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Matt Haarms is transferring from Purdue

bleediteveryday30

bleediteveryday30

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Jan 24, 2013
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Assuming Carey is gone, (I think we can all agree that he most likely is), do we go after this kid? I think he would be a welcomed addition to a front line next season that needs senior experience and depth. Now, I know we just picked up Tape for the second time. But, I would feel a little better knowing we had another proven shot blocker and play maker. He's thin, but tough. Thoughts?

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...foot-3-center-matt-haarms-transferring-purdue
 
I think at this point the only other big we possibly land is Carey coming back which probably isn’t happening. If Tape didn’t recommit I’d say go after him but playing time would be limited here for him.
 
Are we assuming Williams, Coleman, and Tape will all be effective playmakers to varying degrees? I think we're in serious need of another big down low. Coleman is a 4/5 guy who is a multi year player. Williams has come on stronger in the last year, but I am still unsure of what he can bring consistently to a team night in and night out. This guy would be a game changer for us. Are we willing to place our bets on two freshmen and an IVY league guy? I think they can all be potentially great contributors. I just don't know how much though. I'd love to have a guy like Haarms down low.
 
Well, we're not on the list of schools interested so far:

That could mean a number of things.
 
bleediteveryday30 said:
Are we assuming Williams, Coleman, and Tape will all be effective playmakers to varying degrees? I think we're in serious need of another big down low. Coleman is a 4/5 guy who is a multi year player. Williams has come on stronger in the last year, but I am still unsure of what he can bring consistently to a team night in and night out. This guy would be a game changer for us. Are we willing to place our bets on two freshmen and an IVY league guy? I think they can all be potentially great contributors. I just don't know how much though. I'd love to have a guy like Haarms down low.
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I think the team is just filling the 5 spot by committee, not production.

If Duke can promise the kid 20mpg, with touches, bring him. But it's just about having another Big, Tape fulfilled that need.
 
I'd rather have Carey back next year than bring in Haarms. But, that's not likely. So, why not offer him? He would start over Tape, Williams, and Coleman for sure. We'd be deep at the 4/5 with a possibly returning Hurt, Brakefield, Haarms, Tape, Williams, and Coleman. I just don't want to be hurting down low next season.
 
Is Brakefield a 4/3 or more of a 4/5 type player..

4/3 would be a 4 that can handle the ball and play some on the perimeter (i.e. Jabari Parker)

4/5 would be a 4 that is a true post player (i.e Javin)
 
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U.K. fans seem to have put all their coins in the Haarms basket. They expect to lose their top 5 with no true bigs coming in. RR has 4 threads dedicated to the kid.

I think Haarms, having played in a power 5 cofrence and showed he can produce at 20mins agame will be a big get for anyone. But I doubt the Duke staff will go after him with Tape committed.

At this point I do believe Duke is set. I think both Hurt and Stanley is returning. With those two returning, the versitility of the incoming recruits, and tape, Duke has more than enough to compete for a 1 seed and a natty.

Hurt is such a wild card. With time and confidence I think the kid can have a 15+ ppg contribution. We know he needs meat on those bones and some more nasty/hunger when he is in the paint.

JJ is a stud and is being slept on by so many. I expect him to come out with that watch me show everyone type of atttitude from the get go.
 
Buzzooka Joe said:
Is Brakefield a 4/3 or more of a 4/5 type player..

4/3 would be a 4 that can handle the ball and play some on the perimeter (i.e. Jabari Parker)

4/5 would be a 4 that is a true post player (i.e Javin)
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Definitely more of a scoring wing type 3/4 player. Seems to be a guy who can play the 3, however K seems to coach his best offense when he goes small with 4 scorers around 1 big, Brakefield would be a 4 in this type offense.

He played some High School games in the Cincinnati area so I've watched him in person. I wouldn't expect a lot of contributions from him next year, he will play, but some games he probably won't play. He is a scorer though, if he sticks around, by year 3 he can be an All-ACC type guy.
 
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jwill133 said:
Definitely more of a scoring wing type 3/4 player. Seems to be a guy who can play the 3, however K seems to coach his best offense when he goes small with 4 scorers around 1 big, Brakefield would be a 4 in this type offense.

He played some High School games in the Cincinnati area so I've watched him in person. I wouldn't expect a lot of contributions from him next year, he will play, but some games he probably won't play. He is a scorer though, if he sticks around, by year 3 he can be an All-ACC type guy.
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Something about watching Brakefield just screams frustration to me. Like you, I believe he will have a few games where he puts up big numbers and looks great. But I suspect fans will find his game frustrating at times and he will have a short lease from K.

As long as he isnt trying to do step back threes or dribble the air out the ball than the kid will be effective. Sometimes he gets in his own way does too much.
 
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Jacket4 said:
Something about watching Brakefield just screams frustration to me. Like you, I believe he will have a few games where he puts up big numbers and looks great. But I suspect fans will find his game frustrating at times and he will have a short lease from K.

As long as he isnt trying to do step back threes or dribble the air out the ball than the kid will be effective. Sometimes he gets in his own way does too much.
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Agreed. My Duke comp for him would be Semi Ojeleye. A guy who scored at will in High School, but had to make a big adjustment to the college game. Semi didn't want to wait his turn at Duke, ended up having a great career and is now a Celtic. Hopefully Brakefield stays patient.
 
Buzzooka Joe said:
Is Brakefield a 4/3 or more of a 4/5 type player..

4/3 would be a 4 that can handle the ball and play some on the perimeter (i.e. Jabari Parker)

4/5 would be a 4 that is a true post player (i.e Javin)
Click to expand...
Definitely a 4/3. Honestly probably more of 3/4. He’s sort of like Jalen where at times he plays a point forward role. He’s a pretty good passer and from the games I’ve seen he doesn’t force shots. From the games I watched he seemed to me a little bit too unselfish.
 
Jacket4 said:
Hurt is such a wild card. With time and confidence I think the kid can have a 15+ ppg contribution. We know he needs meat on those bones and some more nasty/hunger when he is in the paint.
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Good point on Hurt. I feel as though I've been beating the kid's drum a lot since he arrived on campus. He can flat out score....his problems were defense and slightness.

But, you bring up the one area I haven't mentioned....how mentally tough can he be? I have to imagine it's a struggle for someone who has done whatever he wanted on the court for four or five years and then all of a sudden be humbled. Some are able to process that and become a better version of themselves. Others, whether it be themselves or people in their ears, tell them it's not their fault and it's the system and/or coach causing it all. I hope Hurt is the former....but I know he has some people around him who think he can do no wrong.
 
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dukiejay said:
Good point on Hurt. I feel as though I've been beating the kid's drum a lot since he arrived on campus. He can flat out score....his problems were defense and slightness.

But, you bring up the one area I haven't mentioned....how mentally tough can he be? I have to imagine it's a struggle for someone who has done whatever he wanted on the court for four or five years and then all of a sudden be humbled. Some are able to process that and become a better version of themselves. Others, whether it be themselves or people in their ears, tell them it's not their fault and it's the system and/or coach causing it all. I hope Hurt is the former....but I know he has some people around him who think he can do no wrong.
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I do think he’s shown flashes of mental toughness. I’ve been impressed in many areas where he may have a weak performance, be benched or just not hit his shot and come back and make big plays or have strong performances the next outing. If the people around him let him run his race, and if he has the work ethic to do it, i can see him having a big year coming up.
 
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Buzzooka Joe said:
Is Brakefield a 4/3 or more of a 4/5 type player..

4/3 would be a 4 that can handle the ball and play some on the perimeter (i.e. Jabari Parker)

4/5 would be a 4 that is a true post player (i.e Javin)
Click to expand...

Great questions. The interesting fact about Jabari is he resisted playing a traditional 4 because of the physicality at that time. Yes, he was 6'8/6'9 and stretched the floor, but he wanted no parts of a post player that made his home in the paint.

I see the need for a Matt type player, but for what Matt might demand in touches, Duke don't have enough basketballs.

The Brakefield/Coleman expectation will be interesting. I just hope Coach K and the staff will be gracious with playing like they were this past season.
 
He could really help Syracuse who I like when they are not playing Duke.
 
jamsession3 said:
Great questions. The interesting fact about Jabari is he resisted playing a traditional 4 because of the physicality at that time. Yes, he was 6'8/6'9 and stretched the floor, but he wanted no parts of a post player that made his home in the paint.

I see the need for a Matt type player, but for what Matt might demand in touches, Duke don't have enough basketballs.

The Brakefield/Coleman expectation will be interesting. I just hope Coach K and the staff will be gracious with playing like they were this past season.
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Parker led the ACC in rebounding in his one year at Duke, which suggests some comfort level dealing with the physicality of the ACC.
 
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jimlsumner said:
Parker led the ACC in rebounding in his one year at Duke, which suggests some comfort level dealing with the physicality of the ACC.
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I get your point about rebounding, but in many instances, Parker's talent was just better than everyone else. There was also moments Parker deferred to Josh, Jefferson and Hood to be the physical presence then himself...I'm just saying. I guess that's what teammates do!
 
I liked Hood but he didn't seem very interested in rebounding which didn't help.
 
Mt biggest takeaway from that video is that he likes going right and finishing with his right hand around the rim. I like that from a lefty.
 
That’s something I didn’t notice at first. Seems like he shoots lefty but he prefers to lay it in with his right hand. He must be ambidextrous. Always a good thing for players to be comfortable with both hands
timritterus said:
Mt biggest takeaway from that video is that he likes going right and finishing with his right hand around the rim. I like that from a lefty.
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Him and Jalen are really good passers for their size.
 
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