I believe Able is easily a take under any circumstances, legit 5 star talent.Don’t think we have room at the Inn. Any extra scholarships will be held for grad transfers.
Just following Gragg to the portal?I agree I think we will have a transfer or two. Wouldn't be surprised if Clayton or Barkley or both are in the transfer portal
These guys are both Florida kids so it made sense and Miami has been very strong recently. Also Miami has big NIL $$$ and some kids just want that. Whether Able ever becomes available will be based on the next hire and my guess is Miami will land a quality name coach. Heck, I'd expect to hear Collins name at some point as a successor given the money I expect they will be tossing around.My first thought was how much buyer’s remorse Jalen Blackmon must have. Playing for a crappy team and his minutes have been cut pretty drastically of late. Could’ve instead been at least in the rotation if not starting for an NU team that’s at least in the hunt for the NCAAs.
Nor am I, but it would still not be surprising. It's one thing to barely play your freshman year and then turn out to be good later like Barnhizer and Nicholson, but Barkley is in his second year and has already redshirted. If he barely plays this year, and it looks like that is the case, that's an awfully long time to be on the bench if you have higher aspirations.Not sure about Barkley and Clayton transferring.
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I'm not writing off Barkley yet.
I have not written Barkley off, but I have my pen out and the caps off.Nor am I, but it would still not be surprising. It's one thing to barely play your freshman year and then turn out to be good later like Barnhizer and Nicholson, but Barkley is in his second year and has already redshirted. If he barely plays this year, and it looks like that is the case, that's an awfully long time to be on the bench if you have higher aspirations.
I see no takers on GraggJust following Gragg to the portal?
I can't imagine Collins leaving unless the pay disparity is huge. Not sure how old his son is but I'd imagine he'd wait at least until he graduated. Maybe there's another Collin's kid in the wing coming to NU so that could keep him longer too.These guys are both Florida kids so it made sense and Miami has been very strong recently. Also Miami has big NIL $$$ and some kids just want that. Whether Able ever becomes available will be based on the next hire and my guess is Miami will land a quality name coach. Heck, I'd expect to hear Collins name at some point as a successor given the money I expect they will be tossing around.
Being glued to the bench in his second year and with a very promising class coming in, he’s basically got to conclude that if wants to play in college that he has to transfer. More or less the same for Clayton who didn’t make the necessary jump from year one to year two and has almost certainly been passed by KJ & Gelo & also looking at the strong incoming class.These guys were smart enough to get into NU so pretty sure they can see the writing on the wall.I have not written Barkley off, but I have my pen out and the caps off.
The only thing I have been able to notice about Barkley is that he appears comfortable with his teammates and can shoot the ball alright for a guy his size. Doesn't look like a stiff - just might be outclassed at this level.If Collins' intention is growing player skills / developing players, and maintaining a core of experienced quality players, I wouldn't write a frosh or soph off just because they aren't getting playing time yet.
We better see impact Freshmen next season or we are in big trouble.I generally remain hopeful about the young guys we haven't seen much of, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I haven't seen anything others here haven't also seen. I'm just giving Collins the credit of his ongoing statements about developing the younger guys while the experienced older guys get the court time. And looking back at the first few years of Boo, Brooks, Nick, etc and how far they've all come.
Collins doesn't seem to be trying to compete for impact freshmen so much, so I don't expect to see too many impact freshmen playing.
I generally remain hopeful about the young guys we haven't seen much of, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I haven't seen anything others here haven't also seen. I'm just giving Collins the credit of his ongoing statements about developing the younger guys while the experienced older guys get the court time. And looking back at the first few years of Boo, Brooks, Nick, etc and how far they've all come.
Collins doesn't seem to be trying to compete for impact freshmen so much, so I don't expect to see too many impact freshmen playing.
Nope, Collins only has a son and a daughter that’s it and his daughter is in her first year at Duke.I can't imagine Collins leaving unless the pay disparity is huge. Not sure how old his son is but I'd imagine he'd wait at least until he graduated. Maybe there's another Collin's kid in the wing coming to NU so that could keep him longer too.
I have not written Barkley off, but I have my pen out and the caps off.
I did mean to suggest he would leave only that I expect to see his name popping up with openings given the last two years. I would be shocked if collins left for anywhere other than Duke and that job is probably filled going forward.I can't imagine Collins leaving unless the pay disparity is huge. Not sure how old his son is but I'd imagine he'd wait at least until he graduated. Maybe there's another Collin's kid in the wing coming to NU so that could keep him longer too.
The fact that KJ & Gello are playing over Clayton & Barkley are all you need to see. I’ll be surprised if both are on the roster next season. With 5 incoming frosh, we’re going to need those two slots to replace Leach and Fitz on the roster.
Good analysis, but you left out Mullins among the returning players.As I mentioned above, it is unclear (to me) that Collins can just ask Barkley or Clayton to transfer.
I'm not sure he can kick them off the team either.
So they'd (maybe) have to willingly walk away from a free Northwestern education... for what? Playing time at a lower level and earning a lesser diploma? That not too smart.
But if they can get an Ivy to take them and work out the financials, that would make sense.
Regardless, we lose Leach, Fitzmorris, Barnhizer, Nicholson, Berry
we return Hunger, Martinelli, Windham, Ciaravino, Barkley(?), Clayton(?), Blake Smith (status?)
We add 5 new freshmen.
NCAA added 2 more scholarships to the limit... So it will be 15 next year.
I could see Barkley leaving on his own to play in the diminished ACC, I suppose. Closer to home, quality education, reputable programs.
Not sure where Clayton would go.