For what it's worth, NK's EvanMiya defensive rating last year was better than all of AK's other than this past year. The biggest gap to AK is more on the offensive side of the ball.
He is a more athletic version of Karaban with a better back to the hoop game and better dribbling abilities. His comparable to AK rebounding comes from a smaller sample of a freshman season. As a son of a college basketball coach and former professional player, his BBIQ is on similar trajectory to AKs. Those games he was given opportunity to shine (ACC tournament), he put out numbers that if replicated would make him a hooper comparable to Braylon. How sick will it be to have two sizable shooters with Ball as another option and Silas distributing the ball and driving the lane. Nik appears to be a slightly better defender than Braylon and seems more capable to absorb the contact.
He can, but he's not going to.
If there is a 2026 Stanley Robinson, we would not be able to touch him due to NIL $ and all the other schools that would be involved for him. Now Jeff Andrien type would not be a stretch to get
Although a bit unfair to compare a freshman to UConn’s legend and two time champion, I understand where you are coming from for the sake of comparison. Totally agreed re: Nik’s defensive upside. Offensively, I think he will shine in Danny’s system. He also seems to have an edge to his demeanor maybe not that of my main man Cammy, but one we can tap into bruising with BE rivals. Another unfair comparison this time on my part…after watching hours of his footage, the way he moves and has ability backing defender into the hoop while using both length and surprising athleticism, he reminds how Cooper played. Again not that level, but he can be as versatile at a lower level. When combined with Landrews versatility and Hines rebounding and ability to play on the boards, those BE games will be interesting from physicality perspective.
Makes sense. Little chance for a player of his caliber to make it to NBA, he is making the best of his opportunity. I do not blame these kids. All of us at 20 yo would and should take those couple millions in college years and have a solid mortgage free foundation and solid start up investment to chase whatever career we chose. I love my college team but it Darling was my kid I would back him up 100% in this decision (I would back my kid in whatever he chooses anyways).
Nik is the son of a coach - if ever the perfect culture fit. The precision of how Hurley recruits is amazing.
True that!!
We also beat St. John’s by 32. I think this specific matchup issue is overstated, even as I used to say it. We lost in a road game and one where we happened to play awful. St. John’s also happens to play a very gimmicky style that is tough to work around, seeing as how Kansas and Duke struggled against them.
Don’t disagree with this lineup, but we need some vets. I know they’re talented, but 1 senior, 3 sophomores, and 1 freshman seems quite young
Already committed to Kentucky and was never going to come here once Silas returned.
Let's scratch out some minutes. Demary, Ball and Mullins averaged 28ish minutes last year with Karaban at 34+.
St John’s gave many teams a lot of trouble with size and physicality combined with athletic shooters. They went head to head with Duke. The same Duke that was beating us by 19 to lose in the last second. St. John’s will be different team, but do kot expect them to be less physical or that much smaller. I agree with 3rdbass especially in tournament or close chase for regular season championship, we need another powerful player upfront. Yes, Nik brings both edge and strength, yes, CL brings ex football player’s toughness and size and yes Silas is a hard nosed warrior that does not back down, we do need another strong player at 4 or better at 5 to relieve Hines/give minutes/rebounds/blocks and some points.
I see no front courts nearly as good as some of what we saw last year other than potentially Florida. There were some elite 4/5 combos last year, and in some cases 3/4/5 combos when you look at Michigan, Arizona, Duke, StJ. I think some programs will look to simulate, but I also think last year was very unique with guys like Boozer, Yaxel, Mara, Peat. There are no kids coming out of HS like that, Diop & Thiam could be interesting depending on where they land. If UM lands Diop, Johnson comes back, UM will once again be scary.
A coach would insert Ross to play defense against a 6ft 6in guy like
Looks like Michigan is getting this stud & on their way to another big season.
He is just assuming in that article. He also assumes Ball will be back and he hasn't announced.
