Dunndone414

Mason is better than any of the opponents the top teams/SEC rivals played tonight, per KenPom. They’re the highest ranked team to lose so far, other than FSU. (Yikes, lost to Stetson.)

Chance Westry may be the key to our season. Not going to get much offensively on the perimeter out of Moore and Flanigan.

This is from my favorite piece ever written about Auburn basketball. (On our 2019 Final Four run. Highly recommend giving it a read.) “Contrary to an oft-cited maxim, you don’t win a Division I men’s basketball title by “getting hot for a month.” Ask the Cavaliers: you win a Division I men’s basketball title by building a program that can regularly make the NCAAs, earning a string of high seeds, and rolling the dice until the “get hot for a month” double-sixes appear.” I think Bruce is building that kind of program. Statistically of course, that still means a title is unlikely. But put yourself in the position to make a run enough times, and odds improve that you will. https://www.thewareaglereader.com/2019/04/auburn-basketball-and-the-tournament-of-otherwise/

He also plays AAU ball with AOT.

He said in a recent interview that he wouldn’t commit until this time next year. I don’t have that kind of patience.

Stats here:

Powerful example of the difference in top college guys and the NBA here - Giannis makes Jabari look like a child. In fairness, he does that to almost everyone 😂

As On3 reports (free) Baye Fall is the only other potential 2023 signee for the early period. Reasons for optimism on his front though. Visiting 10/29, Arkansas is favored but getting a second visit is big.

Yates seemed to be the only c/o 2023 kid we were still actively recruiting. Much of that class has committed. The other recent high-profile visits have been for 2024.

Big opportunity for Chance Westry.

Wesley Yates is announcing his decision next week. As of a few weeks ago, per On3 Texas and LSU were the favorites.

Yes, nailed it - Austin Wiley. We also signed Danjel Purifoy in the 2015 class.

I believe we actually haven’t signed anyone from AL (period) since the c/o 2016.

They’ve definitely moved up a tier in (basketball) recruiting. Curious as to what they’re doing with NIL.

Recruiting folks seem to think he’s an Arkansas lock.

Bruce is back on the trail today with the start of the new period. Seems the focus is on 2024. Confirmed visits: 2023 SG Wesley Yates 2024 C Flory Bidunga 2024 PF Ace Bailey 2024 SG/SF Dink Pate

Deni Avdija was a recent lottery pick and plays for the Wizards. Yam Madar was drafted by the Celtics and plays in Europe. They have bigs that were A-10 and SoCon players of the year. Most of their guys play professionally in Israel or Europe. Kentucky and Arkansas will have a few NBA-level prospects, but we aren’t playing a team this seasoned all year. These are grown men that are playing basketball for a living. In that sense, gotta be happy with our guys’ effort.

They have a few guys that haven’t joined the team yet for practice, but yes. They’re preparing for FIBA Eurobasket 2022, which is the European championship.

Should also shout out Wendell, who never looked intimidated.

Was trying to engage with you on your points, some of which I think were good. I’m always open to the opinions of other folks here who love the team as much as I do. Generally I think guys with a few years of experience in CBB stay pretty similar players in the span of a couple months. Still plenty of time for more improvement!

Last year’s team was at one point ranked #1 in the country.

I didn’t notice Zep as much today, you’re probably right though. Moving him to the 2 should allow him to do more of those things. I think - like last season - Wendell will win some games for us and maybe cost us one or two. Overall, he’s one of our most critical players. Flan has nowhere to go but up, he was one of the worst starters (statistically) in the power five last season. You’re right, he’s better. I still question how good he can be though, honestly. Hope I’m wrong. I think you’re generally right re: KD. He is who he is. Sometimes his heart and hustle mask his inefficiency on offense.

I don’t feel negatively about this performance at all. Very happy with this team. We will be very good again. I think it’s fair to critique the play though, that’s the fun of a place like this.

I think the limited sample suggests (at this time) Allen, KD, Zep and Wendell are similar players to what we saw in March. As you’d expect.

Maybe our guys will take something from this.