tonight's game

[skyhops]

What a stat line. Unreal

[Anti-Homer]

I hear the NBA comments about Swain, but until he can hit a three-point shot consistently and play lock defense he isn't a real prospect, look at Colby Jones who can't get off the bench with the Kings. Green will have games where he will provide a spark with his shooting, but his size and inability to get around screens are an issue. I'm sure Maddox will be fine as long as he is hitting threes because he is an undersized two guard as well.

Tough loss for Nova, who made a poor hire similar to us hiring Steele instead of a seasoned coach. Hopefully, Neptune stays for a few more years.

Of course he isn't a finished product. He is an 18-year-old one game into his sophomore year. Despite very modest numbers and a season-ending health issue, he was invited to the prestigious Jayson Tatum Wing Camp this summer. One of 12. The NBA scouts know. Colby is obviously a more polished player but lacks the size, athleticism (he is a good athlete, but not at Swain's level) and lacks Swain's very high ceiling. Swain, like Colby, already has a high IQ as well, and contrary to your belief, i think he is a very good defender; X's best.

I don't want Swain taking threes, unless they have a comfortable lead and he has a wide open, step in shot.

[Anti-Homer]

Pdxmuskie. You made a lot of good points. I just can't remember a X team so light in the pants. We seem to always have had physical front court players. I see a lot of improve with the guards and wings and a know the college game is a guard - wing game now but I worry about the big teams in the Big East.

It might be a guard-wing game, but the big guys can give you tourney wins (for example, UConn). Look at Creighton's game last night. Ryan Kalkbrenner’s stats in the win were crazy: 49 points on 20-for-22 shooting, 2-for-2 from three-point range, and 7-for-8 from the foul line. He also had 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Wow!

How the hell will X guard him?

[longliveskip]

Pdxmuskie. You made a lot of good points. I just can't remember a X team so light in the pants. We seem to always have had physical front court players. I see a lot of improve with the guards and wings and a know the college game is a guard - wing game now but I worry about the big teams in the Big East.

It might be a guard-wing game, but the big guys can give you tourney wins (for example, UConn). Look at Creighton's game last night. Ryan Kalkbrenner’s stats in the win were crazy: 49 points on 20-for-22 shooting, 2-for-2 from three-point range, and 7-for-8 from the foul line. He also had 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Wow!

How the hell will X guard him?

probably straight up, 1 v 1, like Dayton did vs. David West. worked out well if I remember.

[pdxmuskie]

Kalk is going to put up numbers against X. The team will simply need to limit production from others and look to opportunistically double him. He is a smart player and willing passer so constant double teams probably won't work. Playing zone might make sense but Miller will have to experiment to see what works.

I haven't seen Kalk play quick post players. It is possible that an undersized post player with quickness and athleticism is actually more difficult for him to play against. If I recall correctly Free struggled more against athletic quick bigs early in his career. He improved against them but I'm fairly certain that was his weakness offensively first couple years.

[pdxmuskie]

Swain is more similar to Posey than Jones. As another said, he is more athletic than Jones. Colby was a great college player but may fail to become a significant NBA player. He is more dependent on being a great shooter and a smart player than Posey or Swain. Swain will likely develop a shot. Without it, he may still be a prospect but earning minutes will be more difficult.

Hopefully he stays at X until he develops a consistent outside shot. The upside of NIL is that players don't need to jump early. Without NIL, he would likely get drafted after this year assuming he has a strong year. The potential on top of the high B-ball IQ is enough for a lot of teams to draft on. Also depends on what else is out there - could be more complete players or guys with an even higher ceiling but it makes sense that he is in the discussion.

I also agree Conwell could be drafted assuming he continues his high level of play.