Gabe Wiznitzer is like the modern day Kenneth Van Kempen. Underappreciated because he's got better things to do than dunk!!!
KVK's junior year he averaged 15.5 mpg, 3.2 ppg and 2.4 rpg, 2.6 fouls per game and 2.5 turnovers per game.
Compare that to Wiznitzer who currently averaging 13.4 mpg, 3.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 fouls per game and 1.5 turnovers per game.
KVK progressed his senior year to average a whopping 27.8 mpg, 6.8 ppg and 6.7 rpg, 3.4 fouls per game and 1.2 turnovers per game. I think most would agree KVK's contributions on the court that year greatly exceeded his stat-line. He understood the offense and opened up the floor for the other guys on the team to thrive.
Clayton is clearly more of a scoring threat offensively than Wiznitzer. I think on the defensive side it's a much different conversation. Wiznitzer is more of a true interior post player than Clayton. I would rather have Wiznitzer racking up fouls during the minutes where Dwight Wilson is resting than getting Clayton into foul trouble.
I don't think this is a case of Wiz taking minutes from Clayton. For most of the season Clayton has been a regular in the rotation. It's really just been these last two games where Clayton played less than we would expect. It may have been due to matchups or something else with Clayton. I don't think it's a case of Clayton vs Wiz. We are going to need both of these guys next year with Dwight gone. If Wiz can continue to learn our scheme, I could see him being a valuable piece in the offense with Clayton and Hunter taking more of the scoring responsibility.
Respectfully, I would prefer we keep Clayton (although I'm starting to question if he will be here) and roll the dice on another portal big instead of bringing Wiz back. I don't see Wiz developing much more beyond what he is right now. This is his third year of d1 basketball...
But after KVK's third year of D1 basketball, there really wasn't evidence that he would grow into something better. He was pretty much the same awkward stiff for his first three years, and he had an offseason working with Groce before his third year. Even Reggie Keely had a lot of awkwardness and gaffes to his game his first two years. So, you never know.
I don't see the sense in maybe "suggesting" any player on this roster leave, especially a post player. We do have one scholarship to work with and possibly (likely) more if Ben or Miles call it a career or anyone else decides on their own to go. We absolutely MUST get another big for next year and I'd like them be an option with AJ, IJ, and Gabe.