Justin

[Goose]

GoFast
One of my buddies plays the horses fulltime and loves Keeneland. I am sure he would love the tips!

[GoFastAndWin]

GoFast
One of my buddies plays the horses fulltime and loves Keeneland. I am sure he would love the tips!

Goose
Keeneland is pure class. From the grounds to the backdrop…to the friendliness of the tellers and kitchen staff (the bread pudding is out of this 🌎) …to the subtle but strong race calls of southern IL native Kurt Becker.

I think we will both have to wait and see if my buddy is reading MU Scoop, as when I’m quiet he usually wins lol. When I ask, it’s not quite “put ‘em in the bathroom” bad but it’s a bit Mush-y 😂. That said, when I met him at the Spring ‘18 KN meet, he did really well. I got to be in the Winners Circle with him and his Brad Cox-trained turf horse. One of the highlights of my life. He’s a great guy and extremely knowledgeable on MU hoops as well.

[Goose]

GoFast

Have your buddy pony up some money for the NIL fund.

[CAINMUTINY]

You would think it would help recruiting.  That’s why they tweet out great games of former players after NBA games.  That’s why they also have former MU players in the NBA speak with the team when they are in town.  That’s why the MU/NBA faces are plastered all over the walls of the Al. 

It has to help somewhat.  Just as Jordan brand helps somewhat.  Shaka will be the main reason for recruits to come however and his NBA track record with players will definitely help.  It all helps and can’t hurt unless your program has zero NBA players.

It 100% helps attract top tier talent as their number one goal is to get to the NBA.

Show me a consistently successful program that does not follow this model?

Sure there might be anecdotal examples that do not follow this pattern but the consistent top 10 programs all do.

I also agree that NIL is a game changer for programs keeping top talent that will not get opportunities in the NBA, which is exactly why MU needs to have alignment with local and international brands that can provide lucrative contracts for these players. Contracts with local bars will not be sufficient in the future to keep kids of Justin’s talent around or coming to MU.

[Dickthedribbler]

GoFast
One of my buddies plays the horses fulltime and loves Keeneland. I am sure he would love the tips!

Even if you're just a casual race fan, I would highly recommend an afternoon at Keeneland during it's Spring meet. I was there in 1975 and I believe the place was about 100 years old then. Definitely the Fenway Park or Wrigley Field of horseracing. Beautiful setting in the Bluegrass countryside.

[martyconlonontherun]

Quite often, yes, but sometimes no. Ochai Agbaji is a great example of someone who went from fringe draft pick to coming back and becoming a likely lottery pick. Justin could do the same, or he could be the next Johnny Juzang. But with NIL, if you can get paid while you try to increase your stock, it at least makes staying a more viable option for guys who are perceived to be in the 45-undrafted range rather than surefire first round picks.

I agree it is at least an option for those guys, but if I'm in their shoes I 100% go to Europe or the GLeague. Maybe someone with insight can share more information, but I can't imagine a guy like Lewis making a ton of money. (Would be interesting if there are IRS issues and some of the numbers come to light due to investigations in under reporting)
I think long-term, going pro and focusing 100% on being a NBA player and playing against professional grown men with professional coaches is better than getting playing time in college.

[muwarrior69]

Bacot is returning to UNC. I am sure he could make a ton of money going pro, but he is is staying.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/acc/2022/04/13/armando-bacot-unc-north-carolina-returning-senior-season/7307638001/

Here we are convinced Justin is leaving because he can do better than if he stays. If he does leave that says a lot about Marquette basketball.

[genious expert]

Bacot is returning to UNC. I am sure he could make a ton of money going pro, but he is is staying.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/acc/2022/04/13/armando-bacot-unc-north-carolina-returning-senior-season/7307638001/

Here we are convinced Justin is leaving because he can do better than if he stays. If he does leave that says a lot about Marquette basketball.

Correct it says we are back to producing NBA players again.

[wadesworld]

Bacot is returning to UNC. I am sure he could make a ton of money going pro, but he is is staying.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/acc/2022/04/13/armando-bacot-unc-north-carolina-returning-senior-season/7307638001/

Here we are convinced Justin is leaving because he can do better than if he stays. If he does leave that says a lot about Marquette basketball.

I'm guessing UNC's NIL situation is a lot better than MU's.

Not to mention Bacot shot a total of 9 three pointers in his three years in college so far.  Justin is much more of what NBA teams look for.  Heck the national player of the year this year will probably return to school, in large part because he'd be a late draft pick if he left.  Justin would probably be drafted higher than either of those guys.

[dad's couch]

Bacot is returning to UNC. I am sure he could make a ton of money going pro, but he is is staying.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/acc/2022/04/13/armando-bacot-unc-north-carolina-returning-senior-season/7307638001/

Here we are convinced Justin is leaving because he can do better than if he stays. If he does leave that says a lot about Marquette basketball.
[/quote

How much is Justin going to make and from who? How much did Garcia get from the seafood restaurant?

[NotAnAlum]

Wow!  If there ever was a guy who's stock was about as high as it could get it would be Bacot.  I mean the only way he could break his NCAA double double record would be for UNC to play in the Dayton games next year  . 
It does kind of make me wonder why a player who shows any next level ability at MU is always encouraged to take the money and run like dong otherwise would be "stupid" but there are many instances of college players who DON'T do that.  When D Wade took us to the FF I was all in on him declaring for the NBA.  Can't miss talent.  Justin is no Wade.  I could definitely see him staying unless he really doesn't like school. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Wow!  If there ever was a guy who's stock was about as high as it could get it would be Bacot.  I mean the only way he could break his NCAA double double record would be for UNC to play in the Dayton games next year  . 
It does kind of make me wonder why a player who shows any next level ability at MU is always encouraged to take the money and run like dong otherwise would be "stupid" but there are many instances of college players who DON'T do that.  When D Wade took us to the FF I was all in on him declaring for the NBA.  Can't miss talent.  Justin is no Wade.  I could definitely see him staying unless he really doesn't like school. 

Was Bacot projected to go high in the draft?  Most of the reviews I have seen have him second round at best. 

[genious expert]

Was Bacot projected to go high in the draft?  Most of the reviews I have seen have him second round at best.

Didn't see him in any reputable mock drafts at all, even after the tourney.
Sam Vecenie didn't have him in his top 100 Big Board
Givony/ DraftExpress didn't have him in the Top 60

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Bacot is an elite college player. He will likely not have a long NBA career, if he has one at all.

Bacot is a better college player than Lewis (right now, keep in mind Bacot is two years ahead of Lewis). Lewis is a much better pro prospect.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

OK that is what I thought.  Thank you.

[MU82]

Wow!  If there ever was a guy who's stock was about as high as it could get it would be Bacot.  I mean the only way he could break his NCAA double double record would be for UNC to play in the Dayton games next year  . 
It does kind of make me wonder why a player who shows any next level ability at MU is always encouraged to take the money and run like dong otherwise would be "stupid" but there are many instances of college players who DON'T do that.  When D Wade took us to the FF I was all in on him declaring for the NBA.  Can't miss talent.  Justin is no Wade.  I could definitely see him staying unless he really doesn't like school.

Bacot does not have an NBA game. He’s smart to get his degree for free.

[Pakuni]

Bacot does not have an NBA game. He’s smart to get his degree for free.

But he'll make a good living in Europe.

[lawdog77]

Bacot does not have an NBA game. He’s smart to get his degree for free.

He is academic All ACC afterall.

[muwarrior69]

Correct it says we are back to producing NBA players again.

I didn't see any potential NBA player playing for MU when UNC was blowing us off the court. You have your opinion and I have mine. Obviously Bacot feels staying at UNC is better for his career than going pro now be it in Europe, NBA or G-league; whereas here Justin is the better pro prospect  and leaves for the G-league he'll get better coaching and development to make the NBA than if he stayed at MU. So what does that say about MU basketball: If you're not a first/second round draft pick after 2 years at MU you're better off in the G-league than at MU if you want to play in the NBA? Not a good look for MU basketball in my opinion and it saddens me to say it as I want the program to succeed.

[MU82]

I didn't see any potential NBA player playing for MU when UNC was blowing us off the court.

Did you see any potential NBA players playing for MU when Murray State was blowing us off the court?

[Skatastrophy]

Did you see any potential NBA players playing for MU when Murray State was blowing us off the court?

My brother in Christ, why did you have to bring that game up.

[Herman Cain]

I didn't see any potential NBA player playing for MU when UNC was blowing us off the court. You have your opinion and I have mine. Obviously Bacot feels staying at UNC is better for his career than going pro now be it in Europe, NBA or G-league; whereas here Justin is the better pro prospect  and leaves for the G-league he'll get better coaching and development to make the NBA than if he stayed at MU. So what does that say about MU basketball: If you're not a first/second round draft pick after 2 years at MU you're better off in the G-league than at MU if you want to play in the NBA? Not a good look for MU basketball in my opinion and it saddens me to say it as I want the program to succeed.

I think it says that MU
( and other similar situated schools)do not have boosters who will pay a six figure number to a kid to stay in school.

[genious expert]

I didn't see any potential NBA player playing for MU when UNC was blowing us off the court. You have your opinion and I have mine. Obviously Bacot feels staying at UNC is better for his career than going pro now be it in Europe, NBA or G-league; whereas here Justin is the better pro prospect  and leaves for the G-league he'll get better coaching and development to make the NBA than if he stayed at MU. So what does that say about MU basketball: If you're not a first/second round draft pick after 2 years at MU you're better off in the G-league than at MU if you want to play in the NBA? Not a good look for MU basketball in my opinion and it saddens me to say it as I want the program to succeed.

I saw 3, maybe 4 future NBA players on MU during that game.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

I saw 3, maybe 4 future NBA players on MU during that game.

???

[genious expert]

???

Justin, Darryl, Kam and maybe OMax.

Projecting on Kam and OMax obviously.
Justin, no doubter. 
I think Darryl is in that 2-way contract ballpark