Our best players in order

Aug 4, 2025
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Best players, most talented, most potential…all very different which is why it’s hard to rank dudes. It’s not really apples to apples comparisons. A lot of different guys with different skills and potentials. So in no real particular order…

Milan - not sure what folks are whining about. Literally every team in the country wanted him. I’ll take the scouting of every elite coaching staff over the cry baby UK fans that didn’t think Mason Williams would be a player. Dude is as pure of a shooter as we’ve seen around here for a while. He is going to light up the scoreboard. He’s not a one trick spot shooter either and can get buckets moving around with bodies on him. Showed an ability to take over and close out a tight game.

Moreno - first round, maybe even lottery pick, and he’s improving. He’s scoring, getting boards, and passing the rock getting others involved. If he continues developing an ability to pass and get others buckets…that’s a game changer.

Mason Williams - Absolutely a season changer. Nobody was planning on this kid. Whatever this team was going to be, it’s leveled up via MW. We haven’t had a complete basketball player like this in a while. He’s big, strong, athletic, can handle the ball, can score, can play D, is poised and confident. His ceiling is the highest. He’s a game changer and saver with a clear ability to get needed buckets in needed situations.

Ndai - Was not expecting him to have a nice little stroke and offensive game. Over seas guys are hit and miss. Even if they’re talented, a lot of times they just don’t fit in and hit their stride in the college game. He seems very comfortable and confident. I like his potential on D better via that height and length. Feel like he can disrupt a lot of passes and shots. However, seeing him get some buckets, I think there’s potential there. If we get a 7 footer popping off and stroking it…folks the sky is the limit. Ds can’t guard everyone effectively and most are going to error on Chilli then Moreno. Imagine what those two can do if they start having to cover Ndai.

Hawthorne - Raw but his skill and potential are there. Hes going to have growing pains but he can clearly contribute and alter games in spot minutes/situations. Kid is a bucket and his length is clearly going to cause opponents problems. A couple 3s, disrupted passes, and blocks. If he takes to the coaching and just improves at an average rate…he’s going to be very good.

Wilikins and Diallo. Big, long, athletic guards. They don’t have to be stars. Need them to buy in on D with that size/length. If they can body and frustrate opposing guards it will go along way.

Over all I think the team is deeper with more natural talent, more complimentary skill sets. Have more guys who can make needed plays on both ends. Specifically on offense. We didn’t have bucket getters last year…we legit have 4-5 now.

Kam Williams still hasn’t played. That’s a piece that should be nice to add to all the above.
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,980
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I agree with everything you just said. The initial comment I made was in response to him being THE BEST PLAYER on this roster. I don't think he will be (however, I think he'll be much better than I thought/very good), but if he is I'll maintain the ceiling for the team is lower than it needs to be. That's more of an indictment on some other players not reaching the level of play they could/should for this team to be good. But again, I don't think that will be the case.
Thing is, it's only October and he’s impressing everyone. If he keeps improving, it wouldn't surprise me if he's good enough to be our best player and at the same time, be the reason why we are a contender.
We see surprise players all the time and there's no reason Mason Williams can't be that guy.
He’s not going to he an NBA all star, but that doesn't mean he can't be a great college guy
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
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Thing is, it's only October and he’s impressing everyone. If he keeps improving, it wouldn't surprise me if he's good enough to be our best player and at the same time, be the reason why we are a contender.
We see surprise players all the time and there's no reason Mason Williams can't be that guy.
He’s not going to he an NBA all star, but that doesn't mean he can't be a great college guy
He's already a surprise player. To be a 6'2" frosh PG AND be a "contenders" best player, he'd be one of about a half dozen in the last 60-70 yrs. To be as unheralded as he was, and to do all the things previously mentioned, would be the first ever. So, if Mason Williams truly is the best player (doubtful he will be), there's give or take 100 yrs of basketball that says it's not going to happen. Hard to ignore measurable data.
 
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L.O.D.

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2024
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Milan is out best player but hes untill shown other wise a 1 trick pony however he is ELITE at that 1 trick.

Moreno looks same as last year so far - unsure what to think

Wilkins an Dillo - seem lost in space unsure if just nerves and they will settle or they are who they are

Mason - he looks tbe moat polished and poised- definitley best production so far. When teams atart to study him well see how he does - very promising tho.

N'yndea- Athletic and a decent shooter for a big still seems really raw though.

Hawthorne - could be a needle mover and might be our best true player end of season - gotta hit fts though.

Kam will be a good 6th man when he returns

See team with a EE upside thungs go great to missing everything it goes wrong .
 

Skyguyb27

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Feb 12, 2008
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I wonder how some of you come to the conclusions you do. Your take on Milan was just exactly opposite of what I saw. I thought he competed his butt off on defense and has great timing and awareness. You mentioned he is the best shooter you have ever seen which im not sure thats true but if it is wouldn't you think that alone would be enough of a reason to need to have him out there?
He wasn’t dominant but he wasn’t dead weight either. The one thing the gets me is his timing on blocked shots is awful. He’s always swatting behind the ball. I’m sure he has blocked a few but the attempted/actual blocked shots ratio has to be very bad.

Also, Mason is good. Glad we got him. He should be starting.
 

SenseMaker_Cats

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Jul 3, 2025
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He's already a surprise player. To be a 6'2" frosh PG AND be a "contenders" best player, he'd be one of about a half dozen in the last 60-70 yrs. To be as unheralded as he was, and to do all the things previously mentioned, would be the first ever. So, if Mason Williams truly is the best player (doubtful he will be), there's give or take 100 yrs of basketball that says it's not going to happen. Hard to ignore measurable data.
Little off topic but you mentioned MW being 6’2”. ( and I’m not saying he’s not) but this picture of him and Zoom confused me. Isn’t Zoom listed at 6’5” or 6’6”?

1793371057181.jpeg
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
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He's already a surprise player. To be a 6'2" frosh PG AND be a "contenders" best player, he'd be one of about a half dozen in the last 60-70 yrs. To be as unheralded as he was, and to do all the things previously mentioned, would be the first ever. So, if Mason Williams truly is the best player (doubtful he will be), there's give or take 100 yrs of basketball that says it's not going to happen. Hard to ignore measurable data.
Well yeah, but he didn't play in the normal basketball circles. He didn't get his rating because he wasn't very good, he got his rating because nobody was watching him.

It looks to me like he's at least a top 20 kid in this class, maybe much better than that. Do you agree?
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
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Well yeah, but he didn't play in the normal basketball circles. He didn't get his rating because he wasn't very good, he got his rating because nobody was watching him.

It looks to me like he's at least a top 20 kid in this class, maybe much better than that. Do you agree?
Regardless if he is or isn't a top 20 kid, that's still about a half dozen since Bob Cousey. I guess it COULD happen. But sheesh, he's obviously very good. But I'm not ready to say he's Rose/Thomas/Wall/Acuff good. I think that's obvious. Again, if he's the best player on the team that means guys like Moreno, Mom, and Wilkins didn't pull their weight.
 

#1 cat fan

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Individual +/- in a one game look is just a bad stat. For a single game, lineup +/- carries way more weight. Accumulative +/- for individual players is best judged over the course of an entire season. In a one game look, who they're on the court with is a huge pull on their numbers. It's just ineffective in a single game.
exactly
 

Bleedin Blue in Ohio

All-Conference
Feb 3, 2013
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Milan - That stroke is money. He will be the focal point of every team's defense.

Moreno - Needs to have a big year. He needs to be a double double machine this year. With his teams shooting and defensive length it needs a rebounder.

Wilkens - Will be a streaky scorer. Good shooter but not Milan shooting the ball. Good passer and will make those around him better as he get more comfortable playing with new teammates.

Williams - Very smart player and strong for a guard. What he lacks in explosion he makes up for in heart and smarts.

Zoom - He will be very important as the team develops. He is the penetrator and needs to score on his drives. That will help open shooters up.

N'Diaye - He will have some really big games shooting the ball and his length will help on defense. It will be a huge bonus if he can rebound.

McBride - Instant offense off the bench. He will win a couple SEC games down the stretch with some clutch 3's.

Big Frank - He can rebound. I can see in SEC play late in games both he and Moreno on the court together on defensive trips to secure rebounds.

Kam - Another 3 point shooter off the bench when he gets healthy.
 
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