[scorecard]

For those of you interested in watching some highlights of our incoming class on a lazy Sunday, here they are in one post:

Daejon Davis - haven't had a guy with a handle that can break down a defense like this since Chasson Randle, slick passer too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fws4l6rgi6c

Kezie Okpala - scoring 46 points against a team with Shaq's son and Arizona bound Ira Lee, gets beat on some defensive plays, but probably couldn't challenge too much to avoid foul trouble when he was the star of his team; averaged 30 points a game in Cali, so it's no fluke; look how easy he strokes it from distance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS6A0l5B0No

Oscar da Silva - posted earlier, will be a tremendous help defender as well, watch his feet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7U6J1VILCw

Isaac White - the MVP on the Australian U20 National Champion team, there are clips of him going against UCLA and Washington in exhibition games as well, he can play at this level, kid's a winner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMNMxHzU_i4

Kodye Pugh - he's got a nice stroke with range and a handle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI9UrN6mJtg

[scorecard]

For those of you interested in watching some highlights of our incoming class on a lazy Sunday, here they are in one post:

Daejon Davis - haven't had a guy with a handle that can break down a defense like this since Chasson Randle, slick passer too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fws4l6rgi6c

Kezie Okpala - scoring 46 points against a team with Shaq's son and Arizona bound Ira Lee, gets beat on some defensive plays, but probably couldn't challenge too much to avoid foul trouble when he was the star of his team; averaged 30 points a game in Cali, so it's no fluke; look how easy he strokes it from distance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS6A0l5B0No

Oscar da Silva - posted earlier, will be a tremendous help defender as well, watch his feet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7U6J1VILCw

Isaac White - the MVP on the Australian U20 National Champion team, there are clips of him going against UCLA and Washington in exhibition games as well, he can play at this level, kid's a winner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMNMxHzU_i4

Kodye Pugh - he's got a nice stroke with range and a handle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI9UrN6mJtg

[81alum]

This is getting exciting.  I guess I shall have to start paying some attention to MBB :)

[81alum]

This is getting exciting.  I guess I shall have to start paying some attention to MBB :)

[Bosco]

Some more highlights for Kezie Okpala:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVyLKyykjAE

My personal favorite one is at 1:18:
https://youtu.be/RVyLKyykjAE?t=78

[Bosco]

Some more highlights for Kezie Okpala:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVyLKyykjAE

My personal favorite one is at 1:18:
https://youtu.be/RVyLKyykjAE?t=78

[bl82]

Lost in this discussion of the incoming recruiting class is any commentary on how Kodye Pugh has developed during his redshirt season.  Way back before the redshirt decision, we were teased with tidbits about how Pugh was showing off NBA-level skills, should be a big contributor, etc.

So...how did he do in practice this year?  Is he more of a SF or a PF?  Did he put on much in the way of muscle during the year?  Does he have a shot at playing starters' minute next year?  Any input -- or even speculation -- would be helpful.

[bl82]

Lost in this discussion of the incoming recruiting class is any commentary on how Kodye Pugh has developed during his redshirt season.  Way back before the redshirt decision, we were teased with tidbits about how Pugh was showing off NBA-level skills, should be a big contributor, etc.

So...how did he do in practice this year?  Is he more of a SF or a PF?  Did he put on much in the way of muscle during the year?  Does he have a shot at playing starters' minute next year?  Any input -- or even speculation -- would be helpful.

[OutsiderFan]

Rivals says Okpala is on the verge of being given a 5th star FWIW and it seems getting Davis kind of puts them over the top. That will give Hasse two Top 50 players in the Frosh class and four Top 50 players total on the roster.  He will be able to go 10-12 deep next year and something is wrong if they don't make the NCAA tournament. 

[OutsiderFan]

Rivals says Okpala is on the verge of being given a 5th star FWIW and it seems getting Davis kind of puts them over the top. That will give Hasse two Top 50 players in the Frosh class and four Top 50 players total on the roster.  He will be able to go 10-12 deep next year and something is wrong if they don't make the NCAA tournament. 

[BobK]

Rivals mbb writer also says Da Silva is also top  50. 

[BobK]

Rivals mbb writer also says Da Silva is also top  50. 

[oldalum]

something is wrong if they don't make the NCAA tournament.

well, keep in mind they are all freshmen, hard to know at this point how much of an impact they will have in their first year. But we can hope!

[oldalum]

something is wrong if they don't make the NCAA tournament.

well, keep in mind they are all freshmen, hard to know at this point how much of an impact they will have in their first year. But we can hope!

[Bruce Wang]

I checked.  This class is ranked #10 on 247 and #11 on Rivals, higher than the Lopi class.  Note that class had a 3* that turned into an NBA starter and could have had a player that is still an NBA starter.

I couldn't find the info on the classes in the height of the Monty era.  IIRC we were generally in the teens and maybe had a class or two that was in the Top 10.

[Bruce Wang]

I checked.  This class is ranked #10 on 247 and #11 on Rivals, higher than the Lopi class.  Note that class had a 3* that turned into an NBA starter and could have had a player that is still an NBA starter.

I couldn't find the info on the classes in the height of the Monty era.  IIRC we were generally in the teens and maybe had a class or two that was in the Top 10.

[fullmetal]

Why are you inflating my expectations so far removed from the start of the season...?  ;D

[fullmetal]

Why are you inflating my expectations so far removed from the start of the season...?  ;D

[OutsiderFan]

Well then, if Da Silva is a Top 50 player, that will give Stanford 5 Top 50 players on the roster next season: Travis, Humphrey, Okpala, Davis, and Da Silva. 

I remember when Monty would be ecstatic about getting Stanford to the point he could bring in even a couple Top 100 players.  It seems Hasse isn't having to do too much convincing that Stanford basketball can return to prominence.  This suggests Dawkins should be given some credit for keeping the program strong enough that it didn't require a big building effort, just maybe needed a different captain for whatever reason.

There appears to be a lot of reason for MBB optimism, so why not be optimistic?

[OutsiderFan]

Well then, if Da Silva is a Top 50 player, that will give Stanford 5 Top 50 players on the roster next season: Travis, Humphrey, Okpala, Davis, and Da Silva. 

I remember when Monty would be ecstatic about getting Stanford to the point he could bring in even a couple Top 100 players.  It seems Hasse isn't having to do too much convincing that Stanford basketball can return to prominence.  This suggests Dawkins should be given some credit for keeping the program strong enough that it didn't require a big building effort, just maybe needed a different captain for whatever reason.

There appears to be a lot of reason for MBB optimism, so why not be optimistic?

[Bruce Wang]

That last Maryland team to win it all was the first, and maybe still the only, MBB team to win a national championship without any McDonald's All-Americans. We're going to need to recruit at that level.  Reid was an McD A-A, so who knows?  Maybe this coming season.

[Bruce Wang]

That last Maryland team to win it all was the first, and maybe still the only, MBB team to win a national championship without any McDonald's All-Americans. We're going to need to recruit at that level.  Reid was an McD A-A, so who knows?  Maybe this coming season.

[PalmTree]

That last Maryland team to win it all was the first, and maybe still the only, MBB team to win a national championship without any McDonald's All-Americans. We're going to need to recruit at that level.  Reid was an McD A-A, so who knows?  Maybe this coming season.

Urghhhh - the roster of that Maryland championship team was largely the same as the team that knocked us out of the tourney in the 2000-2001 Final 8 game in Anaheim - I think their 2000-01 team had just one senior on it.  Also, Tahj Holden, who was on the roster both years,  was very heavily recruited by Mike Montgomery.

Thinking about this though, I also have to marvel at our 2000-01 roster - Casey Jakes, the Collins twins, Ryan Mendez, Justin Davis, Julius Barnes, Matt Lotich, Mike McDonald and Curtis Borchardt - pretty impressive.

[PalmTree]

That last Maryland team to win it all was the first, and maybe still the only, MBB team to win a national championship without any McDonald's All-Americans. We're going to need to recruit at that level.  Reid was an McD A-A, so who knows?  Maybe this coming season.

Urghhhh - the roster of that Maryland championship team was largely the same as the team that knocked us out of the tourney in the 2000-2001 Final 8 game in Anaheim - I think their 2000-01 team had just one senior on it.  Also, Tahj Holden, who was on the roster both years,  was very heavily recruited by Mike Montgomery.

Thinking about this though, I also have to marvel at our 2000-01 roster - Casey Jakes, the Collins twins, Ryan Mendez, Justin Davis, Julius Barnes, Matt Lotich, Mike McDonald and Curtis Borchardt - pretty impressive.

[burger]

ESPN updated their MBB recruiting class rankings.  We went from >40 to 14th.  Not bad for Haase's first class!  I hope that he hasn't set too high of a bar for himself.

As for the team next year, predictions of a Tourney appearance seem a tad optimistic for me.  I expect good things from the freshmen, and if Travis stays healthy he should get some All-American consideration.  But we would probably need at least one or two of the returning players like Pickens, Cartwright, Sharma, or Sheffield to make a big jump for the team to get to the next level.  That's certainly possible--though maybe not likely.

Anyway, I'll be happy next year if the team continues to meet the eye test, the record improves somewhat, and players continue to show improvement.

[burger]

ESPN updated their MBB recruiting class rankings.  We went from >40 to 14th.  Not bad for Haase's first class!  I hope that he hasn't set too high of a bar for himself.

As for the team next year, predictions of a Tourney appearance seem a tad optimistic for me.  I expect good things from the freshmen, and if Travis stays healthy he should get some All-American consideration.  But we would probably need at least one or two of the returning players like Pickens, Cartwright, Sharma, or Sheffield to make a big jump for the team to get to the next level.  That's certainly possible--though maybe not likely.

Anyway, I'll be happy next year if the team continues to meet the eye test, the record improves somewhat, and players continue to show improvement.

[OutsiderFan]

If Hasse wasn't bringing in three Top 50 players, I could agree that setting the bar for next season at an NCAA tournament berth would be unreasonable.  But in fact he will have three Top 50 Frosh to go with three Top 50 Seniors. If Haase is an above mediocre coach (which I believe he is), he should be expected - and I believe he thinks he should be expected - to make the NCAA field with the roster he will have.

[OutsiderFan]

If Hasse wasn't bringing in three Top 50 players, I could agree that setting the bar for next season at an NCAA tournament berth would be unreasonable.  But in fact he will have three Top 50 Frosh to go with three Top 50 Seniors. If Haase is an above mediocre coach (which I believe he is), he should be expected - and I believe he thinks he should be expected - to make the NCAA field with the roster he will have.

[BobK]

Agree 100% outsider fan.  Being In The top 68 is not an Unrealistic goal

[BobK]

Agree 100% outsider fan.  Being In The top 68 is not an Unrealistic goal

[washingtonismoney]

Well, I would temper the hype a bit on the recruiting rankings. For example, re: da Silva, Rivals may (in the future? he's not ranked in the top 50 now. maybe we mean 247, who ranks him #44) think he's great, but the opinion isn't universally shared. 247's composite has him at #155. Judging by the scouting reports, da Silva's being ranked on potential rather than immediate impact -- sounds like he'll need time in the weight room first. (FWIW Draft Express loves him, thinks he's the #5 international player born in 1998).

So it's hard to say whether they're highly ranked because of immediate impact, or because of what they might become. A NCAA tournament goal is a nice aspirational one, but I don't expect an instant turnaround.

[washingtonismoney]

Well, I would temper the hype a bit on the recruiting rankings. For example, re: da Silva, Rivals may (in the future? he's not ranked in the top 50 now. maybe we mean 247, who ranks him #44) think he's great, but the opinion isn't universally shared. 247's composite has him at #155. Judging by the scouting reports, da Silva's being ranked on potential rather than immediate impact -- sounds like he'll need time in the weight room first. (FWIW Draft Express loves him, thinks he's the #5 international player born in 1998).

So it's hard to say whether they're highly ranked because of immediate impact, or because of what they might become. A NCAA tournament goal is a nice aspirational one, but I don't expect an instant turnaround.

[GoodGrief]

Well, I would temper the hype a bit

I don't expect an instant turnaround.

What fun is reasonable expectations? No way man

I am more psyched now about Stanford hoops than I have since possibly that aforementioned 2001 team that ran into the Maryland Buzzsaw in Anaheim (I remember sitting helplessly in the nosebleed seats watching us make hard-earned baskets only to have Juan Dixon and some other guy sink seemingly endless 3's). Next year is here! BEUTM!!!!

[GoodGrief]

Well, I would temper the hype a bit

I don't expect an instant turnaround.

What fun is reasonable expectations? No way man

I am more psyched now about Stanford hoops than I have since possibly that aforementioned 2001 team that ran into the Maryland Buzzsaw in Anaheim (I remember sitting helplessly in the nosebleed seats watching us make hard-earned baskets only to have Juan Dixon and some other guy sink seemingly endless 3's). Next year is here! BEUTM!!!!

[washingtonismoney]

I'm pretty hyped too! I'm just expecting the breakout in 2018 rather than 2017.

[washingtonismoney]

I'm pretty hyped too! I'm just expecting the breakout in 2018 rather than 2017.

[winflop]

So it's hard to say whether they're highly ranked because of immediate impact, or because of what they might become. A NCAA tournament goal is a nice aspirational one, but I don't expect an instant turnaround.

NCAAs next season would exceed my expectations, but after that I expect to see our name on Selection Sunday way more often than not.

I got numb to quality of recruits after the previous several years

[winflop]

So it's hard to say whether they're highly ranked because of immediate impact, or because of what they might become. A NCAA tournament goal is a nice aspirational one, but I don't expect an instant turnaround.

NCAAs next season would exceed my expectations, but after that I expect to see our name on Selection Sunday way more often than not.

I got numb to quality of recruits after the previous several years

[GoodGrief]

You guys with your "I'd be happy to make the NCAA's" sentiments. I'm gonna be in Vegas in a few weeks. I'll have to see if I can place a bet for Stanford in the Final Four. Then I'm gonna be like this guy who bet 5 pounds on Leicester City to win (apparently he did take a last-minute 72k buyout for his bet which would otherwise have won him 250k. EDIT: Sorry, those were different guys. The odds were 5000-1, so a 50 pound bet would have been needed to potentially win 250k)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/am...ty-7847593

But I am tempering my expectations. I'm just going to bet on us going to the final four, not winning the championship. That's for next year

[GoodGrief]

You guys with your "I'd be happy to make the NCAA's" sentiments. I'm gonna be in Vegas in a few weeks. I'll have to see if I can place a bet for Stanford in the Final Four. Then I'm gonna be like this guy who bet 5 pounds on Leicester City to win (apparently he did take a last-minute 72k buyout for his bet which would otherwise have won him 250k. EDIT: Sorry, those were different guys. The odds were 5000-1, so a 50 pound bet would have been needed to potentially win 250k)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/am...ty-7847593

But I am tempering my expectations. I'm just going to bet on us going to the final four, not winning the championship. That's for next year