Franz Wagner Appreciation Thread

Submitted by AlbanyBlue on January 1st, 2021 at 12:31 PM

I was critical of Wagner early in the season for not living up to his hype on the offensive end. Now though, he's had two breakout games in a row. And both those games were on the road. He's gotten it together and, most importantly, this gives the team yet another offensive weapon. Couple this with his solid defense and rebounding, and he will be a huge piece of this team's run going forward.

Kudos to you, Franz, for getting it together -- your play will continue to elevate this team's expectations!!

GO BLUE!!

PopeLando

January 1st, 2021 at 1:34 PM ^

It's time for Pope Facts!

Today on Pope Facts: Pope Francis got a lot of press for choosing a unique, never-before-seen papal name. The last Pope before him to do that? Pope Lando. 1100 years (exactly 1100 years - Francis was 2013, Lando was 913) previously.

Pope Lando did what he wanted. And if that included speaking English before English existed, or drinking Colt 45s, I like to think that he felt no temporal restraint.

Joined: 08/01/2015

MGoPoints: 68314

Indy Pete - Go Blue

January 1st, 2021 at 12:37 PM ^

Brian Boesch interviewed Hunter two weeks ago. Boesch asked him who was the most competitive player on the team?

His immediate and unequivocal answer: Franz Wagner. As the kids say: Game recognize game.

Joined: 01/23/2018

MGoPoints: 157226

The Fugitive

January 1st, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^

He can do it all, really impressed with him lately. Great passer, can drive and finish or pass, can make FTs and his outside shot is coming along. He gives great effort on defense too so if he's in a shooting slump he's still a very valuable player with everything else he brings to the table 

Joined: 01/26/2016

MGoPoints: 77468

Eastside Maize

January 1st, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^

Wagner is a long dude, that can switch and defend 1-5. Even when his shot wasn’t falling he didn’t let that affect his D or rebounding. His  asst/turnover ratio is far better too!??

Joined: 06/09/2013

MGoPoints: 48342

jmblue

January 1st, 2021 at 1:25 PM ^

We’re really fortunate to have him here this season.

For one thing, landing a recruit from overseas isn’t that simple.  Kudos to Beilein for starting a pipeline to Germany back when he was at WVU (Johannes Herber), continuing with Robin Benzing (it ultimately fell through, but it was good legwork for us) and of course Moe Wagner.

But then, Beilein left right when he was going to come on his visit.  Franz now had to take a leap of faith with a rookie head coach he’d never met.

And then, after a solid freshman year, he could have declared for the draft, returned to Germany, or simply opted out this year.

Yesterday we saw what Franz is fully capable of.  If he can keep that up, this team’s potential is sky-high.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102835

Teeba

January 1st, 2021 at 1:51 PM ^

First on the team with 50 defensive rebounds is Hunter Dickinson. Second, with 48, is Franz Wagner! He brings so much to the table.

Joined: 09/25/2019

MGoPoints: 3282

tigerd

January 1st, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^

As good as Hunter was yesterday, actually thought that the all around game of Frantz was the most impressive thing. It’s like somebody has flipped a switch on him. Some of that could be the emergence of Hunter. Hunter is just such a complete player on both ends it’s starting to get contagious.

Joined: 11/12/2016

MGoPoints: 6470

LabattsBleu

January 1st, 2021 at 3:21 PM ^

Franz looks more comfortable for sure... confidence is a bit thing as its not an issue with his mechanics...

just needs to trust his shot a bit more.

Having the ball go through him yesterday, as he looked more involved, maybe is the way to go.

Joined: 10/06/2012

MGoPoints: 16413