College Hoops News; Transfers

[Shadowlight]

Looks like Michigan star freshman Iggy has declared for the draft. He is not projected to be selected in the first round so I don't understand this move at all. He is a little old for a freshman but still another loss for college basketball.

Michigan does have an exciting very athletic freshman coming in next season, swing player Cole Bajema. He is a terrific three point shooter too.

One huge recruit could be Franz Wagner. Wagner hasn't decided whether to stay in Europe or attend college but since his older brother flourished at Michigan it just seems logical that Franz should follow in his footsteps. Franz is a serious talent with a bigger upside than his brother Moritz, who is now with the Lakers.

 

[white is right]

Looks like Michigan star freshman Iggy has declared for the draft. He is not projected to be selected in the first round so I don't understand this move at all. He is a little old for a freshman but still another loss for college basketball.

Michigan does have an exciting very athletic freshman coming in next season, swing player Cole Bajema. He is a terrific three point shooter too.

One huge recruit could be Franz Wagner. Wagner hasn't decided whether to stay in Europe or attend college but since his older brother flourished at Michigan it just seems logical that Franz should follow in his footsteps. Franz is a serious talent with a bigger upside than his brother Moritz, who is now with the Lakers.

They have changed amateur rules so if Iggy isn't drafted he can go back to Michigan. Of course if he ends up in the 2nd round netherworld he could be forced to go to the G-League or head to Europe for a few seasons.

It would be great if the power 5 conferences dropped the pretense of being anything but an undeclared farm system and let 2nd rounders choose from going to college or the G-League or Europe, but the NCAA only does baby steps when it comes to slowly acknowledging the truth about amateur football and basketball.

 

[Shadowlight]

Tonight at 10:00 EST on ESPN2 is the Nike Hoop Summit as the USA faces off against the World team. In recent years the World team has been made up of less and less European talent and filled up with black, Asian or mixed stars from other parts of the world. This year they went for the jugular. There is only one European prospect on the World team, PF Marko Pecarski. They made sure to have one who isn't overly athletic too. I miss the early days like when Dirk played in it where the World team was mostly made up of Europeans.

But the game which otherwise wouldn't be worth but a glance is worth watching because of two players.

Matthew Hurt the 6'8 PF will be on the USA team. While Kansas looked to be the front runner now rumors are spreading that he might pick Duke instead. He will announce who he will play for in 2019 on April 18 or 19th, I forget which exact day. Duke could suddenly become an overnight favorite here at CF if Hurt goes there. A wonderful talent. Imagine Hurt, Alex O'Connell, Joey Baker and Jack White all together! Talk about flipping the switch from one year to the next. PG Tre Jones will be back to distribute the ball. But I am getting ahead of myself. Hurt hasn't announced yet.

Representing Italy no less will be Nico Mannion who of course will light it up at Arizona this coming season. I think his dad is Italian? Mannion has been much discussed here and looks like he will follow in the footsteps of players like Jason Williams and Chris Herren. The hyper cool quick bouncy white PG who has dazzling talent.

Both players played in the recent McDonalds All American game but as so often happens in all star games they denigrate into black ball hog play with team concepts thrown out the window. Funny how that half ass playground crap plays out when it matters most as the anti playground ball hog team of Virginia wiped up the floor to win the big one.

Anyway that ball hog junk might dominate tonight's game as well but I will still check it out to watch Nico and Hurt.

 

[Shadowlight]

Kentucky's Tyler Herro, who I thought was the best white freshman, is dipping his toes into the draft meaning he can pull out if the water is too cold. This reminds me of Nik Stauskas all over again. Herro has a better court sense and is a slightly better all around player than Stauskas but Stauskas was a better shooter. They are similar athletically.

But Stauskas at least waited until after his sophomore year. Drafted in 2014 he has drifted in bench wilderness hell for the greater half of the past five years. He could have been the face of Michigan his final two years there.

Herro has promise but he is not ready for the NBA. Who the hell is advising these young white basketball players?

I know many differ here but I would rather watch Herro star for a high profile college team for the next year or two than rot on an NBA bench for a few years. Just ask Zach Collins who is still coming off the Portland bench.

 

[jacknyc]

Instead of coming out early for the NBA draft, these guys should go play in Europe for a couple of years. They will be more ready for the NBA after that experience.
It's better than sitting on an NBA bench for a couple of years.

 

[Shadowlight]

I watched the entire Nike Hoop Summit last night. In typical American coaching pattern Matt Hurt was yanked after he missed a couple of shots in the second half never to return.

Hurt is a future star no two ways about it. He will announce his commit on April 19th and all the rumors point to Duke which would be fantastic. Rather he play for Coach K than Kansas HC Bill Self who gives off a caste stench.

There were some talented black players. Precious Achiuwa (sp?) is a very athletic 6'9" player who can do a lot of things except one. Think. Bone headed playground player. I can't stand these hip black names by the way. Can't stand them.

James Wiseman is a 7 foot plus good one going to Memphis. Blocks a lot of shots. He probably is the number one pick next year.

Cole Anthony, son of Greg, billed as the best PG in the class is a stylish athletic player but seemed more like a two guard.

The real PG in the game was Nico Mannion who finished with 28 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. He was playing for the World team because his mother (not his dad) is Italian. She was in the stands with Nico's dad Pace wearing a crucifix. Actually not a bad looking woman. She was a star volleyball player ( that is where Nico gets his hops) and Nico's dad of course was a star basketball player here in the states. He would have had more assists but the World team was decidedly weaker than the USA squad.

Nico thinks the game of basketball. He has it. He understands the game and is steps ahead of his opponents. He will make Arizona an instant winner.

I would describe his game like this. Think a longer much bouncier version of Steve Nash.

Put this in the log. He will one day lead an NBA team to a championship. He has winner written all over him.

 

[Bucky]

BREAKING NEWS!!

Hauser Brothers are transferring from Marquette! Looks like they have had enough of playing with ball hog Howard!!

https://www.postcrescent.com/story/...r-brothers-transferring-marquette/3474703002/

 

[Shadowlight]

That is strange shocking news. I think they will have to sit out an entire year now? Yes Howard is a classic ball hog.

Not quite as shocking but Bob Huggins of West Virginia has been a straight down the lane caste coach for ages. All of a sudden, albeit slowly, he is starting to change. Beyond the few white role players the team picked up juice when freshman PG Jordan McCabe was inserted into the line up. Now Huggins has landed a sharp shooting JC star in Jeff McNeil.

Better late than never I guess.

 

[Bucky]

Sam will most likely be eligible to play. I'm assuming he's got his academics squared away with and should be close to graduating. Joey probably have to sit out a year.. Strange news is right. Marquette returns Howard but will be without their 2nd and 3rd leading scorers.

Good to see West Virginia playing some honkeys. Slight correction regarding McNeil though, his first name is Sean. Looks like he made the right decision in leaving Bellarmine(D2)and playing a year of JUCO. Now playing with the big boys in D1!

Before Huggins they had Athletic Joe Alexander with Beilein, and that's going back 10+ years!

 

[icsept]

Lol. I guess “Thuggins” saw how Texas Tech kicked his ass and made it to the National championship game as a a Big 12 non-traditional power, with 2 White guards.

 

[Bucky]

Justin Pierce is an intriguing prospect to Keep an eye on next season. 6'7 athletic Wing Player with good all around game. His final 3 he's consider are UNC, Michigan, or Notre Dame. I'd like to see him at either Michigan or Notre Dame.

https://247sports.com/college/baske...North-Carolina-Michigan-Notre-Dame-131235079/

 

[Shadowlight]

Thanks for the heads up. I had never heard of Pierce but he is an above the rim player and those three schools are high profile. We will need all the help possible with Tyler Herro bolting from KY which is a bummer for me. I was anticipating a star sophomore season.

PF Matt Hurt will announce his school this afternoon. All arrows are pointing towards Duke. Will try and update that as news comes in.

But if Guy comes back to Virginia, which I think he will and the infusion of top flight freshman talent like Hurt, C Will Baker at Texas and of course PG Nico Mannion, who will instantly turn AZ into a contender, the cupboard won't entirely be bare. And Gonzaga has a monster white class coming in to go along with Tillie.

 

[Shadowlight]

Hot off the press. PF Matthew Hurt has committed to Duke. He is a supremely skilled top notch do it all player who can shoot and score from all areas of the court. He also is a tenacious rebounder despite his willowy build. He along with Nico Mannion are the two best white recruits coming in for the class of 2019.

Hurt has a good chance of starting and should become a star in short order. He can as they say really shoot the rock.

Things might still get frustrating at Duke though. It looks like Coach K is recruiting "over" his returning white players who were poised to make some noise next season. So a not so fast on the white takeover at Duke this coming season.

But it is still hard to imagine this coming season as caste flavored as the last one.

With Hurt on board this Duke team is loaded with white talent.

At SG Alex O'Connell. After a very sputter filled season the hope is this fast high flying athlete gets real consistent playing time but they are recruiting heavily at this position and are expected to bring in a black high flier Cassius Stanley. But Alex also can stroke the three so you have to think he should emerge as a junior one way or another.

PF Jack White is a good athlete and tough defender/rebounder. His offense went into a tailspin so he is more of a complimentary piece going forward but could still play a lot as a junior.

SF Joey Baker's story is beyond strange. They burned his freshman redshirt late in the season which made no sense since he barely played after that maneuver. Like Hurt, Baker is highly skilled and also has a sweet stroke from three. Runs the floor. He is another star in waiting who could break out big this season. Baker was the highest rated white prospect for the class of 2018. Was even rated higher than Tyler Herro.

My gut tells me with all of these smart skilled white players who hopefully see the court often, Duke should be in contention to cut down the nets in April. Something media hero Zion and the boys couldn't accomplish. That would be sweet.

 

[Shadowlight]

Justin Pierce is an intriguing prospect to Keep an eye on next season. 6'7 athletic Wing Player with good all around game. His final 3 he's consider are UNC, Michigan, or Notre Dame. I'd like to see him at either Michigan or Notre Dame.

https://247sports.com/college/baske...North-Carolina-Michigan-Notre-Dame-131235079/

Athletic Justin Pierce, a transfer, has landed at North Carolina. I like this since he will be playing at a super high profile team that is on TV all the time.

One of the Duke commits bailed out which I hope help increases Alex O'Connell's chances of more solid playing time.

UCONN women just got a commit for this season from a Polish SG Anna Makurat. And he has two stunning talents coming in 2020 in Paige Bueckers and Nika Muhl. Muhl, like Makurat, is from Europe ( Croatia). Muhl is also extremely attractive.

Michigan who missed out on Pierce is feverishly pursuing Franz Wagner younger brother of Moritz. Franz is a wing player with more upside than his older brother.

 

[Bucky]

Athletic Justin Pierce, a transfer, has landed at North Carolina. I like this since he will be playing at a super high profile team that is on TV all the time.

One of the Duke commits bailed out which I hope help increases Alex O'Connell's chances of more solid playing time.

UCONN women just got a commit for this season from a Polish SG Anna Makurat. And he has two stunning talents coming in 2020 in Paige Bueckers and Nika Muhl. Muhl, like Makurat, is from Europe ( Croatia). Muhl is also extremely attractive.

Michigan who missed out on Pierce is feverishly pursuing Franz Wagner younger brother of Moritz. Franz is a wing player with more upside than his older brother.

Big-time landing spot for Pierce! Good for him, makes UNC watchable for another year.

Also appreciate the updates on the ladies hoops!

Nice to see another Wagner making his way to College Hoops. Seems like him at Michigan is a gimme, but we shall see.

 

[Shadowlight]

They might move the three foot line back an extra foot plus this coming season. I for one would like that. Open up the game. Bring back more movement and create more space in the middle. And it should help big men get involved more.

It gets tiresome watching teams set up their offensives almost exclusively around hoisting up three point shots.

Too often big men have been left out of the equation which is why we probably don't see too many great big men in the NBA anymore.

 

[Bucky]

Big News coming out of the Big Ten today. John Beilein is leaving Michigan to be the Head Coach of The Cleveland Cavaliers!

 

[Shadowlight]

Rotten news. Beilein is that rare Power 5 HC that doesn't dive head first into the caste pool. To make matters worse it probably knocks German star Franz Wagner out of the picture since his older brother played for Beilein.

Unless Michigan pulls a rabbit out of it's hat Wagner will either stay in Germany or head to another school. I prefer he plays stateside.

Wagner is no ordinary prospect. He ranks right up there with Nico Mannion and Matt Hurt as far as the top white players in the class of 2019. More swingman than his low post brother Moritz, Franz is an exciting athlete and future NBA player.

 

[Bucky]

Michigan hired Juwan Howard to replace Beilein. Look for their white friendly run last few years to end.

Sam Hauser to Virginia.

Joey to Michigan State.

Big losers here? Wisconsin and Marquette.

 

[Shadowlight]

Kismet brother. I typed the very same things (including Howard) and then I saw your post and deleted it. At least the Hauser brothers landed on high profile teams but I knew you wouldn't be happy about Wisconsin which was wooing both of them.

 

[Bucky]

Kismet brother. I typed the very same things (including Howard) and then I saw your post and deleted it. At least the Hauser brothers landed on high profile teams but I knew you wouldn't be happy about Wisconsin which was wooing both of them.

Yeah it's pretty frustrating that Badgers can't keep top talent in-state. After their magical run that just fell short a few years back,I thought they were turning the corner talent wise. Now they've only 9 guys on roster(6 scholarship players). Going to be a rough '19 season for them without Happ.

That being said, I'm glad Hauser's ended up at high profile teams! It's a shame they will have to sit out a year.

 

[Shadowlight]

Killian Tillie has dropped out of the draft and will return to Gonzaga for his senior year. Refreshing if you ask me although I tend to think it was because of his constant injuries more than just being wise. Something Kyle Guy should have done the same thing but I guess the allure of maybe getting drafted late in the second round was too much to pass up. I don't understand young people.

Gonzaga has a loaded class coming in full of talented white prospects. Especially front court players. But here is hoping Tillie can stay healthy for a change and move himself into better draft position for 2020.

 

[Shadowlight]

Croat Oton Jankovic is heading to Vanderbilt to play for Jerry Stackhouse. I didn't realize Stackhouse was their new coach until reading about Jankovic.

Jankovic is a multi positional player at 6'10" 215. He is athletic and his skill set is developing. That is the key. Not a super highly rated player but one with a lot of potential just the same. He is in this year's 2019 class.

 

[Shadowlight]

Here is some news of the weird.

I went to a huge all white high school and lacrosse was sort of a big deal and I paid no attention to it. I know nothing about it nor do I care to learn. I also dislike it because it siphons off potential white athletes from playing football or baseball.

We have heard of lacrosse players joining football teams and vice versa. I don't recall ever hearing about a lacrosse player joining a college basketball team.

Well Pat Spencer, the college player of the year in lacrosse has decided to play college basketball in his graduate year at Northwestern. He is 6'3" and my guess is he must be pretty athletic. He played in high school of course.

A curious move of some interest.

 

[white lightning]

Alex Barcello formerly of the U of A Wildcats has transfered to BYU. I like this move. He is so talented and very athletic. Alex was treated unfairly in my honest opinion in Tucson. I think this
is a great move for him. Maybe if he lights it up his final 2 years, he will get a look at by the NBA.