Our Best Back To Back Recruiting Cycle Ever?

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

Because I'm younger, I'm reaching for the Rods, Iggys, RF1s, and etc to help answer this.

I am legitimately asking.

In my lifetime it was the '93 class of Tyson and Cat with the '94 class of Preston and ARD that led to the 97-98 team that it looks like we could have in 2017.

But really - is this the best? Conference ROY and record breaking shot blocker in the first class, and 3 star true PG with most talented prospect since Odom in the second.

Now it's starting to look like a trend. I guess this is what #RISE is supposed to look like.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Back to back? I think so, based on numbers.
Sly came in two years after Kraft's base class
of Stan Wright, Jiggy, and Wilds.
They did sign Sly and Jimmy Wright in back to back years.
Two of our best ever.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Better than Ryan Brooks/Akeem Richmond backed up by Levan Shengalia/Blake Vedder?????

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:
Now it's starting to look like a trend. I guess this is what #RISE is supposed to look like.

I just laughed SO hard reading this!!!

Off season #RISE

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:Better than Ryan Brooks/Akeem Richmond backed up by Levan Shengalia/Blake Vedder?????

Ohhh that would be a tough one to top...

Taylor, I cringed at that hashtag more than I did after Kanye came up and stole the mic from you.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Back to back? I think so, based on numbers.
Sly came in two years after Kraft's base class
of Stan Wright, Jiggy, and Wilds.
They did sign Sly and Jimmy Wright in back to back years.
Two of our best ever.

While I agree Jimmy Wright was one of our best ever, I don't recall him being that highly regarded coming in .... certainly not on Sly's level.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I was going on results, not ratings.
I think Phil Kydd was in Wright's class, and he was highly rated.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

This is fun.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/baske ... l/_/id/227

http://espn.go.com/colleges/basketball/ ... class/2013

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

what a difference a day makes....!!!!!!

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:Because I'm younger, I'm reaching for the Rods, Iggys, RF1s, and etc to help answer this.

I am legitimately asking.

In my lifetime it was the '93 class of Tyson and Cat with the '94 class of Preston and ARD that led to the 97-98 team that it looks like we could have in 2017.

But really - is this the best? Conference ROY and record breaking shot blocker in the first class, and 3 star true PG with most talented prospect since Odom in the second.

Now it's starting to look like a trend. I guess this is what #RISE is supposed to look like.

Yes,
First of all URI has never had 2 guys make the ALl Freshman Team - in addition, one made Freshman of the year
Second of all URI now has 2 more very legit candidates to make the 2014-2015 All Freshman Team and also possible Freshman of the year

Best back to back classes that I can ever remember.

BUT, if Harrick had remained I am sure that he would have done it.

Rammgr · Unread post by **Rammgr** » 10 years ago

Jimmy Wright came in with Phil Kydd, Nicky Johnson, & Vic Bertuglio. They followed up that class with kevin Whiting, Roland Houston, & Gilson Dejesus.

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

They were on a nice recruiting run until Kraft's heart attack. Jimmy Wright wasn't heavily recruited but URI had the advantage with Stan there. Jimmy and Roland were very good players.
Kevin Whiting would have benefited from a three-point shot back then. Vic Bertuglio had designs on being the new Ernie D. Italian pg. The comparisons ended there.
Getting Irv Chatman from Tennessee was a coup. NBA body, strong rebounder and shot blocker.
Hands like concrete, though.
Kraft's retirement coincided with Zarchen's demise and the rise of the Big East. Bad years until Penders.

GY=URI · Unread post by **GY=URI** » 10 years ago

We have the best 2 yr recruiting for sure. The question is how will they develop into a TEAM.
The final 8 team got there because unselfish team play. Each player played their role
It started with a dominant center defensively , and unselfish offensively. The double and triple team
defense against us opened up the game to the perimeter, or the dish to inside layups.
The game plan was simple but very effective. Any one of those players could have had
30 pt games but it would not have given a W. Harrick own words "we are nothing without
Luther". We will be nothing without inside domination first defensively then offensively.
We have the same opportunity with Hare in the middle. I am hoping that he is asked to kick ass
underneath and not be out on the 3 point line setting picks. With Marin and Hare on the inside it will be
like Clay and Reynolds Dean.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Hate to break it to some, but there was URI basketball before the A-10.
Also, Hare isn't going to kick anybody's ass. Hurley told me he really weighted 190lbs.
last year. Not exactly Blake Griffin.
Luther was a stronger, more polished offensive player and a better rebounder, too.
I think Hassan will be better than ARD, in time.
I agree though, an inside presence is needed to balance the floor on offense,
and clog up the lane on defense.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

Garrick, Owens, Kenny; then Bonzie and Evans. Am I remembering that right?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Iggy1979 wrote:Garrick, Owens, Kenny; then Bonzie and Evans. Am I remembering that right?

I think Kenny arrived a year after Garrick and Owens. Wasn't he a redshirt sophomore when Garrick and Owens were seniors in '88?

steviep123 · Unread post by **steviep123** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:
Iggy1979 wrote:Garrick, Owens, Kenny; then Bonzie and Evans. Am I remembering that right?
I think Kenny arrived a year after Garrick and Owens. Wasn't he a redshirt sophomore when Garrick and Owens were seniors in '88?

Yes. Evans, Colson, and Green were one year behind Garrick and Owens. Green hurt his thumb as a freshman and red shirt. Evans was co-rookie of the year in 86 and Green rookie of the yr in 87.

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Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

Luther Clay was built like a defensive end. A highly recruited player who sometimes lived up to his potential. Hare is stringy. I agree that I hate big men hanging on the perimeter.
But I don't think Hare will be an enforcer. A solid contributor would be good.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Luther was a McDonald's All American and a top high school
player, before enrolling at Purdue.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

Not to be greedy, but.......we need a great recruiting year next year, too....to have 3 straight good to great years to build the roster.....set a new standard......

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

We need some bigs, since the back court seems pretty well set.
Maybe a swing man.
We lose TJ, Gil and Powell. Glue guys like TJ are hard to find.
We will need a stretch 4 or center to replace Gil.

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 10 years ago

Didn't Luther Clay have a lousy Sr. year?
He was fine with ARD,Tyson,Lamar and Cat,but without them,a partier.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Luther's senior year was in 1999-2000.
His coach was Jerry D.
Nuff said.

GY=URI · Unread post by **GY=URI** » 10 years ago

1999 URI went to Hawaii invitational. Gerry asked Luther what should we do?
Answer , run all plays thru me and we will be ok. They did and they won.
The team came back , then went to Wisconsin . Marbury, per unknown instruction had to be the star.
That was the end of Luther's career. What came after that was basketball crime.

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

I was in school at URI when Clay was here. I saw him at Coast Guard House one night and told him I could dunk on him. I'm glad he laughed when I said it, instead of stepping on me.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

steviep123 wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:
Iggy1979 wrote:Garrick, Owens, Kenny; then Bonzie and Evans. Am I remembering that right?
I think Kenny arrived a year after Garrick and Owens. Wasn't he a redshirt sophomore when Garrick and Owens were seniors in '88?
Yes. Evans, Colson, and Green were one year behind Garrick and Owens. Green hurt his thumb as a freshman and red shirt. Evans was co-rookie of the year in 86 and Green rookie of the yr in 87.

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That's a great two-year take. If this group is as good as that ....

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

John Evans was a solid forward, not flashy but very smart. Came out of Cambridge Ringe and Latin four years after Ewing.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Ramblinrose wrote:John Evans was a solid forward, not flashy but very smart. Came out of Cambridge Ringe and Latin four years after Ewing.

That was quite a program back then. Rumeal Robinson played around that time too.

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

This incoming group with Matthews and Martin is exciting.

neil · Unread post by **neil** » 10 years ago

I actually should know this but I'm too lazy to take out an old press guide. Cofield and Samuels came in at the same time. Who came before and after KI Jones, Fox, Easterling, Kent? Either way, I think the past two years, when it all plays out, should be better.

URI_IEP · Unread post by **URI_IEP** » 10 years ago

Don't see 2 URI players on the A10 rookie team this year, which I do't think is a bad thing. The reason that we saw two players last year was due to a weak front court that forced Martin into significant playing time. Obviously he came up to speed quickly and played really well, but initially he was playing a lot of minutes because of Hare's leaving, Aamen's concussion, and Gil harrasing every opposing player that looked sideways at him. Next year with 5-6 playable guards (EC, Biggie, Jared, Jarvis, TJ, and maybe even Mike P) I don't think you'll be able to get both Jared and Jarvis the minutes needed to be considered for the rookie team. And, I don't think that's a bad thing. If they are world beaters and earn starting spots or majority minutes by A10 play, great, but if the best strategy is swapping lines like hockey that'll be fine to. It's great to see URI players on the all-rookie team, but it's not the end-all be-all, and it shouldn't be the measuring stick for a freshman's season.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

Good point, IEP. I'd take one player first team all-conference (EC?), one player all-defensive (Martin? Hare?), one player all-rookie (JT? JG?), and Gilvydas to take his customary spot on the all-academic team.

URI_IEP · Unread post by **URI_IEP** » 10 years ago

sf2010 wrote:Good point, IEP. I'd take one player first team all-conference (EC?), one player all-defensive (Martin? Hare?), one player all-rookie (JT? JG?), and Gilvydas to take his customary spot on the all-academic team.

I'd take a NCAA tourny bid over any and all of those, although I'm not sure how we could get to the tourny and not have anyone on an All-Whatever team. But, you get my point.

spookydog · Unread post by **spookydog** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:Better than Ryan Brooks...

Somehow Brooks was originally a 90 Overall. Goes to show how offbase rankings are sometimes.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

that was before ESPN changed how they did their rankings

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

I recall Tip Vinson as a sought-after recruit. And I have a friend who followed Jon Lucky in high school. Said Lucky would be in the NBA someday. We remember how this worked out.
I always wondered if T Bell and Marbury would have become players without Jerry D as their coach. For all his faults, Baron got the best out of Brian Woodward.
Anyway, recruit rankings can fall short at times.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Well, Dan sure nailed it with EC and Hassan.

Now we'll see how JT and JG turn out. I think they will be pretty good.

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

Reasons to be excited.

Unread post by **SGreenwell** » 10 years ago

Ramblinrose wrote:I recall Tip Vinson as a sought-after recruit. And I have a friend who followed Jon Lucky in high school. Said Lucky would be in the NBA someday. We remember how this worked out.
I always wondered if T Bell and Marbury would have become players without Jerry D as their coach. For all his faults, Baron got the best out of Brian Woodward.
Anyway, recruit rankings can fall short at times.

In Lucky's defense, I think he was constantly injured during his time at URI, which probably prevented him from hitting whatever peak he might have had. It looks like he eventually ended up at Post University: http://www.posteagles.com/news/2010/4/1 ... 01425.aspx

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

Bam Harmon, anyone?

Brian · Unread post by **Brian** » 10 years ago

neil wrote:I actually should know this but I'm too lazy to take out an old press guide. Cofield and Samuels came in at the same time. Who came before and after KI Jones, Fox, Easterling, Kent? Either way, I think the past two years, when it all plays out, should be better.

88-89 Kent
89-90 Easterling
90-91 Samuel, Cofield, Damont Collins & Fox sitting as a transfer. Can't remember if Ivy Jones came this year or the following one.

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ramswin · Unread post by **ramswin** » 10 years ago

Ivy-Jones was a prop 48 in 90-91
Jason Alexander was 91-92

I believe the transfers were eligible as followed:

88-89 - Eric Leslie
89-90 - Mike Brown
90-91 - Frenchy Tomlin
91-92 - Abdul Fox

Ramblinrose · Unread post by **Ramblinrose** » 10 years ago

Eric Leslie ... ballhog.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

What a difference one month makes. On April 16th this recruiting year looked rather bleak for URI. Rhody had missed on all its main targets and just had Watson signed. Dan Hurley's recruiting was getting questioned. On April 17th, Jarvis Garrett signed a LOI. The big miss in the fall Jared Terrell then unexpectedly requests and is given his release from Oklahoma State. Rhody gets him the 2nd time around with him signing on May 17th. Some 5+ weeks ago the subject of this thread would have been a pipe-dream.

Rammgr · Unread post by **Rammgr** » 10 years ago

They also brought in Herb Dixon with Frenchy Tomlin

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

Dixon was before Frenchy. The 88-89 team was very disappointing. Still had Green, Bonzie, Evans and Sina. But the backcourt of Dixon and Leslie never meshed with the returning players and they only won 12 games.

Rhode_Island_Red · Unread post by **Rhode_Island_Red** » 10 years ago

Let's not forget the difference between recruiting rankings and player results. Al Skinner never wowed any of the "gurus" with his recruiting classes but his program turned out to be pretty good.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Were Pappy Owens and Marc Upshaw in the same class, or were they a year apart?

ramsman75 · Unread post by **ramsman75** » 10 years ago

I came across this article from 1974. Still hard to believe how good that Wilbur Cross class was.

http://www.ct-hs-hoops.com/wilburcross1974.htm

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

ramsman75 wrote:I came across this article from 1974. Still hard to believe how good that Wilbur Cross class was.

http://www.ct-hs-hoops.com/wilburcross1974.htm

Great article, thanks!