D.J. Johnson

[ramster]

Duh. Don't you think the coach / mother situation gave Umass an edge in the recruiting battles.

I don’t see why you need to start off your comment with “Duh”.

It’s insulting, demeaning.

To your point, yes, it gives UMASS an edge in the recruiting battles. UMASS now has 5 players from Woodstock Academy and the Head Coach from Woodstock is on the UMASS staff. To the Bergeron is dating the mother of Tre Mitchell who was a ESPN Top 100 recruit and some predict will be Freshman of the Year in the A10.

Some predict if the UMASS HC does not do well this year that Bergeron could take the HC Spot.

What is wrong with any of this? Nothing is illegal. No Reports of any money changing hands. Bergeron is an Assistant Coach how coaches Tre Mitchell at Woodstock Academy and dated Mitchell’s mom, still does. Good for them.

What am I missing?

David Cox went to St John’s College HS, as did Jeff Dowtin. We got a commitment from Ishmael Leggett this year who plays at St Johns College HS. Did the fact that Cox and Dowtin are from the area and went to the same HS as Leggett help with the recruiting of Leggett? It’s networking, it’s building relationships. Happens throughout sports at High School, Prep Schools, College and Professional Sports too.

Duh - sorry couldn’t resist.

[SGreenwell]

Duh. Don't you think the coach / mother situation gave Umass an edge in the recruiting battles.

I don’t see why you need to start off your comment with “Duh”.

It’s insulting, demeaning.

To your point, yes, it gives UMASS an edge in the recruiting battles. UMASS now has 5 players from Woodstock Academy and the Head Coach from Woodstock is on the UMASS staff. To the Bergeron is dating the mother of Tre Mitchell who was a ESPN Top 100 recruit and some predict will be Freshman of the Year in the A10.

Some predict if the UMASS HC does not do well this year that Bergeron could take the HC Spot.

What is wrong with any of this? Nothing is illegal. No Reports of any money changing hands. Bergeron is an Assistant Coach how coaches Tre Mitchell at Woodstock Academy and dated Mitchell’s mom, still does. Good for them.

What am I missing?

David Cox went to St John’s College HS, as did Jeff Dowtin. We got a commitment from Ishmael Leggett this year who plays at St Johns College HS. Did the fact that Cox and Dowtin are from the area and went to the same HS as Leggett help with the recruiting of Leggett? It’s networking, it’s building relationships. Happens throughout sports at High School, Prep Schools, College and Professional Sports too.

Duh - sorry couldn’t resist.

To try to elaborate on my own thoughts about this a bit - There is something about all of this that makes me cringe. Basically, that an adult is using his or her connection with a teenager to help him at his next job. URI has definitely been on the positive end of this at times - Jimmy Baron was a pretty big help his years at the school - but I'm positive there are plenty of situations where Player X follows a coach to his college job out of obligation or a sense of loyalty, and it's actually an awful fit. (The worst case scenario of this sort of thing is what Lavar Ball has done to his non-Lonzo sons.)

[PeteRI]

Well we gave a scholarship to Aris. That was a huge whiff.

Guess this is another one.

Aris: The Greek God of Bad Shots.

[adam914]

Bring back Aris to start at center next year!!

[bigappleram]

Duh. Don't you think the coach / mother situation gave Umass an edge in the recruiting battles.

I don’t see why you need to start off your comment with “Duh”.

It’s insulting, demeaning.

To your point, yes, it gives UMASS an edge in the recruiting battles. UMASS now has 5 players from Woodstock Academy and the Head Coach from Woodstock is on the UMASS staff. To the Bergeron is dating the mother of Tre Mitchell who was a ESPN Top 100 recruit and some predict will be Freshman of the Year in the A10.

Some predict if the UMASS HC does not do well this year that Bergeron could take the HC Spot.

What is wrong with any of this? Nothing is illegal. No Reports of any money changing hands. Bergeron is an Assistant Coach how coaches Tre Mitchell at Woodstock Academy and dated Mitchell’s mom, still does. Good for them.

What am I missing?

David Cox went to St John’s College HS, as did Jeff Dowtin. We got a commitment from Ishmael Leggett this year who plays at St Johns College HS. Did the fact that Cox and Dowtin are from the area and went to the same HS as Leggett help with the recruiting of Leggett? It’s networking, it’s building relationships. Happens throughout sports at High School, Prep Schools, College and Professional Sports too.

Duh - sorry couldn’t resist.

To try to elaborate on my own thoughts about this a bit - There is something about all of this that makes me cringe. Basically, that an adult is using his or her connection with a teenager to help him at his next job. URI has definitely been on the positive end of this at times - Jimmy Baron was a pretty big help his years at the school - but I'm positive there are plenty of situations where Player X follows a coach to his college job out of obligation or a sense of loyalty, and it's actually an awful fit. (The worst case scenario of this sort of thing is what Lavar Ball has done to his non-Lonzo sons.)

All true but it happens often. Oklahoma State just landed a recruit above their pay grade by hiring his brother. Who knows if Ty got the gig at URI bc it would influence/attract Terrell. PC hired Driscoll hoping he would bring some kids loyal to him. Nothing illegal about it, its all blood money. But its a dog eat dog business and with assistant position roles open, and a competent candidate in the market looking for a gig and dangling a 4* big you have to entertain it.

[ramster]

I don’t see why you need to start off your comment with “Duh”.

It’s insulting, demeaning.

To your point, yes, it gives UMASS an edge in the recruiting battles. UMASS now has 5 players from Woodstock Academy and the Head Coach from Woodstock is on the UMASS staff. To the Bergeron is dating the mother of Tre Mitchell who was a ESPN Top 100 recruit and some predict will be Freshman of the Year in the A10.

Some predict if the UMASS HC does not do well this year that Bergeron could take the HC Spot.

What is wrong with any of this? Nothing is illegal. No Reports of any money changing hands. Bergeron is an Assistant Coach how coaches Tre Mitchell at Woodstock Academy and dated Mitchell’s mom, still does. Good for them.

What am I missing?

David Cox went to St John’s College HS, as did Jeff Dowtin. We got a commitment from Ishmael Leggett this year who plays at St Johns College HS. Did the fact that Cox and Dowtin are from the area and went to the same HS as Leggett help with the recruiting of Leggett? It’s networking, it’s building relationships. Happens throughout sports at High School, Prep Schools, College and Professional Sports too.

Duh - sorry couldn’t resist.

To try to elaborate on my own thoughts about this a bit - There is something about all of this that makes me cringe. Basically, that an adult is using his or her connection with a teenager to help him at his next job. URI has definitely been on the positive end of this at times - Jimmy Baron was a pretty big help his years at the school - but I'm positive there are plenty of situations where Player X follows a coach to his college job out of obligation or a sense of loyalty, and it's actually an awful fit. (The worst case scenario of this sort of thing is what Lavar Ball has done to his non-Lonzo sons.)

All true but it happens often. Oklahoma State just landed a recruit above their pay grade by hiring his brother. Who knows if Ty got the gig at URI bc it would influence/attract Terrell. PC hired Driscoll hoping he would bring some kids loyal to him. Nothing illegal about it, its all blood money. But its a dog eat dog business and with assistant position roles open, and a competent candidate in the market looking for a gig and dangling a 4* big you have to entertain it.

URI hires Ty Boswell - Rhody Fans say this is great. We can help get a pipeline going to Expressions Elite.
UMASS hires Tony Bergeron - Rhody fans say this makes me cringe. Big difference is Bergeron got 5 players and counting to commit to UMASS including an ESPN Top 100 in Mitchell plus 2 players from Rhode Island’s own Bishop Hendricken.

[CTRamfan]

Walker's eligibility, and Hammonds continued development will give Cox a few more options.

[Gonebarongone]

To try to elaborate on my own thoughts about this a bit - There is something about all of this that makes me cringe. Basically, that an adult is using his or her connection with a teenager to help him at his next job. URI has definitely been on the positive end of this at times - Jimmy Baron was a pretty big help his years at the school - but I'm positive there are plenty of situations where Player X follows a coach to his college job out of obligation or a sense of loyalty, and it's actually an awful fit. (The worst case scenario of this sort of thing is what Lavar Ball has done to his non-Lonzo sons.)

All true but it happens often. Oklahoma State just landed a recruit above their pay grade by hiring his brother. Who knows if Ty got the gig at URI bc it would influence/attract Terrell. PC hired Driscoll hoping he would bring some kids loyal to him. Nothing illegal about it, its all blood money. But its a dog eat dog business and with assistant position roles open, and a competent candidate in the market looking for a gig and dangling a 4* big you have to entertain it.

URI hires Ty Boswell - Rhody Fans day this is great. We can help get a pipeline going to Expressions Elite.
UMASS hires Tony Bergeron - Rhody fans say this makes me cringe. Big difference is Bergeron got 5 players and counting to commit to UMASS including an ESPN Top 100 in Mitchell plus 2 players from Rhode Island’s own Bishop Hendricken.

Exactly. Ty Boswell was a quid pro quo of Ukranian proportions. T

[ramster]

All true but it happens often. Oklahoma State just landed a recruit above their pay grade by hiring his brother. Who knows if Ty got the gig at URI bc it would influence/attract Terrell. PC hired Driscoll hoping he would bring some kids loyal to him. Nothing illegal about it, its all blood money. But its a dog eat dog business and with assistant position roles open, and a competent candidate in the market looking for a gig and dangling a 4* big you have to entertain it.

URI hires Ty Boswell - Rhody Fans day this is great. We can help get a pipeline going to Expressions Elite.
UMASS hires Tony Bergeron - Rhody fans say this makes me cringe. Big difference is Bergeron got 5 players and counting to commit to UMASS including an ESPN Top 100 in Mitchell plus 2 players from Rhode Island’s own Bishop Hendricken.

Exactly. Ty Boswell was a quid pro quo of Ukranian proportions. T

Jerry DeGregorio hired by Jim Harrick as an Assistant Coach
#1 Ranked HS Player in the Nation arrives at URI

[ace]

URI hires Ty Boswell - Rhody Fans say this is great. We can help get a pipeline going to Expressions Elite.
UMASS hires Tony Bergeron - Rhody fans say this makes me cringe. Big difference is Bergeron got 5 players and counting to commit to UMASS including an ESPN Top 100 in Mitchell plus 2 players from Rhode Island’s own Bishop Hendricken.

I don’t disagree with this, but when Ty was hired for the 16-17 season, it was for the DBO position, which actually kept them from getting Expressions guys for some time because of the rules about that. There are no such restrictions with assistants.

[Rhodymob05]

Just rewatched his JUCO videos, theres no way this kid can't produce off the bench. Even if its minimal.

[SGreenwell]

To try to elaborate on my own thoughts about this a bit - There is something about all of this that makes me cringe. Basically, that an adult is using his or her connection with a teenager to help him at his next job. URI has definitely been on the positive end of this at times - Jimmy Baron was a pretty big help his years at the school - but I'm positive there are plenty of situations where Player X follows a coach to his college job out of obligation or a sense of loyalty, and it's actually an awful fit. (The worst case scenario of this sort of thing is what Lavar Ball has done to his non-Lonzo sons.)

All true but it happens often. Oklahoma State just landed a recruit above their pay grade by hiring his brother. Who knows if Ty got the gig at URI bc it would influence/attract Terrell. PC hired Driscoll hoping he would bring some kids loyal to him. Nothing illegal about it, its all blood money. But its a dog eat dog business and with assistant position roles open, and a competent candidate in the market looking for a gig and dangling a 4* big you have to entertain it.

URI hires Ty Boswell - Rhody Fans say this is great. We can help get a pipeline going to Expressions Elite.
UMASS hires Tony Bergeron - Rhody fans say this makes me cringe. Big difference is Bergeron got 5 players and counting to commit to UMASS including an ESPN Top 100 in Mitchell plus 2 players from Rhode Island’s own Bishop Hendricken.

To be fair to others, -I- said I don't really like it, and that includes when it benefits Rhody, whether we're talking Boswell or the Barons. I realize I'm in the minority, but I think it would be better if the NCAA prohibited that, as opposed to basically allowing assistants and assistant coaches to be hired because they can bring specific players to your programs.

[Rhody83]

All true but it happens often. Oklahoma State just landed a recruit above their pay grade by hiring his brother. Who knows if Ty got the gig at URI bc it would influence/attract Terrell. PC hired Driscoll hoping he would bring some kids loyal to him. Nothing illegal about it, its all blood money. But its a dog eat dog business and with assistant position roles open, and a competent candidate in the market looking for a gig and dangling a 4* big you have to entertain it.

URI hires Ty Boswell - Rhody Fans say this is great. We can help get a pipeline going to Expressions Elite.
UMASS hires Tony Bergeron - Rhody fans say this makes me cringe. Big difference is Bergeron got 5 players and counting to commit to UMASS including an ESPN Top 100 in Mitchell plus 2 players from Rhode Island’s own Bishop Hendricken.

To be fair to others, -I- said I don't really like it, and that includes when it benefits Rhody, whether we're talking Boswell or the Barons. I realize I'm in the minority, but I think it would be better if the NCAA prohibited that, as opposed to basically allowing assistants and assistant coaches to be hired because they can bring specific players to your programs.

I believe there was a waiting period on Boswell because he came from an AAU program. Bergeron came from a prep school.
If you don’t think Bergeron leveraged Mitchell to get the job you are kidding yourself. Bergeron is dating Mitchell’s mother.

[Jtop_is_the_future]

I cant be the only one seeing DJ hit step back 3s from NBA range in warm ups and half time. I want to see what this kid can do in a game with his decent size.

[wgracie99]

Playing in back to back days will we see him for a couple mins Friday?

[RamStock]

I cant be the only one seeing DJ hit step back 3s from NBA range in warm ups and half time. I want to see what this kid can do in a game with his decent size.

Using a famous quote “I would think we have to the trust the coaches on this one”compared to warmups. If they thought he could make a substantial impact he would get time. There are a lot of good shooters in the junior college level that could never keep up with kids at this level. He obviously isn’t close.

[bigappleram]

PLEASE don't make any judgments on a kids ability to play in games based on what they do in warmups. There is literally zero correlation.

[SandorClegane]

DJ a sophomore or jr? Does he have the ability to red shirt if they don’t see a slot for him this year?

[PeterRamTime]

Playing in back to back days will we see him for a couple mins Friday?

If he were a guard maybe.

[ramsman75]

Playing in back to back days will we see him for a couple mins Friday?

Not playing back to back...games are Friday and Sunday

[McRam]

I can still shoot threes in "warmups" and believe me, I cannot play at any level--

If he could contribute, he would be getting some time now. For sure something would have to dramatically change for him to get any time when Walker is eligible.

My only question is- who was responsible for recruiting him and that leaves a big question to the competency of that person.

[ramster]

Maybe whoever recruited him watched him shoot in warmups?

[reef]

I once saw Jimmy Christian hit 30 in a row back in 88 and he could never see the floor with Silk and Tommy G in front of him

[Rhody83]

This is a total guess.
Cox has mentioned on several occasions that DJ has only played 3 years of basketball.
Maybe they are considering redshirting him as he develops D1 level skills.
Maybe they only use him if they have an injury.
Assuming he would play the SF he has Martin, Tate, Toppin & Long that can all see playing time at the SF before him.

[McRam]

Maybe whoever recruited him watched him shoot in warmups?

Exactly!

[Rhody15]

We’re 3-1 with the one loss being to Top 10 team in the country on the road.

He doesn’t need to be playing right now.

[ramster]

Hammond didn’t get in either although he was ready when Fatts went to the locker room for his knee injury. URI played only 8. Hammond and Johnson did not. Walker eligible Western Kentucky game in one month.

[DeanDome88]

I once saw Jimmy Christian hit 30 in a row back in 88 and he could never see the floor with Silk and Tommy G in front of him

He got most of his minutes in the blow outs for sure. I'd love to see the minutes played by Garrick and Owens in 1987 and 1988 seasons. They played a ton and those teams ran and pressed quite a bit. I'm not as concerned as many on this board are about Jeff and Fatts minutes as long as they can remain healthy. It would be nice to have Sheppard too but it just didn't work out that way.

[Rhody Guy]

Redshirt year for skill development would be good, but u think it is more strength and conditioning program he needs. Just my uneducated guess

[Rhody83]

Redshirt year for skill development would be good, but u think it is more strength and conditioning program he needs. Just my uneducated guess

Defense

[Rhody83]

Decision made not to redshirt DJ. Could see his first action tomorrow night.

[79RhodyFan]

Timing of this decision is very odd. The game before Walker comes back? If he could help why wait this long??? On the surface doesn't seem to make much sense

[KevanBoyles]

Source? Reasoning?

[Rhodymob05]

Maybe someone left?

[hrstrat57]

Unleash the secret weapon on your archenemy

[PeterRamTime]

Just when I almost forgot....

44 percent three point shooter....

[TruePoint]

I agree that the timing is weird.

Also, I guess I missed the announcement that he was being “held out” as a tactical move to preserve eligibility versus he was not playing because he isn’t ready to contribute and so they figured they might as well save the year and not play him in garbage time?

[reef]

Yes seems wierd

If he played 1 or 2 games up until now could be still have red shirted ??

[rhodysurf]

Yes seems wierd

If he played 1 or 2 games up until now could be still have red shirted ??

No

[reef]

Cool must be they wanted to take their time and make a decision

Time to unleash the Human Tarantula

[ramster]

The tarantula that wasn’t ready?

[KevanBoyles]

If accurate, something tells me there’s more to this story.

[Rhodymob05]

Lets hope hes been kicking ass in Mackal pick up ball.

[Rhody Guy]

I haven't seen any of the players in mackal this year.

[Billyboy78]

Could this have anything to do with Toppin's knee or ankle (not sure which one it was)?

[rambone 78]

I tend to think it's more to do with DJ becoming more ready to play.

We sure could use his shooting in a key spot, if needed.

[DC_Rams]

Could this have anything to do with Toppin's knee or ankle (not sure which one it was)?

No, he’s fine.

[eli#10]

I think if you play no more than 20% of your team's games you are eligible for a red shirt year.

[steviep123]

I think if you play no more than 20% of your team's games you are eligible for a red shirt year.

Not entirely true. The 20% part is correct, but you also can't play after a certain point in the year. For example, if you only play 2 games, but those 2 games are the last 2 of the season, then that's a full year of eligibility was used. If they are the first two games, then you can red shirt. I don't really know the full details. Or maybe it's that if you play after 20% of games have been played you are out of luck?

[Rhody83]

I agree that the timing is weird.

Also, I guess I missed the announcement that he was being “held out” as a tactical move to preserve eligibility versus he was not playing because he isn’t ready to contribute and so they figured they might as well save the year and not play him in garbage time?

Even the walkons have played in games. You didn’t find it peculiar that he hadn’t played one minute yet?