2026 NBA Draft: Feast Week Delivers | Cameron Carr’s Upside is Real | Cam Boozer Explodes

Hello and welcome to the Game Theory NBA draft show. I'm your host Sam Vini.

draft show. I'm your host Sam Vini.

Today Bryce Simon and I are going to give you everything you need to know from Feast Week, from Cam Carr to Cam Boozer to Caleb Wilson to whoever you

want want to talk about to whoever Bryce wants to talk about. I am excited to go through it. Let's jump in and hit the

through it. Let's jump in and hit the music.

They do have a timeout. They try not to use it. WAIT,

use it. WAIT, what is this going to be?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO the game Theory podcast. I'm your host Steph.

podcast. I'm your host Steph.

But if you watch the tape, what you will see completely orchestrated this game.

Bryce, what's going on, buddy?

>> What's up, Sam? How are you? who had a staunch reminder this week during feast week that scouting games by yourself and scouting games while trying to carry on

family conversations at Thanksgiving are vastly different endeavors and something I really struggle with as I tried to watch games on Thanksgiving Day, but between all the conversations and people

trying to talk, even taking notes and really analyzing just did not go over so well. And there's a lot of re-watching

well. And there's a lot of re-watching from things I thought I had watched once.

>> Yeah. Like I I saw that this was like a whole conversation that was being had like on the internet after um I think Aaron Andrews might have shared

something where it was like um you know she misses these moments for people and then like I saw that a bunch of people were like yeah this is absolutely true like you know the games are played when other people aren't working. you know,

you're have to work nights and weekends and holidays and you're going to miss all of these important events like weddings and Christmases and Thanksgivings. And I was just like,

Thanksgivings. And I was just like, why are we like lionizing this? Like,

why why are we like saying that this is a cool thing to do? Like, no. Like, you

can both have a life and also like work in the sports industry. I promise. It's

like it I've just kind of stopped like on the Thursday, you know, not on the Thursday, but on the Saturday where my family ends up celebrating Thanksgiving.

I just don't do anything. It's okay. You

don't have to be there live for every single moment that it's happening. Look,

like there are some people who are covering things dayto-day where they do have to be there. You know, that that is a real thing. And I don't want to diminish what those people do. But if

you want to work in sports and you want to look at it a different way and ultimately at the end of the day like the goal is to come up with creative angles and if you can find sources and

you can find people that will talk to you and will help you create interesting angles and will you know help you have like a creative outlook on the things

that you're covering.

I swear you can you can do this job and have a normal life. It is, you know, if you want to cover teams all the time and like be there in person and do like you can do that and that's okay and I'm all

for those people and I love what those people do, but you truly can if you want to have a normal life uh while doing this.

>> Yeah. No, it it's true. I think the hardest part for me, Sam, I don't know if you ever I haven't just like watched a game in so long now. I feel like like I can't turn it off. You know what I mean? Like I

mean? Like I >> a basketball game, I can't do it.

>> Correct. Yeah. Yeah. Basketball. I can't

turn off the analysis or the nuances or the intricacies of what I'm watching.

And it's really hard to just watch a game as a basketball fan. I I really struggle with it. So even in those moments watching some of those games, I don't watch and just, oh, this is a

great game between team A and team B.

It's always like, well, man, that that guy's kind of interesting. you know,

what's the NBA draft profile there? And

you know, I just it doesn't turn off anymore. And that's okay. Like, I'm not

anymore. And that's okay. Like, I'm not compl I get a >> national podcast with you that thousands of people listen to. This is what I've always wanted to do and I love it. But

even in those moments where I'm just casually quote unquote watching with my family, it's not the same as it was five years ago before I was podcasting and doing all of this stuff.

>> Yep. No, I mean that's absolutely kind of true to me. uh like you know and look the way that I operate is I kind of tell you like no like you want to do

something go do it like it's okay we can move things around you know what I mean like I I am really big on trying to have some sort of life like that is that is the goal here uh you know we don't work

just to work right and I say that as somebody who probably does not have a healthy relationship with work at the end of the day like I work way too many hours and like on Sunday I went out in the morning with my wife we went

shopping. We did some things. And then

shopping. We did some things. And then

from 3:00 to 10:00 on Sunday, I prepped for the podcast and like did a bunch of game watching that I missed. On Saturday

because I, you know, spent time with my wife and had a nice time, you know what I mean? Uh, and you know, my wife's mom

I mean? Uh, and you know, my wife's mom came over and we had dinner and we watched If I Had Legs, I'd kick you and like we it it was a nice time. But like

you I swear >> these things are doable. I promise you guys that if you want to work in sports, >> you don't have to listen to the people that are like, you know, glutton for punishment on these things. You just

have to come up with a creative angle at the end of the day. Um, okay.

Beast week though does feature a lot of basketball games and I watched a lot of basketball over the course of this time.

So, I guess where I want to start is what was your ultimate takeaway from Feast Week?

Um, I'm trying to think if there was a game that stood out to me the most. I mean, I feel like I just got to look at a lot of guy like my board. Here's what I say. I

feel like I got some real good sample on guys and it did move around my board, right? Like, so a guy I know that you

right? Like, so a guy I know that you want to talk about Cameron Carr really flew up probably everybody's boards and so that's a guy that did really well for himself. Well, I think there are some

himself. Well, I think there are some other guys we got, you know, um, good looks at that maybe went the other direction. So, I think my biggest thing

direction. So, I think my biggest thing for feast week is there was a lot of basketball that we got to watch, a lot of good competition. Here's the I guess just a pure basketball thing was three games in three days seemed like too much

for some of these teams. I felt I thought there was some bad games on that third day that it just seemed like for some teams was a little bit too much and

we saw some lopsided games uh on that third day of three. But in general, I I love that we got so much basketball to evaluate a lot of these guys.

>> 100%. And I think there was some like real moving and shaking across the board. So let's let's start with Cam

board. So let's let's start with Cam Carr because I I think Cam Gar is probably the guy I want to talk about most.

>> Sure.

>> So Cam Carr for people who have not seen him previously. So he is a thirdyear I

him previously. So he is a thirdyear I think he might be a red shirt sophomore is what he's classified as but a thirdyear wing currently playing for Baylor who started his career at

Tennessee and was just very skinny at Tennessee. um he suffered like a

Tennessee. um he suffered like a untimely injury coming into last year where he didn't, you know, wasn't healthy to start the year and then like didn't really enter the rotation for a good Tennessee team because they were

rolling. Uh and then as a freshman like

rolling. Uh and then as a freshman like just was not ready physically, right?

Uh, I think he was like 6'5 to 6'6, 160 lbs or something when he got to Tennessee originally, but he also has incredibly long arms and has always been

this really high level scorer. Even

going back to his prep days, he was a top 50 recruit in the country, somebody that people were really, really excited about. It just took a little bit of time

about. It just took a little bit of time for him and ultimately he transferred to Baylor and has completely taken off at Baylor.

Like, he is Baylor's best draft prospect. I don't really think it's all

prospect. I don't really think it's all that close between him and Jundday Yafu either.

Cam Carr so far this season is averaging I want to get the numbers exactly right.

22.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, shooting 575579.

He dropped 27 on St. John's. He dropped

21 on Kraton. He had 16 on four of seven from the field, five of eight from the line with six rebounds against Washington with all their prospects. And

then he had San Diego State in the last game of the players era. He had 176 and three, one steal, one block. I wouldn't

say he's been like immensely impactful on defense. We'll talk about that later.

on defense. We'll talk about that later.

I do think that the assist numbers kind of underrate his passing ability a little bit. Uh I don't think he's a poor

little bit. Uh I don't think he's a poor passer to be honest with you. I think I saw enough passing flashes in the games that I've seen so far, the Kraton game, the St. John's game in the Washington

the St. John's game in the Washington game to where even though over the course of those three games he had four assists, I think his teammates just missed a lot of shots kind of whenever

he kicked out to them. Honestly,

the big thing here though is this is now a 6'6 kid that's probably like 180 pounds now. He's like put on enough

pounds now. He's like put on enough weight to at least like physically deal with this. He has I mean it's got to be

with this. He has I mean it's got to be I've heard reported like 72 wingspan.

It's at least over seven foot. Yeah,

it's at least over seven foot. He is

super long and you feel the length in how he plays. He has a incredibly high release point on his jumper and he

kind of elevates into the jumper. He

does a great job of playing off of two feet. I think he moves off the ball

feet. I think he moves off the ball incredibly well and he has real NBA range as a shooter. like he is sniping from three already from beyond 23 24 ft

to the point where like his his relocation is not just to the college three-point line. His relocation is to

three-point line. His relocation is to the NBA three-point line to give his team even more space and he cashes those. I I am very high on Cam Carr.

those. I I am very high on Cam Carr.

Every time I watch him I'm just like this looks exactly like an NBA wing game is supposed to look. So, I've actually followed not all of these guys do I

follow from like high school. He was a link kid. Um, but Cam Car is one that

link kid. Um, but Cam Car is one that uniquely I've I've actually followed through the last four years, even through his time at Tennessee, even though there wasn't a ton of game action for him.

>> Just to be I do want to be clear with people like how he ends up at Baylor is that Bill Armstrong was the coach at Link Academy. Uh Armstrong was an

Link Academy. Uh Armstrong was an assistant at Baylor last season after leaving link and then went to go coach Mcnes this year, but the you know Bill

Armstrong has long been close with the Baylor staff even before he ended up with that job. And I'm I'm sure that uh Bill spoke very highly of Cam Car to the Baylor staff >> and you could always see the tools with

Cam Car like it was always there. It was

just like how was this going to come together? the jumper has always looked

together? the jumper has always looked as pure as what it looks like right now.

He's a big-time athlete. And so, for people who don't know, his dad, there's a pedigree here. Seven-year NBA player,

um, played a total of what, almost 300 games, scored almost 2,000 points in the NBA, and then like famously finished

second to Kobe in the 1997 NBA slam dunk contest. So, like, you know, a real NBA

contest. So, like, you know, a real NBA player that was a real athlete. and

Cameron Carr has all of those things.

He's just put it all together here at Baylor. And we are going to talk about

Baylor. And we are going to talk about the defense. I also think that was part

the defense. I also think that was part of the questions at Tennessee. Maybe it

was solely because of the, you know, the lack of strength and all of that. I

think there was just some, you know, intensity aspects of that on the defensive end as well. I think the number that stands out most to me, I I'm not surprised that he's knocking down threes at a high rate. I thought he's been a big time shooter. Going back to

Link, him getting seven free throw attempts per game is huge, Sam. Like

that wasn't what I always saw with Cam Carr. And that's what makes him a

Carr. And that's what makes him a potential lottery pick right now is if he was only knocking down threes but wasn't doing the stuff off the dribble and getting to the free throw line and all of that. It's like, okay, first

round pick, but with the defensive questions, uh, you know, lottery. No,

with the athleticism, with the three-point shooting, with the ability to put it on the deck and get to the free throw line, I think he's improved defensively, even though there's real questions. This is a guy that's very

questions. This is a guy that's very much in the lottery conversation right now. I know for me, and I think I assume

now. I know for me, and I think I assume for you as well.

>> I have him as my top returner right now.

Not not including Jaden Quaintance. I

want to see what Quaintance is before we like, you know, assess him. But let's

remove Quaintance for a second. I have

Cam Carr right now as my top like guy who returned to college basketball this season or like non first maybe maybe the better way to put it is because Quaintance is first year eligible this

year. My non my first like ranked non

year. My non my first like ranked non oneandone you know first year eligible player right now.

>> Yeah.

>> The question I want to ask you is what you think of the defense because that's been my biggest like kind of bugaboo so far. Uh what have you taken away from

far. Uh what have you taken away from the defense on his part? So, I think part of it is going to be perception for me and expectation because I've followed

him so closely for so long. I know where the defense has been at in the past and so I find him to be much improved from what I've thought over the last few

years and so that is a positive thing to me. I I'm not fully bought in. I don't

me. I I'm not fully bought in. I don't

know that I think it I don't think it's good, but I do think the multiple efforts along with the length and all of that gives him a chance to be at least

neutral on the defensive end. I mean,

he's at almost two and a half stocks per game right now. So, I think it has a long ways to go and I'm not fully bought in yet, but I do think that there is

progress which I am very excited to see.

I think there's actually been a little bit of progress on the ball which has been exciting to me. Like I think he's been pretty okay there. It's the offball stuff that is still messy in my opinion.

Like he will just blow tags and I will be like, "Oh, that that's something that will just like get you benched immediately in the NBA, right?"

um he he will make mistakes that are somewhat concerning to me and yet I still think that as his body fills out.

The the reason that these guys that are super long and that you know have this frame that teams buy into them is because they

do just have an immense amount of upside once they reach their physical potential. Right? It might take a little

potential. Right? It might take a little bit of time and in Cam Car's case it has taken a little bit of time but I think he is clearly immensely gifted and that's never really been in question.

Like I've had agents reaching out to me asking about Cam Carr. Hey, what do you think of this guy? What do you what do you think of him? Uh for a while and my answer was always I just don't think he's ready at the end of the day. Like I

I there hasn't been a point where I've been like oh like this is this is a guy that should be coming out this year.

like we should maybe you should be recruiting him for the future, but like you know I I haven't seen a reason to think that he's a draft prospect this year yet.

>> Uh I think we're clearly there and it has spiked in a hurry uh for him. Like

it has spiked very very quickly for him.

>> No, I I agree with all that. The one

thing I will want to say, I may be in the minority here. I have people try to tell me all the time like, "Oh, everybody adds strength." And in some capacity they do, like players are going to get stronger. Like he's going to

become a man and he's going to get stronger, but he does need to continue to fill out his frame. And I think sometimes we guarantee that. Like people

are just like, "Well, that's easy. He's

going to get into an NBA weight room and he's going to put Some guys bodies just don't work that way. Some guys maybe don't buy into it. I don't know. Cam

Carr, I have no idea if he will or not.

The only thing I I don't I I don't even bring that up specifically for Cam Carr.

I just bring it up in general anytime we have guys whose frames look like this is I don't subscribe to oh snap of the finger they're going to fill out their

frame and it's going to be NBA ready, NBA strong, all of that ear, especially early in their career. So I I do think it's important with him because he does have one of those bodies and those

frames right now. No, maybe he'll, you know, continue to add weight and strength and it'll all be okay. But I do at least like to provide that context at least for my opinion on that because I

don't think it's a 100% guarantee that he's going to put on the necessary how many ever pounds of strength and muscle that I do think he still needs to add to be successful in the NBA.

>> Yeah, I I think that that is uh absolutely right. Uh absolutely right.

absolutely right. Uh absolutely right.

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harries.com/game theory. Okay Bryce,

theory. Okay Bryce, I'll give you the floor. Who do you want to talk about next for feast week? I

mean, I think we probably need to go to the top and talk about Camboozer because he had a

massive game against Arkansas, one of the, you know, prime games that we talked about coming into the week and he delivered with a 3593

and two performance. And so, I think he's probably the guy that we need to go to next. So I think the thing that was

to next. So I think the thing that was coolest about this game was a he started to finish at the rim which was the biggest most important thing that we have talked about with him. It

had not been great in the Kansas and Texas games. Can

Texas games. Can >> can I say one thing real quick? I

>> it really frustrates me when people like mock the fact that people like us brought this point up about we're talking about Cam Boozer as a top three pick. I I feel like we should be allowed

pick. I I feel like we should be allowed to bring up the nuances of what could make him the highest success of his ceiling and not like >> I got a little

>> part of it is that I think people care about those like not those like games where he plays like Indiana State and Howard and stuff like that and I just don't honestly. So, that was someone

don't honestly. So, that was someone someone like I saw that was the tweet I saw and there there's a bunch, but the one that really got me was someone was like using the Howard game and and they're not doing it specifically to us.

I realize they're not like calling us out, but was like, "Oh, is this not good enough for people?" I'm like, with all due respect, like that's not what we're talking about. And to your point and

talking about. And to your point and where you were going was this Arkansas game was, you know, a highlevel competition and he was awesome.

>> Yeah. No, he was unbelievable in the Arkansas game and I think what was most important about this is to his detriment

and uh to scouts glee, John Caliperry did not send doubles at Camboozer.

He played him straight up. And the

reason that I say like to scouts glee is because NBA teams like aren't going to be able to send doubles to Camboozer all the time. like there there's too much

time. like there there's too much shooting out there. There's too many uh guys who can really space the court >> and he's a good passer. We know he's a good passer.

>> And he's a really good passer who will take advantage of things right now.

In my opinion, the way that Kansas and Texas played him where they Kansas like doubled him immediately as soon as he touched it. Texas was like sending

touched it. Texas was like sending bodies on drives and things like that.

It was a little bit different.

I I would be doing that. Like I I would send multiple bodies to Camboozer all the time because even though he is a great passer, I'm just letting everybody else beat me is the reality on that

team. Like I'll due respect to Isaiah

team. Like I'll due respect to Isaiah Evans, he's the guy guy that I would make sure that I'm on all the time. But

like if Caleb Foster is going to beat me, I'll due respect to Caleb Foster.

I'm not letting Cam do it is the thing.

>> Make do make Dame hit threes.

>> Make Dame Sar hit threes. like make

Patrick and Gongba finish at the rim and and Gongba has finished at the rim so far, but he's not like an above the rim guy either. So like if you can get a

guy either. So like if you can get a contest on some of his shots at the rim and help situations where you're scrambling, like I'm okay with that personally.

I don't think it's good to not help any at all on Boozer. And it's especially not a good idea to do with Trayvon Brazil, who's not a guy that I rate very highly on defense, to be honest. They

just left Brazil on an island against him and Cam just obliterated him. Uh he

just like wiped him off the face of the earth. Uh it was a hell of a

earth. Uh it was a hell of a performance. It was an unbelievable

performance. It was an unbelievable game. And the thing is that again like

game. And the thing is that again like it was fairly applicable to the way it could look in the NBA because of the fact that it's going to be hard to send help. So, we got to see Cam operate in a

help. So, we got to see Cam operate in a little bit more space like we hadn't gotten to see yet against super highlevel teams. And

I don't know, I love the results. Uh I

I'm very very excited by what we saw.

>> That was the first game that made me feel like really good in the top three.

I've I've been a little lower and slower on Cam. I mean, I've had him in the top

on Cam. I mean, I've had him in the top three, but like really feel like, okay, I'm and had me kind of wondering like, man, do I maybe put him top one? Like,

do I do I actually have do I think he's number one? I didn't move him there, but

number one? I didn't move him there, but it had me thinking because I'm going, I can see this on an NBA floor. I do think if he can do this, you can throw him the ball and then he's either going to face

up and score, he's going to attack, he's got the footwork, or like you said, okay, we're going to send two. I watch

NBA teams, you know, throw to Tobias Harris right now and what that generates for, you know, his team. Here's the

other thing that I'm excited about, Sam.

When people are listening to this, and it may have already happened, they play Florida Tuesday night, and that is one of the better front lines in college basketball. And then they play Michigan

basketball. And then they play Michigan State on Saturday, who always competes, has a defensive game plan, and has bigs.

That's that's a great front line. Like

I'm more excited to watch the Michigan State game. We're going to talk about

State game. We're going to talk about what they did to Caleb and like not did to Caleb Wilson, but how they, you know, played against that UNCC team. I think

that team is awesome on defense on the interior. Even better than Florida on

interior. Even better than Florida on defense on the interior. So, he's got two major matchups coming this week where and we said this last week, you know, talking about this match up

against Arkansas that there was three or four coming up or I guess it' be three in a row and these next two I think I'm even more excited about. But he

definitely deserves love for what he did on what was that on on Thanksgiving on Thursday.

>> Yeah, I thought he was outstanding. The

drives uh the way that he leverages guys to get to the rim. Um, I thought his footwork was great. Arkansas fans are screaming at us right now because we're not calling out the use of the offh

hand. Uh, he is very crafty at using his

hand. Uh, he is very crafty at using his like elbows and his offh hand to be able to separate from defenders. If he like he's going to run into a ref this year that's going to call it.

>> Yeah.

>> At some point and he's going to have like four fouls eventually in a game because two of them are on the offensive end for using his off arm just like clearing. It's going to happen at some

clearing. It's going to happen at some point this year, but it's not going to happen all that often in the NBA where he gets called for it.

>> So that's why I haven't brought it up is so I thought there was one egregious call in that game.

>> There were a couple I thought Yeah.

>> Well, there was one where he did it and then they called the foul on the defense. I'm like, well, you can't you

defense. I'm like, well, you can't you can't call the foul on the defense at the very least. But there was one I thought was good where I thought he like he tried to take the elbow into the defender's like armpit. And I don't

think you get called for that as much as whenever you hook. And so I just I I've I've tried to hash out is it worth talking about? Because to your point, I

talking about? Because to your point, I don't know that he doesn't get to do it in the NBA. And if he gets to do it in the NBA for what we're talking about, then why do I care? You know what I

mean? Like it may limit him in college,

mean? Like it may limit him in college, like you said, because he may get in foul trouble with certain officials. But

if I think he's going to be able to do it in the NBA, then my evaluation of him, it's a positive. Like he's it's going to be a use. And so I've kind of

gone back and forth on, you know, where I fall on it with him, but he definitely uses it, but I think he I think he's trying to be strategic with it, even though there's a couple that are are pretty bad in terms of hooks.

>> Yeah. So, you know, we'll see how it goes the rest of the year, and I'm excited to watch it. Um,

you you wanted to bring up the other guys. I didn't watch either of AJ's

guys. I didn't watch either of AJ's games yet this weekend, to be honest with you.

>> Um, so I watched them a little bit. Um,

I was trying to think where. So, okay.

So, I know who was it.

>> I guess they played three. I'm sorry. I

forgot that they played Dayton in the title game.

>> Yeah. So, I think it was actually the Dayton game where like he had a he had a the handle in at the end of that game. I

think they fullcourt press.

>> No, I was right. It was It was two. The

Wisconsin game was last week. I'm sorry.

Continue Bryce.

>> No, it just stood like that stood out to me in terms of it was a lot of the same stuff. I'm worried about the handle.

stuff. I'm worried about the handle.

There was a fullcourt pressure situation where like they just take it from him.

In that game he struggled defensively.

He I think it was twice he tried to go under a screen on Javon Bennett and Bennett nailed two three-pointers. Um

you know so like it was a lot of those but then like you see the exciting stuff in terms of he covers so much ground and he can get to the free throw line. He

did, you know, against Miami. He got

there seven times. And so he hit a big three in the game against Dayton. They

got down in that game and then eventually came back. So I find myself I'll watch him sometimes be like, man, like defense isn't all that impactful.

Why isn't there more defensive disruption? The jumper may maybe I don't

disruption? The jumper may maybe I don't think and then all of a sudden he goes through a stretch where he gets to the mid-range, he covers all this ground. I

still think he's a very willing and connect. like I think he's a a fine

connect. like I think he's a a fine passer and I still kind of find myself getting excited about him. So that

that's every game I've watched of him this year. I've kind of ended up with

this year. I've kind of ended up with the same stuff.

>> Yeah, I I've also ended up very similarly across the board with him this year. The offball defense is my biggest

year. The offball defense is my biggest thing right now uh that frustrates me with him. Um, and again, I I've seen

with him. Um, and again, I I've seen some clips from this, like the games this weekend where he just like completely blew coverages, but like even in the games earlier this year that we've broken down on the Substack channel. Shout out uh game theory

channel. Shout out uh game theory samv.substack.com.

samv.substack.com.

Go subscribe. There's no better way to support the show. Um, you'll have like five or six AJ Debansa breakdowns already to be honest. Going back to the 19s. Um, he's a fascinating player to

19s. Um, he's a fascinating player to watch. Uh, I will watch at some point.

watch. Uh, I will watch at some point.

Probably I guess I'll watch the Dayton game. I would guess like

game. I would guess like >> the Dayton game is Yes, because the So, he made ball screen mistakes and then he gave up a back door in the second half as well. Like, so you're the the

as well. Like, so you're the the defensive stuff. I'll be interested to

defensive stuff. I'll be interested to see what you think the handle in that game. But then the Miami game, he has

game. But then the Miami game, he has like this mid-range jumper where he gets there, he shot fakes, times it up perfectly, and then elevates and knocks it down. It's like when he gets to the

it down. It's like when he gets to the middle of the lane off the dribble, I just don't think anybody's going to stop him. And he has all of these different

him. And he has all of these different ways to attack the defender from there.

I think it was the Dayton game. He had a Euro step. He just covered so much

Euro step. He just covered so much ground. So, I just I I have questions,

ground. So, I just I I have questions, but I still find myself always coming away. And at the end of the day, Sam,

away. And at the end of the day, Sam, he's averaging 196 and two on 52 3876.

Now, the three-point volume isn't high at all. He hasn't taken a whole lot, but

at all. He hasn't taken a whole lot, but he's gotten to the free throw line. Um,

yeah. What's their schedule coming up?

Do we have any more big ones?

>> I mean, look, they're in the Big 12, so like >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. I just

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. I just

didn't know if there was anything before Big 12 play. Oh, yeah. They have Texas Tech on Saturday. So,

>> yeah. Great. Is that

>> That's I mean, >> no. That's a lie. That is a lie. That is

>> no. That's a lie. That is a lie. That is

the football schedule. Type in

basketball. You

>> I was going to say it'd be amazing if they were both playing on Saturday.

Well, no. So, they have a Cal Baptist, Clemson, UC Riverside, Pacific.

>> It'll be okay.

>> Clemson will be okay and then they have a little bit of stretch where it's it's not a ton until we get to Big 12 play.

So, >> yeah, I feel like November you get like this little lull here in like early December sometimes where it's not quite as aggressive as what it's been. Um, but

hey, I'm excited to watch more AJ. Uh

Nate Aean is the other guy that I think that is really worth bringing up here.

Uh I thought that Aean really struggled against Houston.

I've watched the Ruckers game. I thought

he was better in that game. Ruckers is

like abjectly terrible for a high major, but like I thought he was better in that game. The Kansas game is the one that

game. The Kansas game is the one that I'm really excited to watch and I haven't yet. Um he had both he had eight

haven't yet. Um he had both he had eight re eight I'm sorry goodness. He had

eight free throw attempts in both the Kansas and Houston games. Again, I've

not watched the Kansas game to see where he got to, but the Houston game, it's just like none of the on ball stuff worked at all. I

thought uh he goes 148 from the field in that game, nine points, but I thought all of the offball stuff looked really good. Um he's a different player than

good. Um he's a different player than Zach Riset, but like it felt like that kind of impact to me, I guess. like, you

know, again, like I don't want to say that they're all that similar. I think

that they're different in a lot of ways, but like that's the kind of impact that I felt like, okay, he's cutting off the ball, he's in the right places defensively, he cares about that.

>> Uh I felt like he rebounded, okay, he makes decisions passing the ball. Like

all of that stuff I thought was really good and I thought the effort was really good. It's just like none of the on ball

good. It's just like none of the on ball stuff looked great at all.

>> That's where I'm at. And I think probably my biggest disconnect with people like I saw people pushing him into the top three. I don't know if that what what game that was after. I think

he can attack close outs like I think he's going to be able to do that but I didn't think like the off the dribble specifically in that Houston game and we know how good they are defensively but I thought he was really struggling to

create advantages against them. But

again, I do think he can absolutely attack closeouts and be good off of that. And then he can do, you know, like

that. And then he can do, you know, like some of the passing stuff. I think he's a good passer. He understands that. And

then I do think the defense has been disruptive. He's averaging almost two

disruptive. He's averaging almost two steals a a game. He's extremely long um on that end of the floor. And yeah, like I even had here, he had a solid point of

attack possession against uh Uzon in uh that game against Houston. So, um, yeah, I think there's the potential there defensively and I think he can be a big- time rebounder.

>> The the big thing for me right now is the finishing at the rim and that's a big, you know, point that we called out in the preseason as a thing to really watch for with Aean. There's a

possession in the Houston game where like he gets a baseline drive and all he has to do is just go straight toward the rim and like the worst case scenario is

he gets fouled going all the way to the basket and instead he like leans all the way on the left side and tries to go for like this inside hand right finish and

it was really frustrating because don't don't go away from the contact and again I know I'm speaking about a player that averaged eight free throw attempts in his last two games against really good teams, but the finishing at the rim

is just like kind of driving me a little bit crazy right now. Uh he's shooting 47.6% at the rim in all situations, including fullcourt transition opportunities.

>> Look at half court. Yeah,

>> he's only at 36.4% in half court right now. He's made eight of his 22 attempts

now. He's made eight of his 22 attempts in half court settings. Uh in Tennessee schedule coming into players era was quite poor. So,

quite poor. So, the finishing is like a real worry. The

ability to put pressure on the rim feels like a pretty real worry to me. Um, and

then I don't know how you feel about the shot, but I think he's I don't know if it's like the strength addition. He

looks way stronger and way more physical than he was in high school. That's a

huge credit to him.

It feels like the rhythm is off from like his lower half to his upper half right now. It almost feels like two to

right now. It almost feels like two to me. He's always had that like kind of

me. He's always had that like kind of twist to the right on his shot. And his

shot has always been quite wristy, but it almost feels like more middle aligned now than it was previously. And he's

like twisting to the right. And it just looks off to me like across the kinetic, you know, chain of the shot. Whereas

previously, even though he was like kind of upright and wristy when he would take shots, the kinetic chain like going up from the lower half to the upper half, it felt pure. It felt right. I look,

maybe, you know, I'm losing my mind and that will adjust and it'll work itself out as the year goes. Like this is a guy that drilled 40% from three in AO last year and right now he's shooting 31% from three on five attempts per game.

I'm interested to see where the shooting settles with Aean. Yeah, I I'm fascinated here because I thought that was going to be a superpower. Like I

thought what was interesting was like he was going to be a big-time three-point shot maker at his size and then as we've talked about, well then the off the dribble stuff becomes easy because the advantages are created off hard

closeouts, relocations and those type of things. And to your point like he is

things. And to your point like he is getting to the free throw line a lot so maybe I'm being a little bit hard on him in terms of his off the dribble things.

I will say I agree with you. I don't

think it looks super fluid or smooth.

The free throw percentage is at 82% right now. So, I think that that should

right now. So, I think that that should give people a lot of confidence and trust in at the very least the touch.

And maybe he's adjusting to like you and I both know how quickly a shot has to get off at Tennessee, even against that competition compared to AAOU high school stuff is different. So, maybe there is

just a little bit of adjustment, maybe there was a tweak, whatever. I think

that I trust in him to get it figured out, especially considering what I thought about him coming in and where that free throw percentage is at right now.

>> Let's zoom zoom through a few players here, right? So, Michigan wins this

here, right? So, Michigan wins this event. We talked about Michigan and

event. We talked about Michigan and figuring out what their front court is going to look like. They've just figured it out and they blew the doors off of everybody, including a Gonzaga team that

I think has looked awesome this season.

Like I thought Gonzaga was pretty clearly a top five team in the country right now uh entering that game against Michigan. And honestly I still think

Michigan. And honestly I still think that they're a top five team in the country. If you made me say like I don't

country. If you made me say like I don't know if they will finish as a top five team but right now in terms of how they are playing I think they have been one of the five best teams in the country

this year like just period. And Michigan

beat them by 40. Like it didn't matter.

Absolutely didn't matter. So Yak is the guy here. Yel Lendorg uh has really

guy here. Yel Lendorg uh has really started to like settle into the role.

>> I thought he was the best player in both the Auburn and Gonzaga games. By the

way, they beat Auburn by 30. They beat

San Diego State by 40. Uh three just absolute massive blowouts. Uh 17-8 with four or 17 and five, I'm sorry, with four assists against Auburn. Uh against

Gonzaga, 2011 and three with two blocks and four steals. He's the best player on the court against Gonzaga by a mile, I thought. Uh, Yakel looks like a first

thought. Uh, Yakel looks like a first round pick to me, which is great because early in the season, it felt like he was adjusting and trying to find the role.

>> Yeah, I thought, you know, early in the year I had him as a first round pick. It

started to move, you know, the other direction through the first few games.

You know, we talked about like how were they using him those three games total, 17 points a game on 63, 44% from the three-point line on over five attempts,

73% from the free throw line. We know

he's a big- time rebounder. Two steals

over a block. Like, we know he can pass.

We know he can be disruptive on the defensive end. I feel like this is a

defensive end. I feel like this is a case of a guy who was trying to fit in with his team and not be overly dominant and, you know, not come in and just and

then has slowly started to figure out the role, but also like my team's at the best whenever I'm the best player on the floor, when I'm the most aggressive offensive player on the floor and when

I'm attacking downhill and creating for them along with knocking down three-pointers. So, I do feel like he

three-pointers. So, I do feel like he has figured it out. That's a good Michigan team obviously and I thought it was a really really good week for Yakel.

>> Yeah, it look part of this could be foul trouble too. You know, Mara had some

trouble too. You know, Mara had some issues with fouling in the first two games. It felt like they leaned a little

games. It felt like they leaned a little bit less into the like high post Mara you know initiation stuff to me as well uh than they did against TCU and Wake

Forest. But, you know, in the game

Forest. But, you know, in the game against Gonzaga, like everything just worked. It felt like it didn't matter

worked. It felt like it didn't matter what they were doing. like it just, you know, it it was just a completely dominant performance across the board.

Um, yeah, Lendorg looks great. Uh, he

looks absolutely elite uh across college basketball right now. Um, none of the Gonzaga guys like particularly stand out to me as draft prospects in all honesty.

Um, Braden Huff maybe a little bit, maybe after another year, but yeah, >> I find myself with him going like this kind of a big man skill I feel like teams might value event like he hits

that little floater over and over. He

can stretch it a little bit. He's I at least have him on my radar now more so than I did coming into the year.

>> And Mario stays super uh he is a guy >> that >> I love the idea of him. He's very

clearly an incredible passer and like understands how to play the game, get the team organized. He's really fit into Gonzaga's scheme already.

It it just feels like he doesn't have a way to score yet on an NBA court and like should in no way, shape or form be considering leaving Gonzaga after this year to me.

>> Yeah. No, he's

>> like stay stay there, get stronger, figure out your game as a scorer and then like we'll talk a little bit.

>> Yep. No, I agree.

>> Uh have you watched any of uh the uh Virginia Tech games yet?

>> A little bit with Obelis. Yeah. Uh, Neocliss Obdelus.

with Obelis. Yeah. Uh, Neocliss Obdelus.

So, after Obdelus' Providence game, right, we we talked about the fact that Obelis is an awesome player. We all

really like him. I still have him as a first round pick, but we thought the hype got like a little bit crazy just because we wanted to see where the scoring would settle in, right? So

outside of that Providence game, you know, if you look at his next, let's call it, I think it's six games that he's played,

Obelis is shooting 42 3068.

He's averaging 11 points, 3.7 assists versus 1.8 turnovers in the game against St. Mary's. Like

they just completely shut him down and like did not let him do anything. uh the

way that they play defense with just like being massive on the interior. He

had no way to score. It felt like to me he was super uh he was going to have to be super reliant on the jumper to be able to do anything. He went one for five from three. Um did get to the line seven times but like had five turnovers

and really struggled. And then against VCU even um VCU kind of blew the doors off of them a little bit as well and they just made his life like completely miserable as well. and they're an

athletic team and you know I actually think VCU's got a chance to make the tournament this year. Uh you know I really like that staff, Phil Martelli and those guys, but like

they're also not like the teams that Avdelis is going to be playing every day in the ACC. And I do think that we've seen now the what the concerns were for

Avdelus coming into the year and why I think he's more of like this is a first round pick. Like I'm excited about him

round pick. Like I'm excited about him and I think he's an interesting player, but it's not like oh my god like he's blowing the doors off the place like we have to like get into the lottery to get him.

>> Yeah, I did think I watched that St.

Mary's game. I was actually watching that one a little bit more for Mikey Lewis just to see like what I thought about him >> and so but I I obviously had some notes and I I thought Oilis was l you

mentioned like the turnovers. I thought

he was a little bit loose with the ball.

just hasn't looked as dynamic in a lot of these games offensively as what we saw in that Providence game. So, I I've moved him a little bit lower since, you know, obviously I had him, you know, I

was excited about him coming into the year and then he had that big game. You

know, as I'm trying to I think the spot I'm really trying to find players is rounding out my first round. Obviously,

we're super super early, but that ends up kind of recycling and moving a lot.

and he's just kind of in that range for me right now as a guy, you know, in the 20 to 30 range. And we'll just see how he continues to play and as you mentioned, how he handles ACC play.

>> Yeah. And he might end up as like a clear top 20, you know, late lottery guy. I think it's very possible as he

guy. I think it's very possible as he adjusts to college, but I never saw him as like this lock lottery guy either.

Like he had an amazing game against Providence because Providence's defense is a catastrophe. Uh there was a stretch, let me find the text I got from

somebody. Um

somebody. Um in Providence's first one, two, three, four, five, six, seven games this year, they surrendered a careerhigh to its

opponent's top scorer in every game. Uh

Holy Cross, Tyler Boston 25, Obdelis 33, uh Michael Zenown 30 for Penn, Alon Miley, Colorado 20. uh New Hampshire,

Jack Graham 22, Freddy Dion 22, Nick Boyd 26. Uh all career highs for those

Boyd 26. Uh all career highs for those guys against Providence. So uh yeah, my assessment at the time was like

Providence's defense was quite bad.

Unfortunately, cuz uh I want the best for that program and um that staff and everybody up there that's working really really hard to try and make it work. uh

it just hasn't yet defensively uh on that end of the court. Uh anyone else you want to bring up here?

>> Um I love Learon Phylon. Um

>> Phylon's game against Gonzaga was awesome. I I didn't watch either of

awesome. I I didn't watch either of their other two games yet at the uh players era, but I did really love the game against Gonzaga and I thought he

was awesome. Yeah, I I just I just find

was awesome. Yeah, I I just I just find myself loving the way he plays and, you know, he's making threes this year at 38% on almost five. He you know, there

have been some turnovers, the Gonzaga game, the Maryland game. He did turn the ball over a little bit, but I he's 56% from the field. I I just that's a guy I

really like. We saw Bennett Stirts

really like. We saw Bennett Stirts against what was it? Old Miss we talked about and >> he continues to just go about his business. He so score yeah I think that

business. He so score yeah I think that was a careerh high in that game. So kind

of answered that question. Shot it

really well from three. What I loved about that game from Stirts is that he took eight threes. It was one thing for me last year I did want to see a little bit more three-point volume from him. So

we'll see how >> made them go to his right to his left like off of pull-ups. Hit a couple off the catch. like it it was he he might be

the catch. like it it was he he might be like a real shooter. I have some real questions even after the Old Miss game about him getting past defenders and like being able to break down guys

>> at the NBA level, but like might be like a very very very real shooter. Not just like a hey, this is

shooter. Not just like a hey, this is like a solid shooter, you know what I mean?

>> Yep. Uh Brilen Mullins, we got to see him make his debut. Not a whole lot to talk about there. Can I I have a guy I want to ask you about. Where are you at on Richie Saunders?

I I think he's probably I think he gets drafted here for sure. I don't know that I can get to first round pick with Richie.

>> What is What is the biggest concern?

Because like I think I think >> this game is so efficient.

>> I think I'm close to first round Sam like in like I just mentioned like where I'm struggling to round out my into the you know 20s into the 30s.

>> I'm like this dude hits shots. He's

active off the ball defensively. I think

he can attack a closeout.

I just think at the end of the first round, top of the second, I'm I'm into that.

>> So, I'm not opposed to that to be clear.

Like Richie Saunders, when I update the mock this week, will probably be in the top 45ish, I would guess.

>> So, like not out of that ballpark of like late first rounder. Richie will

also be 25 before he plays an NBA game.

>> Like, that's a real factor here. But

he's super efficient. He's super smart.

Um, you know, again, I didn't watch the Dayton game where he had 29 and it looks like he just like completely balled out, but I've watched them multiple times this year and he stood out every single time. He's averaging 26 and two so far,

time. He's averaging 26 and two so far, 514377.

Uh, I think he's a really smart player.

I think he uh just really understands how to move without the ball, how to create space for himself without the ball. a really smart player that, you

ball. a really smart player that, you know, whether or not he's able to defend is gonna really, >> you know, play the difference in him being able to play in an NBA game.

>> I want to counter the age thing real quick. And I'm usually like I actually

quick. And I'm usually like I actually get really frustrated and people get mad that we bring up age because I do think it's a real factor. Just the range we're talking about,

>> is there not an argument that teams would value that? Like I look at the the this area of the draft, the Pistons, the Lakers, the Thunder, the Nuggets, the Cavs, the Knicks, the Heat. Like

wouldn't they value a guy that can come in right away and play as a 24 year?

>> They would.

>> The key is >> the key is can he play from the jump in the NBA? Because that's it.

the NBA? Because that's it.

>> What you can expect is that his rate of improvement is not going to be as great as somebody that you drafted 20, right?

So, is he going to be able to just is he so good that he's able to play in the NBA from the jump? And I'm willing to hear out that argument for him. He's a

good enough shooter and is smart enough without the ball and is like a pretty smart team defender as well to where like I am genuinely willing to hear out the argument that he is, which is why I think that I'm willing to have that

conversation. Yeah, that's and that's I

conversation. Yeah, that's and that's I agree with that 100% and I think it like I think offensively he is like I just think he's a big- time shooter and I've seen him attack closeouts enough to

think that when teams run him off the line he's going to be able to effectively attack those closeouts.

>> I will listen to the can he guard and hold up at the point of attack, but I do think he can be an offthe-ball defender.

I've watched enough off the ball where he's like made digs and been smart with rotations and stuff like that >> and been impactful with defensive boards to just go,

>> okay, if I I know I was if I'm Detroit and I just need to add something like this to my rotation, like sign me up type of thing, you know? Um, so I don't

know. I I just He can shoot it, man.

know. I I just He can shoot it, man.

Hands I I I just So here would be my question for you.

>> Yep.

Have you watched much Iowa State yet?

>> Yeah.

>> Do you like him or Joshua Jefferson better?

>> So, I think Joshua Jefferson does a little bit of everything more.

>> Yeah.

>> Like I think he's a better passer. He's

super skilled. He has great size. I

think where I'm at with >> a way better defender, too.

>> So, okay. So, here's my thing with Joshua Jeff. How good of a defender do

Joshua Jeff. How good of a defender do we think Joshua Jefferson is?

>> That I'm not totally sure about yet.

This is where I struggle with people is like I have people talk to me like Joshua Jefferson is like this incredibly versatile big time whatever defender.

>> Yeah, he's he's like a solid defender.

>> Solid defender. So I buy that. I buy the passing obviously a real rebounder.

Here's my thing though. So with Richie, can he guard at the point of attack?

With Jefferson, are we sure he's going to knock down corner catch and shoot threes? Are we

sure that people are going to respect him? So, like I I'm real Listen, I have

him? So, like I I'm real Listen, I have Joshua Jefferson in my top 60. Like I

think he's good. But

>> yeah, I do too.

>> Like I would take Richie over him right now, I think, if I had to just cuz I buy the jumper.

>> It's hard cuz I want to know what Richie measures in at.

>> That's like is he like 6'3 and a half or is he, you know, >> 6'5? You know what I mean?

>> 6'5? You know what I mean?

>> Um Jefferson's big. Like that dude is 67 at least I would guess. Has long arms it seems like. Rebounds. He really passes

seems like. Rebounds. He really passes the ball. Doesn't make bad decisions.

the ball. Doesn't make bad decisions.

Like I I really like Joshua Jefferson quite a bit as well. I don't have him in the first round, but I like Joshua Jefferson quite a bit. And uh his games at the players era I thought were really

fun. Like he had 13 and 10 assists

fun. Like he had 13 and 10 assists against Syracuse. Uh you know he had 17

against Syracuse. Uh you know he had 17 and eight rebounds against St. John's. I

didn't watch the Kraton game. Did I

watch the Kraton game? No, I didn't watch them playraton. Um, yeah, like I really enjoyed what I saw from him. Uh,

so >> here's like I just I've said this before. I've been to a practice at Iowa

before. I've been to a practice at Iowa State. I love that staff and I love what

State. I love that staff and I love what they do and I love how they go about their business and so like it's I always enjoy watching them play because of how they play.

>> Yeah.

>> My my guy man is shooting that thing right now. 50 40 90

right now. 50 40 90 >> shoots the hell out of it. Always has.

The question is, can he do anything else? Uh he's he's damn near 505090 by

else? Uh he's he's damn near 505090 by the way, Montilla, [ __ ] He is sniping right now from three.

>> Um okay, the last guy I want to talk about here before we get out of here and look there so many guys played Feast Week. We just like to keep these shows

Week. We just like to keep these shows at right around an hour. Really

honestly, we're gonna go a little bit longer >> throughout the rest of the time, but like yeah, continue >> real quick because it's going to be the same state.

>> Who is your favorite prospect on North Carolina State?

Who are you most interested on that team?

>> Matt Ael, for sure.

>> That's not even That's not even a question to me. Long term, it's definitely Matt Ael, I think. Um I'm And I know he played terrible in their last

game. I did watch that game. Um, but

game. I did watch that game. Um, but

yeah, I I think pretty clearly long term it's him from >> I agree. Like it's I have him in like if I had teared it out would be in different tiers above McNeel and I'm

just not a Darion Williams guy. So

>> I think Darion Williams is interesting but you know I want to see what he's going to have to really shoot it to be an NBA player I think is kind of where I'm at.

>> Um yeah, the Able games against VCU and against Satan Hall were really good.

uh his uh little 9-minute stretch against Texas unfortunately was not very good. So uh

we shall we shall see what that looks like. But I am definitely a Matt Able

like. But I am definitely a Matt Able guy, I would say.

>> Agreed.

>> Uh okay, let's go to Caleb Wilson.

So Caleb Wilson had what I thought was a pretty interesting game against Michigan State. He came out on

fire and was incredible throwing down dunks all over the place in the first five minutes and like just looked like he was going to athletically overpower that Michigan State front

line. I think he had like eight points

line. I think he had like eight points in the first five minutes and then the rest of the game was a real question.

It was interesting like attempts to get to the basket and like drives and 4 to the rim.

some post possessions as well, like face up post possessions.

I thought in the second half he was quite bad on defense. I would even ar like not just like, you know, not the guy that we maybe expected coming in defensively where like really really

good, but I actually thought like he had three particularly that I can think of in my head like egregiously bad offball defensive reps in that game like in the middle of the second half

there.

And yet he is still just like an absolute joke athletically. I love his body mechanics. Like I love the way that

body mechanics. Like I love the way that he's able to like make himself skinny and find his way through like the teeniest tiniest little gaps. And I

thought Michigan State was such a good example of that and such a good barometer of that because of the way that they condense the paint whenever he's whenever you know they're playing an opponent.

Where where are you at on Caleb Wilson right now? So, so for reference, Caleb

right now? So, so for reference, Caleb Wilson, I think, went for 18 points in this game, right? Yep.

>> I'll pull up the exact numbers while we're talking.

>> Seven one assist, two steals, six seven from the free throw line, 0 of three from three.

>> Six for 13 from the field as well.

>> Yeah. So, he's averaging 20 on the year, almost 10 rebounds, almost two and a half offensive boards.

I like Caleb Wilson a lot. Um the the offensive game I guess is a little bit interesting to me in terms of I feel

like it's a lot of like isolation mid like take guys to the post all of that.

But I do think like his movements, his athleticism, I don't know if it was the Michigan State game, but he has like there was a game recently he had like this insane jab step where he moves the defender all the way out of the way and

he gets downhill drive, hits a floater.

He dunks, you know, he has insane amount of dunks already. The non-dunk stuff at the rim is extremely concerning. And

then the lack of three-point shooting. I

I guess my point here is Sam, I'm still trying to figure out what my understanding and vision is of his offensive game. And then to your point,

offensive game. And then to your point, is the defense going to be as good as what we thought I thought whatever coming into the season? It it was a not

quite as good as I expected in the Kansas game. You were talking about it

Kansas game. You were talking about it here in the Michigan State game. He

obviously has recovery ability and ground coverage and all of that stuff.

So, he is one of these guys in the top five or six or wherever people have him that at least for me, I'm still kind of trying to figure out what his game is and what the vision is. At least in

terms of for me.

>> Yeah. And look, I say this to somebody I have Caleb Wilson at four right now. Um,

same.

>> I think the athleticism is very real.

The way that he moves is very real. Uh,

everything I've gotten from like all the intel side is like the personality is awesome. Uh, and you've seen some of it

awesome. Uh, and you've seen some of it like pop out a little bit in some interviews he's done, but like like very funny, like a real energy giver, like behind the scenes as well. Um, like

really really smart, like all all that stuff like very good. So like I'm very excited about that as well. But

yeah, like doesn't really make layups right now. It feels like uh if you dunk

right now. It feels like uh if you dunk the ball every time, you don't have to make layups quite as often. That's a

real factor that is typically a good thing. But what do you think Caleb

thing. But what do you think Caleb Wilson is shooting on layups right now this year, Bryce?

>> I I know what he is cuz I looked it up and it's like 30% or something.

>> Yeah, he's at 6 for 21 this year on layup attempts right now. Um and then the shooting numbers are not great. So

like what is the touch is like a real question. And then frankly you also look

question. And then frankly you also look at the free throw rate where he's at 77% from the line too. So like there is some inherent touch there. But I don't know

like I the jumper like the jumper looks kind of hitchy to me now. Uh especially

whenever he tries to extend it out to the three-point line. Like the power generation is basically like all really getting generated from his arms. it feels like and he's like really trying

to fling that thing to the rim.

I'm pretty sure you just take the athleticism bet and you roll with it if you're an NBA team and you work on the skill stuff like as he continues to grow

and gets stronger and more physical.

But there there are there are more flaws here I guess than what I thought. Like

people were trying to make the case of like him in the conversation with Peterson Boozer and Deansa and I I don't see that right now. Like I for as

productive and as good as he's been, I do think he's like clearly the fourth guy. Not not really in like their

guy. Not not really in like their echelon quite yet.

>> Yeah, I agree. So like just looking at like synergy play types, which I don't always think are perfect, but postups are his number one half court play type, you know, and so it's like there's

nothing wrong with that. It's just like th this is why I'm having to still figure and and for what it's worth, they have him as excellent on those, you know, like that that he scored the ball

well in those situations. Uh transition

is the number one overall where obviously his athleticism plays very well. I just I'm trying to hash out

well. I just I'm trying to hash out like, okay, what's this look like? Is

this going to be successful? Does he

have all of the game to do that in the NBA the way we talked about with Cam Boozer earlier? Maybe he does. Maybe the

Boozer earlier? Maybe he does. Maybe the

answer to that question is going to be yes. He will be the same type of scorer

yes. He will be the same type of scorer in those situations and be the same type of passer and all of that. I guess it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be. So, it's taking me a little bit

to be. So, it's taking me a little bit of time to fully grasp it. Even though

it's not like I've moved him down my board because of that.

>> He's just such an athlete is the thing.

Like he is a very sick athlete.

>> Yeah. even by NBA standards is kind of the issue. And that's why I'm like

the issue. And that's why I'm like looking at it and I'm just like I kind of don't know if I care >> at the end of the day.

>> Yeah.

>> Like he is so athletic that if there's even just like a little bit of skill improvement that will come and from what I understand like he is it like a real worker. I guess like from the moment

worker. I guess like from the moment that he got cut from the U8 FIBA America's team like it just went into like overdrive. Okay. Uh,

like overdrive. Okay. Uh,

so like I I'm excited about what I have seen from the athleticism and from what I understand about the work ethic is also

very very interesting to me.

>> Love it. No, I I love that's the I've mentioned this in my uh Darius Auff breakdown or maybe I didn't, but I I had meant to. I don't get the same type of

meant to. I don't get the same type of intel that you do on these guys. So I'm

It's always I was actually listening to Slam and Jam that you went on. By the

way, did you win trivia or No, you take an L. Can't remember.

an L. Can't remember.

>> No, I always take Andrew kicks my ass every time in trivia.

>> Okay. Um,

>> like Andrew is Do Do you win trivia against him?

>> I've never won. No,

>> I've won before, like don't get me wrong, but like I'm probably two for two and eight, >> like I've gone on that show regularly, but like I would guess I'm two and eight against Andrew in trivia.

>> Nothing stresses me out more than going on trivia on that show though. Literally

nothing about podcast. Whenever you and I are going to pod Well, that's not true. When the awards shows stress me

true. When the awards shows stress me out, but I >> By the way, folks, the next episode of this show, NBA Awards, it's happening.

>> Yes, it is. And I've already been thinking through it and I've already my blood pressure is up. I got to up the the dosage on the blood pressure medicine. But I I hate doing trivia cuz

medicine. But I I hate doing trivia cuz I'm like the only outcome here is I look stupid. like I I give some ridiculous

stupid. like I I give some ridiculous answer that just makes me look like an idiot. Um, so I love when Andrew asks

idiot. Um, so I love when Andrew asks impossible questions or not Andrew, Alex, because then I'm like, "Nobody expects us to know this. This is great.

Ask as hard a questions as you want, Al because then there's no way I look dumb."

dumb." >> My point here was I I loved listening to you give the Caleb Wilson intel on that episode that I listen to. Um, and I

don't get that stuff. So, I always enjoy hearing you talk about it about different prospects. That That was my

different prospects. That That was my >> uh All right. I I think that's all we got. We got to shout out our friends

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Okay, Bryce, I think that's all we got this week. We went longer on this one

this week. We went longer on this one because Feast Week just had a crazy number of games and teams going on and, you know, we're both just kind of all over the map here between family stuff

and uh everything. So, we probably didn't even really, you know, plan this out as well as we typically do on these things. So, uh fun conversation though.

things. So, uh fun conversation though.

I'm excited to get to see some things coming up this week. I haven't even really looked wildly deeply at the schedule yet. Um, you know, I know that

schedule yet. Um, you know, I know that like Monday is pretty weak. Tuesday is

both Connecticut and Kansas and Florida and Duke. Um,

and Duke. Um, and then I think Wednesday there's like another big game as well. Looking at the schedule here. Yeah, it's Louisville

schedule here. Yeah, it's Louisville Arkansas.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah. We also get NC State Auburn and UCLA Washington. I would really hope

UCLA Washington. I would really hope that we get to see uh Steinbach play for Washington. Yeah. At some point here.

Washington. Yeah. At some point here.

That would be nice. Um but then Thursday is pretty dead. Uh and then Friday picks up again uh with Gonzaga Kentucky, which will be a very very fun matchup as well.

And then over the weekend, we've got Duke, Michigan State, Illinois, Tennessee Louisville Indiana and maybe the best game, uh Iowa State, Purdue, which is going to be just like a

bloodbath of physicality. Uh, so I'm excited. Bryce, tell the people where

excited. Bryce, tell the people where they can find your work. Tell the people what's going on.

>> Yeah, Motor City Hoops on Twitter, on Blue Sky, Motor City Hoops Substack, uh, Game Theory Substack. Obviously, be

checking that out. Video breakdowns

coming all the time. Getting pretty good bang for your buck over there. And of

course, the Game Theory podcast right here with Sam Bassini.

Go to The Athletic, Keep Me Employed over there. You will have a mockdraft

over there. You will have a mockdraft update later this week. I would guess Thursday by the time that I write it and the editors get their hands on it and everything. Uh, go to the Substack game

everything. Uh, go to the Substack game Theory Samv.substack.com.

Theory Samv.substack.com.

We will be back on Friday with the first quarter awards podcast for the NBA. Uh,

I am very excited to talk through that because uh it is a wild conversation uh to try and sort through after 20 games, but we do it every year and we will

continue to do it. So, until next time, we'll talk soon. Bye.