Fullbacksympathy

Hyper athletic guys aren't always that skilled, but I think we do have two dudes who can guard a quick PG now.  We didn't have that last season, and when we finally went against a true NBA pg against A&M it showed.  From what I can tell, Worster is a very good perimeter defender and a big body who has no problem punishing smaller players on the other end.  Ulis seems to have the capability to guard the perimeter as well.  We don't currently have a great defender at the 2 but I think Brice is serviceable.  He's just long and, again, will outscore about 95% of his matchups this season at 6'7".  
 
As for the transfers from other programs, it really depends on what the team needs are going to be and what their situation was.  The kid from Nova got recruited there by an all time great in Jay Wright and then had to play for someone mediocre when he arrived.  The kid from Wiscy was getting spot minutes for all star prick Greg Gard, but it looks like he has a higher ceiling to me, and he blew up Nebraska when we played there this season.  I think he also can be serviceable as a perimeter defender.  In both instances, as specialists, they are almost certain to be able to get a decent paycheck to go somewhere else.  The all conference caliber mid-majors are trying to put their play on film at the high major level and also get a paycheck likely higher than any Euro team would ever offer them.  

A better one.
 
We're adding a big PG with elite passing and solid defense in addition to Ulis who is a good PG.  
We're adding a 6'8" guard who has an NBA future and will undoubtedly find his shot with Fred.
We're adding a skilled, athletic 6'10" center who was all conference and can stretch the court.
 
We're likely adding another solid 6'4" guard from Wisconsin who is a 3pt specialist.
We're likely going to get Kyle to help with our front court athleticism.
We have a chance to land Milicic as another versatile weapon at 6'10" who can play the 4-5.
 
In all seriousness, I think the most important thing Fred is looking for is skill.  All of these guys outside of maybe Kyle (who is tremendously skilled defensively) can handle the ball and shoot.  Typically skilled players have learned a lot and worked on their game on their own a lot, which probably means they have a high IQ and work ethic to match their skills.  Coach's dream.  Defensively, our system requires smart players but it's so help heavy it's basically a zone which typically makes up for some lack of athleticism.  I think Fred is looking for long players who can fill it up on offense with the hope that their length creates problems in our hybrid defense.  Brice is like this.  Mast is like this.  Gary is probably the only player left that doesn't quite fit this mold exactly but he has really worked on his offense, and he was already an elite defender, so he still fits in very well.  
 
I'm intrigued.  

Hyper athletic guys aren't always that skilled, but I think we do have two dudes who can guard a quick PG now.  We didn't have that last season, and when we finally went against a true NBA pg against A&M it showed.  From what I can tell, Worster is a very good perimeter defender and a big body who has no problem punishing smaller players on the other end.  Ulis seems to have the capability to guard the perimeter as well.  We don't currently have a great defender at the 2 but I think Brice is serviceable.  He's just long and, again, will outscore about 95% of his matchups this season at 6'7".  
 
As for the transfers from other programs, it really depends on what the team needs are going to be and what their situation was.  The kid from Nova got recruited there by an all time great in Jay Wright and then had to play for someone mediocre when he arrived.  The kid from Wiscy was getting spot minutes for all star prick Greg Gard, but it looks like he has a higher ceiling to me, and he blew up Nebraska when we played there this season.  I think he also can be serviceable as a perimeter defender.  In both instances, as specialists, they are almost certain to be able to get a decent paycheck to go somewhere else.  The all conference caliber mid-majors are trying to put their play on film at the high major level and also get a paycheck likely higher than any Euro team would ever offer them.  

Agree.  I don't understand his reduction in minutes this season at all.  He made the B1G All-Freshman team.  Gard is dumb.  

As for Morgan. I think we went after him early because he is a solid all around big guy who is willing to come off the bench. Most of those guys want starting roles. I think he is perfect as long as we get 1-2 more starter types.
 
In all it appears to me we are getting much more athletic and increasing our skill as well. We are not going to be Tx AM athletic but we should be stronger and more athletic than last year.
 
The one piece I wanted to see was a lead guard who could get in the lane and create for others. Maybe Ulis / Rollie can but I wanted to shoot high for that spot. We might have settled here for consistency over dynamic.
 
Overall if we get Kyle / Milicic (at least 1) I am going to be very happy and feels like we can be better than last year. Assuming they play for each other like the last two years.

A better one.
 
We're adding a big PG with elite passing and solid defense in addition to Ulis who is a good PG.  
We're adding a 6'8" guard who has an NBA future and will undoubtedly find his shot with Fred.
We're adding a skilled, athletic 6'10" center who was all conference and can stretch the court.
 
We're likely adding another solid 6'4" guard from Wisconsin who is a 3pt specialist.
We're likely going to get Kyle to help with our front court athleticism.
We have a chance to land Milicic as another versatile weapon at 6'10" who can play the 4-5.
 
In all seriousness, I think the most important thing Fred is looking for is skill.  All of these guys outside of maybe Kyle (who is tremendously skilled defensively) can handle the ball and shoot.  Typically skilled players have learned a lot and worked on their game on their own a lot, which probably means they have a high IQ and work ethic to match their skills.  Coach's dream.  Defensively, our system requires smart players but it's so help heavy it's basically a zone which typically makes up for some lack of athleticism.  I think Fred is looking for long players who can fill it up on offense with the hope that their length creates problems in our hybrid defense.  Brice is like this.  Mast is like this.  Gary is probably the only player left that doesn't quite fit this mold exactly but he has really worked on his offense, and he was already an elite defender, so he still fits in very well.  
 
I'm intrigued.  

I'd take Essegian for sure. He's a good player who will be unlocked wherever he goes. His freshmen year was super impressive. Against Kansas he looked like one of the best players on the court throughout that whole game. I just went back and watched some of that game and he and Kevin McCullar were matched up on each other in the second half and overtime. Not just a shooter. Good athlete, good size, he can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. Griffiths has more next level potential but I'd be more confident in Essegian being a significant contributor next year. 
Unpopular opinion but Essegian>Hickman at the Big Ten level imo.

A better one.
 
We're adding a big PG with elite passing and solid defense in addition to Ulis who is a good PG.  
We're adding a 6'8" guard who has an NBA future and will undoubtedly find his shot with Fred.
We're adding a skilled, athletic 6'10" center who was all conference and can stretch the court.
 
We're likely adding another solid 6'4" guard from Wisconsin who is a 3pt specialist.
We're likely going to get Kyle to help with our front court athleticism.
We have a chance to land Milicic as another versatile weapon at 6'10" who can play the 4-5.
 
In all seriousness, I think the most important thing Fred is looking for is skill.  All of these guys outside of maybe Kyle (who is tremendously skilled defensively) can handle the ball and shoot.  Typically skilled players have learned a lot and worked on their game on their own a lot, which probably means they have a high IQ and work ethic to match their skills.  Coach's dream.  Defensively, our system requires smart players but it's so help heavy it's basically a zone which typically makes up for some lack of athleticism.  I think Fred is looking for long players who can fill it up on offense with the hope that their length creates problems in our hybrid defense.  Brice is like this.  Mast is like this.  Gary is probably the only player left that doesn't quite fit this mold exactly but he has really worked on his offense, and he was already an elite defender, so he still fits in very well.  
 
I'm intrigued.  

A better one.
 
We're adding a big PG with elite passing and solid defense in addition to Ulis who is a good PG.  
We're adding a 6'8" guard who has an NBA future and will undoubtedly find his shot with Fred.
We're adding a skilled, athletic 6'10" center who was all conference and can stretch the court.
 
We're likely adding another solid 6'4" guard from Wisconsin who is a 3pt specialist.
We're likely going to get Kyle to help with our front court athleticism.
We have a chance to land Milicic as another versatile weapon at 6'10" who can play the 4-5.
 
In all seriousness, I think the most important thing Fred is looking for is skill.  All of these guys outside of maybe Kyle (who is tremendously skilled defensively) can handle the ball and shoot.  Typically skilled players have learned a lot and worked on their game on their own a lot, which probably means they have a high IQ and work ethic to match their skills.  Coach's dream.  Defensively, our system requires smart players but it's so help heavy it's basically a zone which typically makes up for some lack of athleticism.  I think Fred is looking for long players who can fill it up on offense with the hope that their length creates problems in our hybrid defense.  Brice is like this.  Mast is like this.  Gary is probably the only player left that doesn't quite fit this mold exactly but he has really worked on his offense, and he was already an elite defender, so he still fits in very well.  
 
I'm intrigued.  

Here’s him going for 25/12/12/6 Stl playing point center this season.  
 
I’ll never be ok.  
 

Here’s him going for 25/12/12/6 Stl playing point center this season.  
 
I’ll never be ok.  
 

Hausen is a straight up 3pt specialist.  He’d be a great threat off the bench with enough size at 6’4”.  
 
He made 61 threes last year at 17min a game at 38%. 
 
KT made 76 threes at 26min a game at 37%. 
 
So to say Hausen is a gunner is an understatement.  He’s gotta love the green light/system KT put on film (not nearly the bag but H is probably as good of a shooter at high volume, which is to say elite).  

Hausen is a straight up 3pt specialist.  He’d be a great threat off the bench with enough size at 6’4”.  
 
He made 61 threes last year at 17min a game at 38%. 
 
KT made 76 threes at 26min a game at 37%. 
 
So to say Hausen is a gunner is an understatement.  He’s gotta love the green light/system KT put on film (not nearly the bag but H is probably as good of a shooter at high volume, which is to say elite).  

We don't need to sell our soul or completely change course, but we do need to get more athletic to successfully compete on an ongoing basis.   It's not an all or nothing thing.

This. And I'm glad we're not selling our soul to just go get the most athletic guys out there just to try and beat 2024 Texas A&M that shot unbelievable from 3 and would have beaten almost anyone on that night. We have to continue doing the model that has won us Big Ten games over the last 14 months, which is smart, hard-working, unselfish, experienced dudes who can shoot and will give max effort on defense. You can't win a tournament game if you can't get to the tournament. 
 
After the A&M game, some fans seem to think we should be getting athletic freaks and that those same players will also be great shooters and super effective in Fred's 5-out offense and will also have the discipline, work ethic and attitude of a Sam Griesel/Sam Hoiberg. Newsflash: if you are all of those things you are in the NBA or getting offered by UConn/North Carolina/Kansas/Duke. 

He’s about 25lbs lighter than Mast which makes a pretty big difference defensively in the post, but he could also stretch a 5 on the other end and likely score more than he gives up if he plays the 5.  But he screams 4 to me.  
 
I’m almost positive Morgan is coming here to play the 5.  

Serviceable ball handler and will dunk on people too.  He’ll benefit massively from our system on offense. 

He’s about 25lbs lighter than Mast which makes a pretty big difference defensively in the post, but he could also stretch a 5 on the other end and likely score more than he gives up if he plays the 5.  But he screams 4 to me.  
 
I’m almost positive Morgan is coming here to play the 5.  

Serviceable ball handler and will dunk on people too.  He’ll benefit massively from our system on offense. 

All the length across the board and two true pgs is kinda crazy 

Bonafide NBA talent.  
 
Transfer quality is unreal so far.  
 
Rollie 6’4”
BW 6’7”
GG 6’8”
JG 6’7”
Morgan/Mast/?? 6’10”
 
Scary.  

Bonafide NBA talent.  
 
Transfer quality is unreal so far.  
 
Rollie 6’4”
BW 6’7”
GG 6’8”
JG 6’7”
Morgan/Mast/?? 6’10”
 
Scary.  

Last two seasons Worster has averaged 5+ assists to <2 TO. 
 
That’s a very big deal.  
 
If he can get his 3pt shot above 30% it sure would be nice.  But he gets to the rim really well in P&R and is a deadly passer.  Do-it-all player everywhere else.  5rbs a game from your PG adds up and helps the team a ton in offensive transition. 
 
Great get.  
 
Put 4 other shooters on the court with this kid and it really is pick your poison.  

Last two seasons Worster has averaged 5+ assists to <2 TO. 
 
That’s a very big deal.  
 
If he can get his 3pt shot above 30% it sure would be nice.  But he gets to the rim really well in P&R and is a deadly passer.  Do-it-all player everywhere else.  5rbs a game from your PG adds up and helps the team a ton in offensive transition. 
 
Great get.  
 
Put 4 other shooters on the court with this kid and it really is pick your poison.  

The first thought I had when I saw Griffiths play against us was he’s going to the league.  Makes sense his accolades were that high.  Enormous ceiling.  
 
Worster looks like a nice big body PG who can really pass well and is elite in P&R (not a shooter).  
 
Both would be phenomenal, but GG is the one I’m most excited about of all the possible ones we’re in on.  Crazy skill and trigger for 6’8”.  He would start at the 3 and be a problem.