Predictions on our final BB recruiting class

[REMND]

Heck of a start. ND Hoops recruits says the ideal class would be "MBB: Carmody, Hubb, Muhammad, Bey, & Hauser/Shittu would be my ideal class. If the class is only 4, I'd drop Muhammad."

Too optimistic of a class but it is possible. What are your predictions?

I want Muhammad next. I think Hauser and Shittu are headed elsewhere. Bey would be awesome and he has scheduled a visit for the Georgia game. I am just skeptical. I am hoping for Battin as a redshirt big. Then I want Horton-Tucker who can play the 3 or 4 I think. I am predicting Muhammad then Battin and Horton-Tucker even though they have not been offered yet. I like that class.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I really hope they can still pull Muhammed after landing Carmody, because ND's offense seems to run at its best when they play with a 3 guard lineup, as long as that guy is a a bigger guard who can contribute to rebounding, ala Harvey or Pflueger, and Connaughton before them. Maybe not a true wing, although Djogo could be just that as a 6'7 guy that can jump out of the gym.

To me this class can be excellent, but will never be "ideal" because ND is still lacking a true 6'10+ big on their board to fill that Auguste role. I'm counting Durham towards last year's class due to remaining eligibility, which means I would have expected loved to see them land an athletic big (even a Zach Auguste type) in back-to-back classes. The remaining bigs on their board are those 6'8 type power forwards that you'd like to see play the 4 spot. Right now I don't think ND leads for either of the top 2 guys they're going after in Hauser or Shittu and I doubt that changes. Bey would be a really good get on the wing and if not him, Tim Finke could be a nice addition, especially if we could get his brother to transfer in front Illinois .

Realistically, give me....

PG: Prentiss Hubb
SG: Luther Muhhamed / Dane Goodwin
G: Robby Carmody
G: Saddiq Bey / Tim Finke
F: Any top 150 guy 6'9 or taller who can protect the wing.

That would be a top 10 class and probably Brey's best ever.

 

[REMND]

I really hope they can still pull Muhammed after landing Carmody, because ND's offense seems to run at its best when they play with a 3 guard lineup, as long as that guy is a a bigger guard who can contribute to rebounding, ala Harvey or Pflueger, and Connaughton before them. Maybe not a true wing, although Djogo could be just that as a 6'7 guy that can jump out of the gym.

To me this class can be excellent, but will never be "ideal" because ND is still lacking a true 6'10+ big on their board to fill that Auguste role. I'm counting Durham towards last year's class due to remaining eligibility, which means I would have expected loved to see them land an athletic big (even a Zach Auguste type) in back-to-back classes. The remaining bigs on their board are those 6'8 type power forwards that you'd like to see play the 4 spot. Right now I don't think ND leads for either of the top 2 guys they're going after in Hauser or Shittu and I doubt that changes. Bey would be a really good get on the wing and if not him, Tim Finke could be a nice addition, especially if we could get his brother to transfer in front Illinois .

Realistically, give me....

PG: Prentiss Hubb
SG: Luther Muhhamed / Dane Goodwin
G: Robby Carmody
G: Saddiq Bey / Tim Finke
F: Any top 150 guy 6'9 or taller who can protect the wing.

That would be a top 10 class and probably Brey's best ever.

Battin is listed at 6'9 240 on a few sites. He is starting to emerge in my mind. I do believe that he would be Cooley like.

Bey is 6'7 and they believe he is still growing. If they got him, it would be a major coup.

I think Muhammad has the handle to play the 1 or 2 from the film I saw. He has the defense to guard the 1, 2 or 3. I think he has the offense for all three.

Horton Tucker was my favorite film. Baby Barkley. Having fun, hitting threes, good handle and court sense all in a 6'5 220 pound body. He has good elevation. Here is his film.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Battin is listed at 6'9 240 on a few sites. He is starting to emerge in my mind. I do believe that he would be Cooley like.

Bey is 6'7 and they believe he is still growing. If they got him, it would be a major coup.

I think Muhammad has the handle to play the 1 or 2 from the film I saw. He has the defense to guard the 1, 2 or 3. I think he has the offense for all three.

Horton Tucker was my favorite film. Baby Barkley. Having fun, hitting threes, good handle and court sense all in a 6'5 220 pound body. He has good elevation. Here is his film.

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I like Horton-Tucker quite a bit as well. I've been following him for a while. Reminds me so much of Deonte Burton, who just graduated from Iowa State. Same 6'5, 220lb frame coming out of high school. By time Burton graduated he was a 6'5, 245lb man child of an athlete. Check out his film you may see the comparison. Good shooter, good baller handler and a load off the wing.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Battin is listed at 6'9 240 on a few sites. He is starting to emerge in my mind. I do believe that he would be Cooley like.

Bey is 6'7 and they believe he is still growing. If they got him, it would be a major coup.

I think Muhammad has the handle to play the 1 or 2 from the film I saw. He has the defense to guard the 1, 2 or 3. I think he has the offense for all three.

Horton Tucker was my favorite film. Baby Barkley. Having fun, hitting threes, good handle and court sense all in a 6'5 220 pound body. He has good elevation. Here is his film.

View embedded media

Even if Bey is 6'7 or grows to be 6'7, his size and game are still ideal to play as the 3 guard on the wing, who can play the 4 spot (ala Beachem) when ND goes small. To me he plays the same spot as DJ Harvey and Nik Djogo. Like him as a prospect though and would be happy to have him as a redshirt who develops in the program.

If the future lineups are something like

2018

PG: TJ Gibbs (JR)
G: Rex Pflueger (SR)
G/F: DJ Harvey (SOPH)
F: John Mooney (JR)
F: Juwan Durham (JR)

PG: Prentiss Hubb (FR)
G: Robbie Carmody (FR)
G: Luther Muhhamed (FR)
G/F: Nik Djogo (JR)
G/F: Saddiq Bey (FR)
F: Elijah Burns (SR)

2019

PG: Prentiss Hubb (SOPH)
G: TJ Gibbs (SR)
G/F: DJ Harvey (JR)
F: John Mooney (SR)
F: Juwan Durham (SR)

G: Robbie Carmody (SOPH)
G: Luther Muhhamed (SOPH)
G/F: Nik Djogo (SR)
G/F: Saddiq Bey (SOPH)
F: Elijah Burns (5th)

Those could be some really good teams, especially because Brey will have enough scholarship space to add a key transfer in each of those years if he wanted to. Ideally, a grad transfer big man who can rebound.

 

[coolirish9]

I wonder if our irish take Muhhamed if he wants in since they just took Carmody. I know insiders recently put in the CBs to our irish for Muhhamed. both are really good players but I like Muhhamed a little more though

 

[IrishInOntario]

I wonder if our irish take Muhhamed if he wants in since they just took Carmody. I know insiders recently put in the CBs to our irish for Muhhamed. both are really good players but I like Muhammed a little more though

I think Brey would still love to have him as ND likes to space the floor with 3 guards and isn't always focused on playing with a true small forward at the 3 spot. Carmody size and style of play make him the Pat Connaughton / Rex Pflueger type in that he's a gritty rebounder, without being huge. A very solid 6'4, with a strong frame. You easily play with Hubb at PG, Muhammed at SG and Carmody as the third guard on the floor, with two bigs the likes of Durham and Mooney and not lose a lot as a rebounding team. If you wanted more size, you could play Carmody at the 2 guard spot, with a Bey, Djogo, Harvey type 6'6-6'7 small forward and get an entirely different look from your group. I love having some roster flexibility and guys that create different matchup problems. Landing Muhammed would be an incredible pull at guard, to an already awesome class of guards. He can also play the point if Hubb needs a blow, which makes him even more valuable.

ND goes into 2017 with 10/13 scholarships in use, counting Harvey. They will lose Farrell, Colson and Torres to graduation and could lose Geben if he's not back for a 5th year.

That means ND will be 7 (and possibly 6) scholarship players before they sign the 2018 class. If they sign 5 players in the class, they'll still have room available to take a transfer should one they're interested in come available. In 2019, they'll lose Geben and (possibly Burns) and likely will only take 1-2 players after what should be a top 10 class in 2018.

Again, ideal scenario for me would be...

Hubb, Carmody, Muhammed + 1 small forward type such a Bey or Horton-Tucker and a true 6'9+ forward... Then go out and get a transfer once your needs become more clear with Matt and Bonzie departing at season's end.

 

[REMND]

I wonder if our irish take Muhhamed if he wants in since they just took Carmody. I know insiders recently put in the CBs to our irish for Muhhamed. both are really good players but I like Muhhamed a little more though

I think Brey would still love to have him as ND likes to space the floor with 3 guards and isn't always focused on playing with a true small forward at the 3 spot. Carmody size and style of play make him the Pat Connaughton / Rex Pflueger type in that he's a gritty rebounder, without being huge. A very solid 6'4, with a strong frame. You easily play with Hubb at PG, Muhammed at SG and Carmody as the third guard on the floor, with two bigs the likes of Durham and Mooney and not lose a lot as a rebounding team. If you wanted more size, you could play Carmody at the 2 guard spot, with a Bey, Djogo, Harvey type 6'6-6'7 small forward and get an entirely different look from your group. I love having some roster flexibility and guys that create different matchup problems. Landing Muhammed would be an incredible pull at guard, to an already awesome class of guards. He can also play the point if Hubb needs a blow, which makes him even more valuable.

ND goes into 2017 with 10/13 scholarships in use, counting Harvey. They will lose Farrell, Colson and Torres to graduation and could lose Geben if he's not back for a 5th year.

That means ND will be 7 (and possibly 6) scholarship players before they sign the 2018 class. If they sign 5 players in the class, they'll still have room available to take a transfer should one they're interested in come available. In 2019, they'll lose Geben and (possibly Burns) and likely will only take 1-2 players after what should be a top 10 class in 2018.

Again, ideal scenario for me would be...

Hubb, Carmody, Muhammed + 1 small forward type such a Bey or Horton-Tucker and a true 6'9+ forward... Then go out and get a transfer once your needs become more clear with Matt and Bonzie departing at season's end.

Geben played 22 games as a freshman. http://www.und.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/martinas_geben_908418.html . This is his last year.

I like the Hubb, Carmody, Muhammad class with either Bey or Horton-Tucker. I have been predicting Battin as a developmental big to redshirt for the 6'9 guy. Here is some film on him. http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/671375?referrer_id=1227615

I should note though that he has allegedly improved since then according to ND Hoops Recruits in some tweets on June 2 and 6.https://mobile.twitter.com/NDHoopsRecruits?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

 

[Telx1]

I wonder if our irish take Muhhamed if he wants in since they just took Carmody. I know insiders recently put in the CBs to our irish for Muhhamed. both are really good players but I like Muhhamed a little more though

I think we take Muhhamed in a heartbeat. Really happy with the Carmody commitment. He's a perfect fit for Brey's system, etc... but I think Muhhamed has the potential to be a more impactful player. Given Brey's commitment to the three point shot, and his penchant to play small with three guards for long stretches, I expect the Muhhamed recruitment to still be a full court press.

 

[REMND]

This 6'10 Ryan Young is going to make an unofficial visit per ND Hoops. Here is some info on him. http://www.ncsasports.org/mens-bask...m/bethlehem-catholic-high-school/ryan-young19

He is mobile with length. Definitely a developmental big like Battin. Battin has more bulk and Young more length. Mobility seems similar. Battin is rated much more highly. He is in the 4s now on some sites after his recent showings. Young is not ranked but grew 3 inches last year. Diamond in the rough.

 

[TDIrish27]

ND won't get Muhhammed IMO .

 

[IrishInOntario]

ND won't get Muhhammed IMO .

I don't think so either. I think it was a either / or for him and Carmody. Brey went on Power Hour today and seemed to say that ND was happy with where they are at guard in this class and he said 4 may be the number they are targeting for this class, with with a deep look into the transfer market, either at year's end, or possibly at Christmas, which they've not done in the past. Doesn't want 13 on scholarship because they are too hard to keep happy and is happier with 11-12, with some scholarship flexibility.

It's a shame because I love Muhammed's game and he's ranked really high for a reason, but Brey knows how to manage his roster so I'm sure ND will be fine.

 

[REMND]

It was a really informative interview. It really changed my estimate on what the rest of our class will look like.

Two more recruits. I think he wants a stretch 4 who is a good shot and a down low big to complement Durham. I am not following his logic in seeking another transfer for this year or next. It would be crowding the classes.

If I can't have Muhammad, then I want Horton-Tucker and Battin but Brey seems to be seeking bigger game.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I think what Brey was talking about was a grad transfer. An old guy, who is a one and done, who would be an immediate impact guy while the young guys (guards in particular) grow and develop.

 

[Telx1]

It was a really informative interview. It really changed my estimate on what the rest of our class will look like.

Two more recruits. I think he wants a stretch 4 who is a good shot and a down low big to complement Durham. I am not following his logic in seeking another transfer for this year or next. It would be crowding the classes.

If I can't have Muhammad, then I want Horton-Tucker and Battin but Brey seems to be seeking bigger game.

Me as well. Very surprised to read these summaries of his interview. Flat out wrong of me to think he would jump at the opportunity to accept a Muhhamed commitment.

 

[REMND]

I think what Brey was talking about was a grad transfer. An old guy, who is a one and done, who would be an immediate impact guy while the young guys (guards in particular) grow and develop.

That is the only thing that makes sense. It would be like the PG transfer from Yale, Makai Mason, Brey was after. Practice player? Foul protection minutes. Has a 5th year transfer ever made much of an impact?

 

[IrishInOntario]

That is the only think that makes sense. It would be like the PG transfer from Yale, Makai Mason, Brey was after. Practice player? Foul protection minutes. Has a 5th year transfer ever made much of an impact?

Ben Hansbrough is the only guy I remember being a upper classman guard who was a legit great player for ND and he wasn't even a grad transfer. If Juwan Durham can end up having the impact Hansbrough did (obviously a different position) it would go a long way towards replacing Colson.

 

[REMND]

Ben Hansbrough is the only guy I remember being a upper classman guard who was a legit great player for ND and he wasn't even a grad transfer. If Juwan Durham can end up having the impact Hansbrough did (obviously a different position) it would go a long way towards replacing Colson.

It would but Colson is so unusual, you can't really replace his skill set. It is too odd to have a 6'5 inch guy make his living down low but can sink the 3. The gif (vine?) I saw of Durham made me think of Auguste. He moved really well and was bouncy. With two surgically repaired knees, we need a developmental backup guy on the 5 year plan.

Except for the wingspan, Colson and Gody were similar.

 

[REMND]

Brey said Mooney was now 6'9 255 and playing well. What do folk think of that size? It does make me think we could pair him well with Colson if he is still mobile enough to play the stretch 4.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Brey said Mooney was now 6'9 255 and playing well. What do folk think of that size? It does make me think we could pair him well with Colson if he is still mobile enough to play the stretch 4.

I think Mooney is going to be a banger with some offensive upside. Wish he was 6'11, but with his girth he shouldn't have a problem clearing people out. Whether or not he has the hops to battle with the types of athletes Carolina and Duke will put in the post against him is yet to be seen, but I'm hopeful. I like that he can step out and hit a jump shot. A thicker Rob Kurz maybe? That would be nice on the glass.

As for Durham, I understand your Auguste comparison, but air actually think he still had way more upside. I think he's going to be bouncier than Auguste, even on two repaired knees. Brey also commented that he's 6'11 and 8/9, making him almost 2 inches tall terms than Auguste and my guess is with longer arms. He also strokes it some from outside and while it's likely Auguste has a better interior game as a junior and senior (something Durham could develop) it's no contest who has the better mid range and 3 point game. Durham all day. In a perfect world you would have a Auguste and Durham type with their length and complimentary game on the floor at the same time. Durham playing the stretch 4 and Auguste playing the 5, with Mooney coming off the bench for major minutes. That's what I'm looking for in a transfer if I'm Brey. A 6'10+ defensive minded, rim protector who can be your 5th scorer on the floor and and let Durham get away from the rim at times to do what he does. As awesome as Colson is, a 2018 lineup with those two guys, a senior Pflueger at the 2 guard, a sophomore Harvey and junior Djogo rotating as those 6'6-6'7 Uber athletic wings and a junior Gibbs at the point being spelled by Hubbs as a freshman, could be really elite. Need improvement, two years from now there is no reason to believe there won't be. Love the size of that potential unit.

Gibbs: 6'3
Pflueger: 6'6
Harvey: 6'5
Durham: 6'11
Transfer: 6'10+

Hubbs: 6'3
Carmody: 6'4
Djogo: 6'7
Burns: 6'8
Mooney: 6'9

Size, length, athleticism and wing span. Something ND has lacked from as complete group for a long time.

If Gibbs you that tough minded Hansbrough type of PG, Pflueger is a more athletic Vasturia that helps you on the glass, Harvey is a Jerian Grant type, the transfer plays the Auguste role and Durham lives up to the potential as the type of player we don't see around here... That's a special group. With athletes coming off the bench.

I know Brey didn't mention him but I'm so excited to watch Djogo development. Needed a lot of work with his basketball IQ and knowledge of the game, but we just don't get 6'7, 205lb wings with "go go gadget arms" who can jump out of the gym and play with an attitude. My hope is that Djogo can can VJ Beachem eith an attitude (in a good way). If he can be, you essentially have Nik Stauskas.

 

[REMND]

Battin got a Vanderbilt offer. https://mobile.twitter.com/NDHoopsRecruits?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

How long can we slow play him if that is what Brey is doing? Is that what he is doing or is he really looking for a different skill set? He strikes me as a 5 year big man that keeps getting better because he has high BB IQ in a 6'9 240 pound body. I also see 2018 Young and 2019 Timme, 2 developmental bigs getting some interest. Neither is has highly ranked as Battin.