Per Jordan strack:

Tod Kowalczyk hasn’t closed the door on Marreon Jackson or Spencer Littleson coming back next year.

Both have goals of playing professionally, but there will be conversations happening this week as they get ready for the NIT.

He’d obviously love to have one or both back.

(Praying)

(03-15-2021 02:01 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  (Praying)

Wow! Talk about depth.

If in fact one or both stick around, you would think that two or three players may transfer out...

I have to think that if both stay and Edu returns at full strength that we’ll lose a second round game in the MAC Tournament,

(03-15-2021 04:32 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  I have to think that if both stay and Edu returns at full strength that we’ll lose a second round game in the MAC Tournament,

(03-15-2021 04:32 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  I have to think that if both stay and Edu returns at full strength that we’ll lose a second round game in the MAC Tournament,

If both come back the only two players currently on the roster this would effect are Hill and Saunders. I would expect Saunders to transfer (and he may whether or not they come back) but I expect Hill to stay since he did not have much of a chance to prove himself this year because of his injury. Hill will count as a redshirt freshman next year so he has plenty of time to work his way into the starting lineup.

(03-16-2021 10:37 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  If both come back the only two players currently on the roster this would effect are Hill and Saunders. I would expect Saunders to transfer (and he may whether or not they come back) but I expect Hill to stay since he did not have much of a chance to prove himself this year because of his injury. Hill will count as a redshirt freshman next year so he has plenty of time to work his way into the starting lineup.

It makes perfect sense. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

(03-16-2021 10:37 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  If both come back the only two players currently on the roster this would effect are Hill and Saunders. I would expect Saunders to transfer (and he may whether or not they come back) but I expect Hill to stay since he did not have much of a chance to prove himself this year because of his injury. Hill will count as a redshirt freshman next year so he has plenty of time to work his way into the starting lineup.

Saunders is one of TK's favorite guys in the program on a personal level. The only reason he leaves is if he doesn't want competition for minutes, not because the staff and teammates don't want him around. Yeah, the recruiting class is deep on wing players but it is still a MAC recruiting class. not like there is a McDonald's all-American or two 4 star kids coming in to take his minutes. he still has the inside track to start if Littleton leaves and would probably be 6th man if he doesn't. Saunders is also going into his senior year academically and is a serious student. So, I think the more likely scenario is he stays, graduates and if he hasn't found a key role by then, re-evaluates his options for his final 2 years of eligibility (he will be a 4th year soph next year eligibility wise).

hill is a true pg. maybe, the only one in the program if marreon leaves and Rollins ends up being more of a sg. either way he is guaranteed minutes next year unless we add a late transfer stud pg or something. UT was the only program to offer hill (although he probably would have gotten a couple late mid major offers if he hadn't committed to us). So, there is probably some loyalty there. he's also well liked and TK is on record speaking positively about his work ethic and upside. again, a player more likely to stick around next season and see where he's at midway through college before considering a transfer.

I like a four year Saunders. Keeps getting better. I still see him as the defensive specialist/3 pt shooter a team needs. He's tall, quick, hard to get around as is. With focus he could be a big help certainly against the tall guards and outside shooting forwards being more prevalent.

The Ryan Rollins 2 guard vs point guard dynamic is an interesting one, and will be fun to watch play out. If we're looking strictly at ability, and potential to play the pro game, Rollins best bet is likely playing point guard, if he's able to develop as a 6'4 point guard, and become that all-MAC type of point guard, he'll garner some attention. We see the same type of situation in East Lansing with Tom Izzo and guard Rocket Watts, who is skilled, but much too small to play the 2 in the NBA, so Izzo has tried to turn him into a point guard this year, for his benefit. Regardless of the pro game though, I liked the minutes we saw from Hill this year, and as pono says, he may be the only true PG on the team next year. Personally, I feel comfortable with whichever direction is gone with.

(03-17-2021 06:44 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  I like a four year Saunders. Keeps getting better. I still see him as the defensive specialist/3 pt shooter a team needs. He's tall, quick, hard to get around as is. With focus he could be a big help certainly against the tall guards and outside shooting forwards being more prevalent.

Saunders didn't play a lick of defense against Ohio. Always trailing. Richmond will eat him alive with their back cuts.

If I was a guessing man, I would say marreon leaves for the pros overseas and Littleton coming back.

[quote='Springboromark' pid='17333443' dateline='1616012862']
If I was a guessing man, I would say marreon leaves for the pros overseas and Littleton coming back.
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If only one stays, that would make the most sense.

I do not see either elevating their game with another year in the MAC. If they can get a transfer to tougher competition, that might benegfit their pro careers. Since Littleson's goals are coaching and a date with Rihanna, he particularly might consider going while on top of the stat sheet. Three choices for him. Overseas pro. Transfer. Catch on coaching somewhere.

Maybe we see MJ take the Justin Turner approach and enter the transfer portal and see what is available. I would think he has a lot of options coming his way and it is going to be important he listens to the right people in making that decision. With COVID, I have to imagine the contracts are tougher to come by overseas, transferring to a new program might be tough because MJ works best with the ball in his hands and might be a tough mental hurdle for a new team to grab onto him for one year (even though he IS a great talent).

What would be interesting would be IF Coach TK were a candidate to be given another opportunity at a program that is a "step up" - could MJ follow him like Rian Pearson? More exposure, familiar coaching style.. will be interesting to watch develop over the next few weeks.

Honestly, I think Littleton is a better pro prospect than marreon. Pros want superstars and guys who have 2 strong skills that will translate to tougher competition. Littleson is an excellent 3 point shooter and a very good defender w enough size to play pro. I see him a lot like Dellavadova from St Mary's who had a long NBA career-tough guys, can shoot 3s and defend. He may get an NBA look based on his strengths and toughness. Marreon was underwhelming this year against high level competition for the most part and that makes his pro interest questionable. has the quickness, range, vision and rebounding ability to play pg as a pro but his inconsistency against good players suggests his game won't translate to NBA/G League. Then again, I wouldn't count him out as a competitor. I'm sure if he wanted to take a shot at running pg for a P5 program someone would bring him in, but that would kinda be admitting defeat since he had the opportunity to get Toledo to the dance (or an NIT title) and didn't get it done.

Also doubt TK would leave. He is respected in the business but pretty set at Toledo and his lack of postseason success means his options would be limited to something like a rebuild of a slightly bigger name program that's not a blue blood. Since his whole career is in the Midwest it would be unlikely to see him go outside the region. Pretty sure he wants to end his career at UT or at least break the curse before pulling a Larranaga and taking a late career P5 job.

Both Jackson and Littleson can get paid to play basketball somewhere, but it won't be in the NBA.

Not a bad career choice to have when you're young. See the world a bit. Some even find themselves staying long term and making a life. Hard work paying off!