How good will Creighton be?
Baylor Scheierman is a significant addition for the Jays. But it's too early to tell just how significant
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Finally watched “The Batman.” It’s the first time since that one “Game of Thrones” episode that I spent more than 30 minutes fumbling with my TV’s picture settings. What can I say? It was finely tuned to re-watch nightly-lit Kansas-North Carolina.
PRESEASON TOP 25 MOVES
The impact of a single player
Here’s an image that should scare the Big East.
Baylor Scheierman, one of the most prized players in this year’s transfer portal, is headed to Creighton. Sure, he looks a little goofy in that shot, but there aren’t many players in college hoops who are 6-6, can run the offense and make 46 percent of their 3s.1 He may not be as productive for the Jays (he averaged 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists for South Dakota State), but he’ll fit right into Greg McDermott’s system and make Creighton a preseason Top 5 team.
Er, maybe.
There’s lots to like about the Jays. They return three starters from a team that won 23 games and was fantastic late in the season, pushing Villanova in the Big East Tournament title game and Kansas in the Round of 32 during the NCAA Tournament. Assuming Ryan Nembhard and Ryan Kalkbrenner start the 2022-23 season fully healthy, it’s easy to see why pundits like Creighton as a team to watch. But Top 5? Consider this:
Look, Scheierman is a good player. And Arthur Kaluma was fantastic against Kansas. But to assume both players make the jump next season is assuming a lot. Creighton will be tested early, and the defense (again, assuming a healthy Kalkbrenner) should be sturdy. Do all the pieces mesh on offense? Can the Jays hit 3s at a reasonable rate?
Analysts are bullish on Creighton. Bart Torvik is not (projected as No. 33 with Scheierman) and KenPom will likely be the same (a massive jump doesn’t have many precedents in Ken’s database).
A team can make the leap with the right player mix and an impact player. Think 2020 Dayton with Obi Toppin. But this is definitely a May conversation. Let’s circle back in October when all the pieces are in place.
COLLEGE HOOPS’ TRANSFER PORTAL
Emoni Bates’ new chapter
Louisville is reportedly set to land one of the prizes of the transfer portal, wing Emoni Bates. For those underwhelmed by his single season at Memphis,2 the Cardinals represent a fresh start under new coach Kenny Payne.3 He’ll be healthy and is unlikely to be pushed into playing point guard. Both will be immense boosts to his game … though being away from Memphis might be even bigger.
And remember, as Adam Finkelstein recalls, Bates’ smooth shot and polished offensive game once made him the top recruit in his class. If he’s able to focus on playing to his strength — scoring from the wing — and improve his overall strength and defense, we could see a star emerge for a program that could use some positive buzz.
More portal news:
Isaac Likekele heading to Ohio State is significant. A four-year starter at Oklahoma State, the 6-5 super senior can guard four positions and is a solid passer. He can’t shoot, but this is a terrific addition for Chris Holtmann.
Thad Matta’s building a solid transfer class at Butler, adding Manny Bates from NC State. The 6-11 junior missed all but one game last season due to a shoulder injury, but is a load down low and an efficient scorer.
Virginia Tech landed Wright State big man Grant Basile. The 6-9 forward averaged 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game as a junior.
Xavier added some scoring punch in former UTEP guard Souley Boum.
Andrew Carr is headed from Delaware (10 and 5) to Wake Forest.
The portal swings both ways. UC Santa Barbara grabbed Cal forward Andrew Kelly, who should shine in the Big West.
NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS
Where’s that time machine, anyway?
In news that would’ve been better suited for 2021, SI.com reports college officials are finalizing additional guidelines to clarify NIL-disguised “pay-for-play” rules.
Namely, they don’t want stuff like this anymore. Or groups like these.
“We let things get out of hand,” says one official with knowledge of the guidelines. “We have to get [the boosters] out of contacting recruits and bartering with them.”
A new NCAA working group tasked with reviewing NIL spent the past month creating the multipage document of guidelines, an addendum to the organization’s interim NIL policy released last summer. The guidelines are being rushed through the NCAA governance system and could be approved within a week’s time, sources say. They are expected to be the first of what could be ongoing clarity from leadership about the new and complicated space.
I’m sure rushing guidelines through the system will fix everything wrong with the system and not create any unintended consequences.
The Fast Break
Links while you decide if JJ Redick is a better commentator than he was shooter.
“Bracket Busters” on steroids? I’m all for this proposal that would amplify mid-major programs in February.
Kentucky’s hearing criticism of its NIL approach and is like, “huh?”
Cincinnati, Houston and UCF may actually join the Big 12 a season early, provided they pay up to the AAC.
The Atlantic 10 is adding Loyola Chicago for the 2022-23 season — but one more program would get the league to total 16 schools. The A-10 would “definitely be open” to that.
The Big Ten wants to have a new football media rights deal done soon. Price tag? $1 billion per season.
I’ve never watched “The Outer Banks” on Netflix. Guess this is a decent reason?
46%! On 169 attempts! That’s enough to make any coach covet your skills.
Bates played 18 games due to injuries, and averaged 9.7 points and 23 minutes, shooting just 38.6% from the field.
And more NIL money, too. Bates reportedly made high six figures last year, and will almost certainly make more this season.