Per Democrat this morning we only have 6 players from last year’s team returning:

6’8” Kris Bankston
6’8” Damir Hadzic
6’5” Rayjon Tucker
6’2” Deondre Burns
6’1” Jaizec Lottie
6’0” Ryan Pippins

The rest will not be returning. Coach has 7 spots to fill.

I wonder if Oliver is graduating this May? That may be the reason he’s not returning. I understand Ben tiring of the coaching carousel as well. My son plays college sports and he will have his 3rd coach in 4 years for his Sr year as well. I really enjoyed watching Ben play and he will go down as one of my favorite Trojans.

I’m glad these players are staying. I will miss Ben though. He has shown a tremendous amount of improvement.

If Steinbronn sticks with his commitment, that makes it 7. Hopefully Darrell has a list of good players he is going after!

He had better have some strong talent that fits his system in the pipeline or we are in deep ****.

(04-12-2018 10:23 AM)Robert C Wrote:  He had better have some strong talent that fits his system in the pipeline or we are in deep ****.

Other than Cocoran, we are keeping all the players I considered our "young" talent, along with supposedly the 2 most talented players on the team (Burns and Tucker) who sat out this past season. Surprised about Oliver and I think we will miss him. I suppose he will be a graduate transfer, if he still wants to play.

(04-12-2018 10:23 AM)Robert C Wrote:  He had better have some strong talent that fits his system in the pipeline or we are in deep ****.

Don't know where you find good players this time of year. Most of the good ones sign early these days. Most of the rest, have been being recruiting, by somebody, for a couple of years. There are some Jucos that fall through the cracks. Darrell may have been on some kids that were a reach for Clark Atlanta, and may really want to play for him on the DI level. Darrell does know a lot of basketball people all around the country. Really, only need to add a couple of difference makers, to what we have coming back, to have a pretty decent team. I have faith that Darrell can get that done.

(04-12-2018 12:28 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(04-12-2018 10:23 AM)Robert C Wrote:  He had better have some strong talent that fits his system in the pipeline or we are in deep ****.

Don't know where you find good players this time of year. Most of the good ones sign early these days. Most of the rest, have been being recruiting, by somebody, for a couple of years. There are some Jucos that fall through the cracks. Darrell may have been on some kids that were a reach for Clark Atlanta, and may really want to play for him on the DI level. Darrell does know a lot of basketball people all around the country. Really, only need to add a couple of difference makers, to what we have coming back, to have a pretty decent team. I have faith that Darrell can get that done.

I'm more skeptical. I'm hoping for the best but not holding my breath. I hope the exodus of some of these players is a result of an informed decision based on a definite design and not a sign of disarray.

(04-12-2018 12:55 PM)Robert C Wrote:  

(04-12-2018 12:28 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(04-12-2018 10:23 AM)Robert C Wrote:  He had better have some strong talent that fits his system in the pipeline or we are in deep ****.

Don't know where you find good players this time of year. Most of the good ones sign early these days. Most of the rest, have been being recruiting, by somebody, for a couple of years. There are some Jucos that fall through the cracks. Darrell may have been on some kids that were a reach for Clark Atlanta, and may really want to play for him on the DI level. Darrell does know a lot of basketball people all around the country. Really, only need to add a couple of difference makers, to what we have coming back, to have a pretty decent team. I have faith that Darrell can get that done.

I'm more skeptical. I'm hoping for the best but not holding my breath. I hope the exodus of some of these players is a result of an informed decision based on a definite design and not a sign of disarray.

Darrell apparently made it clear that there was a new "sheriff" in town. Some were apparently good with it, others were not. Most of the guys I would have picked to stay are staying, other than Oliver and Cocoran. Not sure if Bankston won't be better than Oliver by next season. I really did like Cocoran, but basically he is a 6 foot shooting guard that I really think Darrell can replace without too much difficulty. There are tons of 6 ft. shooting guards out there to pick from. Little harder to find 6'6" and above athletic forwards or 6'10" centers.

Remember Coach Beard Found His 6’11 guy for us late - Shoshi


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Beard pulled it off (late signees), but that is rare and he’s an incredible special coach. Hopefully Coach Walker is, too.

(04-13-2018 08:10 AM)eh9198 Wrote:  Beard pulled it off (late signees), but that is rare and he’s an incredible special coach. Hopefully Coach Walker is, too.

It requires great connections and some luck. I think Walker has some good connections in the basketball world and now he just needs some "luck". I would think we want a couple of freshman, so our classes stay relatively balanced, but most likely a game changer would have to come from Juco or a graduate transfer. That's what Beard did and it gave us a great season. It is not a great long-term strategy and, unlike Beard, I think Darrell plans to be here for awhile.