Portal time and names

[X-lucidity]

Once again, mad respect for your b-ball acumen’Hops. But I just don’t agree that Miller screwed Lazar over on PT last year. Maybe the hand injury setback was more of the factor. Sean ain’t running a charity. Face it- in late Dec and early Jan when Lazar got run, he was subpar at best. Missed open looks, slow on D footwork, and my biggest knock- SOFT IN THE TRENCHES. Now that did improve a bit in mud Feb and onward but we are definitely grading on a curve here. Let’s see if he can dominate two levels down here from the BE. Time will tell. We all wish Lazar the best.
Now let’s all concentrate on sending some positive vibes and maybe we get some surprising good news about Des by end of day- you never know…

[skyhops]

Ciani was awful and moved like a battleship yet he played a lot compared to Lazar. Lazar was concerned a top recruit and second best player at times according to Miller. He played well at year end and is young. Agree to disagree, I think Vanilla Ice will get him going.

[Kevin Reilly]

I have heard on the board that Djokovic was highly rated but have been unable to find out what he was rated. I looked at 247 and rivals but couldn't find any rating .Anyone know?

[muskieman]

Big coming weeks for Xavier portal visits. Big guys and others are coming in for a look-see. Oklahoma and Toledo players up first.

[Anti-Homer]

I have heard on the board that Djokovic was highly rated but have been unable to find out what he was rated. I looked at 247 and rivals but couldn't find any rating .Anyone know?

Look up UK's Zvonimir Ivisic ranking for 2023. You will have a hard time finding any for him, too. The peril of playing in the Eastern Europe Bball leagues. Both, however, did play on high-level, adult All-Star teams as 18-year-olds. Chris Mack watched a lot of X-ball this year and had a front-court seat and more than ample opportunities to evaluate Djoko. Miller mysteriously decided to play him more than 30 minutes a game in the hardest 4 game stretch of the year, the last four. Previous to that, he averaged 10. Where did the epiphany come from? He also tried damn hard to keep him.

No worries, there are two camps on this site. Those who thought SM did a bang-up job on player management this year, and those who think he fumbled it more than a perfect pass to Abou on the block. However, I think SM is an elite coach, have faith in him, and am calling 2025 "The Year of Miller's Redemption".

Now, let's hope Garrion, Hughley, and Maddox commit this week. There are others, too, but these are the early guys I believe for visits on Monday and Tues. Maddox and Garrison would be my top two, but Hughley would be a major upgrade too.

[XavierBob]

Hughly just gave his commitment to X.

[muskieman]

Hughly just gave his commitment to X.

Oklahoma transfer John Hugley has two years of eligibility and is 6'-9", 275-pound center

[Kevin Reilly]

Great news about Hugley. Just who we need. Hope we land at least two more Front court guys but great start. Keep it going Miller.

[Anti-Homer]

Good get by X. I would have rather have Garrison, but Hugley is a major upgrade over Abou and Ciani, X's main post guys most of the year. He is a consistent post-scorer. I think he can step out a little too and has been a 70%+ FT shooter throughout his career. He is also a guy who averages 5 points every ten minutes throughout his career, including his sophomore year in the ACC at Pitt, when he averaged 14 points in 27 minutes and went to the line a lot. I also really, hope Maddox commits. I don't know if I've ever seen him live, but of the highlights I've seen, he is a good, three-level scorer with a decent frame. His stats also speak for themself. X needs at least two good shooters, and probably three, with the probable departure of Green.

[XU_2011]

Great get by X! A 275 lb man with knee problems, who happens to also be extremely foul prone. At least Mr. Freemantle will have a friend who will join him in street clothes for half the season.

I would personally prefer to develop the 3 healthy freshmen bigs we had on the roster last year who already have been in Sean's system for a year. To each their own, I guess.