The Last Spot

[shadow force]

Mgbako is not coming to UofL. I hope the staff has a plan b and c as to who else they can go after.

Who or what kind of player do you hope to see grab the last spot? Another guard, big man, forward?

 

[achilles992000]

We have reached out to Andrew Taylor. he would be a good fit. but many schools are after him also.

 

[shadow force]

Would love to get Taylor but it's a long shot with all the schools after him.

Like I've said in other threads, ideally, you want that last spot going to either a young but immediate high impact player or a quality experienced guy that can provide veteran leadership and help out right away.

 

[J_Lewis0117]

Would love to get Taylor but it's a long shot with all the schools after him.

Like I've said in other threads, ideally, you want that last spot going to either a young but immediate high impact player or a quality experienced guy that can provide veteran leadership and help out right away.

I definitely want a guy who can stretch the floor and be physical enough to play the 4. Going to be hard to find, though. One player I noticed was still in the portal was David Jones from St. John’s. Stat sheet stuffer at 6’6, 210 pounds and listed as a forward. Not a great three point shooter, but he could potentially work at that spot.
Also, apparently Isaiah Miranda entered the portal today.
Thoughts??

 

[Thecycle27]

I think they have flexibility at the 4. JJ, BHH the Miami transfer and Glynn. I think the Taylor kid makes sense for Louisville not so much for the kid. I think that is the rub. I doubt he went into the portal to come off the bench.

This last spot probably isn’t going to be a big splash more like a late round pick in the draft.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

#5 Okafor,Evans
#4 BHH,JJ,Danilo
#3 James,Glenn,Williams
#2 Flowers,White,
#1 Skyy,Davis,Miller,

 

[shadow force]

I'd still like another ball handling guard that can reliably not turn the ball over, break a press, and help initiate the offense. Three point shooting is also in question.

Overall Payne has done a good job in recruiting talent. Whether it is a complete and cohesive team will remain to be seen.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

I'd still like another ball handling guard that can reliably not turn the ball over, break a press, and help initiate the offense. Three point shooting is also in question.

Overall Payne has done a good job in recruiting talent. Whether it is a complete and cohesive team will remain to be seen.

People failed to realize their just is not a lot of wiggle room to attract high caliber players without losing a projected starter . The 24 roster will be easier to manage and attract certain players.

 

[shadow force]

If Payne and team have a good winning season, I know it varies on what is considered good, then one of the last hurdles Payne has faced will be mitigated.

I know NIL is important but I know some recruits did not come because of the 4 win season. Some stated they didn't want to be part of a rebuild and there is uncertainty if last season was a fluke or not. But more power to guys like Flowers who had tons of offers but came here anyway to rebuild Louisville Basketball.

You guys are probably right that the last spot will not be a high impact player. I just hope it's someone who can help out and not sit the bench the whole season.

 

[achilles992000]

if Taylor is unavailable, a corner 3 point specialist would be a smart add.

we are weak in 3 point shooting with Ellis and Withers gone.
Tre White and Trentyn Flowers were below 30% 3 point shooting last year.

 

[shadow force]

I agree with needing a proven 3 point sharp shooter. Skyy and Davis were both 33.3% 3pt shooters. Mike James 36%.

Also the A/TO ratio for Skyy, White, Davis, and James isn't good. Have to hope they shore those turnovers up because Cards were one of the worst TO teams last year.

 

[shadow force]

I definitely want a guy who can stretch the floor and be physical enough to play the 4. Going to be hard to find, though. One player I noticed was still in the portal was David Jones from St. John’s. Stat sheet stuffer at 6’6, 210 pounds and listed as a forward. Not a great three point shooter, but he could potentially work at that spot.
Also, apparently Isaiah Miranda entered the portal today.
Thoughts??

I think the 4 spot is pretty filled right now. But why did Miranda not play at NC State? Was that his decision or the coach's?

 

[J_Lewis0117]

I think the 4 spot is pretty filled right now. But why did Miranda not play at NC State? Was that his decision or the coach's?

Not sure about the Miranda situation. But in my opinion, I don’t think Huntley-Hatfield should be playing the 4 and all we have right now is Traynor

 

[shadow force]

Not sure about the Miranda situation. But in my opinion, I don’t think Huntley-Hatfield should be playing the 4 and all we have right now is Traynor

I can understand that. I thought Glenn or Williams might play some at the 4 since the 3 looks really full with the addition of White.

If Miranda wanted to come here you definitely take him. I just hope Payne fills the last spot with someone that can contribute this season and not another project.

 

[cardsfan53]

if Taylor is unavailable, a corner 3 point specialist would be a smart add.

we are weak in 3 point shooting with Ellis and Withers gone.
Tre White and Trentyn Flowers were below 30% 3 point shooting last year.

I would love to have Taylor, but not sure how much sense it would make for the kid to come here. I doubt he wants to come and not start. I´m sure he is looking at places where he will get major minutes.

 

[achilles992000]

possible pitch to Taylor would be to play Clark and Taylor at the same time for a few stretches a game to get him the minutes he will want. both are 6-3.

Corbin, Kentucky is 3 hours away from Louisville. so give his friends and family free seats so they can watch him play. big advantage over IU and Pittsburgh in terms of proximity.
throw NIL on top of that with free KFC chicken buckets and Taco Bell.

 

[Thecycle27]

I still don’t buy players don’t want to be part of a rebuild. I do buy they don’t want to play for KP. Every team is a rebuild. When 1750 players transfer that has to be close to 50 percent of the players across the NCAA entered the portal. Everyone is rebuilding.

It is all about fit, projected role and NIL. Players aren’t naive they know most college coaches have a 5-8 man rotation. 8 is probably pushing it.

They may not even fill it just put Miller back on scholarship.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

The young HS players that signed on and their parents have publicly spoken about wanting to be a part of the rebuild here at UofL. We probably spend too much time focusing on the guys that don't come here instead of discussing the guys that do.

It's really hard to predict what they do with the final spot. It's hard to imagine grabbing any player seeking volume.

 

[shadow force]

I still don’t buy players don’t want to be part of a rebuild. I do buy they don’t want to play for KP. Every team is a rebuild. When 1750 players transfer that has to be close to 50 percent of the players across the NCAA entered the portal. Everyone is rebuilding.

It is all about fit, projected role and NIL. Players aren’t naive they know most college coaches have a 5-8 man rotation. 8 is probably pushing it.

They may not even fill it just put Miller back on scholarship.

Like Ipart said, some of our players specifically mentioned wanting to be part of the UofL rebuild. It's true most rosters will have to be rebuilt yearly but they and other transfers were talking about rebuilding the UofL basketball program.

Those other schools haven't been through what UofL has been through these last 6 or 7 years and those coaches haven't been close to Paynes 4-28. So many recruits see the Cards as rebuilding for a multitude of reasons.

 

[Thecycle27]

My point is anywhere they go is technically a rebuild from a roster perspective. Let’s be real Clark, Evans and Flowers came here because it is an elite program where they are going to get playing time and exposure. The side benefit is maybe they restore the Louisville brand. Let’s not over sell the rebuild narrative from a players perspective. They aren’t going to be here as seniors.

Players that didn’t come was strictly due to the roster limitations. While I don’t know 100% if Clark didn’t commit and James didn’t come back veteran guards would have came here. Now if the fan base would of liked KP selection is up for debate because many don’t like we have today which is par for the course these days.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Let’s not over sell the rebuild narrative from a players perspective. They aren’t going to be here as seniors.

They are kids. They expect to win from day one.

 

[Thecycle27]

I agree so where the rebuild?

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

The program has been down for years they believe they can turn it around. That's the assumed rebuild.

---

---

 

[Thecycle27]

I agree that is the message by staff and players so they are at least on the same page.