I don't know. I believe getting a solid D2/D3 or juco will be hard for us. The hard part is not only finding someone who can play at this level, but finding someone that will qualify academically. The exceptionally talented jucos get gobbled up by the KStates and New Mexicos of the world that tend to bring in a lot of Jucos. There are exceptions, but the truly talented Jucos are there because of their grades - not from being underrecruited.

Well, hopefully, they'll, at least, check out Stanley Taylor at Richard Bland.

I don't know if he would help, but he is 6'7", 190 lb, Forward and gets 7.1 rebounds per game for RB.
He was an honor roll student at Matoaca HS, but had a very low B-ball profile in HS.
If he has progressed over his two years at Bland, then W&M has a built in agreement to make it smoother for those (any) students (at RBC) to transfer to Williamsburg.

It certainly can't hurt to look...

(02-12-2018 09:08 AM)Tribe32 Wrote:  Rich Veres was JUCO, and was a long time ago. I don't recall ever getting a D3 kid, but both happen at other colleges, and we need to be creative. I wouldn't rule out playing Pierce at the 5 slot next year either in some rotations.

I really like the sets that put Pierce in the high post vs 3-2 or 2-3 zones. This could be expanded with sets vs man to man as well. It can be run with either a low post or not depending on the personnel package.

(02-12-2018 09:40 AM)billymac Wrote:  Well, hopefully, they'll, at least, check out Stanley Taylor at Richard Bland.

I don't know if he would help, but he is 6'7", 190 lb, Forward and gets 7.1 rebounds per game for RB.
He was an honor roll student at Matoaca HS, but had a very low B-ball profile in HS.
If he has progressed over his two years at Bland, then W&M has a built in agreement to make it smoother for those (any) students (at RBC) to transfer to Williamsburg.

It certainly can't hurt to look...

Not to downplay Taylor, I'm sure he is a good kid. But a 6'7 190lb forward doesn't drastically change our inside play when he is going against 6'9 230lbs every night. What does he bring that we don't already have? I think we'd be better off using Rowley (6'8 205lb) or Pierce (6'7 215lbs) since they are at least a tough guard and stress the defense. I think Blair can actually give some solid minutes from the stretch 4. He is comfortable posting up, a lights out shooter, tough, and a good rebounder. He also carries about 225lbs on his 6'6 frame. Regardless, I think we need an inside banger to give Nathan a break. I think we have the guys to mix and match at every other position. Not so much trying to defend the post. Cole, even with his short comings, allows us to do just that.

We cannot have Rowley or Pierce as Knight's backup. We must bring in one or two PF/C no matter what. I blame the coaching staff if we have the same situation again.

Really, I love Paul, but he is NOT, IMO, a solid plan for backing up Nathan. He is a great alternative for backing up spots 2-4, but he just doesn't have the strength to play, for long periods of time, in the paint.

(02-12-2018 10:48 AM)billymac Wrote:  Really, I love Paul, but he is NOT, IMO, a solid plan for backing up Nathan. He is a great alternative for backing up spots 2-4, but he just doesn't have the strength to play, for long periods of time, in the paint.

No I agree that is not a good plan. My point was comparing him to Taylor as a viable transfer big. Paul is both taller and heavier.

I think we are all a little frustrated and stressed for two reasons: (1) until some of the posters on the board started doing their outstanding work we had no insight into the ups and downs of recruiting and (2) we are SOOO close to being an outstanding team in 2018-19 and especially 2019-20.

In some respects the coaching staff has what the NFL draft gurus call the "need" vs. "best available" decision. What we really need is someone with some heft who can defend the post, block out and rebound. I am sure the coaching staff is scouring the planet (within budgetary, academic and athletic policy constraints) for one or two of these guys. But what if we can't get one this year? Do we bring in someone who doesn't match the talent level at which we have been recruiting? Bring in someone who can contribute next year but has a low ceiling and will be a wasted scholarship for three years? Do we stand pat with what we have and pray for good health and some extra weight on Piece, Rowley or Blair?

It's a tough call and either way, I'm not sure I'm ready to blame the coaching staff.

(02-12-2018 11:04 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(02-12-2018 10:48 AM)billymac Wrote:  Really, I love Paul, but he is NOT, IMO, a solid plan for backing up Nathan. He is a great alternative for backing up spots 2-4, but he just doesn't have the strength to play, for long periods of time, in the paint.

No I agree that is not a good plan. My point was comparing him to Taylor as a viable transfer big. Paul is both taller and heavier.

It is extra tough for schools like W&M to recruit quality big men due to a shortage of supply most go to P5 schools. That is one reason so many schools at our level have outside oriented teams. I was quite impressed when we had 3 quality bigs on our roster a short time ago. The staff does a great job recruiting. My comment earlier about Pierce in the high post was aimed at the possibility that we would not get another big and we would need to play a high set opening up back door cuts. I’ve been impressed with how Austin has helped bigs progress and with what Harrison has brought this year. What ever happens next year in this regard I trust the staff to make the best of it. For the resources we have they do an outstanding job. I also trust that the new AD will expand the resources that they are given.


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Agreed, talented bigs are a rare commodity at the non-P5 level. Probably why there is a greater emphasis on recruiting internationally where it is more likely for talented players to slip through the cracks. Gonzaga elevated their program in the 90s with an infusion of Canadians and European bigs.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoda.../321082002

The final Shaver Luncheon for this season at Anna's Brick Oven is slated for Tuesday, Feb 27th. In past years Tony has usually provided a candid overview of recruiting at his final luncheon...I'm hoping we'll get the latest on big man recruitment at the luncheon; probably no names but an assessment of our chances.

(02-12-2018 11:17 AM)tribeinexile Wrote:  I think we are all a little frustrated and stressed for two reasons: (1) until some of the posters on the board started doing their outstanding work we had no insight into the ups and downs of recruiting and (2) we are SOOO close to being an outstanding team in 2018-19 and especially 2019-20.

In some respects the coaching staff has what the NFL draft gurus call the "need" vs. "best available" decision. What we really need is someone with some heft who can defend the post, block out and rebound. I am sure the coaching staff is scouring the planet (within budgetary, academic and athletic policy constraints) for one or two of these guys. But what if we can't get one this year? Do we bring in someone who doesn't match the talent level at which we have been recruiting? Bring in someone who can contribute next year but has a low ceiling and will be a wasted scholarship for three years? Do we stand pat with what we have and pray for good health and some extra weight on Piece, Rowley or Blair?

It's a tough call and either way, I'm not sure I'm ready to blame the coaching staff.

Strongly agree here. I think one of the biggest strengths of our staff is recruiting. They've consistently made the right calls over the last few seasons.

(01-30-2018 06:17 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(01-30-2018 06:00 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  Tot cant make this a two-fer?

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...40351.html

Would be nice. Fits exactly what we like to do. Skilled and plays physical. I'm not sure if our coaches have any contact with him though. Ollie probably knows him from the national team. Give him a call.

Highlights
https://youtu.be/CfPUFWf2uZg

Zeliznak verbally committed to Jacksonville St. Big slap to both ODU and Hofstra, both who had originally offered, and ODU with the recent official visit.

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Would hope we still have a standing offer to Drew Peterson, who would be a matchup nightmare in the CAA. He now looks a true 6'8" in this recent footage, and really has a mature game despite his thin build. Imagine a more athletic and quicker Paul Rowley. Per this recent interview he is playing it close to the vest and obviously waiting to see if Illinois or Wisconsin offers, stating he had not narrowed his schools, and was not under pressure to make his choice. Illinois only has one slot with other offers out, and Wisconsin still has none left unless Happ leaves early. Rice has no remaining scholly by my count. Peterson has taken unofficials all over the country and had two known officials to Yale and William and Mary last fall. We originally offered during an unofficial visit in Sept/2016, so, a track record from the beginning. Repeating my observation during his official visit, he really appeared engaged with Nathan and David, and enjoying his time at the football game. Hope David (same AAU team) and Justin are putting as much Illinois connection/coaxing on his choice as recruiting rules allow, as well as, Quinn Blair, who he follows on twitter. Know we need a big man, but Peterson would bring another whole dimension to Knight, Pierce, Milon, Loewe, Williams, Owens, Scott, Audige and Blair. Scary to think how good this team will be in two years. If Peterson grows another inch or two, he is our stretch big man.

https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/uw-sti...w-peterson
[URL][/URL]

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I, too, hope we are still involved with Peterson. I also hope we are still talking to Shaw, though I feel like that may have ended once Blair signed. By all accounts we were still involved with Crabtree before he committed, so perhaps guards aren't ruled out.

My gut says that we only sign 1 more this class. I think it will either be a big or a Peterson while also trying to find a grad transfer big.

Rice was recently in to see Peterson so they must have a scholarship somewhere.

Also agree that Peterson could potentially develop into a devastating stretch 4. By all accounts he is still growing and if he can get his weight north of 200 lbs, the sky is the limit. He is a 6'8 point guard on his high school team with impressive range and an exceptionally quick release. Even with his slender frame he is willing to bang inside and he looks like a pretty decent rebounder. I envision him in the Rowley catch & shoot mold but with the added dimension of being able to effectively penetrate. Inside, his weight will work against him. But, he is crafty and a natural scorer. Their are questions about his size, but there is no doubt that the things Drew does well translate directly to the college game. He has the feel of a player that in 3 years people ask "how did he wind up at W&M?"

As long as the coaches are still pursuing him, I feel good about his recruitment. We have been with him the longest, and provided no new sexy offers arise, I see us as the front runner. If I remember correctly Omar was an 11th hour signing in the spring when he came out. Let the process play out.

Omar committed in the fall I believe.

Would be very rewarding and deserving of the staff for their persistance and patience to pay off with a spring commitment here.

Rice, Wisconsin and Illinois are all suffering through dismal losing seasons.

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(02-14-2018 10:25 AM)Tribeheart Wrote:  Omar committed in the fall I believe.

You are correct. He signed in November 2012.

(02-14-2018 10:07 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  Also agree that Peterson could potentially develop into a devastating stretch 4. By all accounts he is still growing and if he can get his weight north of 200 lbs, the sky is the limit. He is a 6'8 point guard on his high school team with impressive range and an exceptionally quick release. Even with his slender frame he is willing to bang inside and he looks like a pretty decent rebounder. I envision him in the Rowley catch & shoot mold but with the added dimension of being able to effectively penetrate. Inside, his weight will work against him. But, he is crafty and a natural scorer. Their are questions about his size, but there is no doubt that the things Drew does well translate directly to the college game. He has the feel of a player that in 3 years people ask "how did he wind up at W&M?"

As long as the coaches are still pursuing him, I feel good about his recruitment. We have been with him the longest, and provided no new sexy offers arise, I see us as the front runner. If I remember correctly Omar was an 11th hour signing in the spring when he came out. Let the process play out.

I thought that Omar signed in the spring also but all 4 guys that year signed in the fall. I think, Mr. Joolius, that the reason that we both thought that he was an 11th hour signing was that he waited right up to the very end before the fall period started to announce that he was coming to W&M.

On a related note, Tony said Monday night on his radio show that we were still very much trying to sign big men during the spring signing period and that they were evaluating a number of guys. He said, in fact, that one of our assistants was going to watch one of the kids that we are interested in play in a game this week when we make our trip up north to Hofstra, turning the trip into a recruiting trip also. He also mentioned that grad transfers would be considered also but I got the uninformed impression that the grad transfer alternative might be in addition to a freshman recruit, not in lieu of.