Adam Kunkel decision

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Originally Posted by XU_Lou

I wondered that as well. Does anyone know if Wilcher or Jones are slated to play the 3 position? At 6'5", CJ would seem to possibly be a good fit at the 3.

Would like to see X pick-up a larger (6'7") small forward for 2021 - other than that, as it stands, we appear to be loaded at every other position for the next couple of years - on paper that is.

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That's why I'm hoping he can play the one a bit. I am guessing Steele thinks he can slide those guys over there. To me, height is the main issue. I am doubtful that a lot of our guys are as tall as they are listed.

It's certainly possible for them to play the three, but if you run into an elite player at that position who's more the ideal 6'6"-6'7" then we are really going to be praying that the defense holds up. Some people could play their man tight and still be shot over. Maybe we can call up Patrick Beverly to run a clinic on defending guys way taller than you. LOL

I think the 2021 recruiting class needs power forwards and a small forward. Odom is the pg for next at least 3 years, Kunkel is the sg. Wilcher or Jones(likely Jones) is the sf, Freemantle is the 4/5 with Carter at 4. Biggest unknown is Dieonte Miles. If he can play 10-15 minutes down low and not get embarrassed, it will be good. That is a BIG IF. Who knows what the d2 transfer Griffen can do outside of rebound. I will take is 6-7 rebounds per game.

Quick "Stat Line Scouting" on him tells me what to expect.

Played 30 minutes a games and averaged just under 3 rebs and 3 assists. I think we can assume that he's not going to contribute much more than scoring. takes 13 shots per game , and half his shot attempts were from 3. So he's taking 2 pt shots as well. But, he averages barely over 3 FTA per game, so I think it's safe to say that he's not attacking the rack. His team went 26-7, so you gotta assume that at least some of his FTA came down the stretch in close games where his team made a point to get him the ball so he would be fouled.


he seems like a bit of a specialist. Not Brad Redford or Welage, but definitely a catch and shoot floor spacer.

Bear Perspective: Small frame and average athleticism doesn't make the jump and he can be negated by an average BE perimeter defender. Probably still contributes, but in a role as opposed to a key to the team.

Bull Perspective: ice-in-his veins shooter that commands attention and he fills out to BE level and can contribute beyond his shooting.

I like it in general. If this guys barely plays, we could have a VERY good shooting team.

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Originally Posted by MHettel

But, he averages barely over 3 FTA per game, so I think it's safe to say that he's not attacking the rack.

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Paul Scruggs only averaged 1.9 FTA per game. Only Marshall and Jones averaged over 3 FTA per game last year for Xavier. Kunkel shot 82% from the FT line as well. I don't care how he gets to the line; he has shown the ability to get to the line, and make them when he gets there.

At 6’3” and 165lbs, I wouldn’t suspect that he is fighting under the boards for rebounds, but instead is using his quickness (he is said to be very quick) to pickup loose rebounds off the floor. Snow says that he has shown some ability to drive, in addition to being a very good outside shooter from beyond the (last year extended) 3 point line. I like the fact that HE wants to redshirt so that he will have time to grow stronger and to learn the system better. That indicates to me that he is coming in with the attitude that he knows he has to get better and is willing to put in the work to make himself better. That’s kind of a refreshing attitude that hopefully influences others to take a similar approach to their basketball game.

We always have drivers,and guys that can't hit the side of a barn from 3. We are in need of shooters, and there's no such thing as too many shooters. On the highlights many of his shots were a ft or 2 beyond the arc, so he can fill it up. A year in the weight room and he'll be ready. I like the pick ip.

Congrats gang, that is a great pickup for you guys.

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Originally Posted by X Factor

Paul Scruggs only averaged 1.9 FTA per game. Only Marshall and Jones averaged over 3 FTA per game last year for Xavier. Kunkel shot 82% from the FT line as well. I don't care how he gets to the line; he has shown the ability to get to the line, and make them when he gets there.

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For his career, Kunkel has taken 121 FTA in 1214 minutes played. So .1 FTA per minute.

The following XU Players (going back to about 1990) have gone to the line at a 50% higher rate than Kunkel (i.e at least .15 FTA per minute):

12 total, in Order: Thornton, West, Sumner, Christon, Holloway, Grant, CJ, Tyrique, Kanter, McLean, Cole, and Love.

So a lot of inside players and attack the basket PGs. No doubt that those guys could get to the line.

I have data on 59 players. Adding Kunkel would create a population of 60, in which he would rank 36th, so in the lower half. Guys with a similar rate (within 10%)of getting to the line were: Aaron Williams, Chalmers, Myles, Hankins, Myles Davis, Lavender, Doellman, Martin, Burrell

By the way, Paul Scruggs ranks 44th out of 59 players in getting to the line. Bad comparison for Kunkel. This is something we NEED to see change next year. Goodin ranked #42, and Tandy was #56. So a large part of last years struggles was rooted in our main ballhandlers not being able to get to the line regularly.

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Originally Posted by JTG

We always have drivers,and guys that can't hit the side of a barn from 3. We are in need of shooters, and there's no such thing as too many shooters. On the highlights many of his shots were a ft or 2 beyond the arc, so he can fill it up. A year in the weight room and he'll be ready. I like the pick ip.

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Looks like he comes in with a gunslinger rep. He should decide on Jersey #47.....coupled with his initials would make for a great handle.

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Originally Posted by MHettel

For his career, Kunkel has taken 121 FTA in 1214 minutes played. So .1 FTA per minute.

The following XU Players (going back to about 1990) have gone to the line at a 50% higher rate than Kunkel (i.e at least .15 FTA per minute):

12 total, in Order: Thornton, West, Sumner, Christon, Holloway, Grant, CJ, Tyrique, Kanter, McLean, Cole, and Love.

So a lot of inside players and attack the basket PGs. No doubt that those guys could get to the line.

I have data on 59 players. Adding Kunkel would create a population of 60, in which he would rank 36th, so in the lower half. Guys with a similar rate (within 10%)of getting to the line were: Aaron Williams, Chalmers, Myles, Hankins, Myles Davis, Lavender, Doellman, Martin, Burrell

By the way, Paul Scruggs ranks 44th out of 59 players in getting to the line. Bad comparison for Kunkel. This is something we NEED to see change next year. Goodin ranked #42, and Tandy was #56. So a large part of last years struggles was rooted in our main ballhandlers not being able to get to the line regularly.

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Man, you hit the nail on the head here. I railed on this exact conundrum extensively in another thread last season and found an unexpected amount of pushback as to it's importance. Scruggs is a real head scratcher in this area. He is so physically gifted, but simply does not use it to his advantage....he seems to naturally want to AVOID contact. To me, correcting this is essential and must be emphasized by Coach and staff.

BTW, I'm thinking BLark tops anyone you listed in getting to the line. Best play to contact guy to ever suit up for X.