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Who excites you the most of the new players? Which of the returnees will have a breakout year?

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Hawklove

Senior
Jul 11, 2018
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I’ll start with my second question. I think Cooper will be phenomenal next year. In the last season, he got tough defensive assignments and handled most of them extremely well. And he can shoot, rebound, drive, and pass. He’s my breakout guy. (Don’t get me wrong I like Jirak, Sage, Manyawu, and Howard, too). I hope for them to be superstars.
On the newcomers, I saw McKeever play in person. I think Ben will develope him into a monster inside. He is not a threat from outside, but he has some nifty footwork. And those other new guys all look marvelous.
But my main two guys are Cooper and McKeever
 
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O

Old_wrestling_fan2

All-Conference
Mar 2, 2009
625
2,999
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Hawklove said:
I’ll start with my second question. I think Cooper will be phenomenal next year. In the last season, he got tough defensive assignments and handled most of them extremely well. And he can shoot, rebound, drive, and pass. He’s my breakout guy. (Don’t get me wrong I like Jirak, Sage, Manyawu, and Howard, too). I hope for them to be superstars.
On the newcomers, I saw McKeever play in person. I think Ben will develope him into a monster inside. He is not a threat from outside, but he has some nifty footwork. And those other new guys all look marvelous.
But my main two guys are Cooper and McKeever
Click to expand...
Sage and Thompson.
 
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Hawk_4shur

Hawk_4shur

All-Conference
Jan 2, 2009
781
1,886
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Both are tough questions, because it's kind of like staring at a buffet, but you haven't tasted anything yet. But it sure looks good!

I'm probably most excited about the portal additions. They've already experienced CBB and should hit the ground running. I hope they make the transition smoothly because they are exactly what the Hawks needed to put an experienced team on the floor.
 
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TampaHawkFan

TampaHawkFan

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2025
599
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Initially, the two recent portal additions.

I'm curious about all of the guys who will be freshmen this year, though. Looking forward to seeing Coon especially - would it be too much to say it sounds like he's freakishly athletic based on what I thought I've read? Could be fun to watch.

Sounds like Thompson and Harris are good players as well, so I'm looking forward to see what they bring to the table. Everyone seems high on Thompson.

As for breakout years - I look for Tate Sage to really bust out. Combs may also be much more of a scorer this year. He didn't shoot a lot last year, but it seemed like when he did, he was effective. As a senior, he needs to be one of the guys that leads the way, IMO.

Koch ended the year strong - I expect him to pick up where he left off. With his size, seems like he can be more than just a 3 point shooter.
 
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Tsawvell55

Senior
Jul 2, 2025
406
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Weedhoppers Jirak the name to remember this kid has a workout Owen Freeman would pass out just watching. Will come back leaner and meaner. All you short term memory numbnuts will forget this post but I shall return to prove myself AGAIN! Sorry for the sarcasm😎Seriously Jirak will be the guy we’re shocked by. Just sayin
 
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Palmerhawk

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,697
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TampaHawkFan said:
Initially, the two recent portal additions.

I'm curious about all of the guys who will be freshmen this year, though. Looking forward to seeing Coon especially - would it be too much to say it sounds like he's freakishly athletic based on what I thought I've read? Could be fun to watch.

Sounds like Thompson and Harris are good players as well, so I'm looking forward to see what they bring to the table. Everyone seems high on Thompson.

As for breakout years - I look for Tate Sage to really bust out. Combs may also be much more of a scorer this year. He didn't shoot a lot last year, but it seemed like when he did, he was effective. As a senior, he needs to be one of the guys that leads the way, IMO.

Koch ended the year strong - I expect him to pick up where he left off. With his size, seems like he can be more than just a 3 point shooter.
Click to expand...
Coon comp is Howard....solidly athletic wing..shooting to be determined.
But not freakish.
 
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Max Rebo

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
648
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Obviously, all the guys being mentioned are worthy of inclusion and rank at the top of my list as well.

But one more that nobody is talking about, who I want to see is Peyton McCollum. I know we all have PTSD from previous situations with coaches' kids, but I am curious to see if we have anything worth noting in young McCollum. Mind you, I'm making no predictions about him breaking into the rotation anytime soon, but I am curious to see him play. Seems like he comes from pretty good stock. Who knows?
 
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2D

2D

All-American
Oct 8, 2013
2,544
5,264
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I'm looking for Sage to take the next step. Dude fears no one and looked good in the tournament.

Thompson because of how hyped he is, and McKeever because I want to him crashing the boards. Could be a very exciting year. Just need to find ways to generate more offense.
 
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BigDonkey

Sophomore
Jul 3, 2025
64
105
33
I think Sage and Koch will be the 2 leading scorers. If Banks is back then throw him in the top 3. Then compliment Thompson and McKeever and Howard. It will be the jobs of Combs and Coleman to get the ball to these guys while also being capable scorers themselves. Seems to be a team more balanced but where a different guy can step up on a given night if others are struggling with their shot.
 
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HawkInMO

Sophomore
Iowa Swarm member
Mar 24, 2002
79
169
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Tsawvell55 said:
Weedhoppers Jirak the name to remember this kid has a workout Owen Freeman would pass out just watching. Will come back leaner and meaner. All you short term memory numbnuts will forget this post but I shall return to prove myself AGAIN! Sorry for the sarcasm😎Seriously Jirak will be the guy we’re shocked by. Just sayin
Click to expand...
I hope you're right! I would love to see both Jirak and McKeever providing some high-level production at the 5 next season.
 
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Kirbs

Senior
Jan 8, 2023
163
444
63
edenprairiehawk said:
Thompson! If you haven’t watched his high school highlights, You should. He looks like the kind of guy Duke usually gets.
Click to expand...
This is the guy who I thought would play the role that Sage played this year. Very glad that he has bought into Ben’s system and is sticking around. And now we have two 4-5 stars who are versatile and 6’6”-6’8”. One wasn’t expected (Sage) and one with the accolades.
 
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