re: #tAuburnBasketball Thread

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Uhh... that’s exactly what makes it sketchy

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So you think agents are people who begin with zero connections? Again, there’s nothing inherently sketchy about a former AAU coach becoming an agent. In fact, him being an AAU coach is sketchier than him being an agent considering how corrupt the circuit is.

If not for the NCAA searching high and low for anything, this likely is a non-issue.

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think everyone would agree. If Cooper isn’t a part of the team then we have to snag a GT or HS PG that can start next year, otherwise we are going to miss out on what could be an incredible year.

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Incredible year in what way?

No way, even with Cooper do we even know we make the NCAAs with such a young team. Personally, I doubt it.

Now next year if we had Cooper and these guys more experienced and adding JSmith would have made next year a possible incredible year.

Allen Flanagan predicted into the first round.

His turnaround getting noticed!!

LINK /

I think Flanigan is a good player and his best years are ahead of him if he continues to improve but no way is he a first round pick right now. I know it’s not your opinion and you were just posting a projection.. but I’m just saying. That is a stretch I feel. If Turbo doesn’t improve, I think Flanigan could start playing more at the 1 when Powell needs a breather.. similar to Doughty last year.

Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever see Coop play for us. I hope I’m wrong but I just don’t see it as of now. The NCAA apparently has a hard on for us(BP) and his dad didn’t make things any easier. He could’ve gone about things differently understanding the situation.

2/3 are indistinguishable on offense in the Pearl system. Who they matchup with defensively just depends on our personnel and opposition personnel. Will vary game to game

So my takeaways from the first few games..

Powell is far and away our best PG with Coop out, and will be our PG in crunch time. Great free throw shooter, which we’ll sorely need as the season goes on. He could’ve passed the ball late in the OT game with St. Joe’s but held onto it knowing he was about to be fouled and put on the line. Says a lot. Once the game slows down a bit, he’ll be great even playing out of position. Good ball handler, leader, rebounder, defender, can drive and finish and create for others and even has a mid range game to go along with being a premiere outside shooter. Will only get better but one of the best shooters in the SEC from day one. Future is extremely bright. The only thing I worry about is him trying to do too much with so much responsibility so early, needs to play within himself and let the game come to him.
Not a big fan of Turbo. Made some good shots but not a great finisher or distributor and has problems moving his feet and being out of position on defense, the latter being something he’ll get better at. Has to make forceful passes and take care of the ball and not make careless plays. We really need him to step up with Coop out or he could start to lose minutes.
Flanigan is much improved. Great defender and rebounder and has improved his shot and handles. We need him to be more assertive as we continue to gel to be successful.
Johnson is what he is. A great spot up shooter but not a creator of his own shot or for others. Not a great defender but need him to play disciplined on both ends and be in the right places on defense. Hustle to make those 50/50 plays. That is his role.
Cambridge needs to step up. Streaky shooter and needs to improve on the free throw line. Solid defender and rebounder. Needs to crash the boards on offense and not just stand outside the arc. I think he’ll be better and the first few games not indicative of how he’ll eventually be. Needs to show some grit, some fire and not get down when the shot isn’t falling and contribute in other ways. Be more aggressive.
Impressed with Moore in his first action and will get better. Great defender and versatility. Has a knack for mucking things up and being disruptive. Good rebounder and his offense will come along and can make free throws.
Jaylin Williams is obviously super athletic. I think our best all around player, just needs to stay aggressive and not disappear at times. Will be crucial to our success. Should have a double/double every game, if not close to it. Great instincts and passer at his position. Can handle the ball and run a fast break.
JT Thor is about what I expected. Showed promise but the game hasn’t slowed down for him yet and will have to adjust and learn. Stay out of foul trouble and play more disciplined because at this level, he can’t get by with talent and size alone. Outside/Inside dynamic. Can create on his own and for others. Great touch on the inside.
Akingbola is a great rim protector and strong defensive presence. Made some hustle plays, showed a mid range jump shot and made a 3, so teams will have to respect that and bring their big out. Great energy and aggressiveness and look for his minutes to increase, if not start before long. Great team player and communication.
Cardwell had a good first showing. Very active on defense, fronting, blocking shots and being a rim protector. Another freshman that the game is fast for right now. Will get better. Big body. Will learn better positioning and needs to improve on being aware of passes possibly sent to him and having his hands up and ready.

All in all, about what I expected.. to beat St. Joe and a learning opportunity with Gonzaga. Great freshmen class and will be really good once they get more acclimated. We have great effort, athletic and long. Not looking for big things this year obviously but the potential to get a lot better is there. Turbo and Cambridge needs to step up. Johnson, Flanigan, JWill and Stretch needs to fill their roles each and every game in order for us to be successful, none being the same and our younger guys need to continue to improve and settle in to their roles while the game slows down for them.

Really hate this situation between Sharife and the NCAA. They are completely screwing us but more importantly, Sharife. They don’t have anything on him, not even allegations of impropriety. Just because his family is wealthy and dad an agent. Truly sad. Especially knowing all the money they make off of these athletes.

But on the bright side, even with all the NCAA BS, our 2022 class is going to be sick.

What I believe to be problematic is if the Lil Wayne sports agency fronted Omar money and that money was used to buy Shariffe a car. That would be a murky situation and a clear entanglement of amateurism values.

If Omar is lawyering up to hide financial information (or because the NCAA is asking for too much) as stated by Hooks then I doubt Shariffe ever plays. The NCAA gets what they want. Distinct difference between this situation and Cam is Cecil gave the necessary information to the NCAA.

Not saying any of this is accurate either. Just speculating...