Today's game against EMU has inspired a Where Are They Now from me (you'll have to read to find out why) so I put this together on a snowy Saturday morning.

Again, I'm going to break this up into multiple posts so it doesn't get cut off.

On to the fun...

The "Would-Be" Seniors"

Justin Thomas - Thomas has moved around A LOT since his days at NIU. Thomas played two seasons at NIU where he was a decent backup PG who could spot start. He, like many others of that era, had some moments that made you think he was a potential anchor player but he was way too inconsistent to fulfill that promise. As a sophomore at NIU, Thomas played in 32 games starting 16 averaging 6 ppg and 26.4 minutes shooting 44.7% from the floor (38.9% 3PT - 21 of 54) and 61.4% FT (35 of 57). After that season, Thomas transferred to Morehead State and sat a year as a red shirt. He then played as a RS Junior (his 4th season) and played in 30 games, starting 9 averaging 8.5 ppg and 31.7 minutes for the Eagles shooting 44.2% from the field (9.1% 3PT - 2 of 22) and 55.7% FT (39 of 70). After that season, Thomas transferred yet again to Alcorn State where he’s now in his 2nd season. This season he has played in 11 games (all starts) for the Braves and is averaging 6.9 ppg and 26.8 minutes shooting 37.5% from the field (0% 3PT - 0 of 9) and 81.5% FT (22 of 27).

Zaire Mateen - Mateen came to NIU as a JUCO transfer and played 3 seasons with the Huskies. He only played in 1 game with NIU in his 3rd season before transferring out which probably came to a shock to then-HC Mark Montgomery since I believe he had convinced himself Mateen was going to be a reliable 3 point threat based on one late game the year prior. In his 2nd season at NIU, Mateen had his best season playing in 27 games (1 start) averaging 4.4 ppg and 11.3 minutes shooting 39.5% from the field (35.6% 3PT - 26 of 73) and 75% FT (3 of 4). This season at UT Tyler (D-II), Mateen has played 12 games for the Patriots averaging 7.3 ppg shooting 50% from the field (44% 3PT - 11 of 25) and 84.2% FT (16 of 19).

Rod Henry-Hayes - Henry-Hayes played 3 seasons at NIU and seemed to have some kind of promise before taking a step back in an injury plagued junior year and then transferring away and not showing up on any rosters since then. Verbal Commits says his status is “Left Team for Personal Reasons”. As a sophomore, Henry-Hayes played in 34 games (32 starts) averaging 3.8 ppg and 20.6 minutes shooting 41.7% from the field (37.5% 3PT - 27 of 72) and 62.5% FT (5 of 8).

Nick Wagner - Wagner was a JUCO transfer who (to the best of my memory) never played a game for NIU. Wagner then transferred to Bemidji State (D-II) where he played 2 seasons where he was a pretty productive player. In two seasons for the Beavers, Wagner played in 43 games (all starts) averaging 14.3 ppg and 33 minutes shooting 44.4% from the field (39.1% 3PT - 117 of 299) and 82.5% FT (66 of 80). I believe Wagner then transferred as a grad transfer to Northern Michigan (D-II) where he’s played in 11 games (7 starts) for the Wildcats averaging 7.2 ppg and 21.9 minutes shooting 30.4% from the field (25.8% 3PT - 16 of 62) and 87.5% FT (7 of 8).

Gairges Daow - Daow played 3 seasons for NIU and was always a bit of an enigma. He was best at Dennis Rodman type things (defense, rebounding) without all the drama. But what he wasn’t all that good at was scoring and took way too many shots. But he was a favorite of Coach Montgomery’s and, by all accounts, a really good dude. In his 3rd season as a Husky, Daow played in 30 games (15 starts) averaging 2.9 ppg and 13.2 minutes shooting 46.7% from the field (26.7% 3PT - 4 of 15) and 76.5% FT (13 of 17). After NIU, Daow (and this took a little digging) transferred to Dakota State (NAIA) where he played 14 games (10 starts) for the Trojans) averaging 13.9 ppg and 26 minutes shooting 47.2% from the field (31.2% 3PT - 10 of 32) and 76.7% FT (33 of 43).

Brennen Woods - Woods was a JUCO transfer to NIU and might have also been a walk-on. I remember him but don’t think he played in any games (and I can’t find evidence of it online either). Check that…he played in 3 games (0 starts) and scored no points and took no shots, but he did grab a rebound and dished out one dime. Btw, I couldn’t find his stats at first because I was mis-spelling his first name.

Chris Johnson - Johnson was a JUCO transfer (of the great JUCO migration of 2019). He played two seasons for NIU and was even more Dennis Rodman than Daow was. In his 1st season at NIU, Johnson played in 27 games (0 starts) averaging 0.7 ppg and 6 minutes shooting 27.8% from the field and 45.5% FT (10 of 22). His 2nd season at NIU was injury riddled and he barely saw the floor in 3 games played which saw him shoot 0% from the field and made a grand total of 3 free throws (out of 4…). From what I can tell, he is currently working for the Sacramento Kings as a Group Sales Manager.

Nate Scott - Okay…this is a funny one. Nathan Scott was a JUCO transfer to NIU and spent 2 seasons with the Huskies and he never really realized or fulfilled the hope we had for him to replace Levi Bradley. In his 2nd season (injury shortened), Scott played 14 games (10 starts) averaging 5.4 ppg and 17.6 minutes shooting 38.4% from the field (31% 3PT - 9 of 29) and 55.6% FT (10 of 18). Now…why this is funny and most the reason why I chose to do this. Somewhere along the way, Nathan Scott became Nate Scott and it makes finding his stats on literally any college basketball site impossible. It’s like they’re two different people. And…as Nate Scott, he transferred to Eastern Michigan (today’s opponent!!!!) where he has played in 13 games (5 starts) averaging 6.7 ppg and 25.1 minutes shooting 43.3% from the field (22.2% 3PT - 6 of 27) and 82.1% FT (23 of 28).

Tommy Demogerontas - Demogerontas played 2 seasons at NIU and seemed like a good player but he never lived up to it (yeah…broken record…). In his first season at NIU, Demogerontas played in 33 games (0 starts) averaging 3.9 ppg and 15 minutes shooting 46.8% from the field (31.8% 3PT - 7 of 22) and 66.7% FT (22 of 33). His 2nd year was cut short with injuries. He then transferred to IUP (Indiana Purdue University - D-II) where he played another 3 seasons…including this current season). This year, Demogerontas has played 14 games (all starts) for the Crimson Hawks averaging 12.8 ppg and 28.4 minutes shooting 52.9% from the field (28.9% 3PT - 13 of 45) and 60% FT (18 of 30).

The "Would-Be" Juniors

Darius Beane - Beane transferred to NIU from SIU and played 2 seasons and was quite productive and tried to take on the role as a team leader in a completely lost season last year. Once his father was dismissed with the former coaching staff, he transferred to CSU-Northridge where he has played 12 games (2 starts) for the Matadors averaging 5.1 ppg and 20.5 minutes shooting 38.1% from the field (25% 3PT - 22 of 55) and 84.6% FT (11 of 13).

Brandon Danowski - Danowski was a walk-on for the Huskies who played in a handful of inconsequential games. Somewhere along the line, Danowski transferred to Lawrence University (D-III) where he has averaged 10 ppg for the Vikings shooting 40.9% from the field 40$ 3PT - 10 of 25) and 47.4% FT (18 of 38).

Tavon Jones - Jones was a JUCO transfer but never played for NIU in two seasons. He then apparently transferred to Merrimack where he, again, has yet to see the floor for the Warriors.

Austin Richie - Ah the one that got away…I suppose… Richie came to NIU via Bloom Twp HS and played 1 season. In his lone season with NIU, Richie played in 28 games (0 starts) averaging 2.4 ppg and 9.5 minutes shooting 30.9% from the field (24.1% 3PT - 13 of 54) and 100% FT (5 of 5). He then transferred to Triton College (JUCO) and then, after one season, made the big transfer to Tulsa to the chagrin of many a Husky fan. At Tulsa, Richie played in 23 games (11 starts) for the Golden Hurricane averaging 6.7 ppg and 18.3 minutes shooting 39% from the field (35.5% 3PT - 38 of 107) and 75% FT (9 of 12). But it wasn't all rainbows and puppies at Tulsa as Richie was once again on the move. This time, transferring to FGCU where he has played in 16 games for the Eagles averaging 5.1 ppg and 16.1 minutes shooting 35% from the field (33.9% 3PT - 21 of 62) and 83.3% FT (5 of 6). Wonder where he’ll play next year.

Marlo Brown, Jr. - Brown was yet another JUCO transfer to NIU who didn’t pan out. I don’t think he ever saw the floor for NIU. Since then, I’m not certain what happened but I’m about 99% sure he transferred to Independence College (JUCO) for one year where he played in 28 games (18 starts) for the Pirates averaging 5.1 ppg and 16.6 minutes shooting 43.1% from the field (35.7% 3PT - 20 of 56) and 63.2% FT (24 of 38).

Owen Hamilton - Hamilton was a big 7 footer from the state of Wisconsin who was not good at basketball. Hamilton played one season for the Huskies where he played in 27 games (0 starts) averaging 1.9 ppg and 6.8 minutes shooting 64.7% from the field and 50% FT (6 of 12). He then transferred to Wisconsin (a childhood dream, I’m sure) where he never saw the floor and is no longer on the roster. I’m pretty certain he’s done playing basketball.

The "Would-Be" Sophomores

Dan Filippone - Filippone was a walk-on at NIU and was exactly that. Often imitated but never replaced… He got into 4 games in mop-up action. Missed 2 shots. Got a dime and a steal. Filippone transferred out and (according to his Twitter handle) is still in the transfer portal.

Tyler Cochran - This one actually stung a bit. Cochran was a workhorse. He was undersized but overachieved in all aspects of the game. But…he apparently didn’t want to play for Coach Burno so he split to Ball State. In his 2nd season at NIU, Cochran played in 12 games (11 starts) in a Covid/Injury filled season where he averaged 15.5 ppg and 32.3 minutes shooting 45.3% from the field (22.2% 3PT - 4 of 18) and 62.2% FT (28 of 45). This season at Ball State, Cochran has played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Cardinals averaging 12.4 ppg and 25.8 minutes shooting 48.3% from the field (27.8% 3PT - 10 of 36) and 75.4% FT (46 of 61).

Justin Lee - O’ Ye of Such Great Potential… Lee had all the hallmarks of a legendary Husky but injuries completely derailed his career. Lee played so sporadically over a number of seasons it’s not even worth collecting his stats. I don’t think he’s playing anywhere and his Twitter feed/bio doesn’t tell me any different.

Keenon Cole - Cole was a big bodied player from Streamwood HS who many (well….me…) thought could develop into a good post piece for the Huskies. He didn’t, but to his defense, he was injured a lot. Cole played 19 games spread over 2 seasons and nothing stands out or is noteworthy. Cole transferred to Polk State (JUCO) where he has played 18 games (3 starts) averaging 10.2 ppg and 13.9 minutes shooting 48% from the field (41.1% 3PT - 23 of 56…this is actually very surprising to me) and 54.8% FT (17 of 31).

Kamron Battle - The only thing noteworthy about Battle is his sister was just named the CAA player of the week.

I'll be honest.

Some of these class assignments may seem odd but with the extra covid year, it's hard for me (at least) to classify guys when they have a certain number of years remaining and then you have guys who seem like they should be long gone, and are still playing (hello, Tommy Demogerontas...)

Entertaining read!

(01-15-2022 09:47 PM)Big Redd Wrote:  Entertaining read!

Yeah, I kinda did it for my own amusement and then it took way longer than I thought it would.

Either way, if nothing else, it just really magnifies how many guys Montgomery brought in those last 3 or 4 years that were mis-cast as D-I players. Many of these guys went on to be pretty productive at lower levels. They just didn't belong on a D-I roster.

Have a few of those guys spread out over 3 or 4 years and, as a mid-major, it's probably understandable. But there's like a dozen of them here, and most of them played on the same teams or overlapped in some way.

It also really shows how damn good Eugene German was to overcome all of that piss poor talent on the rosters he played on.

Speaking of German, he's putting up some good numbers in that Greek League he's playing in. I have no idea the level of competition, but he's doing pretty well in his first season over there.

In 9 games, he's averaging 22 ppg and shooting 58.2% from 2PT (51 of 91), 29.2% 3PT (19 of 65...which could...and should be better), and 76.1% FT (35 of 46).

Thanks, great stuff!!

Great work. Random question. Anything ever happen to Marshawn Wilson? I was so excited for him to come to niu. Must've the highest rated recruit we've ever had?

(01-15-2022 11:12 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Great work. Random question. Anything ever happen to Marshawn Wilson? I was so excited for him to come to niu. Must've the highest rated recruit we've ever had?

Nope. Nothing that I or anyone here has been able to uncover.

Now...interestingly...since I did a quick search on Wilson here, I also decided to look and see if I could find anything about Laytwan Porter, who also just vanished without a trace (although there was plenty of speculation that both he and Wilson had issues or discipline things or something...I do know that Porter was suspended at least twice from the team). Anyway...low and behold...

Laytwan Porter spent a couple of seasons out of basketball and then re-surfaced during the 2019-20 season with Lincoln College, and NAIA school in Lincoln, IL. Porter played 29 games (15 starts) for the Lynx and averaged 9.0 ppg and 22.4 minutes shooting 44.7% from the field (30.1% 3PT - 22 of 73) and 63.8% FT (44 of 69). He also averaged 1.62 apg and 1.97 steals/game.

I wasn't able to locate a Twitter profile for Porter but I'm about 99.9999% sure I found Wilson's but it hasn't been used since 2016.

Thanks for your hard work and research.
I am totally surprised MM won any games with the talent he brought in. It looks like a cast of misfits.

(01-16-2022 06:53 PM)NIU75 Wrote:  Thanks for your hard work and research.
I am totally surprised MM won any games with the talent he brought in. It looks like a cast of misfits.

I mean...these are just the guys who left.

I could compile another list of guys who were pretty good that he acquired, even recent acquitistions (Lacy James, Levi Bradley, Dante Thorpe, Darius Beane, etc) and, keep in mind, Eugene German covers up a lot.

Also don’t forget show the very good to certainly solid players Monty signed:

Jordan Threlof, the Armstead brothers, Trey Baker, dontel Highsmith, Marin Maric, Anthony Johnson, Jalen key, Austin Pauga, Noah McCarty, darrell Bowie. Pete Raković and Michael ORRIS would help this team

(01-17-2022 02:23 PM)huskies77 Wrote:  Also don’t forget show the very good to certainly solid players Monty signed:

Jordan Threlof, the Armstead brothers, Trey Baker, dontel Highsmith, Marin Maric, Anthony Johnson, Jalen key, Austin Pauga, Noah McCarty, darrell Bowie. Pete Raković and Michael ORRIS would help this team

Loved me some Marin Maric. That dude could ball.

BR, any updates on the great John Tenerowicz?

Looks like he last played November 26. And became a member of Mark Titus’ @clubtrillon

Mark’s book Is a fun read:

Don't Put Me In, Coach: My Incredible NCAA Journey from the End of the Bench to the End of the Bench

His blog: Club trillion is worth a listen

(01-18-2022 05:42 AM)huskies77 Wrote:  Looks like he last played November 26. And became a member of Mark Titus’ @clubtrillon

Mark’s book Is a fun read:

Don't Put Me In, Coach: My Incredible NCAA Journey from the End of the Bench to the End of the Bench

His blog: Club trillion is worth a listen

What disappointed me most on Monty was when he first started, I not only thought it was a great hire, but he started out like gangbusters in recruiting. He was getting in on recruits that wouldn't give us a look before
Did some of these recruits have baggage, yes, but I think he thought he could keep on the straight and narrow. I give him credit, once they screwed up, they were gone.

The disappointment came in his last three years of his tenure, he lost his zest to recruit. It seemed that he was content with DIv. 2, Div. 3, NAIA and JUCO players. It was a far cry from Abdel Nader and just missing on Fred Van Fleet.

(01-18-2022 06:20 AM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  What disappointed me most on Monty was when he first started, I not only thought it was a great hire, but he started out like gangbusters in recruiting. He was getting in on recruits that wouldn't give us a look before
Did some of these recruits have baggage, yes, but I think he thought he could keep on the straight and narrow. I give him credit, once they screwed up, they were gone.

The disappointment came in his last three years of his tenure, he lost his zest to recruit. It seemed that he was content with DIv. 2, Div. 3, NAIA and JUCO players. It was a far cry from Abdel Nader and just missing on Fred Van Fleet.

The last 3 years of his tenure, he was clearly in survival mode. He didn't have any semblance of a replacement for German. Not that German is replaceable but he didn't have a legit scorer to hand the reins to...he had decent complimentary pieces who should have been good enough for that role. But he was forcing guys like Hankerson, Beane and even Mateen into roles where they were expected to carry the team. It was a bad plan and he sealed his own fate with it.

I've said it before about his recruiting and he almost always did this throughout his time at NIU. If he had 4 scholarships, he'd target 4 guys. If he got them, he'd have a nice run for a couple years, but if he didn't, he'd start to scramble and fill in the blanks with whoever was left over.

For whatever reason, players liked him and a number of them were quite loyal. He just didn't have a recruiting plan that went any further than a small focus area.

He was better than his predecessor, that is for damn sure. Granted, the bar was set pretty low and, to his defense, hamstrung him a bit. As bad as the team was that Burno inherited, it wasn't nearly as bad as the team Montgomery inherited. Those last few years under Patton were about as painful to watch as could be imagined. How he got Xavier Silas to transfer is one of the great mysteries of life. But it just goes to show you, some coaches form bonds with guys and it just sticks.

But, even with Silas on the team for 2 years, Patton was only able to win a combined 19 games over that span. With that said, Montgomery went on to follow that up with Nader and won 10 games in 2 years.

Because, Montgomery couldn't fill in the gaps. He'd get a target and focus on it and not see the rest of the field. I'm not sure NIU would have won a game his first two years had it not been for Nader. And he was only barely scoring in double digits. So, maybe.

Man oh man, how do you go 4 consecutive years with future NBA players on your roster (even as bench guys) and win an average of 7.25 games over that span?

Recruiting.

But in regards to your baggage comment. That hurts a program. And it hurt Montgomery. He'd believe he could transform these guys (or maybe he just was wishin' upon a star they'd find the straight and narrow) and when they blew up on him, there was no one there to step in. He'd have to start all over time and time again. Whether it was risky recruits or shooting stars. There was never a plan to sustain momentum.