I agree. The Sandman has a tremendous impact on our program both in building stronger more athletic bodies and in the relationships he is able to establish with the players especially during the periods when the coaching staff can’t spend as much time with the players as the strength and conditioning staff can. He’s so important to our program!
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Keeping the values vibrant. I like it.
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According to Xs Instagram story Brandon Johns is like 6’10 now. Grew 2 inches this summer. If that’s true and he can get his confidence… we will probably see Brandon in the NBA which would be great because he’s an awesome kid and his talent is of the level that makes you think he should eventually reach the NBA anyways. 
If that’s true that’d be huge for him in terms of having NBA size at the 4. The talent/potential was always there just not quite the size.
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Livers can step up and carleton got mad potential. I think nunez will surprise.
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Literally just came here to post the same thing!
“…and he can get his confidence”
Big disclaimer after watching him last year. Seems crazy to talk about johns to the NBA at this point isn’t it?
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No, it doesn’t. There are a long list of players who struggled as freshmen in the JB system and turned out to be very good. Some even made the NBA. In terms of big men, Wilson and Wagner immediately come to mind.
Two years ago, you could have easily questioned whether Simpson and Teske were Big Ten caliber players. Now both are standouts.
Johns was trying to learn two positions last year and his path to playing time was essentially blocked by two very good players. I expect big things from him going forward.
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I mean I’ve always thought he’s had the talent to be special. Potentially could have been the best 4 Beilein recruited if Beilein stayed. Mentally he just needs confidence and to stay focused. Things have always come easy for him in high school so actually having to work and not be the best player or one of was probably a steep learning curve for him last year.
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All other things being equal, this would be my most fervent wish for the upcoming season.
what has he been eating or drinking, 2 inches over the summer, the over the last year? Brandon is still a project, needs at least two years to define his game but I think that Juwan will have a good plan for him.
I also think that Johns coming in and having to learn the 5 (due to our lack of depth at the 5) was a huge factor for his underwhelming freshman campaign. I mean, haven’t we barely have seen him at his natural position??
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I don’t think the fact that he was playing the 5 was the biggest reason. Playing out of position in basketball is not like playing out of position in football. The 5 is simpler in some ways I believe. At least as far as ball handling and passing responsibilities go. Defensively it’s probably tougher, which is probably where he struggled a lot. I think he just in general wasn’t mentally ready. I’m very bullish on Johns though
Big difference to question whether someone is a big ten caliber player or a NBA player…
Any Johns to NBA talk at this stage to me is crazy.
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It has to do with the fact that if he’s 6’10", if he shows a modicum of the shooting ability he demonstrated in HS, it’s easy to see the possibility. You don’t have to be a great college player to end up leaving and getting drafted.
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Maybe not “great” but you have to be pretty damn good unless you play for Kentucky and you get drafted regardless if you can jump, pass, or dribble.
Yeah being 6’10" with his shot and the game that was on display in high school, if he can find it at the college level, will get him to the NBA even if the scoring and rebounding numbers are so-so.
any link to the story?
I see no reason why he can’t be as good as DJ Wilson. Their games are a little different, of course, but I think from a talent perspective he’s quite similar.
With that size and athleticism, plus potential to shoot from distance, you really just need a pulse and the NBA will be watching and ready to draft you entirely on speculation.
Which is fine. If Johns is ready and Juwan can deploy him and the guy blows up this year, that’ll attract more recruits at the 4.