Obviously TJ disagrees with you as he starts two of the guys you have as fighting for the last spot.
Bigs for next year?
- Thread starter clonedude
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The use of defining a lineup by positions 1-5 is a rabbit hole conversation on CF
There's a lot of ambiguity in modern basketball as it's desirable for players to blur the lines so that they can play multiple "positions". Milan is a great example in that he is a 3/4 blend. He has the jump shooting to be a 3, but might struggle to defend guards in a small-ball lineup. And as his body matures, he could play spot minutes as a college 5.
I like to use the labels because they indicate a skill-set a player brings. I am a big believer most elite teams check all the boxes among their top 8/9.
Yeah, he very well could be. Looking back at my post, I was probably too strong in stating Pierce over Nojus. I should have just said that I think people are underrating Pierce a bit. I think he has a good all-around game and Big 12-ready toughness. He also plays on a really talented NYC high school team, and in what I've watched, he defers more to teammates as a result. That makes him less flashy, but it also might better prepare him to come in as a role player immediately.
Pav is just a tough sell for me. He is small, short, and a bit gun shy. Those things working together do not spell "Big 12 basketball player" to me. He's given it his best shot and this is the result so far. Does he improve if he sticks it out and spends another offseason in the weight room and honing his craft? I imagine so. But even if he does, he is still at best the 4th guard in the rotation next year, and that isn't taking into consideration that Nojus and Hamilton aren't better already.
Agree. He was a low-risk take that can provide some stability as a backup without having to ever be "the guy" on the floor. I know he's universally liked by the team and has a ton of support, but there is a lot working against him at this level. You see guys like that be rock-stars at Wofford, Murray State, etc (look at Custer a few years back at Loyola). But the size and strength of the guys he's going up is so much different at that level since those are premiums and reasons those type of players transfer up a level.
I go back & forth on Paveletzke. His size is a disadvantage and he may be a step slow on defense. But he can be an efficient Big12 PG and looks like he could be a 35%+ 3 point shooter.
What I come back to, is the 2023/24 version of Iowa State's offense isn't the best fit for his skill-set. Our offense is based on the ball handler breaking down his defender off the dribble to create his own shot or distribute. But what if TJ tweeks our offense next year, to add the dimension of solid screens and motion? I feel like that could benefit Lipsey, Paveletzke and Momcilovic.
Pav with a little more development I think can be great here in a specific, fairly narrow role. He could also probably transfer to another Wofford-type program and be the alpha-scorer there. Depends on what he wants for himself.
I think this is correct. He’s already proven he can be a valuable 7/8th man on a Top 10 team and does multiple things well. I’d love to have him back next year because I think there’s a big leap coming after his first year at a high-major level. But if he wants to go mid-major for more minutes, I would absolutely root for him.
If JT Rock can hold his own with the physical demands on defense next year, he could significantly impact our offense. A big with the ability to shoot the 3 will be a huge advantage for our guards. Lipsey and Gilbert would have so many more opportunities to attack the basket. NBA style pick and pop also becomes available.
At some point in the season we will need an enforcer. Fish had the size to be that guy.
I think he’s a great MVC player if he wants big minutes. Or he can be a solid role player at ISU like he is now.
That's absolutely going to be his specialty. Those expecting him to average 20 a game have never understood his skillset. Just like those that expected Omaha to come in an be a difference maker on offense this year clearly hadn't watched any of his high school games. He dominated simply because of size and power, not because he has a pretty jump shot or can create some vast amount of his own space against similar sized guys.
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Honestly Paveletzke for Freeman straight up would be a better fit for both players on an individual level
He has experienced both now. Perhaps playing a small role on a good P5 squad is what he prefers
I think match up is a key thing for Pav right now. Some games he has come in and been really effective and important. But against UCF for example, man, he looked like 9th grade me playing against the varsity squad.
It's likely that if they make a deep run, there will be a game where we need another safe ballhandler to put in real minutes, and make a couple buckets when no one is looking. That's Pav.
Watson is a strong off-season away from just about replacing Tre King. Watson's upside is higher due to his length and athletic profile. However, he has a ways to go to match Tre's size and scoring.
To be fair, Tre is 24 (October), and Watson is 20 (December).
To be fair, Tre is 24 (October), and Watson is 20 (December).
Honestly, Pav would benefit A LOT from redshirting. He needs to bulk up.
Jones and Gilbert are gone after 2025. If Lipsey takes a jump next year like he took this year, he could be off to the NBA.
Guys like Nojus and Jelani are not PG's, so Pav could be your starting PG in 2025 and 26
Jones and Gilbert are gone after 2025. If Lipsey takes a jump next year like he took this year, he could be off to the NBA.
Guys like Nojus and Jelani are not PG's, so Pav could be your starting PG in 2025 and 26
It's definitely going to be a learning curve for big guys coming into the program, between the communication, and learning how to guard people in space. Our senior bigs have all been excellent out there at both of those things
