Jamal Cain

[Afroman]

Given how this season is unfolding and looking ahead to next season, is Jamal Cain (and to a lesser extent John, Eke and Froling) the most important incoming player in the last 20-plus years of the program? Taking into account how he is talked about on here, it sounds as if a lot is expected of him. I hope he lives up to the hype (I'm sure Wojo does, too).

[GGGG]

Given how this season is unfolding and looking ahead to next season, is Jamal Cain (and to a lesser extent John, Eke and Froling) the most important incoming player in the last 20-plus years of the program?

No.

[tower912]

Not even close. 

[GoldenDieners32]

Definitely not

[SaveOD238]

If he has a Wade-like career, he could be.  But the same could be said of every highly rated recruit.

It is, however, patently unfair to place those expectations on any kid.

[Herman Cain]

Given how this season is unfolding and looking ahead to next season, is Jamal Cain (and to a lesser extent John, Eke and Froling) the most important incoming player in the last 20-plus years of the program? Taking into account how he is talked about on here, it sounds as if a lot is expected of him. I hope he lives up to the hype (I'm sure Wojo does, too).

I don't believe Cain is hyped. I do believe he has the tools and attitude necessary to compete at the highest level. Our timing was very good in terms of signing him before he took off. It is up to the coaching staff to get max potential out of him.

[brewcity77]

Given how this season is unfolding and looking ahead to next season, is Jamal Cain (and to a lesser extent John, Eke and Froling) the most important incoming player in the last 20-plus years of the program? Taking into account how he is talked about on here, it sounds as if a lot is expected of him. I hope he lives up to the hype (I'm sure Wojo does, too).

[MuMark]

everytime I think I've seen the stupidest post ever somebody manages to take it to a new level.......

[MU82]

Oh, he's serious.

And don't call him Shirley!

[brewcity77]

everytime I think I've seen the stupidest post ever somebody manages to take it to a new level.......

I thought that about this. Then I saw MUFINY fellating guys like willie, Al Davis, and Dark Sunglasses...

[Afroman]

everytime I think I've seen the stupidest post ever somebody manages to take it to a new level.......

How is it a stupid post? The stagnant program obviously needs better players. Jamal Cain is supposed to be the best of the bunch and a potential starter coming in.

[brandx]

As a GROUP they will be very significant because they will provide something completely missing the last three years.

As individuals, they will play be role players next year..

[GoldenDieners32]

As a GROUP they will be very significant because they will provide something completely missing the last three years.

As individuals, they will play be role players next year..

Everyone sees Jamal Cain starting next year..I really don't see it. Im not saying he is a bad player but he has a chance to start

[brewcity77]

How is it a stupid post? The stagnant program obviously needs better players. Jamal Cain is supposed to be the best of the bunch and a potential starter coming in.

The past 20 years have included program changing talents in Dwyane Wade. Our first McDonald's All-American since the 1980s in Henry Ellenson. Stars from Madison, ensuring we could go into UW's back yard in Wes Matthews and Vander Blue. JUCO All-Americans like DJO and Jae Crowder. Big-name transfers that helped solidify our place in-state in Jamil Wilson and Luke Fischer.

Cain is a nice recruit and I'm glad I have him. But at the end of the day, he's a fringe 4-star kid. Maybe he develops into a star, but this didn't open up new territory, didn't make a statement of intent to the rest of the country, and wasn't a fierce recruiting battle where we went in and got a kid the local powers wanted. For now, as nice a prospect as he seems, he's just a guy at this level. It's on him to prove himself more, but the most important recruit in 20 years? Please. He's not the most important recruit in 20 months.

[GoldenDieners32]

The past 20 years have included program changing talents in Dwyane Wade. Our first McDonald's All-American since the 1980s in Henry Ellenson. Stars from Madison, ensuring we could go into UW's back yard in Wes Matthews and Vander Blue. JUCO All-Americans like DJO and Jae Crowder. Big-name transfers that helped solidify our place in-state in Jamil Wilson and Luke Fischer.

Cain is a nice recruit and I'm glad I have him. But at the end of the day, he's a fringe 4-star kid. Maybe he develops into a star, but this didn't open up new territory, didn't make a statement of intent to the rest of the country, and wasn't a fierce recruiting battle where we went in and got a kid the local powers wanted. For now, as nice a prospect as he seems, he's just a guy at this level. It's on him to prove himself more, but the most important recruit in 20 years? Please. He's not the most important recruit in 20 months.

Who do you think was the most important recruit the last 20 months? Id have to go with Markus

[Afroman]

The program is mired in mediocrity. To get it turned around, I would think that the program would need a jolt from the incoming players. If these incoming recruits are being viewed at as "role players," it doesn't give me a lot of hope.

[brewcity77]

Who do you think was the most important recruit the last 20 months? Id have to go with Markus

Markus is my first thought. Traci left because he expects him to go down as the leading scorer here all-time (I'm a skeptic on that, but he is good). He also could help to open up the West Coast a bit, though that's on Stan as much as anything (maybe he's the most important recruit of late?). I'd have to have Sam neck-and-neck, though, especially if Joey ends up committing behind him.

[GoldenDieners32]

Markus is my first thought. Traci left because he expects him to go down as the leading scorer here all-time (I'm a skeptic on that, but he is good). He also could help to open up the West Coast a bit, though that's on Stan as much as anything (maybe he's the most important recruit of late?). I'd have to have Sam neck-and-neck, though, especially if Joey ends up committing behind him.

Agree, if Joey commits then i would totally go with Sam

[#UnleashSean]

In the last 15 years we've had. Wade, Diener, Novak, Butler, DJO, Crowder, Lazar, Davante, Henry. What?

[GoldenDieners32]

In the last 15 years we've had. Wade, Diener, Novak, Butler, DJO, Crowder, Lazar, Davante, Henry. What?

But obviously Cain is better.

[#UnleashSean]

But obviously Cain is better.

I guess he could have rephrased his question by asking if Cain was going to be the most important piece in Wojo's recruiting plans. Which would have had some merit.

[Afroman]

You are obviously misreading my initial post. I did not imply that he is better than those players.
I used the words "most important incoming recruit" -- akin to when MU, in dire need of a PG, got Tony Miller to join Key, Mac, Robb, Curry, etc.

A

[Afroman]

In the last 15 years we've had. Wade, Diener, Novak, Butler, DJO, Crowder, Lazar, Davante, Henry. What?

Those players were joining waaaaaaaay better teams.
In addition, players like Wade and Butler and Lazar weren't viewed at as saviors to lift a program when they arrived.
This program is in need of some lifting.

[brewcity77]

You are obviously misreading my initial post. I did not imply that he is better than those players.
I used the words "most important incoming recruit" -- akin to when MU, in dire need of a PG, got Tony Miller to join Key, Mac, Robb, Curry, etc.

No. You used the following words:

Given how this season is unfolding and looking ahead to next season, is Jamal Cain (and to a lesser extent John, Eke and Froling) the most important incoming player in the last 20-plus years of the program? Taking into account how he is talked about on here, it sounds as if a lot is expected of him. I hope he lives up to the hype (I'm sure Wojo does, too).

Don't forget the "last 20-plus years of the program" part of your question. That's why it's ridiculous. Cain is not the most important incoming player of the last 20-plus years. He's just not. In terms of need, both Howard and Ellenson were more needs. I'd even argue Fischer, considering how long we went without a true 28 mpg center on the roster.

[Afroman]

I love this board. The condescending, elitist, know-it-all pricks really make me miss my MU days.

I guess MU is good-to-go at the forward position for the 2017-18 season. My bad.