Newman quotes from today's presser

[engie]

Who says he has to go overseas for that?

Anyone with sense that can number crunch...

[Political Hack]

If he comes back he'd have the chance to lead an MSU team out of nowhere straight into the Sweet 16 and maybe further. We will be that talented next year if he comes back. If he leaves, he played a year for a team and didn't really impact the program the way a prime time player should. NBA guys will measure that. Unless he absolutely goes off down the stretch, it would be in his best long term interest to come back. 2nd round kids aren't even guaranteed to make a roster. If he's not slotted as a sure fire top 20 pick, it's a huge gamble to go unless he's ready to play overseas.

He has incredible talent, but he's got work to do before he's ready to be a 1 or a 2 in the nba. I do think his game will translate well to the nba but he's got to learn how to work his mid-range game, become an elite man up defender, work to earn his own shot, catch and shoot off the screen, etc...

[DudyDawg]

Wonder how much his foot has to do with it

[HSVDawg]

If he comes back he'd have the chance to lead an MSU team out of nowhere straight into the Sweet 16 and maybe further. We will be that talented next year if he comes back..

May need to pump the brakes a bit on this Sweet 16 talk. I don't think a lot of people realize how much inexperience we are going to have on the court next year. Malik (if he comes back), Spoon, and IJ (if he isn't processed) with be the only ones back who have ever logged more than 5-10 minutes per game. I think we will be a hell of a lot better next year, may even make the tournament. But expecting a Sweet 16 trip is asking a little much considering we'll have 5 or 6 true freshmen in our core rotation. I don't think prople realize how far away we are right now from even making the NIT. This class coming in is very talented, but it isn't the Fab 5 and it isn't even a typical UK class (and even they got bit by the youth bug a few years ago and landed in the NIT).

As far as Malik goes, I don't think there's any question at thos point what he should do. But its about 50/50 on these kids as to whether they follow the good advice thats out there or follow the dollar signs and let an agent get in their ear. I wouldn't expect Malik to be any different.

[Coach34]

Malik comes back- he will average 18-20 per game and really get himself ready for the NBA- possible lottery pick. He leaves this year and he is a 2nd round draft pick

[Political Hack]

May need to pump the brakes a bit on this Sweet 16 talk. I don't think a lot of people realize how much inexperience we are going to have on the court next year. Malik (if he comes back), Spoon, and IJ (if he isn't processed) with be the only ones back who have ever logged more than 5-10 minutes per game. I think we will be a hell of a lot better next year, may even make the tournament. But expecting a Sweet 16 trip is asking a little much considering we'll have 5 or 6 true freshmen in our core rotation. I don't think prople realize how far away we are right now from even making the NIT. This class coming in is very talented, but it isn't the Fab 5 and it isn't even a typical UK class (and even they got bit by the youth bug a few years ago and landed in the NIT).

As far as Malik goes, I don't think there's any question at thos point what he should do. But its about 50/50 on these kids as to whether they follow the good advice thats out there or follow the dollar signs and let an agent get in their ear. I wouldn't expect Malik to be any different.

Sweet 16 if Malik returns. We will be stacked. We should have great rim protectors, elite rebounders, and multiple scorers on the court at all times. We are going to be very, very good very quickly.

[maroonmania]

May need to pump the brakes a bit on this Sweet 16 talk. I don't think a lot of people realize how much inexperience we are going to have on the court next year. Malik (if he comes back), Spoon, and IJ (if he isn't processed) with be the only ones back who have ever logged more than 5-10 minutes per game. I think we will be a hell of a lot better next year, may even make the tournament. But expecting a Sweet 16 trip is asking a little much considering we'll have 5 or 6 true freshmen in our core rotation. I don't think prople realize how far away we are right now from even making the NIT. This class coming in is very talented, but it isn't the Fab 5 and it isn't even a typical UK class (and even they got bit by the youth bug a few years ago and landed in the NIT).

As far as Malik goes, I don't think there's any question at thos point what he should do. But its about 50/50 on these kids as to whether they follow the good advice thats out there or follow the dollar signs and let an agent get in their ear. I wouldn't expect Malik to be any different.

I'm slowly learning that experience means the least in basketball than any sport. We have to be the most "experienced" team in the league with all of our SRs PLUS two pretty darn good freshmen and we are still really bad.

[tcdog70]

I'm slowly learning that experience means the least in basketball than any sport. We have to be the most "experienced" team in the league with all of our SRs PLUS two pretty darn good freshmen and we are still really bad.

John Calipari Agrees

[smootness]

I'm slowly learning that experience means the least in basketball than any sport. We have to be the most "experienced" team in the league with all of our SRs PLUS two pretty darn good freshmen and we are still really bad.

It's a mix of experience and talent. Experience without any talent means nothing. Elite talent without experience can still be great. But when the talent is in the middle, experience still can mean quite a bit.

If Newman comes back, I think we're a Tournament team, but I won't go further than that until I see how ready some of these guys are to step in right away.

[Dawg61]

We are going dancing next year. Don't forget Howland can still add 1-2 more players before we tip 2016-17 season.

[msstate7]

We are going dancing next year. Don't forget Howland can still add 1-2 more players before we tip 2016-17 season.

Hopefully, but I'll have to wait and see a few games before I get my hopes up. I think everyone here expected more from Malik than we've got this year and he was rated much higher than any freshman we have coming in. I do think '17 will be a special year though

[Political Hack]

Ado will be the best shot blocker we have seen since Jarvis. Peters has the best midrange game we've seen since Hood left for Duke. And everyone on our team will be able to run the floor. That's huge with Howland's system. They'll have to accept their roles and play together, but if they do that they have a chance to be an elite team.

Things like IJ's perimeter defense (which looks to have improved a lot) won't be a liability nearly as much when Ado is roaming the paint. Not to mention all of the transition opportunities he's going to create with blocks and forcing teams to adjust their shots near the rim. I can't begin to explain how valuable a big time shot blocker is to a team that likes to run.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

The key to next year's team IMO will be how quick Herard adjust to playing against elite competition. He's the legit Center we haven't had in a while & he has to be that anchor in the middle of the offense & defense. We need him to be ready to produce Day 1. He & Holman could make a very good high-low combo.

[MarketingBully]

May need to pump the brakes a bit on this Sweet 16 talk. I don't think a lot of people realize how much inexperience we are going to have on the court next year. Malik (if he comes back), Spoon, and IJ (if he isn't processed) with be the only ones back who have ever logged more than 5-10 minutes per game. I think we will be a hell of a lot better next year, may even make the tournament. But expecting a Sweet 16 trip is asking a little much considering we'll have 5 or 6 true freshmen in our core rotation. I don't think prople realize how far away we are right now from even making the NIT. This class coming in is very talented, but it isn't the Fab 5 and it isn't even a typical UK class (and even they got bit by the youth bug a few years ago and landed in the NIT).

As far as Malik goes, I don't think there's any question at thos point what he should do. But its about 50/50 on these kids as to whether they follow the good advice thats out there or follow the dollar signs and let an agent get in their ear. I wouldn't expect Malik to be any different.

Gotta love our fans. This has to be the most negative outlook you could have with a team that will have 9 4+ star players on it. This year was ruined because our seniors didn't buy in until it was too late. I agree with Hack that if Malik does come back this is a Sweet 16 team. Your back court would be Malik/Q which would be the best backcourt in the SEC. Kegler (who everyone wanted and rightfully so) will play the three (6'7", 225lb) who can hit the three and handle the ball like a guard and is a more natural three then say Sword aka Mr. Turnover. Aric Holman will move to his more natural position at the four while Herard will play center and already has better post moves then Ware. Our bench next year would be Peters/Carter/Wright/Ado/Stapleton which is 10x the bench we have now. Our floor even without Malik is the NIT. Just too much talent for it not to be.

[Bully13]

I think Hack has some type of hoops experience so I'm gonna go with what he says. Can't wait for next year. Scoring in the paint too and picking up those cheap new fouls they call now.

[MarketingBully]

The key to next year's team IMO will be how quick Herard adjust to playing against elite competition. He's the legit Center we haven't had in a while & he has to be that anchor in the middle of the offense & defense. We need him to be ready to produce Day 1. He & Holman could make a very good high-low combo.

Agreed. Howland said some of his best attributes are his hands and his passing ability. We will have plenty of weapons on the outside so if teams colapse on him, he will be able to get it to the open man to nail the open three.

[Dawg61]

Ado will be the best shot blocker we have seen since Jarvis. Peters has the best midrange game we've seen since Hood left for Duke. And everyone on our team will be able to run the floor. That's huge with Howland's system. They'll have to accept their roles and play together, but if they do that they have a chance to be an elite team.

Things like IJ's perimeter defense (which looks to have improved a lot) won't be a liability nearly as much when Ado is roaming the paint. Not to mention all of the transition opportunities he's going to create with blocks and forcing teams to adjust their shots near the rim. I can't begin to explain how valuable a big time shot blocker is to a team that likes to run.

I'm very excited to see the eight new players we've got for next year (includes Xavian & Strugg). My gut tells me Mario Kegler is the cream of the crop. I think he's going to be a special player for us. I'm excited about all of them though. Tyson Carter has beautiful shooting mechanics. He is sneaky good and way below the radar. Wright is getting labeled as the player people are forgetting about the most but that's been said so many times now I believe it's Carter everyone is sleeping on now. Hadad is getting slept on too which is odd cause he's the highest national rank of all of them and one of the highest ranked recruits MSU has ever signed.

[HSVDawg]

Sweet 16 if Malik returns. We will be stacked. We should have great rim protectors, elite rebounders, and multiple scorers on the court at all times. We are going to be very, very good very quickly.

I certainly hope you are right. Just don't think I can picture it right now. I think the sky is the limit for 2017-2018, but next year is still a big question mark. Personally, I'd be satisfied with NIT / NCAA bubble and anything beyond that is gravy.

[HSVDawg]

I'm slowly learning that experience means the least in basketball than any sport. We have to be the most "experienced" team in the league with all of our SRs PLUS two pretty darn good freshmen and we are still really bad.

We are still really bad because of all the seniors we have, Sword and Ware are the only ones that are halfway decent and neither one of them is elite by any stretch. Gavin is a liability on the defensive end and Sword is a poor decision maker on the offensive side at times. All other upperclassmen we have just aren't good basketball players at all. Then you add Malik, Spoon, and Holman. Of those 3, Spoon has been the only one that hasn't had some growing pains. Just look at Malik right now, he has taken 2/3 of the season just to begin putting it all together, and he is the most elite player we have ever signed. I just don't see how people can expect 5 or 6 guys to show up next year and not have at least half of them have the same learning curve as Malik has had this year (especially considering he was more highly rated and considered more college ready than all of them).

[Ifyouonlyknew]

We will have a shot at the tourney next year but this team won't reach it's potential until Howland's 3rd year. That has been his MO at every stop. Struggle the 1st year, get better the 2nd year, & the 3rd year the program takes off. We are bringing in a lot of talent next year but it's very good talent not elite talent. No one knows how those guys will react until we see them on the court. We hope they're ready but we can't guarantee they will be.