AuburnNTexas 7,140 Posted May 25, 2022 Share Posted May 25, 2022 (edited) 18 hours ago, HAPvsOA said: I've got the O&B glasses on as much as anyone, but this is my attempt to talk us both down. I agree with Steel that there will likely be growing pains at the beginning of the year and in SEC play. While Broom, Traore and Westry look phenomenal, we also just lost possibly the #1 pick in the draft and another likely potential 1st rounder/D player of the year. So I do think some of our success last year was insane talent over chemistry to some degree. And while I am super excited about our new talent, our weaknesses and some lack of chemistry/cohesion got exposed at tourney time. And by chemistry I don't mean that the team didn't get along, just that they hadn't played as a team for years like the core of our Final Four team had. So I won't be too worried about a slower start than last years scalding hot start in the SEC or our ranking as long as our chemistry and guard play is improving after losses. Sometimes that adversity can be incredibly helpful in identifying areas of improvement and hopefully, we'll be better prepared for tourney time next year. In other words, I wouldn't be surprised if we make it to at least the semifinals of the SEC tourney and the Sweet 16 next year. Although, I think we are learning how incredibly difficult it is to get to and beyond the Sweet 16 even when we have an incredibly talented team. That wasn't much of a talking down. I guess I am more excited about next year's team than I realized but feel nervous that a better tourney showing hinges so much on our guard play. We really will need them to shine and get more from Flan or Moore. I mentioned it earlier but this year with Pearl taking the team to Israel to practice and play a couple of games should help us be a little further along at the beginning of the year with jelling and chemistry. Last years team was very talented and got out of the gate very well. I don't think it was chemistry or how long the team had been together that caused our early exit in the big dance. While we were very talented as the year went on and we played more other teams saw our weaknesses and were able to exploit them. At beginning of the year teams respected our 3 and didn't pack the lane hence all of the Kessler dunks on pick and roll. Teams adjusted and took advantage. They started pressing our PG's as they crossed half court causing turnovers or delaying us getting into our offense. Our guard play was to inconsistent and teams took advantage of it. Theoretically we should have more balance this year. Broome for Kessler is about a wash a little more shot blocking from Kessler a little more down low presence from Broome. Jabori versus Traore a little drop off. Very few big men have as pretty and accurate shot as Jabari. Traore has a nice shot but edge to Jabari, I believe from what I have seen Traore has a little better handle then Jabari and will be more aggressive going to the rack still a little drop off. A healthier Flanigan versus a Flanigan who was still in recovery mode so that is a plus. Westry versus Cambridge as 3 backup. Westry is a more complete player better handle better shot might still give Cambridge edge on working the boards still edge to Westry, PG and SG same players returning with one year under system so should be a plus. Then add Donaldson as PG and Westry as PG and SG and that is a plus. Cardwell return should be a little better than last year. So I think we should be better then last year with two big If's. Flanigan really is a good bit better then recovering Flanigan and Westry is as good as I think and hope he is. Edited May 26, 2022 by AuburnNTexas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,390 Posted May 26, 2022 Share Posted May 26, 2022 14 hours ago, AuburnNTexas said: I mentioned it earlier but this year with Pearl taking the team to Israel to practice and play a couple of games should help us be a little further along at the beginning of the year with jelling and chemistry. Last years team was very talented and got out of the gate very well. I don't think it was chemistry or how long the team had been together that caused our early exit in the big dance. While we were very talented as the year went on and we played more other teams saw our weaknesses and were able to exploit them. At beginning of the year teams respected our 3 and didn't pack the lane hence all of the Kessler dunks on pick and roll. Teams adjusted and took advantage. They started pressing our PG's as they crossed half court causing turnovers or delaying us getting into our offense. Our guard play was to inconsistent and teams took advantage of it. Theoretically we should have more balance this year. Broome for Kessler is about a wash a little more shot blocking from Kessler a little more down low presence from Broome. Jabori versus Traore a little drop off. Very few big men have as pretty and accurate shot as Jabari. Traore has a nice shot but edge to Jabari, I believe from what I have seen Traore has a little better handle then Jabari and will be more aggressive going to the rack still a little drop off. A healthier Flanigan versus a Flanigan who was still in recovery mode so that is a plus. Westry versus Cambridge as 3 backup. Westry is a more complete player better handle better shot might still give Cambridge edge on working the boards still edge to Westry, PG and SG same players returning with one year under system so should be a plus. Then add Donaldson as PG and Westry as PG and SG and that is a plus. Cardwell return should be a little better than last year. So I think we should be better then last year with two bgf If's. Flanigan really is a good bit better then recovering Flanigan and Westry is as good as I think and hope he is. I think if we'd had Westry last year, we wouldn't have gone down so quickly in the Dance. He fits the piece we were missing: the big guard who can make things happen offensively. I agree with your reasoning about why we lost down the stretch: the scouting report was written on us, and we weren't balanced enough to counter it. I think we might be this year. We need *someone* to step up at the 3, whether it's Flanigan, Westry, or a transfer. And call me crazy, but I think the G-League workout Flan had might have been just the ticket to getting his head right, so we may be fine there, regardless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasTiger 3,248 Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Well, this might be old news by now, as most people have moved on from thinking we had a legit shot at Mayer, but he named his top 4 and we ain't on it. UNC Illinois Texas Tech Memphis 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunndone414 469 Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 4 hours ago, KansasTiger said: Well, this might be old news by now, as most people have moved on from thinking we had a legit shot at Mayer, but he named his top 4 and we ain't on it. UNC Illinois Texas Tech Memphis Seems like we may be done with the roster for next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,390 Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 17 minutes ago, Dunndone414 said: Seems like we may be done with the roster for next season. What makes you say that? I mean, have you heard something, or is it because you aren't hearing anything that you think we may be done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnNTexas 7,140 Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Bruce had mentioned that we might not use our last scholarship. I read between the lines and my take is if I can't get the player I want I will let the scholarship go. By Wednesday all people who are pulling out of NBA draft will have done so. Then we will know who is available and have an idea if the type player we seem to need is available. If that palyer is available then can we get him would be the next question to be answered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,390 Posted May 28, 2022 Share Posted May 28, 2022 4 hours ago, AuburnNTexas said: Bruce had mentioned that we might not use our last scholarship. I read between the lines and my take is if I can't get the player I want I will let the scholarship go. By Wednesday all people who are pulling out of NBA draft will have done so. Then we will know who is available and have an idea if the type player we seem to need is available. If that palyer is available then can we get him would be the next question to be answered. Well, one of that kind of player is available in Mayer, but we apparently aren't on his scope. And I can't say as I blame him, because this isn't a case where anyone can expect to come in and get 30 minutes a game at the 3, because Allen Flanigan is better than 10 minutes a game even if his offense doesn't improve from last season any. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I doubt we'd be an attractive landing spot for any player that fits what we want, because no transfer with proven numbers is going to want to be faced with battling Allen for minutes, I don't think. But maybe Tre's timetable gets sped up a little and he's the tenth man. Sure does feel a lot better to have five guys with the capability of running point, as opposed to two seasons ago when Flan was forced to show he could manage the point if needs be. Or maybe TD stays with the plan to redshirt, and Moore is able to give a few minutes a game at the 3. Because you gotta know Bruce wants to be able to play two full lineups. Then again, Chance does provide the versatility that he could play 12 minutes a game at the 3 and 12 minutes a game at the point and so long as Flanigan plays anything like he's capable offensively, we should be rocking and rolling just fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662 Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Little Harper, Jalen Harper, has walked onto the team. Community College stats: https://athletics.sheltonstate.edu/sports/mbkb/2021-22/bios/harper_jalen_660s 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WDE_OxPx_2010 5,297 Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Dual-Threat Rigby said: Little Harper, Jalen Harper, has walked onto the team. Community College stats: https://athletics.sheltonstate.edu/sports/mbkb/2021-22/bios/harper_jalen_660s There's our 3pt specialist. Huge! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662 Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, WDE_OxPx_2010 said: There's our 3pt specialist. Huge! I doubt he seriously gets extended minutes this first season of his, but I would honestly love for our starter guards to get taken out earlier in those blowouts to get more of a look at this guy. Stats look good, frame looks good, I'd love for him to be good enough to come in and pick up that Zep scholarship after he graduates. edit: just looked at his minutes per game...should've looked at that first haha Edited May 31, 2022 by Dual-Threat Rigby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutzcammed 469 Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 2 hours ago, WDE_OxPx_2010 said: There's our 3pt specialist. Huge! 3 point % is great, free-throw % not so much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPvsOA 286 Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 19 hours ago, Dual-Threat Rigby said: Little Harper, Jalen Harper, has walked onto the team. Community College stats: https://athletics.sheltonstate.edu/sports/mbkb/2021-22/bios/harper_jalen_660s Fly War Eagle seems to think he got our last scholly. But he's a walk on and we still have 1 scholarship left? https://flywareagle.com/2022/05/30/auburn-basketball-jared-harper-brother/ If he plays anything like his older brother, then I'm sure he'll earn minutes sooner or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WDE_OxPx_2010 5,297 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 22 hours ago, lutzcammed said: 3 point % is great, free-throw % not so much. He won't get fouled. Problem solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 10 hours ago, HAPvsOA said: Fly War Eagle seems to think he got our last scholly. But he's a walk on and we still have 1 scholarship left? https://flywareagle.com/2022/05/30/auburn-basketball-jared-harper-brother/ If he plays anything like his older brother, then I'm sure he'll earn minutes sooner or later. I honestly doubt they vetted that much. They likely saw that he joined the team + saw we had a scholly left = them coming to that conclusion 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardin Drake 1,825 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Today is the deadline for withdrawing from the draft. Any word on Flanigan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick.AU 13,279 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 (edited) 24 minutes ago, Cardin Drake said: Today is the deadline for withdrawing from the draft. Any word on Flanigan? He has officially withdrawn from the draft and returning to AU Edited June 1, 2022 by Maverick.AU To add tweet 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardin Drake 1,825 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Sweet, we need him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPvsOA 286 Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 (edited) Now that we officially have Flan & Cardwell back, I'm excited about our team as is and am glad that Pearl & co. are not going to bring in another transfer unless it's a great fit. And as others have said, I'm not sure a top transfer would come here given that they'd likely get more minutes elsewhere. But that said, the two players that I am still keeping my eye on in the portal that I am guessing Pearl & Co. would seriously consider given mutual interest and would likely be 1 & done are: Isiaih Mosely - withdrew from draft and has crystal balls for Miss. State. Would fit more at the 2 & 3, and a top tier scorer/shooter. https://www.ozarkssportszone.com/2022/05/31/isiaih-mosley-wtihdraws-from-nba-draft-remains-in-transfer-portal/ Pete Nance - likely to return, but hasn't decided on the draft from what I can tell. A top target of UNC and others that missed out on Mayer. Fits more as a big 3 / stretch 4, so there would be more of an overlap with Traore & Jaylin, but is a great 3 pt. shooter & defender. Update: Pete Nance officially withdrew and ON3 lists these 2 as the top remaining in the portal. https://www.on3.com/transfer-portal/news/transfer-portal-who-is-left-on3-explores-the-top-100-ranked-players-who-remain/ Edited June 2, 2022 by HAPvsOA added an update 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War to the Eagle 363 Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 We done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunndone414 469 Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Imo we were done as soon as the social media team posted a video introducing our new recruits/transfers. Most of the guys in the article above have committed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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