Update on Noreen

[NYWarrior]

Tommy C is after this kid as well

http://blogs.heraldtimesonline.com/iusp/?p=8345

Kevin Noreen sets official visit for May 7-8
By Dustin Dopirak

Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 7:29 pm

Kevin Noreen, the 6-foot-10 forward from Minnesota Transitions charter school from Minneapolis who decommitted from Boston College, said he will take on official visit to Indiana May 7-8.

"Coach Crean really, he's been talking to me a lot lately," said Noreen, who said the Hoosiers have not yet formally offered a scholarship. " I think he's a great recruiter. He just told me he had to weed out some of the problems there, and that they're going to turn it around starting next year."

Noreen said he's already taken visits to Northwestern and Marquette and will visit Providence this weekend. He has scholarship offers from those schools as well as Boston College, Colorado, Oklahoma, St. Louis, UTEP, Duquesne, Virginia Commonwealth and Washington State. There is also significant interest from Iowa State, and Noreen said California and Florida have offered to take him if he would go to prep school for a year. That isn't for academic reasons — Noreen and MTS coach John Sherman say he carries a 4.0 grade point average — but because those schools are out of scholarship space.

Noreen said he's mostly wide open now, but that he wants to act fairly quickly.

"I want to get it done sooner rather than later," he said. "I want to be able to get in for the first summer session."

The 6-foot-10, 220-pounder is certainly an intriguing case. The numbers he produced in his years at Minnesota Transitions are barely believable.

He was named Minnesota's Mr. Basketball and led his school to the Class A state championship, averaging a ludicrous 38.2 points per game and about 16 rebounds per contest. He set state records with 4,086 career points and 1,899 career rebounds, and according to his coach, was just 35 assists short of the state record.

The constant knock against him, of course, is that he didn't play great competition, so the numbers don't carry much weight. Minnesota has produced numerous NBA players, but it isn't considered a powerhouse, and it's hard to imagine Noreen saw many 6-10 players defending him.

Noreen said he understands the knock, but said that Minnesota Transitions loaded up its schedule with 3A and 4A teams this season to make sure the squad was ready for the state championship run it eventually made.

"For  a Class A team, we played the toughest schedule of anybody in the history of Minnesota," he said. "We played the best teams we could play. Against the 3A and 4A teams we played, I still did pretty good. And AAU is where I earned my scholarship anyway."

Minnesota Transitions coach Jim Sherman said he thinks the best fit for Noreen would be at power forward, but that he could eventually become either a small forward or a center depending on how he develops physically. Noreen has the skills, Sherman said, to play any position. He was actually the team's starting point guard as a freshman and was captain all four seasons.

"I've coached more than 60 Division I players," said Sherman, who has also worked with the Minnesota Magic AAU program. "He has the highest basketball IQ of any player I've coached."

The list is actually quite impressive. Former or current NBA players Kris Humphries, Troy Bell, Khalid El-Amin and Joel Przybilla all played under Sherman. The coach said he would take Noreen's intelligence and versatility over any of them. He can rebound down low, but he can also pass, handle and shoot from beyond the 3-point arc.

"His main thing is he'll give his college coach some versatility," Sherman said. "He's not a guy that sets up in the low post or at the free throw line. He doesn't really have a description. He can play anywhere including point guard. Whenever we had a lead late in the game, we put him at point and he closed it out. He's a really good ball handler with either hand. He can get by a lot of people. He's a good all around player."

Sherman said Noreen's leaping ability is good but not spectacular and that his foot speed is "faster than anyone else in our high school" but might not be that exciting to Division I coaches. But his intelligence makes a difference in the little things.

"He's a great rebounder," Sherman said. "He's got great timing on his rebounds. He boxes out well. He can rebound in heavy traffic. He controls rebounds and he seldom makes a mistake on an outlet pass. He rebounds and makes a secure, good decision with it. That's one of the things people might not notice with all the points he scores and the assists he gets is how good of a rebounder he is."

The one problem a college coach might have, Sherman said, is figuring out where to play him. At 225, he doesn't really have the frame to play center right now, but Noreen said doctors have told him his growth plates are still open, which means he could still grow beyond 7-feet. Sherman said Noreen has the frame to go up to 250 pounds if need be.

"He can guard centers and he can guard power forwards," Sherman said. "Guarding the three might be a little bit of a stretch, but I think he can be a very good three offensively right now."

[4everwarriors]

Of all the players left on the board who we've discussed, Kevin intriques me and would be a perfect complement to our team.

[Tugg Speedman]

We should pass on him.  Nothing in his baskeball resume says he will be nothing but a bench player for us ... after playing 2 minutes/game his freshman year.

[GOMU1104]

We should pass on him.  Nothing in his baskeball resume says he will be nothing but a bench player for us ... after playing 2 minutes/game his freshman year.

Does every player that signs at MU have to be a starter? At this time of the year, you are not likely to find someone that can contribute right away the following year.

Those that have seen him play admit  he has talent, but needs to get stronger and be more physical.

What do you know about his resume other than his stats? Have you seen him play? I havent, but would love to hear more from people who have.

[94Warrior]

We should pass on him.  Nothing in his baskeball resume says he will be nothing but a bench player for us ... after playing 2 minutes/game his freshman year.

Question for those who think we should pass:  How would you feel if we had Evan Anderson coming in next year?
Because Noreen approximately doubled Anderson's stats in scoring and rebounding against similar competition.  Add that to the fact that Noreen is a phenomenal student and is possilbly still growing.  I don't see a downside.

[TomW1365]

Question for those who think we should pass:  How would you feel if we had Evan Anderson coming in next year?
Because Noreen approximately doubled Anderson's stats in scoring and rebounding against similar competition.  Add that to the fact that Noreen is a phenomenal student and is possilbly still growing.  I don't see a downside.

Great point.  I don't know how you poo-poo those stats and chalk it up to sub-par competition.  Averaging 38 pts a game is amazing no matter who you're playing!

[WellsstreetWanderer]

sounds like this kid has a lot of upside beyond what he has accomplished.
Buzz knows what he us doing offering him a place at the picnic

[4everwarriors]

Noreen is a hot commodity because of the skill set this 6'10" dude brings. Plus, with good coaching and his intelligence, has tremendous upside. That said, I think he's a long shot for Buzz to sign, but one I wouldn't hesitate to ink.

[cheebs09]

Great point.  I don't know how you poo-poo those stats and chalk it up to sub-par competition.  Averaging 38 pts a game is amazing no matter who you're playing!

Also it is tough to use the sub-par competition excuse when comparing him to Anderson because it's not like Anderson is facing that stiff of competition by him. I like Noreen as a prospect. It sounds like he is a good shooter so he could spread things out for our guys to attack the middle and serve as another shooting threat to keep teams from focusing on DJO and others outside.

[SaveOD238]

I thought it was interesting that the article mentioned Cal and Florida as schools that are full on scholarships, but didn't mention anything about Marquette being in the same situation.

[GGGG]

People bring up Steve Novak because of the similarities in height and skill set.  Novak played for Brown Deer.  They don't exactly play a murders row of a schedule, mainly playing against smaller suburban teams.

A 6'10" player who can fill the basket is an incredibly difficult player for opposing teams to match up against.  Gordan Hayward at Butler is 6'8" and you saw the trouble that he caused in this past tournament.

[MUCrew]

I thought it was interesting that the article mentioned Cal and Florida as schools that are full on scholarships, but didn't mention anything about Marquette being in the same situation.

Could be because Cal and Florida are looking for him to go to prep school, but not sure. 

As for Noreen, a post player that can effectively defend the post and then bring them out to the 3 point arc on offense is a well versatile player in my book.  I see a lot of possibilities with him - this is, of course, based off what I'm reading.  I also agree with everyone who thinks averaging 38ppg is a great feat regardless of competition.  Of all the players' names that is being mentioned with Marquette, Noreen intrigues me the most. 

[brewcity77]

People bring up Steve Novak because of the similarities in height and skill set.  Novak played for Brown Deer.  They don't exactly play a murders row of a schedule, mainly playing against smaller suburban teams.

A 6'10" player who can fill the basket is an incredibly difficult player for opposing teams to match up against.  Gordan Hayward at Butler is 6'8" and you saw the trouble that he caused in this past tournament.

+1

Novak proved that you can develop in college. The two names that come to mind the most when I hear about this kid are Novak and Hayward. Good size with the potential to develop into a post player, can fill up the scoresheet, a mismatch from range, and hearing that he was used as a ball-handler is only more reassuring.

Who knows if he'll ever develop into anything, but my guess is BC unearthed a kid not a lot of people had given a chance to, and now that he's reopened his recruitment, more coaches have had a look and like what they've seen, hence the list that includes schools like Indiana, Florida, Cal, UTEP, Oklahoma, and Washington St. I don't think he will be a Wooden Award finalist or anything, but if the worst case scenario is a 6'10" guy who can come in and create some mismatches on the perimeter, while the best case is a Novak/Hayward type, I think he's worth the risk.

[tower912]

38 and 16 are good numbers even if he was playing against 8th graders.   He has skills.   If we get him, he is going to have to build his body and adjust to the size and speed of the competition.    But he is 6'10, can shoot, rebound, handle and think.    There are a helluva lot  worse building blocks to start with.     All of that being said, I am still happy with the current roster. 

[Ready2Fly]

So he's Novak because he's tall and white?  Novak was a consensus top 100 recruit, maybe even top 50 (I'm too lazy to look it up).  It sounds like this kid will be a solid college player.  However, he's not the rebounding, shot-blocking enforcer everyone's looking for.  Dieng was that man.

[Canadian Dimes]

Diengs gone son...would you like Buzz to never recruit another player becuase he missed on Dieng?  Stupid post of the day

[GGGG]

So he's Novak because he's tall and white? 

Don't be an idiot.  He's like Novak because he's tall given his style of play, is a scorer, and played at a smaller school in a larger metropolitan area.  Furthermore, I thought he would make a good reference since we all know who he is.

[brewcity77]

Don't be an idiot.  He's like Novak because he's tall given his style of play, is a scorer, and played at a smaller school in a larger metropolitan area.  Furthermore, I thought he would make a good reference since we all know who he is.

+2

Yes, because he's tall (both 6'10") but not because he's white. Both come in with reputations as solid scorers, underdeveloped as post players, and likely starting their college careers as perimeter shooting specialists because of the mismatches they can create. Not all tall, white guys are the same. I wouldn't compare Desrosiers or Ben Mills to Novak because they don't fit that profile. Noreen does. Simple as.

[Ready2Fly]

Diengs gone son...would you like Buzz to never recruit another player becuase he missed on Dieng?  Stupid post of the day

That was my point, son.  The position of need is an enforcer.  A "Novak-type" is not what we need.  Dieng was the only 2010 recruit left that fit the bill.  When that ship sailed, my preference was for Buzz to move forward with the current roster intact and focus on 2011 bigs.

[Aughnanure]

That was my point, son.  The position of need is an enforcer.  A "Novak-type" is not what we need.  Dieng was the only 2010 recruit left that fit the bill.  When that ship sailed, my preference was for Buzz to move forward with the current roster intact and focus on 2011 bigs.

I pretty much agree with you, but I really like Noreen. I know I haven't seen him play or anything, I just like everything I've read about him

[Dawson Rental]

Novak played some guard in High School, but I don't think that Brown Deer used him as their point guard when they had a lead and wanted to close the game out.  That says volumes about Noreen's handle with the ball and basketball intelligence, although I don't know how anyone with a perfect ACT could have anything short of a phenomenal b-ball IQ.  It's possible that a Marquette team with Noreen at one of the forward spots would be next to impossible to run an effective press against, not only due to his handle at this size, but also due to his knowing instantly where to move the ball to once he received it.

One point of comparison to Novak that I'm not certain about is whether Noreen has the same incredible range on his outside shot.  The stories on Noreen make it clear that he was a scoring machine, but they really don't mention where he is most proficient shooting from.  It could be that he had an uncanny nack for avoiding traffic and getting his shot off in the paint.

The players Buzz wants are guys who can dribble, pass and shoot, this guy excels at all three.  He's taller than anyone  who has a reasonable chance to a part of the regular rotation next year other than Otule.  He's heavier than Mbao, and pretty much in the same weight class as anyone else, again with the exception of Otule.  Admittedly, his weakness is athleticism. That is a limitation that can be more than compensated for by a high b-ball IQ, case in point, Larry Bird.

A point not often mentioned about Kevin is that the school he went to was so small that seventh and eighth graders were allowed to play on the varsity, and Kevin has six years of playing on varsity ball.  The article says that he started at point guard as a freshman, I've not heard if he started or played much at all the two years prior to that.

[VwArrior1]

There is always a place for scorers in college ball.  Add that to the fact he's
6-10 and averages 16 boards, I would love to add a player with his skill set IF it doesn't mean giving someone the boot.

[augoman]

I would love to see Kevin in MU blue/gold.  He would be a perfect addition, assuming the stories about Chris Otule's progress are accurate.  Hell, he'd be a fabulous 'get' regardless! I see him giving MU a great new option (going 'big')!!  well maybe 'bigger'.  One of the greatest gifts/talents a bball player can have is that ball-sense..., something you can't teach.  If he averaged 16 rebes, he's got it.

Kevin Noreen..., come on down!

[Tugg Speedman]

Buzz can and will recruit over Noreen by his sophomore year.  Pass and get someone better next year.

If we have a open roster spot (which is apparently the reason Buzz is still recruiting), get a Juco with two years left.  He be more developed and open a spot must sooner.

Bottom line is this kid is not BE material for a team that plans one being a mainstay in the top 25.

[wadesworld]

Buzz can and will recruit over Noreen by his sophomore year.  Pass and get someone better next year.

If we have a open roster spot (which is apparently the reason Buzz is still recruiting), get a Juco with two years left.  He be more developed and open a spot must sooner.

Bottom line is this kid is not BE material for a team that plans one being a mainstay in the top 25.

I'm going to play devil's advocate to both sides here.  1, to you AnotherMU, have you seen him play?  If not, how in the heck would you know that?  He averaged 38 and 16 against bad competition.  If you have not seen him play, then you cannot say that he isn't Big East worthy with those numbers.  If you did see him play and it was a 6'10" guy getting layup after layup over 5'10" guys, then thanks for the input.

And to those who are trying to compare him to Novak and Hayward, you're comparing him to two different types of players.  Novak was a SHOOTER and could shoot it from anywhere.  Hayward is an unbelievable talent, an all around player.  He's got a guard's quickness, ballhandling, and shooting with a power forward's height.  Those two do not play the same game at all.

Noreen fits the bill of a Novak type player, but DEFINITELY not a Hayward type player.  Also, Novak was a top 100 player, and Hayward was on the U18 National team or whatever that was.  Noreen may turn out to be good, but let's not start out expecting him to be like a Novak or a Hayward.

And keep in mind, his coach is saying he has great ballhandling skills, etc.  Of course his coach is going to say that, it's his own coach.

All that said, I am intrigued by him and IF somebody is on the way out by their own choice then I wouldn't mind seeing Noreen join us.