maybe I'm forgetting someone but it's interesting that we have no one between 6'5 - 6'8 on the roster (aside from maybe a walk-on). Plenty of size upfront, and some great players in the backcourt, but no one in that ideal 3 spot size. Of course two of our best 3's ever (Brewer and Parsons) were 6'8/6'9....but even a 6'5-6'7 wing would be a nice addition, surely there must be a 3 and D type player we can go after. I know that's highly coveted, perhaps we can scout overseas if the NIL market is too competitive here
this is the kind of player at the guard position I expect us to go after. Low to mid major D1 young player who can be a back up this year and maybe get more minutes later in career. Also won’t demand a ton of NIL.
South Alabama basketball's Millender enters transfer portal 5'9" PG but doesn't seem afraid of contact. Could be an option off the bench.
I don’t know that the bidding up won’t happen, this is where we normally fall apart after three great transfers.
Kentucky is loading up among some other teams in the league. I think another finish in the top half of the league should be the expectation. Obviously rosters won't be locked up until end of June so still early.
Vanderbilt's Ven-Allen Lubin has entered the portal. Tough kid. From Orlando. Great nose for the ball. 12.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg. He'll have a bunch of teams after him. Would be terrific if Florida is one of them.
I really like him a lot. But, frankly, this would create a logjam, not only in terms of bigs (5 kids all worthy of near-starter minutes), but also class distribution (3 juniors, 3 sophomores on scholarship). Golden seemed very conscious of that in his presser, especially in the comments about "fit" and needing younger guys on the perimeter to develop. I think we have gotten past the stage of immediate impact and now are thinking in terms of multiple year horizon. Now, if some on here are right that Haugh is destined for the three, that could change the equation. I don't personally see it, but it is conceivable that bringing in another big means Haugh could move out and provide us longer, more physical three who can also play the four. And that would also give us the younger perimeter player Golden wants. So always a possibility.
Ven-Allen Lubin would be a great addition. I think he is athletic enough to play the three and that is what we greatly lacked last season. Not a great outside shooter (33% from three) but can get to the basket and finish. Agree we have plenty of bigs but as has been discussed, Haugh is our only player between 6’4 and 6’8 and we really could use more depth at the SF and PF positions. I know Sam Alexis is coming in but he is definitely a PF.
Did Lubin play any 3 last year for them? Or at ND as a freshman? I thought he was a full-time 4 who filled in at the 5 at times.
Guessing that Alijah and Sam were the 5 stars ... but I think Chinyelu will be the biggest surprise next season. He's got an incredibly soft touch around the basket and will really help defensively. That said, he committed a foul every 6.3 minutes last season - and shot 48.9% on free throws. But he's going to help us more than folks expect.
the staff is really high on Chinyelu. I have my concerns with him helping us a ton next year. And by that I mean even being as valuable as Handy was this year. When I watch him I am most concerned with his balance. He doesn’t play with the strength he should especially on offense but it does show on defense as well. It’s one reason for the fouls. Where his lack of balance really shows though is his shots down low which he hit at a nice % albeit in a weaker conference. Watch even his highlights and you will see even on a lot of his makes he is fading away from the basket. So think of Samuel down low who would just carve out space because he played with such a strong base. Chinyelu at this point is still very raw and needs to work on that base. But like I said the staff will be putting alot into him and really think he can be a player for us. I think so too at some point. I just don’t know how good he will be next year.
His highlights look very promising. Very quick jumps going for rebounds, kind of like Horford. Very good footwork on defense, his short jumpers and using the backboard on some shots look deadly. He and Condon sharing time is going to wear down opposing centers. Very good addition and a warrior on the court. Can’t wait.
