TyKo isn't just BEast POY

[brewcity77]

Didn't every metric say the guy from West Virginia should've won it?

Early on they did, and Jones was definitely the perceived favorite, but WVU finished 4-7 down the stretch while Marquette went 9-2. In addition, Jones effectiveness dropped during the losing skid while Crowder was at his best during the period we secured 2nd place all to ourselves.

It was really decided in Morgantown, though. They went head-to-head and going in, Crowder had worked his way up to being only slightly behind Jones in the league-wide perception. Crowder dropped 26 in a road win while Jones had an inefficient 12. That was also the game where roughly half the Marquette team was suspended for the first half and the rest was suspended for the second. Jae was one of two Marquette players that played both halves. Felt like he single-handedly slew Jones and WVU that night. The BEPOY race ended with that game.

[PGsHeroes32]

Early on they did, and Jones was definitely the perceived favorite, but WVU finished 4-7 down the stretch while Marquette went 9-2. In addition, Jones effectiveness dropped during the losing skid while Crowder was at his best during the period we secured 2nd place all to ourselves.

It was really decided in Morgantown, though. They went head-to-head and going in, Crowder had worked his way up to being only slightly behind Jones in the league-wide perception. Crowder dropped 26 in a road win while Jones had an inefficient 12. That was also the game where roughly half the Marquette team was suspended for the first half and the rest was suspended for the second. Jae was one of two Marquette players that played both halves. Felt like he single-handedly slew Jones and WVU that night. The BEPOY race ended with that game.

I think Jae had a massive game going up against Drummond during that stretch too. Really had big games most nights out.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I think Jae had a massive game going up against Drummond during that stretch too. Really had big games most nights out.

That was in Hartford - we ran them out of the building.  Calhoun got ejected.  Drummond, I seem to remember, had a terrible game.

[MuggsyB]

Yes. I believe he's get drafted if he declared after this season. But he plans to stay - at least as if a podcast he did 6 weeks ago.  After next season?  I'd say he's a lock to get drafted assuming he sustains the level we've seen the past month.

Does he shoot the outside J well enough off the bounce and can he create a la Nash?

[lawdog77]

That was in Hartford - we ran them out of the building.  Calhoun got ejected.  Drummond, I seem to remember, had a terrible game.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/320490041

[The Equalizer]

Yes. I believe he's get drafted if he declared after this season. But he plans to stay - at least as if a podcast he did 6 weeks ago.  After next season?  I'd say he's a lock to get drafted assuming he sustains the level we've seen the past month.

Over the last six weeks, Kolek has dramatically improved his scoring and outside shooting. Since 1/15 he's shooting 44% on treys, and averaging 16.5 ppg.  It's almost as if that podcast was a catalyst to wake up and address concerns over his scoring ability and outside shot.

At this point, what does he have to come back to prove?

Unless he falls apart in the BET and NCAA tournaments, I would be shocked if he doesn't at least test the waters in the NBA camps.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

That was in Hartford - we ran them out of the building.  Calhoun got ejected.  Drummond, I seem to remember, had a terrible game.

My daughter (now an Xavier student) screamed "Miss it!" everytime UConn shot free throws in the very quiet XL Center.

[PGsHeroes32]

Medcalf has TK as POY on Espn

[cheebs09]

I've been super impressed with Kolek's athleticism finishing at the rim. It's added so much to the offense that he can make teams pay for playing him to pass when he drives.

[JWags85]

Yes. I believe he's get drafted if he declared after this season. But he plans to stay - at least as if a podcast he did 6 weeks ago.  After next season?  I'd say he's a lock to get drafted assuming he sustains the level we've seen the past month.

I don't think he'd be a lock after this season. He still has a bit of a hill to climb perception wise.

Over the last six weeks, Kolek has dramatically improved his scoring and outside shooting. Since 1/15 he's shooting 44% on treys, and averaging 16.5 ppg.  It's almost as if that podcast was a catalyst to wake up and address concerns over his scoring ability and outside shot.

At this point, what does he have to come back to prove?

Unless he falls apart in the BET and NCAA tournaments, I would be shocked if he doesn't at least test the waters in the NBA camps.

He'd be wise to test the waters, as would any player with NBA potential.

What does he have to prove? That he can do it over a full season.  Not just a 8-10 game stretch.  He'd be a preseason AA pick would get him tons of attention.  And the real chance at a FF while doing so. Also further prove he can defend at a high level

I think he compares pretty favorable with Malcom Brogdon as a prospect, but he's a FAR better distributor at this point.  His relative lack of athleticism will be his biggest knock, but he has good size for the 1 and that plus his strength can mitigate it

[Stretchdeltsig]

Tyler has taken this team over. He deserves BEPOY, the Bob Cousy award and AA team honors. He and Shaka have elevated this team to be our best squad since Wade and Diener. Great Marquette memories again.

[Elonsmusk]

I don't think he'd be a lock after this season. He still has a bit of a hill to climb perception wise.

He'd be wise to test the waters, as would any player with NBA potential.

What does he have to prove? That he can do it over a full season.  Not just a 8-10 game stretch.  He'd be a preseason AA pick would get him tons of attention.  And the real chance at a FF while doing so. Also further prove he can defend at a high level

I think he compares pretty favorable with Malcom Brogdon as a prospect, but he's a FAR better distributor at this point.  His relative lack of athleticism will be his biggest knock, but he has good size for the 1 and that plus his strength can mitigate it

Tower through out a Jalen Brunson comp way back last year after the Illinois game if I recall correctly.  I felt that was a good comp, and of course absolute ceiling type of comp for Tyler.  Brunson isn't very athletic, but he is strong/thick and plays with a great IQ.  Better shooter than Tyler at this stage of their college careers, yet Tyler is a better passer.  Tyler's strength/size is underrated, but becoming evident as he's finishing around the basket and playing bully ball for a guard.

[BM1090]

Additionally, Kolek doesn't have an NBA Hall of Fame, Top 5 NBA pick as his sidekick either.  There was a lot of Kolek doubt here on Scoop by many last year and the onset of this season.   I've been a big fan of his from Day 1, but he's massively exceeded my expectations.

Tyler's growing confidence is HUGE for this team, and coming at the perfect time heading into March.

He had 2-3 takes and finishes yesterday that were not in his arsenal 10-15 games ago. His improvement is drastic. And I thought his confidence couldn't get higher.

[MuggsyB]

Tower through out a Jalen Brunson comp way back last year after the Illinois game if I recall correctly.  I felt that was a good comp, and of course absolute ceiling type of comp for Tyler.  Brunson isn't very athletic, but he is strong/thick and plays with a great IQ.  Better shooter than Tyler at this stage of their college careers, yet Tyler is a better passer.  Tyler's strength/size is underrated, but becoming evident as he's finishing around the basket and playing bully ball for a guard.

I think it's a interesting comparison although Brunson was more a pure scorer and played with two other pros. 

[Shooter McGavin]

Additionally, Kolek doesn't have an NBA Hall of Fame, Top 5 NBA pick as his sidekick either.  There was a lot of Kolek doubt here on Scoop by many last year and the onset of this season.   I've been a big fan of his from Day 1, but he's massively exceeded my expectations.

Tyler's growing confidence is HUGE for this team, and coming at the perfect time heading into March.

His development (especially scoring efficiently when defenders backed away from him) was always the key to this team reaching its potential. 

[NickelDimer]

Brunson is an absolute bulldog capable of bully balling bigger players in the paint. I don't see that with Kolek. But I do think he could have the same type of NBA career someone like TJ McConnell has

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Brunson is an absolute bulldog capable of bully balling bigger players in the paint. I don't see that with Kolek. But I do think he could have the same type of NBA career someone like TJ McConnell has

Nice job on the McConnell comp.

[Herman Cain]

Medcalf has TK as POY on Espn

Is it my imagination or has Medcalf warmed up to MU in the Shaka era?

[JWags85]

Tower through out a Jalen Brunson comp way back last year after the Illinois game if I recall correctly.  I felt that was a good comp, and of course absolute ceiling type of comp for Tyler.  Brunson isn't very athletic, but he is strong/thick and plays with a great IQ.  Better shooter than Tyler at this stage of their college careers, yet Tyler is a better passer.  Tyler's strength/size is underrated, but becoming evident as he's finishing around the basket and playing bully ball for a guard.

Brunson isn't overly athletic but he's quicker, he's got a first step that Kolek doesn't.  But I agree on the passing.

Nice job on the McConnell comp.

I hope this is teal cause McConnell is just another not overly athletic white PG.  Cause there is literally not a single thing Arizona TJ McConnell did better offensively than Kolek right now. Lesser scorer, significantly worse 3P shooter, and a significantly less talented and creative distributor.

Kolek having a similar career as a 20 MPG backup PG? That's a decent comp.  But I don't think their player profiles are all that similar, especially given Kolek's larger size and build

[Herman Cain]

Brunson isn't overly athletic but he's quicker, he's got a first step that Kolek doesn't.  But I agree on the passing.

I hope this is teal cause McConnell is just another not overly athletic white PG.  Cause there is literally not a single thing Arizona TJ McConnell did better offensively than Kolek right now. Lesser scorer, significantly worse 3P shooter, and a significantly less talented and creative distributor.

Kolek having a similar career as a 20 MPG backup PG? That's a decent comp.  But I don't think their player profiles are all that similar, especially given Kolek's larger size and build

If Tyler stays another year I think the correct comp  will eventually be Scott Skiles . Dominant college player who had a  wry solid 10 year NBA career and then had several stints as an NBA coach.

This comparison is On the court not off the court.

[tower912]

Skiles had more of a gunner mentality.  I am sticking with Brunson.

[Herman Cain]

Skiles had more of a gunner mentality.  I am sticking with Brunson.

The reason I qualified my comp if Tyler stays for one more year , is that Tyler will end up being a high scoring assist guy like Skiles in college and then have to convert to being an assist guy in Pros

Skiles was a highly efficient scorer who was just flat out a great college player , who still accumulated a lot of assists collegiately


Skiles had  30 assists in an NBA game and led the NBA  in assists one year almost averaging a double double .

[Jockey]

He had 2-3 takes and finishes yesterday that were not in his arsenal 10-15 games ago. His improvement is drastic. And I thought his confidence couldn't get higher.

That is what is so exciting about this team. The same could be said for Joplin. Much better going to the basket and even dishing to an open man off the drive.

That didn't happen early this year.

[MU82]

Last dozen games for Kolek:

17.9 ppg on .524 shooting (.444 from 3), 7.7 assists, 2.5 TO, 1.7 steal, 4.0 reb.

MU 10-2 in that span, rolling to Big East title.

Effen stud. And it's not as if his season-long stats -- especially assists and A/TO ratio -- are anything less than outstanding.

There was a lot of Kolek doubt here on Scoop by many last year and the onset of this season.

If saying that Marquette needed better PG play than we got last season qualified as "Kolek doubt," I plead guilty.

I also stand by that 100% even as I congratulate Kolek for having worked so hard during the offseason to become the player he is today.

It's no coincidence that we are Big East champs as our PG has turned into a legit BEPOY and AA candidate, improving significantly in every single phase of the game.

he's massively exceeded my expectations.

Mine too. Same with Oso. And damn glad about both.

Tyler's growing confidence is HUGE for this team, and coming at the perfect time heading into March.

Yessir! I'm glad we have Tyler Kolek on our side!

[StillAWarrior]

TK was just named to the Oscar Robertson POY Watchlist.


Others on the list:

• F/C Armando Bacot, North Carolina
• G Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy
• G Kendric Davis, Memphis
• C Zach Edey, Purdue
• F Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
• G/F Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA
• F Brandon Miller, Alabama
• F Kris Murray, Iowa
• G Jalen Pickett, Penn State
• G Marcus Sasser, Houston
• F Drew Timme, Gonzaga
• F Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
• F Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona
• F Jalen Wilson, Kansas