Wow! He had tweeted out that he wanted to make a decision this week. I see a better fit with Ohio State given the roster situation there and his ability to play the 3 or the 4. Duke has a ton of guys that have the same size and rough athletic profile. But Towns is a heck of a shooter and a great player when healthy. He's certainly not someone I would turn down.
Anyone understand what the heck is going on at Wichita St.? Of the 6 transfers they've lost I think at least 3-4 of them were slated to be starters or at least rotation players next year.
We think this means Marshall is leaving or just that the bloom is off the rose there?
I wonder if they are regretting giving up the chance to be the "Gonzaga of the MVC" for the reality of being in the middle of the pack in the AAC.
This thread will EXPLODE if, as expected, the NCAA opens up the world of "transfer without sitting out a year" this summer.
I frankly don't understand why any kid would make a transfer decision yet before we know what the NBA draft and open transfer rules will bring. It is not like committing now means you can get to campus to start working out and the such... every program in the country is basically on mothballs for the foreseeable future.
Why are you wasting time here when you could be wasting it by listening to the latest episode of the DBR Podcast?
I posted the above in the "Who Stays, Who Goes?" thread and want to toot my own horn for a moment.If you want to see who is in the transfer portal, Verbal Commits has a running list that gets updated frequently each day. A couple of centers and forwards pop out to me:
Hayden Koval, 7'0" C, Central Arkansas: He's a career 34% 3P%/ 73% FT%, looks fairly mobile with a reasonable post game or can hit a step-back jumper. He averaged about 3 blocks per game, too. He could be useful, although I am not sure if he is immediately eligible as a grad transfer. He might be a sit one/play one type.
Taurean Thompson, 6'11" F, Syracuse, Seton Hall: After a promising freshman season for the Orange where he averaged 9 points and a block per game, Thompson transferred to Seton Hall and sort of got lost. He only played in 1 game this year for the Pirates. A former Top 100 recruit, Thompson is immediately elligible.
Patrick Tape, 6'10" F/C, Columbia: From Charlotte, Tape got an expanded role in 2019-20 and turned about 22 minutes a game into better than 11 points, 6 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block per game. He seems like a near perfect fit for Duke from an athletic and academic standpoint and a guy that probably wouldn't expect to be more than a role player. Immediately eligible.
Jordan Bruner, 6'9" F, Yale: Speaking of the Ivy League, Bruner is a rugged and athletic forward that gives you a bit of everything. He's had knee issues and may elect to go pro in Europe. But he added a 3-point shot to his game this past season for the Bulldogs (32.3% on 3+ attempts per game) and also gives you interior scoring and some shot blocking. He's an excellent rebounder and passer for a big man, too. I expect he'll be in high demand.
Jon Rothstein tweeted this morning that Duke has reached out to Patrick Tape (Tuh-PAY, as in, you have to pay the Landlord!). Of three Ivy League players Duke has contacted - Bruner, Tape, and Seth Towns - I think Tape is exactly the type of transfer that would fit Duke next season. He only played about 22 minutes a game in 2018-19 and chose to sit out last season to become a grad transfer. He'd be a 5th year player and probably wouldn't have an expectation of being the starter on day one. He could certainly earn it if it came to it. He is a good rim protector and rebounder with good size.
Here's a highlight clip. I see a guy that can give 15-20 minutes against high major competition, provide some interior size and depth.
Agree about Tape. But I like Townes also for his shooting. Something that has been an achilles heel the last 2-3 years. Both would fit needs. Especially if Cassius is gone.
Every year Coach K has exit interviews with the players after the season. I know they are out of school, but with technology, you wonder if those interviews haven't taken place this week, the staff knows what their rosters will look like next season and thus the sudden spike in interest on the transfer portal.
Some time ago I opined that it would be nice to pick up another big man to support Mark Williams in the coming season. Mark is afterall a freshman and if things go well is unlikely to play more then 25 minutes a game. If he is foul prone or gets injured then we will be left with smaller players to protect the middle and rebound. Henry Coleman was pointed out as a 6'8" 240# strong kid who would likely fulfill that role with the current roster. Others mentioned Keenan Worthington and a 6'8/9" kid that ight have gained weight and strength in his red shirt year. I still like the idea of a true big man and the three young men listed as potential grad transfers all look to be better answers than the alternatives currently available. Thanks for pointing them out and I am sure that aspect of the team has been discussed among the coaches.
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club
I liked the offensive skills and that he was pretty quick to get into his post moves. Would have been nice to see some defense besides recovery blocked shots...yeah I know it is a highlight reel...
Also 9 minutes of pick-and-rolls & post moves is a lot to watch at one sitting...
Good people drink good beer. -Hunter S. Thompson
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club
I am curious about what Tape has been doing for the past year. He quit the Columbia team in October and I believe he was healthy at the time. Has he been working on his game with a skills coach? Playing IM at Columbia? Sitting on the couch eating Cheetos and playing FortNite?