They should also embrace BSKB 24...no argument there.

My smiley face with the tongue hanging out turned into a ? What happened?

BSKB...you know you are dumber than a box of rocks and I am the superior assessor of coaching talent. Matt Brady will win the CAA next year and you will hail me as the most amazing poster in the history of the JMU message boards.

Now on to more important things. When is the OJF tourney this year and can we change the name to the Makers Marc(notice what I did there?) Open?

Read an article about ODU over the weekend in the Daily Press (which treated Smart's leaving as the top news of the day). They (ODU) just picked up another Stith, this one from UVA. His brother from East Carolina will be eligible this coming season and their father is an assistant coach under Jones. Bryant is supposedly a top 100 recruit and will have to sit out this coming season. They're also picking up a 7 foot JUCO center and have two other freshman signees. Jones mentioned that the team needed to improve offensively and had basically accomplished everything that it possibly could given the talent on hand. The team excelled defensively obviously, its calling card this past season.

Jones is obviously following a model to transform a mid-major quickly by using transfers, either 4-year or JUCO, in an attempt to make a splash and then be able to capitalize on the recruiting trail with high school kids. Mike Lonergan followed that to some degree with GW, as did Lefty Driesell, of course. It's the quickest path to relevance.

Yes - BJ Stith incoming from UVA...I believe he will be our top rated (out of HS) player of all time.

4* player - some ratings sites have him as 65th overall in the country. Hopefully a gem. The JUCO/transfer route certainly seems to be paying dividends.

Remains to be seen how it will turn into traditional recruiting. Our profile is certainly better than it was two years ago, so I anticipate positive movement there. It's nice to watch decent basketball again...two years ago was tough.

This news may drive some JMU folks nuts- ODU has an in home visit for a NC High Major hoops recruit today (attended ODU's summer camp years ago also plays AAU on Boo Williams team). It's expected that the kid will sign with UNC but just the in home visit is an accomplishment. Also Buffalo has a PG who is looking to transfer post Hurley leaving. The PG played at Hargrave and is from Virginia. Buffalo is blocking him from transferring to ODU, VCU or Arizona State. I think the NIT Final Four appearance has definitely helped raise ODU's basketball profile to where it was prior to a few years ago if not higher. As an aside it's a shame we are deep at guard because in general there are a lot more guard transfer players out there than front court and several have connections to the area and would likely consider JMU.

A few things:

The NC recruit no longer plays for Boo Williams AAU, he's now with Team Loaded.

Buffalo dropped the blocks on ASU, VCU, and ODU for Shannon Evans.

How would attending a summer basketball camp at ODU have any influence on recruiting?

(04-22-2015 11:04 AM)Dukeman Wrote:  How would attending a summer basketball camp at ODU have any influence on recruiting?

Dukeman --

Quick question: Is JMU your second favorite team after ODU or would you put Charleston Southern there?

(04-22-2015 11:21 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 11:04 AM)Dukeman Wrote:  How would attending a summer basketball camp at ODU have any influence on recruiting?

Dukeman --

Quick question: Is JMU your second favorite team after ODU or would you put Charleston Southern there?

Charlotte. Don't forget Charlotte.

(04-22-2015 11:21 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  

(04-22-2015 11:04 AM)Dukeman Wrote:  How would attending a summer basketball camp at ODU have any influence on recruiting?

Dukeman --

Quick question: Is JMU your second favorite team after ODU or would you put Charleston Southern there?

There's room for everybody on the train - welcome aboard!

(04-22-2015 11:04 AM)Dukeman Wrote:  How would attending a summer basketball camp at ODU have any influence on recruiting?

It helps build a relationship.

And the softball gets hit over the fence for a grand slam.

Hehe Dukeman wins