Just to dig in a little deeper because some people may have forgotten...

Rowe had 3 scholarships to offer in his first class. He offered a 4th scholarship to Gerron Scissum and proceeded to kick Devontae Morgan off the team which deprived him of playing his senior year at JMU.
Are these the types of things Bourne promotes for putting the student-athlete first?

Signing more players than you have scholarships was a common tactic of slimy Rick Pitino. You can get away with it when you are winnng. When you are losing, it is a big black eye that gets more attention. It makes you wonder about the decision-making of the head coach.

DNRonline.com Morgan says forced out at JMU

I wasn’t really bothered that Morgan was eased out by a new coach. I was bothered by the fact that the new guards, Holmes and Johnson ( that made Morgan expendable)weren’t any good. New coach wants to upgrade- fine. But there was no upgrade. Not a stellar recruiting statement. Thankfully, the 2nd class appears more suited to succeed.

The Morgan move was a mistake- I think he could have helped last years team and obviously Johnson and Holmes were reaches. I felt bad for Morgan- he sat out a year to transfer to JMU barely played his first year with Brady and then was pushed out. Aside from that it was a questionable move by Rowe from a potential recruiting standpoint. Morgan was a Florida kid where Rowe and his staff have good ties. For that reason alone he would have been better off pushing out a Euro big but they had either been productive the year prior (Serb, Satkius, and Vodo) or in the pre season where Lukic was a standout and showed leadership. In hindsight- keep Morgan and don't sign Johnson.

The Morgan and Scissum transfers are a harsh reminder that if you can't contribute on the court you will bounce around. I believe when Brady recruited Morgan he had just a walk on offer from Siena. Not sure how much interest there was in Scissum. Sometimes programs take chances on guys who have shown some talent or have other athletic attributes. Morgan had that highlight reel dunk on ESPN and was once recruited by Brad Stevens so he was worth a chance by Brady. Scissum was once recruited by Alabama and signed by VCU- he had length and potential. Often times these guys don't pan out. It's not awful that they don't. You have a 9 man rotation in college and 13 scholarships for a reason. Ideally from a value/cost standpoint you would rather miss on a guy who you didn't red shirt (i.e. a true freshman or a juco instead of a 4 year transfer). It's not a perfect science you just have to be mindful of balance (between classes, of good students, good kids, etc.).

I get your point Hart but isn’t the other side of the argument that Butler and VCU had already forced these guys out so they dropped down a level hoping they could play at JMU? Once there they both were given ample opportunity to prove they could play at the CAA level and obtained a free education for two additional years. How are they victims then? Playing basketball meant 3-4 years of their education was paid. Did they not receive something of value in return for their time?

Recruiting is a hit or miss thing. You are bashing Rowe when VCU and Butler did the same thing with these two players. Coaches have year end meetings with every player on their team. If they feel the player is going to ride the pines, they let them know it. Will Wade told Scissum he was not an A10 level player so he dropped down to the CAA. No one criticized Wade when he came to JMU. Now we should critisize Rowe? I think that is unfair.

(12-30-2017 09:44 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Just to dig in a little deeper because some people may have forgotten...

Rowe had 3 scholarships to offer in his first class. He offered a 4th scholarship to Gerron Scissum and proceeded to kick Devontae Morgan off the team which deprived him of playing his senior year at JMU.
Are these the types of things Bourne promotes for putting the student-athlete first?

Signing more players than you have scholarships was a common tactic of slimy Rick Pitino. You can get away with it when you are winnng. When you are losing, it is a big black eye that gets more attention. It makes you wonder about the decision-making of the head coach.

DNRonline.com Morgan says forced out at JMU

In hindsight, the Johnson scholarship was a total miss.

Seems Devontae has landed on his feet and is working down in the ATL area (per LinkedIn)

People assume these changes are solely based in ability. I doubt that's the case. Being a member if a team is like having a job. If you don't get along with the coach, are disruptive, don't listen to instructions and can't get along with teammates, then you are going to play and you've got a good chance of being kicked off the team.

(12-30-2017 01:22 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(12-30-2017 09:44 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Just to dig in a little deeper because some people may have forgotten...

Rowe had 3 scholarships to offer in his first class. He offered a 4th scholarship to Gerron Scissum and proceeded to kick Devontae Morgan off the team which deprived him of playing his senior year at JMU.
Are these the types of things Bourne promotes for putting the student-athlete first?

Signing more players than you have scholarships was a common tactic of slimy Rick Pitino. You can get away with it when you are winnng. When you are losing, it is a big black eye that gets more attention. It makes you wonder about the decision-making of the head coach.

DNRonline.com Morgan says forced out at JMU

In hindsight, the Johnson scholarship was a total miss.

Seems Devontae has landed on his feet and is working down in the ATL area (per LinkedIn)

Keep in mind that JMU used a loop hole in the rules to keep Morgan on full scholarship his Senior year (even though he wasn't on the basketball team) so they didn't totally screw the kid.

Glad to see that he is starting his work career. Still that move was a head scratcher- Morgan seemed to be Rowe's type of player. Good athleticism- I know he couldn't shoot but I remember the year prior a couple of spurts where he turned guys over as part of the full court press and JMU almost stole a game or two in the final minutes. The team could have used that presence last season.

Scissum is transferring to Alabama A&M. Wish him well- I think the same conference as former JMU player Dante Sterling (now playing as a Junior with Alcorn State). Scissum should be productive there similar to another JMU former big Enoch Hood who found success his couple of years at North Carolina Central. I'm thinking he will be eligible 2nd semester next season as a Junior.

Here is what you're missing from Scissum
https://aamusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id...ath=mbball

(03-08-2018 08:43 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Scissum is transferring to Alabama A&M. Wish him well- I think the same conference as former JMU player Dante Sterling (now playing as a Junior with Alcorn State). Scissum should be productive there similar to another JMU former big Enoch Hood who found success his couple of years at North Carolina Central. I'm thinking he will be eligible 2nd semester next season as a Junior.

Appears he did not finish the year or his eligibility at Alabama A&M. Played 11 games this season and is no longer on the roster.