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Username Post: Max Johns to Princeton
THOS
Freshman
Posts 15
01-10-18 08:39 PM - Post#242923    

Verbal Commits reports that 2* 6'4" SG Max Johns from Va. has committed to the Tigers. Looks to be very athletic on his highlight video.
jeromelh
Junior
Posts 202
01-11-18 10:43 AM - Post#242973    

We now have 5 in this year's recruiting class. MH must have seen something special in him as he committed late in the year. I would like to see more recruited centers. Interior is still a problem for us.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
01-11-18 11:24 AM - Post#242983    

I agree on C defender position although Mitch appears to have a bias towards the traditional C position - Kit Mueller, Steve Goodrich, Sebastian Much, etc. He needs to have the Connolly and Millers' of the world in his arsenal against Harvard, Penn and non-conference Centers.

I believe that he views Arirguzoh as having the defensive upside capabilities although he needs to give him minutes. Perhaps, he can borrow Bella Allarie and her 8 blocks against Penn during the season.
Silver Maple
Postdoc
Posts 3765
01-11-18 11:55 AM - Post#242992    

I'm having trouble fitting Sebastian Much into the same category as Mueller and Goodrich. Much is a great player, but totally different from those other two.
sparman
PhD Student
Posts 1339
sparman
01-11-18 12:09 PM - Post#242995    

On the plus side, he was apparently being recruited by Yale a couple years ago. On the other hand he was reportedly projected to grow to 6'6" but does not seem to have grown the past few years. Sounds like a great kid in any case.

Max Johns
westcoast
Senior
Posts 302
01-11-18 01:38 PM - Post#243016    

Max Johns missed his Junior season with a torn meniscus (from playing soccer), so he fell off the radar a bit. He looks to be healthy again - here are some highlights from the start of his Senior year. This video shows him hitting some outside shots, along with a lot of layups.

https://t.co/HRj0gV1sy5
SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
01-11-18 02:50 PM - Post#243024    

It's funny to say that MH favors the classic Princeton center when he's removed that element of the offense more and more the last few years. The back-to-the-basket, high-post passer who would also spin to drive when the defender cheated to one side, and who could also score from the low post with a hook shot (complemented by an up-and-under move) is vestigial at most. I think the bigs still get drilled on those fundamentals somewhat, because I see flashes, but for the most part they aren't permitted to operate that way. This season, even the dribble handoffs at the top of the key have mostly disappeared.

Much is versatile enough to play as an old-school Tiger center of this type, but he's been used as a face-the-basket wing. I think the team could improve its efficiency if it started more possessions running some of the old stuff, just to get the ball moving and to get more chances for easy assisted baskets. If that were the plan, Aririguzoh would be a good choice because he not only is the most physical post defender but the best (or at least most eager-seeming) post passer (Gladson next) that I've seen on this squad. Of course, that would require the team to make more of the fabled "hard cuts" that have been pretty sparse in Princeton's losses.
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
01-11-18 04:14 PM - Post#243044    

FWIW, he looks like another big guard with great leaping ability who could have much to offer if he also develops a reliable 3 and learns good D.
1LotteryPick1969
Postdoc
Posts 2260
1LotteryPick1969
01-11-18 05:02 PM - Post#243064    

Looks like a good shot blocker (with both hands) and his 3 stroke looks excellent.
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
01-11-18 07:32 PM - Post#243085    

Bring him on!🐅
Old Bear
Postdoc
Posts 3988
01-11-18 08:24 PM - Post#243088    

P'ton ahs Max Johns and UP has a big Wang. Do they cancel out?
jeromelh
Junior
Posts 202
01-11-18 08:56 PM - Post#243089    

Hi SRP

My position is that the game has changed. We need an interior defense. Lack of interior defense has been killing the tigers. Much just cannot supply that at this point. I don't see him as ever being a big time interior shot blocker. Plus I see him as a natural wing, not a center
Silver Maple
Postdoc
Posts 3765
01-11-18 10:42 PM - Post#243105    

  • Old Bear Said:
P'ton ahs Max Johns and UP has a big Wang. Do they cancel out?



Shame on you.
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
01-11-18 11:43 PM - Post#243108    

Another Old Bare joke.
penn nation
Professor
Posts 21081
01-12-18 12:09 AM - Post#243110    

Bear's been on the prowl of late

I approve
sparman
PhD Student
Posts 1339
sparman
01-12-18 10:42 AM - Post#243149    

Hey, careful, we're not in the White House. This Board is a respectable place.
10Q
Professor
Posts 23193
01-12-18 11:14 AM - Post#243159    

Does Max Johns have big hands?
T.P.F.K.A.D.W.
PhD Student
Posts 1169
01-12-18 11:49 AM - Post#243165    

Or a big button?
SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
01-12-18 01:47 PM - Post#243185    

It has changed, but toward smaller lineups and fewer opposing low-post scorers. What is needed most now for interior D is the ability to protect the rim against drives (via shot blocking and shot altering). For sure, you still need post defense against those teams with a big in-close scorer, but it comes up less frequently (and if the newer rule interpretations are used is very difficult relative to standing nearby and going for the block).

I don't see why Much couldn't develop to provide some of that--he's likely to get stronger, for instance--but that question is separate from what you have him do offensively. For example, with Brennan and Much, you could make Brennan defend the post but play offensive wing while Much played high-post hub on offense and wing on defense.
jeromelh
Junior
Posts 202
01-12-18 03:01 PM - Post#243206    

I hear you. My concern is that Much or Brennan will often be isolated on smaller quicker players. Hopefully, MH will resolve this problem as the season goes along.
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
01-12-18 04:47 PM - Post#243241    

I'm wondering what MR James has to say about this player since he keeps up with Ivy prospects.
Tiger84
Senior
Posts 376
01-13-18 01:34 AM - Post#243371    

For me, the best comparators for Much are Patrick Saunders, Chris Marquardt, maybe Will Barrett and Mack Darrow. Big wing who can shoot 3s and contribute something on interior defense (but not to the extent of a Brendan Connolly)

A digression from the original topic of the thread. Will be interesting to see what Johns can contribute to what will be a crowded backcourt.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
01-13-18 09:34 AM - Post#243386    

I see more Hans Brase in him especially in the early years of Hans. Difference is that Much can fake the 3 pt shot and go to the basket plus Much is a much better passer. Hans was a better defender and especially rebounder as he had more bulk but Much is a freshmen. Darrow is also somewhat of an analogy. Much has far more upside in him based on skill set. The biggest attribute is that he knows how to play BB. He may not be a leaper or super quick but he simply knows how to play -- lost in the shuffle these days regarding HS ratings to some degree,

On a side note, it was not surprising to see Tigers come out and play tough hard nosed defense after last Saturday. Columbia picked a bad time to play them. Hopefully, they sustain the energy tonight.

Tiger84
Senior
Posts 376
01-14-18 12:16 PM - Post#243523    

They're all evolving and roles will contunue to emerge and change. Remember that his freshman year Steve Goodrich played forward with Hielscher in his senior year.

If a guy like Much can play the 3, 4 or 5 competently and provide versatility, it's all good.



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