'19 MD SF - Mekhi Long (URI --> Old Dominion)

[Ramulous]

Very disappointed....

[DC_Rams]

This transfer rule will be the new pandemic.

[Ramrod]

This is just ridiculous. Do we have anybody actually talking to these kids? I'm absolutely mystified by the succession of Hammond-Tate-Long departures. Do we need a team psychologist or counselor or something? There is no way that an inclusive and supportive environment would see this number of people decide to leave. It's a real indictment of the culture. You can't just blame the kids who decide to leave. There are two sides to every relationship. There's got to be a better way to motivate the guys who aren't starting for you to stay.

[PeterRamTime]

Had an Ulmer level ceiling I think.

His defense was so great for us. We could miss that next year.

Not getting enough minutes though? That's definitely a product of the times we are in. Nobody, but him and his family would think that. A few years ago, nobody would leave our program as a freshman after getting 13 minutes a game.

[Rhody83]

As they go thru high school, prep school and AAU they get fed bull shit by people around them that they are “good enough to play in the League”. These kids and their families are so full of unrealistic expectations. Before we evaluate Cox and the staff on this one let’s remember this.
1) Long switched HS/Prep after his Soph yr and Jr year
2) Long switched AAU teams in his final year between the Spring and Summer seasons.
3) Long transfers after his Fr year

[PeterRamTime]

I'd be fine if Toppin took all of his minutes.

I don't think Long was going to get very good minutes next year, with all the players we are trying to bring in. Probably wouldn't have gotten over 13 yet again.

DJ Johnson time??? Let the string bean out there and knock down some of those threes we always see in warm ups!!!

[rhodyblue12]

Agree. This is a byproduct of the AAU culture and not any shortcoming of our staff. The new rule will merely be an enabler.

[RamStock]

I'd be fine if Toppin took all of his minutes.

I don't think Long was going to get very good minutes next year, with all the players we are trying to bring in. Probably wouldn't have gotten over 13 yet again.

DJ Johnson time??? Let the string bean out there and knock down some of those threes we always see in warm ups!!!

DJ stinks! I’m not sure why people still think he will contribute. He is not on this level defensively and is the 13th man at best. We have hit rock bottom if we are counting on him. Long was a very good defensive player and who was much valuable than Johnson. The new transfer rule as I said before will single handily make college basketball a joke. A spin off the NBA and that whole free agent process

[RamStock]

Very disappointed....

How many times have we all said that about URI over the last 4 weeks and also in terms of players always leaving this program.

[PeterRamTime]

I'd be fine if Toppin took all of his minutes.

I don't think Long was going to get very good minutes next year, with all the players we are trying to bring in. Probably wouldn't have gotten over 13 yet again.

DJ Johnson time??? Let the string bean out there and knock down some of those threes we always see in warm ups!!!

DJ stinks! I’m not sure why people still think he will contribute. He is not on this level defensively and is the 13th man at best. We have hit rock bottom if we are counting on him. Long was a very good defensive player and who was much valuable than Johnson. The new transfer rule as I said before will single handily make college basketball a joke. A spin off the NBA and that whole free agent process

How do you know DJ stinks?

We havent seen him play other than an exhibition, if you were there.

I dont think losing Long will end up that big of a deal in the end. Opens up a roster spot. Get someone better.

[DevRam]

Mekhi would have played a TJ Buchanan role for likely his whole career. The kind of guy every team needs/wants but finding someone to accept that role is the challenge.

[RamStock]

I'd be fine if Toppin took all of his minutes.

I don't think Long was going to get very good minutes next year, with all the players we are trying to bring in. Probably wouldn't have gotten over 13 yet again.

DJ Johnson time??? Let the string bean out there and knock down some of those threes we always see in warm ups!!!

DJ stinks! I’m not sure why people still think he will contribute. He is not on this level defensively and is the 13th man at best. We have hit rock bottom if we are counting on him. Long was a very good defensive player and who was much valuable than Johnson. The new transfer rule as I said before will single handily make college basketball a joke. A spin off the NBA and that whole free agent process

How do you know DJ stinks?

We havent seen him play other than an exhibition, if you were there.

I dont think losing Long will end up that big of a deal in the end. Opens up a roster spot. Get someone better.

I have spoken to people who know and watched him play who are close and involved with the program. If you don’t believe me go back to the St.Louis thread last year 2018-19 when I said that there would be a new lineup for the first time all year. Fatts didn’t play. Why do you think he didn’t even get mentioned about playing despite how thin we were this year? Is Cox saving him because of his talent and because we are so deep.

[DevRam]

DJ was not ready for D I basketball last year. His offensive game is already there, the hope is that he puts on some weight and develops his defense. Hopefully being a consistent contributor by his senior year.

[PeterRamTime]

Well we dont know how much better he will be come November.

Besides, not like I think he is going to come in and play big minutes next year. Dont even think Long would, with Tyrese and Jacob getting most of the wing minutes. Throw DJ out there if we are up against a zone or something.

[DC_Rams]

DJ stinks! I’m not sure why people still think he will contribute. He is not on this level defensively and is the 13th man at best. We have hit rock bottom if we are counting on him. Long was a very good defensive player and who was much valuable than Johnson. The new transfer rule as I said before will single handily make college basketball a joke. A spin off the NBA and that whole free agent process

How do you know DJ stinks?

We havent seen him play other than an exhibition, if you were there.

I dont think losing Long will end up that big of a deal in the end. Opens up a roster spot. Get someone better.

I have spoken to people who know and watched him play who are close and involved with the program. If you don’t believe me go back to the St.Louis thread last year 2018-19 when I said that there would be a new lineup for the first time all year. Fatts didn’t play. Why do you think he didn’t even get mentioned about playing despite how thin we were this year? Is Cox saving him because of his talent and because we are so deep.

Cox is saving him to develop not only his game but his body. His shooting ability is uncanny. Saw the kid drain 17 uncontested 3s in warmups. I’m not naive enough to say this will undoubtedly occur on the floor, but he has the ability to shoot. He’s a zone buster.

[RamStock]

Well we dont know how much better he will be come November.

Besides, not like I think he is going to come in and play big minutes next year. Dont even think Long would, with Tyrese and Jacob getting most of the wing minutes. Throw DJ out there if we are up against a zone or something.

Look I hope he does something and if it provides hope great. I think Long was going to be a lock down defender who would develop his offensive game over the years. I’m aggravated that Long left and where we are headed. This isn’t a thread to take it out on DJ so I will not mention it again. Just disappointed that there seems to be no plan and players keep going out the back door. I though Long was very useful in many game situations.

[wgracie99]

Well we dont know how much better he will be come November.

Besides, not like I think he is going to come in and play big minutes next year. Dont even think Long would, with Tyrese and Jacob getting most of the wing minutes. Throw DJ out there if we are up against a zone or something.

Look I hope he does something and if it provides hope great. I think Long was going to be a lock down defender who would develop his offensive game over the years. I’m aggravated that Long left and where we are headed. This isn’t a thread to take it out on DJ so I will not mention it again. Just disappointed that there seems to be no plan and players keep going out the back door. I though Long was very useful in many game situations.

There is disappointment but this is on the kid and his family. If his playing time was a problem this year it would definitely be a problem his whole career if he wasn't going to play 25-30 mins minimum. Him and Hammond were all about unrealistic playing time for a freshman. Wish the kid well but now room for a transfer that can come in and take his place.

[Running Ram]

and the hits keep coming. wtf?

[STC]

How do you know DJ stinks?

We havent seen him play other than an exhibition, if you were there.

I dont think losing Long will end up that big of a deal in the end. Opens up a roster spot. Get someone better.

I have spoken to people who know and watched him play who are close and involved with the program. If you don’t believe me go back to the St.Louis thread last year 2018-19 when I said that there would be a new lineup for the first time all year. Fatts didn’t play. Why do you think he didn’t even get mentioned about playing despite how thin we were this year? Is Cox saving him because of his talent and because we are so deep.

Cox is saving him to develop not only his game but his body. His shooting ability is uncanny. Saw the kid drain 17 uncontested 3s in warmups. I’m not naive enough to say this will undoubtedly occur on the floor, but he has the ability to shoot. He’s a zone buster.

Spin machine working overtime here. “Saving him” lol, if he was any good he would have been on the court when Rhody was choking away a tournament bid.

As for Long, not a big loss but another indictment of the Cox regime. Long was a liability on the offensive end and was exposed when URI nearly lost at Fordham.

I think the bigger question is what is going on inside the program which is leading to all these transfers and what is Cox going to do to address this. Cox has to answer for this.

[Rhody83]

I will make a friendly wager with anyone that Long ends up at a lower rated school than URI.
He wasn’t a great recruit and if he wants starter playing time he will need to go to a lower level team.

[RamStock]

I will make a friendly wager with anyone that Long ends up at a lower rated school than URI.
He wasn’t a great recruit and if he wants starter playing time he will need to go to a lower level team.

I don’t think anyone called him a potential superstar. He might go to a lower level and be a starter. I guess it was another recruiting miss and these guys we bring in can’t develop into good rotational players.

[DC_Rams]

I have spoken to people who know and watched him play who are close and involved with the program. If you don’t believe me go back to the St.Louis thread last year 2018-19 when I said that there would be a new lineup for the first time all year. Fatts didn’t play. Why do you think he didn’t even get mentioned about playing despite how thin we were this year? Is Cox saving him because of his talent and because we are so deep.

Cox is saving him to develop not only his game but his body. His shooting ability is uncanny. Saw the kid drain 17 uncontested 3s in warmups. I’m not naive enough to say this will undoubtedly occur on the floor, but he has the ability to shoot. He’s a zone buster.

Spin machine working overtime here. “Saving him” lol, if he was any good he would have been on the court when Rhody was choking away a tournament bid.

As for Long, not a big loss but another indictment of the Cox regime. Long was a liability on the offensive end and was exposed when URI nearly lost at Fordham.

I think the bigger question is what is going on inside the program which is leading to all these transfers and what is Cox going to do to address this. Cox has to answer for this.

Another childish response.

Spinning what?

Saving, keeping back, benching...whatever term you want to use...that is what he was doing with this kid. That’s what the RS is designated for.

[Billyboy78]

So, do we have Mekhi for the simulated tournament?

[steveystuds06]

This sucks!!!!

Long was already one of the best defenders on the team and made an impact in many games. Every good team has a player like Long.

What the hell is going on? This is our program now?! Don’t get comfortable with any players on the roster.

I miss Dan

[DC_Rams]

This sucks!!!!

Long was already one of the best defenders on the team and made an impact in many games. Every good team has a player like Long.

What the hell is going on? This is our program now?! Don’t get comfortable with any players on the roster.

I miss Dan

Would Dan have played him 25-30 minutes a game?

I’ll wait.

[steviep123]

So, do we have Mekhi for the simulated tournament?

Shepherd played against Fordham in the simulated tournament, so why not?

[RamStock]

This sucks!!!!

Long was already one of the best defenders on the team and made an impact in many games. Every good team has a player like Long.

What the hell is going on? This is our program now?! Don’t get comfortable with any players on the roster.

I miss Dan

Would Dan have played 25-30 minutes a game?

I’ll wait.

Where is the contract that Long and his family put in front of Cox that said we expect 25-30 minutes a game? Why should he answer the question when you don’t answer any? Your way is to just say how someone is childish or has no idea what they are talking about and swear at them. You took off after Dayton embarrassed URI and were no where to be found because even you knew that the performance was embarrassing at home for a team competing for the tournament. People have right to their opinion. Your opinion is that we are headed in the right direction and others don’t feel that way. I like Cox and hope that they turn it around. We have 4 open spots now which is not good at this point of the year.

[DC_Rams]

This sucks!!!!

Long was already one of the best defenders on the team and made an impact in many games. Every good team has a player like Long.

What the hell is going on? This is our program now?! Don’t get comfortable with any players on the roster.

I miss Dan

Would Dan have played 25-30 minutes a game?

I’ll wait.

Where is the contract that Long and his family put in front of Cox that said we expect 25-30 minutes a game? Why should he answer the question when you don’t answer any? Your way is to just say how someone is childish or has no idea what they are talking about and swear at them. You took off after Dayton embarrassed URI and we’re no where to be found because even you knew that the performance was embarrassing at home for a team competing for the tournament. People have right to their opinion. Your opinion is that we are headed in the right direction and others don’t feel that way. I like Cox and hope that they turn it around. We have 4 open spots now which is not good at this point of the year.

What?

[CHICO 78]

Mekhi would have played a TJ Buchanan role for likely his whole career. The kind of guy every team needs/wants but finding someone to accept that role is the challenge

The problem has been stated here and it's these kids come into a division 1 school and expect starters minutes. 13 minutes a game as a freshman
is pretty solid and not much less than TJ played during his time here. These kids come into college thinking they are going to play big minutes
right out of the gate and if not they leave.
The only question I haven't seen asked, unless I missed it, is what is Cox promising them during recruiting to get them to commit. Are the unrealistic expectations a function of not telling a kid what he doesn't want to hear and allowing those unrealistic expectations to fester?

[DC_Rams]

Mekhi would have played a TJ Buchanan role for likely his whole career. The kind of guy every team needs/wants but finding someone to accept that role is the challenge

The problem has been stated here and it's these kids come into a division 1 school and expect starters minutes. 13 minutes a game as a freshman
is pretty solid and not much less than TJ played during his time here. These kids come into college thinking they are going to play big minutes
right out of the gate and if not they leave.
The only question I haven't seen asked, unless I missed it, is what is Cox promising them during recruiting to get them to commit. Are the unrealistic expectations a function of not telling a kid what he doesn't want to hear and allowing those unrealistic expectations to fester?

They are told that they will all compete for PT. If you don’t show and prove in practice, it will be reflected, in the minutes. He’s said that in his radio show a few times.

[steviep123]

Mekhi would have played a TJ Buchanan role for likely his whole career. The kind of guy every team needs/wants but finding someone to accept that role is the challenge

The problem has been stated here and it's these kids come into a division 1 school and expect starters minutes. 13 minutes a game as a freshman
is pretty solid and not much less than TJ played during his time here. These kids come into college thinking they are going to play big minutes
right out of the gate and if not they leave.
The only question I haven't seen asked, unless I missed it, is what is Cox promising them during recruiting to get them to commit. Are the unrealistic expectations a function of not telling a kid what he doesn't want to hear and allowing those unrealistic expectations to fester?

They are told that they will all compete for PT. If you don’t show and prove in practice, it will be reflected, in the minutes. He’s said that in his radio show a few times.

That's exactly what should be expected. A legitimate chance to earn playing time. I don't doubt that Cox and his staff have seen what they all can do in practice and if Long's work in practice merited 30 mins a game, he'd have played 30 minutes a game. That's not a knock on Long, just is what it is. No one should be 100% guaranteed playing time before stepping on campus and getting in a few practices. If you are that "can't miss" it will be immediately apparent.

[steveystuds06]

This sucks!!!!

Long was already one of the best defenders on the team and made an impact in many games. Every good team has a player like Long.

What the hell is going on? This is our program now?! Don’t get comfortable with any players on the roster.

I miss Dan

Would Dan have played him 25-30 minutes a game?

I’ll wait.

Trust me I don’t just miss Dan because of Mekhi Long.

I don’t care how many minutes he would play him. We have no idea how Long would feel playing under Hurley.

Clearly Long thought he should play more under Cox. Didn’t Hammond leave for the same reason? Is Cox promising more minutes to these guys and not delivering? We don’t know...All I know is we just lost another kid I really liked.

[eli#10]

Where did Hammond wind up?

[DC_Rams]

Where did Hammond wind up?

UMASS-LOWELL

[Billyboy78]

So, do we have Mekhi for the simulated tournament?

Shepherd played against Fordham in the simulated tournament, so why not?

I missed that game. How did Sheppard look? (Yeah, I'm not well )

[DeanDome88]

I really liked Long as a role player. I would not say that Cox did not give him enough opportunity. It is bad for the program to invest minutes in these players who do not stick around. Cox and the staff have not had a problem with recruiting but we do have a problem with student athlete retention. I hope that the staff as a whole comes up with some solutions to this trend even though its becoming more prevalent across college basketball. Mekhi played good defense but it was better away from the basket compared to in the paint and was looking forward to his improvement with more experience. I wish him well but am not really sure he is making a wise move.

[Running Ram]

he played plenty for a freshman, sometimes he looked good, sometimes he looked like a freshman, he's a player in development. If this and the other school jumping, boils down to PT it's too bad he hasn't been encouraged to stick it out and battle for more PT instead of being encouraged to team hop. It feels like he's getting some bad advice.

[rhodylaw]

I will make a friendly wager with anyone that Long ends up at a lower rated school than URI.
He wasn’t a great recruit and if he wants starter playing time he will need to go to a lower level team.

I don’t think anyone called him a potential superstar. He might go to a lower level and be a starter. I guess it was another recruiting miss and these guys we bring in can’t develop into good rotational players.

I really don’t think it was a recruiting miss - read anything about Mekhi when he was in highschool and it said IF he could consistently hit a shot he would be a really good player. I remember an AAU game where the comment was he could have dropped 40 but bricked 15 open shots. With work, maybe by his Junior/senior year his shot starts falling. Maybe never. He was a high floor (because of D) lowing ceiling player. That is not a miss. He saw minutes going down with Ish and Elijah coming in next year, despite the loss of Jeff.

[UCH21377]

Can we really keep blaming the kids and the AAU culture for all the defections?

Long had no value to the program?
Hammond had no value to the program?
Tate had no value to the program?
Thompson had no value to the program?
Akele had no value to the program?
Plus whoever I forgot?

I know there are valid reasons that all this happened, but at some point there is a bottom line aspect to the situation. I think Cox could be a good coach but it can't be done without players, and this amount of turnover is scary.

[rhodylaw]

Can we really keep blaming the kids and the AAU culture for all the defections?

Long had no value to the program?
Hammond had no value to the program?
Tate had no value to the program?
Thompson had no value to the program?
Akele had no value to the program?
Plus whoever I forgot?

I know there are valid reasons that all this happened, but at some point there is a bottom line aspect to the situation. I think Cox could be a good coach but it can't be done without players, and this amount of turnover is scary.

All of these guys had value - none of them are starters (at least at the time they left) but thought they should be.

I hate the DH comparisons for transfers. Yes he held onto some guys who probably shouldn’t have been D1 player or even A10 level players with the promise that when EC, JT, Hassan, JG, Stan and Kuran all graduated in a 2 year period. Whoopsie f’n doo. Anyone could do that with that promise of potential time in the future.

[UCH21377]

Can we really keep blaming the kids and the AAU culture for all the defections?

Long had no value to the program?
Hammond had no value to the program?
Tate had no value to the program?
Thompson had no value to the program?
Akele had no value to the program?
Plus whoever I forgot?

I know there are valid reasons that all this happened, but at some point there is a bottom line aspect to the situation. I think Cox could be a good coach but it can't be done without players, and this amount of turnover is scary.

All of these guys had value - none of them are starters (at least at the time they left) but thought they should be.

I hate the DH comparisons for transfers. Yes he held onto some guys who probably shouldn’t have been D1 player or even A10 level players with the promise that when EC, JT, Hassan, JG, Stan and Kuran all graduated in a 2 year period. Whoopsie f’n doo. Anyone could do that with that promise of potential time in the future.

Disagree. Hurley kept Jarvis Garrett after benching him for Dowtin. Brought SR off the bench. Others too. I didn't bring Hurley into this but I disagree with your argument on this.

[Smokinjimit]

This kid is delusional. He shot 32% from the floor and 51% from the free throw line. The ACC teams must be lining up to get him.

[RamStock]

I will make a friendly wager with anyone that Long ends up at a lower rated school than URI.
He wasn’t a great recruit and if he wants starter playing time he will need to go to a lower level team.

I don’t think anyone called him a potential superstar. He might go to a lower level and be a starter. I guess it was another recruiting miss and these guys we bring in can’t develop into good rotational players.

I really don’t think it was a recruiting miss - read anything about Mekhi when he was in highschool and it said IF he could consistently hit a shot he would be a really good player. I remember an AAU game where the comment was he could have dropped 40 but bricked 15 open shots. With work, maybe by his Junior/senior year his shot starts falling. Maybe never. He was a high floor (because of D) lowing ceiling player. That is not a miss. He saw minutes going down with Ish and Elijah coming in next year, despite the loss of Jeff.

I think Long was a very good defensive player who was never going to be a star on the offensive side of the ball, but could have developed into a very solid role player and defensive stopper. In terms of his minutes as others have said before Cox must tell them what his vision is for him when they recruited him in terms of role and the future. I think to discuss a guaranteed minutes is unrealistic. Wood doesn’t play the same position and I really don’t expect that much from him next year. It would be nice to get some continuity. Hopefully we aren’t saying the same thing about Leggett in a couple years.

[PeterRamTime]

Can we really keep blaming the kids and the AAU culture for all the defections?

Long had no value to the program?
Hammond had no value to the program?
Tate had no value to the program?
Thompson had no value to the program?
Akele had no value to the program?
Plus whoever I forgot?

I know there are valid reasons that all this happened, but at some point there is a bottom line aspect to the situation. I think Cox could be a good coach but it can't be done without players, and this amount of turnover is scary.

All of these guys had value - none of them are starters (at least at the time they left) but thought they should be.

I hate the DH comparisons for transfers. Yes he held onto some guys who probably shouldn’t have been D1 player or even A10 level players with the promise that when EC, JT, Hassan, JG, Stan and Kuran all graduated in a 2 year period. Whoopsie f’n doo. Anyone could do that with that promise of potential time in the future.

Hey and maybe Dan or Cox actually thought they'd be better than they ended up being. Sometimes players just dont develop.

[The Dude]

I wish him well. I feel like he could've been a solid contributor.
Players need to get impartial advice. I feel like him and others transfer before ever understanding what a great value it could be to them to stay. Life is hard. Adversity is all around. He was given some solid minutes as a "Freshman", but struggled offensively. It's fine. He was only a Freshman. Feel like by Junior year he could've been a big part of the team.
This whole one and done mentality will get players/people no where in life and will only bring them more struggles and more people to blame when what they need to do is look within. People are capable of amazing things...even more amazing than they may think they are capable of, but realizing that and achieving something great will never come without some self analysis and a lot of hard work.

[Rhody83]

Think he has an issue. He hasn’t been at the same school for two years in a row since his Fr & Soph year of high school

16-17 McNamara
17-18 Massanutten
18-19 McNamara
19-20 URI
20-21 new college

[DC_Rams]

Think he has an issue. He hasn’t been at the same school for two years in a row since his Fr & Soph year of high school

16-17 McNamara
17-18 Massanutten
18-19 McNamara
19-20 URI
20-21 new college

16-17 he played at St. Mary’s Ryken

[rhodylaw]

It is tough going from a starter and big contributor on a high level HS basketball team and then come and have to come off the bench sporadically in college. Mekhi is a good player right now, just was not yet ready to play consistently on a top 35 team.

[ElmCityRhody]

This is brutal

Can we not keep any players ???

[rambone 78]

Could be a reason why we aren't getting any commits yet by our top targets.

Well know in a few weeks what the future holds when it comes to recruiting for next season.

We whiff, and it's not looking good.