Michigan interested in Penn State guard Sam Sessoms
Some stats for those interested...
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/4395880/sam-sessoms
He's a good 3 point shooter on decent volume. We could use a guy like this if teams start loading the paint against Frankie.
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:42 PM ^
He had 82 assists and 69 turnovers. Jones had 147 assists and 68 turnovers. I think I prefer Frankie starting at point. Whether you would start Sessoms and bring in Bufkin at the 2, or vice versa, I don’t think that would matter much. All 3 guys would be getting 25-30 MPG.
Here, in AA, he would be better coached and have better players around him...should mitigate some "issues".
I believe Frankie is on a very nice ascending track. PGs who can attack at will are invaluable...and his finishing is ascending nicely too.
Sessoms would have to accept a relief role-or he may be as good as Brooks at the 2.
Wonder what the staff is thinking here???
March 23rd, 2022 at 10:09 AM ^
What- you mean Eli can't come back next year?
Scores about the same as Houstan
This is interesting. I’d rather roll with Frankie and Dug at point guard and concentrate on a shooting guard if we need to fill a spot. Even if we are confident in Kobe and Jett at the two, we potentially need another big man.
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:02 PM ^
I don't think there's a lot of reason to think Dug is going to be able to make it work in the big ten next year. He's like 5'8 sub 150 pounds, he needs a couple of years to build the strength that will give him the slightest shot of being able to handle defensive duties.
The team is going to need another PG to go with Frankie next year. The team is going to need have Kobe, Jett, Barnes handle the 2/3 minutes because the transfer spots are going to need to focus on the PG and C spot pending expected departures of Jones and Dickinson
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
We only have one spot barring any attrition. I would want that to go to the center position. He also said most teams recruiting him are wanting him to start, I’d hope that isn’t Michigan because Frankie needs to start. If this kid wants to share some time and Juwan can manage the roster ok, then I’m fine with it.
March 22nd, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
I think attrition has to be baked in. I'm assuming we'll have slots. While Eli is the only one who's for sure out of eligibility it feels like slots will open up. Zeb has already declared for the transfer portal. Jones, Diabate, Hunter all have NBA decisions, and if any of them comeback, we can pencil them in a pleasant surprise starter. Johns and Nunez technically have the COVID-shirt, but they will have earned degrees and will likely have better playing time opportunities elsewhere.
We're 2 scholarships over (subtracting Zeb right now), and that's 5 possible openings, even before considering more out of the blue departures, which should honestly be expected in the portal era. There will likely be space to bring in both bigs and guards, unless we get the best case scenario of some of our NBA decision guys coming back again, which would fill those holes cleanly.
March 23rd, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
Ok but there is almost certainly going to be more attrition. So yes the PG spot might be slightly less of a priority than the center position but I would expect to be able to bring in two transfers and a PG is absolutely the second priority. If Diabate comes back its probably the first priority.
March 23rd, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
Why does Dug keep shrinking every time I look online? He's listed on the recruiting sites as 5'9", 5'10" and 5'11" even if those are fudging the numbers he is most likely a solid 5'9" and he is listed as over 150 on every site. He may not be able to go day one but I don't think it's completely unreasonable for him to get to campus at 5'10" 165.
After a certain point a small guy is small, unless he is 5'5" what matters more is how athletic he is and arm length.
Why though? There are definitely better PGs in the portal and we have bigger needs on the roster, like at center. Frankie has shown he can be a starting PG
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:04 PM ^
You lose Davante and Eli. Eli ran some point.
There are minutes at PG and SG to be had. The dude can shoot.
Frankie can’t have all of the minutes. I would not think Dug is a lock to produce. I’ll take the proven minutes all day long.
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:19 PM ^
UM and the B1G in general need to move on from the small guards. Obviously there are exceptions and Frankie I believe is one, but you really need to be able to switch at the 1-4 positions if needed. Watch Arizona, Duke, Gonzaga, etc. It just makes things so much easier on defense.
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:57 PM ^
You don't think everyone wouldn't get large PGs if they are available? They are a limited commodity.
March 22nd, 2022 at 11:31 PM ^
Trey Burke-6’0
Derrick Walton-6’0
Mike Smith-5’11
Zavier Simpson-6’0
Devante Jones-6’0
Spike Albrecht-5’11
Cassius Winston-6’1
All of these guys were between good and elite point guards. I agree with you that it would be better to have length but you can win without it
March 23rd, 2022 at 11:02 AM ^
Zavier Simpson is the only non defensive liability on that list
I would not call Trey or Walton great defenders but they were fine. And Mike Smith turned into a solid defender towards the end of the year.
March 22nd, 2022 at 11:43 PM ^
I have no issue with 6 foot PGs. they tend to be quicker and better ball handlers. now, SGs it's a bigger issue for D.
March 23rd, 2022 at 12:29 AM ^
Yeah that would be lovely but there are only so many of them around and they tend to be NBA caliber if you find the proper combination of IQ, length and shooting.
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:23 PM ^
I’d be down he could be a fantastic addition plus Juwan has had a good hit rate on transfers so seems like Sessoms would fit a plan.
March 22nd, 2022 at 10:58 PM ^
To include a clickable link:
At the top of the comment space is a B for boldface type, an I for Italics, and then a squished over meant to look like a link in a chain.
Click that link, then paste the web address.
March 22nd, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
As for Sessoms himself, if Howard and his coaching staff think it's worth taking a look at him, I'm going to trust they know what they're doing.
March 22nd, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
Never hurts to have a veteran guard, but it looks like he hadn’t even been the starter at PSU the last two years. Can’t imagine Howard would guarantee him a starting job. That being said I’m sure he’d probably get 20-30 minutes per game.
March 23rd, 2022 at 12:14 AM ^
How about Howard recruits and develops more guards. That will help.
Mr. Collins is looking like a hit right now. I think McDaniel has the IQ-will see if he has the athleticism and skill. Chris Anderson is on a "phenom" track for '24-will see how much he grows. I would like to see them go after a bit more size-like Elmarko Jackson, for '23.
Dug seems to have all sorts of athleticism. (Check out his football highlights. They're insane.) You didn't mention shooting, which may be his #1 issue.
Makes no sense ! Collins and Duggy already be the pg ! Trust who you are recruiting !
He name dropped 10 schools that have contacted him, and implied there were others too. Most of them would have more minutes to offer than Michigan. I'd be pretty surprised if he came here.
March 23rd, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^
This is where missing on a guy like Jackson hurts. We need a little size at the PG position (either starting or backup to frankie). But are we really pushing for him? Arent there going to be some other better quality guys? a PSU pg who averages 10 and 3? and given jones' issues with turnovers, and that frankie players all-out and is turnover prone a bit... can we get someone more careful?
Jalen?
Smith?
Trey?
March 23rd, 2022 at 12:48 PM ^
This hit my feed yesterday and I didn’t post it because I doubt he comes here due to the riches we have and are on the way.