Next Year Scholarship table

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Matt isn't playing minutes because Wojo feels indebted to him.  He is playing minutes because he is the best option.

I agree with you.  This is D1 b-ball the money-making engine for the university. Wojo is putting the team in the best position to win.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Matt is by far our best interior defender. Not even close between him and Theo at the moment. That's why he's playing

[dgies9156]

You guys are all missing something. How will the team gel and which five players next year complement each other?

I agree that we will be deep and very talented. Perhaps as talented as we have been in a long, long time. Depending on how much hype we get, we're certainly a Top 25 team next year and maybe a Top 10.

But the question is how these pieces come together to form a cohesive unit. The minutes are a function of talent, yes. But they also are a function of how the team fits into Wojo's system. I'm optimistic but it's way early to predict and as another Scooper said, "things happen."

[MUMountin]

Matt isn't playing minutes because Wojo feels indebted to him.  He is playing minutes because he is the best option.

Matt is by far our best interior defender. Not even close between him and Theo at the moment. That's why he's playing

Agreed with both.  Heldt may not be as flashy as John is defensively with highlight reel blocks, but he is solid and consistent. 

Offensively, he is precisely what this team needs--a no-ego guy who will be highly efficient (145 ORTG) when he gets his opportunities.  On a team with such potent weapons, he is precisely what you want--someone who can grab a decent number of offensive board (8.5 OR%), can convert when he gets good opportunities (65.7 FG%), and doesn't force things/turn the ball over (12.3 TO%).  Not to mention is shooting FTs at almost 90%! 

Froling may have great offensive tools, and John is a physical beast, but neither have yet shown the discipline to play that complementary style that helps our team gel.  And, I think too many posters are underestimating Matt's hard work and ability and Wojo's trust in that.  At this point, I can't imagine him not starting or playing less than 20 mpgs the rest of the year or next year. 

Its funny--how often do we gripe about MU not being able to develop bigs.

[MU82]

These recent comments about Heldt are all reasonable and appreciated. "Indebted" was a poor choice of words (and I even acknowledged it might be when I used it). I agree that Wojo is playing the people he best thinks will help him win, which is his job.

I love Matt's hustle and want-to, and he has improved a lot, especially on defense. And yet I still maintain that one sign we are really contenders will be if Heldt is averaging <15 mpg.

I said much the same about Derrick (without being insane about it like Ners). As soon as he had to play >15 mpg, it was not a great sign for the program.

Heldt would play big minutes on very, very, very few (if any) legitimate Sweet 16 contenders. I want us to be legit Sweet 16 contenders.

[GGGG]

If what you are saying is that Heldt's ceiling is lower than John's and Froling's, I would agree with you.  But there are clearly times where he is the best option.

[MUMountin]

If what you are saying is that Heldt's ceiling is lower than John's and Froling's, I would agree with you.  But there are clearly times where he is the best option.

Same here.  I'd agree the ceiling, long-term, for both is higher than Heldt--I love the idea of the two of them as a potent inside-outside duo in 19-20. 

But their floor is also much lower than Heldt's currently--Theo for fouls and TOs, Froling for playing too fast (at least in his first real game back...stay tuned).  And, for at least this year's team, that is much more important--because our defense can't be counted on to get enough consistent stops, we need to be as efficient as possible on the offensive end. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Same here.  I'd agree the ceiling, long-term, for both is higher than Heldt--I love the idea of the two of them as a potent inside-outside duo in 19-20. 

But their floor is also much lower than Heldt's currently--Theo for fouls and TOs, Froling for playing too fast (at least in his first real game back...stay tuned).  And, for at least this year's team, that is much more important--because our defense can't be counted on to get enough consistent stops, we need to be as efficient as possible on the offensive end.

Being efficient on offense doesn't mean you are an offensive threat or a good offensive player, however. 

That being set Heldt deserves his minutes this year. 

[Silkk the Shaka]

If the roster stays the same and Joey comes back fully healhty, I'd go with:

M2N: 30
Sam: 30
Morrow: 25
Joey: 25
Froling: 20-25

Elliott backs up Howard 10 mpg

Heldt & Theo split 20-25 mpg based on matchups & foul situation (sometimes evenly, sometimes in the 15/10 range, sometimes 20/5). Sometimes Eke gets 5 from this bucket

Cain, Bailey, Anim split 35 in a similar manner to the Heldt/Theo dynamic


Long story short we're going to be huge, deep, and versatile next year even if we don't add someone from Big Daddy's list (but I hope we do!)

[brewcity77]

Offensively, he is precisely what this team needs--a no-ego guy who will be highly efficient (145 ORTG) when he gets his opportunities.  On a team with such potent weapons, he is precisely what you want--someone who can grab a decent number of offensive board (8.5 OR%), can convert when he gets good opportunities (65.7 FG%), and doesn't force things/turn the ball over (12.3 TO%).  Not to mention is shooting FTs at almost 90%!

This is dead on. When you have three perimeter players averaging 57.7 ppg, not only do you not need a center that is a big time scorer, you probably don't want one. On offense, we want our big three dominating the shots. All we need from the 5 is getting put back chances and being reliable enough to score when he does get his few opportunities to keep the defense honest. Matt does exactly what we need him to do.

[Dr. Blackheart]

This is dead on. When you have three perimeter players averaging 57.7 ppg, not only do you not need a center that is a big time scorer, you probably don't want one. On offense, we want our big three dominating the shots. All we need from the 5 is getting put back chances and being reliable enough to score when he does get his few opportunities to keep the defense honest. Matt does exactly what we need him to do.

To win:
    - Defend
    - Rebound

[real chili 83]

To win:
    - Defend
    - Rebound

And score more points.  Almost as important as FT's

[Dr. Blackheart]

And score more points.  Almost as important as FT's

Rick thought they were important...

[Herman Cain]

The addition of Brendan Bailey is something that needs to be given consideration. We know he is a very good shooter and has excellent court vision. He is going to be more mature than the typical freshman due to his two year mission. I believe he will use the summer to get into D1 shape and it will just be a matter of time for him to adjust to the pace of play at the high major level.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

The addition of Brendan Bailey is something that needs to be given consideration. We know he is a very good shooter and has excellent court vision. He is going to be more mature than the typical freshman due to his two year mission. I believe he will use the summer to get into D1 shape and it will just be a matter of time for him to adjust to the pace of play at the high major level.

I agree that Bailey could be a great find. I have zero doubts he is going to be a great college player. But hard to imagine him getting major minutes next season if the current projected roster is intact.

[MU82]

Against X, Wojo showed us all how he rates our center candidates. Froling  played by far the most minutes, and Theo was used with only a few minutes left in the game to give Froling a little breather. Matt was planted on the bench, and it wasn't because of fouls.

Froling finished with 8 rebounds in 20 minutes, and he really had to fight for those. He made some mistakes, and wasn't aggressive enough on offense, but I think he's going to be very valuable for us.

Theo really had a couple of nice post moves down the stretch and a great blocked shot. He can be a solid backup center this season.

Matt had 0 defensive rebounds and a blown layup in 13 very forgettable minutes. He barely saw the court in the second half. Wojo couldn't afford to play him.

Matt works as hard as he can and does as well as his very limited talent lets him. He seems like a great kid and a true team player. But no legit high-major team has a guy of his skill set playing 25 mpg, as he did during non-con.

[GB Warrior]

Maybe Elliott bulks up and surprises me, but I think he's just "a guy" that we should absolutely be trying to recruit over

[MUfan12]

Maybe Elliott bulks up and surprises me, but I think he's just "a guy" that we should absolutely be trying to recruit over

Teal?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Maybe Elliott bulks up and surprises me, but I think he's just "a guy" that we should absolutely be trying to recruit over

Best defender on the team this year. When his shot comes along he will be a great player for us.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Best defender on the team this year. When his shot comes along he will be a great player for us.

Yep. 1st in D rating, stl%, and block%.  Add muscle, improve shooting, and cut down on TOs.

Greg will be a solid role player as an underclassmen and has the potential to be a very good starter as a junior and senior.

[StillWarriors]

Maybe Elliott bulks up and surprises me, but I think he's just "a guy" that we should absolutely be trying to recruit over

Harsh. I really like what I've seen from him. Cain and Elliott's length really helps us despite their lack of muscle at this stage.