Ryan Kalkbrenner

[Django]

With Kalk’s return we’re into the way too early top 25… and Lunardi bumps us up to a 3 seed.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/

[SeattleJay]

Great interview with Ryan:

https://omaha.com/sports/college/creigh ... 22de0.html

Most important point: he wants to spend the entire summer working on getting stronger like Baylor did.

[DC_JAY]

Great interview with Ryan:

https://omaha.com/sports/college/creigh ... 22de0.html

Most important point: he wants to spend the entire summer working on getting stronger like Baylor did.

+1. Excellent writeup. Speaks very highly of both his and Mac's character.

[Chicagojayfan]

https://hurrdatsports.com/creighton-men ... creighton/

More good info on Kalk here from Jacob. How far can Kalkbrenner get in a year? As he says, he hasn't really had a full summer of just S&C since he got here, and we have that just amazing example of Baylor last year

The difference in Baylor's physical shape from one year to the next was really amazing. I think we all saw him go from a guy who was OK defensively to a guy who was often put on the other team's scoring wing, sometimes after Alexander had failed to slow them down

Baylor 2023 -
2/2 dunks
45/72 close 2's/at the rim shots

Baylor 2024:
8/10 dunks
67/106 close 2's/at the rim shots

BPM rating:
2023 - 6.8, but conference 6.3, top 100 5.7, top 50 5.2
2024 - 8.7, conference 8.4, top 100 7.3, top 50 8.4

While some of that was adjusting to the BE, I think a good part of the improvement in those areas was that he was physically a better match for the conference last year -- He played almost 4 minutes more per game, His usage went up 4%, turnover rate went DOWN 4%, rebounding roughly the same, TS% up from .568 to .596

Where I thought he improved the most wasn't statistical so much as it was that he was quick and strong enough to play solid D on more guys, and while Kalk plays incredible D already, if he can add strength and quickness the way Baylor did last year, that will definitely push him up the draft boards

[SeattleJay]

Chicagojay, on the BPM stats, what does top 100 relate to? Top 100 players in the country? Or something else?

[Chicagojayfan]

Chicagojay, on the BPM stats, what does top 100 relate to? Top 100 players in the country? Or something else?

Sorry, I should have been more clear. That's from Barttorvik and it shows their numbers versus conference, top 100 teams, and top 50 teams. For Baylor, he was just much more prepared to play the kind of top athletes on better teams this year

[SeattleJay]

Chicagojay, on the BPM stats, what does top 100 relate to? Top 100 players in the country? Or something else?

Sorry, I should have been more clear. That's from Barttorvik and it shows their numbers versus conference, top 100 teams, and top 50 teams. For Baylor, he was just much more prepared to play the kind of top athletes on better teams this year

Thanks. Cool stuff

[LJay]

It seems you have to formally withdraw from the draft so another kid can get an invite to the combine.