Clayton vs. KJ (I apologize for beating a dead horse)

[TheC]

I guess I’m in that camp too. I don’t think clayton will be on the team next year. I’m curious as to what Hunger decides to do as well.

We have 5 incoming frosh. We're losing 5 seniors. They cancel out. Don't we have one open roster spot still? I can't remember. I think we all agree we'd love to see two portal pick-ups - a big man and a shooter. So, we need to create one open roster spot, correct? I think if anyone fails to return next year, it would be Barkley. I don't think we'd want to run off Clayton or Hunger as they are important depth pieces that can contribute 8-10 minutes a night without being a complete disaster. They also will hopefully only get better with another year in the system.

Someone feel free to check and correct my math here.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Not suggesting anyone is run off. But a dose of reality. Hunger doesn’t play much. Clayton doesn’t play much. It hasn’t been because they have stars that have been playing their positions. If they want to play basketball next year (meaningful minutes) they will likely be considering options. Those minutes will be available in lesser conferences. Not sure what the deal is with Barkley. You never know if a guy just decides that they might not be basketball players and accept the free ride for the degree. I have a feeling hunger and clayton want to play.
I don’t pretend to be a portal expert. Would love to hear different viewpoints.
I believe the portal activity starts in a few weeks.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Hunger has played more than Nicholson did in his first two years. And the two guys ahead of him are graduating. I don't see him leaving for reasons of playing time. I thought Clayton was on his way out, but when he volunteered to burn his red-shirt, it showed a commitment to the program that does not indicate someone looking to leave. Someone will transfer out. Someone always does. But it's no more likely to be either of those two than anyone else for one of the million reasons that motivate a young man.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

We have 5 incoming frosh. We're losing 5 seniors. They cancel out. Don't we have one open roster spot still? I can't remember. I think we all agree we'd love to see two portal pick-ups - a big man and a shooter. So, we need to create one open roster spot, correct? I think if anyone fails to return next year, it would be Barkley. I don't think we'd want to run off Clayton or Hunger as they are important depth pieces that can contribute 8-10 minutes a night without being a complete disaster. They also will hopefully only get better with another year in the system.

Someone feel free to check and correct my math here.

There are 14 guys on the team, of which 2 (Smith and Gus) are walk-ons. So with +5 frosh and (-5) graduates, you're correct we flat scholarship-wise.

I've read some teams going to 15 scholarships in MBB. I don't see that happening at Northwestern because CCC plays 9 or 10 regularly at most and never empties the bench. Too many scholarship players would bring more discord.

Barkley's family was at the Mohegan Sun tournament in Connecticut where I met you, TheC. At the time, they were present and "all in," even though he was likely redshirting.

We'll see. I'm guessing the Cats will lose someone with eligibility remaining.

 

[TheC]

There are 14 guys on the team, of which 2 (Smith and Gus) are walk-ons. So with +5 frosh and (-5) graduates, you're correct we flat scholarship-wise.

I've read some teams going to 15 scholarships in MBB. I don't see that happening at Northwestern because CCC plays 9 or 10 regularly at most and never empties the bench. Too many scholarship players would bring more discord.

Barkley's family was at the Mohegan Sun tournament in Connecticut where I met you, TheC. At the time, they were present and "all in," even though he was likely redshirting.

We'll see. I'm guessing the Cats will lose someone with eligibility remaining.

Just so I understand, we have 14 guys on the team of which 2 are walk-ons, meaning we have 12 scholarship players? So, we do have room already to take on a couple transfers without anyone else leaving?

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Just so I understand, we have 14 guys on the team of which 2 are walk-ons, meaning we have 12 scholarship players? So, we do have room already to take on a couple transfers without anyone else leaving?

I believe the roster limit is 15. So you would need to boot a walk-on off the squad.

 

[TheC]

I believe the roster limit is 15. So you would need to boot a walk-on off the squad.

I feel less worried about that than a scholarship player who has contributed meaningful real game minutes like Clayton and Hunger, but yes, you are right there. I was more wondering about the scholarship limit. If we say 14 is the scholarship limit we want to hit, then we have room for two transfers right now.

 

[Davidgolds5]

With the depth problem we always have, I’d find it hard to believe we wouldn’t have 15 scholarship players if we were able to. That seems weird.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I was not aware that the NCAA had reduced the roster limit for men's basketball.
I'm not sure there was a limit this year. Indiana for example had 19 players on the roster, Wisconsin 17, etc.
But the new limits are (apparently) 15 scholarships and a 15 man roster. Goodbye walkons!

I don't see Clayton or Hunger transferring out, but you never know.
Clayton is playing almost 20 minutes a game and is playing ahead of Angelo Ciaravino.
Hunger redshirted, so if he plays his cards right he gets the NU diploma and goes somewhere as a grad student with a year of eligibility.
He may even be able to get paid.

Gus is on shaky terrain.
Blake Smith is happy I guess?
Would Mullins transfer again? His family is from Chicago area. I'd be surprised.
Ciaravino is staying unless he just thinks he should have been playing and is unhappy, but it doesn't seem that way.
Windham might go with a high-profile program - thats a significant risk.
Martinelli seems like he is staying, but there will be plenty of (previously forbidden) inquiries.
Barkley probably stays, but who knows.

 

[Davidgolds5]

I was not aware that the NCAA had reduced the roster limit for men's basketball.
I'm not sure there was a limit this year. Indiana for example had 19 players on the roster, Wisconsin 17, etc.
But the new limits are (apparently) 15 scholarships and a 15 man roster. Goodbye walkons!

I don't see Clayton or Hunger transferring out, but you never know.
Clayton is playing almost 20 minutes a game and is playing ahead of Angelo Ciaravino.
Hunger redshirted, so if he plays his cards right he gets the NU diploma and goes somewhere as a grad student with a year of eligibility.
He may even be able to get paid.

Gus is on shaky terrain.
Blake Smith is happy I guess?
Would Mullins transfer again? His family is from Chicago area. I'd be surprised.
Ciaravino is staying unless he just thinks he should have been playing and is unhappy, but it doesn't seem that way.
Windham might go with a high-profile program - thats a significant risk.
Martinelli seems like he is staying, but there will be plenty of (previously forbidden) inquiries.
Barkley probably stays, but who knows.

Windham leaving after one year would be really demoralizing.