Other NCAA Talk

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Heavystarch

Yeah I seen that as well. Definitely a tough blow. The SEC is really crumbling though, with Steele, Speights, and Randolph all declaring early, plus Ben Hansborough looks like he will be transferring to Mizzou.

Ronald Steele declared why?

[Heavystarch]

Alabama's Steele to explore NBA options even though he missed last season - NCAA Basketball - Yahoo! Sports

really puzzling.. he must think Bama has no chance at being good next year

[Bernini]

Steele has had reocurring leg problems throughout his college career as that article alludes. My theory is he wants to get paid while he still has a little juice left in his legs.

First Team All-SEC'er Jamont Gordon of Mississippi State is contemplating declaring for the draft also. That would be another blow to an already reeling conference. Gordon is one of my favorite players in college basketball who isn't a Badger. He's so tweenerific....but you have to believe some NBA team has a roster spot for a player with his wide array of skills.

The SEC could very realistically lose 8 of their 9 1st Team All Conference players from this past season.

[TroyD92]

wow good luck to Ron he is one of my favorite players and I hope he can find a place somewhere when healthy he was one of the best PG's in the nation.

[komacki]

Good morning guys. I want to get your take on this.

In a thread over on the WSN boards about Jordan Taylor I supported the notion that he would be the freshman that would see the most minutes next year. One of my reasons was that Berggren, who I think is the second most likely to get the most playing time, has more competition. Specifically, I said that if Leuer progresses enough during the offseason on his body and low post defense he'll get the starting spot at the 5 (note that does not mean he'll be stuck on the block, it's the swing offense for cripes sake; nor does it mean that he'll be the main low post presence on either offense or defense, that will be Landry just like this past year), and that Nankivil will also be in the mix for minutes at the big men spots.

The response was the closest I've come to being run off a board. I was told that Leuer was in no way in Bo's plans as a 4 or 5, that he was a SF and would be the new Novak. And that if Nankivil wasn't the starting center next year the Badgers would be in big trouble.

So do you guys think that I'm wrong for thinking that Bo will mke Leuer into a lighter Brian Butch, or that they're wrong for thinking he's got the quickness to stay with someone 5 inches shorter than he is?

And if one of you is "Memhoops..." I want to know where your opinion that Nankivil better start is coming from.

[badgerbasketball33]

Realistically i think jon is more of a 3 with his body size and shooting ability just like novak as you said, but he is our best big man returning to we may need him at the 5. Unless berregen or nankivil get that good where they are able to score and defend down low i think we have to turn leur into more of a bulkier player at least for now until jared and keaton are ready.

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by komacki

Good morning guys. I want to get your take on this.

In a thread over on the WSN boards about Jordan Taylor I supported the notion that he would be the freshman that would see the most minutes next year. One of my reasons was that Berggren, who I think is the second most likely to get the most playing time, has more competition. Specifically, I said that if Leuer progresses enough during the offseason on his body and low post defense he'll get the starting spot at the 5 (note that does not mean he'll be stuck on the block, it's the swing offense for cripes sake; nor does it mean that he'll be the main low post presence on either offense or defense, that will be Landry just like this past year), and that Nankivil will also be in the mix for minutes at the big men spots.

The response was the closest I've come to being run off a board. I was told that Leuer was in no way in Bo's plans as a 4 or 5, that he was a SF and would be the new Novak. And that if Nankivil wasn't the starting center next year the Badgers would be in big trouble.

So do you guys think that I'm wrong for thinking that Bo will mke Leuer into a lighter Brian Butch, or that they're wrong for thinking he's got the quickness to stay with someone 5 inches shorter than he is?

And if one of you is "Memhoops..." I want to know where your opinion that Nankivil better start is coming from.

I don't see what the complete and utter outrage was about. We agreed on Leuer possibly starting at center in a previous conversation. People thinking he is a small forward.....now that's silly. Any tall but physically immature guy who isn't a klutz, can dribble alright, and possibly can shoot; many people think project to the small forward position. History doesn't support that thesis though. Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tyson Chandler, etc. They simply couldn't justify guarding opposing 3's with their lack of lateral quickness, nor could they penetrate offensively on any of those players, so their best option is strengthen their frames and play inside, where they operate within less space. Jon Leuer is the young, college version of those players. Joe Alexander is much more athletic than Leuer and West Virginia can't justify him playing small forward very often. Leuer is an interior, frontcourt player who steps outside on occasion. He did exhibit plenty of post skills against Duke. He's the swing's 2008-2010 version of Brian Butch, only hopefully more athletic even following gaining weight. The high major version of Paige Paulsen if you will. There is a distinct possibility he'll play plenty of center next year and beyond.

Taylor had the best senior season of the quintet, he's the most physically mature, he's mentally mature, he's toolsy, we need a 2nd or at least 3rd competent ballhandler....he'll receive the most minutes of the freshman next season. But Berggren will be the 2nd most relied upon freshman, IMO. His length/strength/shot blocking ability will be required when we play a "true" center like OSU's incoming frosh BJ Mullens. Coincidentally, I'd rank our recruiting class in the exact same order they committed to Wisconsin: 1. Taylor, 2. Berggren, 3. Wilson, 4. Markolf, 5. Evans.

[Bernini]

I'm curious how everyone thinks the extended 3-point line will impact the college game, and specifically the Badgers, next season. Will it reduce the importance of guards and increase the importance of post players, or vice versa?

[komacki]

I'm curious how everyone thinks the extended 3-point line will impact the college game, and specifically the Badgers, next season.

It'll lower scoring a little because those 20 footers are no longer worth three points and a three pointer is now a little harder to hit. But other than that I doubt it will have much of an impact. It's only a foot difference, and how many players actually toe the line most of the time?

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by komacki

It'll lower scoring a little because those 20 footers are no longer worth three points and a three pointer is now a little harder to hit. But other than that I doubt it will have much of an impact. It's only a foot difference, and how many players actually toe the line most of the time?

I thought it was like a foot and a half further back. If players didn't toe the old line, they won't toe the new line.

I think it will have some impact on the value of the taller player who can somewhat shoot the 3, like Butch. Durant was a sniper of a 3-point shooter in college and he stunk it up to the tune of 28 percent from that range in the pros with the 4-foot (approximate) difference. There's just so many moving parts with near 7-footers who shoot the 3. It's easier for part of their motion to go awry than it is for a little guy. So it could have implications on a player like Leuer. Does he become more of a mid range shooter than a 3-point shooter now?

Also, wherever the 3-point line is at any level, that's where a team sets up their offense. I think that will create more space inside the 3-point line, allowing athletes like a Hassan Adams type for example, more effectively attack the hoop. Not as much congestion.

Smaller players, who have unlimited range like a Curry, actually increase in value. As do true posts who have room to operate off close-outs on 3-point shooters.

We might actually see more of an open game, with slight increases in scoring. But I do think the extended 3-point line could make Wisconsin's defense even nastier, potentially. The 3-point shot has been the bane of our defense during the Bo Ryan era. We sag a bit and don't allow penetration. We don't try to pressure players as much as most teams on the perimeter. But as a result, Curry and Davidson light us up, as does Purdue.

[komacki]

I thought it was like a foot and a half further back.

Aren't they pushing it back from 19'9" to 20'9"?

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by komacki

Aren't they pushing it back from 19'9" to 20'9"?

I guess you're correct. Nevertheless, I still expect at least a minor impact on the way the game as played. Even a one foot extension to a long arc accumulates a lot of extra space inside. So I expect a little more open game. And the shot will be a bit more challenging to some.