We seem to be forgetting an important point. We may prefer Player A over Player B. But if Player A isn't coming to Rice (and coaches should have a better read on that than fans), should Rice pursue Player B, even if he is not a perfect fit?
(03-21-2022 03:30 PM)Almadenmike Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 10:20 AM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]In the last couple of days Rice has been linked to 2022 Chance Stephens, who decommitted from Rhode Island, and Ryan Larson, a prototypical Wofford PG who averaged 9.0 points and 3.6 assists. Interesting that the staff is still actively looking at 2022 graduates. We only have one spot left, so if we hypothetically signed Stephens, we'd have no room for a transfer. This is nothing against Stephens, but I really hope he goes somewhere else. We've recruited him before and, while there's nothing wrong with his game, his reputation is (surprise surprise) that of a shooter (a really good one). We don't need more off-ball guards, unless they're athletic and can break down a defense.
The other possibility is, of course, that Pera knows other guys are transferring and that we'll have more than one spot open. If that's the case, I'd be less opposed to targeting Stephens, so still probably opposed.
Do we need an Opposition Scale? :-)
1 - Not Opposed
2 - Probably Opposed
3 - Less Opposed
3 - Opposed
4 - Definitely Opposed
5 - Adamantly Opposed
You have two Level 3s there...
(03-21-2022 04:39 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote: [ -> ]We seem to be forgetting an important point. We may prefer Player A over Player B. But if Player A isn't coming to Rice (and coaches should have a better read on that than fans), should Rice pursue Player B, even if he is not a perfect fit?
I think we should pursue the old Dallas Cowboys draft strategy - best available.
(03-21-2022 05:06 PM)tanqtonic Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:30 PM)Almadenmike Wrote: [ -> ]Do we need an Opposition Scale? :-)
1 - Not Opposed
2 - Probably Opposed
3 - Less Opposed
3 - Opposed
4 - Definitely Opposed
5 - Adamantly Opposed
You have two Level 3s there...
LOL!! Thanks!! I've got to have a chat with my personal proofreader!!
Let's go with:
1 - Not Opposed
2 - Probably Opposed
3 - Less Opposed
4 - Opposed
5 - Definitely Opposed
6 - Adamantly Opposed
:-)
Mullins is also transferring, interestingly. I kind of figured he'd be somebody who went straight to work after graduation. But I think it's safe to say that we'll all be rooting for him. He stuck with us through plenty of bad times when he easily could have transferred. Hope he finds a good landing spot and gets a shot at the tournament next year.
(03-21-2022 09:23 PM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]Mullins is also transferring, interestingly. I kind of figured he'd be somebody who went straight to work after graduation. But I think it's safe to say that we'll all be rooting for him. He stuck with us through plenty of bad times when he easily could have transferred. Hope he finds a good landing spot and gets a shot at the tournament next year.
Telling that he doesn’t want to stay at Rice.
He’s not going to land at a high major school-so likely doesn’t trust Pera to
improve the team next year. Can’t say I disagree with his assessment.
(03-21-2022 10:05 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 09:23 PM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]Mullins is also transferring, interestingly. I kind of figured he'd be somebody who went straight to work after graduation. But I think it's safe to say that we'll all be rooting for him. He stuck with us through plenty of bad times when he easily could have transferred. Hope he finds a good landing spot and gets a shot at the tournament next year.
Telling that he doesn’t want to stay at Rice.
He’s not going to land at a high major school-so likely doesn’t trust Pera to
improve the team next year. Can’t say I disagree with his assessment.
We knew he was gone given he was recognized at Senior Day. Let's not make this into a negative.
(03-21-2022 10:21 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 10:05 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 09:23 PM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]Mullins is also transferring, interestingly. I kind of figured he'd be somebody who went straight to work after graduation. But I think it's safe to say that we'll all be rooting for him. He stuck with us through plenty of bad times when he easily could have transferred. Hope he finds a good landing spot and gets a shot at the tournament next year.
Telling that he doesn’t want to stay at Rice.
He’s not going to land at a high major school-so likely doesn’t trust Pera to
improve the team next year. Can’t say I disagree with his assessment.
We knew he was gone given he was recognized at Senior Day. Let's not make this into a negative.
I mean it’s not unexpected, but I still view it as a negative.
The only negative is that the NCAA is still allowing a crazy amount of transfers (and basically destroying the record books in the process, as players left and right now can play five full years to pad their stats). When is it going to end?
Walyn Napper of USM is in the portal. He's exactly the type of player elw4796 is looking for at Rice. I didn't work every home game this year, but of the ones I did work, he was the most impressive player I saw from the opponents this year. He had 29 points in USM's overtime loss at Rice, and played the entire game. He almost single-handedly led USM to an upset. Point guard, but also a slashing off guard (although he's a bit small for most elite P5 schools I'd say - he's listed at 6-0 and that is a bit generous).
(03-22-2022 07:05 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote: [ -> ]The only negative is that the NCAA is still allowing a crazy amount of transfers (and basically destroying the record books in the process, as players left and right now can play five full years to pad their stats). When is it going to end?
Walyn Napper of USM is in the portal. He's exactly the type of player elw4796 is looking for at Rice. I didn't work every home game this year, but of the ones I did work, he was the most impressive player I saw from the opponents this year. He had 29 points in USM's overtime loss at Rice, and played the entire game. He almost single-handedly led USM to an upset. Point guard, but also a slashing off guard (although he's a bit small for most elite P5 schools I'd say - he's listed at 6-0 and that is a bit generous).
Bonus: Rice won't play Southern Miss next season.
Looks like the staff reached out to Joseph Octave, an Air Force transfer. 6-4 sophomore who averaged 8.3 points on 46/37/60 shooting. Big body guard (6-4, 205 pounds) who plays off the ball. I won't say what I want to say in the hopes that this is just the staff kicking the tires on as many guys as possible.
Couple other guys we've reached out to: Jason Roche (Citadel), Felix Lemetti (Omaha). Roche is a 6-5 freshman who averaged 13.2 points on 40/40/91 shooting. 36.2 minutes as a freshman. Would basically be a like-for-like replacement for Pierre. But he'll get P5 interest, so not sure how realistic this one is. Lemetti is a 6-1 junior PG from Sweden. Averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 assists on 37/36/80 shooting. Played his freshman year at Fairfield before going to a JuCo.
(03-26-2022 07:30 PM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]Couple other guys we've reached out to: Jason Roche (Citadel), Felix Lemetti (Omaha). Roche is a 6-5 freshman who averaged 13.2 points on 40/40/91 shooting. 36.2 minutes as a freshman. Would basically be a like-for-like replacement for Pierre. But he'll get P5 interest, so not sure how realistic this one is. Lemetti is a 6-1 junior PG from Sweden. Averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 assists on 37/36/80 shooting. Played his freshman year at Fairfield before going to a JuCo.
Evee might be able to help by talking to Roche. He transferred from a state-sponsored military school and can relate how the adjustment worked. VMI and The Citadel have a lot in common. We should use that to our advantage.
(03-21-2022 07:46 PM)Almadenmike Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 05:06 PM)tanqtonic Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2022 03:30 PM)Almadenmike Wrote: [ -> ]Do we need an Opposition Scale? :-)
1 - Not Opposed
2 - Probably Opposed
3 - Less Opposed
3 - Opposed
4 - Definitely Opposed
5 - Adamantly Opposed
You have two Level 3s there...
LOL!! Thanks!! I've got to have a chat with my personal proofreader!!
Let's go with:
1 - Not Opposed
2 - Probably Opposed
3 - Less Opposed
4 - Opposed
5 - Definitely Opposed
6 - Adamantly Opposed
:-)
perhaps you might add:
7 - Opposably
8 - I Oppose, so...
Add Maks Klanjscek to the list of guys we've reached out to. 6-4 senior who played last season at Maine. Originally from Lithuania, played one year at UMKC (I guess Kansas City now even though UMKC is way preferable) and one year at a JuCo. 27.3 minutes per game, 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds on 45/35/81. Wouldn't solve any of our offensive issues and played on the 9th worst defensive team in the country.
Add Julian Lewis to the contact list, a 6-6 freshman guard out of William & Mary. 27.3 minutes a game, 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 32/29/77 splits. Bill & Mary was 5-27 this year with the 270th ranked defense on KP.
...and Poteat's in the transfer portal. Think we're about at that point where you can predict what's going to happen next season, which also means you can predict what's going to happen next offseason. Barring massive additions in the transfer portal, there just aren't going to be enough pieces to take the necessary step next year.
Poteat has all the tools to be a centerpiece 5 and could've dominated CUSA with more refinement. I imagine his portal recruitment will be similar to QMB's. Can maybe see him being a rotation piece at a lower-level P5 school, but at the very least, could be useful for a team in a conference like the American, A10, Missouri Valley, etc.
Time to do what Miami, Fla. did from 1971-85.
Add Sacred Heart senior guard Aaron Clarke to the list of guys we've reached out to. 33.1 minutes, 16.0 points, 4.1 assists, 42/31/87 splits. Easily would be the impactful addition among the guys we've talked to. That said, I actually saw him play earlier this year against St. Francis and he's not your typical ball-dominant guard who can score. Isn't lightning quick and doesn't always beat his man 1v1, but because of that he's a crafty shotmaker. Big body for his size, too, so he can out-physical guards. If I'm thinking of the right guy, though, I do not remember being enamored by his effort. Not sure how much of an addition he'd be defensively.
Another name is UC Davis transfer Caleb Fuller. 6-5 junior out of England. Averaged 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds on 42/34/73 shooting.