2026 Offseason

[GoPanthers85]

I expect they are considering a portal option at PG, but why are you so confident that Born isn't good enough? Because he was forced into action as a true freshman when he wasn't ready and still played pretty well?

Wasn’t Born dealing with a hand/thumb injury for most of the year as well?

[Wxcpanther]

Wasn’t Born dealing with a hand/thumb injury for most of the year as well?

Yepp. Had his hand taped up during that time and still performed admirably considering the plan was always for him to redshirt his true freshman year instead of this year.

[Zakelsta]

As I look at things, I have a hard time seeing Ben getting another year. If he never returned after the Jan 9 2024 against richmond, I think he'd get it. but he came back and played in a 10th game (puts him over 30%), on Feb 24th. Perhaps there's enough additional evidence that his medicals were bad enough, and he was forced to return for that 10th game, but that 10th game really really hurts his case at a 6th year. I'm not planning on having him.

Regardless. Guys, we have an incoming class that's very very different than our norm:
- Jalen Wilson - 6'8" Wing - a 2000 points scorer in HS, redshirted so has spent a year on the scout team learning our defense (hardest part of transition)
- Will Gerdes - 6'8" Wing - More likely to start in a role, than as a vital part of the rotation, but has high basketball IQ, good passing forward.
- Zavier Zens - 6'8" Wing - Wisconsin Mr. Basketball. Guys. This dude is going to be a stud. He SHOULD start for us next year. And we should be preparing to do whatever it takes to keep him here. Jake has a history of starting kids like him as freshmen. I'm so so so high on this kid.

Dont mean to leave out guys like Boyd or Valdo. But here's my point: UNI doesn't have single classes with 3 6'8" wings joining the rotation at the same time. This staff has a opportunity here that we haven't had.... maybe ever. To build a roster and a style that can actually compete with the length of high majors. Those guys, with Hornseth, Bond, and assuming a transfer to take the Tristian banger/rebounder role... and we can play at a size/length we've never had. Putting our defensive prowess into those bodies is game changing.

Agreed that point guard is probably the biggest question mark. It's safe to assume RJ will start, and he's shown he can do it on both ends. Perhaps Born will take a step and play in the rotation, but I'm guessing we look at the portal for PG transfers to play alongside/complement RJ.

We could also use an "automatic" 3 point shooter at the 2. With the length we're adding, I'm guessing we're going to see Leon at the 2 quiet a bit next season, which eases the need there. But our best teams have always had that guy who could set his feet, and when he got it, you just KNEW it was going in. We don't have that kind of shooter on this roster.

[orangetennis]

I wish Kinziger from ISU red would hit the portal and decide to play with his old HS teammate, Hornseth.

[orangetennis]

I expect they are considering a portal option at PG, but why are you so confident that Born isn't good enough? Because he was forced into action as a true freshman when he wasn't ready and still played pretty well?

We need to be thinking higher talent level here. Both Born and RJ are solid rotational backups but we need something more from a 25+ minute starter. More speed, ability to get to the rim, draw fouls and get to the FT line regularly.
Handling the basketball and getting the offense going, along with burying an occasional jump shot, is the floor. Aim for a higher ceiling.

[GarretW1797]

That's a bad PG duo. RJ's roll down the stretch this season is exactly what it should be next season. And Born is a deep bench guy.
We need a transfer point guard who can start immediately. Preferably someone who can get to the rim and break down a defense with the dribble. We haven't had that guy since Kimmons left.

It's good enough to maintain a top 5 spot in the Valley and get that first round bye in the MVC tournament, but I agree we should target someone to start there. If we could somehow get (and afford) a Bennett Stirtz/Quel'Ron House/Elijah Crawford type of playmaker and scorer, the ceiling of this team goes way up.

[GarretW1797]

As I look at things, I have a hard time seeing Ben getting another year. If he never returned after the Jan 9 2024 against richmond, I think he'd get it. but he came back and played in a 10th game (puts him over 30%), on Feb 24th. Perhaps there's enough additional evidence that his medicals were bad enough, and he was forced to return for that 10th game, but that 10th game really really hurts his case at a 6th year. I'm not planning on having him.

- Zavier Zens - 6'8" Wing - Wisconsin Mr. Basketball. Guys. This dude is going to be a stud. He SHOULD start for us next year. And we should be preparing to do whatever it takes to keep him here. Jake has a history of starting kids like him as freshmen. I'm so so so high on this kid.

I'm also very high on him. If Ben is indeed gone he should absolutely start at the 4 unless something crazy happens in the portal.

[Wxcpanther]

I'm also very high on him. If Ben is indeed gone he should absolutely start at the 4 unless something crazy happens in the portal.

If Ben is gone, I am expecting Wilson to start at the 4 since he has a full extra season of putting on muscle behind him. Unless we go get a more proven commodity for that spot in the portal. Zens will play the 3

[Wxcpanther]

Not sure where else to put this, but just something to think about. Mac is only 6 years older than Jake. Just saying that to say, we don't really know how much longer we have with him running the show, appreciate him while he's still around to appreciate.

[BCPanther]

Not sure where else to put this, but just something to think about. Mac is only 6 years older than Jake. Just saying that to say, we don't really know how much longer we have with him running the show, appreciate him while he's still around to appreciate.

I think Jake is looking at 500 wins and passing Iba and then all bets are off.

Should pass Iba in 4 years and hit 500 the year after.

[CletusCat]

I'm VERY high on Zens. He should start at the 3 for us next year. His ceiling could be as high as anyone we've had. His cousin, whom he grew up playing with, is now the odds on favorite to win rookie of the year in the NBA and is also having the best rookie season ever in terms of shooting the ball. If any of that rubbed off on Zavier we are in for something special.

[orangetennis]

I'm VERY high on Zens. He should start at the 3 for us next year. His ceiling could be as high as anyone we've had. His cousin, whom he grew up playing with, is now the odds on favorite to win rookie of the year in the NBA and is also having the best rookie season ever in terms of shooting the ball. If any of that rubbed off on Zavier we are in for something special.

Agreed on Zens, but cautiously optimistic on Wilson. Let's be honest, there's a reason that the #1 player in MN didn't have any P5 offers.
Jalen is more of a 3 and D type player, although a little more skilled than that typical role. He's best around the rim, but doesn't play "above the rim" and he's a little undersized for the 4. Not talented enough putting the ball on the floor to play the 3, although he can knock down perimeter shots. He's a bit of a tweener. I have no idea what he brings defensively, and hopefully the redshirt year helped him grow on that side.

[06panther10]

Agreed on Zens, but cautiously optimistic on Wilson. Let's be honest, there's a reason that the #1 player in MN didn't have any P5 offers.
Jalen is more of a 3 and D type player, although a little more skilled than that typical role. He's best around the rim, but doesn't play "above the rim" and he's a little undersized for the 4. Not talented enough putting the ball on the floor to play the 3, although he can knock down perimeter shots. He's a bit of a tweener. I have no idea what he brings defensively, and hopefully the redshirt year helped him grow on that side.

Jake said at the presser that the #1 thing Jalen needs to work on is his shot.

[BCPanther]

Agreed on Zens, but cautiously optimistic on Wilson. Let's be honest, there's a reason that the #1 player in MN didn't have any P5 offers.
Jalen is more of a 3 and D type player, although a little more skilled than that typical role. He's best around the rim, but doesn't play "above the rim" and he's a little undersized for the 4. Not talented enough putting the ball on the floor to play the 3, although he can knock down perimeter shots. He's a bit of a tweener. I have no idea what he brings defensively, and hopefully the redshirt year helped him grow on that side.

He's a very good defender. Feels the game really well and puts himself in the right spot to disrupt and long enough to bother passing lanes.

Every kid that comes in needs to get better at handling the ball but he was more than capable on the wing. The staff is really excited about what he's going to be and his work ethic.

[Wxcpanther]

He's a very good defender. Feels the game really well and puts himself in the right spot to disrupt and long enough to bother passing lanes.

Every kid that comes in needs to get better at handling the ball but he was more than capable on the wing. The staff is really excited about what he's going to be and his work ethic.

I mean, Jake literally said yesterday that the goal is 500 jumpshots a day during the summer, and the sky is the limit. Jake does not give out compliments like that lightly, ever.