I saw that two former Toledo Rockets are in their first season's playing for the Buffalo Bulls. They are:

Josh Freelove, 6-2 Senior Guard, averaging 13.3 per game. Transferred from Alabama St.

Justin Moss, 6-7 Sophomore Forward, averaging 2.8 points per game. Transferred from Indian Hills (IA) Community College.

Should add a little intrique to what could be a very good basketball game when the Bulls visit Savage Arena on Jan. 15th!

(12-23-2013 04:08 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  I saw that two former Toledo Rockets are in their first season's playing for the Buffalo Bulls. They are:

Josh Freelove, 6-2 Senior Guard, averaging 13.3 per game. Transferred from Alabama St.

Justin Moss, 6-7 Sophomore Forward, averaging 2.8 points per game. Transferred from Indian Hills (IA) Community College.

Should add a little intrique to what could be a very good basketball game when the Bulls visit Savage Arena on Jan. 15th!

Freelove and Moss have been around. Moss probably more highly regarded but not doing much now. I recall Freelove laughing and practicing highflying jams in pre-game before Cinci destroyed us when Cross was here. Made it evident he wasn't that into the game, slouching on the bench and ignoring timeout huddles. Never thought much of his attitude after that, although, under Cross there was a lot of that. He was clearly talented and it's good to see he got his game together.

Was Moss the kid with the heart problem? We have had such turnover and overhauling of the roster, I can't picture Freelove?

(12-23-2013 07:57 PM)emanoh Wrote:  Was Moss the kid with the heart problem? We have had such turnover and overhauling of the roster, I can't picture Freelove?

Moss was the heart issue guy. Freelove rarely saw the floor his frosh year and wasn't wanted by Coach K as a soph and transferred.

(12-23-2013 11:21 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(12-23-2013 07:57 PM)emanoh Wrote:  Was Moss the kid with the heart problem? We have had such turnover and overhauling of the roster, I can't picture Freelove?

Moss was the heart issue guy. Freelove rarely saw the floor his frosh year and wasn't wanted by Coach K as a soph and transferred.

I don't quite get it. Is it like Moss had a heart problem at Toledo, but does not have one a Buffalo? That doesn't sound right---I must have missed something---does anybody know the story?

It's funny how none of the former Gene Cross players have done jack since leaving UT. Kowalczyk has done a great job putting together a great roster in a short time with many restrictions. He's building a good program and we're fortunate to have him as the coach.

(12-24-2013 12:06 AM)Rocket Pirate Wrote:  It's funny how none of the former Gene Cross players have done jack since leaving UT. Kowalczyk has done a great job putting together a great roster in a short time with many restrictions. He's building a good program and we're fortunate to have him as the coach.

Freelove is this year. Barnett has been a solid reserve on a very good St. Louis team. Bastfield was a starter at a D1 school. Steve Something plaayed well for Brown, IIRC. Griffin was a big scorer for Fresno Pacific and the combo guard from Kansas City, who redshirted and never played was a star for Southern M ississippi, I believe. Remember, apart from Barnette and Malcom Griffin, none of them did jack AT UT.

Didn't Bastfield get into a fight with his coach, or there was some sort of dust up with him in the middle?

Hayden Humes is still doing well at UIC.

It wasn't easy or fun to watch so many go, get run out or whatever it was. I objected to the "brutality" of it but there's always more to a story. I can't imagine they would have generally landed so well if just just shown the door. Perhaps they were helped to land well?

I said it before on the football forums and it perhaps applies more here, I think it would be an interesting story to get the perspective of recruits and former players that did not work out and went elsewhere. I'd like to know how they view the University, if they have good memories, felt they were treated fairly but just lost out to competition or circumstances. Like any graduate, I would hope the university would help these students find the next step in life and if UT has a history of doing that, I think they deserve the recognition. If they haven't, I think they've earned that recognition.

(12-24-2013 01:25 AM)emanoh Wrote:  Hayden Humes is still doing well at UIC.

Yep, I'd like to have kept Barnett and Humes. Actually, as I look at how well many of these guys are doing I' m forced to think maybe it was the coaching?

coack K wanted to keep Hayden, but fingers can be pointed at ncaa on that one. The team was doing well gpa wise, but ncaa made us cut another scholie due to precious regime.

(12-24-2013 08:48 AM)emanoh Wrote:  coack K wanted to keep Hayden, but fingers can be pointed at ncaa on that one. The team was doing well gpa wise, but ncaa made us cut another scholie due to precious regime.

Cross's regime was a lot of things but it wasn't this!

Oops previous regime, crappy spell check.

Moss still has heart issues, but apparently doctors believe it can be managed safely. UT wasn't going to take chances and play him after Haris' tragic heart failure a few years before.

Moss has only one year of organized college ball so far so he could develop.

Freelove could play, Cross just didn't want to play him. Watson could play Cross didn't think he was ready. Cross tended to sit his more talented guys and play his less talented favorites long minutes.

As for attitude it is common to see D1 bench players not too engaged in the huddle and acting aloof. I like how out team this year is really tight and supportive.