(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.