How long will Nic Moore stay?

[SMUstangs22]

Be patient with the probable friend/family member of Nic Moore who started the thread...

No one's bagging on Nic Moore and we all appreciate him and know he's incredibly important for the team. No matter who LB brings in, there will be a spot for him. If the program is going to improve and, God willing, compete for a NC someday, we have to upgrade talent at every position. That's not a knock on Nic Moore or anyone else on the roster. I'm guessing Nic Moore wants talent upgraded and he's not afraid of competition

People are misunderstand and/or posting replies without reading the thread thus not knowing the context in which the thread was created.

I have stated several times I too thought the idea was absurd. The question came from a domino effect from several other threads. Many theoretical starting line ups (some including Turner) have been proposed in which Moore was never included. I commented on a couple asking why and never got a response. Then Barefield commits and people start mentally clapping because we signed the heir apparent to Mudiay. Once again I was confused because Nic still would have another year left. It was in no way a misunderstanding of his limitations or a lack of knowledge regarding pro opportunities outside of the NBA realm.

[East Coast Mustang]

This noob that bought tickets next to my seats at the Cincy game was bemoaning what would happen if Nic, Markus, and Keith jump for the NBA after this season. Just because we are barely cracking the top 25, doesn't mean all of our players are suddenly NBA ready. That is the hardest professional league to carve out a career in.

Yeah, people forget that only 60 players get drafted each year, and by my count 13 of those last year came from the international ranks. You don't declare unless you're 110% sure you're getting drafted

[OhioBrownFan]

He's 5'8 on a step stool, where the hell do you think he's going?

Apparently the Globetrotters

He's certainly not getting drafted anytime in the next lifetime

[mavsrage311]

I don't think it's out of the question that Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy declare early at some point. I don't think it will be after this year, but some kids are ready to go even if they are guaranteed of being a 2nd round pick. I have heard KF is this way...and if you don't think short point guards can make it in the NBA, Shane Larkin was a first round pick of the Mavs and isn't much bigger than Nic. I'd take Nic over him right now too. It definitely wouldn't surprise me if Markus declares early at some point.

[SMU Section F]

I think any player with reasonable assurance that he will be drafted should declare. My untrained eye (and the limited NBA draft analysis I've read) says none of those players are currently playing at SMU.

I think we're more likely to see a NCAA transfer than a NBA draft pick on our current roster.

[Prideful Pony]

I don't think it's out of the question that Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy declare early at some point. I don't think it will be after this year, but some kids are ready to go even if they are guaranteed of being a 2nd round pick. I have heard KF is this way...and if you don't think short point guards can make it in the NBA, Shane Larkin was a first round pick of the Mavs and isn't much bigger than Nic. I'd take Nic over him right now too. It definitely wouldn't surprise me if Markus declares early at some point.

Larkin's listed at 5'11", Nic Moore at 5'9". I'm not a hardcore NBA fan but I'd imagine giving up 2 inches plus (likely) the extra arm length isn't neglible, especially against some of the much taller PGs.

[OhioBrownFan]

I don't think it's out of the question that Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy declare early at some point. I don't think it will be after this year, but some kids are ready to go even if they are guaranteed of being a 2nd round pick. I have heard KF is this way...and if you don't think short point guards can make it in the NBA, Shane Larkin was a first round pick of the Mavs and isn't much bigger than Nic. I'd take Nic over him right now too. It definitely wouldn't surprise me if Markus declares early at some point.

Larkin's listed at 5'11", Nic Moore at 5'9". I'm not a hardcore NBA fan but I'd imagine giving up 2 inches plus (likely) the extra arm length isn't neglible, especially against some of the much taller PGs.

I'll save the suspense. Nic is never getting drafted. He can average 30 next year and he's not getting drafted.

Kennedy on the other hand, I think he will have a shot down the road. If he gets a full season of averaging what he's been doing when Moreira has been out, he will be just fine. NBA always needs skilled bigs.

[Prideful Pony]

Since I'm a big fan of the analytics side, I'm curious OBF -- how important is height these days for a PG? Assuming they're roughly similar, is there a big difference in the value (perceived or acutal) of a 5'11 PG vs a 6'1 PG, etc.?

[Big12Mustang]

Nic will graduate from SMU

[TidePony]

^^^^
This!

[OhioBrownFan]

Since I'm a big fan of the analytics side, I'm curious OBF -- how important is height these days for a PG? Assuming they're roughly similar, is there a big difference in the value (perceived or acutal) of a 5'11 PG vs a 6'1 PG, etc.?

I don't think there's a tremendous difference between 5'11 and 6'1 as for a PG, if you can get your shot off, you can get it off. But Nic isn't near the ball-handler to get his space at the next level and we're also talking about a guy that is listed at 5'9, probably closer to 5'7 or 5'8. That's a big gap. Obviously, scouts are looking at 6'2 and up for PG at the NBA level. The smallest of guards are 6'1. Chris Paul sits at 6'0 but he's lightening quick and I'm not sure there's a better ball-handler than him in the league, not to mention he's got the athleticism a lot of guards don't have. There are outliers and exceptions, but you better be the absolute best in an area that others aren't and for Chris, it's his ball-handling and ability to create space.

To answer the question though, at the college level I think you can get away with guys that are 5'7 or 5'8. One of my favorite incoming players in next year's class is Nairns out of Kansas, he's 5'10 committed to MSU, I think he will thrive at the collegiate level even though he's undersized. To give you an idea though, Nic Moore would not have had a shot at playing for a school like Duke coming out of high school. Coach K would take him now I'm sure. It made a difference for him in where his offers were, he had no BCS offers as a high school prospect. Add 2 inches, he would've had them all over the country, he was one of my favorite players in his class. Could score the ball at the high school level in such a variety of ways but his height certainly held him back in a major way.

That ability to score in so many ways, you just can't teach. Some can do it, some can't. That's why I'm so high on Jalen Hudson out of SVSM, I think he will be a big-time scorer for V Tech and is a kid flying under the radar this year. Those kids happen all the time because they don't "measure up" to ideal size or have some perceived flaw that might be a crutch but probably will never be an issue at the college level.

[mustangxc]

I think his NBA comparison would be Jameer Nelson, but even he is 6'0.

[Zman89]

Be patient with the probable friend/family member of Nic Moore who started the thread...

No one's bagging on Nic Moore and we all appreciate him and know he's incredibly important for the team. No matter who LB brings in, there will be a spot for him. If the program is going to improve and, God willing, compete for a NC someday, we have to upgrade talent at every position. That's not a knock on Nic Moore or anyone else on the roster. I'm guessing Nic Moore wants talent upgraded and he's not afraid of competition

Right now I'm the only family member of Nic on PF an I didn't start the thread.

[Zman89]

I will say this if you ask Nic about his height he'll tell you that it's your problem not his. He's heard it his entire basketball life.

[LA_Mustang]

Zman89,
The board is experiencing growing pains these days. We are in uncharted territory as a fan base, but it's a good problem to have. We'll find our way. But make no mistake, Nic is a big reason why this program has exploded on the scene.