Nils Machowski Committed!

[bendm]

Watching some of his film and his defensive metrics (DBPR, DRtg, DBPM) are all significantly worse than Solo. Wofford was statistically better defensively with Nils off the court lol

Edit: I should clarify that Wofford was an atrocious defensive team and Nils was literally playing PF for them at times. They had absolutely zero size. But Nils is way way way more comparable to Solo/Joey California's defensive abilities than a guy like Spencer (who wasn't an elite 1 on 1 defender, but a really good team defender). We brought this guy in for his shooting, rebounding, and extra ball handling. Not for another defensive guard.

Yeah we brought him in to score. I think our starting lineup is going to be better defensively than this year by virtue of swapping ball with Ross but we need scoring off the bench.

 

[QDOG5]

When I look at tape on Nils it looks like a guy who has been a college basketball player for three years. And when I take a deep dive he looks like a college basketball player who will play his fourth year at the University of Connecticut.

 

[KillaCam]

When I look at tape on Nils it looks like a guy who has been a college basketball player for three years. And when I take a deep dive he looks like a college basketball player who will play his fourth year at the University of Connecticut.

Great take!! Love it!!

 

[mauconnfan]

Here’s how I look at it. He just played 33 minutes a game at Wofford after averaging much less for 2 years at UCF. He had a heart to heart with Danny about the expectations for his role, which he now knows will probably fall in the 14-22 arena depending on the game and how he’s playing. He also was told he will need to be better on defense to stay on the floor as well. Instead of going somewhere again who will give him 28-33 minutes he wants to be part of a program that is trying to win a NC. He knows he can be a huge piece to the success without being the leading scorer, hero etc.. For that alone I love this kid, he gets it and he wants to be a Husky. Good enough for me don’t care who you compare him to. We’re going to be very happy he said yes to Dan Hurley.

 

[KillaCam]

Here’s how I look at it. He just played 33 minutes a game at Wofford after averaging much less for 2 years at UCF. He had a heart to heart with Danny about the expectations for his role, which he now knows will probably fall in the 15-22 arena depending on the game and how he’s playing. He also was told he will need to be better on defense to stay on the floor as well. Instead of going somewhere again who will give him 28-33 minutes he wants to be part of a program that is trying to win a NC. He knows he can be a huge piece to the success without being the leading scorer, hero etc.. For that alone I love this kid, he gets it and he wants to be a Husky. Good enough for me don’t care who you compare him to. We’re going to be very happy he said yes to Dan Hurley.

Agree with most. He also will be catching on fairly quickly as a son of a professional coach.

 

[gtcam]

If folks are waiting to see Cam part2 - you may be disappointed
Cam was not brought in to UConn to play second fiddle to anyone.
I like the signing but not expecting much more than a M Smith who is taller and maybe a bit more controlled in his actions
As usual, hope Nils surpasses my vision. Work hard and buy into the system - things will be OK

 

[ConnHuskBask]

The revisionist history on pre UConn Cam is wild. He was a big time player on a hallway decent SUNJ squad.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Here’s how I look at it. He just played 33 minutes a game at Wofford after averaging much less for 2 years at UCF. He had a heart to heart with Danny about the expectations for his role, which he now knows will probably fall in the 14-22 arena depending on the game and how he’s playing. He also was told he will need to be better on defense to stay on the floor as well. Instead of going somewhere again who will give him 28-33 minutes he wants to be part of a program that is trying to win a NC. He knows he can be a huge piece to the success without being the leading scorer, hero etc.. For that alone I love this kid, he gets it and he wants to be a Husky. Good enough for me don’t care who you compare him to. We’re going to be very happy he said yes to Dan Hurley.

Yes. Players get better under this staff. A lot better. At everything

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Are we better than Duke yet?

 

[Blades]

Let’s go!

Is there an advanced metric that can tell us where he falls on the Mahaney-JoeyC-Cam scale?

I guess he has better hops, is that a 2 hand flush and a breakaway block in his Big 12 highlights.. 😉

 

[ucp990411]

Anybody from the outside world that reads this thread might think we think rather highly of Cam Spencer. And they might we are nuts. I plead guilty on both counts your honor

 

[80shusky]

When I look at tape on Nils it looks like a guy who has been a college basketball player for three years. And when I take a deep dive he looks like a college basketball player who will play his fourth year at the University of Connecticut.

This is the kind of in-depth analysis that keeps the yard humming.

 

[DogMania]

Here’s how I look at it. He just played 33 minutes a game at Wofford after averaging much less for 2 years at UCF. He had a heart to heart with Danny about the expectations for his role, which he now knows will probably fall in the 14-22 arena depending on the game and how he’s playing. He also was told he will need to be better on defense to stay on the floor as well. Instead of going somewhere again who will give him 28-33 minutes he wants to be part of a program that is trying to win a NC. He knows he can be a huge piece to the success without being the leading scorer, hero etc.. For that alone I love this kid, he gets it and he wants to be a Husky. Good enough for me don’t care who you compare him to. We’re going to be very happy he said yes to Dan Hurley.

Well put! He sounds like a hard worker and team first type of player. The fact that he put up really good numbers after 2 years of getting little PT and then coming here says a lot about who he is.

I'm not comparing him to Cam, but I have a feeling he's gonna be much better than many realize. Hope he leaves his mark even though he might be here for 1 year. I know there is a proposed 5 year thing, but not sure if it is just 4 in 5 years and if it's 5, if he'll qualify for such. Anyhow, however long he's here, we're going to like this kid.

 

[80shusky]

Nice pickup! UConn needed an extra quality guard. Now to get a big 4 and fill the back of the bench and they should be good.

 

[Eric K]

Is Nils v Niels like Neal v Neil?

 

[Pete78626]

Even with a year's worth of data at UConn and two years in the NBA, it seems like a bunch of UConn fans still under appreciate how good Cam was and is.

Can was a once i

Cam Spencer isn't a name that you just toss around. Put some respect on that.

Thank You! When you consider his fit & tenacity, Cam’s a once in a decade type transfer.

 

[ucp990411]

And people are comparing him to a player who had one of the most magical seasons in the history of the best program in the country. Calm down people

 

[Scoe]

A 33 and 37 pt game this past year.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/nils-machowski-1/gamelog/2026

Check out the game logs

 

[Fan1978]

Great point. The comparison ends there. Everyone is psyched but I ask, would you rather have a healthy Solo?

Hopefully solo will be a much improved player the following year

 

[TheDude]

The staff is high on County.

What if they are disappointed. Like Maheney

 

[TheDude]

Love it. He’s got a good handle and will be able to take some pressure off County being the only backup option at PG. I do think people should cool down on the Cam comparisons. He’s not that level of player and I think that’s setting an impossibly high bar for him. Still a great addition for the team.

I think they get a back up point. If they miss on County they know they will be criticized by the boneyard. The staff can't have that happen.

 

[knicksin7]

Agreed. From the little tape Ive seen, he has good bball iq, good movement off the ball/ cuts out of a 5 out, nice form on his shot. But the Cam comparisons should be based on whether they have the true bball intangibles like Cam/Nadav/Bird (exceedingly rare), not whether hes a white guard. Looks to be a Jeff Hornacek type player (heady jump shooter, who can put it on the floor, probably more than Joey)

You mean former NBA All-Star Jeff Hornacek? Comparing him to Hornacek and Joey C in the same sentence is funny.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I think they get a back up point. If they miss on County they know they will be criticized by the boneyard. The staff can't have that happen.

I think they get a Millender type. I’d be reasonably surprised at this point if they go out and get someone else that is expected to be in the rotation. Staff is high on County and Nils has played plenty of point in the past. My guess is they’re comfortable going into the season letting those two share backup PG responsibilities.

 

[Fishy]

I guess he has better hops, is that a 2 hand flush and a breakaway block in his Big 12 highlights.. 😉

I would transfer out of the Big 12 just to avoid those floors.

But yeah, he looks like a very solid athlete.

He reminds me of Niels Giffey because he’s white, German and coming here.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

You mean former NBA All-Star Jeff Hornacek? Comparing him to Hornacek and Joey C in the same sentence is funny.

Only mean a type of player, in terms of his strengths/game, not nearly as good of course. Did you see Hornacek play? A 2g who could handle the point, high efficiency, smart connector, excellent shooter, heady. I was saying he was more of that style of player than a comp to Cam, which I dont see at all. His impact will be Joeyish most likely, but I think he may be better.

 

[Mazhude]

I am firmly committed to the position that he is very much a Nils Machowski type of player... with all the room to grow inherent in that statement.

​

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Are we better than Duke yet?

I think by now that goes without saying.

 

[ec33]

I think the comparison’s to Spencer are quite a stretch as Spencer was playing in the big 10 the previous season. Joey C seems like a better comp.Spencer averaged 13.5 ppg in Big 10 and made a couple game winners for Rutgers.

It is the lazy comparison to "Joey C." that creates the need to compare him to Spencer. One was a chucker from 3 and the other was a CG (capable of playing the point). Machowski is a CG (capable of the playing the point) not a 3-and-little-to-no-D.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I would transfer out of the Big 12 just to avoid those floors.

But yeah, he looks like a very solid athlete.

He reminds me of Niels Giffey because he’s white, German and coming here.

And his name is so close but yet so far from Nils. My brother in law is named Nils and he has been called Niles, Neil, Neeeeel, Nelson, so its Nils with the s.

 

[superjohn]

It is the lazy comparison to "Joey C." that creates the need to compare him to Spencer. One was a chucker from 3 and the other was a CG (capable of playing the point). Machowski is a CG (capable of the playing the point) not a 3-and-little-to-no-D.

I think UConn probably had the three best point guards in the country in '23-24.