Can't agree more. People are really delusional, or just drunk on cardinal and gold (and Prohm) kool-aid if they think we can basically lose five Big 12 starting caliber players, and replace them with mid level talent and not drop off significantly.
RECRUITING INSIDER: What I know about Iowa State’s top targets
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Can't agree more. People are really delusional, or just drunk on cardinal and gold (and Prohm) kool-aid if they think we can basically lose five Big 12 starting caliber players, and replace them with mid level talent and not drop off significantly.
Griffin, Lewis, Conditt and Haliburton are all four star level talent. Young is a proven high major starter. Nixon should be great defensively. Jacobson is a warrior. Our recruiting class already has high upside. If we get natural advancement, and add some scoring options to that, I feel great about next year. Our bench last year was not filled with scrubs.
I think people are delusional if they think we can replace those guys with grad transfers. Get a Kane, Dejean-Jones and a Jake Anderson and they might replace what we're losing. That's not happening. We're taking a step back next year regardless, I'm more worried about 2 and 3 years from now.
The year we lost 4 senior starters and somehow improved had more to do with returning players improving, than who we added to the roster imo. Naing, Long and especially Ejim stepped up big time. I think that's more important than who we add from the grad transfer market. Conditt, Nixon, Haliburton, Griffin and Lewis stepping up their game will be what gets us back in the NCAA tournament next year, not grad transfers.
I hope you're right, I really do.
I feel really good about Halliburton and Conditt and Jacobson is decent too, but that's about all we know for sure at this point. We know Young can be pretty good, but we have no idea about his health.
Everything else is really a big question mark.
Nobody in the country knows what their roster will look like in 2-3 years.
Not disagreeing with you, but what makes you think that about Griffin and Lewis, just a gut feeling?
(I am hopeful for it as well).
The answer for some is always someone outside the program has to come in and save the day or else we're doomed. Been said each and every year it seems.
That was supposed to be more light-hearted than it came across. My bad
I'm assuming he's referring to their recruiting rankings out of high school. Griffin was a top 100 guy and had a legitimate offer from KU. If he matures and can stay healthy, I'm expecting him to emerge next season. There's a starting spot waiting for him if he can.
I go back and forth on Lewis. He has some offensive skills, but his mental breakdowns are so egregious, it's hard to trust him. I agree with the general consensus that he will perform better with more consistent minutes. But I'm also hoping we have enough talent to not rely on him.
Haliburton
Nixon
?
Jacobson
Conditt
There are reasons to be excited about that lineup, but I think I'm in the minority thinking Jacobson can play the 4 in the Big 12. Griffin has shown great effort and rebounding in his limited minutes, but he was known for his offense in high school. I like the defensive potential of that lineup, but we still need some scoring pop.
Sounds like the ALR transfer is visiting soon. He would be the ideal guy to complete the lineup, but I'm guessing we strike out with him.
kcbob79clone
Well-Known Member
No worries - I only speak 2 words of French - oui and oui...
There is talent on the roster as it stands today (and there will be 2-3 more players added) and a lot coming in. It is hard to project how ready the incoming freshmen are to contribute right away and we shouldn't expected it.
At this time last year many on the board were calling for Haliburton and Conditt to Red Shirt before even getting on campus. I don't think anyone would have thought Haliburton would have been a year long starter and legit NBA prospect. At SF Leach has that talent if health to play right away, and I have a feeling Anderson will be ready to play some minutes there too.
I would obviously like ISU's chances better if a impact grad transfer chose to be a Cyclone but the roster is in a better place than 2017-18 roster.
I think Jackson could be a surprise in this class. He can handle the ball and he can shoot. If he can play defense, I think he earns some minutes as a freshman. He might even play a significant role.
