Predictions for MAC Freshmen of the Year - always pretty hard because you have to assume that returning players will stay sharp, and you don't get a lot of news about what's happening in pre-season practices. I picked 2-out-of-5 last year, so I'm trying for at least 3-out-of-5 this year
Jaelan Sanford, G, Toledo - The Rockets return 3 guards, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Lauf, and Stuckey Moseley, I can see someone coming in and getting into that rotation. I think Sanford looks a bit better than Chandler White or Nick Parks
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio - The Bobcats have Mike Laster and Khari Harley returning at guard, and Jaaron Simmons transferring in. I can see Dartis playing a bit, over the other freshman guards, Gavin Block, James Gollon, and Jaylin McDonald
Jaylen Key, F, Northern Illinois - he is the only 'forward' on the Huskies roster - Marin Maric and Andrew Zelis look to be set at center; Darrell Bowie at Wing, and Key might earn a bunch of time at Forward
Josh Williams, G, Akron - Another top recuit, but Akron doesn't lose much at guard this year. I see him taking the minutes that Adedeji Ibitayo played last year. Noah Robotham is still recovering from the ACL injury, and Antino Jackson looked solid when Robotham was out. I think Williams will get a bunch of time on the court while Robotham is out, and will be hard to sit down once he's back
Ikenna Smart, F, Buffalo - just because Buffalo doesn't have a lot of returning minutes in the front court, and Smart redshirted here last year. I think he'll get a lot of rebounds, but won't have a high scoring average
Other possibilities:
Tahjai Teague, F, Ball State - Teague is about the best recruit in the MAC this year, but Ball State has a lot returning at forward, with Franko House, Bo Calhoun, and Sean Sellers
Marshawn Wilson, G Northern Illinois - I can see Wilson picking up Anthony Johnson's minutes and fitting in as 3rd guard behind Armstead and Travon Baker. Michael Orris played a lot last year, but only had 3.8 ppg. Dontel Highsmith looks to not be back until MAC play starts.
Jalen Avery, PG, Kent State, in case the transfers don't carry over the production they had at their previous teams
Western Michigan C, Seth Dugan - but has Drake LaMont and Khadim Dieng already ahead of him at center, though it'll be possible to push ahead of either of them
James Thompson, C, EMU. Some think we got lucky and a good one came our way...
(11-09-2015 09:23 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote: [ -> ]Predictions for MAC Freshmen of the Year - always pretty hard because you have to assume that returning players will stay sharp, and you don't get a lot of news about what's happening in pre-season practices. I picked 2-out-of-5 last year, so I'm trying for at least 3-out-of-5 this year
Jaelan Stanford, G, Toledo - The Rockets return 3 guards, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Lauf, and Stuckey Moseley, I can see someone coming in and getting into that rotation. I think Stanford looks a bit better than Chandler White or Nick Parks
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio - The Bobcats have Mike Laster and Khari Harley returning at guard, and Jaaron Simmons transferring in. I can see Dartis playing a bit, over the other freshman guards, Gavin Block, James Gollon, and Jaylin McDonald
Jaylen Key, F, Northern Illinois - he is the only 'forward' on the Huskies roster - Marin Maric and Andrew Zelis look to be set at center; Darrell Bowie at Wing, and Key might earn a bunch of time at Forward
Josh Williams, G, Akron - Another top recuit, but Akron doesn't lose much at guard this year. I see him taking the minutes that Adedeji Ibitayo played last year. Noah Robotham is still recovering from the ACL injury, and Antino Jackson looked solid when Robotham was out. I think Williams will get a bunch of time on the court while Robotham is out, and will be hard to sit down once he's back
Ikenna Smart, F, Buffalo - just because Buffalo doesn't have a lot of returning minutes in the front court, and Smart redshirted here last year. I think he'll get a lot of rebounds, but won't have a high scoring average
Other possibilities:
Tahjai Teague, F, Ball State - Teague is about the best recruit in the MAC this year, but Ball State has a lot returning at forward, with Franko House, Bo Calhoun, and Sean Sellers
Marshawn Wilson, G Northern Illinois - I can see Wilson picking up Anthony Johnson's minutes and fitting in as 3rd guard behind Armstead and Travon Baker. Michael Orris played a lot last year, but only had 3.8 ppg. Dontel Highsmith looks to not be back until MAC play starts.
Jalen Avery, PG, Kent State, in case the transfers don't carry over the production they had at their previous teams
Western Michigan C, Seth Dugan - but has Drake LaMont and Khadim Dieng already ahead of him at center, though it'll be possible to push ahead of either of them
Keep an eye out for Wilson. He was a 4 start recruit and turned down offers from Wisconsin, Creighton, and Northern Iowa. NIU has a REALLY good freshman class this coming year.
(11-09-2015 09:23 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote: [ -> ]Predictions for MAC Freshmen of the Year - always pretty hard because you have to assume that returning players will stay sharp, and you don't get a lot of news about what's happening in pre-season practices. I picked 2-out-of-5 last year, so I'm trying for at least 3-out-of-5 this year
Jaelan Stanford, G, Toledo - The Rockets return 3 guards, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Lauf, and Stuckey Moseley, I can see someone coming in and getting into that rotation. I think Stanford looks a bit better than Chandler White or Nick Parks
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio - The Bobcats have Mike Laster and Khari Harley returning at guard, and Jaaron Simmons transferring in. I can see Dartis playing a bit, over the other freshman guards, Gavin Block, James Gollon, and Jaylin McDonald
Jaylen Key, F, Northern Illinois - he is the only 'forward' on the Huskies roster - Marin Maric and Andrew Zelis look to be set at center; Darrell Bowie at Wing, and Key might earn a bunch of time at Forward
Josh Williams, G, Akron - Another top recuit, but Akron doesn't lose much at guard this year. I see him taking the minutes that Adedeji Ibitayo played last year. Noah Robotham is still recovering from the ACL injury, and Antino Jackson looked solid when Robotham was out. I think Williams will get a bunch of time on the court while Robotham is out, and will be hard to sit down once he's back
Ikenna Smart, F, Buffalo - just because Buffalo doesn't have a lot of returning minutes in the front court, and Smart redshirted here last year. I think he'll get a lot of rebounds, but won't have a high scoring average
Other possibilities:
Tahjai Teague, F, Ball State - Teague is about the best recruit in the MAC this year, but Ball State has a lot returning at forward, with Franko House, Bo Calhoun, and Sean Sellers
Marshawn Wilson, G Northern Illinois - I can see Wilson picking up Anthony Johnson's minutes and fitting in as 3rd guard behind Armstead and Travon Baker. Michael Orris played a lot last year, but only had 3.8 ppg. Dontel Highsmith looks to not be back until MAC play starts.
Jalen Avery, PG, Kent State, in case the transfers don't carry over the production they had at their previous teams
Western Michigan C, Seth Dugan - but has Drake LaMont and Khadim Dieng already ahead of him at center, though it'll be possible to push ahead of either of them
Don't follow other teams as closely as I once did but from watching Toledo yesterday Sanford (no T) would be the most likely candidate from UT. Sweet stroke and good ball skills. No one else showed much beyond hustle.
(11-09-2015 09:50 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote: [ -> ] (11-09-2015 09:23 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote: [ -> ]Predictions for MAC Freshmen of the Year - always pretty hard because you have to assume that returning players will stay sharp, and you don't get a lot of news about what's happening in pre-season practices. I picked 2-out-of-5 last year, so I'm trying for at least 3-out-of-5 this year
Jaelan Stanford, G, Toledo - The Rockets return 3 guards, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Lauf, and Stuckey Moseley, I can see someone coming in and getting into that rotation. I think Stanford looks a bit better than Chandler White or Nick Parks
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio - The Bobcats have Mike Laster and Khari Harley returning at guard, and Jaaron Simmons transferring in. I can see Dartis playing a bit, over the other freshman guards, Gavin Block, James Gollon, and Jaylin McDonald
Jaylen Key, F, Northern Illinois - he is the only 'forward' on the Huskies roster - Marin Maric and Andrew Zelis look to be set at center; Darrell Bowie at Wing, and Key might earn a bunch of time at Forward
Josh Williams, G, Akron - Another top recuit, but Akron doesn't lose much at guard this year. I see him taking the minutes that Adedeji Ibitayo played last year. Noah Robotham is still recovering from the ACL injury, and Antino Jackson looked solid when Robotham was out. I think Williams will get a bunch of time on the court while Robotham is out, and will be hard to sit down once he's back
Ikenna Smart, F, Buffalo - just because Buffalo doesn't have a lot of returning minutes in the front court, and Smart redshirted here last year. I think he'll get a lot of rebounds, but won't have a high scoring average
Other possibilities:
Tahjai Teague, F, Ball State - Teague is about the best recruit in the MAC this year, but Ball State has a lot returning at forward, with Franko House, Bo Calhoun, and Sean Sellers
Marshawn Wilson, G Northern Illinois - I can see Wilson picking up Anthony Johnson's minutes and fitting in as 3rd guard behind Armstead and Travon Baker. Michael Orris played a lot last year, but only had 3.8 ppg. Dontel Highsmith looks to not be back until MAC play starts.
Jalen Avery, PG, Kent State, in case the transfers don't carry over the production they had at their previous teams
Western Michigan C, Seth Dugan - but has Drake LaMont and Khadim Dieng already ahead of him at center, though it'll be possible to push ahead of either of them
Don't follow other teams as closely as I once did but from watching Toledo yesterday Sanford (no T) would be the most likely candidate from UT. Sweet stroke and good ball skills. No one else showed much beyond hustle.
I liked what I saw from Navigato. Not a great shooting game from him but those will fall. He did everything else.
Buffalo's best candidate will be F Nick Perkins who should get tons of minutes in rotation to replace Justin Moss's minutes. I can almost guarantee he will have a larger impact than Smart.
True Freshman G CJ Massinburg scored 28 in the exhibition. I don't think the minute totals will be there for him though as Buffalo has good guard depth.
(11-09-2015 09:23 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote: [ -> ]Predictions for MAC Freshmen of the Year - always pretty hard because you have to assume that returning players will stay sharp, and you don't get a lot of news about what's happening in pre-season practices. I picked 2-out-of-5 last year, so I'm trying for at least 3-out-of-5 this year
Jaelan Sanford, G, Toledo - The Rockets return 3 guards, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Lauf, and Stuckey Moseley, I can see someone coming in and getting into that rotation. I think Sanford looks a bit better than Chandler White or Nick Parks
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio - The Bobcats have Mike Laster and Khari Harley returning at guard, and Jaaron Simmons transferring in. I can see Dartis playing a bit, over the other freshman guards, Gavin Block, James Gollon, and Jaylin McDonald
Jaylen Key, F, Northern Illinois - he is the only 'forward' on the Huskies roster - Marin Maric and Andrew Zelis look to be set at center; Darrell Bowie at Wing, and Key might earn a bunch of time at Forward
Josh Williams, G, Akron - Another top recuit, but Akron doesn't lose much at guard this year. I see him taking the minutes that Adedeji Ibitayo played last year. Noah Robotham is still recovering from the ACL injury, and Antino Jackson looked solid when Robotham was out. I think Williams will get a bunch of time on the court while Robotham is out, and will be hard to sit down once he's back
Ikenna Smart, F, Buffalo - just because Buffalo doesn't have a lot of returning minutes in the front court, and Smart redshirted here last year. I think he'll get a lot of rebounds, but won't have a high scoring average
Other possibilities:
Tahjai Teague, F, Ball State - Teague is about the best recruit in the MAC this year, but Ball State has a lot returning at forward, with Franko House, Bo Calhoun, and Sean Sellers
Marshawn Wilson, G Northern Illinois - I can see Wilson picking up Anthony Johnson's minutes and fitting in as 3rd guard behind Armstead and Travon Baker. Michael Orris played a lot last year, but only had 3.8 ppg. Dontel Highsmith looks to not be back until MAC play starts.
Jalen Avery, PG, Kent State, in case the transfers don't carry over the production they had at their previous teams
Western Michigan C, Seth Dugan - but has Drake LaMont and Khadim Dieng already ahead of him at center, though it'll be possible to push ahead of either of them
RE: WMU. I don't expect much from Dieng. I have to believe that Dugan will surpass him (if he hasn't already).
Anyone from WMU know how the battle at center is coming?
I won't predict Josh Williams will win Freshman of the Year, since somebody will probably step up and put up better numbers, but he is almost a lock to be on the All-Freshman team.
He is going to be a starter on the MAC East favorite, and could retain that position even when Robotham comes back. Even with Robotham back, Williams will still likely see 20-plus minutes per game. Since Akron under Dambrot has had a balanced attack, he won't put up big numbers, but think a 7-3-3 line with around a 40 percent from 3 is reasonable expectations (he had 12-6-4 in the exhibition win).
Akron has another good freshman in the backcourt in Jimond Ivey. He will also eat into the numbers of Williams (and Robotham and Antino Jackson) since he should get 15-plus minutes.
Dambrot's system (this year, 9 guys should be in the 15 to 25 mpg range) keeps Akron from having guys on the postseason teams. It really wouldn't surprise me to see eight guys average between 7 and 11 PPG.
(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...
Looking at Thompson now, I think I missed on him. He'll probably end up on the MAC All-Freshmen list
Akrons Jimond Ivey is going to surprise a lot of people this year. He has the offensive skills to average double figures. The only thing that will hold him back is foul trouble due to not ever having to play any defense in HS.
(11-09-2015 02:03 PM)hilltopper Wrote: [ -> ]Akrons Jimond Ivey is going to surprise a lot of people this year. He has the offensive skills to average double figures. The only thing that will hold him back is foul trouble due to not ever having to play any defense in HS.
Ivey is legit, but he is behind Williams in the pecking order right now. I definitely won't write him off as an All Freshman team player, but just don't think, numbers wise, the Zips can support two. A lot of mouths to feed.
But Ivey is by far the most explosive guard Dambrot has recruited at Akron. His time will come. His ceiling is higher than Williams', but Williams is better prepared to play right away, IMO.
Btw, here is a clip of Ivey from the Akron-Canton Pro Am this summer.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xBs3iF629vI
(11-09-2015 02:03 PM)hilltopper Wrote: [ -> ]Akrons Jimond Ivey is going to surprise a lot of people this year. He has the offensive skills to average double figures. The only thing that will hold him back is foul trouble due to not ever having to play any defense in HS.
Jimond Ivey is on Akron's roster as a sophomore
(11-09-2015 02:55 PM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote: [ -> ] (11-09-2015 02:03 PM)hilltopper Wrote: [ -> ]Akrons Jimond Ivey is going to surprise a lot of people this year. He has the offensive skills to average double figures. The only thing that will hold him back is foul trouble due to not ever having to play any defense in HS.
Jimond Ivey is on Akron's roster as a sophomore
Non qualifier, like Treadwell and Nick Harney were. I guess technically he is a sophomore, but he has four years as long as he is on track to graduate. Not sure how the MAC would view him for the freshman team.
Ivey is similar to Rosel Hurley (will he get minutes this year, if so, another name to add to the list). Difference is, Hurley went to prep school, where Ivey enrolled at UA (open enrollment) but was ineligible via the NCAA to participate. Really, it is the same thing, just that Ivey's clock started a year earlier. He now has 4 years to play four. Where Hurley still has five to play four.
In essence, Ivey just forgo his redshirt opportunity by enrolling at UA. It helped UA, though, because if he went the prep rout, he would have been free to choose another school (like Hurley was, though he stuck with Kent).
I'd be surprised if Hurley gets many minutes. I see Kent State having a rotation with Hall, Spicer, Ortiz, and Juco transfer Marvin Jones in the front court, and Kellon Thomas, with transfers Xavier Pollard and Galal Cancer and Juco transfer Deon Edwin in the front court. That'll leave few minutes for the 4 freshmen and sophomore Raasean Davis.
I saw a little of Hurley playing in an intrasquad scrimmage, and he looked to need to develop a little more physically. Jalen Avery looked to be close as a point guard, Alonzo Walker looked to be about the best of Kent's freshmen, and Jaylin Walker needs a year of growth. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them redshirt, just because there isn't a lot of minutes for them this year.
With Hall, Spicer, Ortiz, Pollard, Cancer, and Thomas, Kent 6 players who've had seasons with over 700 minutes played, and Jones and Edwin both had solid seasons in JUCO-land, with a redshirt season at Kent last year. Looking at carryover numbers from last year, it doesn't look like a lot, but this team has a lot of experience
Miami...we're not doing the freshman thing this year.
(11-09-2015 12:03 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ][
RE: WMU. I don't expect much from Dieng. I have to believe that Dugan will surpass him (if he hasn't already).
Anyone from WMU know how the battle at center is coming?
Dieng may see time at the 4 with Tava out and possibly for the entire season.
Dugan and Lamont may play together. I don't think that it has been determined which will see more time. Lamont has a year under his belt, was pretty solid but unspectacular as a freshman but reportedly is sporting a face up game not requested of him last year.
Two freshman that will see time on the perimeter as a result of the graduation of two senior guards are PG Bryce Moore out of Indy and Player of the year in the Detroit Public Schools wing Josh Davis. Both more athletic than their predecessors, sufficiently skilled but are true freshman.
Toledo has a real solid freshmen class.
Nate Navigato-a Hurley Buffao commit who flipped after Whiny Bobby left- is a good all around forward who will play a lot but may not put up big numbers.
Nick Rogers is a good pg prospect who once had Big12 and SEC offers. Interesting kid who lost part of the fingers on his right hand at 15 in an accident. Stuck w basketball and still shoots right handed.
Sanford is a guaranteed solid MAC player. Needs strength to have a well rounded game. Will probably play enough and score enough to be on the all=frosh team.
Luke Knapke who Akron went hard after is probably the best prospect. 6-11 kid with a nice frame who plays hard and can shoot with range. Could be an NBA prospect down the road but may not turn heads for another couple years as he adjusts from small town HS ball to college and grows into his height.
Taylor Adway is another excellent prospect 6-8 solid athletic energetic has a feel for the offensive end of the floor. Playing on a young team without a clear role he is One of those guys who might will look like freshman of the year one night and put up 2 points in 8 minutes the next.
Chandler White is a muscular guard who had some legit offers but is behind a couple of veteran physical guards in Lauf and Williams so may not play much.
Antwon Lillard, SG BGSU....
(11-09-2015 09:23 AM)Slinkin Street Flash Wrote: [ -> ]Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio - The Bobcats have Mike Laster and Khari Harley returning at guard, and Jaaron Simmons transferring in. I can see Dartis playing a bit, over the other freshman guards, Gavin Block, James Gollon, and Jaylin McDonald
Agree that Dartis is probably the early fav for Ohio with Gollon a close second.