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(Upon further review, this was already posted in the transfer portal, but I like that thread better for speculation unless a mod would prefer this be deleted.)

Just gettin' started...

John Newman III, Clemson transfer guard, commits to Cincinnati Bearcats

I expect your perspective will determine how excited this gets you. He's coming from Clemson where his stats and playing time were all down significantly last year as he presumably was/is recovering from an injury late in an otherwise pretty nice soph year. Then he committed to UNCG over the likes of Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington before following Miller to UC. Reportedly will have 2 years to play. May or may not qualify as a grad transfer last I saw (not that it impacts eligibility either way.)

In other news, I'm digging the new incoming commit gif that the basketball Twitter handle is using.

(04-20-2021 10:04 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  (Upon further review, this was already posted in the transfer portal, but I like that thread better for speculation unless a mod would prefer this be deleted.)

Just gettin' started...

John Newman III, Clemson transfer guard, commits to Cincinnati Bearcats

I expect your perspective will determine how excited this gets you. He's coming from Clemson where his stats and playing time were all down significantly last year as he presumably was/is recovering from an injury late in an otherwise pretty nice soph year. Then he committed to UNCG over the likes of Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington before following Miller to UC. Reportedly will have 2 years to play. May or may not qualify as a grad transfer last I saw (not that it impacts eligibility either way.)

If he can get back to his prior level of play, he will be a great add to the team, and under the circumstances, it is a chance that Miller has to take.

(04-20-2021 10:04 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  (Upon further review, this was already posted in the transfer portal, but I like that thread better for speculation unless a mod would prefer this be deleted.)

Just gettin' started...

John Newman III, Clemson transfer guard, commits to Cincinnati Bearcats

I expect your perspective will determine how excited this gets you. He's coming from Clemson where his stats and playing time were all down significantly last year as he presumably was/is recovering from an injury late in an otherwise pretty nice soph year. Then he committed to UNCG over the likes of Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington before following Miller to UC. Reportedly will have 2 years to play. May or may not qualify as a grad transfer last I saw (not that it impacts eligibility either way.)

When I saw guard and Clemson I got excited thinking FOOTBALL. Kind of a let down.

There’s your rangy wing. 6’5”

He dropped 23 pts against Louisville a couple of years ago, hopefully he can get back to form as a Bearcat.

Am I wrong for thinking that Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington being the only other teams that wanted him isn't necessarily something to get excited about???

(04-21-2021 06:08 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  Am I wrong for thinking that Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington being the only other teams that wanted him isn't necessarily something to get excited about???

You aren't wrong but he had good stats 2 years ago (in the ACC), our new coach obviously wants him on his team and, most importantly, it gives us a 7th player (assuming Viktor comes back).

Agreed...but at this point,, there are going to be some players like that which we may take to fill certain roles.
It's hard to know how much of that was his desire to start near home, or teams not knowing about his knee.

Based on his pre-injury year, he seems to be a long, highly active wing...but absolutely cannot hit the three as he is a career 29.5% 3 point shooter. Seems to be a secondary option with good length and high defensive upside...the kind of guy you want in your starting lineup to support the stars, but will likely never be a primary option except for spells during a game or two.

He kind of seems like a more defensively inclined version of Keith Williams actually...probably a very decent comp. Good pickup for sure, especially with two years of eligibility left, and allows for JD to move down the lineup to a stretch 4/hybrid forward option...we need a 5/post presence like nobody's business now though

(04-21-2021 06:08 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  Am I wrong for thinking that Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington being the only other teams that wanted him isn't necessarily something to get excited about???

I am less concerned about his offer sheet, and more concerned about his knee. He played well against some of the best teams in the ACC his sophomore year. If he is healthy and playing back at that level he will be great.

Newman is a good player.

It really comes down to how much of his down year was due to injury. If it was the injury and he is recovered now (he says he is 100%) and can get back to his Sophomore year stat-line I'm very happy with him. He had good assist, TO, rebound, block and steal rates as a Sophomore. It looks like he has a pretty nice stroke from three despite the poor shooting percentage, if he can bring it up to 35% he should be very good.

He's seems like a Keith Williams, but worse offensively and better on defense. Doesn't seem to shoot a lot of mid-range shots and shoots poorly from 3. He does pass it pretty well. He's a driver in the drive-and-dish type offense.

It does seem to hint that JD is going to be a 4. I wonder if there is a reason Newman's commitment came right after Tari went to LSU. The plan was probably JD at the 3 and Tari at the 4 if Tari returned. But with Tari gone, it's now Newman at the 3 and JD at the 4.

He’s a southpaw. Seems to shoot it pretty well while he is moving and shoots in rhythm. Shot looks smooth. Seems to have really good athleticism. Looks like he hurt his knee last game of his sophomore season. Then had to get a scope. Maybe he never really got back to 100% by the time last season started which was probably further messed up by Covid restrictions on workouts and practices.

Crossing my fingers that we get to see him at 100%.

(04-21-2021 06:28 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Agreed...but at this point,, there are going to be some players like that which we may take to fill certain roles.
It's hard to know how much of that was his desire to start near home, or teams not knowing about his knee.

Based on his pre-injury year, he seems to be a long, highly active wing...but absolutely cannot hit the three as he is a career 29.5% 3 point shooter. Seems to be a secondary option with good length and high defensive upside...the kind of guy you want in your starting lineup to support the stars, but will likely never be a primary option except for spells during a game or two.

He kind of seems like a more defensively inclined version of Keith Williams actually...probably a very decent comp. Good pickup for sure, especially with two years of eligibility left, and allows for JD to move down the lineup to a stretch 4/hybrid forward option...we need a 5/post presence like nobody's business now though

Bolded, good analysis. I'm glad he's on board. At this point UC simply needs more players to field a team and his Wes Miller connection likely yielded this quick commitment.

I'm all in with Miller too. But I'm trying to imagine the comments here if Brannen's first commitment was a player he was recruiting for NKU and had the same offer/interest list.

(04-21-2021 08:49 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(04-21-2021 06:28 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Agreed...but at this point,, there are going to be some players like that which we may take to fill certain roles.
It's hard to know how much of that was his desire to start near home, or teams not knowing about his knee.

Based on his pre-injury year, he seems to be a long, highly active wing...but absolutely cannot hit the three as he is a career 29.5% 3 point shooter. Seems to be a secondary option with good length and high defensive upside...the kind of guy you want in your starting lineup to support the stars, but will likely never be a primary option except for spells during a game or two.

He kind of seems like a more defensively inclined version of Keith Williams actually...probably a very decent comp. Good pickup for sure, especially with two years of eligibility left, and allows for JD to move down the lineup to a stretch 4/hybrid forward option...we need a 5/post presence like nobody's business now though

Bolded, good analysis. I'm glad he's on board. At this point UC simply needs more players to field a team and his Wes Miller connection likely yielded this quick commitment.

I'm all in with Miller too. But I'm trying to imagine the comments here if Brannen's first commitment was a player he was recruiting for NKU and had the same offer/interest list.

This is pure rebuild in a hurry mode. I wouldn’t have judged Brannen for that and I am sure not going to judge Wes for that.

As long as the entire team doesn’t walk out on him after the season, and we see improvement, he’s got my support.

(04-21-2021 08:49 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(04-21-2021 06:28 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Agreed...but at this point,, there are going to be some players like that which we may take to fill certain roles.
It's hard to know how much of that was his desire to start near home, or teams not knowing about his knee.

Based on his pre-injury year, he seems to be a long, highly active wing...but absolutely cannot hit the three as he is a career 29.5% 3 point shooter. Seems to be a secondary option with good length and high defensive upside...the kind of guy you want in your starting lineup to support the stars, but will likely never be a primary option except for spells during a game or two.

He kind of seems like a more defensively inclined version of Keith Williams actually...probably a very decent comp. Good pickup for sure, especially with two years of eligibility left, and allows for JD to move down the lineup to a stretch 4/hybrid forward option...we need a 5/post presence like nobody's business now though

Bolded, good analysis. I'm glad he's on board. At this point UC simply needs more players to field a team and his Wes Miller connection likely yielded this quick commitment.

I'm all in with Miller too. But I'm trying to imagine the comments here if Brannen's first commitment was a player he was recruiting for NKU and had the same offer/interest list.

Was it not Chris Vogt? I thought he announced like 2 days after Brannen was announced.

(04-21-2021 09:10 AM)skylinecat Wrote:  

(04-21-2021 08:49 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(04-21-2021 06:28 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Agreed...but at this point,, there are going to be some players like that which we may take to fill certain roles.
It's hard to know how much of that was his desire to start near home, or teams not knowing about his knee.

Based on his pre-injury year, he seems to be a long, highly active wing...but absolutely cannot hit the three as he is a career 29.5% 3 point shooter. Seems to be a secondary option with good length and high defensive upside...the kind of guy you want in your starting lineup to support the stars, but will likely never be a primary option except for spells during a game or two.

He kind of seems like a more defensively inclined version of Keith Williams actually...probably a very decent comp. Good pickup for sure, especially with two years of eligibility left, and allows for JD to move down the lineup to a stretch 4/hybrid forward option...we need a 5/post presence like nobody's business now though

Bolded, good analysis. I'm glad he's on board. At this point UC simply needs more players to field a team and his Wes Miller connection likely yielded this quick commitment.

I'm all in with Miller too. But I'm trying to imagine the comments here if Brannen's first commitment was a player he was recruiting for NKU and had the same offer/interest list.

Was it not Chris Vogt? I thought he announced like 2 days after Brannen was announced.

Mike Saunders would arguably be more accurate, though Chris Vogt also works. First scholarship offer. Recruited by Brannen to NKU, check. Similar offer list, check.

(04-21-2021 08:49 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(04-21-2021 06:28 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  Agreed...but at this point,, there are going to be some players like that which we may take to fill certain roles.
It's hard to know how much of that was his desire to start near home, or teams not knowing about his knee.

Based on his pre-injury year, he seems to be a long, highly active wing...but absolutely cannot hit the three as he is a career 29.5% 3 point shooter. Seems to be a secondary option with good length and high defensive upside...the kind of guy you want in your starting lineup to support the stars, but will likely never be a primary option except for spells during a game or two.

He kind of seems like a more defensively inclined version of Keith Williams actually...probably a very decent comp. Good pickup for sure, especially with two years of eligibility left, and allows for JD to move down the lineup to a stretch 4/hybrid forward option...we need a 5/post presence like nobody's business now though

Bolded, good analysis. I'm glad he's on board. At this point UC simply needs more players to field a team and his Wes Miller connection likely yielded this quick commitment.

I'm all in with Miller too. But I'm trying to imagine the comments here if Brannen's first commitment was a player he was recruiting for NKU and had the same offer/interest list.

Yeah, I mean, I get it...but if Brannen's first recruit had a season where he averaged nearly 10/4/3 in the ACC as a sophomore, I would've been fine with it, which is what I am with this. I'm not falling all over myself here, the kid is a decent piece, which is generally what we need at this point.

(04-21-2021 06:08 AM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  Am I wrong for thinking that Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Liberty, N.C. A&T, UNC-Asheville, UNCG and UNC-Wilmington being the only other teams that wanted him isn't necessarily something to get excited about???

He has elite athleticism. Think of him as Darnell Wilks (at worst).
Even if he isn't a starter I think he will give valuable minutes.

There are a lot of open spots, so it makes sense to fill some with guys who are more likely to say yes quickly. That's guys who were here and were rumored to be opened to returning, like Saunders and Madsen, and guys who Miller was already in on at Greensboro. Interested to see how Miller does going forward with the transfer portal.

I guess Newman was injured, and that's the reason for his drop off from his sophomore to junior year. Hope he bounces back; he looks like a credible player.

(04-21-2021 10:39 AM)levydl Wrote:  There are a lot of open spots, so it makes sense to fill some with guys who are more likely to say yes quickly. That's guys who were here and were rumored to be opened to returning, like Saunders and Madsen, and guys who Miller was already in on at Greensboro. Interested to see how Miller does going forward with the transfer portal.

I guess Newman was injured, and that's the reason for his drop off from his sophomore to junior year. Hope he bounces back; he looks like a credible player.

Had a knee scope.