I see so much potential in Berke. The skillset is all there, just could never put it together this year. I have to wonder what a full year in the program could do for him. I feel like the ceiling by year 3 could be all conference player, but the floor might be equally low.
I personally would really like to see what he develops to.
Him passing up a put back and other shots in the paint is the biggest indictment on his ability right now. He is SOFT in the worse ways, which we could also say about Mara. Have all the tools to be 15ppg yet are just mental midgets.
Oh! Actually really good! We went on a tear late in the year, winning 6 of our last 8 games and made D5 city playoffs, where we won our first playoff game since before the pandemic in OT. Our second round game was against a team that had beaten us by 30 at the start of the year, but we went blow for blow with them this time before finally fading in the 4th quarter.
I only lose a couple seniors but none of my best players, should add more depth (the playoff win really galvanized people wanting to join next year) and my two best players are joining an AAU squad for the offseason so should really improve a ton. The process ultimately led to results, like I said.
I’m curious why he went to Stanford in the first place. He was heavily thought to be leaning toward ucla before committing to Stanford right? Curious why he’s second guessing his original decision. I can’t imagine the choice to go to Stanford was because of nil right?
His family is from NorCal, and they really thought he would be a one-and-done, which is why he went to play for Haase where he would theoretically have free reign. Basically a situation of the people surrounding a player having a way more inflated idea of what a player is capable of than he actually is (see also: Bronny James).
I'd note that I don't think UCLA is interested in Stojakovic anymore, even if he is back in the portal. There are bigger fish available.
Man watching the Virginia vs Colorado St game, I have to say I’m so glad we have Mick over Tony Bennett. Cronin looks like an offensive genius compared to him. If Bennett can win a championship, then Mick definitely can
I agree that Cronin can do what Bennett had done, but it's not because Bennett is not good. It's because Cronin is also a really good coach. But Bennett has enjoyed a pretty good career. This year's team was frankly not very good and, as far as the shows I listen to on Mad Dog, was routinely cited as Exhibit A of why it was unfair the 3 Big East snubs did not get in. But 6 ACC championships in a conference that also has Duke and UNC is pretty good, especially at a school like Virginia, even if they usually don't make much noise in the tournament. And the National Championship in 2019 was pretty impressive, especially considering the roster he had.
UCLA has had some clunkers on offense too in the Cronin era. 44 points this season at Utah, 48 at ASU in 2019-20, 53 and 57 against Stanford and Cal this season.
True but the 2019 team and the team this year were composed of young players learning Cronin’s system. Tony Bennett started two seniors and a junior last night. The last time Cronin had two seniors and a junior in the starting lineup, we were national title contenders before injuries wiped us out of the ncaa tournament. And it wasn’t just a clunker. A college basketball game lasts about 2 hours to maybe 2 hour 15 minutes including halftime and timeouts. UVA went an entire hour without scoring a single point. No baskets, no free throws.
Speaking of injuries, Kansas is shutting down their leading scorer. Kind of a smart move to announce it after Selection Sunday. Wish we could’ve done that last year
I think the Committee is invariably biased and operates with an agenda. Self smoothly pulled one over on the Committee for sure. Cronin was in a bit of a different situation with Clark as it was obvious he couldn't play. Bona's injury could have been kept at bay a bit more. But regardless, we let a huge lead disappear against Gonzaga with another infamous drought.
Yeah, I still think there is a point to redshirting certain players. The fact is the average rotation of players in college is going to be 8-9 players deep, which means you will have a few players who see little time. It doesn't make sense to try and fill out your roster 1-13 with players who can play 20+ minutes a game because there simply aren't enough minutes. Having those few developmental guys who can get a little experience but still maintain full eligibility is good for long-term program growth as long as you are upfront about the situation.
Is it? I think guaranteeing a starting spot to anyone isn't a great idea for overall team chemistry (see: Dante Moore in football this past year) and it's not like RDW is a can't-miss player; he ultimately lost his starting spot at SDSU and saw only a small increase in his rate stats compared to his time at Southern Cal.
I see so much potential in Berke. The skillset is all there, just could never put it together this year. I have to wonder what a full year in the program could do for him. I feel like the ceiling by year 3 could be all conference player, but the floor might be equally low.
I personally would really like to see what he develops to.
Him passing up a put back and other shots in the paint is the biggest indictment on his ability right now. He is SOFT in the worse ways, which we could also say about Mara. Have all the tools to be 15ppg yet are just mental midgets.
passing up shots is not an indictment on ability. His issues are beyond physical ability.
Looking forward to DD's 2024 HS "process over results" column. How'd the boys do?
I have no idea what this is in reference to.
How'd your team do this year?
Oh! Actually really good! We went on a tear late in the year, winning 6 of our last 8 games and made D5 city playoffs, where we won our first playoff game since before the pandemic in OT. Our second round game was against a team that had beaten us by 30 at the start of the year, but we went blow for blow with them this time before finally fading in the 4th quarter.
I only lose a couple seniors but none of my best players, should add more depth (the playoff win really galvanized people wanting to join next year) and my two best players are joining an AAU squad for the offseason so should really improve a ton. The process ultimately led to results, like I said.
Wonderful! (Also, next year those sophs will be juniors.) I'm voting COY!
Dimitri thank you so much for the time and expertise you gave to this superb analysis.
Looks like Andrej Stojaković from Stanford has interest. Would be a nice piece. Put up some pretty good numbers as a freshman.
I’m curious why he went to Stanford in the first place. He was heavily thought to be leaning toward ucla before committing to Stanford right? Curious why he’s second guessing his original decision. I can’t imagine the choice to go to Stanford was because of nil right?
His family is from NorCal, and they really thought he would be a one-and-done, which is why he went to play for Haase where he would theoretically have free reign. Basically a situation of the people surrounding a player having a way more inflated idea of what a player is capable of than he actually is (see also: Bronny James).
I'd note that I don't think UCLA is interested in Stojakovic anymore, even if he is back in the portal. There are bigger fish available.
Man watching the Virginia vs Colorado St game, I have to say I’m so glad we have Mick over Tony Bennett. Cronin looks like an offensive genius compared to him. If Bennett can win a championship, then Mick definitely can
I agree that Cronin can do what Bennett had done, but it's not because Bennett is not good. It's because Cronin is also a really good coach. But Bennett has enjoyed a pretty good career. This year's team was frankly not very good and, as far as the shows I listen to on Mad Dog, was routinely cited as Exhibit A of why it was unfair the 3 Big East snubs did not get in. But 6 ACC championships in a conference that also has Duke and UNC is pretty good, especially at a school like Virginia, even if they usually don't make much noise in the tournament. And the National Championship in 2019 was pretty impressive, especially considering the roster he had.
UCLA has had some clunkers on offense too in the Cronin era. 44 points this season at Utah, 48 at ASU in 2019-20, 53 and 57 against Stanford and Cal this season.
True but the 2019 team and the team this year were composed of young players learning Cronin’s system. Tony Bennett started two seniors and a junior last night. The last time Cronin had two seniors and a junior in the starting lineup, we were national title contenders before injuries wiped us out of the ncaa tournament. And it wasn’t just a clunker. A college basketball game lasts about 2 hours to maybe 2 hour 15 minutes including halftime and timeouts. UVA went an entire hour without scoring a single point. No baskets, no free throws.
Speaking of injuries, Kansas is shutting down their leading scorer. Kind of a smart move to announce it after Selection Sunday. Wish we could’ve done that last year
I think the Committee is invariably biased and operates with an agenda. Self smoothly pulled one over on the Committee for sure. Cronin was in a bit of a different situation with Clark as it was obvious he couldn't play. Bona's injury could have been kept at bay a bit more. But regardless, we let a huge lead disappear against Gonzaga with another infamous drought.
Bennett hasn't won a Tournament game since the championship in 2019. From ESPN:
2024: Loss to #10 CSU (R68) ❌
2023: Loss to #13 Furman (R64) ❌
2022: Missed Tournament ❌
2021: Loss to #13 Ohio (R64) ❌
2019: Won National Title 🏆
2018: Loss To #16 UMBC (R64) ❌
2017: Loss To #4 Florida (R32) ❌
is there any point to a redshirt in the modern era? there is so much player movement that you can't expect any player to stay that long.
Yeah, I still think there is a point to redshirting certain players. The fact is the average rotation of players in college is going to be 8-9 players deep, which means you will have a few players who see little time. It doesn't make sense to try and fill out your roster 1-13 with players who can play 20+ minutes a game because there simply aren't enough minutes. Having those few developmental guys who can get a little experience but still maintain full eligibility is good for long-term program growth as long as you are upfront about the situation.
I kind of agree. A redshirt these days is jsut preserving eligibility for their next school.
Cronin wouldn't guarantee Dixon-Waters a starting spot? That was DUMB.
Is it? I think guaranteeing a starting spot to anyone isn't a great idea for overall team chemistry (see: Dante Moore in football this past year) and it's not like RDW is a can't-miss player; he ultimately lost his starting spot at SDSU and saw only a small increase in his rate stats compared to his time at Southern Cal.
he's not that good