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We are now nearly mid-way through our conference schedule and I think it is time to start a thread discussing Marcus Hill. I know I'm probably not alone, but I saw that he was a special scorer (especially around the rim) in his very first game as a Falcon. To say that has continued is putting it mildly. After last night's performance I was curious because I wanted to put his season into some context, so I went back and looked...

He's currently averaging over 21ppg. BGSU hasn't had a 20 ppg scorer since McLeod's '01-'02 MAC POY campaign
AD's '96-'97 season is the only other BG 20 ppg season in the last 35 yrs; he also was MAC POY

He's actually upticked his scoring in conference play to 23.8ppg. He's also upticked his 3p% to 40% in conference play...which if he can shoot the 3 makes him that much more unguardable.

I don't think it is hyperbole to say that Marcus Hill is having a MAC POY caliber season. He's not as efficient a scorer as either Daniels or McLeod were. He's not the defender McLeod was, and not even close to the facilitator that AD was. But still he's having an absolutely tremendous guard season for us. I know as we watch the games we discuss giving him credit for many (if not most) of the wins. I know that all of us that watch BG hoops realize he's been great, but even I didn't realize how great his season truly stacked up.

Now, I don't think he's going to win MAC POY. We're 2 full games behind Akron & Toledo, having lost to both of those teams. Hill played well enough to win both of those games, but we didn't; we'll get a home shot at Toledo, but sadly no 2nd chance against Akron. Unless he (or the team) falter down the stretch it seems like Freeman is a runaway choice for POY, he's having a tremendous season. But if BG manages to catch them in the standings Hill seems like he's almost certainly a top 3 guy in the league right now, and almost certainly putting together a 1st team All-MAC season through the halfway point.

Just wanted to throw it out there because even I was surprised when I stepped back and looked at how good his season has truly been.

He's incredible. He's a dog that competes hard on every possession, both ends of the floor. And he wants to be coached up, too - kid asks a ton of questions of Simon and the officials every game. I love Marcus Hill, and I am thrilled that he has another year of eligibility next year, too.

I think he's clearly on the 1st team All-MAC at this point, but they've already given the POTY to Freeman even if Akron loses out.

mbenecke wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:45 am He's incredible. He's a dog that competes hard on every possession, both ends of the floor. And he wants to be coached up, too - kid asks a ton of questions of Simon and the officials every game. I love Marcus Hill, and I am thrilled that he has another year of eligibility next year, too.

YES. There have been times Simon has been visibly frustrated with him in games, but I think that's only because he holds him to a high standard. The 2 of them are talking about things nearly every stoppage and that's great to see.

I'm also thrilled he's got another year. I hope like hell it's here (I take nothing for granted in this current NCCAAB world)

Hill is a great player who finds ways to score even on his bad shooting nights. A unique offensive talent. If we can add more shooters or become a more consistent shooting team the lane will open up even more next season. If I'm not mistaken, Phillip is the only player who has no eligibility remaining after this season.

Hill has been playing fantastic. I love watching him play. Honestly, he's the player that we usually had to play against each game and the entire crowd was frustrated at our lack of defensive attention to that player. We not only have that player, but we're utilizing him correctly. We've had other good players, but we never utilized them well under the former coaching staff.

guest44 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:26 am Hill is a great player who finds ways to score even on his bad shooting nights. A unique offensive talent. If we can add more shooters or become a more consistent shooting team the lane will open up even more next season. If I'm not mistaken, Phillip is the only player who has no eligibility remaining after this season.

We already have our 2 players signed for next year.

Jaxon Pardon
https://www.hudl.com/profile/17060379/jaxon-pardon
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17060379/6 ... 09602e48c2

Preston Squire
https://slccbruins.com/sports/mens-bask ... ts/2023-24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG_N-IrA6Yc&t=443s

Globetrotter wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:11 pm

guest44 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:26 am Hill is a great player who finds ways to score even on his bad shooting nights. A unique offensive talent. If we can add more shooters or become a more consistent shooting team the lane will open up even more next season. If I'm not mistaken, Phillip is the only player who has no eligibility remaining after this season.

We already have our 2 players signed for next year.

Jaxon Pardon
https://www.hudl.com/profile/17060379/jaxon-pardon
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17060379/6 ... 09602e48c2

Preston Squire
https://slccbruins.com/sports/mens-bask ... ts/2023-24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG_N-IrA6Yc&t=443s

Realistically these days, there will be at least two more openings with transfers. I'm guessing those will be filled with other transfers.

BillyLP wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:13 pm

Globetrotter wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:11 pm

guest44 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:26 am Hill is a great player who finds ways to score even on his bad shooting nights. A unique offensive talent. If we can add more shooters or become a more consistent shooting team the lane will open up even more next season. If I'm not mistaken, Phillip is the only player who has no eligibility remaining after this season.

We already have our 2 players signed for next year.

Jaxon Pardon
https://www.hudl.com/profile/17060379/jaxon-pardon
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17060379/6 ... 09602e48c2

Preston Squire
https://slccbruins.com/sports/mens-bask ... ts/2023-24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG_N-IrA6Yc&t=443s

Realistically these days, there will be at least two more openings with transfers. I'm guessing those will be filled with other transfers.

The only guy I could logically see transferring these days would be McCombs.

Hill is an absolute stud who can get to the rim at will with a great touch in the paint. Curious to see how teams react on the backside of Mac play but I think Agee and spurgin make it tough since they are both scoring threats. Please let him stay next year if his three keeps improving he'll be a bigger nightmare to the Mac

Dj Smith is a prime transfer out candidate. Started all games for Arkansas little Rock and averaged over 10 points a game. He's not starting here if Thomas stays and never had a great role when healthy

fanatic13 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:02 pm Hill is an absolute stud who can get to the rim at will with a great touch in the paint. Curious to see how teams react on the backside of Mac play but I think Agee and spurgin make it tough since they are both scoring threats. Please let him stay next year if his three keeps improving he'll be a bigger nightmare to the Mac

Dj Smith is a prime transfer out candidate. Started all games for Arkansas little Rock and averaged over 10 points a game. He's not starting here if Thomas stays and never had a great role when healthy

Interesting note about Smith. He will probably Medical Redshirt this year

Hill is who Samari Curtis thought he was.

Love Hill's game but that's 2 straight home games where he's missed the game winner. 3 tries in fact. None of which he was even able to get a good shot off.

Matty B wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:38 pm Love Hill's game but that's 2 straight home games where he's missed the game winner. 3 tries in fact. None of which he was even able to get a good shot off.

I have to put a lot of this on coaching. I've not been happy with Simon's coaching at the end of half's and games and OT's for the last few games. I don't think it's ideal to call a TO with only 4 seconds to go. Either play it out or call it with 11 second left right after CMU scored.

I also would have preferred for him to call a TO at the end of regulation after Agee got an offensive board with .25 left to set something up. Instead Agee rushed and missed a shot leaving CMU with a chance to win it. Thankfully the dude missed. They could have run the clock down for a shot with under 10 seconds left, leaving CMU with not much chance to get a decent shot off.

Redwingtom wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 11:54 am

Matty B wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:38 pm Love Hill's game but that's 2 straight home games where he's missed the game winner. 3 tries in fact. None of which he was even able to get a good shot off.

I have to put a lot of this on coaching. I've not been happy with Simon's coaching at the end of half's and games and OT's for the last few games. I don't think it's ideal to call a TO with only 4 seconds to go. Either play it out or call it with 11 second left right after CMU scored.

I also would have preferred for him to call a TO at the end of regulation after Agee got an offensive board with .25 left to set something up. Instead Agee rushed and missed a shot leaving CMU with a chance to win it. Thankfully the dude missed. They could have run the clock down for a shot with under 10 seconds left, leaving CMU with not much chance to get a decent shot off.

I don't think the plan was to call a timeout. I think he wanted to let them play it but when the play stalled we burned the TO