'11 C - Willy Kouassi (Arkansas)

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:I'm all for adding a guy like Willy. But we needed to also add a high school big to develop this year. EC and Hass are the two best players we've had here in the past 15 years. This could be a special team if they are surrounded with more talent, especially a big. Willie is a stop gap. But then what? We're after some good bigs from the '16 class. But now he will be developing during EC and Hass' senior year. For it to be a special team and special season similar to 78, 88, 98, we need to develop one this year. That doesn't appear that it's going to happen. If we got both Willie and a frosh big, then it's a successful recruiting season, imo. The window with two of our best players in years is closing. Do we expect to replace those two guys with similar talent? Who knows. But I want to win while they're still here.

I think a more realistic option for adding a big this cycle that will help beyond this year would be taking a traditional transfer, hopefully one with two or three years of eligibility left. I just don't think that a HS big man exists that is (1) worth a scholarship and that (2) would be available to us at this point. I'd be perfectly fine with taking a grad transfer or a JUCO and a traditional transfer, then going hard after impact players all over the court in the '16 class.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

TruePoint wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:I'm all for adding a guy like Willy. But we needed to also add a high school big to develop this year. EC and Hass are the two best players we've had here in the past 15 years. This could be a special team if they are surrounded with more talent, especially a big. Willie is a stop gap. But then what? We're after some good bigs from the '16 class. But now he will be developing during EC and Hass' senior year. For it to be a special team and special season similar to 78, 88, 98, we need to develop one this year. That doesn't appear that it's going to happen. If we got both Willie and a frosh big, then it's a successful recruiting season, imo. The window with two of our best players in years is closing. Do we expect to replace those two guys with similar talent? Who knows. But I want to win while they're still here.
I think a more realistic option for adding a big this cycle that will help beyond this year would be taking a traditional transfer, hopefully one with two or three years of eligibility left. I just don't think that a HS big man exists that is (1) worth a scholarship and that (2) would be available to us at this point. I'd be perfectly fine with taking a grad transfer or a JUCO and a traditional transfer, then going hard after impact players all over the court in the '16 class.

And that brings us back to a guy like Kyle Washington from NC State. Let's hope.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

That would certainly go a long way towards allaying people's concerns, I think.

3wisemen · Unread post by **3wisemen** » 9 years ago

TruePoint wrote:That would certainly go a long way towards allaying people's concerns, I think.

Heh. Yeah. Sure.
Clearly you haven't been reading some of the brilliant commentary being shared on this and other recruiting threads.

reckless jake · Unread post by **reckless jake** » 9 years ago

I don't think that's accurate Smarty. I believe that Bernard Thompson, a junior guard from Florida Gulf Coast Univ was the 2014/15 Atlantic Sun Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Kouassi wasn't preseason or postseason anything in the A-Sun.

SmartyBarrett · Unread post by **SmartyBarrett** » 9 years ago

reckless jake wrote:I don't think that's accurate Smarty. I believe that Bernard Thompson, a junior guard from Florida Gulf Coast Univ was the 2014/15 Atlantic Sun Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Kouassi wasn't preseason or postseason anything in the A-Sun.

Here's the release: http://www.ksuowls.com/news/2014/10/8/M ... ath=mbball

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

3wisemen wrote:
TruePoint wrote:That would certainly go a long way towards allaying people's concerns, I think.
Heh. Yeah. Sure.
Clearly you haven't been reading some of the brilliant commentary being shared on this and other recruiting threads.

I'm trying to stay optimistic

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 9 years ago

Wow I really started quite the shit storm here I guess. Back to mainly just reading the forums in the offseason I think...

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

adam914 wrote:Wow I really started quite the shit storm here I guess. Back to mainly just reading the forums in the offseason I think...

Thumbs up on that one, 914…….The gerbil-factor is getting to be too much. Round-and-round-we-goooooooooooo!
Just imagine that the near-great Willy Kouassi would make you a reader.
C'mon!!!!!!!!!!

reckless jake · Unread post by **reckless jake** » 9 years ago

I see the difference Smarty.

I'm posting from my cell so I can't link a site as you did above. However, if you look at the official A-Sun site, where the preseason teams as voted by coaches & media are listed, you'll note Kouassi is missing.

Reading the release you linked above, Kouassi was voted DPOY in a vote of fans

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:I'm all for adding a guy like Willy. But we needed to also add a high school big to develop this year. EC and Hass are the two best players we've had here in the past 15 years. This could be a special team if they are surrounded with more talent, especially a big. Willie is a stop gap. But then what? We're after some good bigs from the '16 class. But now he will be developing during EC and Hass' senior year. For it to be a special team and special season similar to 78, 88, 98, we need to develop one this year. That doesn't appear that it's going to happen. If we got both Willie and a frosh big, then it's a successful recruiting season, imo. The window with two of our best players in years is closing. Do we expect to replace those two guys with similar talent? Who knows. But I want to win while they're still here.

I totally agree with this assessment. The key is to get a young player who can develop. A 5th yr. or juco, in addition, is needed to contribute next year. It would be sad if our soon-to-be juniors have to wait until their senior year to have a serviceable front court.
They've had all year to replace Gil. So far, nothing. Yet, anyone who questions the lack of recruiting bigs is considered a malcontent.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Hey 3stoogesman, what brilliance have YOU brought to the table,
except your trolling against me?
The next time you bring anything to the table will be your first.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 9 years ago

adam914 wrote:Wow I really started quite the shit storm here I guess. Back to mainly just reading the forums in the offseason I think...

I think we're all getting a little grumpy without any definite recruiting news. I just read that Willy Wonka visited Alabama Thursday. Any one here when he's visiting here?

Oops .... wrong URL. Here's the correct one: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/2 ... 9748?tc=ar

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

Free Willy!!!

SmartyBarrett · Unread post by **SmartyBarrett** » 9 years ago

Rhody74 wrote:I think we're all getting a little grumpy without any definite recruiting news. I just read that Willy Wonka visited Alabama Thursday. Any one here when he's visiting here?

Borzello said dates are TBD. Just saw this... guy from Rivals says Memphis is involved - hadn't seen their name in the mix yet...

DeanDome88 · Unread post by **DeanDome88** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Love all the clowns and their little bitch slaps.
Iverson contacted URI. Dan's own words.
How is that recruiting?
Butts' in the words of one of our staff, "may be serviceable".
Where'd you get a top 150 ranking from?
Did it occur to any of you beauties, that Dan's BEST recruiting
class happened before he ever coached a single game here?
The window is closing on EC and Hassan.
Think Big. YOU DON'T!

The new additions look good to me. This recruiting class ,if you include Iverson and IV, could be better than last years class unless Terrell becomes an absolute stud. It is great to have players wanting to come play for you. I do not follow the logic of not wanting to consider that as an avenue of recruiting.

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 9 years ago

DeanDome88 wrote:
rodfromcranston wrote:Love all the clowns and their little bitch slaps.
Iverson contacted URI. Dan's own words.
How is that recruiting?
Butts' in the words of one of our staff, "may be serviceable".
Where'd you get a top 150 ranking from?
Did it occur to any of you beauties, that Dan's BEST recruiting
class happened before he ever coached a single game here?
The window is closing on EC and Hassan.
Think Big. YOU DON'T!
The new additions look good to me. This recruiting class ,if you include Iverson and IV, could be better than last years class unless Terrell becomes an absolute stud. It is great to have players wanting to come play for you. I do not follow the logic of not wanting to consider that as an avenue of recruiting.

I am surprised we haven't heard of a quality big contacting us like K Iverson did.

Not hard to see what this team needs to be top 10.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

Out of Kouassi-ty, who's the URI recruiter on this?

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Willy or won't he?

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

bressler3south wrote:Out of Kouassi-ty, who's the URI recruiter on this?

Carl Koussa

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

ramster wrote:
bressler3south wrote:Out of Kouassi-ty, who's the URI recruiter on this?
Carl Koussa

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 9 years ago

Looks like we're his first official visit. Maybe Dan can get a quick commitment.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

Rhody74 wrote:

Looks like we're his first official visit. Maybe Dan can get a quick commitment.

Interesting that Al Skinner is down there interviewing. Wonder if he provided some advice.

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 9 years ago

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Between high school and his two colleges, Kouassi has spent all of his time in the U.S. in the south. I think it's time for him to check out the northeast.

PeterRamTime · Unread post by **PeterRamTime** » 9 years ago

Woo that Willy!

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

Pipelines baby. Auburn transfer.

CTRamfan · Unread post by **CTRamfan** » 9 years ago

Might he stay now that Al Skinner has been hired?

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Former St. Anthony (and Notre Dame All American) point guard David Rivers is an assistant at Kennesaw State.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

ace wrote:Former St. Anthony (and Notre Dame All American) point guard David Rivers is an assistant at Kennesaw State.

If Skinner keeps him…..

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 9 years ago

Love that we're getting the first visit.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

4.9 ppg 5.0 rpg 1,2 blocks pg, 19.6 minutes per game.
Am I missing something here, besides 6'10"?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Someone asked Borzello on twitter if Willy is still visiting URI. His response? "Nope".

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 9 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:Someone asked Borzello on twitter if Willy is still visiting URI. His response? "Nope".

If that's the case, I wonder who lost interest, the player or Dan? If the latter, perhaps he's got someone better in mind.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

I hope Dan has someone better lined up.
This guy's numbers for a lower level D-1 player stink.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

I know it's a pipe dream, but I'm hoping for the big Greek kid.

STC · Unread post by **STC** » 9 years ago

Seeing all this attention a low major stiff is getting from power conference schools should give some of you folks bitching about Hurley's lack of ability to close on a big man some pause.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

So, no mid major teams ever sign more than one D-1 level guy
6'7" or over in three recruiting cycles?
Sorry, not enough koolaide to make me buy that one.

STC · Unread post by **STC** » 9 years ago

It is not for lack of trying the staff hasn't been able to land a big man. Hurley is trying to elevate the program and bring in quality bigs not just stiffs of the past. Anyone can bring in Blake Vedder and Levan Shengelia, it is a lot harder to bring in Jarred Reuter, Chris Silva or Aaron Falzon. I think were seeing this play out again where teams are desperate for quality bigs and the pool is small so a low major like Koussai is all of a sudden becoming a hot commodity.

I think the staff made a major misstep when they counted on Hare after he burned them once. If anyone is counting on Hard to get his act to get a 3rd time is an idiot.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

STC wrote:Seeing all this attention a low major stiff is getting from power conference schools should give some of you folks bitching about Hurley's lack of ability to close on a big man some pause.

The Willy Kouassi Sweepstakes have come down to this -- online gaming -- and here is URI's rep!!!!

No wonder we're whiffing…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AilUnIA ... freload=10

Obviously, Pitt and Memphis have better Computer Science majors!!!!

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rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Staff never went all in on Falzon.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Staff never went all in on Falzon.

I wonder why? I saw Aaron play 4 or 5 times. Obviously the staff are better talent evaluators than I am, but he always looked very good to me.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

I was told they knew he was looking at an elite academic school,
and that kind of left us out.
Nothing to do with his talent, just his aims.

PeterRamTime · Unread post by **PeterRamTime** » 9 years ago

Well damn, guess that's it for Willy.
2015 is not the year of the big for us.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

This is a guy that played on a team that went 10-22 in a bad conference
He played less than 20 minutes per game
Averaged 4.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game
Shot 42.6% on Free Throws
Not sure why we were ever looking at this guy anyway
We can and should do much better then a guy like this

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Bingo!

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

Schools want his height, not his skills.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

ramfan85 wrote:Schools want his height, not his skills.

Well, we all know one can't teach height. Yet it seems one can't teach all height basketball skills.

With that, as was written at some point during my tenure on Keaney Blue, I am a thread killer -- and I hope that I have killed this thread, because 2011 5-star out-of-high school-Willy Kouassi has not become an even decent basketball player for his size.
He is the latter of the above statement. He is a down-grade to the program.

I deem this nonsense closed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DpkNX2 ... freload=10

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