2026 Recruiting: Colben Landrew interview (commit)

[HW611]

Not maybe on the portal PG. it’s a must-get and a priority. In no world should County be our only PG off the bench.

Eh. You really only need one off the bench PG. So if we won’t trust County to do it I probably wouldn’t expect him to play next year.

He’s also kind of an interesting recruit for us because Hurley has yet to mold a successful PG who he identified and recruited out of HS. So this is another chance at that in Year 9. Treating him like Nowell or Diggins probably aren’t great ways to start the development. If that’s the case there was really no need to bring in another top 50 guard that you wouldn’t trust to play.

 

[bendm]

Diop would be the perfect transfer piece. He’d be the starting PF splitting time with Stew and he can split time with Reibe at C. Based on the rumors that were swirling this year, I’m concerned with how reibe’s camp would react to staff bringing in someone that’s going to directly compete with him for the starting C spot. But It’s easy to spin Diop’s fit.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Eh. You really only need one off the bench PG. So if we won’t trust County to do it I probably wouldn’t expect him to play next year.

He’s also kind of an interesting recruit for us because Hurley has yet to mold a successful PG who he identified and recruited out of HS. So this is another chance at that in Year 9. Treating him like Nowell or Diggins probably aren’t great ways to start the development. If that’s the case there was really no need to bring in another top 50 guard that you wouldn’t trust to play.

Yeah that’s a hard no. Silas goes down with an injury and County is the only guy on the roster with handles? That’s loco roster construction.

 

[uconngb]

This one may take the cake Ruff. Wow.

I was thinking the exact same thing

“We don’t care if you win Dan, just start bringing in dudes”

He continues to lower what I thought was an unlowerable bar

 

[3rdbass]

Many teams play small ball. You don't need to have a prototype PF.

They do need a backup center.

But if all those players are in the lineup already, then you can play with Landrew and Stewart taking Karaban's position.

Reibe + C
Stewart + Landrew as forwards
Mullins + Ball + Ross as guards
Demary + County for PG

That's 9 deep.

Ross is not a guard. He is 3 who can backup at 4 when needed. His handle isnt tight enough to play the 2.

 

[navery12]

Eh. You really only need one off the bench PG. So if we won’t trust County to do it I probably wouldn’t expect him to play next year.

He’s also kind of an interesting recruit for us because Hurley has yet to mold a successful PG who he identified and recruited out of HS. So this is another chance at that in Year 9. Treating him like Nowell or Diggins probably aren’t great ways to start the development. If that’s the case there was really no need to bring in another top 50 guard that you wouldn’t trust to play.

There's no chance we're going into next season with only an unproven freshman PG who's borderline top 50. We learned our lesson with that once last year and Hurley isn't making that mistake again. Especially with a guy who's a borderline PG to begin with

 

[Inyatkin]

We’re doing “Hurley can’t develop point guards” again, huh? Playing all the hits

 

[KingAG]

There's no chance we're going into next season with only an unproven freshman PG who's borderline top 50. We learned our lesson with that once last year and Hurley isn't making that mistake again. Especially with a guy who's a borderline PG to begin with

I don’t disagree with the sentiment. But at some point we have to groom a freshman pg. if he can’t play next year. Then the year after we’re gonna say, “there is no way Hurley can go into the year with a back up guard who hasn’t played consistent minutes yet”. A freshman guard could’ve given us what Mali gave us this year. We haven’t groomed a hs guard in a long while.

Part of me want to give County a chance. Silas should be an all American level pg next year.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I don’t disagree with the sentiment. But at some point we have to groom a freshman pg. if he can’t play next year. Then the year after we’re gonna say, “there is no way Hurley can go into the year with a back up guard who hasn’t played consistent minutes yet”. A freshman guard could’ve given us what Mali gave us this year. We haven’t groomed a hs guard in a long while.

County is a combo guard who’s more scorer than pure point right now. There will be minutes for him at the 2 and as a secondary ball handler where he can develop his PG skills without having the pressure to run the show.

 

[KingAG]

County is a combo guard who’s more scorer than pure point right now. There will be minutes for him at the 2 and as a secondary ball handler where he can develop his PG skills without having the pressure to run the show.

Thought he was more of a table setter. Didn’t think he was a score first guy. He’s also a ++ defender. He offers us positional size as well. Switchablility.

 

[aceboon]

A top 40 recruit should be able to play 8-10 minutes of backup PG/Combo minutes a game, if not the evaluation/fit wasn't there.

 

[KingAG]

A top 40 recruit should be able to play 8-10 minutes of backup PG/Combo minutes a game, if not the evaluation/fit wasn't there.

Agreed. Or we’re going to stop getting them.

I think Hurley struggles to trust hs pgs because of the complexity of the offense. But Mali can’t really run it either. Give me the young guy.

Steph wasn’t entrusted with playing point. It’s why he played.

 

[aceboon]

Agreed. Or we’re going to stop getting them.

I think Hurley struggles to groom us pgs because of the complexity of the offense. But Mali can’t really run it either. Give me the young guy.

Yea, like Malachi was extremely invaluable during the non conf portion of the schedule when Silas was in constant foul trouble and struggling a bit picking things up, but I expect him to hit the ground running next season assuming he's here. If a young player can't fill the role that Malachi has done the past 20+ games then that's an issue. I'd much rather a young player getting those minutes getting their feet wet so they're more comfortable the following season.

 

[KingAG]

Yea, like Malachi was extremely invaluable during the non conf portion of the schedule when Silas was in constant foul trouble and struggling a bit picking things up, but I expect him to hit the ground running next season assuming he's here. If a young player can't fill the role that Malachi has done the past 20+ games then that's an issue. I'd much rather a young player getting those minutes getting their feet wet so they're more comfortable the following season.

It also solves the issue of constantly starting over at the pg position with transfers. Have a guy in the program ready to take the reins. That’s invaluable with the complexity of our system.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Yea, like Malachi was extremely invaluable during the non conf portion of the schedule when Silas was in constant foul trouble and struggling a bit picking things up, but I expect him to hit the ground running next season assuming he's here. If a young player can't fill the role that Malachi has done the past 20+ games then that's an issue. I'd much rather a young player getting those minutes getting their feet wet so they're more comfortable the following season.

Using this year as an example feels a bit odd to me. Silas has played too many minutes for a good chunk of the conference schedule, largely because Malachi has struggled in his role (with some very good games in there as well). The goal was to have Smith playing more minutes and not have games with Silas playing 35+ minutes. This offense is also clearly missing another ball-handler and creator. There are minutes for County and a backup PG.

 

[HW611]

It also solves the issue of constantly starting over at the pg position with transfers. Have a guy in the program ready to take the reins. That’s invaluable with the complexity of our system.

Happy to know I’m not on a hill by myself here.

 

[navery12]

I don’t disagree with the sentiment. But at some point we have to groom a freshman pg. if he can’t play next year. Then the year after we’re gonna say, “there is no way Hurley can go into the year with a back up guard who hasn’t played consistent minutes yet”. A freshman guard could’ve given us what Mali gave us this year. We haven’t groomed a hs guard in a long while.

Part of me want to give County a chance. Silas should be an all American level pg next year.

Well if we keep getting Tristen Newton and Silas Demary Jr from the portal we don't need to. I agree it would be nice, just not willing to put all the eggs in the Junior County basket. Especially when about half the board wasn't even happy we recruited him, but now wants to rely on him before he sets foot on campus

 

[HW611]

Well if we keep getting Tristen Newton and Silas Demary Jr from the portal we don't need to. I agree it would be nice, just not willing to put all the eggs in the Junior County basket. Especially when about half the board wasn't even happy we recruited him, but now wants to rely on him before he sets foot on campus

I’m not necessarily huge on County admittedly. But we went out and recruited him and asked him to play for us. If our coaching staff thought highly enough to bring him in, I hope they feel good enough about him to trust to give him spare backup minutes off the bench. Especially with a guy who can potentially be an All American in front of him.

It’d be really cool if he can get experience to learn from Silas on the court while he’s here before being asked to take over the reigns himself. Like others have said as well, it’s not a guarantee that bringing in a transfer will be a success as we’ve seen with Smith.

 

[KingAG]

Well if we keep getting Tristen Newton and Silas Demary Jr from the portal we don't need to. I agree it would be nice, just not willing to put all the eggs in the Junior County basket. Especially when about half the board wasn't even happy we recruited him, but now wants to rely on him before he sets foot on campus

But his role wouldn’t be Tristen Newton and Silas Demary. It’d be Malachi Smith and 23 Hassan Diarra. If we aren’t recruiting kids capable of that what are we doing? We have freshman guards producing all over the country. Furman has a freshman guard we’re about to see who has produced. We have to invest in the guys we recruit at some point. We’re hoping he’s Silas and Tristen a year or 2 from now. And the only way young guards develop is with reps

 

[navery12]

But his role wouldn’t be Tristen Newton and Silas Demary. It’d be Malachi Smith and 23 Hassan Diarra. If we aren’t recruiting kids capable of that what are we doing? We have freshman guards producing all over the country. Furman has a freshman guard we’re about to see who has produced. We have to invest in the guys we recruit at some point. We’re hoping he’s Silas and Tristen a year or 2 from now. And the only way young guards develop is with reps

I'm saying I don't care about recruiting HS guards if we continue getting Tristen Newton's and Silas Demary Jr's from the portal. And I'm not even saying we shouldn't give County minutes. I just don't like the idea of having no other option if County isn't ready year 1. I think there's still value even if he's not ready for major minutes until year 2.

If it was a 5* top 25 guy coming in, fully on board with taking that risk. For a guy ranked where County is I'd prefer a fallback option as well. If County is ready there's plenty of minutes for both or he takes that transfer's minutes. If he's not ready we're not stick with Silas playing 35 minutes again

 

[Edward Sargent]

Well if we keep getting Tristen Newton and Silas Demary Jr from the portal we don't need to. I agree it would be nice, just not willing to put all the eggs in the Junior County basket. Especially when about half the board wasn't even happy we recruited him, but now wants to rely on him before he sets foot on campus

you mean the athleticism fans who wanted Toure?

 

[KingAG]

I'm saying I don't care about recruiting HS guards if we continue getting Tristen Newton's and Silas Demary Jr's from the portal. And I'm not even saying we shouldn't give County minutes. I just don't like the idea of having no other option if County isn't ready year 1. I think there's still value even if he's not ready for major minutes until year 2.

If it was a 5* top 25 guy coming in, fully on board with taking that risk. For a guy ranked where County is I'd prefer a fallback option as well. If County is ready there's plenty of minutes for both or he takes that transfer's minutes. If he's not ready we're not stick with Silas playing 35 minutes again

Praying you keep getting Silas and Tristen in the portal is a dangerous game. Because you might just get Aiden Mahaney. That’s not a recipe for consistent success. We’ve been fortunate.

But I agree there is room for 2 ball handlers. So long as County is getting some reps.at least in the early schedule. See what you have.

Question: Would Hurley have played freshman year Bazz or brought in a 5th year senior to play over him as back up?

 

[HW611]

Yeah that’s a hard no. Silas goes down with an injury and County is the only guy on the roster with handles? That’s loco roster construction.

If Silas goes down I don’t think a backup transfer PG is saving our season.

So I don’t understand planning with that train of thought.

 

[HW611]

Praying you keep getting Silas and Tristen in the portal is a dangerous game. Because you might just get Aiden Mahaney. That’s not a recipe for consistent success. We’ve been fortunate.

But I agree there is room for 2 ball handlers. So long as County is getting some reps.at least in the early schedule. See what you have.

Question: Would Hurley have played freshman year Bazz or brought in a 5th year senior to play over him as back up?

How important was that experience his freshman year to be ready to take over his sophomore year.

Then going through the struggles of his sophomore year to prepare for his junior and senior years when he was pretty much in God mode at PG?

Guys have to play, learn, and fail early so that they can be their best selves by the end. We can’t protect them from failure and expect the best player possible by the end of their time with us.

 

[navery12]

I’m not necessarily huge on County admittedly. But we went out and recruited him and asked him to play for us. If our coaching staff thought highly enough to bring him in, I hope they feel good enough about him to trust to give him spare backup minutes off the bench. Especially with a guy who can potentially be an All American in front of him.

It’d be really cool if he can get experience to learn from Silas on the court while he’s here before being asked to take over the reigns himself. Like others have said as well, it’s not a guarantee that bringing in a transfer will be a success as we’ve seen with Smith.

I'm with you there, if we recruited him I think we should give him some minutes off the bench. Just don't love the idea of not having another option if he's not ready. Even if it's just another Malachi Smith type that ends up losing minutes by conference play if County is ready

 

[RuffRuff]

Praying you keep getting Silas and Tristen in the portal is a dangerous game. Because you might just get Aiden Mahaney. That’s not a recipe for consistent success. We’ve been fortunate.

But I agree there is room for 2 ball handlers. So long as County is getting some reps.at least in the early schedule. See what you have.

Question: Would Hurley have played freshman year Bazz or brought in a 5th year senior to play over him as back up?

Also like the idea of grooming a young PG. What really good player is going to want to join us to backup? Catch 22 on this one. You're better off giving the talented youngster time.

 

[aceboon]

Using this year as an example feels a bit odd to me. Silas has played too many minutes for a good chunk of the conference schedule, largely because Malachi has struggled in his role (with some very good games in there as well). The goal was to have Smith playing more minutes and not have games with Silas playing 35+ minutes. This offense is also clearly missing another ball-handler and creator. There are minutes for County and a backup PG.

I reference Malachi because for next season with another year in the system and less deferring to players he shouldn't be deferring to I expect Silas to be one of the best PGs in the country and an AA caliber player, I expect him to be out there for 30+ minutes a game. There will obviously be games where health/foul trouble will change that, but in a perfect world I expect there to only be about 10 minutes of backup pg minutes available similar to this season with Malachi's role. So taking that into account you're going to have to bring in another player that (1) is comfortable with knowing they might not have a big minutes role wise and (2) be good enough to fill that role without completely sinking the team while on the court. If a freshman County can't do it then it is what is but if you evaluate and scout right you can find one, I watch enough hoops to see that these guys are all over the country. I just prefer that its a young player so they can be in the system learning for multiple years, if they can find another Diarra situation with multiple years of eligibility that works too.

 

[upstater]

I don’t disagree with the sentiment. But at some point we have to groom a freshman pg. if he can’t play next year. Then the year after we’re gonna say, “there is no way Hurley can go into the year with a back up guard who hasn’t played consistent minutes yet”. A freshman guard could’ve given us what Mali gave us this year. We haven’t groomed a hs guard in a long while.

Part of me want to give County a chance. Silas should be an all American level pg next year.

Yep. It was good enough for Calhoun... we always groomed the next guy.

Chris Smith then Doron Sheffer
Doron Sheffer then Rickey Moore
Rickey Moore then Khalid El-Amin
El-Amin then Marcus Cox/Tony Robertson (didn't work)
Taliek Brown then Marcus Williams
Marcus Williams then AJ Price
AJ Price then Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker then Shabazz Napier
Shabazz Napier then Ryan Boatright

Calhoun worked this relationship over 9 cycles and it only failed him once.

 

[upstater]

Using this year as an example feels a bit odd to me. Silas has played too many minutes for a good chunk of the conference schedule, largely because Malachi has struggled in his role (with some very good games in there as well). The goal was to have Smith playing more minutes and not have games with Silas playing 35+ minutes. This offense is also clearly missing another ball-handler and creator. There are minutes for County and a backup PG.

While I agree you need a 3rd competent PG in case of injury, I think he has to be a 3rd stringer, preferably a Donnell Beverly type, so that your freshman is brought along.

 

[upstater]

Also like the idea of grooming a young PG. What really good player is going to want to join us to backup? Catch 22 on this one. You're better off giving the talented youngster time.

It can be done. Donnell Beverly joined the team despite Shabazz Napier getting backup minutes ahead of him.

A senior from a low or mid-major who can play but wants to join a blueblood for his last year is perfect in such a setup.