KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

I think we need a big man coach on staff.

theblueram wrote:I think we need a big man coach on staff.

I'll take ARD

theblueram wrote:

theblueram wrote:I think we need a big man coach on staff.

I'll take ARD

TRUE POINT SEZ…….

You are a weird, weird person.

I love people who talk to themselves. At least they know the conversation is gonna be good.

Numerous sites have him listed at only 6'7 not 6'8. Already have one of those on the bench.
How did that work out with Watson last year?

bressler3south wrote:

theblueram wrote:

theblueram wrote:I think we need a big man coach on staff.

I'll take ARD

TRUE POINT SEZ…….

You are a weird, weird person.

I love people who talk to themselves. At least they know the conversation is gonna be good.

Although it must be done in two distinctively separate voices.

If Iverson accepts his role and plays as advertised we are only 1 piece away from powerhouse territory. Yep I am talking top 10 not top 25...a lofty paradise indeed.

Why we can't sign a top tier big to get there continues to mystify me. Should be an easy peezy sell. Count me among the hugely disappointed if it doesn't get done.

I would like to see the list of 2015 bigs still available too.

To get a quality big to commit here, they have to be convinced that they will have a big role in our offense.

That's not an easy sell, not with the history here under Dan.

As for top 10 talent, that's a stretch but top 25 should be realistic if another piece or two is added.

And not adding either guy that just visited either. We should be better than that.

rambone 78 wrote:To get a quality big to commit here, they have to be convinced that they will have a big role in our offense.

That's not an easy sell, not with the history here under Dan.

As for top 10 talent, that's a stretch but top 25 should be realistic if another piece or two is added.

And not adding either guy that just visited either. We should be better than that.

Yeah, cuz the last two seasons weren't f-d up by a certain talented big who quit on the team.

That's fine, but that's in the past. He sure didn't help of course.

We still should be able to land a decent big man for next season, even if it's a 5th year, transfer or juco.

rambone 78 wrote:That's fine, but that's in the past. He sure didn't help of course.

We still should be able to land a decent big man for next season, even if it's a 5th year, transfer or juco.

Not in a contrarian way, Rambone, but isn't that what everyone believed two seasons ago and last year?

Also, people questioned attempting to recruit Maia based upon his stats/overall game:

Alex Kline @TheRecruitScoop · 9h 9 hours ago
Brown grad transfer Rafael Maia has committed to Pittsburgh, according to @MattSteinbrink.

It's ironic though, because he's good enough of a stop-gap for Pitt and will be playing ACC-ball….

The bottom line is:

We have 3 openings. I would think that at least 2 will be filled. I can't see leaving more than 1 open, and having at least 4 for 2016.

The question remains: Will those 2 or 3 be filled with players that can contribute quality minutes, or will they will be "roster fillers" sharing the bench with Iffy and others?

Roster fillers won't help us get to that next level.

I think the plan was, to replace the guys who are transferring, with better talent. Will that happen?

I'm going to take my yearly hiatus from this board. I'm sure some of you will enjoy that. I will post if and when we sign somebody.

See ya.

Time is running out with this roster, we need players NOW

Rhodymob05 wrote:Time is running out with this roster, we need players NOW

No, the team needed commitments from two Top-20 big men during the Fall signing period…..

hrstrat57 wrote:If Iverson accepts his role and plays as advertised we are only 1 piece away from powerhouse territory. Yep I am talking top 10 not top 25...a lofty paradise indeed.

Why we can't sign a top tier big to get there continues to mystify me. Should be an easy peezy sell. Count me among the hugely disappointed if it doesn't get done.

I would like to see the list of 2015 bigs still available too.

I'm sorry, but top 10, is a bit too high, even if Iverson accepts his role and we get a legit big. Top 25 absolutely, but top 10 is a bit of a reach IMO.

TWO top 20 bigs????? Never happening.
A couple of three star guys will do.
Problem is, fall signings won't help us for the coming season.
Getting the feeling it's a Chinese fire drill right now.
Lots or running in different direction to little avail.
The fact that we're bringing in guys like Ba and Berry spotlight
a problem.

rodfromcranston wrote:TWO top 20 bigs????? Never happening.
A couple of three star guys will do.
Problem is, fall signings won't help us for the coming season.
Getting the feeling it's a Chinese fire drill right now.
Lots or running in different direction to little avail.
The fact that we're bringing in guys like Ba and Berry spotlight
a problem.

Was used to over-emphasize the point -- of -- as of Now, there seems to be the Fire Drill or my now Favorite URI Player, The Invisible Greek Kid, which is better than wasting spots on "players" who will offer less than anything to competition at PRACTICE for the three front court players already on the roster.

May as well work hard to rehabilitate Iffy into a serviceable
player, than take these kinds of sub par players.
Send for Luther Clay, who lives around the corner, and
work with Watson and Iffy.

I'm not sure they can't get Gil's production out of those two. Essentially Gil was on the court for what he was capable of and their lack of capability. I think Gil rarely reached his capability(potential) in two years.

If and Earl would do well to cut down on the fouls and move their feet to clear out on rebounds and not offer clear lanes to the basket.

If they pulled that off it could be enough. Earl has shown he could finish if someone makes a play for him. Ify could obviously be better at that.

These guys aren't the types to throw it into at the post and get alot. I prefer post play in watching basketball but teams without it do have success.

Seawrightspostgame wrote:I'm not sure they can't get Gil's production out of those two. Essentially Gil was on the court for what he was capable of and their lack of capability. I think Gil rarely reached his capability(potential) in two years.

If and Earl would do well to cut down on the fouls and move their feet to clear out on rebounds and not offer clear lanes to the basket.

If they pulled that off it could be enough. Earl has shown he could finish if someone makes a play for him. Ify could obviously be better at that.

These guys aren't the types to throw it into at the post and get alot. I prefer post play in watching basketball but teams without it do have success.

hate to break it to you, but this is not going to be a post oriented offense. All of the high end talent is on the wings and guards, thats where the focus will be.

what we need from a post player is simply come in and be a stopper on D and grab some boards. Any offense is gravy

Post play what how most successful programs use.
It's about dumping the ball to a big, who's posted up, and giving him
the option to pass to an open man on the perimeter, passing to a cutter down low,
or taking his own shot.
It's also the best way to break a zone, by placing the post man within the foul circle.
Watch Gonzaga. Classic post play.
It doesn't mean a high scoring big. It means balancing the floor and avoiding
the absurd passing the ball aimlessly around the perimeter.
How many times last year, did we see Hassan posted up, looking for the ball,
only to see a guard looking at him and taking the shot or pass to another guard?

Yea I said I Prefer post play.

I also said that I understand that not all teams that succeed have that.

Hassan Martin does exist and his inside game should be better. I would imagine he would develop every year considering he didnt dedicate himself to basketball until later.

Just don't want him to be the only guy down there.

UNTSportsGuy ‏@UNTSportsNewz · 9h9 hours ago
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North Texas , Rhode Island & UTSA in on NMMI PF Andre Berry

Wonderful.

We don't necessarily need a big man on staff we need a big man on the TEAM.

Rhody74 wrote:

Was it made for him this past weekend?????

I hope he comes here. Maybe I'm the only one? But to me it seems like if the coaches worked him out and think he might be able to help, then I'm all for it. The thing is, not all of these guys are going to hit, but one of them might. Guys bloom late, the switch goes on for them, whatever it is. Giving yourself three chances instead of two to develop someone and turn him into a player gives you a better chance of getting a player in the end.

Gee, I'm not going to sleep, wondering if he chose URI!
His last visit to UTI, or STD was March 25th, so it's got to be URI.
I think this is almost like when Terrell came here.
WOWIE! WOW! WOW! WOW!
Bobby's chasing Thon Maker and we're chasing Ray Berry or
Andre The Giant or something.
If only we could have gotten the guy is that video, too!
Didn't Iffy have this incredible upside, and we grabbed him before
anyone else could get him?
What happened to him? Didn't he really improve in his three years here?
So Berry will get wayyyyy better by coming here, right TP?

I'd rather have "Wild Red" Berry.

I'd rather have Ray Berry, and he's dead.

If we get this kid, I will root for him and hope he does well. But, I'm not excited either.

We all hope every one of our players does well.
If he comes here, I hope he shocks the hell out of
everyone who doubted his ability to play at this level.
Until that happens, I'm very sceptical.

I'm not telling you he will be great. I have no idea. But he represents a possible answer to a question for this roster. I guess it is fair to say I'm a bit skeptical, too. At least in part. I'm also cautiously optimistic in part. Even if he isn't Thon Maker and doesn't turn into a star, he could still contribute things that help us win.

I have been one to be critical of our lack of depth in the post. I have also said that I trust it will be addressed as one of the final pieces of the puzzle. I'm not thinking Berry is the guy that does that but I'm a bit more optimistic than most, not to mention, at this point, I just want guys that identify themselves as post players. All my questions remain, the thought that we haven't seen our post players develop as well as our guards have, comes to mind. Still, in all I trust the coaches (DH specifically) to get the job done in the end. He was good when he got here, but, I believe we have seen Hurley growing and becoming a better coach and its refreshing, he seems to me to be set in his beliefs in terms of his cultural parameters for the program, if you would, but open enough to learn and progress, I'm quite happy with the direction of the program under DH. I'm keeping an open mind, If Berry comes here I trust there are very good reasons as to why.

Not sure why people think this guy is such a stiff.

Sure he was not great in HS. But he put up good numbers in a pretty good JC league as a Freshmen... I think there's a shot he could at least be a solid player for URI if the staff wants him.

Here is a video of him just posted a few days ago. Dude can score in the post and has some legit size.

Edit: He was all conference http://nmjcthunderbirds.com/sports/mbkb ... 0303p0jix4 and started 5 of the 6 games with box scores i can see.

If Dan thinks this guy can help us, then he's worth a shot.

He does have some good post moves. The level of competition he plays against in that video though, isn't A10 level, for sure.

3 years eligibility?

If he does come here, Marshall needs to whip him into shape. He carries too much weight. He has no elevation. In that video, I see Iffy, with a less chiseled body. He could possibly be a backup at the 5. But we still don't have a starter at the position.

Billyboy78 wrote:If he does come here, Marshall needs to whip him into shape. He carries too much weight. He has no elevation. In that video, I see Iffy, with a less chiseled body. He could possibly be a backup at the 5. But we still don't have a starter at the position.

Sure, URI does!!!! The undersized Hassan Martin!!!!!!
Imagine if Martin could play the Four and be free -- a monster!!!!! His overall stats, minus blocked shots, probably would be 1.5X better than this past season's…..
Alas….
Alas…..
Alas…….
Which is what everyone has been bemoaning with the dearth of Quality Big Men Recruiting Targets…..
I know……
Alas……
Alas…….
Alas…….
We all know….
Berry, berry well…..

Billy, in that video I see footwork and touch around the basket that I have not seen from Iffy, even against Maine. Not saying that the video answers every question because who knows about the level/size of the competition but I was encouraged.

He has great footwork for a college freshman and can go over his right shoulder which is better than most people. I like what I see

So, we never learn that these tapes, which, unless they're game tape showing
both ends of the floor, like Iverson's, are pretty useless.
This one is edited to death over a few games.
So, Berry can post up against guys on this tape who are 6'6" or so.
Nothing here shows any defense. It's all showing one side of the floor.
If he can't play D, Hurley will have a practice player and not much else.
Watching him workout against Ba won't tell anyone if he can play defense.

Were there any other members of the team present at the workout, after the Coaches for Cancer event?

Did Berry work against Hassan? Or just Ba?

I would think that Dan would at least have some assessment of Berry's defensive abilities, before making an offer to him.

Otherwise, this is just a desperation move to bring in another big body to fill the roster.

If Berry isn't good enough to play, then what's the point of having another big filling up the bench?

Will this turn into another Butler?

My guess is, he's got some potential, and he'll be whipped into shape and improve his quickness and ability to play in an uptempo offense. Hopefully anyway.

This isn't a superstar in the making imo, but maybe he's just serviceable enough to help Hassan and the team.

Rod, if you're talking to me, I think I said as much. But it also wasn't like he was just dunking on midgets. For whatever value you choose to assign to tape like that, his footwork and touch around the basket were better than I expected. Those are things that have a chance to translate.

Who knows?
I wasn't talking to you, just the general falling in
love with highly edited tapes.
So, I think this would be our first St. Andrew's player at URI.
At least he can shoot free throws.

In the video he showed strong ability going right, but also some moves going left to keep defenders honest. Strong rebounding position. He may be a liability on defense/in transition, but if he gets his stamina up there he should be fine. Also, I am sure the staff is not relying on offense-only highlight tapes in their evaluation. If he couldn't move up and down the court or play a lick of defense then they would not be looking at him. I certainly saw him as better than Iffy in those clips.

I've got no problem with Berry, he had good numbers his 1st year at a high JUCO level and if Hurley offered, he must have seen enough in the workout to believe Berry can get to where they need him to be conditioning-wise. Then again, I never thought a high level big man was going to drop from the sky this spring. Our work for 2015 was done last year and we missed out on our targets.
Still, I don't think Berry solves our 15-16 roster issue so I hope there's still someone else. He seems to be strong offensively but the biggest issue for me is having to rely on Hassan to defend and rebound against entire legit frontlines. Plus, we all know 6-8 usually means 6-6 and a half. Hopefully they can still add someone who can be a plus on defense even if its just for certain matchups.

Also, he hasn't committed yet. Just don't want to put the cart too far in front of the horse. FWIW, though, I am hoping he picks us.

Well his talents certainly haven't escaped the coaching staffs at Prairie View and UTSA either.

You always judge a player based on who's recruiting him.
Maybe I haven't had my koolaide today, but
Prairie View and UTSA don't quite cut it.

No - not always. Am I going to be forced to go digging for solid role players who only had one D1 offer or something similar? It is often a good judge - it is not the only way or the best way to evaluate a player's capabilities.