Recruiting as of 4/15/25

[mileskishnish72]

Very very pleased with how Stevie finished the year.  I'm confident in our PG spot.

Agree with regards to Stevie. The bride and I were our for a walk on the nicest day in New England in 6 months, and she complained that she didn't see much in the way of player development this year.
My immediate response was to basically agree with her except for Stevie. He had some awful outings last fall, and has been much better lately, and probably should have gotten more run. Plus you can't argue that Justin was better this year than last, and he gave up thinking he's Marques Haynes after losing the ball any number of times on his dribbling expeditions early in the year. All-BE is not to sniff at. The only other is Max.

On the point guard topic, my guess is that Kolek will spend the offseason trying to learn how to go to his right, and will battle with Sean Jones for the spot. I'm not sure if Ross is a point or a 2.
Rebounding is still going to be a huge issue. Itejere is tall and athletic enough that he might help somewhat, but I'm still hoping for that aircraft carrier - a big body who'll tear your arm off for a rebound.

[Pakuni]

Kolek is the best true PG in the conference.

What's a "true" PG, exactly? Are Colin Gillespie and RJ Cole "fake" PGs?
Sounds like true PG is a euphemism for "can't score."
If the depth of your analysis is "look at assist stats," sure, Kolek is a good point guard. But, unfortunately, nobody serious thinks that way.
Fact is, two point guards made the all-conference first team. Kolek wasn't one of them.
Another point guard made second team. It wasn't Kolek.
Another point guard made honorable mention. Also not Kolek.
Oh, and the conference's frosh of the year? Another point guard not named Kolek.

[panda]

Best true PG.......
this season..... who is white, who was a transfer, on MU's team whose last name starts with a K.

Lol right ?! - I like Kolek, but I'll have what you're drinking if you think he's the best PG in the conference.

[Farley36]

Exact opposite.  They should remember it and they should use it as motivational learning.

You don't just get to win. They gotta go through the process to earn it.

You also don't have to look like you don't belong just because you haven't been there before.

[nyg]

What's a "true" PG, exactly? Are Colin Gillespie and RJ Cole "fake" PGs?
Sounds like true PG is a euphemism for "can't score."
If the depth of your analysis is "look at assist stats," sure, Kolek is a good point guard. But, unfortunately, nobody serious thinks that way.
Fact is, two point guards made the all-conference first team. Kolek wasn't one of them.
Another point guard made second team. It wasn't Kolek.
Another point guard made honorable mention. Also not Kolek.
Oh, and the conference's frosh of the year? Another point guard not named Kolek.

He is basing it just on his assist totals.  Not the fact that Kolek can't shoot, can't make floaters, can't make layups or gets them blocked. He gets absolutely burned by the quicker point guards.  Kolek just takes the ball in his left hand, dribbles left of the paint, goes under the basket, jumps and with left hand makes a pass.  BE coaches adjusted and that's why he was terrible second half of BE season.

Shaka recruited Jones even though not highly ranked. Shaka has traveled to his games after signing LOI.  He sees something in him and let the competition begin next fall.

[WhiteTrash]

Lol right ?! - I like Kolek, but I'll have what you're drinking if you think he's the best PG in the conference.

I agree. I like him too. He gives great effort, he seems to be a great teammate and excited to be a Warrior. I don't think he a high level BE starting point guard. And, IMHO, he will not be a starting PG for MU most of his career. He can be a terrific backup on a strong BE team, hopefully that is MU.

[The Sultan]

If a "true point guard" means a 25% TO rate and a .400 EFG, I'll stick with a "false point guard" instead.

[GoldenEagles03]

Best true PG.......
this season..... who is white, who was a transfer, on MU's team whose last name starts with a K.

6 assists per game with the ability to score 18+?

Yup! As far as true PGs go that's top notch for a Freshman PG in the Big East.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to work on, but development is easy to buy into with Shaka and these guys started well.

[Farley36]

6 assists per game with the ability to score 18+?

Yup! As far as true PGs go that's top notch for a Freshman PG in the Big East.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to work on, but development is easy to buy into with Shaka and these guys started well.

How did such an all star roster with the best PG in the Big East lose by over 30 points yesterday to an 8 seed?  It defies all logic.

[WhiteTrash]

6 assists per game with the ability to score 18+?

Yup! As far as true PGs go that's top notch for a Freshman PG in the Big East.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to work on, but development is easy to buy into with Shaka and these guys started well.

I like your fandom and support of TK. He's  good guy to root for.

[panda]

6 assists per game with the ability to score 18+?

Yup! As far as true PGs go that's top notch for a Freshman PG in the Big East.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to work on, but development is easy to buy into with Shaka and these guys started well.

With that kind of performance, how did he miss out on all freshman team?!

[PointWarrior]

Laughable - hopefully next season he will be the best true backup PG in the conference.

Kolek is the best true PG in the conference, Stevie ended the year strong on both ends and Sean Jones will be good.

Also I believe in development.

[MU82]

Kolek is the best true PG in the conference

Given the extreme (though mostly understandable) negativity on the board, I like your optimism and enthusiasm.

But c'mon man ... Kolek was nowhere near the best PG in the Big East this season. ("True" is silliness, and I think you know it.)

If BE coaches ran a pickup game and each was instructed to make a PG his first choice, where do you honestly think Kolek would be taken?

Do you honestly believe that Gillespie, Nembhard, Alexander, Cole, Aiken and Bynum wouldn't get taken ahead of Kolek? Probably Scruggs, too?

Even a "true" PG should have to be defended 12 feet away from the hoop. Our guy was dared to shoot all season ... and except for a very few games, he made that strategy look brilliant.

I like Kolek, but he has a TON to work on just to keep his job. At least I hope so, because we need an upgrade at that (and every) position.

It's OK defend a guy - admirable even - without making silly claims.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Some people overreact to tournament performances.  It's just one game.  Scouts will look at his whole body of work.

Without Justin becoming an All BE player and NBA prospect, this team wouldn't have even made the tourney.  NBA teams will still view him as a prospect with some upside, and I think Justin gets drafted.  Likely 2nd round pick that they will try to develop over the next two years.

Justin has a chance to develop into a rotation level player if he can make 3s, rebound, and defend in the NBA.  A much better version of Juan Anderson.  Even if Justin fails at the NBA, he still projects to be a high level player in a foreign league.

Sure, I'd love for Justin to return. But I wouldn't be surprised if he goes.

You've got to be kidding. Justin is not close to play at the next level. He needs to work on his game at the college level.

[Uncle Rico]

You've got to be kidding. Justin is not close to play at the next level. He needs to work on his game at the college level.

Lol

[Superfan]

Anyone who says Kolek is the bet true PG in the conference should be banned from the board due to ignorance.  Go watch Collin Gillespie play.

[BCHoopster]

Anyone who says Kolek is the bet true PG in the conference should be banned from the board due to ignorance.  Go watch Collin Gillespie play.

Kolek was actually the worse point guard in the Big East.  Sure he made some good passes but between turnovers, weak shooting and D he needs to be replaced.  But saying this, he is not stupid.  He should learn what he needs to work on as it has been told he is a gym rat.  He could easily score 15 points a game next year if he just gets a mid range game and a floater. I would not be surprised if that happens.  Get into the gym!

[panda]

You've got to be kidding. Justin is not close to play at the next level. He needs to work on his game at the college level.

Ignore each of the latest mock draft. Unless of course you're the one talking to nba execs.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Since the NBA is allowed to sign the best college players no matter what age or class, colleges should be able to sign the displaced pro players if they have collegiate eligibility.

[The Sultan]

Since the NBA is allowed to sign the best college players no matter what age or class, colleges should be able to sign the displaced pro players if they have collegiate eligibility.

Well the NBA can't do that, and the players lose all eligibility as soon as they accept a paycheck.

[MU82]

Kolek was actually the worse point guard in the Big East.

Brilliant

[Stretchdeltsig]

Well the NBA can't do that, and the players lose all eligibility as soon as they accept a paycheck.

Well, it's time to change the policy to level the playing field.

[The Sultan]

Well, it's time to change the policy to level the playing field.

Level the playing field?  It's not a competition.  The NBA has gotten better with player development over the last 20 years which of course means they are going to siphon more talent off of college basketball.

But there are some steps the NCAA could take.  Let's college guys hire agents, get drafted, but allow them to play another year of college ball if all three parties think its a good idea.  They can even allow the NBA pay them $100,000 to do so.

The NCAA's dedication to the outdated concept of amateurism is the problem. 

[bilsu]

If a "true point guard" means a 25% TO rate and a .400 EFG, I'll stick with a "false point guard" instead.

It surprised me when I looked at the box score. Kolek had 10 assists and no turnovers against North Carolina.

[Viper]

Given the extreme (though mostly understandable) negativity on the board, I like your optimism and enthusiasm.

But c'mon man ... Kolek was nowhere near the best PG in the Big East this season. ("True" is silliness, and I think you know it.)

If BE coaches ran a pickup game and each was instructed to make a PG his first choice, where do you honestly think Kolek would be taken?

Do you honestly believe that Gillespie, Nembhard, Alexander, Cole, Aiken and Bynum wouldn't get taken ahead of Kolek? Probably Scruggs, too?

Even a "true" PG should have to be defended 12 feet away from the hoop. Our guy was dared to shoot all season ... and except for a very few games, he made that strategy look brilliant.

I like Kolek, but he has a TON to work on just to keep his job. At least I hope so, because we need an upgrade at that (and every) position.

It's OK defend a guy - admirable even - without making silly claims.

Kolek is back-up talent forced to start, imo. However, Mitchell came along those last 10 games. I like Mitchell's long term better. If Kolek is a 15 min per back-up next season,  great. That means we have a better guy at the 1...which will hopefully solve one of the teams needs.