Based on both talent & necessity, I expect that at least 3 true freshmen will play significant roles this season for Toledo. Of them, I agree that Sanford seems like the most "complete" at this early stage, and his ability to score should keep him on the radar.

Kaayla McIntyre from Toledo for the women...

Carly Santoro or Sydney Lambert From BGSU on the women's side

Point guard Leah Purvis from California will start for Miami on the women's side. She can really run the team.

(11-09-2015 09:28 AM)emu steve Wrote:  James Thompson, C, EMU. Some think we got lucky and a good one came our way...

I guess now would be a good time to echo this statement. Thompson had 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks in his first collegiate game today, despite missing most of the first half with two early fouls. Should put up numbers all year, as he is our only true center. If he stays out of foul trouble, he'll have a big year.

(11-13-2015 08:52 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(11-09-2015 09:28 AM)emu steve Wrote:  James Thompson, C, EMU. Some think we got lucky and a good one came our way...

I guess now would be a good time to echo this statement. Thompson had 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks in his first collegiate game today, despite missing most of the first half with two early fouls. Should put up numbers all year, as he is our only true center. If he stays out of foul trouble, he'll have a big year.

An EMU player described him as a 'beast.'

Probably a good description for a center who is damn tough inside, both ends, offense and defense.

Not passive at all like Riley who got lost on offense.

Ball State's Teague is a redshirt this season. Teammate big man Trey Moses could be in the mix before it is all over.

Revisiting this now that we are a few games into the season. Still too soon to tell but was curious to see which freshmen are making an early impact. Here's Ohio's freshmen + new transfers, feel free to share your team's frosh too.

Freshmen-
1. Jordan Dartis, G.- 22.3min, 11.0pts, 1.0ast, 1.2reb, .526 FG%, .462 3pt% , .875 FT%.
2. Gavin Block, G.- 15.0min, 6.8pts, 1.3ast, 2.5reb, .500 FG%, .462 3pt%, .867 FT%.
3. James Gollon, G.- 4.0min
4. Doug Taylor, F.- 3.7min
5. Ellis Dozier, F.- Red Shirt

Transfers-
1. Jaaron Simmons, PG- 34.5min, 17.3pts, 7.7ast, 3.5reb, 6.3TO, .509 FG%, .400 3pt%, .698 FT%.
2. Kenny Kaminski, F.- 30.8min, 14.7pts, 0.7ast, 5.2reb, .413 FG%, .385 3pt%, .913 FT%.

Dartis and Block have emerged as the two best freshmen early on for Ohio and have put in valuable minutes off the bench. Wouldn't be surprised to see Dartis move into the starting SG spot before too long. He's already playing more minutes than the starter (K Harley) and has triple his points. Dartis's best game was vs Florida State, scoring 24pts.

The two high major transfers are as good as advertised. Both are still shaking off some red shirt rust and are playing starter's minutes for the first time in college so it is to be expected. Simmons has been Cooper-esque at the point so far and will make a push for POY if he can get his turnovers in check. 7 or more TOs in 5 of the first 6 games is an issue but feel confident he will fix that soon. Kaminski started off cold, shooting just 1-12 from behind the arc in his first two games but since then has hit 14-27. He's also 21-23 from the foul line.

EMU's big looks pretty good. Toledo has 2 frosh starting with Navigato looking as advertised: smart, hard worker with a great outside shot. Both he and Sanford hover around double figures in scoring.

Yes - I think EMU's James Thompson is definitely showing that he's the best of the freshmen. I wish I hadn't missed on putting him on my list. He's leading the MAC in rebounding.

For Kent State, Jaylin Walker has been getting a few starts, and putting in quality minutes. He looks like an outside shooter to replace the 3s that Devereaux Manley was making. He still needs some development, but he has potential. Jalen Avery is also in the rotation. Alonzo Walker is redshirting, and Rosel Hurley hasn't been in a game yet.

(12-04-2015 09:05 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Yes - I think EMU's James Thompson is definitely showing that he's the best of the freshmen. I wish I hadn't missed on putting him on my list. He's leading the MAC in rebounding.

For Kent State, Jaylin Walker has been getting a few starts, and putting in quality minutes. He looks like an outside shooter to replace the 3s that Devereaux Manley was making. He still needs some development, but he has potential. Jalen Avery is also in the rotation. Alonzo Walker is redshirting, and Rosel Hurley hasn't been in a game yet.

It should be interesting to see the best frosh NATIONALLY (all three front court players).

The kid Simmons at LSU (haven't seen him play yet), Deyonta Davis (MSU - fmr. Mr. Basketball in MI), and James Thompson IV.

JT4, as we call him, will go up against Penn State tomorrow and L'ville a week from tomorrow.

He has an opportunity to show his stuff before going up against the likes of Nathan Boothe, etc.

(12-04-2015 09:12 AM)emu steve Wrote:  It should be interesting to see the best frosh NATIONALLY (all three front court players).

The kid Simmons at LSU (haven't seen him play yet), Deyonta Davis (MSU - fmr. Mr. Basketball in MI), and James Thompson IV.

JT4, as we call him, will go up against Penn State tomorrow and L'ville a week from tomorrow.

He has an opportunity to show his stuff before going up against the likes of Nathan Boothe, etc.

While Thompson has been very impressive I'm not sure we should anoint him Mr. Freshman yet. His resume includes 3 of his 7 games against non-D1 competition and he's feasted on them (20.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 0.7 apg). His numbers against D1 competition have been pretty good, particularly the rebounding numbers, but others have been in the same area. Against D1 teams his numbers are 9.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 0.0 apg). His shooting numbers also tell a story (D1 .500 FG%, 14% FT%; non-D1 83% FG%, 62% FT).

Someone like NIU's Marshawn Wilson could swing in and take the award. Wilson is putting up nearly 11 ppg and has only played 20 minutes in a game once. C.J. Massinburg (UB), Jordan Dartis (Ohio), Jaelan Sanford (UT) and Laytwan Porter have also been impressive.

At the quarter pole Thompson has the inside track but it will all wash out once league play starts.

One thing I found while researching this is that the conference has a lot of good freshman this year. Bodes well for the future.

(11-11-2015 11:18 PM)DICK Wrote:  Point guard Leah Purvis from California will start for Miami on the women's side. She can really run the team.

Purvis is averaging 14ppg and shooting 50% from the floor. She does have 25 turnovers however, so she is having some problems adjusting to better defensive pressure.

marshawn wilson is the real deal. montgomery hasn't had real guy so far to center a team around. wilson could be really good.

mac has a very good class this year. toledo is 5-2 (with only 2 home games) starting 2 frosh with 2 more regular rotation subs and maybe their top recruit (knapke) taking a rs year behind boothe.

(12-04-2015 11:47 AM)OUVan Wrote:  At the quarter pole Thompson has the inside track but it will all wash out once league play starts.

Didn't see the game but Thompson put up 18-14 against Penn State. He also greatly improved his ft% against D1 teams, going 10-14. Impressive.

(12-07-2015 01:10 PM)OUVan Wrote:  

(12-04-2015 11:47 AM)OUVan Wrote:  At the quarter pole Thompson has the inside track but it will all wash out once league play starts.

Didn't see the game but Thompson put up 18-14 against Penn State. He also greatly improved his ft% against D1 teams, going 10-14. Impressive.

Since the Marygrove (NAIA) game, I think he is averaging 22 ppg against Marygrove, Madonna (NAIA), NE-Omaha, and PSU.

He is now putting up big numbers versus everyone...

He is so much better his last 4 games compared to his first 4 games...

He has played 1/4 of his first year of, hopefully, a 4 year career.

Huge upside.

mac has some good centers this year with boothe, the akron duo of forsythe and johnson, chapman at OU so there will be a chance for thompson to see how he stacks in conference against quality players.

(12-08-2015 03:19 AM)pono Wrote:  mac has some good centers this year with boothe, the akron duo of forsythe and johnson, chapman at OU so there will be a chance for thompson to see how he stacks in conference against quality players.

I think you mean Tony Campbell at Ohio, not Chapman

Final results:

James Thompson IV
C.J. Massinburg
Marshawn Wilson
Jordan Dartis
Josh Williams

I got 2 out of 5, I totally whiffed on JT IV

(03-08-2016 12:56 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote:  Final results:

James Thompson IV
C.J. Massinburg
Marshawn Wilson
Jordan Dartis
Josh Williams

I got 2 out of 5, I totally whiffed on JT IV

I got 4 of the 5 with a whiff on Williams. Although to be fair I didn't really make a prediction. I just mentioned them as being candidates for the MAC FOTY.