Ellenson: One and Done or not?

[KampusFoods]

I have watched most of Providence games this year. Bentil put hard work in to improve.  Bentil has consistently dominated . He has  incredible footwork and is an excellent shooter.  I think he is one of the most attractive college players out there.

Yep, really only needed to watch 2 Providence games (against MU) to know he is legit.

Just pointing out that it will be interesting to see him play without Dunn because he benefits a ton from Dunn's driving ability. How many buckets did he get underneath the zone against us?

He's a pro either way. Hope he stays to keep Providence respectable. We seem to have their number regardless.

[WarriorPride68]

When you are a guaranteed first round draft pick the most likely way to earn the most money in your career is to get into the NBA and get to your second contract as soon as possible.

In a world where Kwame Brown can sign a 1 / $7 million deal in his 11th year in the NBA with the salary cap at $58 million.

2016-17 cap is projected $90 million
2017-18 cap is project $108 million

Henry is going to get PAID after his rookie contract. I'd get in the league ASAP

[Smokin' Jae]

Fans care about NCAAs a lot more than players do.

The players care about the NCAAs more than most fans, the great ones at least. These guys eat sleep and breathe hoops. The people saying Hank is "gowne" coincidently are the same ones that were saying we had no shot at signing Hank to begin with and what was the deciding factor in that decision...family.

[WarriorPride68]

I'll bet $100 any poster here Henry Ellenson will not match Butch's career numbers in conference when averaged out or be a top 20 pick in the NBA draft.  Takers? 

So he has to do both for you to win.

I like Henry and hope he makes big improvement but there's no way I see him as even a 1st round pick right now.

Blackhat wins this thread

[Windyplayer]

In a world where Kwame Brown can sign a 1 / $7 million deal in his 11th year in the NBA with the salary cap at $58 million.

2016-17 cap is projected $90 million
2017-18 cap is project $108 million

Henry is going to get PAID after his rookie contract. I'd get in the league ASAP

Slight leap in logic here. Point taken, however.

[GGGG]

Blackhat wins this thread

To review...

Brian Butch as a senior: 12.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg

Henry this year:  16.6 / 10.0

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think there's a good chance Bentil declares this season. He's having a monster year, his team is ranked, and he's about to lose Kris Dunn as a running mate. I only think his stock can go down from here.

I don't know if Henry could feasibly improve his stock. He's already a top 10 pick. I don't think he's a top 5. Probably in the 6-10 range. From a financial perspective, getting in sooner is the smarter option. But if he wanted to be a top 5 pick, I'm not sure if another year in the NCAA would get him there. He would get the chance to play on a much better team, make the postseason, and his numbers would likely significantly increase. He's shown flashes of outside shooting touch but if he became a consistent shooter from three next season that might help. But any improvement he shows might be counterbalanced by the fact that he's a year older. Its probably more likely that he lowers his draft stock rather than increases it. That, plus the chance for injury makes declaring the smart move for his career.

However, who knows what his motivations are. I don't think Henry himself has decided. I'm expecting him to be gone but would be ecstatic if he came back.

[MU82]

If immediate money is his biggest motivator -- and I don't blame him if it is -- or if testing himself at the highest level of basketball sooner than later is his biggest motivator (or some combination thereof), Henry goes.

If he is more motivated by other things (college life, the MU experience, playing with Wally, improving as a player before he goes to the NBA, making an NCAA tourney run), Henry stays.

It's pretty simple, yet we try to make it so complicated here.

[MU82]

Fans care about NCAAs a lot more than players do.

That might be true of some fans and some players ... but when Pitino told his team that it was ineligible for the NCAAs, Damion Lee and Trey Lewis were inconsolable and sobbed like babies.

So either they had just been slicing onions or they cared a little bit.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I've always tried not to speculate whether Henry will stay or go, but the marquette athletics youtube chanel just posted a highlight video dedicated to Henry. Think it's time to accept the fact that he's probably going.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Fans care about NCAAs a lot more than players do.

I find this incredibly hard to agree with.

[keefe]

To review...

Brian Butch as a senior: 12.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg

Henry this year:  16.6 / 10.0

Yea, but Butch played in the Big which is, as we know, a much more talented conference.

[mu03eng]

If immediate money is his biggest motivator -- and I don't blame him if it is -- or if testing himself at the highest level of basketball sooner than later is his biggest motivator (or some combination thereof), Henry goes.

If he is more motivated by other things (college life, the MU experience, playing with Wally, improving as a player before he goes to the NBA, making an NCAA tourney run), Henry stays.

It's pretty simple, yet we try to make it so complicated here.

It really is that simple. If Henry values the practical/logical he goes. If he values the emotional/intangible he stays. Anyone who thinks anything else or "knows" what Henry will do is completely fooling themselves.

I'd guess he's gone and am planning accordingly but we'll see.

[Goose]

Seriously, did I miss something and you are now discussing Wally's status for next year?

[The Lens]

That might be true of some fans and some players ... but when Pitino told his team that it was ineligible for the NCAAs, Damion Lee and Trey Lewis were inconsolable and sobbed like babies.

So either they had just been slicing onions or they cared a little bit.

Lee is a 5th year, he knows how fleeting it is.  He came to Louisville to play.  But in general, fans always care more about performance than players.  To players it is a job. Certainly for college players it's less so than pro but it's still a job and stepping stone to something greater.  Whereas for me, Marquette basketball means an inordinate amount.

[GoldenZebra]

Does the benefit of him staying outweigh the benefits of him leaving? Abolutely not...

[wadesworld]

It wouldn't surprise me to see Bentil there. Not much more he can prove in college.

I would love to see him go because that all but guarantees we're better than them next year. But he wouldn't be a first round pick, which means he's not guaranteed to be paid in the NBA next year. That's almost as big of a risk as a top 10 pick (see: Hank) staying in college.

[GooooMarquette]

If immediate money is his biggest motivator -- and I don't blame him if it is -- or if testing himself at the highest level of basketball sooner than later is his biggest motivator (or some combination thereof), Henry goes.

If he is more motivated by other things (college life, the MU experience, playing with Wally, improving as a player before he goes to the NBA, making an NCAA tourney run), Henry stays.

It's pretty simple, yet we try to make it so complicated here.

Yep. 

[Herman Cain]

I would love to see him go because that all but guarantees we're better than them next year. But he wouldn't be a first round pick, which means he's not guaranteed to be paid in the NBA next year. That's almost as big of a risk as a top 10 pick (see: Hank) staying in college.

I think Bentil will be a high first round pick. He has what the pros need.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Fans care about NCAAs a lot more than players do.

Lee is a 5th year, he knows how fleeting it is.  He came to Louisville to play.  But in general, fans always care more about performance than players.  To players it is a job. Certainly for college players it's less so than pro but it's still a job and stepping stone to something greater.  Whereas for me, Marquette basketball means an inordinate amount.

How many college basketball players have you known personally? Because I've known a few dozen, and not a single one of them would agree with anything you just said.

[MU82]

Lee is a 5th year, he knows how fleeting it is.  He came to Louisville to play.  But in general, fans always care more about performance than players.  To players it is a job. Certainly for college players it's less so than pro but it's still a job and stepping stone to something greater.  Whereas for me, Marquette basketball means an inordinate amount.

Rubbish.

[brewcity77]

I think Bentil will be a high first round pick. He has what the pros need.

Agreed. Honestly, I think he looks like a top-10 pick right now. Only a sophomore, improving by leaps and bounds. He looks like the ideal NBA stretch 4. Great footwork, can shoot from outside, and has a great frame.

[BM1090]

Agreed. Honestly, I think he looks like a top-10 pick right now. Only a sophomore, improving by leaps and bounds. He looks like the ideal NBA stretch 4. Great footwork, can shoot from outside, and has a great frame.

I think it's funny that we all think Bentil is a good outside shooter but Henry isn't when Bentil shoots just 2 percent higher on the same amount of attempts.

Not necessarily directing this at you. I've seen a ton of comments about Bentil's shooting over the past week and he's just not consistent from deep right now.

[brewcity77]

I think it's funny that we all think Bentil is a good outside shooter but Henry isn't when Bentil shoots just 2 percent higher on the same amount of attempts.

Not necessarily directing this at you. I've seen a ton of comments about Bentil's shooting over the past week and he's just not consistent from deep right now.

No, he's not, and neither is Henry. But assessing them as collegiate three point shooters now (neither are very good) and evaluating them for the next level are two different things. If I'm a GM and see a kid at that size hitting 30% on a relatively high volume, I'd consider that a plus. Obviously not on a Steve Novak level, but something that we can work with knowing their range extends to the arc.

[Herman Cain]

I think it's funny that we all think Bentil is a good outside shooter but Henry isn't when Bentil shoots just 2 percent higher on the same amount of attempts.

Not necessarily directing this at you. I've seen a ton of comments about Bentil's shooting over the past week and he's just not consistent from deep right now.

The point is he shoots 82 percent from the line, has enough of a 3 point capability to be respected which gives him lanes to drive and is an animal on the inside with incredible footwork and an NBA ready body. Not much more one can ask for .