2017 SF Brian "Tugs" Bowen (South Carolina Commit)

[Dr. Jay]

He didn't actually list the 5 schools so technically Depaul could be one of them I suppose.

[Chicagojayfan]

He didn't actually list the 5 schools so technically Depaul could be one of them I suppose.

DePaul would be the upset of the century

[vivid_dude]

He didn't actually list the 5 schools so technically Depaul could be one of them I suppose.

In his Q&A, he discussed Michigan State, Arizona and Creighton at length, and then said Texas and North Carolina State are still talking to him. Never mentioned DePaul. They don't appear to be in the Top 5. NC State seems barely there with the coaching change.

Seems like the selling points are (as alluded to in another post above):
- Arizona: great history of putting wings in the NBA
- MSU: proximity and great tradition
- Creighton: be a star, surround him with shooters

Bowen made it clear that his decision is impacted by who declares for the NBA and who doesn't. Someone earlier questioned Bowen for not making a decision. Countering that, I think it's absolutely the most intelligent thing to do until you see how each team's roster shakes out. If I was a counseling a McDonald's All American (phone hasn't rung yet), I'd advise the same thing.

[cu8493]

If he does come here it will be really interesting to me to see how well Mac handles the locker room with a player who came to CU with the intention of being one and done, and with the intention that he use the year to maximize his draft status, rather than being all in for the team as the top item on his priority list. I know those two overlap to an extent, because if the team does better, his stock looks better accordingly. On the other hand, you can have a season like LSU. Perhaps we have more talent around than LSU had for Simmons to play with.

Don't take this the wrong way, I certainly hope we get the chance to find out. If we are going to get others like him in the future, there has to be a first and it has to work well. As I said, it would be interesting to see how Mac and the other players handle it.

[NateFunkyTown]

Has Bowen ever said he plans or hopes to be a one-and-done? I know he's a 5 star but his game doesn't scream 1-and-done to me, I see him more as a 2nd or 3rd year declare but maybe I'm wrong. I'm sure other people on this board would know more than me so feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

[vivid_dude]

My impressions:
- He talks about the NBA a lot; that's definitely factoring into his decision. What is his best path to playing in the NBA?
- His game doesn't strike me as a one-and-done either, but I have yet to be paid as a professional scout, so who knows?
- Creighton's roster has the least resistance among the three frontrunners. That said, if he's THAT good, he should get through those barriers easily no matter where he declares.
- I honestly have no idea where he will end up, and can't even figure out if there's a front-runner. I would say Creighton is PROBABLY not the front-runner, but he's been vague throughout (which is smart). All three offer something unique.
- If he chooses elsewhere, I hope Creighton fans are classy about it. I have a feeling Michigan State fans won't be if they lose out...

[mredle]

Vivid
The fact of the matter is that he's likely very aware that the guys ahead of him at AU and MSU were in the same position he is in last year and the year before last and they haven't been able to execute a successful one and done. So he knows there are good players ahead of him at those two places. Actually, in my book, the fact that AU and MSU appear to still be in his top 3 is a plus. He's not afraid of the competition, otherwise he might have pulled a Simmons and gone to an LSU type situation.

[Panhandle Jay]

Has Bowen ever said he plans or hopes to be a one-and-done? I know he's a 5 star but his game doesn't scream 1-and-done to me, I see him more as a 2nd or 3rd year declare but maybe I'm wrong. I'm sure other people on this board would know more than me so feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

I've recently wondered the same thing.

[gtmoBlue]

That's what 5* Justin Simon thought in 2015-16...competition is merely a word. He transferred out of Arizona in 2016-17, to St Johns.

It's 1 thing to not fear competition and another when 3 or more good-to-great players, with experience in the given system, are ahead of you in the player matrix. Tugs won't replace Miles Bridges...he will play behind him. He will need 2 wings (of Trier, Alkins, or Simmons) to leave Arizona in order to get PT, plus Arizona has a 2018 SF commit already.

Regardless as to whether he is/thinks he is a 1 n done guy or not, if he isn't getting PT he won't be getting much "draft" consideration.

I think he will make a great Jay and hope he comes to the Hilltop. If he doesn't - good luck, fair winds & following seas.
We've got a great class coming in either way.

[yeti47]

If he commits we will run small.
Joseph, Foster, Thomas, Bowen, and C. We are not great at rebounding...Might as well spread it out as much as possible