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Before the season...curious

I thought the 4 returner were enough to make this a very good team. The additions have made it a great team.
The bad news is that the tophalf of the conference is as good as it's ever been. Losses will happen. 14-4 or better should be a 1 or 2 seed come March.
 
I guessed top 5 defense but like top 30 offense, mounting to a #13-22 team that could beat a #1 team on nights when Milan was hot.

If the new guys hit and the right leaps were made it could be special, after all Florida was a preseason 21 last year, but probably not

So far basically everything I’ve thought “well maybe if this happens” has been exceeded
 
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Not much to say what hasn't already been said here. I didn't expect them to get to top 3 status at any point in the season, so there's that. I'm not 100% convinced they'll stay at this level, but am enjoying the ride.

Some overachiever/pleasant surprises: Milan and Jefferson transcending, Buchanan pretty significant upgrade over last years bigs, Toure being what he's been, Pleta being an asset right away, winning @ Purdue.

Stuck in neutral: Heise, Nelson's been a bit up and down, overall playing fewer minutes than anticipated but is nice to have as the 2nd or 3rd guard off the bench

Disappointed so far: Mulder. As a grad transfer in state kid I was hoping he'd get more run and look better in said opportunities. It's quite clear he is 3rd in the Big pecking order. As long as Pleta continues to hold his own, shouldn't be a big deal. Xzavion Mitchell. No offense to the kid but he reminds me a lot of Kaden Fish out there. Teams overall poor performance against Iowa pissed me off rounds out my list/ report card. Even before I know we would be as good as we are, I thought a double digit win in Hilton over them was reasonable.
 
NENick said:
I thought the 4 returner were enough to make this a very good team. The additions have made it a great team.
The bad news is that the tophalf of the conference is as good as it's ever been. Losses will happen. 14-4 or better should be a 1 or 2 seed come March.
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I like our team in the tournament. Milan has turned a corner and will be lights out in crunch time IMO.
 
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Cyinthenorth said:
Not much to say what hasn't already been said here. I didn't expect them to get to top 3 status at any point in the season, so there's that. I'm not 100% convinced they'll stay at this level, but am enjoying the ride.

Some overachiever/pleasant surprises: Milan and Jefferson transcending, Buchanan pretty significant upgrade over last years bigs, Toure being what he's been, Pleta being an asset right away, winning @ Purdue.

Stuck in neutral: Heise, Nelson's been a bit up and down, overall playing fewer minutes than anticipated but is nice to have as the 2nd or 3rd guard off the bench

Disappointed so far: Mulder. As a grad transfer in state kid I was hoping he'd get more run and look better in said opportunities. It's quite clear he is 3rd in the Big pecking order. As long as Pleta continues to hold his own, shouldn't be a big deal. Xzavion Mitchell. No offense to the kid but he reminds me a lot of Kaden Fish out there. Teams overall poor performance against Iowa pissed me off rounds out my list/ report card. Even before I know we would be as good as we are, I thought a double digit win in Hilton over them was reasonable.
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Agreed on Mulder I was kind of excited about him and surprised he hasn’t looked much better in the opportunities he’s had. To be fair though I’m not sure where he’d take minutes from currently but in big 12 play if we need a guy due to foul trouble/injury he can be serviceable. Mitchell might be one of the freshman who transfers away after the season but I hope not as he has good size and a little time in TJs program could treat him well!
 
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GoSTATE71 said:
Agreed on Mulder I was kind of excited about him and surprised he hasn’t looked much better in the opportunities he’s had. To be fair though I’m not sure where he’d take minutes from currently but in big 12 play if we need a guy due to foul trouble/injury he can be serviceable. Mitchell might be one of the freshman who transfers away after the season but I hope not as he has good size and a little time in TJs program could treat him well!
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To me, he and Pleta are about the same level of development. Pleta is probably less valuable in a clutch situation due to lack of experience but as far as role and physical ability they seem pretty similar. It makes sense to give Pleta the minutes as he has 4 years to improve. Mulder will be nice late in the season when we need to fill minutes.
 
I still am wanting to see who will be making that big 3 consistently in a big game at a big moment when Milan is covered and we can't force it inside...other than that, this team has everything it needs.
 
BWRhasnoAC said:
To me, he and Pleta are about the same level of development. Pleta is probably less valuable in a clutch situation due to lack of experience but as far as role and physical ability they seem pretty similar. It makes sense to give Pleta the minutes as he has 4 years to improve. Mulder will be nice late in the season when we need to fill minutes.
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Pleta is bigger and appears to be much more skilled, especially offensively, than Mulder. I think Mulder could actually be a serviceable 4, but that isn't needed on this team.
 
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CySmurf said:
I still am wanting to see who will be making that big 3 consistently in a big game at a big moment when Milan is covered and we can't force it inside...other than that, this team has everything it needs.
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Tamin will. Tamin always gives the team what it needs.

Heise is another potential one for that. He has experience, that is needed in that scenario.
 
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CySmurf said:
I still am wanting to see who will be making that big 3 consistently in a big game at a big moment when Milan is covered and we can't force it inside...other than that, this team has everything it needs.
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Um, is this an actual question? Jefferson is playing at an all American level right now, shooting 43% from 3 and can pretty much get what he wants inside.
 
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BWRhasnoAC said:
To me, he and Pleta are about the same level of development. Pleta is probably less valuable in a clutch situation due to lack of experience but as far as role and physical ability they seem pretty similar. It makes sense to give Pleta the minutes as he has 4 years to improve. Mulder will be nice late in the season when we need to fill minutes.
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Pleta is better than Mulder. He’s just had a slow start adjusting to NCAA pace and ISU defense from Euro ball.

I think Mulder was the perfect depth pick-up or back up option in case Pleta didn’t translate as expected. Brings energy, serviceable at 4 and 5 on D and doesn’t waste offensive possessions given his prior efficiency rating all at a low cost.

Pleta and Batemon continuing to grow into their roles while the other guys sustain is where I’m looking for this team to reach its ceiling
 
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Self’s early(ish) KU teams (Mario Chalmers, the other small guard that was a pest) are the closest comp to what TJ put together this year.

That’s a team that can win a National Championship, but could lose early too. A lot has to go wrong to lose early with a team that has 4-5 players that can carry the scoring in any one night.

Toughest issue this year is there are 4-5 teams that in a typical year would be heavy favorites for the natty. Very strong CBB year and we are seeing NIL make CBB better as it makes college football worse.

Fun couple of months ahead!
 
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CySmurf said:
I still am wanting to see who will be making that big 3 consistently in a big game at a big moment when Milan is covered and we can't force it inside...other than that, this team has everything it needs.
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Clone95 said:
Um, is this an actual question? Jefferson is playing at an all American level right now, shooting 43% from 3 and can pretty much get what he wants inside.
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CySmurf said:
I hope you're right!
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Jefferson’s already done this multiple times when Purdue and Iowa were starting on runs.

Are you basically thinking who’s this year’s CuJo?

Milan being 6’8 and high percentage off balance can shoot over most coverage and deep like CuJo could. Plenty of other guys can hit the 3s the present and Batemon’s gonna keep getting better as the secondary volume shooter and he already took the lid off vs MS State
 
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BWRhasnoAC said:
To me, he and Pleta are about the same level of development. Pleta is probably less valuable in a clutch situation due to lack of experience but as far as role and physical ability they seem pretty similar. It makes sense to give Pleta the minutes as he has 4 years to improve. Mulder will be nice late in the season when we need to fill minutes.
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Fair assessment. I personally think Pleta looks like he has way higher upside and currently is more skilled offensively.
 
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GoSTATE71 said:
Fair assessment. I personally think Pleta looks like he has way higher upside and currently is more skilled offensively.
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I agree that he's got more skill and upside but I don't think he's physically ready for this level, still growing into his body/coordination.
 
BWRhasnoAC said:
I agree that he's got more skill and upside but I don't think he's physically ready for this level, still growing into his body/coordination.
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Eye test wise Pleta might still be growing into his body but he’s already better at defending without fouling because he walls up well at 6’11 whereas Mulder’s a bit undersized for a big 12 5man.

As a 21 year old German pro he probably has as much or more total experience than Mulder just a different style. The way the TJ talks about his rate of improvement, I don’t think he’s waiting on upside just the next few years but expecting more by March this year as he adjusts and general cardio catches up
 
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GoodOleDays said:
Eye test wise Pleta might still be growing into his body but he’s already better at defending without fouling because he walls up well at 6’11 whereas Mulder’s a bit undersized for a big 12 5man.

As a 21 year old German pro he probably has as much or more total experience than Mulder just a different style. The way the TJ talks about his rate of improvement, I don’t think he’s waiting on upside just the next few years but expecting more by March this year as he adjusts and general cardio catches up
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I hope that's true but it's not how TJ usually roles with his roster. Be great if we had Pleta and Bateman emerge late in the year though.
 
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