Next Walk-on

[CentralIAHawk]

Why do I get the feeling that Riley Till is going to be the next Nicholas Baer? As the game of basketball begins to move to higher and higher of athleticism, it seems that might create the perfect storm for the 6'5"-6'7" Iowa boys who can move well, demonstrate some athleticism, and simply out-work and out-think some of the other guys. I don't know anything about Riley Till as a student or even his work-ethic...but he kind of looks the part to me, in the short clips and videos I have seen. Let's see what develops with that kid.

Unfortunately, there isn't really any extra minutes for a kid like that...a little different situation than when Baer arrived.

Go Hawks!

 

[StormHawk42]

I had that thought but Baer's story is pretty remarkable and rare in CBB. The fact is that we got caught in a few recruiting years that were kinda meh and only one starter has emerged from the 14 and 15 classes. There was opportunity for Baer. Unfortunately for Till, recruiting seems to be back on the upswing with the last two classes plus Weiskamp. There will be much less opportunity for him.

 

[DanL53]

I think Till is a much better walkon that most. But Baer is not going to become a common story.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

I like Riley Till, and he has lots of skills, BUT he is a walk-on in a loaded, talented group of scholarship players. Baer is a rare bird. I'll be happy if Riley can just push the rotation players, and do his part to make them better players. I think he also does a lot to help the Hawkeyes be a fun group to be around, which helps recruiting and retention.

 

[kceasthawk]

I think Till is a much better walkon that most. But Baer is not going to become a common story.

Yep. Baer was the right guy, at the right time. Till may be the right guy, but the timing is totally different. If Nick had joined the team this year, we may have never seen the Baer cage story! I'd bet Riley will be happy being a part of the team, and pushing them in practice. From what I've heard Ash is a pretty good player as well. Then this this Connor Mc kid. He looks pretty good for a walk on as well!

 

[mtdew_fever]

When the recruiting for the scholarship players is good....then no walk-on will really get a chance to see time on the floor.

Why do I get the feeling that Riley Till is going to be the next Nicholas Baer? As the game of basketball begins to move to higher and higher of athleticism, it seems that might create the perfect storm for the 6'5"-6'7" Iowa boys who can move well, demonstrate some athleticism, and simply out-work and out-think some of the other guys. I don't know anything about Riley Till as a student or even his work-ethic...but he kind of looks the part to me, in the short clips and videos I have seen. Let's see what develops with that kid.

Unfortunately, there isn't really any extra minutes for a kid like that...a little different situation than when Baer arrived.

Go Hawks!

 

[CentralIAHawk]

I understand what each of you are saying, and don't necessarily disagree with anyone. However, I believe that every college basketball team has a spot in the rotation for an upperclassmen who is: long, athletic, smart, can defend, can score, has a good motor, etc.

I'm just suggesting that I like what I see in Till, in the little bit I have seen of him. It actually isn't really that unusual for a walk-on to find a spot in a rotation in the college game. What Baer did that is so unusual is that he accomplished it in 1 year...basically re-engineered his game from a post to a wing player with one redshirt season.

I think there might be a day a couple of years from now when an incoming, highly-recruited freshmen shows up on campus and matches up against a junior/senior Riley Till and says, "Oh shit, this guy is a walk-on?!?!"

Go Hawks!