Are you surprised by Garrison staying?

[WildcatsAndBourbon_rivals395121]

I am. More than money, I’m kind of surprised that Pope stuck with him. I don’t see them as having compatible personalities. I’m also not sure that Pope saw what you would think he would have been looking for as far as the skillset Garrison has vs the demands of the position in Pope’s system. Any player retention in the current NCAA model can be seen as a good thing and probably helps with future player retention, but this one seemed unlikely all things considered.

 

[know1]

I don't see whatever it is you see at all. Maybe drop the bourbon.

 

[kb22stang]

Garrison is oozing potential and he showed flashes last year of very skilled play. The exact guy you want to retain and develop

 

[RexBowie]

Nope.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I am. More than money, I’m kind of surprised that Pope stuck with him. I don’t them as having compatible personalities. I’m also not sure that Pope saw what you would think he would have been looking for as far as the skillset Garrison has vs the demands of the position in Pope’s system. Any player retention in the current NCAA model can be seen as a good thing and probably helps with future player retention, but this one seemed unlikely all things considered.

I disagree. Compatible personalities, Pope likes spunky energy guys with a bit of an edge…he was one himself.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

If Pope and Garrison mutually commit to the development of his game, look out.

 

[TortElvisII]

No

 

[PoBilly]

Before the season was over Pope was saying after BG has time in the system he expects him to shoot 5 threes a game this coming year. Not sure about personality wise but Pope likes BG. I am not surprised by anything Pope does or whom he gets for the team. I just want to sit back and see if it all comes together to be a great team, if we have issues with the team concept and such or if we have guys lifting each other up to be one of the best teams of 25-26 season. Hoping for epic team brotherhood from UK this year.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Im surprised a few guys are sticking around. But maybe the money talks now.

 

[JPFisher]

I disagree. Compatible personalities, Pope likes spunky energy guys with a bit of an edge…he was one himself.

Pope invented frick around and find out.

 

[JwUKFan11]

I'm surprised but only because I though he would want 30+ minutes a game this season. But no not for the things you mentioned.

 

[qwesley]

More money here than he would get anywhere else

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Pope invented frick around and find out.

People forget Pope was a very physical player. Like he’s a choir boy and can’t handle a little rough —- Pope was scrappy.

 

[chroix]

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was one of coach’s favorites from listening to him talk about how excited he is about him.

I bet OP is surprised by all kinds of ****.

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

I think Brandon knows that Coach Pope is a good, honest man and can get him to the league.
Amari Williams is going to be an NBA draft pick and it’s because of Mark Pope.

 

[anon1751545683]

Pope the player was the exact opposite of Garrison the player. Pope was action, not words. Garrison is words, not action.

Maybe Pope thinks he can change that dynamic? Good on him if he can.

 

[EliteBlue]

People forget Pope was a very physical player. Like he’s a choir boy and can’t handle a little rough —- Pope was scrappy.

One of the reason I believe he recruited Krissa 3 separate times

 

[ukcatz12]

I don’t see them as having compatible personalities.

A lot of you just make half of your opinions up out of thin air, don't you?

 

[Aike]

There’s a religious aspect to what Pope does and how he thinks. I promise you he believes that God put BG in his path for a reason. Pope also attracts the kind of players with similar sentimentality.

Maybe you buy that, maybe you don’t. But I believe that Pope believes he is on a different kind of mission. I have a feeling he will be more reluctant to cut people loose than you might think.

 

[HagginHall1999]

I think people are hugely undervaluing the ability of Pope to forge relationships.

How many teams had zero scholarship players transfer out?

Not counting the FR, he never gave the chance to build a relationship with Pope.

Honestly, if anyone ever leaves him, good riddance. The guy is as good as it gets. Special person tbh.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I disagree. Compatible personalities, Pope likes spunky energy guys with a bit of an edge…he was one himself.

This is often overlooked. Pope was an intense competitor and likes guys who play with a chip on their shoulder.

After Pope was hired, I watched a lot of games from 1995 and 1996 and Pope always played hard, set hard screens, fought for rebounds, dove for loose balls, could make a wide open 3, made his free throws and often was a high emotion player on the court and first guy off the bench to give everyone fives when he wasn’t in the lineup.

I’ve seen Mark Pope swing his share of elbows and bark at officials as a player. He probably likes BG’s fire. Just needs to harness it a little.

 

[Lightbringer12]

Garrison will likely be one of the focal points of JQ isn’t 100% by the start of the season. Even so he can co-exist with JQ because he can shoot. He’s got a lot of potential one of the only ones besides Oweh I wanted to see return.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Garrison is oozing potential and he showed flashes last year of very skilled play. The exact guy you want to retain and develop

Agree, he came up big in many games last year. I’m glad he stayed.

 

[jc2010]

I think Pope has got the team he wants. We thoughtguys we got outbid for some guys but then we turned around and landed guys quick. Brandon made some noises about leaving and Pope settled him down.

It looks to me like when players were available Pope wanted he spent the money and kept the guys he wanted to stay.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

I love BG. He drives me crazy sometimes, but I love the kid. I like the attitude.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Garrison needs to be a garbage man. Hustle, rebound, block shots, get loose balls, bring his energy, bring that attitude and he will be ok. He has the talent just put it to work.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Player continuity is more rare and important in this era than anything else. We have a coach that prioritizes it, and apparently players that love playing for him. This will bode better for our future than anything else. Future is very bright.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Garrison needs to be a garbage man. Hustle, rebound, block shots, get loose balls, bring his energy, bring that attitude and he will be ok. He has the talent just put it to work.

He has the ability to really shoot the ball well for a big man. His shot is consistent and fairly quick for a big guy. I hope he continues to Improve there because that is a weapon. He shouldn’t shot transition 3’s but when he’s open in the offense out there he can knock one down.

 

[TucsonCat]

In addition to reasons above, I think Pope wanted as much continuity as possible. No other centers or power forwards staying. Got a freshman, an injured player, and player from another country coming in. Nothing guaranteed. Easier to get them in the offense if they're not rushed. And you one person on team to demonstrate the offense this summer and preseason.

 

[bballcat4]

PJWashington had a broken jumper then developed a better than avg jumper his 2nd year. BG had an avg jumper and has potential to develop a very good 3 pt shot.

BG is only a good jump shot away from being a dominant 4 man. This would allow him to play with JQ and get more mins rotating in both positions. The part of BG’s game that Pope loves is his ability to guard smaller players on the perimeter. Coaches love this because it allows them to play differently in the PNRoll game.

BG could have packed his bags and hit the portal and landed on a good team. The fact he stayed and decided to compete for minutes caused him to move up in my mind. Yes, $ May have been involved, but he wasn’t going to go broke in the portal! I do think he could dominate in his 4th year if he continues to improve.

 

[gbl97]

I know I'm in the minority, but Garrison drives me nuts. Takes bad shots, forces bad passes, low basketball IQ, won't control his mouth. He has the physical tools though. We'll see.

 

[yoshukai]

I know I'm in the minority, but Garrison drives me nuts. Takes bad shots, forces bad passes, low basketball IQ, won't control his mouth. He has the physical tools though. We'll see.

I don’t know if you’re in the minority. Besides the things you mentioned, his interior defense and rim protection are horrible. And if he’s got a low post move , I haven’t seen it.

 

[K_TIME]

I am. More than money, I’m kind of surprised that Pope stuck with him. I don’t see them as having compatible personalities. I’m also not sure that Pope saw what you would think he would have been looking for as far as the skillset Garrison has vs the demands of the position in Pope’s system. Any player retention in the current NCAA model can be seen as a good thing and probably helps with future player retention, but this one seemed unlikely all things considered.

100% I was surprised to see him stay.

1. The only reason to see him stay was banking Quantenance would take time to get healthy.
2. But Garrison aint' a PF....and he ain't playing those minutes with Diabate and the foreign kid....heck, I'd argue Kam Williams will grab small ball PF before Garrison would get some.
3. I just don't see the potential that some see....I think some are still glazing at his McD AA credentials...
- Garrison showed little growth to me from game 1 to game 30 last year....when Amari was off floor....that was still a huge fall off
- Garrison showed zero post scoring...
- Garrison was not really an above average rim protector to me.... .6 blocks in 18 mpg....not much to write home about
- Garrison shot 30% 3pt...not exactly a sniper out there
- Not a great passer
- Low BBall IQ

If we've got the money and he's willing to come off bench when Quantenance is back...I'm fine with it. But usually those guys leave after you sign a Quantenance type of portal player.

 

[HalHR2500]

Frankly it’s put or shut up time for Garrison

Talent and skills but mind-numbing dumb mistakes and soft play

 

[BleedBlue13]

I think MM will move up quickly, the two things you can count on with him are rebounding and shot blocking. BG is built for that he just doesn’t do it

 

[WildcatsAndBourbon_rivals395121]

Wow, this thread has been nicely balanced on both sides. The point at wanting some continuity at every position possible stands out as a great point. The “put up or shut up,” remark also sticks out.

 

[Panthur]

BG is great to have but from his side I'm a bit surprised he stuck around after we signed Jelavic and Dioubate. He is a great five but not in Pope's system. Not for anything but garbage minutes and certainly not equal to Quaintance assuming Quaintance gets healthy. In Pope's system he's more suited to the four and he would have done a plenty decent job at that. But not decent enough to start him over Dioubate in any world or to sub him in ahead of Jelavic assuming Jelavic doesn't have trouble figuring things out.

He'll still get plenty of minutes by:

--Manning the five till Quaintance gets healthy
--Backing up Quaintance after that
--Coming in at the four when other teams try to "get physical"
--And maybe to really exploit some teams with smaller front lines

I am just a little surprised that he didn't go someplace where he would have more prominence than that, and more money. I'm sure there are plenty of places who would have offered that to a guy with his size and skill and experience. Oh well. As long as he is happy I am plenty happy to have him. Brandon Garrison is a whale of an eighth or ninth man.