Who is the breakout freshman for the men's team in 2023-24?

[lucas80]

Now that the roster is seemingly set, who impacts the most as a freshman?
I think Harding has the quickest pathway to consistent minutes. If he shows any ability to hit 3 pointers in conference play he'd be an asset. Clearly Freeman and Dembele will need to play a lot, but with the addition of capable B10 ready big men in Krikke and Brauns they will be worked in more slowly. Sandfort looks like he's in a logjam for a year.
Discuss.

 

[karnack1955]

Harding path of least resistance,

 

[Tunadog]

Spencer Petras or Cordell Pemsyl

 

[karnack1955]

Pemsyl has already used up his elegibilty in BB. Petras is still on the FB team. so you fail. try again jr.

 

[skydog0784]

Now that the roster is seemingly set, who impacts the most as a freshman?
I think Harding has the quickest pathway to consistent minutes. If he shows any ability to hit 3 pointers in conference play he'd be an asset. Clearly Freeman and Dembele will need to play a lot, but with the addition of capable B10 ready big men in Krikke and Brauns they will be worked in more slowly. Sandfort looks like he's in a logjam for a year.
Discuss.

Excellent thread topic Lucas…

I’ll say this, I think this is the best overall (maybe not breakout stars like Garza or the Murray’s) freshmen class Fran has brought in.

I buy into Harding as the logical guy to make the most immediate contributions since the #1 spot is thin with the 3-5 spots stacked and experienced this year. I still think Payton plays at the 4 a lot this year.

Long-term is really hard to say. I lean between Ladij as a Horton type with an outside game or Freeman as a Street clone. Owen is really underrated in this amateur’s opinion.

 

[icwesthawk]

Pryce getting a lot of time at the 3 would be my dream. Patrick starts but Pryce comes in and really shows how to play the position.

 

[kceasthawk]

Pryce getting a lot of time at the 3 would be my dream. Patrick starts but Pryce comes in and really shows how to play the position.

Probably a dream though, as you stated......

 

[Knothole Hawk]

Does that include redshirt frreshmen. I like Nimmers, and think he coming in for Perkins would be a good fit on both ends of the court.

 

[karnack1955]

Does that include redshirt frreshmen. I like Nimmers, and think he coming in for Perkins would be a good fit on both ends of the court.

if he comes in for anyone its Hardings and Bowen, as I think these 3 will rotate at the 2
Perkins
Dix
FR Sanfort

Harding
Bowen
Nimmers
all at the 1

that makes 6 players at the 1 and 2.

 

[Knothole Hawk]

I don't see him as a point guard, and if he does pan out, I think he will be a better all around player than either Dix or Sanfort.

 

[HawkHoops80]

I really think Ladji getting 10 mpg at the 4 would greatly improve this team. He could be a non-factor on offense as long as he rebounds and defends--similar to the role that Keegan had his freshman season. That way Fran doesn't have to play Krikke or Brauns out of position.

 

[Knothole Hawk]

I really think Ladji getting 10 mpg at the 4 would greatly improve this team. He could be a non-factor on offense as long as he rebounds and defends--similar to the role that Keegan had his freshman season. That way Fran doesn't have to play Krikke or Brauns out of position.

Looking at his physical makeup and the level of competition he played in high school. He does look like the best bet to make the jump to the Big 10.

 

[karnack1955]

Looking at his physical makeup and the level of competition he played in high school. He does look like the best bet to make the jump to the Big 10.

just like Harding and Freeman played in Illinois class 4A the states largest class, all 3 played against some of the best competition around, these 3 are going to be major players for Fran.

Freeman was facing dbl teams from players as tall as he is. Harding played against a MSU commit is 6'2 pg Fears and outplayed him when they met. Fears is rated #27 by ESPN

Fears is listed as being 6'0 160 lbs and is rated #38 nationally and #12 in the state of Illinois. oh did I mention that Fears is a person of color while Harding is White. just like Freeman and Sanfort.

 

[nu2u]

Harding certainly fits Fran’s system and philosophy - a player with very good offensive skills who will get eaten alive defending BigTen guards. Bowen will run the show but Harding could get significant minutes.

 

[karnack1955]

Harding certainly fits Fran’s system and philosophy - a player with very good offensive skills who will get eaten alive defending BigTen guards. Bowen will run the show but Harding could get significant minutes.

how do you arrive at your opinion? by his size or is it the color of his skin?

 

[intrepodor]

I don't see him as a point guard, and if he does pan out, I think he will be a better all around player than either Dix or Sanfort.

Do not underestimate Dix.

 

[nu2u]

how do you arrive at your opinion? by his size or is it the color of his skin?

You’re a fruitcake.

 

[ICWestfan]

Now that the roster is seemingly set, who impacts the most as a freshman?
I think Harding has the quickest pathway to consistent minutes. If he shows any ability to hit 3 pointers in conference play he'd be an asset. Clearly Freeman and Dembele will need to play a lot, but with the addition of capable B10 ready big men in Krikke and Brauns they will be worked in more slowly. Sandfort looks like he's in a logjam for a year.
Discuss.

I'm going with Krikke as "newcomer" to make the most impact, or at least hope he does.

I hope it is Pryce that makes the biggest impact with 3 pointers galore.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I also really like all four incoming freshman. I'm glad we have the overseas trip to give extra practice time and a few games to help the coaches sort out who should play. OP pretty much nailed what I think. I think Harding could be really good on the offensive end, and we will have to see how he and Bowen can play on both ends. It is nice to have five guys (besides Payton) competing for minutes at 4/5. I can't really predict how that will shake out. We are very deep at the wings, but Pryce seems to have a very complete game. I also am looking forward to seeing what Dix can bring after a year of getting totally back from his injury. I already liked his game.

Lots of potential, but we especially need to show that we can play better on the defensive end for consistent success. We lost probably our best 3 defenders, so that is a big concern.

 

[karnack1955]

You’re a fruitcake.

then answer the question as you are stating it as a fact that Harding is going yp struggle against these so called super studs in the BT.

MSU just signed a 6'0 160 lb PG
Indiana just signed a 5'11 155 lb PG

these are the future studs that are going to dominate Harding going forward other that the color of his skin I just don't see the difference.

IA will have 6'5 Dix, 6'7 Sanfort, 6'4 Perkins that opposing team's guards have to deal with. not even Jbo or Gessel dealt with these so called super studs.

also if these teams have these so called super studs then answer me this. why have these teams not reached the FF's let alone sweet 16's every year?

 

[HawkeyeHitman]

Anyone who isn’t playing behind Patrick McCaffery.

 

[seer_hawk]

Last year we had no depth at PG or Center. Given the roster makeup, I think Fran is okay using a SF in the PF slot. That would give Harding and Freeman the inside track. We know Fran could slide Perkins or Dix over to PG, but I don't that's ideal for setting up the other 4 players on the court.

I'd give Freeman the edge because it's asking a lot for a freshman PG to push the ball, and QB the offense.

I think the incoming players are the most ready to compete, of any Fran has brought in so far. Partly because the portal can be used to fill immediate needs, and partly because Freeman and Dembele are more physically mature than many of the Bigs recruited by McCaffery.

 

[jwardelt]

how do you arrive at your opinion? by his size or is it the color of his skin?

Fran likes dem white boyz.

 

[JBo4Three]

Fran likes dem white boyz.

Gard likes dem clutch, grab , and mug boyz.

 

[kceasthawk]

Gard likes dem clutch, grab , and mug boyz.

Yep, he puts them through an advanced class in nut smacking, and tripping.....

 

[hawkjt]

Shooting translates at any level.
I will go with Pryce.
Rebounding also...dembele or Freeman.

 

[Steve Waite]

This is Fran’s best recruiting class since he has arrived at Iowa. Pryce will be the best player on the team. He will have the biggest impact and it’s not even close! Harding will have a hard time unseating Nimmers at PG. He will battle Bowen for backup minutes.
I agree Freeman and Ladji have big ten body’s coming in as freshmen. I could see them getting spot minutes as backups to Krikke and Braun’s at the 4/5 position.
What a luxury to have this overseas trip to get 10 extra practices and a few games to see what you have and see what 5 guys play the best with each other!

 

[karnack1955]

This is Fran’s best recruiting class since he has arrived at Iowa. Pryce will be the best player on the team. He will have the biggest impact and it’s not even close! Harding will have a hard time unseating Nimmers at PG. He will battle Bowen for backup minutes.
I agree Freeman and Ladji have big ten body’s coming in as freshmen. I could see them getting spot minutes as backups to Krikke and Braun’s at the 4/5 position.
What a luxury to have this overseas trip to get 10 extra practices and a few games to see what you have and see what 5 guys play the best with each other!

I don't see Nimmers starting at PG as he looks more like a 2 than a 1. that is why some are saying that he more of a combo guard.

which on this team makes him more valuable, Bowen and Harding will battle it out for the PG spot. looking at this roster, it is built to have 2 players at each position with 3 extra players.

jwardt this is for you
PG/1 SO 6'2 Bowen 6'1 FR Harding
SG/2 SR 6'4 Perkins 6'5 SO Dix
SF/3 RSSR 6'9 Patrick JR 6'7 Sanfort
PF/4 JR 6'9 Brauns FR 6'9 Dembele
C/5 RSSR 6'9 Krikke JR 6'11 Mulvey
these are the 3 that will be battling for either backup or starting positions.
RSFR 6'2 Nimmers [backup role]
FR 6'7 Sanfort [backup role]
FR 6'11 Freeman [backup possible starters role]

Freeman and Mulvey will give Fran did not have the last 2 seasons that 6'11+ body in the paint,

two years ago Murray 6'9 and Filip at 6'9 were the tallest players in the paint.
last season it was 6'9 Filip and Kris at 6'8 were the tallest players in the paint.

 

[Tylerl_28]

Freeman and Mulvey will give Fran did not have the last 2 seasons that 6'11+ body in the paint,

two years ago Murray 6'9 and Filip at 6'9 were the tallest players in the paint.
last season it was 6'9 Filip and Kris at 6'8 were the tallest players in the paint.

Mulvey was on the team the last 2 seasons as well.

 

[karnack1955]

Mulvey was on the team the last 2 seasons as well.

but he was not ready, even Nunge was not ready as a SO to be a fulltime player. its amazing how a player develop's over the course of their career. even Olaseni improved over the 4 years he was here.

I am not the type to throw a player under the bus just because they don't perform up to a certain standard set by a msg board poster.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Pemsyl has already used up his elegibilty in BB. Petras is still on the FB team. so you fail. try again jr.

JFC, Fetterman, I don't know if you're more idiotic than him, or possibly Joe.

Your comprehension skills may be worse than either of them.

 

[Tylerl_28]

but he was not ready, even Nunge was not ready as a SO to be a fulltime player. its amazing how a player develop's over the course of their career. even Olaseni improved over the 4 years he was here.

I am not the type to throw a player under the bus just because they don't perform up to a certain standard set by a msg board poster.

Nunge played in all 33 games and started 14 of them as a freshman.

 

[RocknRollface]

This is Fran’s best recruiting class since he has arrived at Iowa. Pryce will be the best player on the team. He will have the biggest impact and it’s not even close! Harding will have a hard time unseating Nimmers at PG. He will battle Bowen for backup minutes.
I agree Freeman and Ladji have big ten body’s coming in as freshmen. I could see them getting spot minutes as backups to Krikke and Braun’s at the 4/5 position.
What a luxury to have this overseas trip to get 10 extra practices and a few games to see what you have and see what 5 guys play the best with each other!

Im very doubtful that Nimmers will ever be a pg.

If he had the skills to play pg he would have had a boat load of high major offers out of highschools.

Pg takes, handles, decision making, instincts and vision.

He looks like a straight up scorer to me.

 

[kceasthawk]

but he was not ready, even Nunge was not ready as a SO to be a fulltime player. its amazing how a player develop's over the course of their career. even Olaseni improved over the 4 years he was here.

I am not the type to throw a player under the bus just because they don't perform up to a certain standard set by a msg board poster.

Tyler NEVER threw anyone under any bus. As usual YOU extrapolated that he did because you take every casual comment as some type of insult to yourself, the players, or to Fran. I truly hope your on some type of powerful medication for anxiety or depression.....

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Gard likes dem clutch, grab , and mug boyz.

Most of Gard's boys also seem to be Lily white. Maybe they are easy to train on "the Badger way."

 

[J-Prof]

In an interview on Hawk Central Desonte Bowen said that Owen Freeman is the freshman who has jumped out.

 

[skydog0784]

In an interview on Hawk Central Desonte Bowen said that Owen Freeman is the freshman who has jumped out.

That’s good info. I’m excited to see what Owen brings to the table.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Fran likes dem white boyz.

Says the fan of the whitest program in America.

I agree this is Fran’s best incoming freshman class easily. Any of those 4 young men could make an impact this season. Let’s hope all 4 of them do, it could make for a very exciting season.

 

[karnack1955]

Says the fan of the whitest program in America.

I agree this is Fran’s best incoming freshman class easily. Any of those 4 young men could make an impact this season. Let’s hope all 4 of them do, it could make for a very exciting season.

maybe for as long they stay hopefully at least 3 years.

 

[Franisdaman]

Owen Freeman is standing out so far. Interesting comments on Brock Harding as well. I have said before that Brock will be a steal in the Class of 2023; so far, so good.


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