'14 Lithuania PF/C Rokas Gustys (Hofstra Commit)

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

zporiri wrote:
rambone 78 wrote:My niece almost went to Tulane. She wants to be a doctor. Never got anything other than an A in her life. 1500 on her SAT's, including a perfect 800 in math.

I doubt Gustys wants to be a doctor, but their academics are strong.

But ours aren't too shabby either.
Compared to Tulane, yes they are.

Depends on what you want to study. Tulane is a good school. URI is, too. Probably better than its reputation, honestly.

Running Ram · Unread post by **Running Ram** » 10 years ago

I am so tired of people undervaluing and under-assessing the quality of the academics at URI. Like any other university, it is comprised of many colleges, some of which are among the best of the best, oceanography, agriculture; some of which are top 100, material/mechanical engineering, Psychology...It's a university, it is a community of people concentrating on multiple disciplines, coexisting and cooperating in ways that prepare folks to open their minds and meet the world. Our campus is beautiful, facilities well maintained and getting better, the resources are here and available, so unless you come to Rhody to study something we just don't offer, like any other good university, you get out what you put in. In truth there are probably about 40-50 universities that I would say are clearly superior academic institutions, otherwise I have no doubt Rhody stacks up against the rest, including Tulane.

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

Very well put.

scine20 · Unread post by **scine20** » 10 years ago

As someone that has traveled to New Orleans, there is absolutely no comparison between URI and the Providence area and the New Orleans area. New Orleans is an extremely ugly and dirty city and I do not know why anyone would want to live there. Tulane is in a nice area no doubt, but that's about the only nice area in the city. They play in a tiny arena that from the outside looks like a small warehouse.

I would say the same about Birmingham as well although UAB plays in a little nicer of an arena than Tulane. Still, not sure why anyone would want to play and live in Birmingham, Alabama over Kingston, Rhode Island. Birmingham is another extremely ugly and run down city.

If he picks Tulane over URI then it's clearly all about academics. And if he picks UAB over URI then I don't know what to say.

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

Agree on Birmingham. It is gross. On NoLa, just can't agree. Don't want to undermine our recruitment here because I do think URI is the better fit for Gustys, but New Orleans is a top-5 city in North America for me. I've had two close friends living down there since I left college and to me the culture is a ton of fun.

scine20 · Unread post by **scine20** » 10 years ago

New Orleans along with Miami are my least favorite major cities. I've been to most of them and definitely rate those two at the bottom. They are just dirty.

I'd rather live in North Dakota than New Orleans.

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

The French Quarter: oo la la...

The rest? A dump.

I'll take the SC beaches anyday. Yes, it's warmer in La. most of the year, if you like humidity and the occasional hurricane.

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

scine, if you lived in ND and were a land owner, you'd be a millionaire, due to the oil boom.

Although if I was, I'd sell and get the hell out. Miles and miles of nothing, if that's what you like.

RAM67 · Unread post by **RAM67** » 10 years ago

My wife just returned from a trip to Louisiana to see our daughter in Baton Rouge, and they spent a day in New Orleans. She called me to tell of her safe arrival, and added that the unmistakable stench of the city was alive and well, especially in the French Quarter. As usual, the food was great.

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

Sometimes on this board everyone seems collectively convinced that all recruiting decisions are made by the prep school coaches, but now we have new driving force behind college decisions: architecture, scenery and urban beautification.

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

BFC wrote:Sometimes on this board everyone seems collectively convinced that all recruiting decisions are made by the prep school coaches, but now we have new driving force behind college decisions: architecture, scenery and urban beautification.

And the smell, don't forget the smell!!

Also, I love New Orleans having spent a decent amount of time in the city - and not just the nice parts. That said, RI is better. Come to Rhody, Rokas.

scine20 · Unread post by **scine20** » 10 years ago

rambone 78 wrote:scine, if you lived in ND and were a land owner, you'd be a millionaire, due to the oil boom.

Although if I was, I'd sell and get the hell out. Miles and miles of nothing, if that's what you like.

I wasn't just saying ND. I'd live anywhere in the country (outside of Alaska and Hawaii) over the deep south, particularly New Orleans.

When I flew into New Orleans they didn't even have signs to the rental car facility. I can't say that's something I've seen at any other airport. I had to ask where to go to find the rental cars. It was like I was in the 80's.

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

People love to say every school not named uri is so much greater academically... It's a stretch outside of those top 50ish you said. It's a stale argument. Be a doctor? Grad school? Uri in Noway limits a students grad school opportunities. I got in most I wanted to.

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

Updating my previous attempt to handicap his recruitment:

UAB
8th in Conference USA
Home attendance: About 5,000
Playing time: Starting center and forward are seniors, but they've signed two PFs, one of them a 4 star.

Tulane
7th in Conference USA
Home attendance: About 1,500 in Devlin Fieldhouse, which seats 3600
Playing time: Center is a senior; no forwards signed

Hofstra
8th in Colonial
Home attendance: 1500-2000 in Mack Sports Complex, which opened in 2000
Playing time: Signed another center but lots of PT available for a big

I think when you look at playing time, facilities and conference URI is a clear winner.

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

You guys sound like elderly cranks knocking New Orleans for the smell. If you like food, drink and women then New Orleans is for you. The place is a giant party, it's got an awesome look and feel to it that is very different and unique. Also, it is wrong to mention NoLa with the "Deep South" which generally has a very conservative Christian culture; New Orleans is an oasis in the south in that respect, with a very open and permissive culture.

Again, if you hate eating and drinking and chasing blondes around, then yes. Stay out of New Orleans.

scine20 · Unread post by **scine20** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:You guys sound like elderly cranks knocking New Orleans for the smell. If you like food, drink and women then New Orleans is for you. The place is a giant party, it's got an awesome look and feel to it that is very different and unique. Also, it is wrong to mention NoLa with the "Deep South" which generally has a very conservative Christian culture; New Orleans is an oasis in the south in that respect, with a very open and permissive culture.

Again, if you hate eating and drinking and chasing blondes around, then yes. Stay out of New Orleans.

You can do all of that stuff in pretty much any other part of the country as well.

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

Try Montreal, which also has a casino and scads of beautiful women,
and incredible food.

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

Scine - Yes but it's better in New Orleans.

Rod - agree 100% on Montreal. It also is in my top 5 North American cities.

scine20 · Unread post by **scine20** » 10 years ago

Toronto is probably the best city that I've ever seen. Definitely the cleanest. The only problem is that everything is extremely expensive there.

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

Toronto is NYC without any of the character and less garbage. I find it to be a very vanilla city, clean and all that but nothing distinctive. Montreal is great, like a mini Paris with a total European sensibility. Echo TPs comments on New Orleans...great food, great drinks and great culture. You deal with the smell because the place is so unique.

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

bigappleram wrote:Toronto is NYC without any of the character and less garbage. I find it to be a very vanilla city, clean and all that but nothing distinctive. Montreal is great, like a mini Paris with a total European sensibility. Echo TPs comments on New Orleans...great food, great drinks and great culture. You deal with the smell because the place is so unique.

You gotta admit Toronto has an interesting mayor, though.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

Isn't the crime rate very high in NO? I'd hate to get mugged chasing a blonde through the French Quarter. I've lost a lot of speed through the years.

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

yes the crime rate is high, but largely outside the french quarter which is prob where you would spend most of your time. the cops are also called the NOpd for a reason. corruptions runs high in NoLa

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

There are a lot of really bad parts of New Orleans, but as someone visiting there - and even living there presumably - you'd have very little reason to ever end up in any of them. The same could be said of a lot of cities, but travelers to New York rarely find themselves in the tougher neighborhoods of the outer boroughs, nor do travelers to Chicago find themselves in the middle of the shootings that that city has gotten so much attention for (NYC and Chicago also in my top-5 North American cities, along with D.C.).

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

UAB 28 tornados on Sunday in bama. That would make me cut them off my list.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

Doesn't all of this belong on the TRAVEL CHANNEL thread????????????????????????????????

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

Maybe we should hire Gary Ley.

bwerner10 · Unread post by **bwerner10** » 10 years ago

Do we think the Hare announcement hurts the chances of Gustys signing? I think they are very different players and Hare probably needs to play against smaller players and more up-tempo. Gustys defends the large post players saving Hare and Biruta from doing so.

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

I understand the depth argument, but with Hare back in the mix now I'm really having trouble understanding how game minutes get spread between Hare, Martin, Watson, Iffy, Gil, Gustys (if he commits). I believe that Gil, Martin, and Watson get the bulk of the minutes, at least early on. Hare, if all goes well, will also see significant action. Knowing this, if you are Gustys, are you coming here confident you will get minutes right away? I just don't think this is happening folks.

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

If Gustys can't get more playing time than Hare after no basketball for almost a year,
and Oneykaba, then I don't want him.
Not the case. He's rock solid in his game.

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

rodfromcranston wrote:If Gustys can't get more playing time than Hare after no basketball for almost a year,
and Oneykaba, then I don't want him.
Not the case. He's rock solid in his game.

Fair comment about what to expect from Hare, I just don't agree with your evaluation of Gustys. Our front court is pretty crowded now. I don't see 15-25 minutes for him here like he was "promised."

He's guaranteed to get more minutes elsewhere.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

After last year, I'm never complaining about being too crowded in the front court.

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

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

Sounds like Gustys isn't coming here. .... or they aren't counting on it.

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

These things do go both ways, you know. Players lose interest in schools, schools lose interest in players as situations change.

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

My opinion from the outside looking in is that I would take both guys, but if there is only so much "attention" to go around, as Chris suggests, then I'd prefer it go to perimeter options anyways.

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

Yes, and in this case one would infer that we have lost interest

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

We still have 2 scholarships. Why can't we still be recruiting both Gustys and a shooter/scorer?

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

We need an sf and a sg more?

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

I think it's simple.. We don't have enough minutes to go around in the front court. Please tell me how we would divide up the minutes between Gil, Martin, Watson, Iffy, Hare, and Gustys and keep everyone happy.

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

And it never hurts to have an open spot; it's what got Watson attending classes and practicing with the team before he was eligible for game play.

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

His side has always kept us as one of the teams on his list but I don't think there's been anything about the staff staying on him since his visit. Of course, that doesn't mean they weren't, it's just with Garrett, Terrell, EC, Hassan, it was all very visible.

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

RoadyJay wrote:I think it's simple.. We don't have enough minutes to go around in the front court. Please tell me how we would divide up the minutes between Gil, Martin, Watson, Iffy, Hare, and Gustys and keep everyone happy.

With a talent upgrade, I think Iffy sits. It would also depend on whether or not Hassan can play minutes at the 3. That leaves Gil and Watson sharing minutes at the 4, and Gustys and Hare sharing at the 5. It also gives Dan more options for going bigger or going smaller.

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

Sure, Hass at the 3 at times helps. I also don't think Watson will be at the 4. I think he is your starting Center. I envision Watson and Hare sharing the minutes at Center. Gil and Hass at the 4. Many have written off JR, not me. I think he sees decent minutes at the 3 with Hass and when they are not in there is likely when we are playing 3 guards.

In this scenario I don't see why you need both Iffy and Gustys. You stick with Iffy and don't recruit over him.

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

RoadyJay wrote:Sure, Hass at the 3 at times helps. I also don't think Watson will be at the 4. I think he is your starting Center. I envision Watson and Hare sharing the minutes at Center. Gil and Hass at the 4. Many have written off JR, not me. I think he sees decent minutes at the 3 and when he is not in there is likely when we are playing 3 guards.

In this scenario I don't see why you need both Iffy and Gustys. You stick with Iffy and don't recruit over him.

I still haven't seen Watson play, so I can't give my opinion on him. If he's good enough to start, that much better for us.

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

BFC wrote:

So, the question is, who is the '14 perimeter player? If it's someone who is going to sit at the end of the bench, I'd rather have Gustys...or keep another scholly open.

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

If Watson is the starting center, we'll lose 20 games. He's a backup PF.
I've never seen anything listing him as a center.
Gil will start at the 5 like all of last year.
JR is horrible. Iffy is iffy at best.
Hassan is a 4, unless his offense has greatly improved. You need him
near the basket for put backs, and alley-oops.
Counting on Hare is insanity. Gil is a better, more experienced player,
and in February, Hurley was still talking about rust.
I agree Billyboy. I'd rather have Gustys.
Who's the mystery perimeter guy? Some schlub juco or a 5th year player?
Please.

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

I see Hare starting very soon once he gets his legs. Gil moves to the 4 and Hass moves to the 3. EC at 2 and Biggie/Garrett at 1. Keeping Gil in an unnatural position will hurt us again. Gil is NOT a 5. If Hass has NBA aspirations he needs to play the 3.

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

All of Gil's decent moves are low post moves. His shot from outside
is mediocre.
Hare has no offensive game other than putbacks. You want your offense to go through
your center, inside to outside, finding free shooters or putting it on the floor
and go to the basket. That's not Hare's game, folks. Gil is a terrific passer.
Hassan is only 18, and may not be done growing. As of now, he doesn't have the
game to play the 3. That could change.
Hurley very much wants to go 3 guard offense. As of today,
that isn't in the cards.

Rhody Guy · Unread post by **Rhody Guy** » 10 years ago

I see Iffy or Hare starting at center. I think Iffy will improve more than most give him credit for. Gil at PF, Hass at SF, and Watson, JR, Iffy/Hare backing up the 2 spots.

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