Melsahn Basabe Man Crush
- Thread starter Ihawk209
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1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
He may be the best player on the team, or at least he's right here, already as a freshman.
I remember a few folks saying how bad he was early on.. Hmmm. Basabe has improved by leaps and bounds since game 1.
I hope McCaffery finds more players with his talent.
I remember a few folks saying how bad he was early on.. Hmmm. Basabe has improved by leaps and bounds since game 1.
I hope McCaffery finds more players with his talent.
RocketHawk
Well-Known Member
The kid can flat out play, this team is a lot of fun to watch.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
I said earlier in the year that Basabe and Marble are 2 solid building blocks for the future.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
After the way played last night man crush, yeah. He starts making free throws and it could develop into a bromance.
He went 8-11 from the line... that has to put him right near the top of the team the way they shoot from the line.
They both have impressed me and both seem to be getting better. The coaches have really done a good job getting them to play at a high level.
Even McCabe has played well and has played the most of the 3. He doesn't have the same athleticism but he has a good shot and other intangibles.
Basabe is special though. Most upside to an Iowa player in a LONG time
bcl20
Well-Known Member
Marble has swagger, that's for sure, he also has confidence, I do think he takes some bad shots and I think he thinks he's a better shooter than he is. He definitely looks like some raw talent though.
DodgerHawki
Well-Known Member
Basabe is no danger to leave early...
at least at 6-foot-7. That's small forward size in the NBA, and Basabe doesn't have small forward skills (at least at this time). He can be a very, very good college player, and on given nights (like last night) he already is. He won't get 22, 13 and 6 every night, but he CAN on a given night, which is exciting for a freshman.
Interesting to see how he does against Purdue. Boilers will make things difficult for our guards to get it inside, and if they put Johnson on him he'll be guarded by a guy 4 inches taller who is also athletic. But Melsahn seems not to be awed by anyone/anything, which is essential for a good player.
at least at 6-foot-7. That's small forward size in the NBA, and Basabe doesn't have small forward skills (at least at this time). He can be a very, very good college player, and on given nights (like last night) he already is. He won't get 22, 13 and 6 every night, but he CAN on a given night, which is exciting for a freshman.
Interesting to see how he does against Purdue. Boilers will make things difficult for our guards to get it inside, and if they put Johnson on him he'll be guarded by a guy 4 inches taller who is also athletic. But Melsahn seems not to be awed by anyone/anything, which is essential for a good player.
bcl20
Well-Known Member
Re: Basabe is no danger to leave early...
No, you're right. Hopefully he works on his shot and ball handling skills. I also think he could be a good slasher type player. He has good post skills, especially for a short player but he does have to change his skill set to go pro (it won't happen this year. If he ever develops to leave early it would be after his Jr. year I'd think). It's cool to have a freshman that we can even discuss a little bit in this way.
No, you're right. Hopefully he works on his shot and ball handling skills. I also think he could be a good slasher type player. He has good post skills, especially for a short player but he does have to change his skill set to go pro (it won't happen this year. If he ever develops to leave early it would be after his Jr. year I'd think). It's cool to have a freshman that we can even discuss a little bit in this way.
storminspank
Justin VanLaere
Imagine that, a coach that can develop a post player.
EddyP
Well-Known Member
Re: Basabe is no danger to leave early...
I think this is true of the entire team.
I think this is true of the entire team.
Basabe might be the most important Iowa BB player in decades. The reason I say that is not because I believe he is the best individual player but because the gateway he could open.
He's a NY kid. If he has a good experience playing and living in IC and develops into a really good player, maybe Fran can attract more NY kids to play at Iowa.
Basically selling, "Hey Basabe came here knowing very little about Iowa, had a great time, and became a great player for us."
That is an entirely different level of BB out there. A pipeline to NY would completely change the face of the Iowa program much like Hayden's pipeline to NJ & Texas changed the face of the Iowa FB program.
He's a NY kid. If he has a good experience playing and living in IC and develops into a really good player, maybe Fran can attract more NY kids to play at Iowa.
Basically selling, "Hey Basabe came here knowing very little about Iowa, had a great time, and became a great player for us."
That is an entirely different level of BB out there. A pipeline to NY would completely change the face of the Iowa program much like Hayden's pipeline to NJ & Texas changed the face of the Iowa FB program.
HawkeyeDug
Well-Known Member
Mel has surprised me a few couple of times this year already. He has come a long way since scoring 30 points in prime time primarily off of offensive boards against outmatched opponents.
I agree that Mel's experience at Iowa is important to future recruiting on the east coast.
Mel's game reminds me a little of a young Antoine Jamison of UNC/NBA/Cavs. Very quick jumper,who has a lot of little jump hooks,and is a very good outside shooter for a big man. Now, Mel has a ways to go on the outside shot,but his free throw form shows he can extend his range over time.
I love how Fran talked of him expanding his game with putting the ball on the floor,and driving in the first half when that was there. Fran says even Mel does not know how good he is going to be....nice.
I am just praying we can keep this core group together,injury-free the next three years, cuz that is the key,have a solid core that sticks together and builds to a crescendo...like a run to sweet sixteen, in 2013 and 2014.
Mel's game reminds me a little of a young Antoine Jamison of UNC/NBA/Cavs. Very quick jumper,who has a lot of little jump hooks,and is a very good outside shooter for a big man. Now, Mel has a ways to go on the outside shot,but his free throw form shows he can extend his range over time.
I love how Fran talked of him expanding his game with putting the ball on the floor,and driving in the first half when that was there. Fran says even Mel does not know how good he is going to be....nice.
I am just praying we can keep this core group together,injury-free the next three years, cuz that is the key,have a solid core that sticks together and builds to a crescendo...like a run to sweet sixteen, in 2013 and 2014.
bcl20
Well-Known Member
I'll take being on the bubble again.
