http://blog.al.com/offthevine/
UAB basketball recruiting efforts could end with a flourish
Posted by Steve Irvine--Birmingham News July 29, 2009 7:59 PM
The official signing period for 2009 is long past but UAB head coach Mike Davis and his staff are still busy recruiting for next season. And the clock is ticking.
At this point, UAB appears to have at least three spots to fill after signee Adrien Coleman didn't meet university requirements for enrollment. Coleman, a 6-foot-4 guard from Stone Mountain, Ga., apparently is now headed to Nebraska.
Even with that loss, however, the staff appears to be on the way to completing the roster by the time school begins on Aug. 18. And, if things work out, the Blazers will have a lot more experience than originally expected.
Former Vanderbilt guard George Drake has been accepted into the graduate program at UAB. If the NCAA grants him a waiver to compete this season then the former Calera guard will finish his college career at UAB.
Drake could have some experienced company. Former Coastal Carolina forward Joseph Harris, who also has earned his degree with one year of eligibility remaining, might also be looking to finish his college career at UAB. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Harris averaged 15.2 points and 11.4 rebounds last season. He had double figures in rebounds in 23 of the team's 30 games with a rebound high of 22 against VMI. He also had a season-high 33 points in that game.
A source within the program said a third graduate student with one year of eligibility remaining could also be looking to join UAB this season.
UAB also has a very good shot at landing a talented youngster. Ovie Soko, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward, attended high school in Hampton, Va. but is originally from England. He qualified late and is expected to be at UAB for an official visit either this weekend or early next week.
Unbelievable. I don't know what else to say.
UAB is turning into a one and done school, except instead of freshmen, it's graduate students.
He is still not building a program. If all this happens, we will have four players to replace next year. The three graduate students plus Crawford. 2010-2011 will be another year where we have a lot of players to replace.
It still seems like Davis is short-timing it.
(07-29-2009 09:32 PM)BlazintheATL Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting.
+1
Davis may just be trying to save his job. He realizes that with our current roster, UAB may have a historically bad season (where have I read that before). I think he's trying to piece together a full roster anyway he can and this is the route he is having to take. This statement may be too strong, but Mike Davis is the worst thing that has happened to UAB basketball.
I'd heard that we were still looking at guys who had graduated and still had eligibility. I've also heard speculation that we were looking at a couple of more foreign players - from countries not mentioned in the article.
It's going to be interesting to see how the signing season finishes out.
"He is still not building a program."
UAB developed fiber optic technology and discovered the simian roots of HIV-AIDS so if workable time travel is ever crafted, it will happen here.
Until that happens, what else is he supposed to do? Assume the fetal position and moan on local TV about how he can't recruit to UAB because we say nasty things about him on Blazertalk? Put his name out for BCS jobs he has no prayer of landing?
The damage is done. At least he's trying to repair it.
(07-29-2009 10:58 PM)58-56 Wrote: [ -> ]"He is still not building a program."
UAB developed fiber optic technology and discovered the simian roots of HIV-AIDS so if workable time travel is ever crafted, it will happen here.
Until that happens, what else is he supposed to do? Assume the fetal position and moan on local TV about how he can't recruit to UAB because we say nasty things about him on Blazertalk? Put his name out for BCS jobs he has no prayer of landing?
The damage is done. At least he's trying to repair it.
I am not a fan of Mike Mike Davis, and agree that he may be the worst thing to ever happen to UAB basketball, but....I have to agree with 58-56. Davis is at least trying to do
something, instead of giving it all up for loss. And, at this stage of the game, to get anyone who will be productive is a bonus, even if it's just for one year.
To use an available scholarship to sign a leftover high school recruit who fell through the cracks at this point is also going to basically tie up that scholarship for four years for a player that probably won't help us much anyway.
And, for whatever it's worth, there is a precedent for adding players with only one year of eligibility remaining. In the early days of the program, Coach Bartow did it with Darryl Braden, Keith McCord, Gene Jones and Cliff Pruitt, among others. Frankly, I'll be pleasantly surprised if Davis pulls off what Irvine describes in that article.
When it comes to Mike Davis, I have lost all hope. I honestly believe the man has no idea what he's doing.
(07-29-2009 11:09 PM)bftb Wrote: [ -> ] (07-29-2009 10:58 PM)58-56 Wrote: [ -> ]"He is still not building a program."
UAB developed fiber optic technology and discovered the simian roots of HIV-AIDS so if workable time travel is ever crafted, it will happen here.
Until that happens, what else is he supposed to do? Assume the fetal position and moan on local TV about how he can't recruit to UAB because we say nasty things about him on Blazertalk? Put his name out for BCS jobs he has no prayer of landing?
The damage is done. At least he's trying to repair it.
I am not a fan of Mike Mike Davis, and agree that he may be the worst thing to ever happen to UAB basketball, but....I have to agree with 58-56. Davis is at least trying to do something, instead of giving it all up for loss. And, at this stage of the game, to get anyone who will be productive is a bonus, even if it's just for one year.
To use an available scholarship to sign a leftover high school recruit who fell through the cracks at this point is also going to basically tie up that scholarship for four years for a player that probably won't help us much anyway.
And, for whatever it's worth, there is a precedent for adding players with only one year of eligibility remaining. In the early days of the program, Coach Bartow did it with Darryl Braden, Keith McCord, Gene Jones and Cliff Pruitt, among others. Frankly, I'll be pleasantly surprised if Davis pulls off what Irvine describes in that article.
I totally agree. The guy can't catch a break. He's damned no matter what he does. I think its more likely we sign 2 of the 3 graduates and, hopefully, Soko.
But guys, we're gonna have somebody under the basket that can actually rebound!
Soko avg 17 & 8 last year, and was commited to Liberty. Looks like he had no other offers but to Liberty, and the other site showed him as having zero stars (fwiw)
(07-30-2009 06:50 AM)mobileblazer Wrote: [ -> ]Soko avg 17 & 8 last year, and was commited to Liberty. Looks like he had no other offers but to Liberty, and the other site showed him as having zero stars (fwiw)
He committed to Liberty - the coach left after Curry did. He then committed to VCU - the coach went to Tuscaloosa. He was expected to attend prep school...
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruitin...son%3d2009
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting...eason=2010
Undeclared
Scouts Grade
89(as class of 2009)
86 (as class of 2010)
Evaluation
June, 2009:
Soko is a high major athlete that is very active and is a run and jump player. He is versatile and has a good frame for a wing. He is a quick riser that will flush with two hands off a drop step. He is a decent passer out of the post. Ovie has a smooth stroke from the free throw line and can read the passing lanes well. He seemed to favor his knee at times but he played hard at both ends (Big Shots VCU Camp). Soko excels at the pick and roll where he uses his versatility and quickness to pry open for a soft 15' or put in. He will get the rebound and lead the break but still needs to improve his passing consistency and ball handling. Soko will excel in an up and down system at the next level.
January, 2009:
Soko has developed into one of the better available forwards for the late signing period. He has a very good basketball body and frame. When he fills out he will take his game up a notch. As he continues to polish his ball skills, his decision-making has equated to very few mental errors. The mid range game is where he has made the biggest improvement. He is now able to breakdown defenders and get into a mid range scoring position. His length allows him the ability to shoot over smaller defenders. During the Ronald Curry Christmas Classic he showed the ability to defend smaller guards on the perimeter by using his quick feet, length and athleticism. Soko's back to the basket game is where he needs to continue to improve. He does a solid job scoring on put backs, jump hooks and turn around jump shots in the low blocks but has to develop a feel on how to navigate traffic in the paint. When he solidifies a go-to move, along with a counter move he will become a much more productive low block player. With that being said, his ability to shoot beyond the arc and his effectiveness in high ball screen pick-n-pop situations gives him the chance to be an excellent combo forward type player down the road.
October, 2008:
Soko is long and a good athlete. He attacks in transition from the wing and he also displayed the ability to rebound and go coast-to-coast. He did an excellent job finishing when he got to the rim with good touch and body control. His long arms and good hands allowed him to extend over defenders. He runs well and showed shooting range just inside the arc. This combination forward is a decent ball handler, passer and mid range shooter but would help his game if he added post moves to take advantage of his size which I didn't see today. Also, Soko has the length to be an excellent defender at both forward positions.
August, 2008:
Originally from London, England and only has been playing in the states for one year. Ovie is long, rangy athlete and has the versatility to eventually play either forward position. Does a good job of attacking the glass but still needs to improve in that area. He has solid ball handling ability with a very good floor game. Watching him play you may question his IQ but he plays with savvy and within himself. Playing experience here in the states will do him well. Because of his ability to shoot the 3 and stretch defenses as well as score on the blocks he will be a very good 4-man to play in the high low game. His has very good footwork because of his soccer background. His quick feet allow him to defend on the perimeter where combined with his length make him a very difficult defender. His unselfishness and IQ is college ready. He does have the ability to go off the bounce and make the next play. Needs to be improve his consistency on his perimeter shooting, he has very good form and release but does not always elevate on his jump shot which causes a flat release. With that correction his shooting percentages will improve dramatically particularly in the mid-range game. He does a very good job of communicating on the floor and has an outstanding work ethic in practice. Has the ability to score in inside out, 17 years old with a big upside. Overall is a very good prospect. He will be very effective player in a free flowing motion-type offense because of his understanding of team offense and willingness to sacrifice his body.
Looks like more guys (They were recruiting) did not qualify. There were other foreigners that the staff was hoping to sign. One was a very, very good player and obviously the guy was not eligible. He is scrambling but I have to agree with 58-56 here.
What he is doing recruiting wise is about all he can do. It also appears that one of the new guys will be a walk on, otherwise I don’t see how we have a spot for him.
One can only hope this guy has learned some valuable lessons that will make him not only a better coach, but a better recruiter and a better manager of a program. See I don’t think he is a bad coach but I think he is just an average recruiter (I see zero evidence of him being this great recruiter he has been billed to be) and a horrible program manager. (Just look at UAB for the evidence) I hope for our sake he is turning it around.
1) If these guys finish their academic eligibility at UAB while in graduate school, how does this affect the APR? Will this help?
2) If (when) the basketball players go out and party, we will not have to worry about these guys getting arrested for being underage. :)
After some quick reading it appears that Soko would be a nice pick up late.
Davis better be recruiting his butt off for a solid class next season. I still say that until Davis commits to UAB it will be very tough to get a solid recruiting class because the kids don’t know if he will be here. His own wondering eyes have hurt recruiting. Like I stated above, hopefully he has learned his lesson. The only way for either side out of this mess is for Davis to be successful.
(07-29-2009 09:44 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]UAB is turning into a one and done school, except instead of freshmen, it's graduate students.
He is still not building a program. If all this happens, we will have four players to replace next year. The three graduate students plus Crawford. 2010-2011 will be another year where we have a lot of players to replace.
It still seems like Davis is short-timing it.
True, but four players to replace is not really a bad thing. 3 to four per year would be ideal IMO, as it keeps a pipeline going.
The worst thing about the one-and-dones is that by the time they learn Davis' complex system they are just about finished.
The worst thing about these new apparent Blazers is:
6'4"
6'5"
6'8"
Nothing really has been done to address the size issue. In spite of Davis' love for set plays, I think we are going to need to outrun opponents down the floor like a Mike Anderson team to be competitive.
I don't know much, but that's my opinion.
Guess all those grad students will be good for the APR, no?
*grasps at straws*
What happens next week when the NCAA creates the Davis rule, and doesn't allow teams to load up on graduate transfers.
