sorry, no scoops, just thought it was about time we have one

2 verbal commits: tj smith and keshaun saunders, able to sign on april 10th I believe. smith is a stretch forward listed between 6-7 and 6-9. saunders an aggressive big scoring guard listed at 6-4 or 6-5 who you might be able to catch on april 9th in the canadian all star game (article includes an interview w saunders on his decision to come to UT) https://www.midmajormadness.com/2018/4/4...w-to-watch

2 open scholarships

Of players publically on our radar I'm most interested in Anand Hundal and KC Hankton. Both players with size who can shoot. there's a ton of transfers looking for a home so wouldn't be surprised if we get one of those given our track record of success with transfers. there's a bunch of other 2018 guys we have publicly offered but many of those are dated offers to guys who aren't generating much recent interest and UT may no longer want them. exception would be a pf recruit out of minneapolis/st paul named chatman who has a recent ut offer and lots of good mid majors recruiting him.

FWIW, Anand Hundai is listed on the UT depth chart as a soph by Verbal Commits.com. They also have him as undecided...
Would be nice to get him, and Ernest Williams( all 6-10 300 pounds of him ) into the program...
Probably will be between us, and Xavier for his (Williams) commitment as a student athlete...

(04-05-2018 07:20 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  FWIW, Anand Hundai is listed on the UT depth chart as a soph by Verbal Commits.com. They also have him as undecided...
Would be nice to get him, and Ernest Williams( all 6-10 300 pounds of him ) into the program...
Probably will be between us, and Xavier for his (Williams) commitment as a student athlete...

I don't think we can afford to take a regular transfer who has to sit out, only a graduate transfer. At this point, we don't have a real power forward on the roster or a backup center. Not sure why we can't sign some quality big guys out of high school.

(04-05-2018 08:27 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 07:20 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  FWIW, Anand Hundai is listed on the UT depth chart as a soph by Verbal Commits.com. They also have him as undecided...
Would be nice to get him, and Ernest Williams( all 6-10 300 pounds of him ) into the program...
Probably will be between us, and Xavier for his (Williams) commitment as a student athlete...

I don't think we can afford to take a regular transfer who has to sit out, only a graduate transfer. At this point, we don't have a real power forward on the roster or a backup center. Not sure why we can't sign some quality big guys out of high school.

Like Boothe or Knapke? Not a lot of quality big guys out there. But it should be a priority.

Spring Signing period starts next Wed April 11. By the numbers,
9 scholarship players on the current roster; Alderson, Gordon, Hill, M Jackson, W Jackson, Knapke, Littleson, Navigato, and Sanford

4 scholarships available with 2 verbal commitments (Saunders and Smith) that leaves 2 more to offer.

I know everyone wants to add size, and size must be a priority, but it is obvious that one of this teams biggest weaknesses has been quickness on the perimeter, a long armed, super quick guard who can be a defensive stopper and assume some of Fletcher's role on offense by penetrating and dishing to the open shooters.

(04-05-2018 08:43 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 08:27 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 07:20 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  FWIW, Anand Hundai is listed on the UT depth chart as a soph by Verbal Commits.com. They also have him as undecided...
Would be nice to get him, and Ernest Williams( all 6-10 300 pounds of him ) into the program...
Probably will be between us, and Xavier for his (Williams) commitment as a student athlete...

I don't think we can afford to take a regular transfer who has to sit out, only a graduate transfer. At this point, we don't have a real power forward on the roster or a backup center. Not sure why we can't sign some quality big guys out of high school.

Like Boothe or Knapke? Not a lot of quality big guys out there. But it should be a priority.

I meant on a regular basis, not one every three or four years. There are other MAC teams that seem to get these players.

(04-05-2018 08:43 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 08:27 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 07:20 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  FWIW, Anand Hundai is listed on the UT depth chart as a soph by Verbal Commits.com. They also have him as undecided...
Would be nice to get him, and Ernest Williams( all 6-10 300 pounds of him ) into the program...
Probably will be between us, and Xavier for his (Williams) commitment as a student athlete...

I don't think we can afford to take a regular transfer who has to sit out, only a graduate transfer. At this point, we don't have a real power forward on the roster or a backup center. Not sure why we can't sign some quality big guys out of high school.

Like Boothe or Knapke? Not a lot of quality big guys out there. But it should be a priority.

And I'd add Taylor to that list. It's just that we get giddy when we have 1 guy like that and many (not all) MAC teams have 2 or more. We targeted plenty of guys who were 6'8" or taller and either played as power forwards or in the low post this recruiting season...problem is we already lost most of them to other mid-major programs if you can trust reported verbal commitments. Still some good options out there so I hope we land them. I agree that we need help immediately given Adway's transfer.

I do wish I understood the reluctance of that type & build of player to come here...

(04-05-2018 12:20 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 08:43 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 08:27 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 07:20 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  FWIW, Anand Hundai is listed on the UT depth chart as a soph by Verbal Commits.com. They also have him as undecided...
Would be nice to get him, and Ernest Williams( all 6-10 300 pounds of him ) into the program...
Probably will be between us, and Xavier for his (Williams) commitment as a student athlete...

I don't think we can afford to take a regular transfer who has to sit out, only a graduate transfer. At this point, we don't have a real power forward on the roster or a backup center. Not sure why we can't sign some quality big guys out of high school.

Like Boothe or Knapke? Not a lot of quality big guys out there. But it should be a priority.

And I'd add Taylor to that list. It's just that we get giddy when we have 1 guy like that and many (not all) MAC teams have 2 or more. We targeted plenty of guys who were 6'8" or taller and either played as power forwards or in the low post this recruiting season...problem is we already lost most of them to other mid-major programs if you can trust reported verbal commitments. Still some good options out there so I hope we land them. I agree that we need help immediately given Adway's transfer.

I do wish I understood the reluctance of that type & build of player to come here...

Well, we also had Delino Deer.....

The following is from a January 18th article from Rick Lewis of Phenomhoopsreport.com regarding Toledo 2018 Toledo Recruit, KC Hankton that Pono mentions in this Post:

"KC Hankton is a skilled 6-8 hybrid forward that can really play. The southpaw has a unique skill set for his size/position. He has a soft velvet touch and excellent body control around the rim. While he does need to add additional strength, it’s not often to find a player like Hankton that is still available with his skill set, fundamentals and overall basketball IQ. He sports over 10 offers. (UTRGV, Eastern Kentucky, Hofstra, Utah State, Kent State, Winthrop, Charlotte, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo, Hartford, Campbell, and Eastern Washington)".

i've only seen video but he reminds me of navigato but a bit more fluid and athletic. the concern is that he played small school high school basketball and can he defend and rebound against D1 frontcourt players? I like players that continue to generate recruiting interest and Hankton is a guy like that. Ernest Williams got a lot of interest early in his high school career but has kinda faded.

also conside coach k likes to try and rebalance his classes. currently 2 seniors- sanford, navigato, 2 in junior class- w jackson, knapke, 4 in soph class-m jackson, gordon, littleson, alderson, 3 in freshman class-hill, smith, saunders. i guess we add an upperclassman and another frosh or freshman trasnfer.

Wonder if Darrington regrets not coming to UT (Toledo Version)... http://www.toledoblade.com/College/2018/...-Tennessee

(04-06-2018 01:13 PM)utrocks84 Wrote:  Wonder if Darrington regrets not coming to UT (Toledo Version)... http://www.toledoblade.com/College/2018/...-Tennessee

Wow. Quite a disconnect there. Have to wonder why Tennessee even recruited him so hard if 8 minutes a game was their plan.

Given that we have 2 young point guards in the program now, and he'd have to sit out a year, and then be basically in the same class as the other two, I'm not sure I'd make him a priority target--we have more immediate needs now, and they revolve around size. It is unfortunate; had he come here, we may not have pursued the Littleson transfer from Duquense and could have used that particular scholarship in another direction.

(04-06-2018 01:33 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:13 PM)utrocks84 Wrote:  Wonder if Darrington regrets not coming to UT (Toledo Version)... http://www.toledoblade.com/College/2018/...-Tennessee

Wow. Quite a disconnect there. Have to wonder why Tennessee even recruited him so hard if 8 minutes a game was their plan.

Given that we have 2 young point guards in the program now, and he'd have to sit out a year, and then be basically in the same class as the other two, I'm not sure I'd make him a priority target--we have more immediate needs now, and they revolve around size. It is unfortunate; had he come here, we may not have pursued the Littleson transfer from Duquense and could have used that particular scholarship in another direction.

Recruiting a JC kid is always a gamble-even for Tennessee. Not sure I would be interested in him with only one year left to play. We need recruits who can play next season.

From the Fieldhouse site
https://theathletic.com/290830/2018/04/0...r-tracker/

Khwan Fore, G, Richmond: Fore tells The Fieldhouse that he has been contacted by Ohio State, Georgia, South Alabama, Northern Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Samford, UAB, Toledo and Tulane. Fore will graduate and is eligible to play right away. He averaged 11.0 points per game last year for the Spiders.

"Mooney said that rising senior guard Khwan Fore requested his release and is expected to play at another school as a graduate transfer, or turn pro. Fore, who averaged 11 points as a redshirt junior and was UR’s top perimeter defender, sat out as a freshman (broken foot) and will graduate this spring."

http://www.richmond.com/sports/college/s...c143c.html

(04-06-2018 03:41 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:33 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:13 PM)utrocks84 Wrote:  Wonder if Darrington regrets not coming to UT (Toledo Version)... http://www.toledoblade.com/College/2018/...-Tennessee

Wow. Quite a disconnect there. Have to wonder why Tennessee even recruited him so hard if 8 minutes a game was their plan.

Given that we have 2 young point guards in the program now, and he'd have to sit out a year, and then be basically in the same class as the other two, I'm not sure I'd make him a priority target--we have more immediate needs now, and they revolve around size. It is unfortunate; had he come here, we may not have pursued the Littleson transfer from Duquense and could have used that particular scholarship in another direction.

Recruiting a JC kid is always a gamble-even for Tennessee. Not sure I would be interested in him with only one year left to play. We need recruits who can play next season.

I disagree with the sentiments in the above two posts. Darrington would be a great get for us.

1) Darrington would be a red-shirt senior. He would not be in the same class as Littleson and M. Jackson.
2) Littleson is not a point guard.
3) Having three strong guards at the same time is not a problem. Just ask Buffalo. This year Buffalo had five guards (Graves, Carruthers, Clark, Massinburg, and Jordan) who averaged at least 16 minutes per game.
4) Men's basketball gets 13 scholarships. TK has never played more than 9 guys. We don't need all 13 to be eligible to play in any given year. With so many transfers available every year, we need to be in the transfer market.
5) Rocket fans know better than anyone how beneficial it can be to give two years of scholarship to a guy who can only play one year.
6) We've already recruited two guys who will be eligible to play right away, and we have to more (Hill and Littleson) who sat out last year but will be eligible in the coming year. Sure, if we can recruit two more guys as good as Darrington who are immediately eligible, that would be great, but that's easier said than done.

I do agree that we need one big man who can play right away as Knapke's back-up. Maybe either Logan Hill or T.J. Smith will be that guy. If not, then it would be great if one of our two remaining scholarships went to a post player who is immediately eligible and good enough to contribute right away. Again, as I said before, it's not so simple to accomplish that goal, but in any event we would still be left with a scholarship available for Darrington, if he's interested.

I don't see how Darrington would fit. Would be nice to have local kid, give him an opportunity but he's made his bed and we need bigs mostly to man the post.

As for the other, perimeter defense? I don't think we use that. Might have to come with an instruction booklet. It would be nice to have something like that you know, in case we have to play Villinova. I think there are few teams looking for a defensive specialist that can't also score from the outside. You have to be both or 3-point only. A single defensive skill set on the outside is easily avoided in the day of everyone grows up shooting threes.

And I'd be betting, before a player's four are done they're going to see that line moved back. It's time.

(04-07-2018 12:57 PM)Dwight Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 03:41 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:33 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:13 PM)utrocks84 Wrote:  Wonder if Darrington regrets not coming to UT (Toledo Version)... http://www.toledoblade.com/College/2018/...-Tennessee

Wow. Quite a disconnect there. Have to wonder why Tennessee even recruited him so hard if 8 minutes a game was their plan.

Given that we have 2 young point guards in the program now, and he'd have to sit out a year, and then be basically in the same class as the other two, I'm not sure I'd make him a priority target--we have more immediate needs now, and they revolve around size. It is unfortunate; had he come here, we may not have pursued the Littleson transfer from Duquense and could have used that particular scholarship in another direction.

Recruiting a JC kid is always a gamble-even for Tennessee. Not sure I would be interested in him with only one year left to play. We need recruits who can play next season.

I disagree with the sentiments in the above two posts. Darrington would be a great get for us.

1) Darrington would be a red-shirt senior. He would not be in the same class as Littleson and M. Jackson.
2) Littleson is not a point guard.
3) Having three strong guards at the same time is not a problem. Just ask Buffalo. This year Buffalo had five guards (Graves, Carruthers, Clark, Massinburg, and Jordan) who averaged at least 16 minutes per game.
4) Men's basketball gets 13 scholarships. TK has never played more than 9 guys. We don't need all 13 to be eligible to play in any given year. With so many transfers available every year, we need to be in the transfer market.
5) Rocket fans know better than anyone how beneficial it can be to give two years of scholarship to a guy who can only play one year.
6) We've already recruited two guys who will be eligible to play right away, and we have to more (Hill and Littleson) who sat out last year but will be eligible in the coming year. Sure, if we can recruit two more guys as good as Darrington who are immediately eligible, that would be great, but that's easier said than done.

I do agree that we need one big man who can play right away as Knapke's back-up. Maybe either Logan Hill or T.J. Smith will be that guy. If not, then it would be great if one of our two remaining scholarships went to a post player who is immediately eligible and good enough to contribute right away. Again, as I said before, it's not so simple to accomplish that goal, but in any event we would still be left with a scholarship available for Darrington, if he's interested.

Hill is 6-5 and Smith might be 6-6 and is usually listed as a guard or WF.

(04-07-2018 12:57 PM)Dwight Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 03:41 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:33 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(04-06-2018 01:13 PM)utrocks84 Wrote:  Wonder if Darrington regrets not coming to UT (Toledo Version)... http://www.toledoblade.com/College/2018/...-Tennessee

Wow. Quite a disconnect there. Have to wonder why Tennessee even recruited him so hard if 8 minutes a game was their plan.

Given that we have 2 young point guards in the program now, and he'd have to sit out a year, and then be basically in the same class as the other two, I'm not sure I'd make him a priority target--we have more immediate needs now, and they revolve around size. It is unfortunate; had he come here, we may not have pursued the Littleson transfer from Duquense and could have used that particular scholarship in another direction.

Recruiting a JC kid is always a gamble-even for Tennessee. Not sure I would be interested in him with only one year left to play. We need recruits who can play next season.

I disagree with the sentiments in the above two posts. Darrington would be a great get for us.

1) Darrington would be a red-shirt senior. He would not be in the same class as Littleson and M. Jackson.
2) Littleson is not a point guard.
3) Having three strong guards at the same time is not a problem. Just ask Buffalo. This year Buffalo had five guards (Graves, Carruthers, Clark, Massinburg, and Jordan) who averaged at least 16 minutes per game.
4) Men's basketball gets 13 scholarships. TK has never played more than 9 guys. We don't need all 13 to be eligible to play in any given year. With so many transfers available every year, we need to be in the transfer market.
5) Rocket fans know better than anyone how beneficial it can be to give two years of scholarship to a guy who can only play one year.
6) We've already recruited two guys who will be eligible to play right away, and we have to more (Hill and Littleson) who sat out last year but will be eligible in the coming year. Sure, if we can recruit two more guys as good as Darrington who are immediately eligible, that would be great, but that's easier said than done.

I do agree that we need one big man who can play right away as Knapke's back-up. Maybe either Logan Hill or T.J. Smith will be that guy. If not, then it would be great if one of our two remaining scholarships went to a post player who is immediately eligible and good enough to contribute right away. Again, as I said before, it's not so simple to accomplish that goal, but in any event we would still be left with a scholarship available for Darrington, if he's interested.

Mostly agree with this.

Darrington is a talented local kid who we have thoroughly scouted and know. It didn't happen for him at Tennessee but he played on a really good team that overacheived in a top conference (SEC was real good this year). If he comes home, spends a year refining his game and growing into our system, and can move into Sanford's combo guard role for his eligible year that works well.

In our system you do want a pg for press breaker situations but really you can play 2 or 3 combo guard types for the offense. Jackson, Sanford, Littleson, probably Saunders, can all handle and pass well enough to run offense. Especially since they will typically be paired w another guard who can generate offensive action off the dribble too.

Obviously, with Adway gone we need depth up front. Hill is listed at 6-7 and is a strong guy, but is probably closer to 6-5 and will battle Gordon and W Jackson for minutes at that hustle, rebound and pick and cut forward position. He jumps well and has played center in HS so he should be OK defending smaller post guys, but when Knapke is out we need a true big as an option, he's usually gonna be too short. Hill is listed now at 6-9 and looks about Adway"s build and height (prob 6-7 1/2 in reality), but I have no idea if he is ready to bang w D1 big men on the blocks and doesn't have a lot of rebounding production in his HS numbers. Most recruiting scoops describe him as more of a tall perimeter player with some shooting range, not a post defender or rebounder.

The Richmond kid is proven. Consecutive years at 11 ppg and good defense in a league a little tougher than the MAC. Rebounds pretty well for his size, not a high volume shooter but shoots a decent %. Had very good games down the stretch this year for them including a a big 25 point effort in their close conf tournament loss to NCAA team St Bonaventure. He has played some pg so at minimum could give us a bigger more proven replacement for Roberts. Honestly, I think Dwayne Rose could have been a pretty good defender and driver in time for us, but he had trouble fully fitting in and getting comfortable at UT so who knows if he would have matured into a logical role for us. Still, at an athletic 6-2 or so with 3 years eligibility remaining Fore would be trading 1 year of ready to make an impact guard play for a similar type of player (Rose) with more size and eligibility. Darrington makes a bit more sense to me as he has more potential as a scorer and the hometown motivation to drive him, plus the RS year to get better. Does anyone know if a return to Toledo is on his radar?