If I’m Izzo I’m working on how I can make small ball work as best as possible. 3 guard looks with Akins at the 3. Whatever front court option gives you the best defense. No idea if he can or if anyone can pull it off but if he doesn’t go all in on that their ceiling is like a 10 seed
4 Likes
What’s also interesting is that with Hauser coming back, Bridges coming in doesn’t really make any sense, since presumably he’d be promised 30ish minutes at the forward spot… Which would would take up all the space in the frontcourt and mean Hauser is playing real minutes at C instead of bringing in a transfer…
So MSU is starting from complete scratch with the portal right now
2 Likes
Drew Timme to Illinois. Just putting that out into the universe.
5 Likes
More and more people are saying “Top 50 Rutgers”
(His computer loves Cam Spencer, and I’m not sure where the optimism on Aundre Hyatt is coming from but who cares)
10 Likes
21 Likes
Strongly agree. Small ball MSU could outscore everyone in the B1G. If he insists on 40 minutes of football playing Sissoko and portal pickup Oaf McChungus at the 5 it will be to his detriment
6 Likes
When Oaf McChungus plays 28 minutes in a 6-11 tournament game while Tre Holloman and Kohler are glued to the bench >>>
2 Likes
State has 5 dudes that are at least B1G-ish caliber, right? Like, in recent years they’d be at least decent backups? That might be decent in this league this year.
Interesting thought. Team would be horribly small at the small wing and center spot. Defensively would get killed. But should be able to score a bunch. Maybe more than they give up lol
Hoggard - good B1G player, not all-conference type, not a pro
Walker - fine B1G backup type, starter on bad team, not all-conference type, not a pro
Akins - likely good B1G player, maybe not this year, he’s buried behind the other two anyway which is hilarious, maybe all-conference type in a few years, probably not a pro
Hall - good B1G player who came off the bench for little to no reason last year and is as bi-polar as Caleb Houstan’s home/road splits, maybe all-conference type if the good version was the only version, not a pro
Hauser - fine B1G player that their own fan base thinks is a bad B1G player, not all-conference type, not a pro
Sissoko - horrible B1G player, not all-conference type, not a pro
Brooks - bad B1G player, not all-conference type, not a pro
Holloman - TBD, likely fine B1G player without all-conference or NBA upside
Kohler - TBD, likely good B1G player in a year or two without NBA upside
Coleman - football player
Carr - football player
The other two scholarships will probably be given to Izzo’s son or some other random former player of Izzo’s sons.
I can’t wait.
6 Likes
That Hyatt projection is pretty hilarious. But honestly that roster stands a chance to do something in the current B1G. Like not bottom feeder.
2 Likes
It’s a huge team too. Shortest rotation guy is 6’4”
6’2” on the deep bench
2 Likes
Think that’s too harsh re: Walker. Think he’s a perfectly cromulent PG in recent B1G seasons. Maybe a little too sunny on Akins & Hoggard, so it prob evens out and we’re in the same place.
But also, like, look at that Rutgers lineup. Aundre Hyatt is their 5th? I’m not sure I would argue he’s B1G-caliber. Think a similar exercise for anybody that isn’t Purdue? and you’re also wondering who the heck you can count on.
3 Likes
My only current Big Ten take I feel extremely passionate about is Zach Edey runaway B1G player of the year
3 Likes
Even in a world where Hunter is back?
My guess is they give it to Edey because he averages 15/8 while Purdue wins the B1G but Jamison Battle and his 25/7/7 is robbed due to Minnetonka’s poor record
3 Likes
Dawson Garcia and Jamison Battle’s identical 23/7/5 lines are gonna split votes
3 Likes
Yeah I think so. I weirdly think Edey can play like 28 minutes per game stamina wise and if he does, and he’s the sole offensive focal point he could average like 25 and 12 on ridiculous percentages.
1 Like
Jamison Battle will be my new Ron Harper Jr. A righteous baller on a nonhatable team.
1 Like
Honestly, I think Oaf would be an underrated pick up. He played well in limited minutes (injuries) last year. I remember him in High School and always thought he had a shot to be a star in college.