bb recruiting

[jay santos]

I think Austin and Harward can both be contributors in time. Harward less likely than Austin. However, if one of these role players (i.e. Austin, Sharp, Winder, Delgado) could develop into a player capable of scoring double digits if ignored, similar to Hartsock as a sophmore, it would be huge for BYU next year. We shall see. It just feels like BYU has a glut of kids that don't cause heartburn when they get on the court but they also never score much and the team isn't real great. My guess is BYU will have two really good perimeter star capable players next year in Carlino and Haws. I really like Collinsworth as an athletic defender and somebody who can get points in the paint through driving and offensive rebounds. I am hopeful Mika can score being athletic enough to run the court and some offensive game, even if his post up game is lacking. After that BYU needs one more kid to demonstrate some ability to score. Austin strikes me as the most likely/capable but still concerned he can get there. I do think all of the players I forsee contributing next year have some good things they all individually bring, but one of them needs to bring the ability to get into double digit points in 50% of the games.

My gut feel is that Mika is going to struggle at the next level more than people think. He's a monster 5 at the D1 level if he's 6'10-6'11. But I think he's closer to 6'7-6'8. I don't think he'll be a bust, but I don't think he'll be immediately the second or third best player on a tourney team.

[Pelado]

I think Austin and Harward can both be contributors in time. Harward less likely than Austin. However, if one of these role players (i.e. Austin, Sharp, Winder, Delgado) could develop into a player capable of scoring double digits if ignored, similar to Hartsock as a sophmore, it would be huge for BYU next year. We shall see. It just feels like BYU has a glut of kids that don't cause heartburn when they get on the court but they also never score much and the team isn't real great. My guess is BYU will have two really good perimeter star capable players next year in Carlino and Haws. I really like Collinsworth as an athletic defender and somebody who can get points in the paint through driving and offensive rebounds. I am hopeful Mika can score being athletic enough to run the court and some offensive game, even if his post up game is lacking. After that BYU needs one more kid to demonstrate some ability to score. Austin strikes me as the most likely/capable but still concerned he can get there. I do think all of the players I forsee contributing next year have some good things they all individually bring, but one of them needs to bring the ability to get into double digit points in 50% of the games.

Sharp has his moments.

[jay santos]

PS, if you're looking for someone to be that third scorer, I can't believe I'm even saying this, but it might be Sharp. I HATED Sharp last year. When I first saw him last year, I believed if he did Mikans unguarded at practice for an hour, he'd make 20%. I think that's above 50% now. Seriously, he should be doing Mikans for an hour every day. If he could make simple shots off the back board more consistently, it would be a huge help.

But I'm finally in his corner now. The progress he's made in a year is unbelievable. I could see him putting some more polish on his offensive game, and being that third 10-12 ppg guy.

[frank ryan]

I would be surprised if that happened next year. The only one who I think is a good candidate is Ambrosino. I don't think Rose pulls scholarships often. If he does I think it will usually be an LDS kid that has been there for a couple of years like perhaps Anderson, who I don't think Rose pulled it from, or Martineau. Perhaps like Harward in another year or two. But I don't see many scenarios where Ambrosino is going to play much next year and with him not being LDS, perhaps he will transfer to play at a lower level division or program with hopes he might see the court more. But given that he will be out of the program in another year my guess is he stays and graduates and rides the pine. I expect nobody else to leave either.

Ambrosino won't get the boot in part because he came from SLCC. Rose is smart enough to have a working relationship with that juco. Ambrosino is better than Magnusson.

[Blueintheface]

I think Austin and Harward can both be contributors in time. Harward less likely than Austin. However, if one of these role players (i.e. Austin, Sharp, Winder, Delgado) could develop into a player capable of scoring double digits if ignored, similar to Hartsock as a sophmore, it would be huge for BYU next year. We shall see. It just feels like BYU has a glut of kids that don't cause heartburn when they get on the court but they also never score much and the team isn't real great. My guess is BYU will have two really good perimeter star capable players next year in Carlino and Haws. I really like Collinsworth as an athletic defender and somebody who can get points in the paint through driving and offensive rebounds. I am hopeful Mika can score being athletic enough to run the court and some offensive game, even if his post up game is lacking. After that BYU needs one more kid to demonstrate some ability to score. Austin strikes me as the most likely/capable but still concerned he can get there. I do think all of the players I forsee contributing next year have some good things they all individually bring, but one of them needs to bring the ability to get into double digit points in 50% of the games.

It's frustrating to watch Austin play because I think for a 6'10'' guy he's very athletic, but he struggles both with body control and rebounding. He forgets how long he is and plays like the guy least likely to reach a 50/50 ball. It drives me nuts. Defensively he thinks flopping is the best move when he's more than capable of shot blocking and straight-up defending. I think he'll improve but fear he may never reach his potential at BYU. He's certainly a future contributor but needs to get his butt inside and work on his footwork.

He really kept the game close the other night with his perimeter shooting but boy would I love to see him eat the glass and score inside more. He's shot 20% from 3 and hasn't made one in a game since Dec 18th.

Damn you, late growth spurt!!!

[Blueintheface]

PS, if you're looking for someone to be that third scorer, I can't believe I'm even saying this, but it might be Sharp. I HATED Sharp last year. When I first saw him last year, I believed if he did Mikans unguarded at practice for an hour, he'd make 20%. I think that's above 50% now. Seriously, he should be doing Mikans for an hour every day. If he could make simple shots off the back board more consistently, it would be a huge help.

But I'm finally in his corner now. The progress he's made in a year is unbelievable. I could see him putting some more polish on his offensive game, and being that third 10-12 ppg guy.

He can get 10-12 on follow-ups alone next year I think but he desperately needs to improve his strength in order to do so. He has been invisible lately and it has everything to do with the size of the opponent and his lack of strength. That said, I am very high on his contribution potential but never as a true scorer. He's the lunch-pail garbage man and every team needs a guy like him.

[Goatnapper'96]

PS, if you're looking for someone to be that third scorer, I can't believe I'm even saying this, but it might be Sharp. I HATED Sharp last year. When I first saw him last year, I believed if he did Mikans unguarded at practice for an hour, he'd make 20%. I think that's above 50% now. Seriously, he should be doing Mikans for an hour every day. If he could make simple shots off the back board more consistently, it would be a huge help.

But I'm finally in his corner now. The progress he's made in a year is unbelievable. I could see him putting some more polish on his offensive game, and being that third 10-12 ppg guy.

He has also hit some 3's the past few games. Then he never seems to get another shot.

[Blueintheface]

I will say this: the new mission age pisses me off. End of rant.

[jay santos]

I will say this: the new mission age pisses me off. End of rant.

It shouldn't have any real effect, because it doesn't matter if they leave for two years before or after their frosh year. In many ways it's better because they have four uninterrupted. But what it will eliminate is the guy who is about 50-50 he'll serve, he comes, plays his frosh year, gets a lot of time, sees he can make immediate impact, and decides not to go. Those won't happen as much.

[Clark Addison]

I will say this: the new mission age pisses me off. End of rant.

I am generally happy about it because we will get a lot more players that play 4 straight. I am sure there are downsides as well. What am I missing?

[Blueintheface]

It shouldn't have any real effect, because it doesn't matter if they leave for two years before or after their frosh year. In many ways it's better because they have four uninterrupted. But what it will eliminate is the guy who is about 50-50 he'll serve, he comes, plays his frosh year, gets a lot of time, sees he can make immediate impact, and decides not to go. Those won't happen as much.

This. I also think playing a year pre-mission is invaluable. Impossible to quantify really but we'll see how some of these 20 year-old true freshmen do early on.

In the immediate future it just pisses me off because of some of the potential player combinations we could have next year.

[Blueintheface]

I am generally happy about it because we will get a lot more players that play 4 straight. I am sure there are downsides as well. What am I missing?

In 'Napper terms I'd compare the mission to athletic saltpeter. If they leave having played a year the hunger remains whereas who knows what they'll be like having never played a minute of D-1 ball.

[Jacob]

My gut feel is that Mika is going to struggle at the next level more than people think. He's a monster 5 at the D1 level if he's 6'10-6'11. But I think he's closer to 6'7-6'8. I don't think he'll be a bust, but I don't think he'll be immediately the second or third best player on a tourney team.

I don't know much about the kid, but we've seen enough 6-8 and shorter kids have a huge impact in the post at BYU's level. Mekeli and Tai Wesley come to mind. And Mika sure seems to have a better above the rim game than Davies, based solely on highlights I've seen. I'm not worried about Mika being to small to play in the post at BYU. Not at all.

[smokymountainrain]

I don't know much about the kid, but we've seen enough 6-8 and shorter kids have a huge impact in the post at BYU's level. Mekeli and Tai Wesley come to mind. And Mika sure seems to have a better above the rim game than Davies, based solely on highlights I've seen. I'm not worried about Mika being to small to play in the post at BYU. Not at all.

I tend to agree. Why would Mika struggle any more than Davies? They are the same size and Mika is better than Davies was.

[KillerDog]

I tend to agree. Why would Mika struggle any more than Davies? They are the same size and Mika is better than Davies was.

Mika plays above the rim more than Davies does so I agree with you.