Kaminsky named preseason All-American

[Tums Festival]

Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor also on the team.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11814949/marcus-paige-jahlil-okafor-montrezl-harrell-head-ap-preseason-team

[Groin_pull]

I guess college hoops isn't exactly overflowing with talent this year.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Big Frank made as big a jump from sophomore to junior year as I can remember.  Was really surprised, especially since I watched him quite a few times in high school...so I knew his game pretty well.  He really got a lot stronger in the post up game, and was always good on the perimeter.  That said, he should have gone pro last year as his stock was as high as it will ever get (don't blame him for coming back, but he left a lot of $$ on the table, IMO).

[MU82]

Big Frank made as big a jump from sophomore to junior year as I can remember.  Was really surprised, especially since I watched him quite a few times in high school...so I knew his game pretty well.  He really got a lot stronger in the post up game, and was always good on the perimeter.  That said, he should have gone pro last year as his stock was as high as it will ever get (don't blame him for coming back, but he left a lot of $$ on the table, IMO).

A. Maybe he likes college.

2. Maybe he'll get even better.

C. Maybe he doesn't give a rip what you, I or anybody else thinks.

[Dr. Blackheart]

A. Maybe he likes college.

2. Maybe he'll get even better.

C. Maybe he doesn't give a rip what you, I or anybody else thinks.

Yes, I was under the direct impression that Big Frank was going to check in with with me on MU Scoop to gauge his draft lottery status. Who knew?

[4everwarriors]

Well deserved honor. Havin' said that, this and a dollar gets you a can of Coke, hey?

[ecompt]

Credit where credit is due. He deserves it after the tournament he had.

[willie warrior]

Hey--this is an MU board. We don't do Kaminskys here.

[Golden Avalanche]

He gets a ton of media coverage because of the look -- dopey white kid with a long neck. It's a trope that media (print, especially) have glorified over the last two decades. His game is no more, no less than many others we've seen which is a 6'10'' tall with limited inside presence but deadly from outside because he can shoot over any defender after they sag. Defensively, not much there other than height. Certainly not one you'd call a two-way player.

Though, in the end, story means more than substance these days so this train will ride on for weeks.

[GGGG]

Big Frank made as big a jump from sophomore to junior year as I can remember.  Was really surprised, especially since I watched him quite a few times in high school...so I knew his game pretty well.  He really got a lot stronger in the post up game, and was always good on the perimeter.  That said, he should have gone pro last year as his stock was as high as it will ever get (don't blame him for coming back, but he left a lot of $$ on the table, IMO).

I think a lot of Frank's, and UW's success last year, was due to the new S&C guy they hired away from the Bulls. 

[statnik]

He gets a ton of media coverage because of the look -- dopey white kid with a long neck. It's a trope that media (print, especially) have glorified over the last two decades. His game is no more, no less than many others we've seen which is a 6'10'' tall with limited inside presence but deadly from outside because he can shoot over any defender after they sag. Defensively, not much there other than height. Certainly not one you'd call a two-way player.

Though, in the end, story means more than substance these days so this train will ride on for weeks.

Lol, jealous no?  He had games last year where most of his domination is inside, so he can work it all portions of the court.  His offensive game is similar to Jae Crowder, and like Crowder, he's probably average to a tad above average defensively.  Actually, not the worst comparison except for them playing different positions.

[wildbillsb]

He gets a ton of media coverage because of the look -- dopey white kid with a long neck. It's a trope that media (print, especially) have glorified over the last two decades. His game is no more, no less than many others we've seen which is a 6'10'' tall with limited inside presence but deadly from outside because he can shoot over any defender after they sag. Defensively, not much there other than height. Certainly not one you'd call a two-way player.

Though, in the end, story means more than substance these days so this train will ride on for weeks.

Who you describing - Steve Novak?

[Golden Avalanche]

Lol, jealous no?  He had games last year where most of his domination is inside, so he can work it all portions of the court.  His offensive game is similar to Jae Crowder, and like Crowder, he's probably average to a tad above average defensively.  Actually, not the worst comparison except for them playing different positions.

To be jealous, one must be in the same vicinity. I am not. I'm simply not enamored of his game moreso than I have been of countless other players over the years. Kaminksy is a fine player, I just don't see a 14 and 6 guy as some sort of All-American dominant presence.

Hell, I'd rather have a kid like Henton from PC on my squad as a "big" who will board and score yet still maintain a legitimate threat from the perimeter.

[Spotcheck Billy]

expectations have been set pretty high in Madison this year, not gonna be easy to match IMO

I doubt Frank will be a post season 1st team AA or that WI makes the Final 4 again

[MU82]

I love that 40% of this AA team weren't big-time recruits.

Kaminsky was a Scout 3-star and the 22nd ranked center. Juan Anderson was a 4-star ranked 90th best player overall. Can you imagine how Scoop would have reacted had we selected a skinny, 3-star traditional when we could have had a 4-star "athlete"?

VanVleet was 99th overall by Scout, 27 spots lower than Steve Taylor.

Yes, I want Top 50 players. I'm thrilled we landed Henry. But HS rankings don't "prove" or "guarantee" anything ... as Juan has clearly demonstrated.

[OnWisconsin]

To be jealous, one must be in the same vicinity. I am not. I'm simply not enamored of his game moreso than I have been of countless other players over the years. Kaminksy is a fine player, I just don't see a 14 and 6 guy as some sort of All-American dominant presence.

Hell, I'd rather have a kid like Henton from PC on my squad as a "big" who will board and score yet still maintain a legitimate threat from the perimeter.

He's probably a 20 and 6 guy on most of the other Big 10 teams. UW has a lot of guys scoring double digits.

[Nukem2]

He's probably a 20 and 6 guy on most of the other Big 10 teams. UW has a lot of guys scoring double digits.

Not so sure about that.  I suspect he is more of a guy who fits what Bo is trying to do on the court.  He is a big guy who can stretch the floor and is a decent passer.  As a straight up 5, he is not as good.  The antithesis of Steimsma.  Frank had a lot of trouble in the NCAAs at the BC against the big guy from American University down low.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Not so sure about that.  I suspect he is more of a guy who fits what Bo is trying to do on the court.  He is a big guy who can stretch the floor and is a decent passer.  As a straight up 5, he is not as good.  The antithesis of Steimsma.  Frank had a lot of trouble in the NCAAs at the BC against the big guy from American University down low.

+1

Kaminsky is a helluva player that benefits from playing the perfect system for a player with his skill set. I don't think he would be the best player on a lot of other big 10 teams. That being said, he is still damn good and is going to light it up for Bucky this season....and then be terrible in the NBA

[Tugg Speedman]

Would we care as much about Kaminsky if he wasn't a white pollock?

Just askin

[Nukem2]

Would we care as much about Kaminsky if he wasn't a white pollock?

Just askin

He is a Badger "pollock".  Thats why. 

[tower912]

Kaminsky's melatonin has nothin to do with it.    When he hangs 20/10 on MU in 5 weeks, perhaps credit will be given to a 4 year player who has worked hard to make himself better.

[barfolomew]

Would we care as much about Kaminsky if he wasn't a white pollock?

I'm confused... are we talking about this guy?

[GGGG]

+1

Kaminsky is a helluva player that benefits from playing the perfect system for a player with his skill set. I don't think he would be the best player on a lot of other big 10 teams. That being said, he is still damn good and is going to light it up for Bucky this season....and then be terrible in the NBA

Dekker is the better NBA prospect IMO.

[willie warrior]

Kaminsky's melatonin has nothin to do with it.    When he hangs 20/10 on MU in 5 weeks, perhaps credit will be given to a 4 year player who has worked hard to make himself better.

He won't hang that many on us if Wojo puts the Elite Gamechanger on him!

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think a lot of Frank's, and UW's success last year, was due to the new S&C guy they hired away from the Bulls. 

Agree and Dekker took note this season I hear.

While I totally get while Frank stayed here is why I said he missed the money by not declaring:  Only two centers went in Round 1 and Frank was better then #2 arguably.  This next draft, there are at least eight centers who could go according to Draft Express and Frank is eighth.  Being a hot commodity with the F4 run will be hard to repeat. 

That said, there are other things in life so good luck to him.  He will be very, very good again.