Per Verbal Commits and Prepbullseye

"Not a tremendous surprise here: 6'4 2G Dwayne Rose is transferring out of Toledo. Saw limited minutes for the Rockets this season."

So now we are even--one senior graduating, one player transferring and two recruits.
Is Rose the only player leaving? Every other veteran player seems to have a role next year with the possible exception of Gordon.

(03-16-2018 02:27 PM)Rocket75 Wrote:  So now we are even--one senior graduating, one player transferring and two recruits.
Is Rose the only player leaving? Every other veteran player seems to have a role next year with the possible exception of Gordon.

Hate to say this, but I don’t think the roster as is will be able to quite get over the hump next season. Need a low post option that gives us an added different look from what we get from Knapke & Adway. Don’t think ahead to Buffalo—we will get challenges from Ball State & EMU, and this kind of addition will help us with those two teams on D in particular. That would mean someone else has to leave AND we get a JUCO or grad transfer.

Not surprised by Rose leaving but do agree that we need another low post option. Either find the next overseas superstar or a transfer from a jc

I think our rosters have been out of whack for a long time. Too many guards. We need 2 centers, 3 power forwards, 3 wing forwards, 3 shooting guards and 2 point guards for balance. We are just too small. This past season we had 4 players 6-7 or taller. Probably the same next season.

At least one of the WF's on my roster would be 6-7, which would give us a minimum of six bigs.

We won 20 some games, won the West, and except for some bad luck, had a good chance at MACC. I would say the roster is just fine.

If you want to lose the same games to the same people and sit at home instead of tournament. What it is, is a good opportunity to find a way over the hump.

I see the Rockets getting 5 or 6 more wins next season.

(03-16-2018 07:42 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  I see the Rockets getting 5 or 6 more wins next season.

I am with Boca on this. Last year on this board at this time all of you glass half full guys were saying they couldn't see how they could win as many games as they did the year before. I know we lost our best player but the same could be said last year and look what happened. This move makes the roster full for next year. I see no reason we can't get win the league next year at this point. Buffalo was the only 1's in front of us and they are losing a lot. Eastern was the next closest and they are key players as well.

EMU loses Bond (unless Thompson declares for draft) and Buffalo loses Clark. Arguably, especially in Bond’s case, each team’s best player, but neither equal to Fletcher. We don’t match up well with either team’s quickness and I don’t see our four new guys helping much in that regard. The guy from Canada looks like he may be the best of the bunch eventually, but Logan is undersized, Littleton is a shooter and we’re loaded with shooters already and the othe Frosh is apparently a bit of a project. I thought we’d win twelve-15 this year but Fletcher was a huge addition. I’m more optimistic about next year but until we can get some quicker feet on defense I don’t see us taking the crown.

(03-16-2018 07:57 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:42 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  I see the Rockets getting 5 or 6 more wins next season.

I am with Boca on this. Last year on this board at this time all of you glass half full guys were saying they couldn't see how they could win as many games as they did the year before. I know we lost our best player but the same could be said last year and look what happened. This move makes the roster full for next year. I see no reason we can't get win the league next year at this point. Buffalo was the only 1's in front of us and they are losing a lot. Eastern was the next closest and they are key players as well.

I think Buffalo's only significant loss is Wes Clark. The rest will all be back.

(03-16-2018 08:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:57 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:42 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  I see the Rockets getting 5 or 6 more wins next season.

I am with Boca on this. Last year on this board at this time all of you glass half full guys were saying they couldn't see how they could win as many games as they did the year before. I know we lost our best player but the same could be said last year and look what happened. This move makes the roster full for next year. I see no reason we can't get win the league next year at this point. Buffalo was the only 1's in front of us and they are losing a lot. Eastern was the next closest and they are key players as well.

I think Buffalo's only significant loss is Wes Clark. The rest will all be back.

I stand corrected I thought Massenburg and others were seniors as well (seems to me like he has been there 10 years lol) though Clark is probably as significant a loss as Fletcher is to the Rockers.

(03-16-2018 08:38 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 08:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:57 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:42 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  I see the Rockets getting 5 or 6 more wins next season.

I am with Boca on this. Last year on this board at this time all of you glass half full guys were saying they couldn't see how they could win as many games as they did the year before. I know we lost our best player but the same could be said last year and look what happened. This move makes the roster full for next year. I see no reason we can't get win the league next year at this point. Buffalo was the only 1's in front of us and they are losing a lot. Eastern was the next closest and they are key players as well.

I think Buffalo's only significant loss is Wes Clark. The rest will all be back.

I stand corrected I thought Massenburg and others were seniors as well (seems to me like he has been there 10 years lol) though Clark is probably as significant a loss as Fletcher is to the Rockers.

Buffalo also looks like they will be bringing in two 4* recruits. They are on the verge of having a mini-dynasty in the MAC.

Ball State also returns all but 1 key player, I believe, and also has 2 incoming transfers from “power” conferences and EMU’s only loss is Tim Bond (although that’s a significant one, like Fletcher for us).

Really, I expect everyone in the MAC to get better next season other than BG, WMU, and Northern ( which is approaching dumpster fire status).

(03-16-2018 08:56 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 08:38 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 08:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:57 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:42 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  I see the Rockets getting 5 or 6 more wins next season.

I am with Boca on this. Last year on this board at this time all of you glass half full guys were saying they couldn't see how they could win as many games as they did the year before. I know we lost our best player but the same could be said last year and look what happened. This move makes the roster full for next year. I see no reason we can't get win the league next year at this point. Buffalo was the only 1's in front of us and they are losing a lot. Eastern was the next closest and they are key players as well.

I think Buffalo's only significant loss is Wes Clark. The rest will all be back.

I stand corrected I thought Massenburg and others were seniors as well (seems to me like he has been there 10 years lol) though Clark is probably as significant a loss as Fletcher is to the Rockers.

Buffalo also looks like they will be bringing in two 4* recruits. They are on the verge of having a mini-dynasty in the MAC.

Ball State also returns all but 1 key player, I believe, and also has 2 incoming transfers from “power” conferences and EMU’s only loss is Tim Bond (although that’s a significant one, like Fletcher for us).

Really, I expect everyone in the MAC to get better next season other than BG, WMU, and Northern ( which is approaching dumpster fire status).

I wouldn't underestimate Fletcher's long term positive impact on the program. His positivity, energy, confidence, verbal leadership, work ethic have really made an impression on everyone. You could see guys like Sanford, Gordon, Knapke really improve playing alongside him. I think it will carry over into next season.

Obviously, there are some playmaking and rebounding things we will miss without Fletch but there are plenty of pieces to stay good. Maybe, not win the conference. Buffalo loses their top offensive playmaker but has everyone else back and 2 really good recruits. EMU loses a key do everything player in Bond and, maybe, their inside presence in Thompson, but could stay good, especially if Thompson returns. Ball St should be improved and gave us fits already. Miami is getting good. I see BG as improving. Lots of young guys who play hard on that team. Ohio will be a lot better with their top guy returning to health. Kent has a lot back and a good transfers. And Akron has a bunch of talent coming in, some good players back, and their top 2 big guys recovered from injury. The MAC should be an even better league, although that may not translate to more post season opportunities.

As for the size thing. It will apply in certain match ups. I would also love to have a physical 6-8 guy who can bang with Perkins and Thompson, but at the same time you can win in today's college game with mostly guards if they are good and play with chemistry and energy. I see the 2 new guards-Saunders, the Canadian, and Littleson, the transfer, as being real contributors. Saunders is really blowing up on the Canadian HS stage and had high major offers he declined to come to UT. He is an energy guy who can score. Comes off as having good confidence and personality which should enable him to contribute early. Compare him to the transferring out Dwayne Rose, who had the game, but is kind of a shy quiet kid who wasn't able to quite figure out how to contribute to this team. Saunders should avoid that scenario and be more willing to be aggressive without trying to do too much. Meanwhile, Littleson is a perfect coach k guard. Big and balanced. Shoots, passes, can handle. He will be a nice fit in our offense and may not be able to rebound and defend as well as Fletcher but can fit into the versatile playmaker role Fletcher and Sanford shared this year. It's wait and see with Hill and Smith. Both seem to be good kids and both are high level athletes. Just hope coach plays them enough to allow them to find some comfort and a role in the rotation.

(03-18-2018 06:06 PM)pono Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 08:56 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 08:38 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 08:23 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  

(03-16-2018 07:57 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  I am with Boca on this. Last year on this board at this time all of you glass half full guys were saying they couldn't see how they could win as many games as they did the year before. I know we lost our best player but the same could be said last year and look what happened. This move makes the roster full for next year. I see no reason we can't get win the league next year at this point. Buffalo was the only 1's in front of us and they are losing a lot. Eastern was the next closest and they are key players as well.

I think Buffalo's only significant loss is Wes Clark. The rest will all be back.

I stand corrected I thought Massenburg and others were seniors as well (seems to me like he has been there 10 years lol) though Clark is probably as significant a loss as Fletcher is to the Rockers.

Buffalo also looks like they will be bringing in two 4* recruits. They are on the verge of having a mini-dynasty in the MAC.

Ball State also returns all but 1 key player, I believe, and also has 2 incoming transfers from “power” conferences and EMU’s only loss is Tim Bond (although that’s a significant one, like Fletcher for us).

Really, I expect everyone in the MAC to get better next season other than BG, WMU, and Northern ( which is approaching dumpster fire status).

I wouldn't underestimate Fletcher's long term positive impact on the program. His positivity, energy, confidence, verbal leadership, work ethic have really made an impression on everyone. You could see guys like Sanford, Gordon, Knapke really improve playing alongside him. I think it will carry over into next season.

Obviously, there are some playmaking and rebounding things we will miss without Fletch but there are plenty of pieces to stay good. Maybe, not win the conference. Buffalo loses their top offensive playmaker but has everyone else back and 2 really good recruits. EMU loses a key do everything player in Bond and, maybe, their inside presence in Thompson, but could stay good, especially if Thompson returns. Ball St should be improved and gave us fits already. Miami is getting good. I see BG as improving. Lots of young guys who play hard on that team. Ohio will be a lot better with their top guy returning to health. Kent has a lot back and a good transfers. And Akron has a bunch of talent coming in, some good players back, and their top 2 big guys recovered from injury. The MAC should be an even better league, although that may not translate to more post season opportunities.

As for the size thing. It will apply in certain match ups. I would also love to have a physical 6-8 guy who can bang with Perkins and Thompson, but at the same time you can win in today's college game with mostly guards if they are good and play with chemistry and energy. I see the 2 new guards-Saunders, the Canadian, and Littleson, the transfer, as being real contributors. Saunders is really blowing up on the Canadian HS stage and had high major offers he declined to come to UT. He is an energy guy who can score. Comes off as having good confidence and personality which should enable him to contribute early. Compare him to the transferring out Dwayne Rose, who had the game, but is kind of a shy quiet kid who wasn't able to quite figure out how to contribute to this team. Saunders should avoid that scenario and be more willing to be aggressive without trying to do too much. Meanwhile, Littleson is a perfect coach k guard. Big and balanced. Shoots, passes, can handle. He will be a nice fit in our offense and may not be able to rebound and defend as well as Fletcher but can fit into the versatile playmaker role Fletcher and Sanford shared this year. It's wait and see with Hill and Smith. Both seem to be good kids and both are high level athletes. Just hope coach plays them enough to allow them to find some comfort and a role in the rotation.

I see the Jacksons taking another step up for next season.