DePaul Post Game Thread | Page 7 | The Boneyard

DePaul Post Game Thread

AllHusky said:
I had this argument with my son regarding Hawkins. I felt he should have stayed for "developmental reasons". He laughed at me and said "that is not how it works anymore old man. They draft for talent and potential."

I still believe he should have stayed, but what do I know!?
Expand ...

You can always argue someone like Hawkins could have made out better in the long run if he had stayed one more year, but what he got for leaving when he did (striking while the iron was hot - best shooter on a national championship team) was almost $9 million guaranteed as the 14th pick in 2023. That can never be assessed as a poor decision (I know you didn’t call it that). Mullins is projected to around the same draft spot but NBA salaries are getting fatter and fatter by the year so we’d be asking him to turn down essentially a guaranteed 8-figure payday to play a sophomore year at UConn.
 
Iluvsuebird said:
If you believe that there are 22 teams better than UConn offensively, I have a bridge in San Francisco to sell you. Just silly stuff. It's been said before by someone pages ago, but we have one loss, and it was to the current #1 team in America with an incomplete squad. You stat geeks can go nuts over Kenporn, I will trust my eyeballs, which tells me that we are formidable at 80%. We are going to be a nightmare matchup when we are truly at 100%. And by the way, Silas is looking more comfortable much, much earlier than TN did in his first year. Remember, it took TN until February to get it together. And Reibe and Mullins both will be much better in February than they are now. LOVE this team.
Expand ...
Team will be fine offensively - not worried an ounce. It's actually a really good sign they are winning with defense right now. If I had to rank teams right now based on what I think they'll be come March:

Michigan - still obliterating teams (beat Lasalle by 50 last night). You just can't minimize what they are doing because you're a Uconn homer.
Uconn
Zona & Purdue
ISU
Duke

Michigan team to beat, UConn vs UM in finals.
 
Palatine said:
One of these days, Tarris is going to get double-teamed and pass the ball out to a three point shooter.
Expand ...

He assisted one of Karaban’s threes yesterday doing exactly that.

Edit: I don’t actually remember if he was double-teamed on that play, but it was a perfect pass out of the post to the opposite wing.
 
Last edited:
Iluvsuebird said:
If you believe that there are 22 teams better than UConn offensively, I have a bridge in San Francisco to sell you. Just silly stuff. It's been said before by someone pages ago, but we have one loss, and it was to the current #1 team in America with an incomplete squad. You stat geeks can go nuts over Kenporn, I will trust my eyeballs, which tells me that we are formidable at 80%. We are going to be a nightmare matchup when we are truly at 100%. And by the way, Silas is looking more comfortable much, much earlier than TN did in his first year. Remember, it took TN until February to get it together. And Reibe and Mullins both will be much better in February than they are now. LOVE this team.
Expand ...
Like I put in my post above, some people just look at the KP ranking and overreact in one direction or the other.

The difference in offensive/defensive rankings is sometimes so small and teams can be so log-jammed together in the KP 7-25 rankings range that literally 2-3 possessions of variance (making vs. missing shots, the opposing team doing the same) is enough for your team to move up/down a few spots.

Like you've said, if you are paying attention watching this team and also take into context the fact that we've had a lot of roster variance, this team is WAYYYY better than KP #23 on offense. I'm a stats nerd and it's obvious to me.
 
RuffRuff said:
It's a legit argument if you ask me. The guaranteed millions would be pretty substantial. If he goes late teens, it's 10mm in guaranteed contract versus top 5 which is closer to 25mm. You of course want to start working towards your second contract as soon as you can, and to lock in the dollars, but there is risk/upside either way.
Expand ...
The money is of course a factor and important. I’m also rooting for him to be as ready as he can be when he makes the jump to make an instant impact.
thekollieman said:
You can always argue someone like Hawkins could have made out better in the long run if he had stayed one more year, but what he got for leaving when he did (striking while the iron was hot - best shooter on a national championship team) was almost $9 million guaranteed as the 14th pick in 2023. That can never be assessed as a poor decision (I know you didn’t call it that). Mullins is projected to around the same draft spot but NBA salaries are getting fatter and fatter by the year so we’d be asking him to turn down essentially a guaranteed 8-figure payday to play a sophomore year at UConn.
Expand ...
Think your sophomore year is the cut off for when you’re young enough for the NBA to value you still. Hawkins did everything he needed to at that point there was no reason for him to come back after being the #1 option on a national championship team.

As it stands, Mullins is looking like a 4th or 5th option and I’d like to see what he looks like after a summer of training to be a #1 option as a 6’6 SG guard. That’s a top 5, maybe top 3 talent if he can show that and be patient.
 
HW611 said:
The money is of course a factor and important. I’m also rooting for him to be as ready as he can be when he makes the jump to make an instant impact.

Think your sophomore year is the cut off for when you’re young enough for the NBA to value you still. Hawkins did everything he needed to at that point there was no reason for him to come back after being the #1 option on a national championship team.

As it stands, Mullins is looking like a 4th or 5th option and I’d like to see what he looks like after a summer of training to be a #1 option as a 6’6 SG guard. That’s a top 5, maybe top 3 talent if he can show that and be patient.
Expand ...

I don’t disagree with your outlook on what could be the outcome for him after a sophomore year, I’m just saying it’s not going to happen because of what he’d have to leave on the table at the end of this year.
 
.-.
#10 v #25 is about 13M difference in contract value...but even then turning down 15M guaranteed (#25) is tough to pass up. Injury, not as much progress, etc.

If he's going top 15 he's gone, and he should be
 
thekollieman said:
I don’t disagree with your outlook on what could be the outcome for him after a sophomore year, I’m just saying it’s not going to happen because of what he’d have to leave on the table at the end of this year.
Expand ...
With how deep this draft is I am curious at how everything will play out.

He’s currently 16 on Wasserman and there’s some really good names behind him still.

Tounde is averaging almost 18 at Baylor. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the center at Michigan keep rising (he’s only 20 years old). Wonder how scouts will look at Yaxel too and if he can have a rise to the lottery like Dalton did.

Point is, I don’t think this is the draft that you can go lottery based on potential when there’s so many talented guys producing this year.

 
Last edited:
DRBackup said:
Supposed to be a thing. I remember a game the Eagles won at Dallas back when Andy Reid was the coach. In the heat, they all drank pickle juice to keep from cramping.
Expand ...
I get severe leg cramps (it feels my muscle is being pulled from the bone) in the middle of the night fairly often. Pickle juice is the only thing that calms them down.
 
thekollieman said:
You can always argue someone like Hawkins could have made out better in the long run if he had stayed one more year, but what he got for leaving when he did (striking while the iron was hot - best shooter on a national championship team) was almost $9 million guaranteed as the 14th pick in 2023. That can never be assessed as a poor decision (I know you didn’t call it that). Mullins is projected to around the same draft spot but NBA salaries are getting fatter and fatter by the year so we’d be asking him to turn down essentially a guaranteed 8-figure payday to play a sophomore year at UConn.
Expand ...
That kind of money, even low end, is so far beyond my comprehension that any opinion I have regarding what someone "should do" should be discarded. Just enjoying the debate.
 
HW611 said:
With how deep this draft is I am curious at how everything will play out.

He’s currently 16 on Wasserman and there’s some really good names behind him still.

Tounde is averaging almost 18 at Baylor. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the center at Michigan keep rising (he’s only 20 years old). Wonder how scouts will look at Yaxel too and if he can have a rise to the lottery like Dalton did.

Point is, I don’t think this is the draft that you can go lottery based on potential when there’s so many talented guys producing this year.

Expand ...
Maybe…Braylon will rise too? That’s a distinct possibility.
 
.-.
CardiacAndre7 said:
Maybe…Braylon will rise too? That’s a distinct possibility.
Expand ...
Of course. The current facts are those guys are producing at an extremely high level as it stands today. Braylon is revving up but his production is not there yet. It’s potential right now.

He has to start producing at a HIGH level once he gets going. I did not know that other Baylor freshman was averaging close to 20 a game this class is crazy.
 
HW611 said:
Of course. The current facts are those guys are producing at an extremely high level as it stands today. Braylon is revving up but his production is not there yet. It’s potential right now.

He has to start producing at a HIGH level once he gets going. I did not know that other Baylor freshman was averaging close to 20 a game this class is crazy.
Expand ...
Braylon has had good games. We have more scorers and more options than a lot of these other teams. Drafting mainly on production simply isn’t a thing anymore.
 
CardiacAndre7 said:
Braylon has had good games. We have more scorers and more options than a lot of these other teams. Drafting mainly on production simply isn’t a thing anymore.
Expand ...
Drafting on production is a thing when the production is also 19-20 years old and extremely talented.

This class is not the class for potential. It is very deep with talented players who are producing. To the point even Ament is being mocked outside of the top 10 because of his struggles at Tennessee.

If this was last year I think Braylon could sleep walk into the lottery. This is not the year for that.
 
HW611 said:
Drafting on production is a thing when the production is also 19-20 years old and extremely talented.

This class is not the class for potential. It is very deep with talented players who are producing. To the point even Ament is being mocked outside of the top 10 because of his struggles at Tennessee.

If this was last year I think Braylon could sleep walk into the lottery. This is not the year for that.
Expand ...
But why are we acting like Braylon is not producing as well? He's been putting up very good numbers and that's also a big factor for why people are putting him in the lottery
 
.-.
navery12 said:
But why are we acting like Braylon is not producing as well? He's been putting up very good numbers and that's also a big factor for why people are putting him in the lottery
Expand ...
He’s not producing like the other players.

He’ll improve as the season goes on. Would like to see him continue to be more efficient, find ways to get to the line more, and get his scoring average closer to 15 with how great the rest of this class has been playing.
 
HW611 said:
He’s not producing like the other players.

He’ll improve as the season goes on. Would like to see him continue to be more efficient, find ways to get to the line more, and get his scoring average closer to 15 with how great the rest of this class has been playing.
Expand ...
it's almost like BYers missed Liam being mocked late lottery/teens last year and then nearly falling out of the first round because the actual production didn't match. Braylon still has plenty of time and a 10 day break will do him wonders but at the end of day pre-season "mock drafts" will only take you so far.
 
Last edited:
HW611 said:
He’s not producing like the other players.

He’ll improve as the season goes on. Would like to see him continue to be more efficient, find ways to get to the line more, and get his scoring average closer to 15 with how great the rest of this class has been playing.
Expand ...
We've yet to see what Mullins will be. The kid only came back a few games ago as most of the current rotation found their sea legs. Let's all stay patient - no point arguing this now.
 
HW611 said:
He’s not producing like the other players.

He’ll improve as the season goes on. Would like to see him continue to be more efficient, find ways to get to the line more, and get his scoring average closer to 15 with how great the rest of this class has been playing.
Expand ...
Sure, which is why nobody is arguing top 5 for him. But the production is already there for him to be a lottery pick, he's not being drafted on potential
 
navery12 said:
Sure, which is why nobody is arguing top 5 for him. But the production is already there for him to be a lottery pick, he's not being drafted on potential
Expand ...
I would post Braylon’s #s compared to the rest of the freshman and sophomores in the 10-20 range but it would be largely pointless.

I’m not sure if you understand just how well everyone else is playing.
 
aceboon said:
it's almost like BYers missed Liam being mocked late lottery/teens last year and then nearly falling out of the first round because the actual production didn't match. Braylon still has plenty of time and a 10 day break will do him wonders but at the end of pre-season "mock drafts" will only take you so far.
Expand ...
Mind you Liam came in physically more ready for the NBA and had showed more up until this point.

Braylon is not the no brainer lottery pick as it stands today.
 
.-.
HW611 said:
He’s not producing like the other players.

He’ll improve as the season goes on. Would like to see him continue to be more efficient, find ways to get to the line more, and get his scoring average closer to 15 with how great the rest of this class has been playing.
Expand ...
Still waiting for him to drop 10 3s in one game :) Well he doesn't seem to be one and done, so Im sure he’ll get plenty of opportunities.
 
HW611 said:
I would post Braylon’s #s compared to the rest of the freshman and sophomores in the 10-20 range but it would be largely pointless.

I’m not sure if you understand just how well everyone else is playing.
Expand ...
I do, the freshman class is loaded this year. And when we look at the end of the year Mullins will have really good numbers too, now that his minutes restrictions are gone and he's running the actual offense more and more.

All I'm saying is Braylon has also had those big games which is all I mean when I say he's not being drafted on potential. I just wouldn't consider Mullins being drafted on potential when he's already shown the 3 point shooting, the midrange scoring, the defense, everything NBA teams want to see.
 
HW611 said:
I would post Braylon’s #s compared to the rest of the freshman and sophomores in the 10-20 range but it would be largely pointless.

I’m not sure if you understand just how well everyone else is playing.
Expand ...
Keaton Wagler wasn't even a top 200 recruit and he's already getting first round talk because of his production outperforming expectations and his potential once he fills out. Draft is way too deep with young talent performing at a high level to be talking with certainty without actually looking around at the rest of the cbb landscape.
 
Maybe a hot take but I’m not sure the shots are available for Braylon to get up to 15+ PPG where he’d be a unanimous top 10 pick

Solo is the guy we have flying around the court getting open for shots. We clearly love dropping it down to Tarris. Karaban is definitely the next guy for scoring. We want Silas to be more confident and aggressive so he can take more shots

I think Braylon’s most common type of game will be more like Texas and Butler, hyper efficient 10-13 PPG while grabbing some rebounds and playing solid defense. He’s due for breakout games, just like everyone else in the starting 5 can pop off on any given game (like Kansas)

He’s still been in the late lottery/top 20 on a lot of mock drafts I’ve seen so there’s clearly real value. If he can be a super efficient shooter and scorer, continue showing flashes, and UConn goes deep in the tournament, then he’s definitely a high draft pick. Even though as of today, he needs more time. And if there is a real chance to be a lottery pick, it’d be silly for him to not cash in
 
navery12 said:
Sure, which is why nobody is arguing top 5 for him. But the production is already there for him to be a lottery pick, he's not being drafted on potential
Expand ...
How do you figure that? I'm not arguing he will or won't be a lottery pick, it's too early for that, but his production isn't near what lots of freshmen are doing so I don't see how that figures much in what NBA scouts are focusing on at this point.. He's coming off an injury that sidelined him for almost 6 weeks and he's only played in 7 games. He'll get better but this UConn team is so balanced he's probably not going to have numbers that other top 10 freshmen are producing. I don't think that will matter where he gets drafted anyway.
 
Replays of the puke were unnecessary but otherwise enjoyable 30 minutes to close it out. Bad 1st 10 or so.
 
.-.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,178
Messages
4,555,883
Members
10,441
Latest member
Virginiafan


Top Bottom