Rankings spread for Hardy
Rivals - generic 3 star
Scout - generic 3 star
ESPN - 4star/#17 PG/#77 Overall (no surprise that ESPN is closest to being right)
Offers - Hardy appears to hold offers from Buffalo, Akron, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Toledo, Detroit, St. Peters
I think Hardy has some potential to be like Felder from Oakland…a lot of high majors are going to regret passing on him.
It’s just really baffling to me that JB and co. don’t recruit kids that appear college ready in our own backyard…Hardy can go, I’m telling you.
Just to tie off on West… He was sitting across the tunnel entrance from me, and I didnt know who he was just on appearance until I read this post when I got home. This is 100% just me reading body language, but the way you don’t really want to see people on the bench enjoying one’s own team getting roasted, he didn’t give the impression that he really was rooting for us but rather enjoying the Iowa highlight reel on a few plays. I’m sure its kid to kid how they treat that situation, but for comparison Austin Davis was much more invested (as he should be).
Not to say he wouldn’t accept if offered, and I agree we shouldn’t offer, but if JB saw the kids gestures when watching the game I’m sure he wouldn’t give off the “beating down the door to get in” vibe.
What a dismal game. Zak and Derrick need to go to common sense shot selection school. A calmer response was needed out of JUNIORS to the run we made, and the judgement was just awful. I’m going to be over the Atlantic for the IU game, and not holding out huge hopes of a positive alert upon landing. Maybe committee gives us something of a generous pass since we play to/beyond our seed (save for Ohio U). Probably looking at some sad NIT competition to a 1/3 filled Crisler. Not a good look.
The frustration is is getting pretty bad. Why do we keep recruiting guys that we hope turn into something decent. In 3 years donnal isn’t a plus big guy. Doyle and dj have been around 2 years with no improvements. I can’t imagine teske or Davis playing next year. it makes no sense. Just bring in more Brent hobbits if we are just going to hope for improvements.
If he offers a guy like West, it will lend credence to the whole “lazy recruiting” claim, i.e. trying to wrap up a low-upside prospect with no better (or even comparable) offers just to get a basic backup who won’t push the starter for minutes, keeping the drama to a minimum. Not saying he will do that though. I agree that Jermaine Jackson would be a pretty nice backup, just has a solid handle and a very smooth overall game, somewhat similar to X’s in strengths and weaknesses (maybe a better handle though?). Hardy above also looks decent – maybe a (very?) poor man’s Q Goodin in the sense of being a strong, slashing PG, albeit with a lesser handle. Seems like an unlikely target though.
Do you remember when Epke Udoh was here? JB had a solid core of young players to build around Manny Harris Peedie & Udoh . How he use him him was a travesty . The Kid goes to freaking Baylor and in one year transforms into an unexpected green room guy.
He was used as a 5 and he played the 5 at Baylor. Don’t see your point. Back to 2017 recruiting…
Great point actually. A plus shot blocker, athletic, good finisher and he leaves because he was misused terribly. Plays at Baylor and bam, NBA calls.
Thanks seeing the real point.
New film on Jamal Cain. For a 3 he shoots the ball extremely well from catch and shoot positions, off the bounce, and coming off screens. His length and verticality speak for themselves…offer him already.
A guy I mentioned previously that I think can help us at the 3 spot is Terrence Lewis (17/SF) out of Milwaukee Riverside. There is a connection here, as Lewis is an AAU teammate of Jordan Poole. While I prefer Cain more at the 3, Lewis is the type of fallback guy you need to obtain rather than the Dawkins and Robinsons of the world…just a much more complete player considering defense. Lewis appears to be a legit 6’5 with good length. Offensively, he’s primarily a catch and shoot player with excellent arch and rotation on his shot. He’s not afraid to mix it up in the paint and is quite comfortable with contact. Defensively, his length really bothers offensive players, and his ability to play the passing lanes is quite good.
Overall - think he can be a college version of Trevor Ariza, your classic 3 and D type guy. Could fulfill the GR3 role on a functional basis, a better shooter than GR3, but not as strong or likely to defend a 4, but more ability to defend perimeter players.
Michigan has been in contact with Lewis, but I haven’t heard about any contact since the fall.
Rankings Spread:
Rivals - 3star/#112 overall for 2017
Scout - 4star/#120 overall for 2017
247 - 4star/#114 overall for 2017
ESPN - 4star/#81 overall for 2017
Offers - Auburn, Illinois, Iowa State, and a host of mid majors.
One thing a lot different from this kid compared to Cain is I feel this kid is going to fill out and get a ton stronger.
Agreed, you can see the muscle tone in Lewis already…that frame can put on 20-30lbs easily and not lose mobility/athleticism.
Without giving away too much, I can factually tell you guys the Cain camp is a bit frustrated with the lack of attention from the high major in-state schools…its a shame really.
From both schools? I still wouldn’t offer Matt. I still think he needs to be evaluated. His high school competition really bothers me. I think he needs to jump on a top AAU program
I think Cain is well deserving of an offer considering he’s visited no less than 3 times, JB has checked him out personally at least twice. The talent is CLEARLY there…he’s much further along in his development than Ibi Watson at the same age.
Well I don’t think Ibi should ever have been offered so that doesn’t convince me.
Most of the footage here is vs. the Michigan Playmakers and R.E.A.C.H. - both of which are respected AAU programs. Not on the same level as The Family or the Michigan Mustangs, but no doubt the second tier of Michigan AAU programs, and certainly much better than his HS competition…mind you this is from nearly a year ago.
From the highlights, looks like he is not just a shooter, though his shooting form looks terrific. Doesn’t waste a second getting his shot off either. Seems like quite an athlete too, with good acceleration in the open court. These highlights look better than any video I’ve seen of Cain, but I haven’t seen much. Nice prospect.
As someone that’s seen Cain multiple times in person, there is no doubt in my mind that he is a high major prospect. Only question is would JB use him as a 4 or 3. Cain is a 3 with the ability to play some PnR and defend the wing. Cain is not a 4, at least not until he’s an upperclassmen.