Well... According to this tweet, he will graduate this year and transfer out. If true, he made a good decision because I really don't see a fit for him next year.

Tweet:
@TobiasWalk
"@GoodmanESPN another Grad Transfer Northern Illinois Michael Orris"

yeah, probably for the best

If he announced this earlier we could have kept Bowie, or perhaps there is something happening behind the scene on a late recruit?

He was a class kid for even playing this year.

I wish him the best.

Wonder if we will go after a grad transfer. According to Goodman at espn there might be a new, unofficial, transfer record set this year. On a different note did T'ara Austin quit the volleyball team? That would be a big loss for VB.

Class guy. He will be successful in whatever he does

He might have seen the writing on the wall. Wish him the best, he's a stand up guy.

He had to leave if he wanted minutes. Porter/German, Wilson/Highsmith, Orris was not going to play. Is a big that can challenge Maric what you go after?

Yes, Need a really good backup Center.

This is what has made building a basketball program much harder. Maric and Highsmith probably graduate next year and could possibly transfer. Whoever isn't starting between Porter and German may leave. If NIU doesn't make or win MACC can they keep Bradley, Key or Wilson from leaving. Kids want to be in marchmadness. It is hard keeping a team together!

Actually works for the best. He was getting too much playing time and had virtually no offense.

It's so hard to be a coach and to have to depend on 18-22 year olds to make good choices.

I've known him since we were in 6th grade. Sad to see him go but it makes sense with the roster. He's a great guy and I wish him the best wherever he ends up.

Mike is a great guy and teammate. Remember this, the roster is never what it seems! Coaches must always be recruiting because things change suddenly!

(04-05-2016 07:03 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  It's so hard to be a coach and to have to depend on 18-22 year olds to make good choices.

It's why you gotta be more than a coach -- gotta be a mentor and teacher for these kids too.

(04-05-2016 09:49 AM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 07:03 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  It's so hard to be a coach and to have to depend on 18-22 year olds to make good choices.

It's why you gotta be more than a coach -- gotta be a mentor and teacher for these kids too.

Which also means if a guy figures out this isn't the right place for him, be ok with that and help him at least navigate the NIU side of the process. Programs and coaches that try to restrict guys and their choices show what they're really about- and it isn't about the athletes.

Rosters churn every year anyway, transfers aren't a big deal, they're just part of life.

(04-05-2016 09:59 AM)DogTracks Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 09:49 AM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 07:03 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  It's so hard to be a coach and to have to depend on 18-22 year olds to make good choices.

It's why you gotta be more than a coach -- gotta be a mentor and teacher for these kids too.

Which also means if a guy figures out this isn't the right place for him, be ok with that and help him at least navigate the NIU side of the process. Programs and coaches that try to restrict guys and their choices show what they're really about- and it isn't about the athletes.

Rosters churn every year anyway, transfers aren't a big deal, they're just part of life.

Yup! Pretty much tryin' to get at that.

(04-05-2016 10:00 AM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 09:59 AM)DogTracks Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 09:49 AM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 07:03 AM)dekalb222 Wrote:  It's so hard to be a coach and to have to depend on 18-22 year olds to make good choices.

It's why you gotta be more than a coach -- gotta be a mentor and teacher for these kids too.

Which also means if a guy figures out this isn't the right place for him, be ok with that and help him at least navigate the NIU side of the process. Programs and coaches that try to restrict guys and their choices show what they're really about- and it isn't about the athletes.

Rosters churn every year anyway, transfers aren't a big deal, they're just part of life.

Yup! Pretty much tryin' to get at that.

Some people on here take way too much offense when a player transfers. I always felt that if they didn't want to be here, why want them to stay?

I wasn't talking about transfers. I have no problem with Orris leaving. Rosters change for many reasons. It's just hard counting on kids to make good decisions all the time. I don't know how coaches stay sane.