February General CBB Discussion Thread

[bendm]

There are like 6 posts defending a video that would get most high school coaches fired if they said the same thing.

It is also not true. Youth and high school basketball has changed a lot in the last 10-15 years. Generally it is catholic vs catholic in the D1 state tournament after the second round on the boys at least, but the #1 team in Division 1 right now is Staples. Not exactly a city team. Ridgefield and Southington are also in Top 10 of D1. New Britain is #2 and Danbury #8 in Girls D1, but Greenwich and Southington are also in the Top 10 on the girls side. The Top 3 D2 girls teams are Rocky Hill, Trumbull and Staples.

Last year's boys D1 playoffs was dominated by Catholic Schools, but only two city teams, Hillhouse and Crosby, even made the second round of the D2 bracket. If you want to make Manchester a city team for this argument, then you have last year's D2 champion, but making that case is playing to the stereotype that I was talking about.

The kids work hard to get to a high level, they aren't just born that way as Titus' stereotypes imply, and AAU tournaments are by talent level, not city vs. suburb.

IDK anything about that, as I said I played NEPSAC. But Titus was talking about suburban middle school AAU where it’s very much not about talent as much as whose dad was the coach and who your friends were. At least that was the case 25 years ago when we were playing. His anecdote made me laugh because I had experienced exactly what he was talking about and it’s not something we need to apologize for.

 

[KingAG]

Darius Acuff scored 49 lmao

We may indeed get Braylon back

 

[RuffRuff]

Darius Acuff scored 49 lmao

We may indeed get Braylon back

Double OT. Thomas had 20 something.

So many freshmen studs this year. I'm with you on Mullins. I don't see it. Nice player, not sure what he's doing out there that feels different than someone like Hawkins.

Illinois laying the wood on the road at USC. That is what a team rounding into March form is supposed to look like.

UM/Illinois is going to be a brawl. Two huge teams, Illinois has the guards to puzzle UM.

 

[HW611]

Darius Acuff scored 49 lmao

We may indeed get Braylon back

 

[HW611]

Double OT. Thomas had 20 something.

So many freshmen studs this year. I'm with you on Mullins. I don't see it. Nice player, not sure what he's doing out there that feels different than someone like Hawkins.

Illinois laying the wood on the road at USC. That is what a team rounding into March form is supposed to look like.

UM/Illinois is going to be a brawl. Two huge teams, Illinois has the guards to puzzle UM.

Acuff had 41 at the end of regulation. Thomas had 24 at that point too. They went off.

 

[superjohn]

Double OT. Thomas had 20 something.

So many freshmen studs this year. I'm with you on Mullins. I don't see it. Nice player, not sure what he's doing out there that feels different than someone like Hawkins.

Illinois laying the wood on the road at USC. That is what a team rounding into March form is supposed to look like.

UM/Illinois is going to be a brawl. Two huge teams, Illinois has the guards to puzzle UM.

Really? I think Mullins talent is way better than Hawkins.

 

[RuffRuff]

Really? I think Mullins talent is way better than Hawkins.

Why? What does he do that differently? I'm not being a wise a, curious as to what it is. Both shoot 37% from three. I'd argue that Hawkins was much more proficient running picks and getting really clean looks elevating. I don't see one as being that much better an athlete than the other. There hasn't been anything about Mullins that has really stood out to me other than his quick trigger 3's and mid range turnarounds. Both 20 at the draft.

 

[KingAG]

Why? What does he do that differently? I'm not being a wise a, curious as to what it is. Both shoot 37% from three. I'd argue that Hawkins was much more proficient running picks and getting really clean looks elevating. I don't see one as being that much better an athlete than the other. There hasn't been anything about Mullins that has really stood out to me other than his quick trigger 3's and mid range turnarounds. Both 20 at the draft.

Mullins is WAY better creating off the dribble. He just can’t finish at the basket yet. But he’s got everything else

 

[RuffRuff]

Mullins is WAY better creating off the dribble. He just can’t finish at the basket yet. But he’s got everything else

You'd call his dribble creation a strength? Yeah, maybe better than Hawkins.

 

[KingAG]

You'd call his dribble creation a strength? Yeah, maybe better than Hawkins.

Hawkins had no bag. Still doesn’t. Braylon has one. It’s just not refined.

 

[superjohn]

Why? What does he do that differently? I'm not being a wise a, curious as to what it is. Both shoot 37% from three. I'd argue that Hawkins was much more proficient running picks and getting really clean looks elevating. I don't see one as being that much better an athlete than the other. There hasn't been anything about Mullins that has really stood out to me other than his quick trigger 3's and mid range turnarounds. Both 20 at the draft.

Hawkins shot 35% from the field, 33% from three and averaged 6 ppg ss a freshman. As a sophomore he played with a much better passing team than Braylon is playing with, still shot just under 45% on twos. They got out on the run and Hawkins had so many rhythm threes on the break. Just watch the tournament highlights Hawkins sophomore season, Jackson was setting up Hawkins beautifully over and over again.

This team doesn't run, Mullins is having to get his in the halfcourt and he's been a much better shooter than Hawkins.

 

[RuffRuff]

Hawkins shot 35% from the field, 33% from three and averaged 6 ppg ss a freshman. As a sophomore he played with a much better passing team than Braylon is playing with, still shot just under 45% on twos. They got out on the run and Hawkins had so many rhythm threes on the break. Just watch the tournament highlights Hawkins sophomore season, Jackson was setting up Hawkins beautifully over and over again.

This team doesn't run, Mullins is having to get his in the halfcourt and he's been a much better shooter than Hawkins.

I kind of toss his freshmen year - injuries and messy and he didn't come in as heralded as Mullins. I agree with you on the other part. He is a more proficient shooter, but I'm still not seeing someone where if put on an NBA floor, feels like an impact player anytime soon. We are comparing to Hawkins, who will be out of the league soon. Mullins comp?

Miss the running.

Really hoping Hurley figures out how to circle back to what works as his recruiting has been weird. This glacial half court stuff full of hoisters gets a bit stale. We feel miles from the Ferrari that was 2024. This team feels like a Honda Accord.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Do you really want to defend that video?

The sports bros like Titus like to go right up to the line of what will get them in trouble because there is a certain audience that likes that. It appears that some of the Boneyarders are part of that audience.

Irrespective of how true or not your overall claim is, you appear to enjoy going up to certain lines. Mine is a longitudinal observation with a decent sample size, though offered here mostly by vibes. I could locate myself in agreement with you more than disagreement and still feel confident in my overall claim.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Irrespective of how true or not your overall claim is, you appear to enjoy going up to certain lines. Mine is a longitudinal observation with a decent sample size, though offered here mostly by vibes. I could locate myself in agreement with you more than disagreement and still feel confident in my overall claim.

If you really read the subject matter of my posts, I do not do that. I do call out the endless negativity on this board. The conference sucks and this player sucks and that player should shoot more because everyone else sucks is tedious, and I will shake things up if that is the tone of discussion.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

If you really read the subject matter of my posts, I do not do that. I do call out the endless negativity on this board. The conference sucks and this player sucks and that player should shoot more because everyone else sucks is tedious, and I will shake things up if that is the tone of discussion.

Your post supports more than disputes what I wrote. That's not necessarily a criticism, but I do see you as contributing to the tone here.

Fwiw, you've also said that most of your posting is trolling, and that your best contributions are in the Entertainment Forum.

 

[RuffRuff]

We might get that Michigan battler sooner than we hoped!

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Your post supports more than disputes what I wrote. That's not necessarily a criticism, but I do see you as contributing to the tone here.

Fwiw, you've also said that most of your posting is trolling, and that your best contributions are in the Entertainment Forum.

I crush it on the Entertainment forum.

 

[BGesus4]

We might get that Michigan battler sooner than we hoped!

Wait I thought we were bounced out of the tournament last night

 

[Excalibur]

I don't know how Hurley would manage his budget, but he always seems to avoid the real big splash portal kid. Toppin would very much qualify, as he was 2-3 in POY behind Boozer. You're likely looking at 3mm or so if he's healthy. He is exactly what we'd need.

There were rumors that he got as much as 5 this year.

 

[uconnfan68]

Wait I thought we were bounced out of the tournament last night

Effectively.

 

[RuffRuff]

There were rumors that he got as much as 5 this year.

Seeing how Hurley portals going forward is going to be an interesting watch. It's been clear that trying to develop these 50+ kids hasn't worked out all that well (Ross, Stew, Abraham, Nowell) of late. I'm even wary on Ball. The OAD approach if you want to feature, really only works if they are a top prospect, or there are really good upperclassmen around them.

A guy like May just grabbed what may have been the three best portal players in the country in one class in Mara, Johnson and Yaxel. The one aggressive Hurley get this portal season is now our best player (Silas). Maybe it's time to start scrapping the developing core stuff, holding onto and cutting bait if they're not up to the challenge. What he did with the Nowell/Abraham class may have been what he should have done with this Fab 5 class. Go get the best talent possible, stop bogging your roster down with hopefuls because they're home grown.

Hell, Willard may beat us Saturday with a unit he pulled together last second.

Iowa St's best player came out of the portal. If you look at the top 10 in EMaya, 5 are transfers & Boozer/Wagler.

It really feels like the only way to compete these days is going to be grabbing some studs out of the portal (two Silas'). Forget this system, it needs the right players. 24 is long gone. It's clear at this point it only works with the right players. Fix your mistakes in the portal.

The kids that stay multiple years feels like an unlikely path to a quality NC roster. With all the talent rising to the top 20 programs or so, and consolidating, it's going to be about the portal/great freshmen/international, not building up a bunch of lower end recruits. Maybe you get a decent role player out of that pool. Right now, all the best talent is consolidating to what will be the same 20 programs or so - we need to keep up, not pull a Shaka. If some of those kids surprise or develop late, pick them off in the portal.

What May is doing this year is masterful - next year he'll start with a backcourt of Cadeau and McKenney and have to rebuild his FC with what is likely his pickings of choice. The guy may send 4 bigs into the first round in 2 years.

If Mullins slips in this draft, Hurley will have B2B years of prospects going lower than they hoped. The system right now really isn't doing much to make them look any better than they are. He needs to get the right players, not settle.

 

[Excalibur]

Seeing how Hurley portals going forward is going to be an interesting watch. It's been clear that trying to develop these 50+ kids hasn't worked out all that well (Ross, Stew, Abraham, Nowell) of late. I'm even wary on Ball. The OAD approach if you want to feature, really only works if they are a top prospect, or there are really good upperclassmen around them.

A guy like May just grabbed what may have been the three best portal players in the country in one class in Mara, Johnson and Yaxel. The one aggressive Hurley get this portal season is now our best player (Silas). Maybe it's time to start scrapping the developing core stuff, holding onto and cutting bait if they're not up to the challenge. What he did with the Nowell/Abraham class may have been what he should have done with this Fab 5 class. Go get the best talent possible, stop bogging your roster down with hopefuls because they're home grown.

Hell, Willard may beat us Saturday with a unit he pulled together last second.

Iowa St's best player came out of the portal. If you look at the top 10 in EMaya, 5 are transfers & Boozer/Wagler.

It really feels like the only way to compete these days is going to be grabbing some studs out of the portal (two Silas'). Forget this system, it needs the right players. 24 is long gone. It's clear at this point it only works with the right players. Fix your mistakes in the portal.

The kids that stay multiple years feels like an unlikely path to a quality NC roster. With all the talent rising to the top 20 programs or so, and consolidating, it's going to be about the portal/great freshmen, not building up a bunch of lower end recruits. Maybe you get a decent role player out of that pool. Right now, all the best talent is consolidating to what will be the same 20 programs or so - we need to keep up, not pull a Shaka. If some of those kids surprise or develop late, pick them off in the portal.

What May is doing this year is masterful - next year he'll start with a backcourt of Cadeau and McKenney and have to rebuild his FC with what is likely his pickings of choice. The guy may send 4 bigs into the first round in 2 years. I think Goldin went second last year.

If Mullins slips in this draft, Hurley will have B2B years of prospects going lower than they hoped. The system right now really isn't doing much to make them look any better than they are.

While I agree that recruiting and holding onto fringe top 50 guys is not a formula for success anymore, we do/will not have the resources to be paying those kinds of dollars in the portal. We're bringing a knife to a gun fight vs. the Michigans of the world. People are treating the revenue share number as a salary cap for some reason. It isn't, and the numbers are only going to escalate from here.

 

[superjohn]

While I agree that recruiting and holding onto fringe top 50 guys is not a formula for success anymore, we do/will not have the resources to be paying those kinds of dollars in the portal. We're bringing a knife to a gun fight vs. the Michigans of the world. People are treating the revenue share number as a salary cap for some reason. It isn't, and the numbers are only going to escalate from here.

How exactly are these kids being paid and what deals is the NIL Clearinghouse accepting and rejecting? It sure seems like it's just loaded fans paying players. Why don't we ever see the deals? Why is there no transparency?

All we get is rumors.

 

[RuffRuff]

While I agree that recruiting and holding onto fringe top 50 guys is not a formula for success anymore, we do/will not have the resources to be paying those kinds of dollars in the portal. We're bringing a knife to a gun fight vs. the Michigans of the world. People are treating the revenue share number as a salary cap for some reason. It isn't, and the numbers are only going to escalate from here.

That is a good point. If that's the case, after a season like this, it makes me wonder how long Hurley is in this landscape. It's become pretty clear it was talent all along, not the system. Case in point Cam, Steph, Cling. You have three starting NBA players on one roster, they're going to look good in any system. Every year that goes by, the NIL/portal seem to solidify more and more in how top players move around.

You're just not going to overcome talent shortages when there are teams like UM rolling out NBA sized front courts.
It's going to be really hard to win if there is a major gap is funds. Even if that's 2-4mm.

This year has a weird smell to it. Hurley is fiery, but less so. Then you have a couple players who seem slightly apathetic.

 

[superjohn]

That is a good point. If that's the case, after a season like this, it makes me wonder how long Hurley is in this landscape. It's become pretty clear it was talent all along, not the system. Case in point Cam, Steph, Cling. You have three starting NBA players on one roster, they're going to look good in any system. Every year that goes by, the NIL/portal seem to solidify more and more in how top players move around.

You're just not going to overcome talent shortages when there are teams like UM rolling out NBA sized front courts.
It's going to be really hard to win if there is a major gap is funds. Even if that's 2-4mm.

This year has a weird smell to it. Hurley is fiery, but less so. Then you have a couple players who seem slightly apathetic.

What? Because Michigan has the best roster this season Hurley is going to retire from coaching.

It's always talent, nobody is winning national championships without great talent.