Recruiting Update Transfer portal big man visits Kansas

[shay]

Hey all

According to a source, Oklahoma State transfer Patrick Suemnick, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward from Green Bay, Wisc., is coming off a visit to Kansas. I was told that the visit ended yesterday and things went well. I'm still working on a full update, but from what I've been told, this is definitely one to watch moving forward. Patrick would obviously play the role of backup big man should he ultimately decide to attend Kansas.

This past season at Oklahoma State, Suemnick averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He shot 52.1% from the field and 43.1% from the free-throw line.

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[shay]

 

[1Jhorse]

Maybe Flory demanded his backup have no hope of getting real minutes?

 

[echo6808]

Hope we have better options than this...

 

[jayhawkart]

My only guess would be he takes the absolute minimum NIL and would be third option off the bench behind Tiller. Basically a walkon type player......

 

[BillSelfLuvr]

Not exactly sure what people are upset about. He'd likely only see the floor if both Flory and Tiller are in foul trouble. We aren't getting someone much better than 3ppg 2rpg unless we want to spend real NIL money on an international developmental guy, but wing is a much bigger need. It would be silly to spend too much on a backup big and end up without enough to secure the deal on Sarr or Williams.

 

[hank34x]

Hope we have better options than this...

Probably not.

 

[4hawk]

This guy killed us in Morgantown when he played at WV. He was reason that hillbillies beat the 23 team

 

[Chevelle84]

Yikes. Dude screams garbage can.

Rated a .28 by EvanMiya. For context, the lowest rated player on KU’s roster last year was Coit at 2.0. Bidunga was a 2.92, Adams 5.18, and Dickinson 7.16.

Dude also didn’t improve a single statistical metric in 4 years of college.

Bidunga was our most talented player and his rating was a 2.92? What kind of metric is this? Purely statistical?

 

[hank34x]

Not exactly sure what people are upset about. He'd likely only see the floor if both Flory and Tiller are in foul trouble. We aren't getting someone much better than 3ppg 2rpg unless we want to spend real NIL money on an international developmental guy, but wing is a much bigger need. It would be silly to spend too much on a backup big and end up without enough to secure the deal on Sarr or Williams.

Looking at how Self has managed the big position the past 10 or so years and available minutes assuming Flory plays starter minutes (25-30), I'm not sure how many of the board have developed their perspective and expectations for the position.

I can only wonder if it is induced bias from environments that don't exist anymore (having Kaun/DJ/Arthur/Cole in '08, Morri/Withey/T-Rob '10-'11).

 

[JHawk2186]

Bidunga was our most talented player and his rating was a 2.92? What kind of metric is this? Purely statistical?

EvanMiya CBB Analytics

Advanced college basketball analytics used widely by coaches, journalists, and fans.

evanmiya.com

Talent and output/production don’t necessarily run parallel.

 

[JWBHawk]

Huggy recruited and signed him at WV, good enough for me at a back up position.

 

[BEEZFOUR]

Respectfully disagree with the reference to him being a portal "big man". I certainly "get" that someone 6'8 is big among us regular folks but not as a true 5 in high level college basketball. We need a backup with rim protection ability ... hopefully 6'10 or more. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Keno3217]

One thing I do like - kid is active on the offensive glass and isn’t someone that expects the ball on the offensive end.

If he can play a role like Dwight Coleby did in 2017 as a “foul trouble or play 2 minutes before a TV timeout” guy and if anything, doesn’t cost us a lead - that’s fine. Especially if he can grab 1-1.5 offensive rebounds a game and score 4 points on garbage baskets

Anyone expecting a legit, quality backup big man is in for a reality check.

 

[Jack_Tferro34]

I understand big men are scarce and expensive in the portal but it’s going to cause issues next year if we don’t bring in a 6’10+ big or at least a big-bodied 6’9 guy. We’re VERY small with Flory and Suemnick at the 5.

 

[mlbenn35]

Maybe Flory demanded his backup have no hope of getting real minutes?

Why would any quality center want to come to KU when they are most likely going to be a backup? Even if it's an open competition, why go where someone has to battle a big guy as athletic as Bidunga? Teams need blue collar glue guys also.

 

[mlbenn35]

One thing I do like - kid is active on the offensive glass and isn’t someone that expects the ball on the offensive end.

If he can play a role like Dwight Coleby did in 2017 as a “foul trouble or play 2 minutes before a TV timeout” guy and if anything, doesn’t cost us a lead - that’s fine. Especially if he can grab 1-1.5 offensive rebounds a game and score 4 points on garbage baskets

Anyone expecting a legit, quality backup big man is in for a reality check.

Agree with reality check comment

 

[hank34x]

Respectfully disagree with the reference to him being a portal "big man". I certainly "get" that someone 6'8 is big among us regular folks but not as a true 5 in high level college basketball. We need a backup with rim protection ability ... hopefully 6'10 or more. Just my 2 cents.

Coming off the bench, give me a defensively "smart" big man over a rim protector. A guy that knows when to switch, help and isn't getting lost on screens. That was Mitch's value (in addition to weak side shot blocking). We get so focused on height, but Suemnick supposedly has a decent wing span and vertical - being a true big is more than height.

I was hoping to take a flyer on a guy like Onyenso from KSU and Suemnick isn't a sexy alternative, but he's logged a lot of Big 12 games and if he can just be where he's supposed to be and convert the easy baskets when presented the opportunity, that's probably the best you're going to get without spending a lot of valuable NIL.

Also, I think the hope is Tiller will win the backup 5 spot. He has what appears to be an elite combination of wingspan, frame, strength and athleticism. I would think he's too raw and rusty to be paired as a 4 with Flory, but hopefully can show flashes of what Zuby did for St Johns this year. But, he has to step up as a true freshman, overcome some rust and be healthy. Probably overall a factor in the quality of big KU was going to get to fill this spot.

 

[Vaderhawk]

Is this guy “the” backup big, because we need one desperately and would be very disappointed with him. If he is just bench filler he’s fine

 

[mlbenn35]

Looking at how Self has managed the big position the past 10 or so years and available minutes assuming Flory plays starter minutes (25-30), I'm not sure how many of the board have developed their perspective and expectations for the position.

I can only wonder if it is induced bias from environments that don't exist anymore (having Kaun/DJ/Arthur/Cole in '08, Morri/Withey/T-Rob '10-'11).

You wouldn't have either of those combos in today's NIL market. There was no NIL in both scenarios.

 

[hank34x]

Is this guy “the” backup big, because we need one desperately and would be very disappointed with him. If he is just bench filler he’s fine

He will likely be given an opportunity to compete for "the" backup big spot with Tiller. As been said over and over, given likely available NIL funds, available minutes and available talent pool, the odds of this being a non-sexy signing like Suemnick were always going to be high.

 

[hank34x]

You wouldn't have either of those combos in today's NIL market. There was no NIL in both scenarios.

Agree.

 

[jayhawk42000]

If the dude is able to come in and perform his role, that would be a start. Not too many have been able to do it recently and I'm sure they got a lot more money than he will.
This team just needs guys who buy in to what is expected of them.

 

[Keno3217]

Anyone think Flory came back to share the 5 spot with another player capable of playing 20 MPG? Hell no.

 

[msillman]

Instead of getting a rim protector, I’d rather recruit players who keep guys from getting to the rim in the first place. That was our real issue last season.

 

[hank34x]

Instead of getting a rim protector, I’d rather recruit players who keep guys from getting to the rim in the first place. That was our real issue last season.

Agree - and I think that goes back to perimeter defense. Hopefully Dawson, Council and whoever from McDowell and Jackson gets in rotation are an overall significant upgrade to last year.

There was one particular game where everyone was screaming at Hunter for getting scored on, and I went and re-watched and almost all baskets scored on him were result of someone flying by KU guards or a missed perimeter switch that put Hunter in multiple difficult situations.

 

[jsmith76]

We’re going to get killed on the boards next year. Like the pickup but still need more size and a rim protector. It’s not like we need a scorer. Someone like Mitch! would be great.

 

[JWBHawk]

We are getting away from a true C-big, more typical of today's teams. This guys mix reel looks very good from an athletic, put back, put it on the floor and move in the paint, block out perspective. 7'1 wingspan, 40 vertical. Big 12 experienced. 2 thumbs up!

 

[jayhawk_93]

Hard to believe we can’t find another Shaquille O’Neal out there to come play a backup role to Flory.

 

[JamesNaismith2010]

We’re going to get killed on the boards next year. Like the pickup but still need more size and a rim protector. It’s not like we need a scorer. Someone like Mitch! would be great.

Peterson rebounds well, Council rebounds well, White rebounds well, Flory is good there. Not too worried about it.

 

[TopHawk63]

We’re going to get killed on the boards next year. Like the pickup but still need more size and a rim protector. It’s not like we need a scorer. Someone like Mitch! would be great.

A guy like Mitch would be great. It's just difficult to find those players willing to accept that role in the transfer portal era unless you're overpaying in NIL. Just my opinion.

 

[Nipro]

Arkansas' bigs from last year will have a field day versus our bigs if we don't find some size and bulk.

 

[Chevelle84]

Are people forgetting that we were a 1 seed with a 6'6 guy playing 30 minutes per game at the 5 just a couple years ago? People are putting WAY too much emphasis on height. Especially the height of a guy who will probably play about 5 minutes per game on average..

 

[Chevelle84]

We’re going to get killed on the boards next year. Like the pickup but still need more size and a rim protector. It’s not like we need a scorer. Someone like Mitch! would be great.

Someone like Mitch would be Suemnick. A 6'8 guy with a solid wingspan who knows where to be on the defensive end and can help with rebounding. Except Suemnick will probably be the 3rd big instead of 2nd like Mitch was.

Wingspan as a physical attribute is more advantageous towards rebounding than the top of head measurement, since you know, you rebound with your hands and not your head..

 

[Jack_Tferro34]

Are people forgetting that we were a 1 seed with a 6'6 guy playing 30 minutes per game at the 5 just a couple years ago? People are putting WAY too much emphasis on height. Especially the height of a guy who will probably play about 5 minutes per game on average..

The guy playing 35mpg in front of him is also closer to 6’6 than his listed height of 6’9. Size will be a problem if no one else is added.

 

[Keno3217]

We’re going to get killed on the boards next year. Like the pickup but still need more size and a rim protector. It’s not like we need a scorer. Someone like Mitch! would be great.

Why do you think so?

Flory is an elite rebounder
Council is a terrific rebounder for his size
White is a 5-6 RPG guy
Peterson will get on the glass
Tillman should be good with his length and hands + mobility.

Rebounding is about length, quickness, positioning, and effort. Not height

 

[CMGassen]

Coming off the bench, give me a defensively "smart" big man over a rim protector. A guy that knows when to switch, help and isn't getting lost on screens. That was Mitch's value (in addition to weak side shot blocking). We get so focused on height, but Suemnick supposedly has a decent wing span and vertical - being a true big is more than height.

I was hoping to take a flyer on a guy like Onyenso from KSU and Suemnick isn't a sexy alternative, but he's logged a lot of Big 12 games and if he can just be where he's supposed to be and convert the easy baskets when presented the opportunity, that's probably the best you're going to get without spending a lot of valuable NIL.

Also, I think the hope is Tiller will win the backup 5 spot. He has what appears to be an elite combination of wingspan, frame, strength and athleticism. I would think he's too raw and rusty to be paired as a 4 with Flory, but hopefully can show flashes of what Zuby did for St Johns this year. But, he has to step up as a true freshman, overcome some rust and be healthy. Probably overall a factor in the quality of big KU was going to get to fill this spot.

Will Tiller be ready health wise? From what understand, he hasn’t hooped in over a year. I absolutely want him on the floor (extremely talented dude with huge upside) but curious about health issues…

 

[Chevelle84]

The guy playing 35mpg in front of him is also closer to 6’6 than his listed height of 6’9. Size will be a problem if no one else is added.

KJ is 6'6 with about a 6'5 wingspan. Flory is 6'7 with a 7'2 wingspan. One of the biggest things that helps Flory rebound is how quickly he gets off the floor and the effort he puts into rebounding. He needs to get stronger but he's shown signs of being an excellent rebounder in my opinion.

 

[Scared Shirtless]

KJ is 6'6 with about a 6'5 wingspan. Flory is 6'7 with a 7'2 wingspan. One of the biggest things that helps Flory rebound is how quickly he gets off the floor and the effort he puts into rebounding. He needs to get stronger but he's shown signs of being an excellent rebounder in my opinion.

Flory can actually rebound outside of his area. Hunter was big but wasn't getting the ball if it didn't fall within his reach.

 

[Jack_Tferro34]

KJ is 6'6 with about a 6'5 wingspan. Flory is 6'7 with a 7'2 wingspan. One of the biggest things that helps Flory rebound is how quickly he gets off the floor and the effort he puts into rebounding. He needs to get stronger but he's shown signs of being an excellent rebounder in my opinion.

I don’t have concerns about his rebounding. I have concerns about him getting buried under the basket because he’s 6’7 with a small frame. We need another big body.