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Duke Brennan (6'10" F/C) will take Official Visit to Iowa City April 18 & 19

Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Duke Brennan, a 6'10" 250 lb forward/center, played at Grand Canyon last season. He was at Arizona State his freshman year and Grand Canyon for the last 2 years.

In 30 games last season, he averaged 26.6 minutes, 10.4 pts, 9.2 rebs, .50 assists, .40 blocks and .80 steals.

Last season he shot 64.6% overall, he was 0-1 from three and 65.4% from the FT line.

He has heard from these schools: Ohio State, USC, Stanford, lowa, West Virginia, DePaul, Villanova, Rutgers, Arizona State, Clemson, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Seton Hall



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In the Leistikow interview, Mac talked about how expensive bigs are in the portal, and expressed the general idea of wanting to develop bigs within the program, rather than having to buy them in the portal market.

While that sounds like a good strategy in the long term, for the sake of the team’s immediate success, I wonder if we need to open the checkbook as much as possible, and spend what we need to to get a guy like Brennan. Then, also grab some young guys, like Jirak and Saadi, with the idea of getting them ready for the future. Since Duke (or the big guy from Rice) only have one year left, it would only be a one-year commitment, which might make the high price tag more digestible.
 
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Max_Rebo said:
In the Leistikow interview, Mac talked about how expensive bigs are in the portal, and expressed the general idea of wanting to develop bigs within the program, rather than having to buy them in the portal market.

While that sounds like a good strategy in the long term, for the sake of the team’s immediate success, I wonder if we need to open the checkbook as much as possible, and spend what we need to to get a guy like Brennan. Then, also grab some young guys, like Jirak and Saadi, with the idea of getting them ready for the future. Since Duke (or the big guy from Rice) only have one year left, it would only be a one-year commitment, which might make the high price tag more digestible.
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That makes sense. I'd get both of the 1 year bigs if possible and both of the freshman too.

Then 3 guards.
 
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Max_Rebo said:
In the Leistikow interview, Mac talked about how expensive bigs are in the portal, and expressed the general idea of wanting to develop bigs within the program, rather than having to buy them in the portal market.

While that sounds like a good strategy in the long term, for the sake of the team’s immediate success, I wonder if we need to open the checkbook as much as possible, and spend what we need to to get a guy like Brennan. Then, also grab some young guys, like Jirak and Saadi, with the idea of getting them ready for the future. Since Duke (or the big guy from Rice) only have one year left, it would only be a one-year commitment, which might make the high price tag more digestible.
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Makes sense. But I think Brennan would have to start going by his middle name, whatever that is. How could "Duke" play for Iowa?
 
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RocknRollface said:
That makes sense. I'd get both of the 1 year bigs if possible and both of the freshman too.

Then 3 guards.
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Agree, if Iowa has the necessary $$$. The KSU guard and Duke would immediately upgrade the team significantly next year, but both are not going to be cheap. With 15 slots, adding the Rice big and the freshman bigs would make sense, assuming the price tag is significantly less. I would love to see a portal PG/combo guard with 2 years of eligibility to transition to the 2026 class.
 
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Wouldn't be surprised if the Rice big is the mystery big , we should find out tomorrow at the earliest.
 
Max_Rebo said:
I have to think that anyone who gets far enough along on the process to schedule a visit to Iowa is looking for more than just a bag of cash.

But yeah, when and if someone comes along with a bigger offer, it will be hard to turn it down
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The visit would not take place if Iowa coaches and the player were not comfortable with the financial deal needed.
 
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Max_Rebo said:
I have to think that anyone who gets far enough along on the process to schedule a visit to Iowa is looking for more than just a bag of cash.

But yeah, when and if someone comes along with a bigger offer, it will be hard to turn it down
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In my career I have turned down several better offers because of location and/or fit. Can't imagine how many of these young men will react to these big pay days at such an early age.

Agents will be the big winners, fans to some degree, I suspect compacency will set in for some players and I expect many will struggle after college. Hope I'm wrong but without guidance many will squander what they get.

It is not an evergreen flow of cash.
 
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2D_ said:
Kansas has reached out to Duke, so I don't see us getting him at this point.
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KU is looking for a big to be their 3rd big so it may come down to how McCollum sells how he would be utilized at Iowa. KU has kicked the tires with a lot of different bigs and nothing has really transpired yet. There is a connection with KU and Duke however, Dukes cousin was a walk on at KU the last 4 years and just graduated.
 
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Max_Rebo said:
In the Leistikow interview, Mac talked about how expensive bigs are in the portal, and expressed the general idea of wanting to develop bigs within the program, rather than having to buy them in the portal market.

While that sounds like a good strategy in the long term, for the sake of the team’s immediate success, I wonder if we need to open the checkbook as much as possible, and spend what we need to to get a guy like Brennan. Then, also grab some young guys, like Jirak and Saadi, with the idea of getting them ready for the future. Since Duke (or the big guy from Rice) only have one year left, it would only be a one-year commitment, which might make the high price tag more digestible.
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Open that checkbook!!
 
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GunnerHawk said:
In my career I have turned down several better offers because of location and/or fit. Can't imagine how many of these young men will react to these big pay days at such an early age.

Agents will be the big winners, fans to some degree, I suspect compacency will set in for some players and I expect many will struggle after college. Hope I'm wrong but without guidance many will squander what they get.

It is not an evergreen flow of cash.
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A long term job is not exactly equivalent to a short term gig though.

Especially for these one year guys the biggest pay day usually wins. They really only have to be there for 8 or 9 months.
 
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kufan_22 said:
KU is looking for a big to be their 3rd big so it may come down to how McCollum sells how he would be utilized at Iowa. KU has kicked the tires with a lot of different bigs and nothing has really transpired yet. There is a connection with KU and Duke however, Dukes cousin was a walk on at KU the last 4 years and just graduated.
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That's true.

If he's a borderline draft prospect he may be better off with a larger role on a lesser team.
 
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kufan_22 said:
KU is looking for a big to be their 3rd big so it may come down to how McCollum sells how he would be utilized at Iowa. KU has kicked the tires with a lot of different bigs and nothing has really transpired yet. There is a connection with KU and Duke however, Dukes cousin was a walk on at KU the last 4 years and just graduated.
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Good to know. I’d rather take a few less bucks if it meant I would be the first option at the 5 spot on a B1G team.

We have a reasonable chance I think.
 
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skydog0784 said:
Good to know. I’d rather take a few less bucks if it meant I would be the first option at the 5 spot on a B1G team.

We have a reasonable chance I think.
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I agree (in bold). If he goes to a Kansas, he will more than likely spend his last year primarily on the bench. If the money is more important than playing your last year of college Kansas will work.

It would not be my choice (being a deep backup) but I was never money driven in my professional career and did just fine so.... JMO
 
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Is it only between Kansas and Iowa? I like our chances if that is true, for the reasons just discussed. I would guess that a bunch of teams would be interested. He seems like one of the top true centers in the portal.
 
HoustonREDHawk said:
Is it only between Kansas and Iowa? I like our chances if that is true, for the reasons just discussed. I would guess that a bunch of teams would be interested. He seems like one of the top true centers in the portal.
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I think there are more teams involved, so who knows at this point.
 
Franisdaman said:
Duke Brennan, a 6'10" 250 lb forward/center, played at Grand Canyon last season. He was at Arizona State his freshman year and Grand Canyon for the last 2 years.

In 30 games last season, he averaged 26.6 minutes, 10.4 pts, 9.2 rebs, .50 assists, .40 blocks and .80 steals.

Last season he shot 64.6% overall, he was 0-1 from three and 65.4% from the FT line.

He has heard from these schools: Ohio State, USC, Stanford, lowa, West Virginia, DePaul, Villanova, Rutgers, Arizona State, Clemson, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Seton Hall

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For as much interest as there seems to be for the Duke, including several blue-blood programs, I think it's somewhat interesting that he has still only scheduled three visits: Stanford, Villanova, and Iowa. (At least as far as I can tell.) He was at Stanford last weekend and is wrapping up his Villanova visit today. Headed to Iowa City tomorrow.

Past history tells us that a portal prospect like Brennan will be a longshot for Iowa, so I am not particularly optimistic. Still, the longer he goes without committing, or without scheduling other visits, the more I have a bit of hope.
 
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Willin said:
I doubt Coach Ben guarantees starting or # of minutes. I don't know that for a fact, but he strikes me as a coach who expects players to earn their time in practice.
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Yeah I am not saying he lists out 30 minutes and 20 seconds per game on a piece of paper.

We have not starting center with any experience. We have a developmental center coming is which is great for the future. It will be quite obvious that a talented center with experience can carve their own way. And yes, they can't play like shit is all the practices and not put in effort and expect to get a bunch of time on the court.

This is "reading between the lines" type of stuff. Ain't rocket science.
 
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