2023 Returnees

[MHettel]

Not so sure.

While it may seem like a no-brainer that Colby is heading to the NBA, I’m not a 100% convinced. He made a comment about it being Nunge, Kunkel and BoumÂ’s last time playing at Cintas. He said it as if he would be back- my immediate thought was - hmm… maybe he has a solid NIL in place for next season and he is going to stick around for another year.

I feel like Edwards has turned a corner and I’d a legit option at this level (even if it is not as a starter).

I have a gut feeling Zack Freemantle is coming back. He has shown he is capable of being a special player- deserving of more recognition - and a full season of him playing at the level he was starting to reach before his injure would do wonders for him. X would benefit by him returning and I think he would benefit by returning to X next season.

I have no idea what the real story is with Tandy and Craft. There appears to be some real potential in both, but it’s just not clear if they are the type of players who have the will and tenacity to fight through injuries and rough patches and eventually elevate their game enough to earn a bigger role on the roster. maybe there is still hope.

I wish we were seeing more from Miles and Tucker. I’d be completely happy with those two sticking around if Miller feels there are enough scholarships to go around.

I would love to see and could see a situation where everyone who is eligible to stay does (especially those who are part of that top 7/8 rotation)

Colby
Jack
Zach
Jerome
Claude
Edwards
+
Craft
Tandy
Miles or
Tucker
+
4 Freshman
+
A prove Big from the portal (if Nunge and/ or Free does not return)

Yeah….no.

Colby is gonna cash in for millions instead of risking injuries for 6 figures.

I give Nunge 20% chance of returning. Free is 50%. Hunter is 60%. All three….5%.

I expect 3 completely new faces in key positions next year

[Xville]

Colby—-2 million vs maybe 200k. Tough choice

Jack—- maybe a 5% chance. He’s married and 40. Probably time to leave the nest.

I expect 3 or 4 new players on top of the freshmen coming in.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Yeah….no.

Colby is gonna cash in for millions instead of risking injuries for 6 figures.

I give Nunge 20% chance of returning. Free is 50%. Hunter is 60%. All three….5%.

I expect 3 completely new faces in key positions next year

Yup. But I don't think Free is even as high as 50%. Seems like he's gone otherwise would be playing. As for MOR, appreciate his insights and in his defense, his calls have been accurate. Free's situation feels like a last-minute change. X told Rothstein he's cleared and there was no buzz around Free not playing. Then, suddenly, he's not. Tough to know what's in a young person's mind.

[Masterofreality]

I have no insight here, surprising(?) :-)
But if Colby gets all the feedback going through the NBA evaluations that he’s a first round pick, as much as he loves Xavier- and he does- he’s gone, and should be with our thanks.
I’m standing by what I posted about Jack Nunge.
There is a fly in Free’s ointment that makes any prediction moot. That’s all I can say.
I’m personally confident that Jerome, Claude, Cesare & KyKy will return.
I also personally think that Elijah & Dionte would be Basketball wise better transferring, unless they just love riding the bench at X.
And Cam? I just can’t get away from the Reid “ recruits over him” scenario. Maybe he stays and competes? Maybe he sees handwriting?
I really don’t know. I could imagine a scenario where 1-2-3 guys transfer to Oxford but that is spec only.

[XUBison]

Correct. Certainly strikes me as someone who says a lot on this board like he’s a big shot but yet is consistently wrong. Wrong about steele staying, wrong about miller, plays golf supposedly but had no idea what the metric around the green was, then when called out on it that he was wrong says well it’s not important though it was important enough to argue with me about it… on and on and on. Let’s see.. oh yeah UConn’s players were revolting and many were threatening transferring.

Another one was a prominent women’s assistant acc coach was going to be next in line at x… seems to have backed off that spouting of the mouth too.

Hey, he got to ride the (short) bus once to a game in Indy. Very important.

[Masterofreality]

Hey, he got to ride the (short) bus once to a game in Indy. Very important.

Incorrect. Twice to Indy. :-)

[XUGRAD80]

On the other hand…if Colby goes through all of the NBA evaluations and team workouts, and is told by NBA PEOPLE that he is NOT a 1st rounder, or is at BEST a late 1st rounder, what then?

They’re been countless college players that have listened to the “experts” who were NOT actual NBA scouts, coaches, or front office personal tell them that they should be 1st rounders, and have stayed in the draft only to not hear their name called. Unless the actual NBA people tell him that he will be a for sure 1st rounder, he shouldn’t close the door to returning.

I’ve seen his name in projections as a 1st rounder, but generally as a late 1st rounder. That can often become a 2nd rounder, and only the 1st round is a guaranteed contract, right?

[Xville]

On the other hand…if Colby goes through all of the NBA evaluations and team workouts, and is told by NBA PEOPLE that he is NOT a 1st rounder, or is at BEST a late 1st rounder, what then?

They’re been countless college players that have listened to the “experts” who were NOT actual NBA scouts, coaches, or front office personal tell them that they should be 1st rounders, and have stayed in the draft only to not hear their name called. Unless the actual NBA people tell him that he will be a for sure 1st rounder, he shouldn’t close the door to returning.

I’ve seen his name in projections as a 1st rounder, but generally as a late 1st rounder. That can often become a 2nd rounder, and only the 1st round is a guaranteed contract, right?

Correct that only 1st rounders are guaranteed to have guaranteed contracts but I saw a study from 2019 that the majority of 2nd rounders are as well. 91 of 132 over a six year span. Some are two years, some one. I guess my question back would be what benefit would it be for Colby to stay? He was told to work on his shot, he did.. to the tune of a 40% 3 pt shooter. I don’t think he has anything else to prove. He’s either good enough to play at the next level or he’s not at this point, might as well figure it out and not “waste” another year.

[xavierj]

I have no insight here, surprising(?) :-)
But if Colby gets all the feedback going through the NBA evaluations that he’s a first round pick, as much as he loves Xavier- and he does- he’s gone, and should be with our thanks.
I’m standing by what I posted about Jack Nunge.
There is a fly in Free’s ointment that makes any prediction moot. That’s all I can say.
I’m personally confident that Jerome, Claude, Cesare & KyKy will return.
I also personally think that Elijah & Dionte would be Basketball wise better transferring, unless they just love riding the bench at X.
And Cam? I just can’t get away from the Reid “ recruits over him” scenario. Maybe he stays and competes? Maybe he sees handwriting?
I really don’t know. I could imagine a scenario where 1-2-3 guys transfer to Oxford but that is spec only.

Curious, other than both being white, why does Reid impact Craft? They really are different players. Reid will be a 2 and Craft a 3. Sean has high hopes for Craft and he will be a good one down the road. You can’t teach 6’6” and knock down shooter. His issue was just not getting the defense this year. That will come.

[Masterofreality]

Curious, other than both being white, why does Reid impact Craft? They really are different players. Reid will be a 2 and Craft a 3. Sean has high hopes for Craft and he will be a good one down the road. You can’t teach 6’6” and knock down shooter. His issue was just not getting the defense this year. That will come.

I really don’t think they ARE different players. BOTH of them are 6:6 and how do you say Craft is a 3 but Reid a 2? Seem like the same player to me. I haven’t seen Craft stick his nose on for rebounds or try to guard legit small forward. But somebody who follows this stuff closer should weigh in. They are both the same guy, aren’t they, or am I wrong?
I’m willing to listen. Tell us the difference.