(03-22-2020 02:55 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  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.

Dead last in Defense, scoring margin, FG%, FT%, 3pt% and defensive rebounding, trashed by Radford, Coppin St, and Elon, twice. If that's not humbling or a dose of reality to a current team member then I am fine with them playing somewhere else in two years.

(03-22-2020 04:23 PM)JacksonHall 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.

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.

Looks like the closest we've ever come (sans Denzell) to having a double digit scorer who was 6'9" or taller was Serb and Boozer. Serb had a year where he didn't start, but averaged 9.6pts a game. Boozer had one year where he averaged 9.8 points.

Mate Milisa probably would have been that guy had he remained at JMU.

FWIW some of the best teams in the CAA over the years haven't had guys taller than 6'9". The weight/strength is often what matters most.

Just saying- VCU's Final Four team had two guys listed as 6'9". George Mason's Final Four team had no one listed above 6'7". The ODU teams JMU would compete with in the 90s- Odell Hodge was their post guy and he was listed as 6'9"

Some of the better or more effective + 6'9" guys in conference that I remember over the years:

Cal Bowdler 6' 10" ODU
Nathan Knight 6'10" W&M

guys like Gustys (Hofstra), Cacok etc were 6'9" or 6'8". I remember Brantley from COC being effective inside outside and he is listed as 6'5" in the pros. Bennimon from several years ago with Towson- 6'8" but more of a point forward type.

(03-22-2020 02:55 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(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.

This is how I feel and I do not have the "inside" information that you claim to have. And I use the word "claim" only because I do not know you and not because I do not trust you. It is your stance not to share what you know, which is perfectly fine as it may ruin certain relationships you have established within JMU Athletics.

2-16 is 2-16. Or 2-17 with that L in the CAA Tournament. If the guys stay I'd be interested to see how Coach B could turn them around, but if they leave it only gives him a bigger painting canvas, so to speak, to begin his vision of JMU MBB.

Banks receiving some interest from USF. Honestly, I didn’t think he would get as major of looks with his stats from last season and the team’s overall record but happy for him. He’s always been a good kid and if he wants a new situation and gets offered great for him. Would be a lot closer to home and family.

Know one really knows what these players will do in the end. Byington obviously can sell himself and his program or he would not have had the success he has had at GSU. The players have decisions to make about their futures. They are good people so I hold no ill will against them. I just don’t think any of us should get worked up over people leaving when and if it happens.

(03-23-2020 07:44 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Know one really knows what these players will do in the end. Byington obviously can sell himself and his program or he would not have had the success he has had at GSU. The players have decisions to make about their futures. They are good people so I hold no ill will against them. I just don’t think any of us should get worked up over people leaving when and if it happens.

Agreed. Bill mentioned that tweet it in another thread, so it seems he is moving on down the road. Happens all the time in collegiate athletics, so Coach B will just have another spot of his own to add.

Honestly, it doesn't bother me that Banks (or any other player) will be or might be transferring. I really don't get it to be honest. The team had reached close to rock bottom and there isn't anywhere for this program to go but up. And to go through all of that and when we have a new coach that may actually turn this around and NOW leave is crazy.
It feels like they were at JMU for the coach more than the University at this point. Coach Byington doesn't seem to be a bad guy or a polarizing guy you wouldn't want to play under (at least based on all of the stuff I've read about him).
If guys want to leave, they have every right to do so and best of luck to them.

(03-23-2020 07:42 AM)Anders Wrote:  Banks receiving some interest from USF. Honestly, I didn’t think he would get as major of looks with his stats from last season and the team’s overall record but happy for him. He’s always been a good kid and if he wants a new situation and gets offered great for him. Would be a lot closer to home and family.

With that extra year to sit out in transfer, he needs to work on his ball handling skills.

nearly 500 players in transfer portal already. Getting players shouldn't be a problem.

Hopefully Byington has better luck with impact transfers than Rowe did.

Dwight Wilson into the portal.

(03-23-2020 10:50 AM)Deacon Danny Wrote:  Dwight Wilson into the portal.

https://twitter.com/highlightreel_/statu...9807432710

I like it. Coach B going to have plenty of scholarships to work with.

(03-23-2020 10:53 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:50 AM)Deacon Danny Wrote:  Dwight Wilson into the portal.

https://twitter.com/highlightreel_/statu...9807432710

I like it. Coach B going to have plenty of scholarships to work with.

This team needed a makeover. I'm fine with departures too.

I personally don't want to see anyone leave, especially the juniors and seniors. I want to see what this team could accomplish under a new direction. I want to see this team open the new arena/training center.

Players entering the transfer portal is nothing more that testing the waters. The majority of mid-major players that enter don't end up transferring. No one on the roster has personally done much to help their stock. I see only one player possibly having the potential to move up to a high-mid or P5. Few, if any currently have a future playing basketball after college.

Together, the players and the coaches will decide what is best for the program and the individual.

I don't know but I get a sense that Coach doesn't tolerate inflated ego's.

Losing a handful of players isn't a bad thing. I'm sure Coach Byington has guys he would like to bring in this season. The current roster seems to be pretty well rounded but the sooner you can bring in guys for specific roles that you don't currently have the better.

We don't know what style Byington want's to build. It seems he values solid defense but don't know if we have the type of guys to execute his desire.

Again, I would love to keep everyone because I believe Coach Rowe recruited well above scale. I want to see how good or bad the past coaching staff was.

(03-23-2020 11:15 AM)RamDawg Wrote:  Players entering the transfer portal is nothing more that testing the waters.

It lets fans know they'd rather play anywhere else instead of with their teammates that they've played alongside of for 1-3 seasons. I would take their schollies away and dismiss them from the program. If they want to see what's out there, help 'em out. I don't want to see any player who wants to transfer in a JMU uniform ever again. "Oh, let me look around but keep my spot and scholly warm for me just in case?" Forget that. Bleed purple or beat it.

This is why I'm not a head coach.

If Coach B pans out the way we hope, he may actually be more successful, even in Year 1, with a shake up of players.

I think a team with young/new players coached up by a qualified coach to execute as a disciplined team will perform better than pessimistic seniors being resistant to a new coach and system. The only guys that should stay are the guys that can be 100% locked in. Wish the others well, go where you think you'll be happy.

No player can say they were chased off. Coach B saying he wants them here and players saying they want to transfer. Based on twitter statements, it doesn’t appear Banks and Wilson are testing the market. They both have said goodbye so I believe JMU is legally able to now fill their scholarships. Right?

If a player enters the portal it means the school/admin/coach can move forward without renewing that player's scholarship next year.

(03-23-2020 12:32 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  No player can say they were chased off. Coach B saying he wants them here and players saying they want to transfer. Based on twitter statements, it doesn’t appear Banks and Wilson are testing the market. They both have said goodbye so I believe JMU is legally able to now fill their scholarships. Right?

Once a S-A enters the transfer portal, the institution is no longer obligated to honor their scholarship. The S-A can come back, but only by approval of the institution (read: head coach agrees to accept back via S-A removing their name from the portal).

I think I read online some place that less than 5% of those entering the portal "return"...though, I guess technically they never left.

There have been cases where guys/gals enter the portal with high hopes of greener pastures and then learn the recruiting of them by other programs isn't nearly as hot as they expected. Even in the case of zero interest shown, the institution they have been with is under no obligation to honor their return.