Yeah, package probably not the perfect wordI highly doubt they’re a package. But getting two Las Vegas guys from the same conference in a visit together isn’t a coincidence.
Yeah, package probably not the perfect wordI highly doubt they’re a package. But getting two Las Vegas guys from the same conference in a visit together isn’t a coincidence.
UNLV fans chirp way too much for a program who hasnt made the post season since 2013.Good lol their fanbase is a joke.
It’s all fake confidence stemming from the Tark days over 30 years agoUNLV fans chirp way too much for a program who hasnt made the post season since 2013.
Not the tournament. The post season. Period
I did watch his highlights, and looked at his advanced analytics. Like I said - he'd be a good piece, but don't think he'd be some major upgrade over what we had out there this past season. Always good to have someone that can penetrate/create (i.e. Holmes), but we need floor spacers in the worst way. Paveletzke would be a good start.Watch his highlights - we don't have anyone like him. He is good at finishing in transition, good in pick n roll, can get to the rim and hit mid range shots. He can score.
He is much quicker, skilled and athletic then Holmes.I did watch his highlights, and looked at his advanced analytics. Like I said - he'd be a good piece, but don't think he'd be some major upgrade over what we had out there this past season. Always good to have someone that can penetrate/create (i.e. Holmes), but we need floor spacers in the worst way. Paveletzke would be a good start.
The Williams interest is the real head scratcher, imo. Unless he'd be brought in for a long term bench piece? Looks like he had a solid freshmen season in the mountain west, but hard to imagine he all of a sudden starts filling it up going to the Big 12. I suppose let the coaches do what they do, but I REALLY don't want to see any more 41 pt tourney games...
I did watch his highlights, and looked at his advanced analytics. Like I said - he'd be a good piece, but don't think he'd be some major upgrade over what we had out there this past season. Always good to have someone that can penetrate/create (i.e. Holmes), but we need floor spacers in the worst way. Paveletzke would be a good start.
The Williams interest is the real head scratcher, imo. Unless he'd be brought in for a long term bench piece? Looks like he had a solid freshmen season in the mountain west, but hard to imagine he all of a sudden starts filling it up going to the Big 12. I suppose let the coaches do what they do, but I REALLY don't want to see any more 41 pt tourney games...
Gilbert is a better ball handler, finisher, and has a better midrange game than Holmes.I did watch his highlights, and looked at his advanced analytics. Like I said - he'd be a good piece, but don't think he'd be some major upgrade over what we had out there this past season. Always good to have someone that can penetrate/create (i.e. Holmes), but we need floor spacers in the worst way. Paveletzke would be a good start.
The Williams interest is the real head scratcher, imo. Unless he'd be brought in for a long term bench piece? Looks like he had a solid freshmen season in the mountain west, but hard to imagine he all of a sudden starts filling it up going to the Big 12. I suppose let the coaches do what they do, but I REALLY don't want to see any more 41 pt tourney games...
This. And I just don't get the expectation level of the players we are after. Jordan in the 90s? Or was his 3pt metrics not what we are looking for. Gilbert and Williams both have nba draft analysts talking about their projectionsDarrion Williams is the best player we are after. He's a day 1 starter.
He is a good shooter - 36% 3PT as a freshmen. 92nd percentile on Synergy in spot up situations.
Elite rebounder.
Excellent passer. 18% assist rate and 3:1 A/T.
Good defender with some versatility to defend 4's as well as hold his own on the perimeter.
With his passing especially (watching the highlights below), the thing that sticks out to me is just how smart of a player he seems to be. Holmes was an okay emergency backup option for a PG. He could make the passes that were there. But Williams looks to be able to manipulate the defense and create those passing opportunities in a way that Holmes couldn't.Darrion Williams is the best player we are after. He's a day 1 starter.
He is a good shooter - 36% 3PT as a freshmen. 92nd percentile on Synergy in spot up situations.
Elite rebounder.
Excellent passer. 18% assist rate and 3:1 A/T.
Good defender with some versatility to defend 4's as well as hold his own on the perimeter.
With his passing especially (watching the highlights below), the thing that sticks out to me is just how smart of a player he seems to be. Holmes was an okay emergency backup option for a PG. He could make the passes that were there. But Williams looks to be able to manipulate the defense and create those passing opportunities in a way that Holmes couldn't.
Yes, and all 3 visitors this weekend are upgrades in the areas we wanted upgrading. Able to get to the basket, increased 3pt %, and willing ball handler/playmakerAnd Gilbert is a solid combo guard as well. All the guys were zoning in on can create their own offense and are effective outside threats. That’s exactly what we need
Yep. They're not all exactly in the same mold, but it's guys that were all at least efficient shooters last year and can find open teammates/get good looks for their teammates. Pav probably the biggest threat shooting from deep, but Williams and Gilbert were both at least efficient there.And Gilbert is a solid combo guard as well. All the guys were zoning in on can create their own offense and are effective outside threats. That’s exactly what we need
Williams being 6’6” with some meat and shooting 36% from 3 while grabbing 7 rebounds per game all while being a freshman is very very intriguing.Yep. They're not all exactly in the same mold, but it's guys that were all at least efficient shooters last year and can find open teammates/get good looks for their teammates. Pav probably the biggest threat shooting from deep, but Williams and Gilbert were both at least efficient there.
I haven't dug in too much, but it seems like he just wasn't asked to do that much on offense? Seems like it was a pretty experienced roster and he did well with his opportunities.Williams being 6’6” with some meat and shooting 36% from 3 while grabbing 7 rebounds per game all while being a freshman is very very intriguing.
Love this post, and I think the "alpha scorer" thing is just going to be really tough for ISU to land in the portal currently. I do have some faith that just having multiple guys who can shoot AND find their open teammates will add just a ton of consistency on offense.Adding some data in the same vein as each of the last few comments...
Every single player who Otz seems to be focusing in on had an assist percentage that would have ranked at least third on Iowa State last season (behind Lipsey and Holmes, and all of them were far closer to Holmes than to Osun who had the next highest assist rate). Also, each of them have a three point percentage that would have ranked at least second on the team last season (behind Grill). Pav and Gilbert would have both been 2nd in assist percentage (although both were more of PGs than Holmes was), and would have had the best three point percentage.
It's true that none of them are coming is as the definite "alpha scorer" that the team often missed this season. But those guys don't grow on trees and are typically out of Iowa State's budget. And if you're surrounding Tamin with more guys who can both shoot and are comfortable with the ball in their hands, I think that could be enough for the offense to look more like it did early in Big 12 play rather than what we saw against Pitt.
I don’t think he’ll have to carry the load if you land Gilbert and Pav. If we land those guys we’ll have the most talent since the 18-19 roster (not saying much but still) but I think it’ll be roll the ball out there and see who’s got it that night. We’ll have a multitude of options (and we haven’t even brought up Omaha and Milan as legit offensive options).I haven't dug in too much, but it seems like he just wasn't asked to do that much on offense? Seems like it was a pretty experienced roster and he did well with his opportunities.
I can see the vision with him as a shooter long term, too. He's got a really quick and simple release that I think will translate. Just how much of a load scoring can he carry next year is my only question with him.
Believe me I want guys to come in and be great, but I'm just going to temper my expectations on these two if they commit. 36% from 3 on 35 makes isn't exactly setting the world on fire.Gilbert is a better ball handler, finisher, and has a better midrange game than Holmes.
And Williams wasn’t just some freshman he was freshman of the year, is 6’6”, and shot a high percentage from 3 for a tournament team.
Agree. And just having guys that look to score will help other players. Having multiple players that are aggressive and try and get to the rim (and can finish) opens up the inside and outside game.It's true that none of them are coming is as the definite "alpha scorer" that the team often missed this season. But those guys don't grow on trees and are typically out of Iowa State's budget. And if you're surrounding Tamin with more guys who can both shoot and are comfortable with the ball in their hands, I think that alone could be enough for the offense to look more like it did early in Big 12 play rather than what we saw against Pitt.