Heldt vs. Heldt

[steff_mckee]

Some guys just need a few more years to grow into their bodies and always saw this in Matt....not everyone can walk onto campus as a chiseled 18 year old....I never understood the posters that moaned about him taking up a scholarship... He will be a regular double/double his senior year. 

[MUBigDance]

He's on a good trajectory but we need to hope he gains in his weak areas. Will he ever get quicker. He helps on defense but has a hard time getting back or loses the big man underneath (Xavier had a few jams underneath). Would like to see a couple assists in the stat line as he gets more minutes. Of course most college big men at his age could use some improvement on the short range jumper.

Not knocking Heldt. He's using his skills well but everyone can improve...Giannis is an all star but needs to improve his jumper too.

[vogue65]

He's on a good trajectory but we need to hope he gains in his weak areas. Will he ever get quicker. He helps on defense but has a hard time getting back or loses the big man underneath (Xavier had a few jams underneath). Would like to see a couple assists in the stat line as he gets more minutes. Of course most college big men at his age could use some improvement on the short range jumper.

Not knocking Heldt. He's using his skills well but everyone can improve...Giannis is an all star but needs to improve his jumper too.

Great leadership incouraging the heart after a great win.

[cheebs09]

He's on a good trajectory but we need to hope he gains in his weak areas. Will he ever get quicker. He helps on defense but has a hard time getting back or loses the big man underneath (Xavier had a few jams underneath). Would like to see a couple assists in the stat line as he gets more minutes. Of course most college big men at his age could use some improvement on the short range jumper.

Not knocking Heldt. He's using his skills well but everyone can improve...Giannis is an all star but needs to improve his jumper too.

He sometimes gets beat getting back to the hoop, but I wonder if that's a combination of scheme and lack of weak side defense. Our centers hedge so far up that it opens that up more. Also, it seems like the weak side guy is always a step slow rotating over to help and either fouls or watches a dunk. Many times the guy Wojo yells at isn't the center in those situations.

Also, I think Heldt has a pretty good jumper, but there's not a need for him to take it. If our offense gets less efficient, it may be something we see more. I think basketball is quickly moving towards an era where all you need is a low usage center who can play defense, protect the rim, and clean up buckets down low.

[GoldenDieners32]

Need him to play consistant

[tower912]

Need everybody on the team to be consistent.   All along there ha e been comments from coaches and players about Matt's work ethic and attitude.  He has put in the work.  The last two games have been the payoff.  A pissed off Wojo decided to reward practice effort with starting roles.  Matt's work is being rewarded.  No huge mystery. 

[warriorchick]

The first few  times Matt got into a game as a freshman, he looked like very tall 12-year-old who had  accidentally wandered onto a college basketball court.  He looked confused, scared, and intimidated.

He is a confident man now.  I am happy with his progression over the last couple of years and am looking forward to the future with him.

[wadesworld]

Let's keep in mind, people thought JJJ could be an All BE caliber player that would get looks from the NBA based on his last 11 game stretch to end the season last year.

Heldt put out a great effort against Xavier and had an even better game last night.  I am thrilled about his production the last 2 games, and his future certainly doesn't look bad.

I was never one who has thought Matt wasn't worth a scholarship, was a D2 player, or would never contribute anything while at MU.  Having said that...

Let's pump the breaks on a double-double senior year.  I wouldn't be surprised if he was a 2 year starter (junior and senior year) and was a 12 and 6 guy his senior year, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he was a backup his junior and senior years (which there is nothing wrong with).

[MU82]

Let's keep in mind, people thought JJJ could be an All BE caliber player that would get looks from the NBA based on his last 11 game stretch to end the season last year.

Heldt put out a great effort against Xavier and had an even better game last night.  I am thrilled about his production the last 2 games, and his future certainly doesn't look bad.

I was never one who has thought Matt wasn't worth a scholarship, was a D2 player, or would never contribute anything while at MU.  Having said that...

Let's pump the breaks on a double-double senior year.  I wouldn't be surprised if he was a 2 year starter (junior and senior year) and was a 12 and 6 guy his senior year, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he was a backup his junior and senior years (which there is nothing wrong with).

This is reasonable, wades.

How much will Matt improve? How much better (if at all) will newcomers be than he is? How will Wojo regard the intangibles (if any) that he believes Matt brings?

These and other questions will be answered in due time.

I did not know what to expect from Heldt, having never seen him before he got to MU. I have seen too many other programs, including the one west on I-94, develop "project" bigs into good players to dismiss his arrival. I am thrilled he has become a legit D1 player and am hopeful he will realize his full potential over time. I definitely agree with chick's assessment of the difference between Heldt of last year and now.

As for his difficulty getting back on D sometimes, I like cheebs' assessment. It's that infernal super-high-hedge defense that is my least favorite Wojo strategy (I'm a Wojo fan). Based on what I have seen so far, I believe it does us more harm than good, but I have seen no statistical evaluation on its efficacy.

Heldt has very nice FT form, which leads me to believe he also could step out and hit 10-15 footers, and his little lefty hook last night was very nice.

In sum, he deserves to continue starting, I've been happy with his progress and I look forward to seeing what he can become.

I also still believe we will get some good performances from Luke this season - and that we will need him to deliver.

[frozena pizza]

Good rebounding instincts and positioning, capable rim defender, has some post moves and can score on dump offs and tip ins, legit size so he won't get pushed around, good FT shooter.  I can't ask for much more than that.  He's not a 5 star recruit, but I'll take him on a Marquette roster any time and I'm feeling a lot better about the next two years.

[The Lens]

But this is why you always recruit a big every year, even if it is a 3 star.  Bigs take longer and if you have 1 in each class, you'll be alright. 

[PGsHeroes32]

I love Matts improvement a lot

I'm 100% sold on him being a rotation player.

I'm not sold on him being the starter next next year yet. Need to see more games.

I'm glad we have Frolling just in case.

But I'm optimistic in Matt, big time.

[MUMountin]

I love Matts improvement a lot

I'm 100% sold on him being a rotation player.

I'm not sold on him being the starter next next year yet. Need to see more games.

I'm glad we have Frolling just in case.

But I'm optimistic in Matt, big time.

It will be very interesting to see the competition between Heldt and Froling over the next two years.  Will Heldt seize the job by December, meaning Froling is backing him up for 1.5 yrs?  Guessing that he thought the starter gig was his when he transferred.

Either way, it will be great having two legit centers for the next two years. 

[jsglow]

Read today that he went from 17% body fat to 9% in one year. Same thing is going to happen to Harry in the next year.  There simply is no substitute for strength in the BEast.  And it's paying off for Matty.

[jsglow]

It will be very interesting to see the competition between Heldt and Froling over the next two years.  Will Heldt seize the job by December, meaning Froling is backing him up for 1.5 yrs?  Guessing that he thought the starter gig was his when he transferred.

Either way, it will be great having two legit centers for the next two years.

Here's the nice part of that.  Assuming he doesn't go back to the land down under, his next shot at re-evaluating that decision would be as a graduate transfer.  Plus let's not forget that Froling may be better suited at the #4.  There's plenty of minutes to go around.  Glad Matt can certainly handle 20+.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Heldt and Froling can be on the floor at the same time. And it will be a beautiful thing.

[jsglow]

Heldt and Froling can be on the floor at the same time. And it will be a beautiful thing.

Sliding Sammy to the #3.  And all of a sudden we put a very good rebounding team on the floor.

[DienerTime34]

St. John's couldn't handle the heat in Heldt's Kitchen.

[vogue65]

What intangibles? 
1. Confidence
2. Leadership
3.  Desire
4.  Creativity
5.   Big picture thinking (BB IQ)

[brewcity77]

Here's the nice part of that.  Assuming he doesn't go back to the land down under, his next shot at re-evaluating that decision would be as a graduate transfer.  Plus let's not forget that Froling may be better suited at the #4.  There's plenty of minutes to go around.  Glad Matt can certainly handle 20+.

Only if he graduates in 3 years. Remember that he is sitting out the second half of his freshman year to be eligible as a sophomore in December, just like Luke did. Froling would have to either sit out a full year, miss a year with injury/redshirt, or be ahead of schedule in the classroom to grad transfer.

[MUMountin]

Heldt and Froling can be on the floor at the same time. And it will be a beautiful thing.

Here's the nice part of that.  Assuming he doesn't go back to the land down under, his next shot at re-evaluating that decision would be as a graduate transfer.  Plus let's not forget that Froling may be better suited at the #4.  There's plenty of minutes to go around.  Glad Matt can certainly handle 20+.

That's true--Froling has more of a face-up game, right?  How's his speed?  Will he be able to keep up with the smaller, stretch-four types on defense?

[jsglow]

Only if he graduates in 3 years. Remember that he is sitting out the second half of his freshman year to be eligible as a sophomore in December, just like Luke did. Froling would have to either sit out a full year, miss a year with injury/redshirt, or be ahead of schedule in the classroom to grad transfer.

Ahh, yes. You are correct sir.  Fact is, he really can't ever transfer again.  Heretofore known as the 'Luke Fischer, I signed on with Buzz but couldn't ever leave even if I wanted to' transfer rule.   

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

That's true--Froling has more of a face-up game, right?  How's his speed?  Will he be able to keep up with the smaller, stretch-four types on defense?

Depends. If they are built like Kris Jenkins, yes. If they are built like Katin Reinhardt, no.

[Loose Cannon]

  Do we Think Matt will develop a face- up game in his next Two years?

[GooooMarquette]

Matt has made an incredible jump from last year to year, and it's showing as he gets more minutes.  I could see his career along the trajectory of a Jarrod Lovette kind of guy.  Basically lost as a frosh, good contributor as a sophomore and junior, and was having a really nice senior season until medical issues ended his career.

If he keeps up that kind of path (without the medical issues), he will be a huge asset.