2025 Target List

[Stoked]

Roast me for this but Abdi Bashir gives me Rip Hamilton at UConn vibes. Tall, lanky, and can shoot!

 

[cncchris33]

He may mess around and get drafted, worth watching.

Maybe. Similar to Lofton, he isn't overly athletic and he is statistically the worst defender on Monmouth's team. And despite being 6-7, he doesn't affect the game as a rebounder, either. My guess is he's going to take the guanrateed Auburn money vs. risk going undrafted. Right now, it just seems like he has too many holes.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Went through who the coaches follow and I found 4-5 guys that describe the transfers that TB was talking about. I definitely could’ve skipped over some guys.

Jordan Pope - Texas
11.5ppg / 1.5rpg / 1.7apg


Budd Clark - Merrimack
19.2ppg / 4.2rpg / 6.0apg
(@CNeagleVolFan i think I’m gonna hop on the Budd train with you)


John Mobley Jr - OSU
13ppg / 1.8rpg / 2.4apg


Abdi Bashir Jr - Monmouth
21.6ppg / 2.5rpg / 2.5apg


Zion Stanford - Temple
11.7ppg / 4.0rpg / 2.0apg

Jordan Pope, G - is 6'2" and will have 1 year left very efficient scorer 44% FG for his career and 37.3% from deep also shoots 86% FT. He's starting at Texas but his minutes are down from what he saw at Oregon State...and honestly not sure why. Seems Texas likes to play more forwards and with Tre Johnson, Mark, Pope, Larry and Weaver to split the guard duties he's likely wanting more court time to finish his career.

Adam "Budd" Clark, G - he's 5'10" with 2 years left looks like he'd be a PG option. Only worry here is his size cause at 5'10" he's just 150-160 lbs his 3 pt shooting is also bad. He also has 2.4 steals per game so dude is a worker

John Mobley Jr, G - 6'1" and just a freshman top 50 national player outta HS shoots 40% from deep and 90% from the FT line.

Abdi Bashir Jr, SG - is 6'7" with 2 years left I like his length and he shoots 39.7% from deep. Worry here is he takes a lot of shots (18.2 a game) and has a lot of turnovers 2.8 per game. Also doesn't appear to add much else...just 2.5 rpg and 2.2 apg.

Zion Stanford, G - he's 6'6" and also has 2 years left a lot to like here, shoots 48.3% FG, 34.1% from deep rebounds, and also passes the ball very good size and efficient scorer


Haven't watched many of them play. Seems like they're looking at adding a PG and then a longer wing guy. I'd take Clark and/or Mobley at the PG and then I'd probably prefer Zion over Bashir but think either could be good additions.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Found two other players on the coaches IG that sorta match TBs description…kinda.

Silas Demary
11 ppg / 3 apg / 4 rpg / 1.8 spg

Zaon Collins
13 ppg / 4.4 apg / 3.9 rpg / 2.0 spg

I’d probably take Collins off, because I think Clark is one of the kids we’re targeting and I don’t think we would take 2 portal PGs. Just seems like it by how BTO talks about him, usually doesn’t usually engage in conversation unless there’s something there.

 

[oldaaucoach]

Jordan Pope, G - is 6'2" and will have 1 year left very efficient scorer 44% FG for his career and 37.3% from deep also shoots 86% FT. He's starting at Texas but his minutes are down from what he saw at Oregon State...and honestly not sure why. Seems Texas likes to play more forwards and with Tre Johnson, Mark, Pope, Larry and Weaver to split the guard duties he's likely wanting more court time to finish his career.

Adam "Budd" Clark, G - he's 5'10" with 2 years left looks like he'd be a PG option. Only worry here is his size cause at 5'10" he's just 150-160 lbs his 3 pt shooting is also bad. He also has 2.4 steals per game so dude is a worker

John Mobley Jr, G - 6'1" and just a freshman top 50 national player outta HS shoots 40% from deep and 90% from the FT line.

Abdi Bashir Jr, SG - is 6'7" with 2 years left I like his length and he shoots 39.7% from deep. Worry here is he takes a lot of shots (18.2 a game) and has a lot of turnovers 2.8 per game. Also doesn't appear to add much else...just 2.5 rpg and 2.2 apg.

Zion Stanford, G - he's 6'6" and also has 2 years left a lot to like here, shoots 48.3% FG, 34.1% from deep rebounds, and also passes the ball very good size and efficient scorer


Haven't watched many of them play. Seems like they're looking at adding a PG and then a longer wing guy. I'd take Clark and/or Mobley at the PG and then I'd probably prefer Zion over Bashir but think either could be good additions.

definitely Mobley.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Jordan Pope, G - is 6'2" and will have 1 year left very efficient scorer 44% FG for his career and 37.3% from deep also shoots 86% FT. He's starting at Texas but his minutes are down from what he saw at Oregon State...and honestly not sure why. Seems Texas likes to play more forwards and with Tre Johnson, Mark, Pope, Larry and Weaver to split the guard duties he's likely wanting more court time to finish his career.

Adam "Budd" Clark, G - he's 5'10" with 2 years left looks like he'd be a PG option. Only worry here is his size cause at 5'10" he's just 150-160 lbs his 3 pt shooting is also bad. He also has 2.4 steals per game so dude is a worker

John Mobley Jr, G - 6'1" and just a freshman top 50 national player outta HS shoots 40% from deep and 90% from the FT line.

Abdi Bashir Jr, SG - is 6'7" with 2 years left I like his length and he shoots 39.7% from deep. Worry here is he takes a lot of shots (18.2 a game) and has a lot of turnovers 2.8 per game. Also doesn't appear to add much else...just 2.5 rpg and 2.2 apg.

Zion Stanford, G - he's 6'6" and also has 2 years left a lot to like here, shoots 48.3% FG, 34.1% from deep rebounds, and also passes the ball very good size and efficient scorer


Haven't watched many of them play. Seems like they're looking at adding a PG and then a longer wing guy. I'd take Clark and/or Mobley at the PG and then I'd probably prefer Zion over Bashir but think either could be good additions.

I’d love Clark and Stanford.

In a perfect world we get Clark, Ament and the seniors come back though.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Damn, Zaon pads the stats though he also shoots 45% FG and 38% 3PT

Silas would fall into the longer wing category though...he had a really good game against us too.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Damn, Zaon pads the stats though he also shoots 45% FG and 38% 3PT

Silas would fall into the longer wing category though...he had a really good game against us too.

Don’t get too enamored by these names.

Chances are it’s none of them. Just naming off guys they follow.

Clark would be the only one, If I had to guess.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Don’t get too enamored by these names.

Chances are it’s none of them. Just naming off guys they follow.

Clark would be the only one, If I had to guess.

Yeah I'd say Clark is on the list and it's mutual. Rest of 'em who knows.

 

[cncchris33]

I don't see that. Mashack loves competing too much to not use another year if given the opportunity. He knows it will be his last opportunity to play the game at a high level/professionally. I think he jumps at the chance to come back. I don't have much of a read on Igor. He could certainly choose to start an overseas career. But it really just depends on what he values. Does he have NBA aspirations?

Seems like Mashack at least gave mild consideration to seeking other options last offseason. If his playing time takes a hit over the stretch run, it wouldn't shock me to see him explore other options for his last year. Maybe something closer to home in California like San Diego St., where he'd play a significant role on an NCAAT level team with a similar defensive-minded profile like Tennessee's.

 

[cncchris33]

Found two other players on the coaches IG that sorta match TBs description…kinda.

Silas Demary
11 ppg / 3 apg / 4 rpg / 1.8 spg

Zaon Collins
13 ppg / 4.4 apg / 3.9 rpg / 2.0 spg

I’d probably take Collins off, because I think Clark is one of the kids we’re targeting and I don’t think we would take 2 portal PGs. Just seems like it by how BTO talks about him, usually doesn’t usually engage in conversation unless there’s something there.

Demary really liked Tennessee during his recruitment but seemed to be at odds with Freddie Dillione going back to their HS days in NC. I seem to recall it being stated they wouldn't be attending the same school. Perhaps I am misremembering that, though.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Demary really liked Tennessee during his recruitment but seemed to be at odds with Freddie Dillione going back to their HS days in NC. I seem to recall it being stated they wouldn't be attending the same school. Perhaps I am misremembering that, though.

You are correct, we were the favorites to land Demary and then Dillione announced earlier than anyone really expected

 

[walkenvol]

Not sure that it requires falling for it when every metric suggests he’s struggling big time to help us

So our HOF coach plays guys big minutes who he doesn’t believe helps us win? I believe CRB’s judgement over any metric you can post. JMO

 

[walkenvol]

The top lineup combination according to analytics is ZZ, Gainey, Lanier, Milicic, and Okpara. You might lose a hair of defense, but you gain so much offensively. Gainey executes the curl so well, and because he's so lethal at the mid-range other things open up. Love Mashack, but our offense gets stuck with him out there. Obviously, he should still get decent minutes along with Cade. But we need to maximize time with those 5 on the floor together.

Mashack scored 7 of our 28 first half points?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

So our HOF coach plays guys big minutes who he doesn’t believe helps us win? I believe CRB’s judgement over any metric you can post. JMO

I don’t think that’s what he believes, that might be the issue. Rick was also very late adjusting to the analytics of basketball suggesting rim and 3 was much more efficient than his style, but apparently that was warranted also in your opinion.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Mashack scored 7 of our 28 first half points?

And zero of our second half 57

 

[walkenvol]

And zero of our second half 57

Only played 4 minutes due to fouling the 3 point shot once again for which Barnes chewed him hard and showed him the bench.

 

[walkenvol]

S

I don’t think that’s what he believes, that might be the issue. Rick was also very late adjusting to the analytics of basketball suggesting rim and 3 was much more efficient than his style, but apparently that was warranted also in your opinion.

Am I understanding you correctly that you don’t think Barnes knows who best to play?

 

[volunteerfan94]

I’d love Clark and Stanford.

In a perfect world we get Clark, Ament and the seniors come back though.

Might have already been mentioned, but Clark and Stanford played HS ball together at West Catholic(PA). They played in the Arby's Classic a few years ago, lost to MRA outta Miss who had Josh Hubbard on it. Solid teams.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Might have already been mentioned, but Clark and Stanford played HS ball together at West Catholic(PA). They played in the Arby's Classic a few years ago, lost to MRA outta Miss who had Josh Hubbard on it. Solid teams.

That’s interesting!

Could make their transition easier already having a connection.

 

[cncchris33]

S

Am I understanding you correctly that you don’t think Barnes knows who best to play?

I don't think its necessarily out of bounds to believe that Barnes isn't infallible. He was slow to adjust his offense, as BTO mentioned. We also know he's in love with defense and program guys, and probably has been slow to lessen Mashack's minutes because of that and his respect for him as a 4th year player who has put in his time.

Barnes has given Mashack a lot of leeway that he hasn't always extended to other players. He benched Igor on more than one occasion for passing up open looks, but hasn't done that with Mashack, at all, and we can all agree he's passed up a whole lot more open looks than Igor, or anyone else.

I think it's fair to speculate that Barnes has been, dare I say, stubborn with Mashack when the stats suggest our best lineup doesn't include him. That isn't a knock on him and there is still a place for him, but it just might not be a place that occupies 30 mpg hoping he finds an aggressive offensive streak two-thirds of the way thru his senior year.

 

[walkenvol]

I don't think its necessarily out of bounds to believe that Barnes isn't infallible. He was slow to adjust his offense, as BTO mentioned. We also know he's in love with defense and program guys, and probably has been slow to lessen Mashack's minutes because of that and his respect for him as a 4th year player who has put in his time.

Barnes has given Mashack a lot of leeway that he hasn't always extended to other players. He benched Igor on more than one occasion for passing up open looks, but hasn't done that with Mashack, at all, and we can all agree he's passed up a whole lot more open looks than Igor, or anyone else.

I think it's fair to speculate that Barnes has been, dare I say, stubborn with Mashack when the stats suggest our best lineup doesn't include him. That isn't a knock on him and there is still a place for him, but it just might not be a place that occupies 30 mpg hoping he finds an aggressive offensive streak two-thirds of the way thru his senior year.

You’re an informed and reasoned poster here and I tend to agree with most of your points, same with BTO. I think we can all agree Barnes is a HOF coach. He and his staff spend countless hours with the team year round. Barnes knows more about this team than anybody, especially fans like us. I trust him to play the guys who give him the best chance to win games. As staunch of a Barnes supporter as BTO has been, I found it surprising for him to infer Barnes wasn’t choosing the best lineup and if I understood your post, you agree with BTO. It’s a fan discussion forum so it’s all good, but to me this topic is akin to calling for the backup QB when the offense isn’t working perfectly. JMO, TIFWIW

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Only played 4 minutes due to fouling the 3 point shot once again for which Barnes chewed him hard and showed him the bench.

And as Barnes said in his own words postgame it was also due to how well that unit then played and how much better spacing was with Gainey on the court rather than Mashack

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Am I understanding you correctly that you don’t think Barnes knows who best to play?

I think Barnes is loyal and comfortable with Mashack and also loves what he brings defensively, and so his instinct has been to ride with him most of the year. I also think that over the last couple weeks it has become more and more clear to Barnes that he may need to look at options other than Mashack as our offense has struggled. Right now Mashack averages 28mpg and Gainey 27mpg, my hunch is you’re going to see Gainey’s minutes go up and Mashack’s go down, you can take the opposite side of that bet if you’d like.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

You’re an informed and reasoned poster here and I tend to agree with most of your points, same with BTO. I think we can all agree Barnes is a HOF coach. He and his staff spend countless hours with the team year round. Barnes knows more about this team than anybody, especially fans like us. I trust him to play the guys who give him the best chance to win games. As staunch of a Barnes supporter as BTO has been, I found it surprising for him to infer Barnes wasn’t choosing the best lineup and if I understood your post, you agree with BTO. It’s a fan discussion forum so it’s all good, but to me this topic is akin to calling for the backup QB when the offense isn’t working perfectly. JMO, TIFWIW

On the QB topic Heupel chose to ride with a guy in Joe Milton while someone named Henson Hooker backed him up, as you said he was with those guys all year and watching them workout and practice and rode with Milton, it was only an injury that saved that decision. Sometimes you have to see it happen as a coach, maybe that’s what the 2nd half against Missouri with Gainey did.