http://etsuhoops.com/news/mario-stramaglia-to-transfer

I know he wasn't an elite player, but of all the recent transfers this is the one I hate to see the most. I really do think that he had potential to become a good role player on this team during his last couple of years.

I wonder if this was a case of "we're not renewing your scholarship" or if he left on his own accord (maybe a mixture of both)?

I too thought Mario had some potential. I especially liked his toughness and rebounding, but he struggled to consistently find his shot this season. Rembert also struggled mightily finding his shot his freshman season, but substantially improved his sophomore season across every category. I doubt that Rashawn would've had the opportunity for 25+mpg had Sheldon and Marcus still been on the team. In any case, we may have seen a similar leap in Mario's production after his freshman season, but it's impossible to predict.

I wish Mario well. From all accounts he's a good kid who will end up earning his degree.

Was it he or Yunio that had no other division I offers out of high school?

(04-12-2013 01:59 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  Was it he or Yunio that had no other division I offers out of high school?

Yunio. Had originally signed with NAIA Or Div II school.

To be honest, I'm surprised. I really thought he could be a solid player. I really just don't understand why we have so many transfers each year, it's getting really old.

(04-12-2013 01:59 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  Was it he or Yunio that had no other division I offers out of high school?

Yes, Yunio had no other D1 offers, and initially signed with NAIA Embry Riddle. If he stays, I think Yunio can serve a role on this team. He brings toughness, rebounding, energy, and deceptively good shot. I was told that the coaches had every intention of redshirting him, but had no choice to play him after we lost so many players.

I also thought that Mario had real potential – but he only showed glimpses of it on the floor. His biggest game was the first Florida Gulf Coast game, where he keyed the second half comeback win with tenacious defense and 14 points on 2-3 from 3, and 5 rebounds. He followed that with 7 points (2-5 from 3) and 7 rebounds against Mercer. In the following game, against Kennesaw, he was reasonably productive in only 11 minutes (5 points on 1-2 from 3).

But that was about it. He was back to a couple of minutes a game, and did not show much on the rare occasions that he played a little more. He did get 11 points and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes in the second Lipscomb game, but was extremely inefficient and erratic in that game (2-9 from the field; 1-7 from 3, 3 assists, but also 3 turnovers).

For the season, he averaged 12.4 minutes, with 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds on only .274 shooting (.240 from 3). But then Petey McClain got 21.7 minutes and averaged only 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds, albeit with 3.2 assists

He also seemed headed for a redshirt early in the season, getting no minutes at all until Cooley and Dubose got canned. A redshirt probably would have really helped. With his work ethic, he stands a good chance of becoming an effective D1 player in a year or two in the right program - Murry probably doesn't have a year or two to wait. If he could perform consistently on the level that he showed against FGCU, he would be a valuable player.

The loss of Mario leaves only Rashawn Rembert and Petey McClain at guard for next year.

We really need help at that position. Now. Rembert showed excellent catch shoot ability, but is very average in other areas. Petey struggled physically with injuries, and great expectations.

I expect that Murry and staff are scouring the JUCO ranks for guards.

(04-13-2013 07:43 AM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  I expect that Murry and staff are scouring the JUCO ranks for guards.

Bleh...

I like Xavier Moon a great deal. He's undersized but can create off he bounce and shoot from anywhere. He's a also a great defender.

I also think Maurice O'Field can play the 2, and would give a different look at that position.

(04-13-2013 10:58 AM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  

(04-13-2013 07:43 AM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  I expect that Murry and staff are scouring the JUCO ranks for guards.

Bleh...

Bob Hoffman at Mercer has done pretty well with JUCO guards the last 3 years, pulling in Jeff Smith and Travis Smith. And he'll need to do the same again this year.

His MO is to cast a wide net, pull in several, coach up the best one, and basically discard the rest. Not pretty. But he's made it work.

Devin Harris seems to answer our 2 guard needs. But we need another point option besides Petey. He should be able to take a big step forward this year. But even if he does, we'll need backup. I can see the defenses putting heavy pressure on him every time up the floor and ignoring everybody else.

If he doesn't show significant improvement, then, as of now, we're hurting.

Moon does seem to have the right skill set.

(04-14-2013 08:05 AM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  Devin Harris seems to answer our 2 guard needs. But we need another point option besides Petey. He should be able to take a big step forward this year. But even if he does, we'll need backup. I can see the defenses putting heavy pressure on him every time up the floor and ignoring everybody else.

If he doesn't show significant improvement, then, as of now, we're hurting.

Moon does seem to have the right skill set.

swvabucsfan,

I think Harris meets our needs at the lead guard spot. Harris is a prototypical point guard with the desired point guard attributes: handle, mentality, and leadership. A terrific free throw shooter, Harris is a also a southpaw, and has a craftiness about him. Because he is 6'4", he has been forced to play out of position in high school, and I think his stats reflect that. He is, though, in my opinion, a true point guard.

The FLorida high school Final Four highlight reel that you posted on other threads does give some support to your position. I'm worried in particular about the shortage of guys on the ETSU squad with a solid D1 handle who can advance the ball against pressure. Last year it was Jarvis, Petey (most nights) and little else. When a good defender like USCU's Ty Greene was getting to Jarvis, we were in trouble. With the loss of Jarvis, that becomes even more of a concern for next year. At .07 of the highlight reel is a nice moment with Harris taking the ball up court against attempted pressure with total command, between the legs, crossover each way, then spin left and finish at the rim. Very encouraging. Also lots of good passing, but the ballhandling concerns me more. And Harris IS listed as a point guard. His stats seem more those of a shooting guard, but if he's got a handle, he's got a handle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-ldFb60e...r_embedded

However it's one thing to look good on a high school highlight reel, and something else entirely to do it against a good D1 defender. Mario's highlight reel was full of moments that he couldn't (yet) replicate at the college level.

I really look forward to seeing Devin in a Buc uniform.

(04-14-2013 08:12 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  However it's one thing to look good on a high school highlight reel, and something else entirely to do it against a good D1 defender. Mario's highlight reel was full of moments that he couldn't (yet) replicate at the college level.

Your point is well taken. We've seen this proven over and over again. In addition, how many times have we seen glossy stats from juco players not replicated at the D1 level? It is indeed a monumental leap to the d1 level.

I think Harris played the 2 guard on his high school team because of his size but the point on his AAU team.

A look back.....

Mario's signing

"I got off to a good start with Coach Johnson and Coach bartow"