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found this on twitter

Brian Buckey‏
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. @ToledoMBB picks up a verbal commitment from Keshaun Saunders ( @itsLanX ). Saunders is a shooting guard from Orangeville Prep in Brampton, Canada who held offers from Illinois, USC, New Mexico, and St. Bonaventure among others.

10:01 AM - 13 Feb 2018
Saunders was ranked #10 in the Pre Season Top 20 High School Seniors in Canada Poll published by North Pole Hoops back in December.
Do we need more tall players???
yes, we need tall players, and as of now we don't have an available scholarship, but does sound like a legit recruit.

did a little searching. things that seem to get repeated about him is that he's underrated, personable, quick, and makes his teammates better. Saw a little video. Good first step, confident step back 3, pretty physical and athletic it seems (although you never know how a HS kid will respond to bigger older college players being physical w him). Produces at a high level, leading a top prep school bball program in scoring. Looks like a recruit designed to replace some of Fletcher's energy and vocal leadership.
I’m guessing either Dwayne Rose or James Gordon transfers after this season
(02-14-2018 02:36 AM)pono Wrote: [ -> ]yes, we need tall players, and as of now we don't have an available scholarship, but does sound like a legit recruit.

did a little searching. things that seem to get repeated about him is that he's underrated, personable, quick, and makes his teammates better. Saw a little video. Good first step, confident step back 3, pretty physical and athletic it seems (although you never know how a HS kid will respond to bigger older college players being physical w him). Produces at a high level, leading a top prep school bball program in scoring. Looks like a recruit designed to replace some of Fletcher's energy and vocal leadership.

He certainly doesn’t avoid contact. In the highlights I saw he got “and one”s a lot. You always wonder about the level of competition in Canada but it’s better than it was even a decade or so back. We have another year of our two centers but we better get a big guy or two next year.
Gordon already redshirted so he would have to sit out an additional year if he transfers. Also, he is now part of the rotation (since Willie Jackson got injured). He could continue to be a valued player over the next 3 years.

Rose did not go in even when Marreon Jackson got injured and Roberts took a breather. That would indicate to me that Coach K does not have a lot of confidence in him.
(02-14-2018 09:23 AM)Rocket75 Wrote: [ -> ]Gordon already redshirted so he would have to sit out an additional year if he transfers. Also, he is now part of the rotation (since Willie Jackson got injured). He could continue to be a valued player over the next 3 years.

Rose did not go in even when Marreon Jackson got injured and Roberts took a breather. That would indicate to me that Coach K does not have a lot of confidence in him.


I like Gordon. He’s aggressive. No hesitation in his game. Not afraid to throw his body around either. Guys like him are valuable.
(02-14-2018 09:23 AM)Rocket75 Wrote: [ -> ]Gordon already redshirted so he would have to sit out an additional year if he transfers. Also, he is now part of the rotation (since Willie Jackson got injured). He could continue to be a valued player over the next 3 years.

Rose did not go in even when Marreon Jackson got injured and Roberts took a breather. That would indicate to me that Coach K does not have a lot of confidence in him.

We have a verbal from 6-9 TJ Smith and now from 6-5 Keshaun Saunders. There was also a recent offer to 6-10 Ernest Williams. Looks like we have the max of 13 on scholarship with only Fletcher leaving for next season. One player more would have to leave if we sign both verbals, and two would have to leave if we get a third.
(02-14-2018 09:23 AM)Rocket75 Wrote: [ -> ]Gordon already redshirted so he would have to sit out an additional year if he transfers. Also, he is now part of the rotation (since Willie Jackson got injured). He could continue to be a valued player over the next 3 years.

Rose did not go in even when Marreon Jackson got injured and Roberts took a breather. That would indicate to me that Coach K does not have a lot of confidence in him.

If Gordon left it would be to a Division where he could play immediately but I am pleased to say I was wrong again in my assessment of his talent. He tried a bit too hard last night but he is our only big, strong body and he brings energy and creates space underneath, something we desperately need to cut down on the opponent’s offensive boards. He’ll stay. So will Roberts who is giving valuable minutes and has great handles. That leaves Rose or Logan Hill who is RS’d and also unlikely to leave.
(02-14-2018 07:08 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-14-2018 02:36 AM)pono Wrote: [ -> ]yes, we need tall players, and as of now we don't have an available scholarship, but does sound like a legit recruit.

did a little searching. things that seem to get repeated about him is that he's underrated, personable, quick, and makes his teammates better. Saw a little video. Good first step, confident step back 3, pretty physical and athletic it seems (although you never know how a HS kid will respond to bigger older college players being physical w him). Produces at a high level, leading a top prep school bball program in scoring. Looks like a recruit designed to replace some of Fletcher's energy and vocal leadership.

He certainly doesn’t avoid contact. In the highlights I saw he got “and one”s a lot. You always wonder about the level of competition in Canada but it’s better than it was even a decade or so back. We have another year of our two centers but we better get a big guy or two next year.

I wouldn't worry about the competition in Canada. More Canadians in the NBA than any country outside US. 31 in last year's NCAA tourney. Canadians getting big minutes this yr on Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Iowa St, Oregon, Florida St, Pitt, that frosh from Syracuse who had the big game that got them past us earlier this year, etc... The country has developed a rep for doing a real good job developing young talent and this kid is on one of the top teams in the country. Most of the talent comes from Ontario which is a natural recruiting area for us as we about as close to home as any D1 school for most of them.

As far as who leaves to make room for him??? I can't call it. Littleson is apparently still with the team, right? He would be an unlikely transfer since he just took a rs to transfer to UT. Hill is taking a rs too, and he is like Gordon with jumping ability so a key piece for the future of a program with a lot more young perimeter players than guys who can bang around the paint.

Gordon seems to have shown his value as a hustle guy who can be successful in the MAC around the paint on both ends. His toughness has been a spark and he's taken a RS already so a transfer doesn't make a lot of sense.

Roberts hasn't been the pg some expected, but he's found a role and become a reliable role player who seems to enjoy his place on the team.

Rose sorta seems like the odd man out, but remember that Adway was in that position as a frosh and even a soph, and worked his way into a starting role. Rose is clearly physically capable of being a good MAC player. A little of a tweener who doesn't really play PG but isn't a pure shooting guard yet still likes to handle the ball. Might be a poor fit for our style which relies more on ball handlers who can shoot if you go under screens and spot up shooters. Rose would seem to fit well in NIU or EMU's style which gives more freedom to guards to drive and attack the basket. Still, kid has talent. Would hope he sticks around and finds a way to fit into the system and be a contributor as an older player.

Don't see Alderson leaving as he is already in the rotation, is from fairly nearby and has already changed college plans once.

The other 6 guys: the Jackson's, Adway, Knapke, Sanford, Navigato would be shocks to leave as they are a tight group and the likely starting 5 and 6th man in 2018-19.

The other possibility would be if TJ Smith doesn't sign (he's a verbal) but he seems very into UT and also provides some size, which we really need, even if he's not a classic big man. 6-7/6-8 strong but more in that leaner Adway type build and said to be more of a perimeter and transition player.

Saunders is a great get. However, you never know. There are scouts calling him a sure fire All-MAC guy down the line. But there was a Chicago area scout who said the same thing about Dwayne Rose after he signed with UT. So, talent doesn't always translate into fit and development, at least right away.
I would guess Roberts or Rose will go, either because one of them isn't happy with playing time or because the coach chooses not to renew a scholarship. Of course the fans will never know who made the choice - player or coach.
I see Littleson taking most of Roberts minutes next year as I think he is a point guard he was in a league perceived to be better though I doubt most years his school was better than the Rockets. The ways things work in D1 ball I would not be surprised to see both him and Rose gone and they bring in a big and redshirt him.
If you have some time this is a good game and Saunders is impressive against a lot of Div 1 talent here. One of his teammates is a Michigan commit. Saunders is definitely a perimeter player with a good handle, the ability to penetrate and 3 point range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xVheemkC2I
(02-19-2018 04:07 AM)Sleepy Wrote: [ -> ]If you have some time this is a good game and Saunders is impressive against a lot of Div 1 talent here. One of his teammates is a Michigan commit. Saunders is definitely a perimeter player with a good handle, the ability to penetrate and 3 point range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xVheemkC2I
Of the 2 commits I am definitely more excited about him
Now I know where they're getting those character accents from on Saturday Night Live.
(02-19-2018 08:57 PM)rocketpaul Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-19-2018 04:07 AM)Sleepy Wrote: [ -> ]If you have some time this is a good game and Saunders is impressive against a lot of Div 1 talent here. One of his teammates is a Michigan commit. Saunders is definitely a perimeter player with a good handle, the ability to penetrate and 3 point range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xVheemkC2I
Of the 2 commits I am definitely more excited about him

he looks like a winner and i love the 6-4 guards who can dribble and shoot. should give us a boost of energy as a frosh and fill some of fletcher's minutes. has potential to be an impact guy at some point.

i see this as a 4 man class: smith, saunders, hill, and littleson

we'll see where littleson fits in. coach k has a way of coaxing a lot of improvement out of transfers during their redshirt year. another 6-4 guard who can shoot and dribble, although more of a pg/lead guard ball screen guy.

hill is a strong 6-6 dude who can jump. will be interesting to see how they use him after a rs year to develop. might be him and gordon battling for that backup banger forward off the bench role.

smith is sorta like gordon in that he switched to a big time school for his sr year and doesn't get many shots now. so, hard to tell how he's improving. certainly looks like a basketball player, 6-7 to 6-8 and said to have a pretty good shot with range. pretty athletic in terms of being able to run and jump from a couple video clips I've seen. but we'll see if he has the coordination and the dexterity and game to go with some size skills and athleticism. i think he's an upside guy if the jumper is clean, if not, a versatile backup forward with enough size to help out inside if we have injuries or foul trouble.
I like Pono’s comment that this is a 4 man class. Saunders will likely play straight away with Littleson and Hill and we’ll probably need Smiths inside game with loss of Fletcher. Smith could RS but I see him active for 2019. Guys -what are your thoughts about possibility that T J Smith could be a RS?

The key class is replacing Sanford, Navi, and Adway for 2020!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Rockets!
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