The only one that's pretty unexpected and that I would think there's a good chance Byington wanted to keep is Savage. Hodge has one year left and saw very little playing time most of last year, Stinson didn't get any playing time even when injuries piled up and was behind some guys that have another year and some guys that have three more years. McConnell was injured once the redshirt plan didn't pan out, but wouldn't be surprising if they both were told there won't be many minutes for them next year and maybe beyond. Savage did play a decent amount though and is also a taller guard like Byington said he wants. If Hodge is the last one to go this year I don't think it's really any concern, probably losing one guy that he'd have liked to keep. If anyone else goes, especially considering he already said he doesn't expect them to, then it'd be a little concerning.

(03-23-2022 02:32 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  We could use a Denzel Bowels about now

Ain’t that the truth.

Hope Coach Byington and staff kept up the recruiting, even when we were full up on scholarships. Hate to think we're starting from scratch to replace these guys. I guess in this new era of free agency, you gotta grab a dance partner real quick when the portal pool gets populated. I don't mind the departures overall, just want to feel that we will upgrade. I trust Coach (until I don't ).

Hodge officially to the portal.

Hodge seemed like a good kid that worked hard on the court. He was our best shooter, but was limited as spot-up only that didn't seem to work in our system. Also seemed below average defender due to his height and not having the skill set that Strickland brings to offset the height with quickness and court awareness.

I'm glad he's going because I think he will be happier from a basketball standpoint in another system and I would not be surprised if he excels elsewhere. Just a bad fit for Coach By.

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I am reserving judgement on whether or not the sky is falling until after the roster is set. Coach By, by his own admission, said he swung the pendulum too far towards smaller players who could handle the ball. I expect another ball handler, a couple wings, and a transfer big to come in with the four scholarships we have available now. I know we already have a post player committed from the fall season.

Savage is the only one that raises eyebrows. And who knows what is going through his mind and his reasons are for leaving. He's young and I would imagine may regret the decision.

It looked to me as if he had skills and they worked in By's scheme, and By rewarded him as the only true Freshman to see minutes. I thought he would have had more of a breakout this upcoming season , much like Edwards had in his second year.

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If we have 4 spots left this is what I think we need to go and get:

A true athletic 6'8"+ big (not easy to get)
A bigger wing who is not afraid to rebound the ball
2 shooters who can get their own shot

While our shooting stats for some of the guys looked pretty good I thought we lacked consistency from the outside while many of our opponents had a couple of guys who could really fill it up on a consistent level from 3.

(03-24-2022 08:56 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  If we have 4 spots left this is what I think we need to go and get:

A true athletic 6'8"+ big (not easy to get)
A bigger wing who is not afraid to rebound the ball
2 shooters who can get their own shot

While our shooting stats for some of the guys looked pretty good I thought we lacked consistency from the outside while many of our opponents had a couple of guys who could really fill it up on a consistent level from 3.

I got our guy, Jimmy Nichols 6-8 225# forward. Transfered from Providence after his freshmen season to VCU is back to the portal.

https://richmond.com/sports/college/forw...24ebe.html

(03-24-2022 11:47 AM)RamDawg Wrote:  

(03-24-2022 08:56 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  If we have 4 spots left this is what I think we need to go and get:

A true athletic 6'8"+ big (not easy to get)
A bigger wing who is not afraid to rebound the ball
2 shooters who can get their own shot

While our shooting stats for some of the guys looked pretty good I thought we lacked consistency from the outside while many of our opponents had a couple of guys who could really fill it up on a consistent level from 3.

I got our guy, Jimmy Nichols 6-8 225# forward. Transfered from Providence after his freshmen season to VCU is back to the portal.

https://richmond.com/sports/college/forw...24ebe.html

One year of eligibility? Or two because of the COVID exemption?

(03-24-2022 08:56 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  If we have 4 spots left this is what I think we need to go and get:

A true athletic 6'8"+ big (not easy to get)
A bigger wing who is not afraid to rebound the ball
2 shooters who can get their own shot

While our shooting stats for some of the guys looked pretty good I thought we lacked consistency from the outside while many of our opponents had a couple of guys who could really fill it up on a consistent level from 3.

Is it too much to ask that we stop recruiting true athletes and start recruiting true basketball players?

(03-24-2022 08:56 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  If we have 4 spots left this is what I think we need to go and get:

A true athletic 6'8"+ big (not easy to get)
A bigger wing who is not afraid to rebound the ball
2 shooters who can get their own shot

While our shooting stats for some of the guys looked pretty good I thought we lacked consistency from the outside while many of our opponents had a couple of guys who could really fill it up on a consistent level from 3.

Yeah I'd agree with this list with the added note that I'd really like to see the big more like 6'10" but of course that makes him even harder to get. Would obviously rather have a good 6'8" player than a bad 6'10" player, but Wooden is 6'8" and I definitely will be more excited about the impact a big will hopefully have if he's got a couple inches on anyone we've already got. Wonder if a guy like Seny N'Diaye is gonna end up at another power school or drop down to mid-major and might be possible. Out of high school the only offers listed between Rivals, 247, and Verbal Commits are WVU, Marshall, and Providence. Always hard to tell if those lists are complete though.

I still think the one we will end up missing is McConnell. If you look at 98's list, he is the one who checked a box: Out of high school, he was supposed to be a good outside shooter who could create his own shot. He could have been Vado's back-up next year and challenged for that spot going forward. JMU screwed up by not allowing him a redshirt year.

Savage played well, but he was going to be behind Edwards for his whole career and behind Molson, Wooden and Edwards next year. He got minutes because of injuries to those in front of him.

Anyway, best of luck to all of them.

(03-24-2022 08:12 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  I still think the one we will end up missing is McConnell.
JMU screwed up by not allowing him a redshirt year.

Explain how that was the fault of JMU?

(03-25-2022 08:14 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-24-2022 08:12 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  I still think the one we will end up missing is McConnell.
JMU screwed up by not allowing him a redshirt year.

Explain how that was the fault of JMU?

Of course it was JMU’s fault, because, you know, Alger was in charge.

(03-25-2022 11:19 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(03-25-2022 08:14 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-24-2022 08:12 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  I still think the one we will end up missing is McConnell.
JMU screwed up by not allowing him a redshirt year.

Explain how that was the fault of JMU?

Of course it was JMU’s fault, because, you know, Alger was in charge.

Mettlen wrote about it in length a couple of months ago, and McConnell's mom was quoted

https://www.dnronline.com/sports/college...0f307.html

(03-25-2022 08:14 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-24-2022 08:12 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  I still think the one we will end up missing is McConnell.
JMU screwed up by not allowing him a redshirt year.

Explain how that was the fault of JMU?

Um, JMU burned it by playing him in two games against DIII (or lower) competition. Maybe I worded it incorrectly, as JMU obviously didn't vote against him getting the redshirt, but he loses a year of eligibility because we played him in meaningless games before the rules were finalized.

Ga State needs an ass kicking in the Bank Center next year.

(03-25-2022 06:33 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  

(03-25-2022 08:14 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-24-2022 08:12 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  I still think the one we will end up missing is McConnell.
JMU screwed up by not allowing him a redshirt year.

Explain how that was the fault of JMU?

Um, JMU burned it by playing him in two games against DIII (or lower) competition. Maybe I worded it incorrectly, as JMU obviously didn't vote against him getting the redshirt, but he loses a year of eligibility because we played him in meaningless games before the rules were finalized.

To my understanding, it appears that the rule change appeared to be likely to go through. And then the NCAA did their usual thing where they kick the can down the road on a good idea that is in favor of students so they can discuss it more. It was also a possibility that this year's freshmen would also get a year of Covid eligibility, but that has also not happened. Shoulda woulda coulda is a fun game to play if you want, but I'm just stating (my understanding of) the situation as it relates to the rule change. Not sure how many other schools or students got burned in that situation, and I believe McConnell might be able to apply for a medical redshirt for last year as well.

Devon Savage with an offer from Hampton