baker and van vleet

[HockeyShock]

The NBA places a high importance on the age of their drafted players. If Ron stays at WSU another year, he'll be a 5th year senior and what, 23 years old? This was a knock on Cle too. He was an older guy and played a role in him falling to the 2nd round. IMO, I think that is a major factor he is considering along with his dream to play in the NBA. I think another year would be better off. Similar players like JJ Reddick and Kirk Hinrich played four years in college and both were 40 plus percent shooters from the 3. Ron's current average is 38 percent. He's not fast enough or can jump out of the gym so his game is going on the perimeter shooting, which again he needs to improve.

I'm sorry, we are talking about the same Ron Baker, yes? The one who is on the WSU all-time list (already) for blocks? The 6'4" guy who can dunk relatively easily?

He's a bit more athletic than Hinrich was. That's all I'm saying.

[HockeyShock]

And I'm calling it now: After a successful senior year, Fred VanVleet is a first-rounder.

Easy.

[pinstripers]

And I'm calling it now: After a successful senior year, Fred VanVleet is a first-rounder.

Easy.

that would be a shocker

[Jhook89]

I'm sorry, we are talking about the same Ron Baker, yes? The one who is on the WSU all-time list (already) for blocks? The 6'4" guy who can dunk relatively easily?

He's a bit more athletic than Hinrich was. That's all I'm saying.

lol here is the winner for most biased post of the day. You can hate KU all you want, but Hinrich was a complete stud. He was arguably the best on-ball defender in the country (backed up by him making an all-nba defense team). Scored over 1700, shot 43% from 3, averaged 5 assists a game, had over 200 career steals, and so on. Go watch some old Hinrich videos. The guy was a blast to watch.

[Fozzy]

I watched the post-game press conference last night and the last question for HCGM was from Paul Suellentrop and he asked about Ron and Fred and the NBA. I'm sure the transcript is out there somewhere, but HCGM said they would get some preliminary evaluations for both of them where they'd go in the draft and go from there. Said they'd be successful regardless of what they do.

Speaking of the press conference - Fred did a great job answering questions. Ron you could tell was down from the game, but did a good job as well.

Found the link to the transcript at http://asaptext.com/marchmadness/med..._26_21_52.html and here's the question and answer:

Q. Gregg, earlier you had indicated Ron has a decision to make about what he's going to do, if he's going to come back next year. How's that process work and what's your role in helping him with that?

COACH MARSHALL: Well, we have to gather information for him. There's an NBA -- and Fred has the same decision to make. Anybody with the credentials that those kids have can put their name in the hat and then you ask the NBA folks to give you an advisory sample of where certain teams may see you and then they come back to you and then you have to just make a decision. Ron did that last year. So I anticipate them both doing that. I don't know when that happens but it can start now, I think, but I don't know how quickly that you turn that around. I like what Ron said up here when I heard him say that he felt bad for the seniors. He didn't act like it was his last game, he felt bad for the seniors. That was at least a little positive that I took from that, I don't know if you guys caught that, but I did. So we just -- we help them, we advise them. If either one of them are lottery picks, you probably have to consider it very strongly. If you're midway through the second round, chances are about 50/50 you never play a second in the NBA. So there's only X amount of slots. You're a big NBA guy, you know that. They have to make some really tough choices. Ron will have his degree because he's red shirted, he's already finished. Fred will have some more schooling to do but they're both great players, and regardless and here's the point I'm going to make to them, regardless if they go to the NBA or Europe, today, tomorrow, next year, they're going to be successful. And they don't really understand that right now because they're thinking, man, I can be a lottery pick, I can make millions of dollars, and that's probably at the forefront, but it doesn't matter whether either one of them plays a second in the NBA, they're going to be successful.

[1972Shocker]

Regarding Fred Van Vleet:

“It’s a survey that tells you ‘We think you will fall in this round or this number of a pick,’” said Joe Danforth, VanVleet’s step-father. “They could tell you you are likely to go undrafted.”

An evaluation that pegs him as a second-round pick won’t necessarily dissuade VanVleet from entering the draft. “I think he would consider it,” Danforth said. “If they tell him he’ll go undrafted, I’m pretty sure he’ll come back.”

Danforth said the opportunity to help his family with money is likely a factor for VanVleet. He is close enough to graduation that leaving without a degree is not an obstacle, Danforth said. “We’ve told him that if you want to pursue your dream we’re behind you 100 percent,” Danforth said. “If you want to go back to school, we’re going to support you.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

[1972Shocker]

I believe Coach Marshall's comments after he agreed to stay at Wichita State were that they will help Ron and Fred do what is in their best interest.

In the long run, what is best from Ron and Fred is what is best for Wichita State, even if that results in them leaving early.

[choida]

that would be a shocker

Not if he ups his scoring and 3 point %... But hard to do when he's a pass first unselfish player... It's curse and a blessing for him....he really deserves a real shot in the nba... But many never sniff it

[Dan]

this quote is concerning to me. This type of mentality is an issue for us in recruiting the next level athlete "“If Fred were at Kansas, if Fred were at Kentucky, I don’t think we’d be having this discussion,” Danforth said. “Everybody would be raving. If he does come out, we’ll see what happens when he goes head to head with (higher-profile players) at the workouts.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

[Shock Top]

this quote is concerning to me. This type of mentality is an issue for us in recruiting the next level athlete "“If Fred were at Kansas, if Fred were at Kentucky, I don’t think we’d be having this discussion,” Danforth said. “Everybody would be raving. If he does come out, we’ll see what happens when he goes head to head with (higher-profile players) at the workouts.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

WSU is in the process of breaking that. It takes time.

I believe Fred will be successful. He reminds me of Steph Curry and Damian Lillard (two players Marshall recruited); the guys from the "small schools" (much smaller the WSU even), that people thought would struggle, but ended up being two of the best players in their draft classes.

[jocoshock]

this quote is concerning to me. This type of mentality is an issue for us in recruiting the next level athlete "“If Fred were at Kansas, if Fred were at Kentucky, I don’t think we’d be having this discussion,” Danforth said. “Everybody would be raving. If he does come out, we’ll see what happens when he goes head to head with (higher-profile players) at the workouts.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

Not a problem if you spin it right. It was WSU that saw the potential, not KU or UK, in Baker and Van Vleet. If not for Marshall, Van Vleet and Baker wiud have wound up at Kent State and Fort Hays State.

Marshall is the Warren Buffet of college basketball. NOBODY is better at identifying and acquiring undervalued assets..

[Dan]

I agree with you jocoshock. VanVleet may have had options, he just committed to us first and kept his word. Who knows what his career would've been if he played for KU or UK. He could've gotten buried on the bench behind some McD AA's, just ask Conner.

[martymoose]

From the tone of Marshall's voice on Rome today, sounds like now that he's staying, Ron and Fred are likely staying as well. No problem with them getting familiar with the process and getting their names out there a little more.

[proshox]

Ron should strongly consider going now if he values an NBA career. I think he has a low probability of being a first round pick with more year of college basketball; therefore, he is better served to start grinding it out and developing a "pro-style" game (like TM has).

I would view things differently if he didn't have a degree or if he hadn't had the chance to play the 1 spot in college. Both of those check boxes are full and his development is probably limited vs. the professional basketball environment.

With all that said - I hope his number one goal is a second final four & national championship.

[Shock Top]

Ron should strongly consider going now if he values an NBA career. I think he has a low probability of being a first round pick with more year of college basketball; therefore, he is better served to start grinding it out and developing a "pro-style" game (like TM has).

I would view things differently if he didn't have a degree or if he hadn't had the chance to play the 1 spot in college. Both of those check boxes are full and his development is probably limited vs. the professional basketball environment.

With all that said - I hope his number one goal is a second final four & national championship.

I disagree.

WSU is in the spotlight BIG TIME right now. If they "get the band back together" for one more run, they can truly do some real damage.

Also, he can further cement his legendary status at WSU by finishing out his career. Something I am sure that is on the back of his mind.

Couple that with the fact that now he will have a degree and be able to focus even more on basketball, I think it could further elevate his profile.