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RUNNIN' VEGAS - The John McNamara Sports Podcast
Talking all things Las Vegas sports-from UNLV to the pros, and everything in between.
RUNNIN' VEGAS - The John McNamara Sports Podcast
🥇 Can Josh Pastner Bring UNLV Back? | John McNamara & Ryan Pulliam
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Welcome And Quick Catch-Up
SPEAKER_01Hey guys, it's John MacBook Run and Vegas. We're talking local sports business real estate. If you guys like what you see, subscribe, follow us on Run and Vegas podcast. I got my co-host, Mr. Ryan Pullium in the house. Let's go. Good to see you, man. Good to see you, man. Thanks for being on. Hey, thanks for always for having me. It's one of the highlights of my week for sure. You've been missed. We usually have our monthly UNO V pods. You've been gone for a couple months. So what so what's new in the last couple months? I haven't seen you.
SPEAKER_02You know, yeah, our schedule just kind of didn't align. I've been traveling a little bit. I I turned uh 46 hence hence the readers now. So yeah. But uh aside from that, just kind of getting through the spring and uh getting ready for summer.
SPEAKER_01What about you? Uh just working, man. Enjoying this uh the the the life of being in real estate right now. Is a road coaster as always. Well, happy birthday. We got lots of birthday gifts for you. Perfect, yeah. For Unal
The Recruiting Identity Pastner Wants
SPEAKER_01V. This is gonna be the Unal V basketball off season report. We're talking transfer portals, some high school kids that committed. You ready for this? Let's go. Okay, cool. All right. So, so far in the offseason, it's not completely over, but you Unal V basketball, they have officially signed six incoming transfers, two high school commits. So, what are your just initial thoughts of the process so far kind of unveiling itself with Pastor and his class here?
SPEAKER_02So initially I was a little concerned about the slowness of it. Last time I was on, actually, I don't think that we maybe signed I think we just had two returners. It wasn't any anybody in the portal had committed yet. So I was a little concerned about that, but I think overall, 30,000 foot view, it does appear that Passner is building a roster based on length, toughness, and rebounding and versatility, not based around players. I mean, with Dave Rice, we had a bunch of McDonald's all American players, but nothing really, we didn't have an identity. I think Passner is really trying to give us an identity, and he's recruiting players to fit that identity.
SPEAKER_01I think that's a great take. Yeah, it was kind of mine too. It was a slow start. I think Hamlin like just signed the last time we saw each other two months ago. Um, but I think it's a solid class, so let's run it down and kind of I like to hear your take. Uh also, guys, check out Tyler Bischoff had an interview with Pasner. There's really good uh information on the class coming in, so I would check that out. But I want to hear your take. So the number one signing here, Tyler Harris, 6'7, 200 pounds, um, was from originally Portland State, Washington, and Vanderbilt. He averaged at Washington in the Big Ten. Uh 11.8 points per game, 49.5 three-point percentage, and 49% field goal percentage. It was probably the the highlight so far of the incoming transfers. What's your thought on the on Tyler?
SPEAKER_02If we get Portland and Washington, Tyler, I think it's a slam down transfer. If we get Vanderbilt, I'm a little concerned because at Vanderbilt he only averaged about 5.5 points per game. Um but we we see that sometimes when a kid does very well, he goes up a conference, maybe doesn't fit that mold. And then I'm glad that we were able to kind of get him back down. And I think he's uh one of those players that's versatile and like you said can score, and um we're gonna need that this year. So I think it's a it's a really good high uh really good signing for us. Um and I'm just I'm hoping that the Washington uh Tyler Harris comes out more so than the Vandy one does.
SPEAKER_01Me too, and and to be fair too, that venerable team is really good. 100%. It was a tournament team. He just you for whatever reason wasn't able to to crack, you know, the the big lineup there. But yeah, it was all WCC at Portland State, put up big numbers at Washington. Passenger said he can shoot it, great length. He's actually a really good defender. Um, and just I mean, all of these guys that we're gonna talk about, all of them can defend. Right. They were either the one, two, maybe the third best defender on the previous team they're on. So that's clearly been something that Passner is focused on, and that's something he talked about as well. Is he was a part of it, the the slow moving offseason, because usually in Unal V, we kind of win the like you said, get the all American McDonald and all American. We kind of win the offseason, then we have 18 wins. Exactly. And Passenger was very, he's like, hey, I I watch a lot of film on these guys. Um he it it we we're taking our time in the process. We watch almost all the games. He even said he's like,
Early Transfer Wins And Concerns
SPEAKER_01I watch them go against the number one team in their conference, and then I'll see how they play against the worst team in their conference. He wants folks that are gonna keep grinding, to have effort. Uh so he's taking his time.
SPEAKER_02And I love that because I kind of going back to what he his focus is on. I want to win the league, not win the press conference. And so that's one of the big things. If he can develop these guys and develop a team around his ideal, you know, um his idea of what he wants running rebel basketball to look like, then I think it's good because you're you're you're focusing on an ideal, not necessarily a player.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, for sure. And we're seeing that with uh with the incoming class here. All right, number next, forward, MG Thomas, uh 6'8, 226 pounds from New Orleans, field call percentage, 53%, eight rebounds, uh 10.8 points a game. He's got looks like anywhere from two to three years more years of eligibility. What were your thoughts on the MG uh Thomas?
SPEAKER_02I dig this guy. Elite rebounder, high motor guy. Anybody who almost averages a double double is gonna make an immediate impact on the team. So um, you know, guys who understand how to score and how to rebound um and can just go. And that's what I think we were excited about at the very beginning of last season was it seemed like we were playing to run a rubble basketball and that high, high, high pace, uh fast pace, um, good defense, and getting out the ball. So if he can, you know, if he can grab a ball, get an outlet pass down court to a streaking guard or another wing, um, I think it's gonna be huge. So I'm I'm big on this one. He's he's one of my guys I'm most looking forward to seeing play this year.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. And he you you hit on the nose, elite rebounder, he's gritty. Um, that's one of the things the passer said. Motor, he he said he's a little undersized, but I can't remember like the last time we had an elite rebounder on the team. At least the 15 years I've been watching, you probably there's probably been some good read up rebounders for it, but I feel like this is a guy that running rebels basketball is needed for a very long time.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. Because that's the thing about it. You if you get a rebound and you get a guy that can give in a quick alley pass, it just doesn't matter what defense the other team is playing, if you get behind them. And you know, getting a rebound and getting out on the on the on the fast break is huge. So if we can do a little bit more of that this year, we'll win more games.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. And interesting stat too is uh UNLV basketball last year was number one in tempo, and they were top 40 in the nation. So you gotta get past her to that. 100%. Yeah, okay, great. Uh commit number next, point guard, Terrence Ford. Uh he is 6'1, 177 pounds, originally from Arkansas State. He was at Tulsa, didn't play, got injured. Phil call percentage 42, 3.40. You can shoot from outside, 1.2 steals, 4.9 uh assists a game, so really good assist to steal uh or turnover ratio uh as a senior. What are your thoughts?
SPEAKER_02Senior leadership and the point guard position is always huge. In the before times, before the NIL ruined uh somewhat say, some would say college basketball. If you had a mid-major team that went far in March, they always had a senior point guard leading the team. So I'm excited to see what Terrence Ford Jr. can bring. A little open, it's not deja vu all over again where uh we, you know, our starting point guard's been is injured at the beginning of the season. I think he's I think he's good as it was a wrist injury, wasn't a foot injury, so that's obviously a good thing with um as opposed to uh Miles Che. But um, you know, I I think I think Passenger I had read I have here that he has described him as a sleeper. So I think if you know if he can watch films, he's doing his due diligence on these guys and he says this guy's a sleeper, I think he's gonna be the real deal leading the team.
SPEAKER_01I agree too. Yeah, I could call him a sleeper, true point guard, um pick and uh he can do the pick and roll, which we haven't seen forever for our point guards. Um so kind of things I the I think what's gonna be fun about running Rebels basketball this year is we're gonna see things that we've been hoping for in the past, at least on paper. Um so I think it I thought that was a great signing as well. He can shoot outside good again, another defending uh uh guard here. You guys will see the trend here. Okay, number next, uh wing. Dontrez Williams, 6'5, 180 pounds from Lynwood. He averaged uh 15.2 points a game, 45 field goal percentage. Favorite stat was 2.6 steals a game. Clearly a defending wing. What's your thoughts?
SPEAKER_02Love the defense uh that he plays. Um love, obviously, on paper, the points per game, uh, kind of vice versa from Tyler Harris going from a power conference down to a mid-major. Um he's good. Linwood, I mean, you know, everybody can score at Linwood. Um it'll be interesting to see if he can translate over. But what I'm hoping he's kind of like is Mr. Triple Dubs himself, Howie Fleming Jr., how he came from um, you know, UT Rio Grand Rio Gran Valley, and um it started to kind of slow, took him a little bit to get to the speed of that upper upper level of the league. But at the end of the season, he was playing major minutes contributing, and again, I think he had two triple doubles towards the end of the season. So if Dontres Williams can play defense, which we know that Josh Bassman loves, yeah, and um actually score the ball, he'll definitely work himself into getting major minutes uh on the team this year.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I I I liked the signing here. Passman described him as a downhill driver, great defender. Uh he always talks about winning the 50-50 ball. He said Dante's Williams wins 90-10. And Dante's Williams, he he's clearly like a two or a three, but he kind of reminded me of like Anthony Marshall. Um, not a point guard. Not that necessarily Anthony Marshall was really like a true point guard, but he's physical, he's downhill, not the best shooter. Anthony Marshall's on the on the staff. So I thought it was kind of a fun. I don't feel like we've had like a real gritty guard since Anthony Marshall.
SPEAKER_02I love that comparison.
SPEAKER_01And uh I'm excited for it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I and I I again his three-point and free throw percentage needs improvement, but he's a younger guard, so that could come with better you know training and coaching. And I, you know, I trust passenger staff to be able to get these guys ready to play.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, he's he's got another two to three year eligibility as well. So, all right, uh incoming transfer number next, Jeremy Famane. 6'11, 250 pounds, played at UCF, Mississippi State, and Rhode Island. Uh, what are your thoughts?
SPEAKER_02So this one I'm not as stoked about, not because it's not, we obviously needed size, and 6'11, he's a big dude, played at UFC again, like you said, played at Mississippi State and Rhode Island, but he just didn't really wasn't a major contributor anywhere he played. Whereas other guys have been great at previous schools or the school that they're coming from. He's really never made really a true impact on any at any of the schools he was at. So um, you know, Mountain West play, we need big physical, so I think it's good. I just I'm hoping it's not another Emmanuel Stevens. And it's like it looks looks great on paper, it looks great in the locker room, but when you get out on the court, it's just kind of a little bit of a misnomer. So uh jury's out on this one for me.
SPEAKER_01Okay, yeah. Pastor said he was a steal. Um, he he can go, he can use his left and his right hand, uh, which is not typical, so he has versatility. Um he's a big man. Yeah, to me, um, I don't necessarily see this guy starting, but there is something you can't teach size. Right. And one thing I'm noticing about Passner is he clearly brings in guys to to uh it for create potential uh lineups that could be advantage depending on who we play. And we've had guys like Jones back in the day, who's like a center from June Juco, that would come in and just foul everybody, and he was just, you know, he would go against the big guy. So I I see I see this guy as a really good role player, maybe getting 13-15 points a game, can come in. He's got some size to him, depending on the matchups, but overall, we'll see. He's coming down, so maybe it translates. Sounds like he's got a chip on his shoulder, too. Um, so um solid signing.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, absolutely. And again, like you said, you can't teach size, and we have gotten, I think, bigger at every single position. And um you need you need guys just to be able to, you know, like he said, if it's a matchup where another team you're playing has a massive center, get in here. We need fouls, we need minutes, and this guy might just be able to give us that role-playing ability that will uh help us to stay in games, if not necessarily win them.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, good take. Uh, okay, incoming transfer number next, combo guard, Cam Miles, 6'2, 170 pounds from Florida State. He was a freshman last year, he'll be a true sophomore of this year. What's your take?
SPEAKER_02This is my hopeful, my hopeful DGL storyline playing out, where he was at um a school that he did. I mean, he averaged, what, 15 minutes and 25 games in the ACC as a freshman, like you said. Towards the end of the season, he kind of fell out of the rotation a little bit. I don't know if that was just a tightening of the rotation or what that looked like, but um the kid can can play a lot of upside, high ceiling. Uh good, good looking kid um to play on the court. So um I'm I'm really hoping that he's the guy that comes and really has a breakout season for UNLB this year.
SPEAKER_01All right, great take. Well, Passener would agree with you. I thought that one of the most interesting takes that Passener had when he was talking to uh Bischoff was Cam Miles has a very high ceiling. The best basketball is ahead of him. Downhill, uh another tough guard. So he is interesting.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, he can create his own shot too, which again, DGL did a great job of last year. Um, because sometimes you need that. When if you look if you look at the roster right now, we may not have a ton of scores that are just gonna pure scores. I think he may be the closest one that we could do as a pure score if he can create his own shot, create uh create some momentum off the dribble. And like you said, run downhill, play run and rebel basketball. You don't need to shoot uh a good percentage from the field if you're making layups, right? That's right. That's right.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, he's an interesting prospect. Exciting for him. All right, now let's get into the freshman coming in forward. Jackson Kiss, 6'8, 230
Size Upside And The Big-Man Bet
SPEAKER_01pounds, uh out of high school. Uh he is a four-star recruit. He got flipped from Iowa State, so that was kind of fun. Heck yeah.
SPEAKER_02I'll take that all day long. What's your take? So, um, I mean, aside from just you know messing with the Wizard of Otz and taking one of his guys, um I I think this is I think this is a really good flip for us. I mean, if you sign in with Iowa State, he looks good. He's at a hurricane, uh, Utah, so he's familiar with their area. I think he played on Vegas a leader, one of the local AAU teams. But the dude's huge for a freshman. This isn't somebody who's gonna say, you're gonna say, oh, well, he's probably gonna need an off-season the weight room. I mean, this guy has a big physical presence, a big physical body. I love that he's from New Zealand. Um, I love that Mark Dickle is the guy who kind of helped him. I don't know how that works when they sign somebody else, but anyway. Um I love Dickle um because that's he gave us Wally Brown last year. So I love Dickle's like loving on UNLV right now, um, one of the fastest point guards I've ever seen uh play live. So I'm excited, and I think that he can really work himself into the rotation, especially if if foam if Fomina doesn't really pan out and he doesn't get a lot of minutes, I think we may just play a little smaller, and this kid can get some minutes um if you know things work out for him.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think so. I think he has the opportunity maybe uh, you know, five, ten, maybe fifteen minutes a game. The good thing is we we have Jones, a Thomas, Fomino. So we don't necessarily need him to come in right away. He can be developed, you know, but I would like to see him get some minutes, and I think he will. I mean, he's coming to Unile V, so usually when you're a four-star, you're expecting sometime, you know, minutes to be played. So not that Passenger gives away minutes. I don't see him as that coach, but um, I think he's gonna be part of the rotation on some level here, depending on how fast he develops from high school to college.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think it's a great point. I think one of the reasons he's left Iowa State is because of who they had on the roster ahead of him. So if he's gonna if he's gonna sit the bench at a Big 12 school or sit the bench at a Mountain West school, I'd probably pick Big 12. So I'd assume that there's been some insight as to, yeah, this kid's gonna be able to make an impact and get minutes. Yeah. At least, you know, at least starting the season. And if he can get some, you know, uh get some experience early in the season, he looks good, then who knows what can happen towards the end in uh conference play.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, Tyron Jones is a great example of that, right? He got tons of time last year. So not that they're the same player, you know, like their play style, but kind of similar coming out four-star, you know, playing the forward position. Um, so he could potentially be Jones' uh replacement here in the future. So on some level. Uh so excited for that signing. And then the other uh freshman that's officially signed, uh, Combo Guard. Uh and he's also listed as point guard. Coda, subtle, 6'3, 193 pounds, big guard, high school, three-star. He has some really good offers coming out of high school. Cincinnati, Georgia, Ole Miss. What's your take?
SPEAKER_02This kid, I'm really excited about. I'm hoping that he can kind of see the big picture, especially with um with Terrence Ford, probably getting the starting point guard. I assume I Isaac Williamson's gonna come off the bench as uh as as the backup point guard. But this kid is, like you said, he's strong, he's big bodied, can create, can finish at the rim, um, and that's and he hustles. And that's what again, what we're kind of talking about with running rubble basketball. Those are the kind of players you need on the court. So if that's his mentality, he can earn minutes in practice and go from there. But um, you know, it's it's one of those judges. A freshman comes in, you never know what you're gonna get. But I love I love the potential of this kid.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, the guards are kind of fun, and one thing the subtle signing subtle, Williamson, Cam Miles, not that they're the same player, but they have very similar styles to their game. Combo guards can defend that are gritty. So I like because as you know, especially in tournament time, guards are huge. Right. And we haven't really been able to mean King guards as Hamilton we had for like four years, and he was more of a wing. But it's it's it's gonna be fun to see if one or two of these guys can really start getting to that next level and you know how they can contribute here in the future, and we'll see if he gets men's this year or it's next year. But I like the I there's clearly a certain type of guard that Bassner goes after, and I like it. I like it 100%.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. And I mean, especially if the kid can play defense, because I think that was one of the one of the knocks on Williamson last year coming in as a freshman, is that senior senior and upperclassman guards were just picking on him. And I mean his defense footwork was just a little slow. He you know, he he hustled, but sometimes you just get beat. And so um freshman guards coming in, just it's a it's the game's just faster, and sometimes you needed kind of a little bit of time to to get into that uh defensive state of mind. But if he already plays good defense, and uh same with um Dontres Williams, um these guys they're defensive minded that they're gonna work on that, they're gonna be willing to work on that to get playing time.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah, it's a big lead from freshman to sophomore, and that's gonna be the fun, especially, you know, Cam Miles Williamson, it's gonna be hey, can one or both of these guys get to the next level and really contribute? Because that's gonna be the big thing. Subtle, you know, if he comes in, he plays great, um, but he kind of has a year because there is a little, there's a lot going on in that position. I think some injuries would have to occur, or he just he's a rock star from day one. Right, exactly. It happens 100%. We've seen it before in the past, but I like the guards they brought in. I feel like that's probably the deepest position uh on the roster right now. So a little bit of bonus, it's not an official commit here. Mr. Alan Breed, 63,200 pounds from MC State Province. He was also at McNeese State for like two games. He got injured. What's your take?
SPEAKER_02I I don't know. This one is if his eligibility doesn't get approved, I'm not gonna lose a bunch of sleep over it. He didn't really put up a ton of numbers. Um at I mean he was decent at Providence, but he had some off the court issues early on. Um, and then uh he like, like you said, got injured. So I just you know, bringing in another injury-prone guard that maybe uh maybe have some other off off-court issues, I don't necessarily know. But if he does make it, I mean, um,
Freshmen Adds And Guard Depth
SPEAKER_02you know, I I think he will add something to the team, but I don't think this is something where we're gonna build our team around this kid.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I don't think so either. Uh, the one thing that stood out for me is uh last year um he shot 89% from free throw. And I think the years before, he was somewhere between 80 and 90, so he's a great free throw shooter. He was pretty highly recruited out of high school seven, six or seven years ago, whatever that was. Um but yeah, he's interesting. It kind of reminds it kind of goes hand in hand with that Fomina uh pickup, where I could see Breed coming in at the end of games, potentially being a starting guard for the team, you know, depending. Because he he put up a lot of points from the state for two games, and clearly coming down from Big East and EC is a he may be able to translate into starter minutes into Mountain West. But I see this guy more of as a potential role player. We get up on teams and they get in foul trouble. And Passenger was really good about this last year. That's right. Team wasn't in foul trouble, it was usually the other side, but we didn't have a ton of guys that could hit those free throws. They they would. We got won some games that way, but we didn't have a guy shooting 89% free throw last year.
SPEAKER_02No, 100%. So great so if you have a guy who's an experienced ball handler for late game situations that if we are getting fouled, he's pretty money from the line. That's that will be huge.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah. I can see him being the closer if that makes sense. I love that I love that. That's that's his new nickname now. I love it. Okay, so so far in the class, it's not far. Finish because we got anywhere from three to four uh more guys probably coming in in the next 30 days, give or take. But overall, you know, how do you think Passener did with this class so far? And and and to put you on the spot, because I didn't put this in the questions before. How would you grade Passener's class?
SPEAKER_02So I would grade it as a B minus right now, just because there's not there for me, there's not somebody who's fully stands out. However, I'm gonna I'm gonna say that I'm gonna give him uh give him uh the ability to to you know maybe give him the paperback, have him make say make some changes and send it again. But I think you know, uh he's created a team and he's created a roster that can win. Historically, if you look at teams like San Diego State, long, athletic, may not have been the great greatest offensive-minded teams, but they played amazing defense, gritty, rebounded the ball, got, you know, and they they won with their defense. If he can take that recipe and apply it to the new Mountain West, I think it's gonna be uh amazing. I'm just the only question mark in my mind is who's our who's our guy, who's our go-to guy. And I think especially coming off of last year when Gibby was just so money with with scoring points, um, I I'll have to see how they play before I think, okay, yeah, that's that's our guy. I just nobody leaps off the page at me yet being being the guy that's gonna be able to just get us, you know, 18 to 20 points a game.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Well, I gave him a B plus. Okay. But I I'm usually Mr. Like, you're like more positive about it. I know this week is a good thing. So I I love this cake. Like this is, you know. Um, I overall like it. It's probably, yeah, it's we've been lucky enough to, uh not lucky enough to have these classes that were more wow in the past, where we've won the offseason. But I I actually really believe in Passner's um style of recruiting and what he goes after. Like you you put it, I think, on the nose, like more San Diego State type players that are defend gritty, rebound. So I could see these games not maybe being as fun in terms of hitting a lot of three-pointers, but he clearly, with a high tempo, I think he's gonna put up points that way. And the defense, I I don't think Passener was proud of last year, and he has clearly gone on his way to get more players that hit fit his type of style. So I think this is going to translate better than last year. And that I guess that's my next question. You kind of said it is like, who else do we need to fill the roster with? Because I'm kind of the same line as you. I feel like Tyler Harris, I feel pretty confident that he's probably gonna be the scorer. And then Tyru Jones, like, we got two guys, but I've always said in the past, like Unal V has like two guys, and then we get 1820 wins, 22 in a really good year for Unal V. And we just we never had like three players that can just go off for 20 points, right? And it looks like on paper, maybe we got two. That's it. So I would like to see another scoring wing and a scoring center. So, and then maybe bring in a freshman wing uh with upside to fill in the rest of the roster. What are your thoughts?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I think we I would love to get a uh uh just a knockdown perimeter
Grading The Class And Projecting Starters
SPEAKER_02shooter that could just stay stay on stay on the three-point line and hit hit a big shot. Definitely need uh at least one big, maybe two, um center. I don't know, has has Emmanuel Stephens landed anywhere? I don't think he has. I don't know. He's transferred. I'm not saying I would want him back, but worst case scenario. I don't think he's coming back. Um and I mean if if you can if you could have uh you you talked about our guard, our guards, we have a ton of guards, um, but if we can kind of bring in an experienced ball handler, if you can find one right now, I don't think that would be the worst thing that we could we could add to the team. Um but I think first and foremost we need uh permanent shooter, somebody who's who's money and can knock down the shot, and at least one center.
SPEAKER_01I agree with you. Um my concern is I know he's gonna run the high tempo. And as long as that works, it doesn't really matter as much. But if we go into half-court offense and we only have like two guys on the court that can shoot, um it makes things complicated. When you have three or four guys that can shoot from outside, it spreads open, it makes the offense wide open. Right.
SPEAKER_02You have to keep the defense guessing. If you know that the defense knows your scoring is gonna come from two guys, those are the two guys you guard, and everybody else is just trying to, hey, whatever you want to do, try it.
SPEAKER_01Right. So yeah, I think that's the one thing that's lacking um from this roster right now is hey, go get a high scoring guy. I don't know if they ran out of money or not. I don't feel like a ton, I don't know. We don't know what that IL is and how much these guys so tough. Yeah, but it doesn't seem like we have a ton of maybe Tyler Harris, but none of these guys seem like they maybe demanded high money, but who knows? So, yeah, hopefully see that. So, what do you think, as of right now on paper, uh-huh, what do you think the starting lineup is looking like?
SPEAKER_02So I think point guards, Terrence Ford Jr., excuse me, shooting guards, Cam Miles, small forward, Tyler Harris, and then the center's position is the only question mark for me. If Jeremy Flamina is good, he'll start at center, and then Tyron Jones at power forward. If he's not, we'll have MJ Thomas at power forward, and then Tyron Jones at the center. We'll just play you know three big forwards. Okay. So that that's my take right now on paper.
SPEAKER_01Okay. My take on paper, Terrence Ford, agreement, uh, shooting guard, Dontres Williams, small forward, Tyler Harris, uh forward, Tyron Jones, and center is MJ Thomas.
SPEAKER_02Gotcha. Okay, so yeah, you're kind of thinking the same way I am, is we're just gonna we're gonna play MJ at the center, pretty much.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I like MJ at the center. I think that's the last kind of gave away from me last year is D'Ambele was injured, and uh he was supposed to be the center. I didn't know that until the offseason because he was injured all year. So um, and Passer did say he's undersized, so that's why I'm wondering if do they actually bring in another center? And like I I think if they did that, because ideally, you probably want Dontres Williams off the bench as that six-man that can come in and just rile everybody up and get physical and steal and and put in points and have that energy. Uh, I think he's a he would be a fine starter too. But either way, I think that guy is getting minutes. But ideally, that that guard spot would allow somebody somebody can score on a high level from outside. Um, yeah, the center spot, maybe somebody a little bit more sides that can score inside. Maybe we get one of those two things. I think it would open up different lineups. And because as you know, when it comes down to tournament, we need seven to eight guys, and right now we probably have five proven players and then a bunch of guys that are can they take the next step? Absolutely. I totally agree. Okay, awesome. So who do you think is gonna lead? It doesn't sound like you're confident, but who do you think is gonna lead the team in uh scoring area?
SPEAKER_02I think Cam Miles, because again, I think he's my he's my Gibby guy. And then for the dark horse is Tyler Harris. If we can get if we can get University of Washington, Tyler Harris, then 100% he'll be our leading scorer.
SPEAKER_01I got Tyler Harris. I love the Cam Miles tag. I'm hoping that too. Okay, who do you think is gonna be leading our in rebounds? Uh MJ Thomas, followed closely by Tyron Jones. Okay. Uh yes, okay, like that take two. I have MJ Thomas. Who do you think is the best defender?
SPEAKER_02So I can't not put him on because he was uh his first team Mountain West defensive player defensive team as a freshman, Tyron Jones. But if Dontres Williams, like I said, if he can
Golden Knights Cup Pick And Wrap
SPEAKER_02get playing time and gets minutes, he's a sneaky uh best defender on the team.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think you're right with Tyre. I protot Dontres Williams. Forgot about Tyron Jones, right? It is Tyron Jones, but uh I love Dontres Williams. Okay, so that's uh that's Unileague basketball. We got 20 seconds, nights. What are your thoughts in the cup?
SPEAKER_02Are we winning? Let's go. Uh yes, with the caveat that I do work for Bill Foley. So just but yes, actually we're we're winning another cup.
SPEAKER_00All right, guys, this is Ron Vegas. Thank you, Ron, for being on. You're the man. You guys see this guy team mobile five a bear. Guys, Ron Vegas kicking itself today.