'19 G Charles Pride (Bryant ---> Bonnies)

[steveystuds06]

I guess his visit to Creighton isn't happening either, they may have backed off.

Looks like his only official visit is Loyola, interesting.
Except this is from RV so who knows what is going on.

He talks with Pride so this is real. The second we landed Zek I thought we were out on Pride. He's a one year rental so I wasn't gonna be that upset if we lost him to someone like Xavier. But another A10 school? That's simply not good enough from Archie and the staff. We don't seem to have one alpha on this team just a mix of good high-upside players. Pride was a perfect Ish replacement.

[jcru]

There is no way we should lose this recruiting battle to Loyola. Absolutely none.

We just lost Ishmael Leggett officially. Why can't we gave Pride his former NIL package?

[jcru]

I guess his visit to Creighton isn't happening either, they may have backed off.

Looks like his only official visit is Loyola, interesting.
Except this is from RV so who knows what is going on.

He talks with Pride so this is real. The second we landed Zek I thought we were out on Pride. He's a one year rental so I wasn't gonna be that upset if we lost him to someone like Xavier. But another A10 school? That's simply not good enough from Archie and the staff. We don't seem to have one alpha on this team just a mix of good high-upside players. Pride was a perfect Ish replacement.

Amen

[jcru]

Listen, Always Wright looks good, on paper.

But let's see him do it against Div 1 competition. Let's see him beat Syracuse. Let's see him make the NCAA tourney. Let's see him avg 18 ppg on the highest scoring team in Div 1. Pride did all of those things.

Not to mention: Mr Basketball of NY. etc, etc, etc

You cannot compare experience to potential. This was supposed to be a slam dunk, one year rental, to boost us into another area of the pecking order in the A-10. Instead, Loyola is going to get all of that? Not acceptable.

[Jersey77]

I guess his visit to Creighton isn't happening either, they may have backed off.

Looks like his only official visit is Loyola, interesting.
Except this is from RV so who knows what is going on.

With Pride he is probably an insider, he actually talks to him

True surf, not feeling good about this, was expecting a visit this week.

If we don't get Buru or Pride, I will be disappointed.
Maybe Archie and staff have a good back-up plan.
Still plenty of impact players out there.

[jcru]

And you know what they are thinking: Well, Always Wright will be here for 3 years.

People who say that, still haven't accepted the reality of the situation in the NCAA today. And that is, you can't count on anyone being here for three years anymore. A JUCO can still use his one-shot transfer down the line, correct? So, even if Always Wright completely exceeded expectations, and single handedly vaulted us to the top of the conference, he would off to a P5 school next year.

That's the reality of the situation. So, every time you see someone say, "we're going to have player X for three years", their brain, in still living in the year 2018. Because that is not going to happen. When we have good players, see: Ishmael Leggett, they are going to get poached. And, see how it felt yesterday when that became official? It sucked. Expect a lot of that, if you have a bunch of players who you bring in as freshmen or who still have three years of eligibility and can leave whenever they want.

What you want to do, is minimize that. Because no one likes the idea of their school being a turnstile for players en route to P5. How do you minimize that? Well, getting one great, one year rental player, just like Tammi Reese does every single year, is one way to minimize that.

And getting straight transfers like Montgomery, is the other way.

Getting Charles Pride and paying him whatever the NIL is, for one year? To get this team from #14 in the Conference, to say, #6? Is worth every penny, don't kid yourself.

[PeterRamTime]

Well if there's no official visit "yet" then the door ain't shut "yet"

[Jersey77]

And you know what they are thinking: Well, Always Wright will be here for 3 years.

People who say that, still haven't accepted the reality of the situation in the NCAA today. And that is, you can't count on anyone being here for three years anymore. A JUCO can still use his one-shot transfer down the line, correct? So, even if Always Wright completely exceeded expectations, and single handedly vaulted us to the top of the conference, he would off to a P5 school next year.

That's the reality of the situation. So, every time you see someone say, "we're going to have player X for three years", their brain, in still living in the year 2018. Because that is not going to happen. When we have good players, see: Ishmael Leggett, they are going to get poached. And, see how it felt yesterday when that became official? It sucked. Expect a lot of that, if you have a bunch of players who you bring in as freshmen or who still have three years of eligibility and can leave whenever they want.

What you want to do, is minimize that. Because no one likes the idea of their school being a turnstile for players en route to P5. How do you minimize that? Well, getting one great, one year rental player, just like Tammi Reese does every single year, is one way to minimize that.

And getting straight transfers like Montgomery, is the other way.

Getting Charles Pride and paying him whatever the NIL is, for one year? To get this team from #14 in the Conference, to say, #6? Is worth every penny, don't kid yourself.

Juco players such as Brown and Always didn't enter the portal and can still qualify for the no-sit rule.
So yeah they can always transfer like a HS/prep kid and not get penalized.

We need to get that one proven player that can make an immediate impact and get us over the hump, even if they are only a 1-year rental.

But with that said, I would love us to get Buru, because he looks to have all the tools.

[jcru]

Juco player such as Brown and Always didn't enter the portal and can still qualify for the no-sit rule.
So yeah they can always transfer like a HS/prep kid and not get penalized.

We need to get that one proven player that can make an immediate impact and get us over the hump, even if they are only a 1-year rental.

Well, it would seem Buru is a JUCO with three years of eligibility. But, c'mon, for a frontcourt player like that, totally worth the risk of him only being here 2 or even 1 year.

And I'm not saying Always Wright wouldn't be worth the risk of 2 or 1 years. But not at the expense of this situation.

I think people are just waking up to the reality that Tammi Reese had it right all along. She has quickly brought her team to the top of the Conference, so she is going to have an easier time holding onto players who have the ability to leave. But she did it, by supplementing heavily, at least at first, with one year difference makers.

[Jersey77]

Juco player such as Brown and Always didn't enter the portal and can still qualify for the no-sit rule.
So yeah they can always transfer like a HS/prep kid and not get penalized.

We need to get that one proven player that can make an immediate impact and get us over the hump, even if they are only a 1-year rental.

Well, it would seem Buru is a JUCO with three years of eligibility. But, c'mon, for a frontcourt player like that, totally worth the risk of him only being here 2 or even 1 year.

And I'm not saying Always Wright wouldn't be worth the risk of 2 or 1 years. But not at the expense of this situation.

I think people are just waking up to the reality that Tammi Reese had it right all along. She has quickly brought her team to the top of the Conference, so she is going to have an easier time holding onto players who have the ability to leave. But she did it, by supplementing heavily, at least at first, with one year difference makers.

Yes I did add to my post that Buru is a player I would take.
If we can get Buru or a player with his ability, I would also take a chance on Always.

[CamsRams]

Juco player such as Brown and Always didn't enter the portal and can still qualify for the no-sit rule.
So yeah they can always transfer like a HS/prep kid and not get penalized.

We need to get that one proven player that can make an immediate impact and get us over the hump, even if they are only a 1-year rental.

Well, it would seem Buru is a JUCO with three years of eligibility. But, c'mon, for a frontcourt player like that, totally worth the risk of him only being here 2 or even 1 year.

And I'm not saying Always Wright wouldn't be worth the risk of 2 or 1 years. But not at the expense of this situation.

I think people are just waking up to the reality that Tammi Reese had it right all along. She has quickly brought her team to the top of the Conference, so she is going to have an easier time holding onto players who have the ability to leave. But she did it, by supplementing heavily, at least at first, with one year difference makers.

Yes I did add to my post that Buru is a player I would take.
If we can get Buru or a player with his ability, I would also take a chance on Always.

Is there a scenario where Buru and Wright commit and Tchikou transfers to open up a spot for Pride?

[rambone 78]

The timing of Ish leaving might coincide with someone coming?

[Jersey77]

Well, it would seem Buru is a JUCO with three years of eligibility. But, c'mon, for a frontcourt player like that, totally worth the risk of him only being here 2 or even 1 year.

And I'm not saying Always Wright wouldn't be worth the risk of 2 or 1 years. But not at the expense of this situation.

I think people are just waking up to the reality that Tammi Reese had it right all along. She has quickly brought her team to the top of the Conference, so she is going to have an easier time holding onto players who have the ability to leave. But she did it, by supplementing heavily, at least at first, with one year difference makers.

Yes I did add to my post that Buru is a player I would take.
If we can get Buru or a player with his ability, I would also take a chance on Always.

Is there a scenario where Buru and Wright commit and Tchikou transfers to open up a spot for Pride?

I guess anything is fair game at this point.

The portal window is open until May 11 for players entering.

[Rhody15]

The timing of Ish leaving might coincide with someone coming?

Let’s be honest, he left when he entered the portal.

Realistically we didn’t have a shot to get him back.

[Billyboy78]

Does Pride really need to take an official visit here? He took an unofficial. He sat and talked with the staff. He was shown the facilities. He didn't need a place to stay because all he had to do was drive 30 minutes to get back to where he lives. The only difference is that the staff couldn't take him out for meals on an unofficial. Same thing with his unofficial to PC. He already knows all he needs to know about URI and PC.

[Jersey77]

Does Pride really need to take an official visit here? He took an unofficial. He sat and talked with the staff. He was shown the facilities. He didn't need a place to stay because all he had to do was drive 30 minutes to get back to where he lives. The only difference is that the staff couldn't take him out for meals on an unofficial. Same thing with his unofficial to PC. He already knows all he needs to know about URI and PC.

On official visits the recruits can take 2 family members, expenses paid.
That is important for some players to get their perspective/input and for coaches to further cement those relationships.

[rambone 78]

Loyola and URI were both bad last year.
He's only going to play for one year in either place.
Why not stay home?
Looks like its 50-50 to me.

[jcru]

Is there a scenario where Buru and Wright commit and Tchikou transfers to open up a spot for Pride?

Why would you do it in that order, though? Maybe Buru, sure, but what is the urgency with Wright? I would think Pride is the priority, Wright would be a luxury (ie, nice, but lacking defense and will probably only see spot action for shooting this upcoming season)

[jcru]

Loyola and URI were both bad last year.
He's only going to play for one year in either place.
Why not stay home?
Looks like its 50-50 to me.

I'm guessing it comes down to: 1. waning interest from URI, 2. NIL package

Like you said, we should have this running away, I doubt he's bent on leaving the area.

Loyola will be more than happy to capitalize on that.

[CamsRams]

[jcru]

That's good, but isn't Loyola coming to see Pride in his home. While we were out signing Montgomery, Kortright, and wooing Wright, I'm sure Loyola could use more than one guard too.

This isn't like Xavier and Creighton, where their teams were already stacked to the hilt with talent.

[SmartyBarrett]

6'3" guard who's lights out from three. Decent sign for Pride looking elsewhere, but who knows.

[PeterRamTime]

Loyola and URI were both bad last year.
He's only going to play for one year in either place.
Why not stay home?
Looks like its 50-50 to me.

I'm guessing it comes down to: 1. waning interest from URI, 2. NIL package

Like you said, we should have this running away, I doubt he's bent on leaving the area.

Loyola will be more than happy to capitalize on that.

Remember he's got a girlfriend at Bryant

[jcru]

Loyola-Chicago is really starting to look like a top 5 team in the conference at minimum.

I'm guessing they are going to solidify that in a few more days the way this is going.

Remember, the guy from PC who said Pride committed to Loyola on twitter, and then backed down when Pride said he had a nice visit, but did not commit, also came back later and said he's committed, but he just doesn't want me to tell anyone yet.

So, they are about to close the deal. There was a chance to get him over here, throw a big ta doo, get him to dramatically sign with the last visit. Instead the feelers are putting out:

"hey, do you think we can sign Always Wright today and then come back and see if we can pick Pride up in about two weeks after we convince Alex to abandon his scholarship and leave?"

I'm going to go out on a limb, and say, no.

[LoveThoseRams]

I wonder how we left things with Antwan Walker....what would he say about the environment at Rhody?

[Rhody74]

I wonder how we left things with Antwan Walker....what would he say about the environment at Rhody?

Groan. That train has left the station.

[Section104]

I wonder how we left things with Antwan Walker....what would he say about the environment at Rhody?

Groan. That train has left the station.

He isn't saying he's coming back - he's asking what Antwan has told Pride about URI (They are teammates at Bryant)

[Rhody74]

I wonder how we left things with Antwan Walker....what would he say about the environment at Rhody?

Groan. That train has left the station.

He isn't saying he's coming back - he's asking what Antwan has told Pride about URI (They are teammates at Bryant)

Oops …. I confused Walker with Anthony Harris. Senior moment.

[jcru]

lol, no problem.

And LTR is the Lady of KeaneyBlue, the way Sansa Stark was the Lady of Winterfell (well she ended up a Queen, but you get the gist). Not everyone is a dude on here.

[RhowdyRam02]

Listen, Always Wright looks good, on paper.

But let's see him do it against Div 1 competition. Let's see him beat Syracuse. Let's see him make the NCAA tourney. Let's see him avg 18 ppg on the highest scoring team in Div 1. Pride did all of those things.

Not to mention: Mr Basketball of NY. etc, etc, etc

You cannot compare experience to potential. This was supposed to be a slam dunk, one year rental, to boost us into another area of the pecking order in the A-10. Instead, Loyola is going to get all of that? Not acceptable.

Lets see Pride average 18 ppg in a better conference, against better competition, while having to actually play defense, and not being able to chuck up any shot at any time he wants.

I'd like to have him, but let's not forget his offense is greatly inflated by his competition and the complete and total lack of system Grasso has going at Bryant

[RhowdyRam02]

6'3" guard who's lights out from three. Decent sign for Pride looking elsewhere, but who knows.

Just like they were a no doubt top 5 team coming into this past season? I'll believe it when I see it with them

[jcru]

Loyola thread:

https://www.ramblermania.net/forum/view ... 520#p46520

[RamStock]

Listen, Always Wright looks good, on paper.

But let's see him do it against Div 1 competition. Let's see him beat Syracuse. Let's see him make the NCAA tourney. Let's see him avg 18 ppg on the highest scoring team in Div 1. Pride did all of those things.

Not to mention: Mr Basketball of NY. etc, etc, etc

You cannot compare experience to potential. This was supposed to be a slam dunk, one year rental, to boost us into another area of the pecking order in the A-10. Instead, Loyola is going to get all of that? Not acceptable.

Lets see Pride average 18 ppg in a better conference, against better competition, while having to actually play defense, and not being able to chuck up any shot at any time he wants.

I'd like to have him, but let's not forget his offense is greatly inflated by his competition and the complete and total lack of system Grasso has going at Bryant

Couldn’t you say the stats are inflated with every player we are bringing in? None of them were playing at a high level. Why not use the eye test and their history of success which Pride has. The stat of PPG is overrated depending on the role of the team they play on. He could average 12 ppg at URI or a Creighton and have a huge impact.

[jcru]

I don't understand why he's not a priority. Let's just leave it like that.

[Joe95]

Pride visiting Minnesota this weekend

[rjv]

Pride is not coming to URI imo.

[RhowdyRam02]

Listen, Always Wright looks good, on paper.

But let's see him do it against Div 1 competition. Let's see him beat Syracuse. Let's see him make the NCAA tourney. Let's see him avg 18 ppg on the highest scoring team in Div 1. Pride did all of those things.

Not to mention: Mr Basketball of NY. etc, etc, etc

You cannot compare experience to potential. This was supposed to be a slam dunk, one year rental, to boost us into another area of the pecking order in the A-10. Instead, Loyola is going to get all of that? Not acceptable.

Lets see Pride average 18 ppg in a better conference, against better competition, while having to actually play defense, and not being able to chuck up any shot at any time he wants.

I'd like to have him, but let's not forget his offense is greatly inflated by his competition and the complete and total lack of system Grasso has going at Bryant

Couldn’t you say the stats are inflated with every player we are bringing in? None of them were playing at a high level. Why not use the eye test and their history of success which Pride has. The stat of PPG is overrated depending on the role of the team they play on. He could average 12 ppg at URI or a Creighton and have a huge impact.

This is all true, however it leaves out the part that we know based on the eye test that he never had to play defense or pass up a shot playing at Bryant under Grasso

[jcru]

Minnesota thread:

https://gopherhole.com/boards/threads/2 ... st-2706181

[PeterRamTime]

Pride visiting Minnesota this weekend

Damn

[jcru]

Pride is not coming to URI imo.

Was he ever? If he was, then what happened? Why are we in the dark on this?

No wonder they were quick to sign Kortright and now Always Wright.

[rhodyram22]

I thought URI was his last official visit?

[rhodylocal]

I don't understand why he's not a priority. Let's just leave it like that.

Why do we feel like we are a great option for him? Grasso said he wants to go somewhere he can win this year or somewhere that can get him to the next level. Sure, he may have a girlfriend at Bryant and Antwan Walker probably had good things to say about URI but we are a program in rebuild mode. We are going to sell kids on being a part of that rebuild and bringing us back to relevance in the next few years.
I don't think we have a shot at a player that wants exposure and to be on an NCAA team. I don't see us getting to an NCAA this year sorry.

[jcru]

I thought URI was his last official visit?

Not as of 4 hours ago.

[jcru]

I don't understand why he's not a priority. Let's just leave it like that.

Why do we feel like we are a great option for him? Grasso said he wants to go somewhere he can win this year or somewhere that can get him to the next level. Sure, he may have a girlfriend at Bryant and Antwan Walker probably had good things to say about URI but we are a program in rebuild mode. We are going to sell kids on being a part of that rebuild and bringing us back to relevance in the next few years.
I don't think we have a shot at a player that wants exposure and to be on an NCAA team. I don't see us getting to an NCAA this year sorry.

So, you are saying this is on his end then? He's rejecting us?

[rhodysurf]

I don't understand why he's not a priority. Let's just leave it like that.

Why do we feel like we are a great option for him? Grasso said he wants to go somewhere he can win this year or somewhere that can get him to the next level. Sure, he may have a girlfriend at Bryant and Antwan Walker probably had good things to say about URI but we are a program in rebuild mode. We are going to sell kids on being a part of that rebuild and bringing us back to relevance in the next few years.
I don't think we have a shot at a player that wants exposure and to be on an NCAA team. I don't see us getting to an NCAA this year sorry.

Oh are Loyola and Minnesota places he is going to go and win? Lol they suck just as bad as us

[rhodyram22]

I thought URI was his last official visit?

Not as of 4 hours ago.

RhodyVault has been wrong many times. I'd take this with a grain of salt.

[Jdrums#3]

Does Pride really need to take an official visit here? He took an unofficial. He sat and talked with the staff. He was shown the facilities. He didn't need a place to stay because all he had to do was drive 30 minutes to get back to where he lives. The only difference is that the staff couldn't take him out for meals on an unofficial. Same thing with his unofficial to PC. He already knows all he needs to know about URI and PC.

Correct, 78.

And for all we know, he could be leaning our way and this could be Loyola’s last ditch effort to get him. Just simple speculation on my part since I have no inside knowledge on what Pride is thinking and no knowledge of what the staffs plan is, priorities are, etc this cycle. Therefore, I am not going to swing back and forth on what recruiting battles we are winning or losing off of Twitter antics and not having the full story. I will begin to evaluate the staffs level of success when the team is complete and I can sample the product on the court.

In the meantime, I will speculate by just generally throwing crap at the wall until something sticks like most others here that only have a view of the part of the iceberg sitting out of the water.

An entertaining thread nonetheless.

[jcru]

RhodyVault has been wrong many times. I'd take this with a grain of salt.

Yeah, ok, I understand that, but about something local like this? We all know he covered and favored Bryant the most out of every Rhode Island school, he would know Pride. He wouldn't report something about Pride that he didn't get first hand.

[PeterRamTime]

I don't understand why he's not a priority. Let's just leave it like that.

Why do we feel like we are a great option for him? Grasso said he wants to go somewhere he can win this year or somewhere that can get him to the next level. Sure, he may have a girlfriend at Bryant and Antwan Walker probably had good things to say about URI but we are a program in rebuild mode. We are going to sell kids on being a part of that rebuild and bringing us back to relevance in the next few years.
I don't think we have a shot at a player that wants exposure and to be on an NCAA team. I don't see us getting to an NCAA this year sorry.

Oh are Loyola and Minnesota places he is going to go and win? Lol they suck just as bad as us

Definitely not gonna win at Minnesota

[jcru]

Does Pride really need to take an official visit here? He took an unofficial. He sat and talked with the staff. He was shown the facilities. He didn't need a place to stay because all he had to do was drive 30 minutes to get back to where he lives. The only difference is that the staff couldn't take him out for meals on an unofficial. Same thing with his unofficial to PC. He already knows all he needs to know about URI and PC.

Correct, 78.

And for all we know, he could be leaning our way and this could be Loyola’s last ditch effort to get him. Just simple speculation on my part since I have no inside knowledge on what Pride is thinking and no knowledge of what the staffs plan is, priorities are, etc this cycle. Therefore, I am not going to swing back and forth on what recruiting battles we are winning or losing off of Twitter antics and not having the full story. I will begin to evaluate the staffs level of success when the team is complete and I can sample the product on the court.

In the meantime, I will speculate by just generally throw crap at the wall until something sticks like most others here that only have a view the part of the iceberg sitting out of the water.

An entertaining thread nonetheless.

I would think, without knowing the kid personally but following along since day one like everyone else, that he wants to play, first and foremost.

When URI got House, perfectly understandable, Pride needs a backcourt mate.
When URI got Montgomery, perfectly understandable, URI plays a lot of 3 guard sets, Montgomery is a swingman, not an issue.

Then URI is quick to go out and get one combo guard, who they could have gotten anytime. Absolutely no hurry to pull the trigger there. Now, if you are Pride you are thinking, how much am I really going to be playing at this place.

Next, Ishmael Leggett makes it official he's going to Pitt. Which despite everything that has transpired so far, leaves a big gap in terms of points, mins, rebounding. The thing to do at that point would be to reach out to Pride and say, Ish is gone, we want you to come in here and be our next Ish.

Instead, they have an official visit for a freshman JUCO combo guard from Oklahoma, and are so excited by this visit, they want to offer him straight away, is what we are hearing.

So at which point is it impossible to convince Pride that he's really going to be more here, than at any of those other places he had visits lined up to, and now cancelled, because they also recruited over him?

I just think, if it were up to me, put the full court press on Pride after the Montgomery signing. Also go after Buru. Try to get both, and then worry about what combo guards who are going to be backups are available after the fact, should have been the order. No?