Ikpeze

[Hermit]

Someday, #32 will fly in the rafters......

[mcspin]

Bold prediction, but very possible.

[agoo]

Can we hold off on predictions like that until he has more points than threads about him?

[dadster81]

But it does seem a little unfair that the missing bus got three threads, and they did not even play in the game, while Ikpeze has only two.

[thecoach]

Way to early. LOL. He hasn't even had a 10point game yet and you want his number retired

[ddsmugs]

In fairness he hasn't taken enough shots in a game to score 10 points

[agoo]

False. There are five games where if Ikpeze shot 100% from the field and the line in five games, he would have had 10 or more points.

[fjs64]

www.twcnews.com/nys/buffalo/sports/2017/02/14/amherst-product-bonaventure-big-man-amadi-ikpeze-makingbig-difference-basketball-court.html

[bonafan5000]

and I get yelled at for ridiculous threads, were talking about a guy who has scored 38 points this season getting his number retired! Mobley has a better chance than he does. Don't get me wrong he is going to make a nice player in his career here but already stating that his number is going to get retired is really something. No pressure on him at all, geez.... I like the confidence though, but he wasn't even 1st team all wny as a senior in High School basketball...

[nycbonnies]

Feb 10, 2017 0:18:59 GMT -5 Hermit said:

Someday, #32 will fly in the rafters......

Wow bold prediction.... why aren't you living in Vegas or at the track winning tons of money on long shots... come  on man!

[wgt]

Hermit’s prediction is a very bold one based on the what we have seen in his limited 11 mpg.

Amadi does have a very high ceiling based on how he has done in limited time. There are glimpses that are very encouraging for a late bloomer with a steep learning curve who I thought might have been red shirted this year.


In talking with him In June he expressed his desire & work ethic to become a Bona great. He readily expressed very high goals for himself which impressed me.
Some of the encouraging signs in his game as an inexperienced frosh are these.


Denzel is the A10s # 5 rebounder & # 1 offensive rebounder. Amadi grabs a rebound every 4.5 mins while Denzel every 4.2 mins of play.

Denzel is # 3 in blocks making one every 18.2 mins. Amadi has one every 17.2 mins.

Amadi has turned it over every 23.6 mins while Denzel every 15.4 mins.

Amadi has a steal every 31.5 mins. Denzel every 80 mins of play.

Amadi hit 44% of his shots in all games & 63% in conference games.


He has shown a jump hook, ability to hit a 15’ J, a spin move finishing with contact (La Salle game) & is 9-9 from the stripe. His 9-9 FTs is a tiny sample but tells me he will be solid from the line.
I’m encouraged with his play of late as he develops confidence at this level. He will have steps forward & back. Time will tell how good he will be & I will enjoy watching how fast he develops.

[CoachSBU]

Feb 17, 2017 11:38:51 GMT -5 wgt said:

Hermit’s prediction is a very bold one based on the what we have seen in his limited 11 mpg.

Amadi does have a very high ceiling based on how he has done in limited time. There are glimpses that are very encouraging for a late bloomer with a steep learning curve who I thought might have been red shirted this year.


In talking with him In June he expressed his desire & work ethic to become a Bona great. He readily expressed very high goals for himself which impressed me.
Some of the encouraging signs in his game as an inexperienced frosh are these.


Denzel is the A10s # 5 rebounder & # 1 offensive rebounder. Amadi grabs a rebound every 4.5 mins while Denzel every 4.2 mins of play.

Denzel is # 3 in blocks making one every 18.2 mins. Amadi has one every 17.2 mins.

Amadi has turned it over every 23.6 mins while Denzel every 15.4 mins.

Amadi has a steal every 31.5 mins. Denzel every 80 mins of play.

Amadi hit 44% of his shots in all games & 63% in conference games.


He has shown a jump hook, ability to hit a 15’ J, a spin move finishing with contact (La Salle game) & is 9-9 from the stripe. His 9-9 FTs is a tiny sample but tells me he will be solid from the line.
I’m encouraged with his play of late as he develops confidence at this level. He will have steps forward & back. Time will tell how good he will be & I will enjoy watching how fast he develops.

Thanks for the statistical breakdown as usual, wgt! I like the fact that both our freshman big men (Ikpeze AND Ayeni) are showing proficiency from the FT line. That bodes well for the future when we can get the ball inside to those guys and they are fouled and can sink those shots on the "and one"s or the two shots when they can't sink 'em on the floor. When we were able to get the ball inside to beat Fordham's D in Rochester, Ayeni was so very efficient at the line to help us build the lead on the Rams.

[ceharv]

In Hermit's defense, I don't think anything he said suggests that he thinks the kid deserves to be so honored based on his performances to date. It was purely a WAP - wild-assed prediction. But based on one of the replies, here's another question - would the school ever retire the number of or vote into the HOF someone who only played 2 seasons? More specifically, suppose Matt has another year next year equal to or better then this year's and maybe has the top 2 years of any player save Lanier and Sanders? Would he be a candidate for the HOFand/ or number retirement? Geez I just hope we need to face that dilemma.

[bonabum06]

If Mobley wins us an ncaa round or 2. . .maybe.

I love ikpeze. Everything about him. Size, touch, 15ft touch but he has to calm down a bit. Love his passion and all for it but he's a freshman and needs to understand he's going to get called for every possible foul. There was a moment in the la Salle game when he stared down a la salle player and the ref straight up ran over and yelled at amadi to grow up.

Love his upside. Just needs to grow up.

[Hermit]

Yes, I agree that saying Amadis' number 32 will hang in the rafters someday was a very bold statement. I mean, I don't even predict how many games Bonnies' will win in a year. I'm not a predictor.
So, why did I predict this?
Two years ago, almost to the day, Amadi was a non factor in a sectional loss at Buff St. to underdog Olean Hgh. He scored 8 points. Oleans' 'biggest defender was 6'3".
In the past few weeks, we have seen how Amadi can change an opponents offense. In 2 years he has gone from ineffective in a high school game to being an important part of the Bonnies defense.
Wgt, thank you, has run down what Amadi has contributed offensively. Baby hooks with either hand. A fifteen foot jumper! ( When asked about that, Amadi replied....."coach knows I can shoot!".
I have seen early practices and how coach "coaches" Amadi. It's hard to articulate, but there is something different.
I have spoken to Amadi. His hero is the "Big Cat". Big Bob wore number 31. Amadi wears number 32. There is a reason for that. He understands
Amadi works as hard as anybody. He is a fan favorite.
If he can continue to work as hard, and make as much progress as he has in the last 2 years, than yes, that number 32 will fly in the rafters.