Ben Gold

[MUfan12]

.793
Ben's 2FG%

29
The number of 2FGA. Less than one per game.

That's the next step. Cut with authority and finish through contact. The opportunities are there, he just prefers drifting to the arc.

[MU82]

That's the next step. Cut with authority and finish through contact. The opportunities are there, he just prefers drifting to the arc.

He does seem to prefer what you say, but I do also believe Gold is doing what Shaka wants him to do.

If Shaka insisted that Ben pass up 3s and drive more, he'd do it. But Gold's 3-point shooting gives us a dimension that this particular team needs. Next season, Ben will be asked to do more, and hopefully he'll deliver.

[Goose]

If Ben Gold was incoming portal addition, there would be a lot of excitement on scoop, imo. Said the same thing two years ago when Shaka retained Oso, TK and Omax. Sometimes it is hard to appreciate the players you have because you watch them often and closely. I am pretty certain there would be a lot of fanbases excited if they got Gold via the portal.

[Dr. Blackheart]

He does seem to prefer what you say, but I do also believe Gold is doing what Shaka wants him to do.

If Shaka insisted that Ben pass up 3s and drive more, he'd do it. But Gold's 3-point shooting gives us a dimension that this particular team needs. Next season, Ben will be asked to do more, and hopefully he'll deliver.

Here's another crazy Scoop take by me. Make him a Karaban and grab a graduate transfer center, say a Dixon. Let's face it, Ben is three in a five body.

MU needs to be able to play physical teams (and rebound). I'd go here in the portal, not PG.

[cheebs09]

He's shown some nice drives to the basket.

[MU82]

Here's another crazy Scoop take by me. Make him a Karaban and grab a graduate transfer center, say a Dixon. Let's face it, Ben is three in a five body.

MU needs to be able to play physical teams (and rebound). I'd go here in the portal, not PG.

If that's really something Shaka would consider doing, and if we really could get a rim protector and low-post scorer who would be better than Gold, I'd endorse your plan as not crazy at all ... although I'd be concerned about Ben having to play too much perimeter D again.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If that's really something Shaka would consider doing, and if we really could get a rim protector and low-post scorer who would be better than Gold, I'd endorse your plan as not crazy at all ... although I'd be concerned about Ben having to play too much perimeter D again.

I'd have Dixon guard the perimeter and Ben the post in that theoretical.

[Shooter McGavin]

If Ben Gold was incoming portal addition, there would be a lot of excitement on scoop, imo. Said the same thing  hetwo years ago when Shaka retained Oso, TK and Omax. Sometimes it is hard to appreciate the players you have because you watch them often and closely. I am pretty certain there would be a lot of fanbases excited if they got Gold via the portal.

Agree with this 100%.  Ben is a good one.  It will be Kam and his team next year.  With the glue guy's leadership thrown in there as well.   

[MU82]

I'd have Dixon guard the perimeter and Ben the post in that theoretical.

We'd have 2 bigs firing 3s all the time! And I'm not sure Dixon would be any better defending on the perimeter than Gold has been. Dixon's also only an OK rebounder.

I know he was the name you used in your hypothetical ... but if Shaka wanted to make Gold a taller Karaban, I'd prefer a true rim-protector/rebounder to Dixon. How about bringing over Clingan to go with Karaban! 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Here's another crazy Scoop take by me. Make him a Karaban and grab a graduate transfer center, say a Dixon. Let's face it, Ben is three in a five body.

MU needs to be able to play physical teams (and rebound). I'd go here in the portal, not PG.

And in your scenario, which one of Gold or Joplin transfers?  Because I wouldn't expect both to stay if Shaka added a starting caliber 4/5.

[Dr. Blackheart]

And in your scenario, which one of Gold or Joplin transfers?  Because I wouldn't expect both to stay if Shaka added a starting caliber 4/5.

Joplin would still be the 4 and Ben the 3.  Stevie and Kam as the guards (or Chase if Kam goes pro).  Dixon the 5 in a similar role as he plays at Nova (5 out offense).

[WolfganghisKhan]

And in your scenario, which one of Gold or Joplin transfers?  Because I wouldn't expect both to stay if Shaka added a starting caliber 4/5.

If they transfer cause of some competition cya.

[Uncle Rico]

If they transfer cause of some competition cya.

They're not transferring.  They'll be starters next year

[WolfganghisKhan]

They're not transferring.  They'll be starters next year

Id hope gold is starting. He has zero competition

[Uncle Rico]

Id hope gold is starting. He has zero competition

Yeah, that's not correct.  Based on how Shaka has built his roster, Al and Caedin will see increased roles next year.

[WolfganghisKhan]

Yeah, that's not correct.  Based on how Shaka has built his roster, Al and Caedin will see increased roles next year.

two project guys who've played zero meaningful college minutes aren't legit competition

[Uncle Rico]

two project guys who've played zero meaningful college minutes aren't legit competition

I can trust a poster on Scoop or the coaching staff

[MU82]

Guys like Oso, OMax, Shead, Brust and Kaminsky proved definitively that if you get just about no meaningful college minutes as a freshman, you will NEVER be any good.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Joplin would still be the 4 and Ben the 3.  Stevie and Kam as the guards (or Chase if Kam goes pro).  Dixon the 5 in a similar role as he plays at Nova (5 out offense).

Ben is much closer to a 5 than a 3.  A stretch big, if you will.

If they transfer cause of some competition cya.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I think Shaka values loyalty and development of his guys more than you do.

[Newsdreams]

I can trust a poster on Scoop or the coaching staff

Posters on Scoop rule

[PointWarrior]

I assume you added  Brust as a joke?

Guys like Oso, OMax, Shead, Brust and Kaminsky proved definitively that if you get just about no meaningful college minutes as a freshman, you will NEVER be any good.

[Uncle Rico]

I assume you added  Brust as a joke?

Ben Brust offensive rating as a sophomore was 107.2, as a senior it was 122.2 while playing 86% of available minutes.  Basically, he was one of the most efficient players in the nation as a senior while playing a load of minutes.

Not bad for a 3*

[cheebs09]

Ben Brust offensive rating as a sophomore was 107.2, as a senior it was 122.2 while playing 86% of available minutes.  Basically, he was one of the most efficient players in the nation as a senior while playing a load of minutes.

Not bad for a 3*

Never forget Bo fought to get him out of his LOI from Iowa, and then pulled the Uthoff nonsense a few years later.

[WolfganghisKhan]

Ben is much closer to a 5 than a 3.  A stretch big, if you will.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I think Shaka values loyalty and development of his guys more than you do.

Fair. Only time will tell how well it works. I hope he's right.

[MU82]

I assume you added  Brust as a joke?

You can laugh if you want, but he became a good college player and a valuable part of two Final Four teams.