T.J. Otzelberger goes in-depth on what the five transfer portal additions are bringing to Ames.
Leon Bond: "Coming from Northern Iowa, an extremely athletic guard that could play multiple positions. We see him as a guy that can make more plays than what he's been asked to do up to this point, somebody that can be an extremely disruptive defensive player, and generate a lot of turnovers, and then he's got a great personality, great leadership skills he brings to our team."
Jaquan Johnson: "You're never going to replace Tamin (Lipsey) one-for-one, (he's) a generational type of player. But with Jaquan, you're talking about the guy who was Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, one of the top steals guys in the country, a dynamic playmaker, and (he) can also knock down shots. And he's had two years of experience under his belt."
Ryan Prather Jr.: "He led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Another guy that has tremendous value in terms of making plays for his teammates. (He's) also a really good three point shooter and he's got great positional size and strength."
Tre Singleton: "(He) really looked at Joshua Jefferson and saw how he made plays, how we utilized him, and sees himself very much in the same light. He's a guy that really has guard skills in a four man's frame and body, so really high on his ability to be another playmaker. When you start as a freshman in the Big Ten, that's a tremendous experience to carry forward under your belt, so really high on him."
Taj Manning: "Someone we recruited out of high school (in the same class) as Tamin Lipsey. A guy that plays with tremendous spirit, heart, passion, energy, (he's a) tremendous rebounder. I think offensively (someone who) can expand his game, step out and knock down the three, and guard multiple positions."
Iโve watched a ton of first session games across Nike EYBL, Adidas 3SSB, and Under Armour UAA. Hereโs my honest takeaway:
Nike EYBL has the most talented and most skilled players, no debate. But thereโs also a lot of low IQ basketball at times. Felt like I was watching the Houston Rockets every game. A lot of talent, a lot of chaos.
Adidas 3SSB has the best pure basketball product. High IQ plays, strong structure, and real offense being run. It looks the most like college basketball.
Under Armour UAA feels like a mix of both, but those kids play the hardest. Thereโs a real earned-not-given edge to that circuit. Tough, hungry players that compete like theyโve been overlooked their whole lives.
Nike has pros. (They also have the best shoes)
Adidas has the best watch for a basketball junkie.
UAA has that chip-on-the-shoulder feel.
My early prediction for next year is Marqueas Bell will be All-OVC.
Over his last 10 games, per 32 minutes, averaged 15 PPG and 7.1 RPG on 48/38/78.
Elite at getting to the rim, 64.8% of his shots came at the rim(99th percentile) and finished in the 92nd percentile in FTA Rate.
I asked Coach what he's going to say to people who asked why you want a guy who avg 4 & 5 a game? He said I'm going to tell them I know what Taj can do cause I recruited him out of HS. This is the Taj he saw: 20 & 10 against a team with 3 lottery picks. https://t.co/yKj7piqsYm