Nevada F Cole Huff to transfer, interested in Michigan

Submitted by ish on

here are his stats:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/61492/cole-huff

transfer article here:

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/04/cole-huff-to-leav…

word is he is interested in michigan, iowa and two other schools.  really improved his shooting this year.  rebounds ok for his size.  he's a bit foul prone.

alum96

April 17th, 2014 at 9:43 PM ^

Yep Yep.  I think Michigan doesn't yet have the SWAG to catch a lot of kids imaginations (yet!) since we were comatose for a decade+ but their coaches who watch for other things such as development are going to be a big assist for Beilein / staff in the years ahead.   They are going to be like little minions out there saying "dude Caris LeVert... a nobody... to preseason All American" etc.

alum96

April 17th, 2014 at 9:38 PM ^

Looks very interesting.  6'8 guy who shots 45% from field and 40% from 3?  Rebounds 5.4, 2.8 PF?  That's pretty impressive for a sophomore who probably didnt have many STARZ considering he went to Nevada.  Since he takes outside shots that 45% is a solid # versus someone who just does put backs, dunks, and such.  82% FT for a F?  Yes sir.

Forget stretch 4, he could be a heck of a SF with that 3 PT shooting %.

Only "issue" I have is his stats in light of competition - basically only teams of note he played were UCLA, Missouri, Cal, San Diego State, and New Mexico.   But at this point I just have to assume any sophomore of note Beilein gets his hands on is going pro so he replaces Irvin in 12 months?

alum96

April 17th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^

Not 3 weeks ago a Reno journalist wrote a story calling Huff a star in the making - a combo forward who has can take defenders off the dribble or post up - again a front line for 20 minutes a game of a 6'10 center, a 6'9 stretch 4, and a 6'8 small forward with Chatman or Irvin at the 2?  LENGTH!  Also given the "not just a shooter" tag:

  • Player breakdown: 6-feet-8, 205 pounds, combo forward, junior-to-be
  • Season in one sentence: The Wolf Pack’s breakout player this season, Huff showed a vast improvement in all phases of his game and is on track to become Nevada’s next all-conference player.
  • Huff in 50 words or less: Ex-Nevada coach Len Stevens said Huff has more talent than former Wolf Pack star Luke Babbitt. I won’t go that far, but he has a similar game. Both can post up or take their defender off the dribble and are deadly shooters. Huff is a superb offensive player.
  • Strengths: Huff’s versatile and can play small forward, his natural position, or power forward. He was sixth in the Mountain West in true shooting percentage (59.4 percent, better than Deonte Burton) and ninth in offensive rating (119.6, two spots behind Burton). He can stretch the floor to the 3-point line, which Nevada needs next year, but isn’t just a spot-up shooter. He made several clutch plays this year.
  • Weaknesses: At 6-foot-8 and 205 pounds, Huff isn’t very strong. He improved his body this year, but if he’s going to play in the post (he might move to small forward next year) he needs to add more weight. The lack of girth shows up on defense, although Huff is a smart and hard-working defender. Huff is a solid athlete, but knee injuries in high school sapped some that athleticism.
  • Next season: Huff is Nevada’s best returning player. He must replace much of the void left with Burton’s departure and should be up to the challenge. No Wolf Pack player works harder than Huff, which is evident in the huge jump in play we saw his sophomore season. Nevada needs Huff to become its go-to guy offensively and in crunch time. He should be up to the task. If you’re banking one on Wolf Pack player to improve in the offseason, Huff is that guy.

CaliUMfan

April 17th, 2014 at 10:49 PM ^

I work with his dad at a high school in Inglewood Ca. We talk basketball all the time. We are on spring break this week but you better believe I will get the inside info on Monday and relay it here.

CaliUMfan

April 17th, 2014 at 10:52 PM ^

What I do know at this point is hid dad told me he was transferring when they made the decision and that he wanted to come close to home (most likely pac 12) and that they were very upset with Nevada blocking the schools that they did.

alum96

April 17th, 2014 at 11:46 PM ^

Yep that was my worry as stated higher on the page regarding Nevada's lifting of restriction to teams on west coast (granted, it is the only fair thing to do).  Generally you are going to transfer closer to home unless you are an elite elite type headed to Duke or whatever.

That said outside of Arizona or UCLA I don't think any of the west coast schools can offer him as much from a basketball point of view.  So it will depend on what is really important to him and is there is a mutual interest / playing time out at those schools. 

Of the 5 schools who have put in a "claim" UM is the easiest choice but if we wants to stay out west I am sure he will let the schools he is interested in know and it becomes a different sort of horse race.  Being a California kid this weather would be a culture shock. ;)

Anyhow looking forward to hearing back your recon Monday.

Shakey Jake

April 17th, 2014 at 11:05 PM ^

would transfer to a cold midwest team unless that was the last resort? Less than 2.5% if that. Ain't going to happen, imo. 

Michigan and transfers (in) are like oil and water. They just don't mix.

Blue eNVy

April 18th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^

Bummed to see him leave Nevada, but it would be fantastic to see him go blue.  He really stepped up his game this year, and became a nice compliment to Burton.

philhersey

April 18th, 2014 at 5:10 PM ^

That makes 4 transfers and one early to nba for "us" nevada (my kids go there and I played b side rugby there). I'm not big on chasing off the coach but when so many players all bail at once...