(03-21-2020 03:12 PM)olddawg Wrote:  We've had a zillion 6'8" 220 guys over the years. I've been following JMU basketball since the Convo's 1st year. Other than Denzel Bowles, I can't remember one guy taller than 6'8" that was a much of an offensive threat (other than a game here and there). Am I missing anyone? I remember James Coleman played pretty good defense and could rebound, but we didn't look for him to score. And Caskill was a steady 6 & 6 guy each game. It's like a threshold we can't break, even though other CAA teams can get a contributor at 6'9", 6'10" or 6'11" on occasion.

Old Dawg, you may not like what is coming then. Byington’s biggest player on his roster is 215lbs. That’s right, a bunch of smaller guys and soft basketball.
It shows too. In 5 of his 7 years his teams have been out-rebounded.

(03-21-2020 11:35 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(03-21-2020 09:02 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(03-21-2020 03:12 PM)olddawg Wrote:  We've had a zillion 6'8" 220 guys over the years. I've been following JMU basketball since the Convo's 1st year. Other than Denzel Bowles, I can't remember one guy taller than 6'8" that was a much of an offensive threat (other than a game here and there). Am I missing anyone? I remember James Coleman played pretty good defense and could rebound, but we didn't look for him to score. And Caskill was a steady 6 & 6 guy each game. It's like a threshold we can't break, even though other CAA teams can get a contributor at 6'9", 6'10" or 6'11" on occasion.

Well, at least Chancellor Nichols could freaking dunk and break the stanchion.... “offensive threat” I don’t know. He did drop 30 or so on Vag tech that time.

Nichols was 6'8" and a bull in a china shop. As such, he's not part of the 6'9" or taller curse. He was a force when his mind was focused.

What did he weigh? The eye test said he was 6’8” about 260- and strong. But then, I am 5 foot nothing and 160 without a beer gut, so he looked 10 feet tall to me.

(03-21-2020 11:14 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Banks in the portal. Wilson and Lewis next maybe Parker too.

Could be a lot of turnover on this roster.

Nation - you have a source close to the team ? or is this speculation on Wilson Lewis and Parker.

(03-22-2020 07:58 AM)jmufbs Wrote:  

(03-21-2020 11:14 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Banks in the portal. Wilson and Lewis next maybe Parker too.

Could be a lot of turnover on this roster.

Nation - you have a source close to the team ? or is this speculation on Wilson Lewis and Parker.

JMU Nation you said I was misinformed in the coaching thread with regard to Oppenheimer. I guess I'm just not sure of the tone behind your posts on this subject. You may have information but what are you saying (if anything besides giving us a heads up)?

Are you saying JMU shouldn't have fired Rowe because these transfers were coming? Are you saying that we should hired a new coach quicker than we did (even with the circumstances)? Are you saying that we would have a better chance of retaining the players if we hired someone else? Or are you suggesting that keeping Oppenheimer on staff would help or even naming him head coach mid season or now would help?

As folks have said this group is coming off a 2-16 record in conference. I think they are good kids with some ability so I'd like to see them stay- the younger guys I am more interested in because we haven't seen them as much and they have more time to develop.

Maybe you know this- are any setup to be grad transfers- that is more for my curiosity on where I would see them having options. Banks's announcement didn't say grad transfer immediately eligible so I'm guessing that he isn't. You tell me Wilson, Banks, or Lewis have the credits to be a grad transfer then there may be a market for those guys with a high major- if it's sit one play one I just don't see a high major or even a quality mid major spending 2 years on 1 season.

If Banks, Lewis, Wilson and Parker were all to leave, it almost sounds like a spite reaction to Rowe being let go. I just can't imagine that it has much to do with who the new coach is.

They would continue to play for a coach who has stymied their careers and gives them little to no chance to win? Yet they won't give the new guy a chance, even though he has a winning resume and is by all accounts a likeable guy?

It's too bad if they think the grass is greener. Sorry, but I'll take my lumps next year and wish them well in their new schools. Attitude had to have played some role (along with being overmatched in coaching) in being 2-16 in the conference. I think the new coach could help them, but maybe it's best for all to clean house.

It doesn't make sense to me for a senior to leave, get acquainted with a new school, then sit a year watching when he's going to play for a new coach anyway. What is Banks trying to prove with one more year at a new school? He's an average mid major player.

He may want to play closer to home since Rowe was his connection to JMU. I respect anyone’s decision just don’t know how many viable options he will have if he isn’t a grad transfer.

(03-22-2020 09:59 AM)Bill Wrote:  It doesn't make sense to me for a senior to leave, get acquainted with a new school, then sit a year watching when he's going to play for a new coach anyway. What is Banks trying to prove with one more year at a new school? He's an average mid major player.

Indeed. By all accounts, Coach B is a great guy...it's not like you have some guy coming in who is gonna throw chairs and treat you like crap. You have a coach who actually knows how to be a head coach and will probably help them progress more than they did in all their previous years at JMU. Transferring now is a big middle finger to the school that LR cares so much about. There's no way that LR didn't sit these kids down and tell them not to transfer. Throwing a tantrum because they finally got rid of a coach who couldn't get you to beat two teams in conference in his whole fourth year as HC is dumb. If they have another reason for transferring, fine, but if it's really just because they let LR go...good riddance...maybe you should have played a little smarter so that LR could have stayed. It's fine for you to have an emotional hot take right after you find out he's gone, but to take a couple weeks, find out there's a new coach, I'm sure have a phone call with him, and still transfer out of spite?!

There's no doubt these players love Lou so it seems likely they would've stayed if Lou was still coach but I still don't think it'd be out of spite if they transfer. These guys have played three years at JMU and haven't even come close to a winning season, definitely understandable if they want to go somewhere they feel is more likely to finally win and maybe get to go to the tournament. Hopefully Byington can convince them that JMU is going to be that place(and of course can follow through on that), but if not then I hope he can fill those spots with quality guys so late.

You guys have spent three years shredding players and coaches, and now are going to be bent out of shape if they all leave?

I’m fine either way. I want guys who want to wear the jersey and want to play for the coach. If either of those two parts are missing, i don’t care how talented you are, you won’t be highly successful as a team.

We’d be having these will he go or will he stay conversations regardless of the status of the head coach. It’s part and parcel with the way college basketball works now. People talk to kids through intermediaries and they always keep their options open. Northeastern keeps losing guys - most recently a grad transfer headed to Vermont but they are competitive each ye. Because they have a strong program and coach. We’ll get there as well.

(03-22-2020 09:19 AM)olddawg Wrote:  If Banks, Lewis, Wilson and Parker were all to leave, it almost sounds like a spite reaction to Rowe being let go. I just can't imagine that it has much to do with who the new coach is.

Then wouldn’t they have announced as soon as the announcement was made to part ways with Rowe? Why wait for the new hire to be announced if it was all about Rowe? Announcing yourself into the transfer portal doesn’t guarantee you’re leaving, but does get your name out there with the signing day coming up, not waiting weeks with signing on the horizon and coaches lining up their numbers. It also allows the new hire to come in and reach out to each player to recruit them to stay and express how each fits into what he envisions.

Also, if they really loved Rowe so much they’d have performed better for him. They came into the season with some talent and hope. They underperformed and then reached a point like it seemed like they quit and it became obvious Rowe was gone. Had they flipped that switch they might have saved the season and his job for another year, their last year.

(03-22-2020 07:41 AM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  

(03-21-2020 03:12 PM)olddawg Wrote:  We've had a zillion 6'8" 220 guys over the years. I've been following JMU basketball since the Convo's 1st year. Other than Denzel Bowles, I can't remember one guy taller than 6'8" that was a much of an offensive threat (other than a game here and there). Am I missing anyone? I remember James Coleman played pretty good defense and could rebound, but we didn't look for him to score. And Caskill was a steady 6 & 6 guy each game. It's like a threshold we can't break, even though other CAA teams can get a contributor at 6'9", 6'10" or 6'11" on occasion.

Old Dawg, you may not like what is coming then. Byington’s biggest player on his roster is 215lbs. That’s right, a bunch of smaller guys and soft basketball.
It shows too. In 5 of his 7 years his teams have been out-rebounded.

He’s had a fair number of 6’8” 230 240 types. A couple of years ago he recruited a 7’1” 270 center Tyshaun Crawford who red shirted played a year and then transferred down. True big men in short supply obviously.

We have to keep in mind to entering the transfer portal does not necessarily mean they’re gone. Banks may not get the offers he thinks he will bring a Senior who will have to sit a year combined with the lack luster numbers from last year. I think Banks is a great kid and would love for him to stay and succeed but he should do what’s best for him. Coach B has said he is still trying to recruit Banks to stay which I think would be a good thing.

If Coach B can work the portal successfully, we shouldn't care who leaves. A mass exodus is probably a good thing.

His tweet sure read like a goodbye to me, "forever grateful" and "next chapters" and "transitions" and all of that.

(03-22-2020 11:02 AM)KickItToScotty Wrote:  There's no doubt these players love Lou so it seems likely they would've stayed if Lou was still coach but I still don't think it'd be out of spite if they transfer. These guys have played three years at JMU and haven't even come close to a winning season, definitely understandable if they want to go somewhere they feel is more likely to finally win and maybe get to go to the tournament. Hopefully Byington can convince them that JMU is going to be that place(and of course can follow through on that), but if not then I hope he can fill those spots with quality guys so late.

I like your take on the situation


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

HCMB has been pretty clear in interviews he likes our players, wants to keep them all, and believes they can be very successful next year.

He seems to have watched tape, and believes its a talented group. Does sound like he will put new things in place schematically of course, particularly on defense.

(03-22-2020 08:36 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(03-22-2020 07:58 AM)jmufbs Wrote:  

(03-21-2020 11:14 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Banks in the portal. Wilson and Lewis next maybe Parker too.

Could be a lot of turnover on this roster.

Nation - you have a source close to the team ? or is this speculation on Wilson Lewis and Parker.

JMU Nation you said I was misinformed in the coaching thread with regard to Oppenheimer. I guess I'm just not sure of the tone behind your posts on this subject. You may have information but what are you saying (if anything besides giving us a heads up)?

Are you saying JMU shouldn't have fired Rowe because these transfers were coming? Are you saying that we should hired a new coach quicker than we did (even with the circumstances)? Are you saying that we would have a better chance of retaining the players if we hired someone else? Or are you suggesting that keeping Oppenheimer on staff would help or even naming him head coach mid season or now would help?

As folks have said this group is coming off a 2-16 record in conference. I think they are good kids with some ability so I'd like to see them stay- the younger guys I am more interested in because we haven't seen them as much and they have more time to develop.

Maybe you know this- are any setup to be grad transfers- that is more for my curiosity on where I would see them having options. Banks's announcement didn't say grad transfer immediately eligible so I'm guessing that he isn't. You tell me Wilson, Banks, or Lewis have the credits to be a grad transfer then there may be a market for those guys with a high major- if it's sit one play one I just don't see a high major or even a quality mid major spending 2 years on 1 season.

I am not going to air dirty laundry on a message board. My comments have nothing to do with Rowe or the new coach. You are looking too deep into my post. I heard guys are leaving but not why. Banks is the first to actually enter the portal.

I would be surprised no shocked if Oppenheimer is retained. He is close to Lewis. Lewis has been rumored to be transferring for years now. He has pretty much held Lou hostage each season. I am fine if he leaves. As DD said, bring is guys who want to play at JMU. Everyone on this team needs a dose of reality and a slice of humble pie. They are the last place team in the league yet some think they a too talented to play here? Mind boggling.

There isn’t one player on this roster that is irreplaceable. Do they have talent? Yes. Could they be part of a winning team? Yes. Should coach B be on blended knee begging them to stay? 2-16.

Coach B should be bringing in his own staff. The coaches were part of 2-16 as well. Oppenheimer is not a hot commodity but I can understand why Lewis would want him retained given the closeness of their relationship. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots.

This is now Coach B’s team. Who stays and who goes really doesn’t matter. Had Lou won the CAA and advanced in the tournament then was hired away to a P5, then I would be worried about the talent leaving. This team was 2-16. Has been in the play-in game all three years the Juniors played at JMU. I am not concerned about a mass exit. I am concerned about who Coach B brings in and if they can actually play the game because the team we have now sucks. Their record shows they suck and anyone who is concerned about whether they stay or go doesn’t know much about basketball.

We have nice men on the team and Lou is a nice guy. This isn’t personal. I wish all of these men the best. I have met their parents too. Good folks. If they want to stay and Coach B wants to keep them, then I hope they can figure it out. It would be a great turnaround story.

(03-21-2020 03:12 PM)olddawg Wrote:  We've had a zillion 6'8" 220 guys over the years. I've been following JMU basketball since the Convo's 1st year. Other than Denzel Bowles, I can't remember one guy taller than 6'8" that was a much of an offensive threat (other than a game here and there). Am I missing anyone? I remember James Coleman played pretty good defense and could rebound, but we didn't look for him to score. And Caskill was a steady 6 & 6 guy each game. It's like a threshold we can't break, even though other CAA teams can get a contributor at 6'9", 6'10" or 6'11" on occasion.

The Serb was 6'11. Phillips was 6'9. But yeah that's my point. Other teams can recruit bigs and we haven't been too successful at it. Lefty has Cuk because he had good grades not because he could play. Of the guys we have I think Wooden has the most potential there. He can move and can dunk. Wilson has cinder blocks for feet.