority. If that falls through, and I'm not entirely confident we land him tbh, they need to pivot to a game proven 4. 4) this could be a few different types of guys. Id personally take a HS recruit that has potential, but needs time, but those typically don't work out. Could also be a Cale Jacobsen, but there's no "it has to be this archetype". I'm very intrigued on how they finish this class. Id say the top of the 6-7 is pretty locked, with mast being the wild card. I personally think janowski will break into the rotation by years end too, but I'm projecting him outside of that top 6-7 at this point. Probably can add one or two more rotation pieces, or guys to compete for a rotation spot at minimum. Athletic big obviously is one. Shooter, and if mast is hurt, a stretch 4 like Igor

This may be a want more than anything, but if we miss on Kyle, this is my next target. Super athlete that will provide rim protection opposite mast or whoever. Looks to be great on rolls to rim also.

He had to do a lot of running the offense last year, which took away from the reason we brought him in, to score. I think we see a leap in him next year. He needs to be a second team all big ten guy imo, and I think he has the capabilities for that.

So. Got a playmaking PG, and look to be getting a higher upside wing. Leaves is at 5 scholarships. If Mast is in fact out the whole year, then getting 2 of the Payne or Kyle (fall in the same bucket for me), hugley, or Igor becomes a necessity. I prefer Kyle and Igor personally, but need to get 2 out of that grouping. Now if Mast is back, Igor could still work opposite mast. Different play style than Payne or Kyle, but one that can work. He's more mobile, so he can slide to the 4, and you'd have 5 shooters in the starting lineup. We'll see though, because I think Fred prefers one of Payne or Kyle to compliment Mast and Morgan.

And him/mast follow each other. Weren't yesterday, so it is recent