Hunger and Blake Smith. Book it. And no surprise, but Clayton still likely to go.
Obviously Martinelli is our best player but concerned that Windham would transfer which would be awful. A guy that looks like he will a tremendous player with three years remaining. I have no idea how NIL deals work, we need to keep that guy.
No.
What are you talking about? Martinelli is already a proven commodity, with two NCAA tournaments under his belt and a B1G scoring crown as a junior. He should’ve been first team All B1G. He doesn’t need to “develop” into a tournament player, he already is. He’s a baller and he puts in the work.
Both Hunger and Smith likely will graduate this year, so It’s probably better for both to seek a program where they have a bigger role. Barkley doesn’t look like he’ll ever be in the rotation, so it depends on how much he values the parchment. A lower level academic could be in his future. Clayton made good strides and it seems odd that he would leave after giving up the redshirt. Of course, I have zero insight and this is merely speculation.
We'll have to see what Collins tells Hunger about his future at Northwestern. He had similar conversations with Ryan Young and Barrett Benson, and Miller Kopp too. All those guys seemingly were told they weren't guaranteed any increased playing time, and all three left. If Collins has the same message for Hunger, then it's bye-bye.
Typing too fast to awkward sentence construction. Yes, Mart is more than there. KJ is less of a sure thing.
| Category | '24 | '25 |
| Offensive Efficiency | 87.5 | 108.2 |
| %Poss | 10.6 | 11.7 |
| %Shots | 9.9 | 11.9 |
| eFG% | 38.9 | 56.7 |
| OReb% | 1.9 | 2.7 |
| DReb% | 8.0 | 12.0 |
| Assist Rate | 10.2 | 11.0 |
| TO Rate | 18 | 18 |
| Blk% | 9.0 | 0.8 |
| Stl% | 2.8 | 1.7 |
| Fouls Committed/40 | 6.2 | 3.1 |
| Fouls Drawn/40 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| FTRate | 22.2 | 17.3 |
| FT | 50% (1/2) | 46.2 (6/13) |
| 2FG | 28.6% (2/7) | 62.2 (23/37) |
| 3FG | 50% (1/2) | 34.2 (13/38) |
| Double digit scoring games | 0 | 3 |
| Season | FGA | "Close 2" | "Far 2" | 3PT Jumper |
| 2025 (19 B1G Games) | 75 FGA | 42.6% | 6.6% | 50.6% |
| 2024 (31 total Games UDenver, Summit League) | 222 FGA | 50% | 22.5% | 27.4% |
Agreed. Like a locust, Clayton emerged over the past few games. I have a hard time seeing him go as he almost assured of 20mpg next season, as we have one other viable lead guard right now (I don't think Gill and West will be ready to give meaningful minutes next year).
Hopefully the Clayton decision will be entirely based on what CCC thinks of him. If he likes Clayton and Windham as the two primary ball handlers next year he can stay, if he feels a major veteran is needed, he can go. Personally I'd still rather see Clayton go and somebody Leech or better be brought in, but 1. CCC can scout his team better than me and I support whatever direction he goes and 2. Maybe we have the ability to bring in a point if the right other exits occur anyway.
I would go with Gelo. Clearly has the athleticism and he isn’t afraid. He struggled to figure it out and was subpar on defense. He was almost unplayable. Next year, I suspect he will be a completely different player that contributes on both ends. His offensive upside is there and I think he could be a double digit scorer.
Don't really disagree. Now that the COVID bonanza is over, I am not sure how many highly quality guards will be available. Leach was a real find--an outlier IMO.
We have money and renewed flexibility and I'm optimistic. NU Hoops to the moon.
