CSNbbs

NIU recruiting update:

Tavon Jones - Transferring from Odessa College (Odessa, TX) - JUCO Sophomore - 6'3" - SG - 3* from Linden HS (Linden, NJ) - has started his collegiate career at Odessa (Odessa, TX) and as a sophomore he started 5 of 35 games averaging 13.8 minutes and 6.5 ppg shooting 47.8% from the field (30% 3PT) and 63.9% FT. I believe, even though he graduated from HS two years ago, he has only played 1 season at Odessa so he may be an incoming sophomore if he signs. In regards to Odessa College, there's literally nothing special about them. They went 14-16 last season and lost their last 5 games. So, if one were to try to look at his pedestrian numbers and draw some conclusion about him being a first year played being buried behind a loaded roster, it doesn't appear he was. Now, he was a 3* recruit coming out of HS so apparently there was something there. He very well could have been injured his first year, which is why he didn't play. Coming out of high school he had a ton of offers that he passed on for one reason or another (Eastern Kentucky, Massachusetts, Quinnipiac, Niagra, Hofstra, Buffalo, Stoney Brook, Seton Hall, St. Peter's, and Saint Joseph's). As of right now, NIU is the only school to make an offer on him as a transfer. After a little digging, it seems people (message board types) were pretty aware that he couldn't qualify academically and would be going to either a prep school or JUCO. One commenter even stated that he expected to see Jones in a few years in a major or mid-major program in a couple of years with a 3 point shot added to his game. Judging from his stats this past year, that didn't happen and it appears he couldn't shoot the 3 in high school either. Doesn't look like he can shoot free throws either. If I were a guessing man, I'd guess this guy goes to the basket. Eugene German but can't shoot. In my opinion, going off of what I've learned about him in a very short information search, adding Jones for next year would be a waste of a roster spot/scholarship. If you're going to take a shot on a guy with bad grades, at least get one that can score.

Obvioulsy, I am not thrilled with this as I've been stumping pretty hard for Adong Makoui. To me, Jones is redundant on the roster and there was a much bigger need for Makoui. Jones was pretty highly regarded in HS but it appears his shot never materialized at the JUCO level like others hoped it would. If I were to speculate, I'd guess he does most of his scoring near the rim. Which is fine, but I don't see him being successful doing that in the MAC without having an outside shot (and teams won't be afraid to foul a 63% free throw shooter).

So, I've got to find something to be positive about. He's really quick and appears to be a plus ball handler. From the few videos I saw (most of them are from when he was in high school), he sees the floor well and sees open teammates. He's a crafty passer and plays hard on the defensive end of the floor and is creative in how he finishes at the basket.

Maybe the gameplan next season will be to play tight D and have a bunch of guys that can shoot the 3 and extend a defense opening up the middle for a guy like Jones. I don't know....I'm grasping at straws.

Honestly, he's not bad (well, he might be). He has potential but I don't know how much of that has run out over the past two years. I just would have been happier with Makoui on the roster.

***UPDATE***

I mistakenly posted Jones' freshman numbers. As a sophomore at OCC, Jones started 24 of 30 games averaging 25 minutes and 13.7 ppg shooting 49.8% from the field (35.6% 3PT - 128 of 179) and 72.3% FT. He also averaged 4.8 rpg and 1.8 apg.

Overall, yes, I like these numbers a lot better than what he posted as a freshman. I still think adding a big man like Makoui as opposed to another guard would have been the better move, but Jones looks like he may have turned the corner with his outside shot, so that is a big improvement over what I previously thought he had done (or not done).

MAC transfer update:

Nike Sibande - Undecided on transfer destination from Miami - Junior - 6'4" - SG - 2* recruit from Crispus Attucks HS (Indianapolis, IN) - Sibande is a three year started at Miami and will now have to sit out a season as he is not a grad transfer. Statistically, Sibande had his worst season (slightly....he's been pretty consistent) for the Redhawks this past season starting 30 games (of 31) and averaging 28.7 minutes and 13.9 ppg shooting 49.4% from the field (32% 3PT) and 82% FT. Sibande also averaged 5.9 rpg and 1.7 apg.

(04-29-2020 04:40 PM)Big Red Wrote: [ -> ]NIU recruiting update:

Tavon Jones - Transferring from Odessa College (Odessa, TX) - JUCO Sophomore - 6'3" - SG - 3* from Linden HS (Linden, NJ) - has started his collegiate career at Odessa (Odessa, TX) and as a sophomore he started 5 of 35 games averaging 13.8 minutes and 6.5 ppg shooting 47.8% from the field (30% 3PT) and 63.9% FT. I believe, even though he graduated from HS two years ago, he has only played 1 season at Odessa so he may be an incoming sophomore if he signs. In regards to Odessa College, there's literally nothing special about them. They went 14-16 last season and lost their last 5 games. So, if one were to try to look at his pedestrian numbers and draw some conclusion about him being a first year played being buried behind a loaded roster, it doesn't appear he was. Now, he was a 3* recruit coming out of HS so apparently there was something there. He very well could have been injured his first year, which is why he didn't play. Coming out of high school he had a ton of offers that he passed on for one reason or another (Eastern Kentucky, Massachusetts, Quinnipiac, Niagra, Hofstra, Buffalo, Stoney Brook, Seton Hall, St. Peter's, and Saint Joseph's). As of right now, NIU is the only school to make an offer on him as a transfer. After a little digging, it seems people (message board types) were pretty aware that he couldn't qualify academically and would be going to either a prep school or JUCO. One commenter even stated that he expected to see Jones in a few years in a major or mid-major program in a couple of years with a 3 point shot added to his game. Judging from his stats this past year, that didn't happen and it appears he couldn't shoot the 3 in high school either. Doesn't look like he can shoot free throws either. If I were a guessing man, I'd guess this guy goes to the basket. Eugene German but can't shoot. In my opinion, going off of what I've learned about him in a very short information search, adding Jones for next year would be a waste of a roster spot/scholarship. If you're going to take a shot on a guy with bad grades, at least get one that can score.

Obvioulsy, I am not thrilled with this as I've been stumping pretty hard for Adong Makoui. To me, Jones is redundant on the roster and there was a much bigger need for Makoui. Jones was pretty highly regarded in HS but it appears his shot never materialized at the JUCO level like others hoped it would. If I were to speculate, I'd guess he does most of his scoring near the rim. Which is fine, but I don't see him being successful doing that in the MAC without having an outside shot (and teams won't be afraid to foul a 63% free throw shooter).

So, I've got to find something to be positive about. He's really quick and appears to be a plus ball handler. From the few videos I saw (most of them are from when he was in high school), he sees the floor well and sees open teammates. He's a crafty passer and plays hard on the defensive end of the floor and is creative in how he finishes at the basket.

Maybe the gameplan next season will be to play tight D and have a bunch of guys that can shoot the 3 and extend a defense opening up the middle for a guy like Jones. I don't know....I'm grasping at straws.

Honestly, he's not bad (well, he might be). He has potential but I don't know how much of that has run out over the past two years. I just would have been happier with Makoui on the roster.

dude, you are fake news. odessa is one of the top jucos in the country. the numbers you listed are from jones freshman yr when they were a national elite 8 juco team. they played the top juco schedule in the nation and won 25 games. jones averaged 6.5 ppg in 13 minutes which averages to about 15 ppg as a starter, which he was as a soph when they had a 14-16 down yr but jones averaged 13 ppg and was all conf. he's not special. sort of a physical scoring 1 guard. plays similar to german in his approach but nowhere near the level of quickness. more of a crafty player who can play some of either guard position.

(04-30-2020 04:53 AM)pono Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-29-2020 04:40 PM)Big Red Wrote: [ -> ]NIU recruiting update:

Tavon Jones - Transferring from Odessa College (Odessa, TX) - JUCO Sophomore - 6'3" - SG - 3* from Linden HS (Linden, NJ) - has started his collegiate career at Odessa (Odessa, TX) and as a sophomore he started 5 of 35 games averaging 13.8 minutes and 6.5 ppg shooting 47.8% from the field (30% 3PT) and 63.9% FT. I believe, even though he graduated from HS two years ago, he has only played 1 season at Odessa so he may be an incoming sophomore if he signs. In regards to Odessa College, there's literally nothing special about them. They went 14-16 last season and lost their last 5 games. So, if one were to try to look at his pedestrian numbers and draw some conclusion about him being a first year played being buried behind a loaded roster, it doesn't appear he was. Now, he was a 3* recruit coming out of HS so apparently there was something there. He very well could have been injured his first year, which is why he didn't play. Coming out of high school he had a ton of offers that he passed on for one reason or another (Eastern Kentucky, Massachusetts, Quinnipiac, Niagra, Hofstra, Buffalo, Stoney Brook, Seton Hall, St. Peter's, and Saint Joseph's). As of right now, NIU is the only school to make an offer on him as a transfer. After a little digging, it seems people (message board types) were pretty aware that he couldn't qualify academically and would be going to either a prep school or JUCO. One commenter even stated that he expected to see Jones in a few years in a major or mid-major program in a couple of years with a 3 point shot added to his game. Judging from his stats this past year, that didn't happen and it appears he couldn't shoot the 3 in high school either. Doesn't look like he can shoot free throws either. If I were a guessing man, I'd guess this guy goes to the basket. Eugene German but can't shoot. In my opinion, going off of what I've learned about him in a very short information search, adding Jones for next year would be a waste of a roster spot/scholarship. If you're going to take a shot on a guy with bad grades, at least get one that can score.

Obvioulsy, I am not thrilled with this as I've been stumping pretty hard for Adong Makoui. To me, Jones is redundant on the roster and there was a much bigger need for Makoui. Jones was pretty highly regarded in HS but it appears his shot never materialized at the JUCO level like others hoped it would. If I were to speculate, I'd guess he does most of his scoring near the rim. Which is fine, but I don't see him being successful doing that in the MAC without having an outside shot (and teams won't be afraid to foul a 63% free throw shooter).

So, I've got to find something to be positive about. He's really quick and appears to be a plus ball handler. From the few videos I saw (most of them are from when he was in high school), he sees the floor well and sees open teammates. He's a crafty passer and plays hard on the defensive end of the floor and is creative in how he finishes at the basket.

Maybe the gameplan next season will be to play tight D and have a bunch of guys that can shoot the 3 and extend a defense opening up the middle for a guy like Jones. I don't know....I'm grasping at straws.

Honestly, he's not bad (well, he might be). He has potential but I don't know how much of that has run out over the past two years. I just would have been happier with Makoui on the roster.

dude, you are fake news. odessa is one of the top jucos in the country. the numbers you listed are from jones freshman yr when they were a national elite 8 juco team. they played the top juco schedule in the nation and won 25 games. jones averaged 6.5 ppg in 13 minutes which averages to about 15 ppg as a starter, which he was as a soph when they had a 14-16 down yr but jones averaged 13 ppg and was all conf. he's not special. sort of a physical scoring 1 guard. plays similar to german in his approach but nowhere near the level of quickness. more of a crafty player who can play some of either guard position.

Oh my goodness. You are so much smarter than I am. I should probably relinquish my press credentials as this lavish salary I am paid to scout NIU JUCO transfers is clearly un-warranted.

I bow down to your superiority in knowledge of Odessa Community College. Next time OCC comes up, I will be sure to abstain from any opinions until you have made your definitive statement on the state of the program.

You sir (or madam) are a benefit to this board and to life. Thank you for your duty and your sacrifices.

Just admit you were wrong lol

(04-30-2020 12:27 PM)7 Wrote: [ -> ]Just admit you were wrong lol

Heh.

I looked at his profile. Seems to be a Toledo fan? Okay...thanks for stopping by.

Come on Big Red, there's not a shred of evidence that anything Pono said is not factual---Toledo allegiance or not. Odessa was the sixth seed in the final rankings in 2019 and lost in the tournament to the eventual champion. His numbers on Jones are basically a cut and paste.

Whether he's not special or he is or if he is not as quick as Geno is conjecture, but the number information he posted is accurate.

Red, I appreciate all the work and even more all the inside knowledge you have and really value your opinions on any of the players. I really do.

So the big question really is do we have a chance of landing someone that can actually make a big difference next year or just more role players?

(04-30-2020 01:30 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote: [ -> ]So the big question really is do we have a chance of landing someone that can actually make a big difference next year or just more role players?

Sadly, I think we all know the answer as long as MM is still here.

(04-30-2020 01:04 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote: [ -> ]Come on Big Red, there's not a shred of evidence that anything Pono said is not factual---Toledo allegiance or not. Odessa was the sixth seed in the final rankings in 2019 and lost in the tournament to the eventual champion. His numbers on Jones are basically a cut and paste.

Whether he's not special or he is or if he is not as quick as Geno is conjecture, but the number information he posted is accurate.

Red, I appreciate all the work and even more all the inside knowledge you have and really value your opinions on any of the players. I really do.

I never said he wasn't correct (did I?). I welcome information from others just as I retain the right to have an opinion based on the information I've been able to find and will eagerly change that opinion based on new information.

I just had an issue with his attitude so I responded like a smartass.

(04-30-2020 04:15 PM)Big Red Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-30-2020 01:04 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote: [ -> ]Come on Big Red, there's not a shred of evidence that anything Pono said is not factual---Toledo allegiance or not. Odessa was the sixth seed in the final rankings in 2019 and lost in the tournament to the eventual champion. His numbers on Jones are basically a cut and paste.

Whether he's not special or he is or if he is not as quick as Geno is conjecture, but the number information he posted is accurate.

Red, I appreciate all the work and even more all the inside knowledge you have and really value your opinions on any of the players. I really do.

I never said he wasn't correct (did I?). I welcome information from others just as I retain the right to have an opinion based on the information I've been able to find and will eagerly change that opinion based on new information.

I just had an issue with his attitude so I responded like a smartass.

Just keep on doing what you are doing.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAC transfer update:

Lucas Kroft - Transferring from Ball State to Western Texas College (Snyder, TX) - Freshman - 6’5” - SG - 2* from North Side HS (Fort Wayne, IN) - Played 14 games as a freshman averaging 8.6 minutes and 1.1 ppg.

Tavon Jones Update:

Thankfully, a helpful visitor from Toledo pointed out I had erred in posting Jones freshman numbers and was forming an invalid (possibly "fake") opinion of the sophomore guard. So, since the error was pointed out without providing the correct information, I decided to update the post to reflect his accurate statistics.

I mistakenly posted Jones' freshman numbers. As a sophomore at OCC, Jones started 24 of 30 games averaging 25 minutes and 13.7 ppg shooting 49.8% from the field (35.6% 3PT - 128 of 179) and 72.3% FT. He also averaged 4.8 rpg and 1.8 apg.

Overall, yes, I like these numbers a lot better than what he posted as a freshman. I still think adding a big man like Makoui as opposed to another guard would have been the better move, but Jones looks like he may have turned the corner with his outside shot, so that is a big improvement over what I previously thought he had done (or not done).

Thanks Big Red appreciate the updates. Agree we are thin in the post and need additional post player to defend and rebound.

Terrific work, Big Red. Imo, a change in team-wide attitude is also needed. A true point guard who can run the team on the floor without taking over a game to impress NBA scouts for themself would also help. If I missed it, my bad, but is there one in the mix? Asking 'cuz you've done the detail work. Hard to analyze with attitude being an ethereal, but any potentials? Existing or incoming?

(05-01-2020 03:18 PM)pvk75 Wrote: [ -> ]Terrific work, Big Red. Imo, a change in team-wide attitude is also needed. A true point guard who can run the team on the floor without taking over a game to impress NBA scouts for themself would also help. If I missed it, my bad, but is there one in the mix? Asking 'cuz you've done the detail work. Hard to analyze with attitude being an ethereal, but any potentials? Existing or incoming?

I don't think they brought one in, although Kaleb Thornton is interesting. He appears to be a real quick, slick passing PG who doesn't look to be a shoot first guy at all. Other than him, I've always felt that Hankerson was exactly the guy you described but was overshadowed by always having to have the ball in German's hand. I mean, it's kinda hard to argue with that. German could handle the ball and he was absolutely your best player. It's a good idea to have the ball in his hand when he can create a shot that most can't.

With that said, I think the guy is Hankerson but Thornton is a very strong possibility. And he's only going to be a sophomore this year (he's a JUCO transfer), so he'll be around for 3 years.

With that said, I don't know if you've noticed, but we won't have any true freshmen on the team next season. The only guys they have brought in have been JUCOs and, with no scholarships left to give out (as far as I can tell), they won't be bringing any in.

And in regards to NIU89's comment up there, I totally agree which is why I was 100% dying for them to bring in Makoui. As of right now, the two tallest guys on the team are Nathan Scott and Justin Lee (both 6'8") and I wouldn't figure either of them to be post players. Lee, I have less of a handle on because he's missed so much time (also why I won't count on him until he actually starts playing every game), but it's pretty clear that Scott is a Levi Bradley type player (but right handed) which is really useful, but he's going to need someone to help on the inside.

The only two players on the roster right now that I think can be that are Chris Johnson and Keenan Cole and we know that Johnson can't shoot a lick so....

They brought in a head scratcher of a guy who played center in JUCO but he's only 6'6" (Chinedu Okanu). I pray that his height is a typo but I don't think it is. Either way, he appears to be about the same guy as Johnson. Strong, hustle, can't shoot (or doesn't shoot much...this may actually be more the issue). In the little video I was able to find, he definitely works hard as he's typically playing against a guy who's taller than he is. In one of the videos, Vincinnes was playing John A. Logan, who was REALLY good last year, and he was often guarding Jamarion Sharp who is 7'2". Obviously he's going to struggle against a guy like that, but Okanu had the strength to push and fight with him and when he wasn't guarding Sharp, he was guarding the starter, Sydney Curry (6'8") who currently has an offers on the table from Ole Miss and Seton Hall. So...

Btw, in that game, Vincinnes won 69-65 and Okanu scored 13 points against those two. Curry scored 5 and Sharp scored 2. In a rematch in the last game either team played this year, Okanu scored 4 points, Curry scored 6 and Sharp (started this time) scored 8. Logan won this one 78-67.

So again, I fully admit I really don't have any clue what I'm talking about, I can only go with what I can find, and what I can find about Okanu is confusing.

I just wish he was a couple inches taller.

NIU will have another scholly to get a big man. They still will struggle to score with this lineup. To have any chance they need a health Justin Lee.

(05-01-2020 04:13 PM)dc1 Wrote: [ -> ]NIU will have another scholly to get a big man. They still will struggle to score with this lineup. To have any chance they need a health Justin Lee.

where is the other scholarship coming from? is someone leaving that hasn't announced it yet?

I don’t know? It’s just a gut feeling I have

(05-01-2020 05:25 PM)dc1 Wrote: [ -> ]I don’t know? It’s just a gut feeling I have

I can hear Mark Montgomery typing away on a grant application as we speak!