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IronHokie IronHokie OP
Jul 14, 2023 at 09:27 AM ET
Has there been any updates on how the freshman are looking?
I haven't seen any chatter.

47 Replies

YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
Specifically, the Big Man Wessler.
UTPr0sim UTPr0sim
Definite project. FWIW.
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win-tech
Most Centers are projects.
It takes 2-3 years at the college level to start seeing results for most bigs. I don't expect much from Wessler this year, but that doesn't mean he isn't developing well. I have a feeling that redshirting Wessler last year could prove to be a brilliant move in another year or two.
tallahasseehokie tallahasseehokie
So I’ve read on this board
The recruiting sites and bloggers didn’t say that…mof they said just the opposite. Guess we’ll find out during pre-ACC play. Redshirt done and coach will recruit over him if he doesn’t leave that bench.
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GCHokie34
What is different about recruiting sites and bloggers...
That gets them the benefit of the doubt?
tallahasseehokie tallahasseehokie
Over who?
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Lancelot Link
The guys on this Bd who have proven they know what they’re talking about
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
And who are they?
Because some of them don't always get it right. ** Edited by YBYSAIAHokie at 7/20/2023, 10:38:52 AM
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Hokey Pokey
And just because someone posts a lot does not make them a guru
If they were that much of a guru they would not be spending that much time on a message board.
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HokieRat
Yep, they'd actually be currently employed by a college/professional team
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GCHokie34
Again...bloggers and recruiting websites are employed by the college?
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HokieRat
I dont know what you're getting at? I don't think recruiting site writer or
Message board gurus should get 100% benefit of the doubt when posting. I take either with giant grains of salt I'm agreeing with Hokey Pokey, and taking it a step further saying if either of these types of writers were so on the nose, they would actually be employed by a real team at the moment. Not typing away on a site. ** Edited by HokieRat at 7/24/2023, 3:51:39 PM
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GCHokie34
And if there's one thing we know...
It's that Jay Wright has lost all of his basketball knowledge by stepping away from the sport
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HokieRat
Lol former head coach turned major network tv analyst is far from
A recruiting site journalist or message board hobbyist Great strawman ** Edited by HokieRat at 7/24/2023, 4:59:40 PM
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GCHokie34
I spent 10 years coaching at the collegiate level...
I'll trust my basketball acumen over any blogger who doesn't have that experience You're welcome not to, just find it funny my credentials were being discounted in favor of bloggers and websites who have zero experience whatsoever ** Edited by GCHokie34 at 7/24/2023, 6:03:27 PM
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GCHokie34
Agreed
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GCHokie34
But recruiting websites and blogs do?
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
What did they say?
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millmtnhokie
Here is an article that caught my attention
Lot of good info from his coach at Combine Academy, Jeff McInnis. Bigs take time and we have guys ahead of him. If he can play his time will come. ** Edited by millmtnhokie at 7/19/2023, 2:17:08 PM
Link: Wessler
tallahasseehokie tallahasseehokie
That’s one i posted- McGinnis should know just a bit about talent
Hard working, multiple tools, made advances in 2 years of prep- voted #1 big in state playing high level competition. But, he’s a project- because he's not an nba draft kid. 300 plus 🏀 programs- we don’t need an NBA player to have a good post.
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millmtnhokie
If he can have the kind of trajectory that Jay Huff had at UVA I would be
Pleased. They are same height but different players stylistically in many ways. Huff was pretty much a non contributor his freshman and sophomore years and then contributed marginally his junior year and was a double digit scorer his senior year. Not sure Pat will score like that but he can do other things to help . Huff was Sta-Puff soft so Wessler will need to be a lot tougher and play D and rebound ** Edited by millmtnhokie at 7/20/2023, 2:03:03 PM
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GCHokie34
I think you're spot on there...
I would have Huff ahead of him by a year or so, but a watered down version of his career is ideal
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GCHokie34
He's a project because his skill and understanding is far behind his size..
And I would be more than a little suspect over any publication that ranked Wessler over DeAnte Green DeAnte Green, who averaged 1.5 points last season at FSU because the overwhelming majority of post players are projects But still miles ahead of Wessler I know Coach McInnis well, he would never say anything but effusive praise for all of his former players who were good people. A couple quotes about him getting better in HS is a far cry from not being a project in college People mean well, but setting an expectation that Wessler is going to come in and play 10+ min anytime soon is only setting him up for failure. The best case scenario for Patrick Wessler is to do work in the dark for 3 years and then have two years to showcase the work he has put in The worst case scenario for Patrick Wessler is an expectation that because he was 7'0 tall and Rick Lewis liked him that he should be a college contributor. He's not. He won't be this year, and very likely not next year either. The staff was absolutely correct to redshirt him...because he has a long way to go
vt90 vt90
We definitely shouldn't need him to contribute this season and I agree that
he likely won't be ready. In an ideal world he gets some garbage minutes throughout the season to get his feet wet. If Kidd doesn't use his COVID year we are gonna be in trouble in the post in 2024 but I suspect Kidd knows he will have a great opportunity if he sticks around. He certainly isn't an NBA prospect at this point but could play his way into a pretty good career in Europe. Either way we are going to have to hit the portal for a post next season and perhaps 2 or Wessler will be forced into the rotation next year.
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GCHokie34
It is a given VT will need to find a portal 4/5 next season...
But not for the 5 spot unless Kidd/Poteat leaves. You have Poteat who will be in his third year of the system as a capable backup. You'll need Kidd or a replacement to be the starter Someone who can swing 4/5 will be key as VT will lose Beran and Long. Nickel maybe, depending on his growth this season, much more of a long shot for Camden, but possible.
hokiepro hokiepro
Guess we’ll see
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
I respectfully disagree.
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
Thank you, tallahasseehokie
tallahasseehokie tallahasseehokie
I’ve posted some articles previously- will search when I have a chance
VTKev80 VTKev80
On SoS podcast, Robbie Beran mentioned Rechsteiner as someone
Who has stood out or surprised him with their play. And he was asked about everyone, not just freshmen…
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BEST2VT
Rechsteiner seems to be much more mature as far as leadership ability
and confidence (and physicality) than A typical freshman or even sophomore.
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GCHokie34
The legend of the backup PG is undefeated
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BEST2VT
Agree, but that’s not what I was implying.
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GCHokie34
Wasn't necessarily directed at you, more the conversation as a whole
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GreenvilleVT
They always need to play more. Bench the starter.
CMY should know better by this point.
YBYSAIAHokie YBYSAIAHokie
So what's YOUR analysis of LiL Pump?
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GCHokie34
Oh he's going to be good...
He will (just like Pedulla and every other freshman) show signs of his pure skill that will make you think he could be the starting PG. He will also do things (some that most fans don't see) that will make it difficult to play him...again, just like any freshman If I asked for patience with Rodney Rice last year, who has a much higher ceiling, then I doubly ask for the same with Rechsteiner and Young. But Pedulla has enough deficiencies in his game (they all do) for some fans to call for his head and ask for Rechsteiner to take his place the moment he turns it over or Rechsteiner has a good 4 min stretch. Fans did the same with Pedulla when Storm Murphy was the PG. They do the same with every backup and starting QB in the history of the football program. It is what it is Bottom line...he is very talented, but he is a bit away from being very good
vtbball80 vtbball80
I'm assuming behind Rice for PG but ahead of Cattoor. It would be good...
for Cattoor to not be pressed into PG service this year.
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GCHokie34
Yeah I would call Rechsteiner the emergency PG this season...
That has usually been Cattoor, so it will be good to see him not only move away from that role in games but also not have to take those reps in practice which take away from reps he can take on the wing I am hopeful for a jump in production for him, even if that only looks like more consistency
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EDGEMAN
Fingers crossed that we can stay healthy this season
RR's injuries set him back in his development because everyone needs actual game time. Football, basketball...game time helps player development. RR only had one game, Syracuse in the Jiffy Pop dome, between his injuries. Really didn't think we would see him again last season, but he did return towards the end of the season. Rice is really skilled, but I expect he will probably make a few freshman mistakes this season due to missing so much of last season. All freshmen will make freshmen mistakes. If someone as polished as RR made them coming out of high school, everyone will make them, including LiL Pump. These guys aren't just moving from high school to college, they're coming into the ACC. That's a huge leap.
MDHokie79 MDHokie79
Good points!
AnotherTechW AnotherTechW
Seems strength wise and shooting ability he’s more ready than SP was
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GCHokie34
He's behind Pedulla at the same stage shooting-wise
Even if just slightly. He is stronger yes. Will he pick up the concepts on both ends as well as Pedulla?
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win-tech
How can that be? I've never seen B-Rech miss a shot.
Of course, I've only watched highlight videos.
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KCHokie2
True. Took about a year to develop an enlarged Pedulla Oblongata.
VTKev80 VTKev80
I get your point but they were Robbie Beran’s words, not those of a fan
** Edited by VTKev80 at 7/15/2023, 4:33:30 PM
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GCHokie34
I think Mutts shouted the praises of Buchanan last season...
Both are talented. Both aren't quite ready