I've seen Jones because he's Expressions Elite and at Vermont Academy.
Can't say I've seen the others.
Certainly no centers on that list.
I know I grind the point, but at this stage, given the roster makeup,
staff should be only looking at front court players for 2016,
and stop wasting time and energy on guards.
A lot of teams have no true centers, and some that do, don't play them that much unless they're good.
I think that's what we're going to have [or not have] here going forward.
If we can get a couple more Hassans, PF's that play above the rim, we'll be OK I think.
I would rather have that, than have someone who's 6'10' or better, that can't play a lick.
There aren't too many quality 4 or 5 star centers to be had, and URI isn't going to get one of them unless Dan kidnaps him in the middle of the night.....
There are only a handful of true Centers in all of NCAA hoops. Even the NBA is moving away from traditional big men, the game has changed for better or worse. Add to the fact that URI has had a grand total of 1 great back-to-the-basket big in my 30 years of watching I don't think our recruiting targets are all that off from what they should be. I would love to see us chasing the 5-6 true big men in each class, but given we are competing with Duke and Kentucky for those kids what good would that do. I am sure DH and co. are still prioritizing rebounds, block shots and interior scoring regardless of the size of the target.
Fine, but how about a 3 star or someone that has an upside?
Who said it has to be a four or five star? That's not realistic at this time.
So, why are we looking at SGs? Makes ZERO sense.
The NBA isn't a barometer, because it changes from year to year.
You had Dallas starting two seven footers winning it all a few years ago.
San Antonio isn't a small team.
Even forwards are 6'10" like Durant, Love and Bosh.
Believe me, if there was a Wilt, a Shaq, or a Kareem, back to the basket
centers would be in vogue.
The NBA is a copy cat operation with flavors of the month on the menu.
One site has Williams listed as a PG. The only guards we should be looking at are PGs. And if Christion Thompson can play some PG, then I agree, we shouldn't be spending a lot of time on any guards.
PGs I can see. We need a solid backup.
The kid DeAndre Hunter sounds like a nice player, who you
could stick anywhere.
Right now, you have some great versatility with
Iverson, Akele, and Thompson.
This guy would give Dan another chess piece to play with.
Sure, list a bunch of meaningless heights.
On is Iffy. One is Berry. Nuff said.
One is Iverson, who is not an inside player.
One is a freshman swingman, Akele, and one is Butts,
who is a finesse player.
Only one, Martin, is a proven commodity.
No bangers except Hassan. No shot blockers except Hassan.
So, we have three scholarships, and you want to waste one or two on
shooting guards? Really?
GAHHH why doesn't Dan understand that we need tall players? It must be because he was a guard that he thinks guards are the only important position. If he had his way the roster spots 1-13 would all be guards. It's like when he's going out looking for players, he can't get a good sense of anyone over 6'6" because he's only 6' himself. He probably only recruited Hassan because, as he said, he viewed Hassan as a Treveon Graham type instead of the interior monster he has become (Dan is probably secretly really pissed about how Hassan has turned out).
If the next eight players that are rumored to be connected with URI aren't over 6'8" 235 then I'm sending a "Fire DH" email to Thorr.
sf2010 wrote:GAHHH why doesn't Dan understand that we need tall players? It must be because he was a guard that he thinks guards are the only important position. If he had his way the roster spots 1-13 would all be guards. It's like when he's going out looking for players, he can't get a good sense of anyone over 6'6" because he's only 6' himself. He probably only recruited Hassan because, as he said, he viewed Hassan as a Treveon Graham type instead of the interior monster he has become (Dan is probably secretly really pissed about how Hassan has turned out).
If the next eight players that are rumored to be connected with URI aren't over 6'8" 235 then I'm sending a "Fire DH" email to Thorr.
I'll second that letter and suggest rodfromcranston as the replacement
rodfromcranston wrote:Sure, list a bunch of meaningless heights.
On is Iffy. One is Berry. Nuff said.
One is Iverson, who is not an inside player.
One is a freshman swingman, Akele, and one is Butts,
who is a finesse player.
Only one, Martin, is a proven commodity.
No bangers except Hassan. No shot blockers except Hassan.
So, we have three scholarships, and you want to waste one or two on
shooting guards? Really?
So Andre Berry, 260 POUND Andre Berry, isn't a banger?
No, he's 260lbs.and in poor shape. Probably can't run or jump
right now. Hopefully, he can get into game shape before the season begins.
Look at his rebound stats. 5.4 rpg as a juco. EC Mathews had
4.7 RPG and he's a guard.
rodfromcranston wrote:Geez, that team could compete in mid major D-1 on
its own!
Check out his other squads. Littered with major talent, and a good number of NBAers.
Love the Tristan Thompson confrontation……Thompson now acknowledges his immaturity at the time….
Last edited by bressler3south9 years ago, edited 1 time in total.
rodfromcranston wrote:Sure, list a bunch of meaningless heights.
On is Iffy. One is Berry. Nuff said.
One is Iverson, who is not an inside player.
One is a freshman swingman, Akele, and one is Butts,
who is a finesse player.
Only one, Martin, is a proven commodity.
No bangers except Hassan. No shot blockers except Hassan.
So, we have three scholarships, and you want to waste one or two on
shooting guards? Really?
So Andre Berry, 260 POUND Andre Berry, isn't a banger?
TP edit to fix formatting
and apparently Watson isnt a banger either...
---
He was a snake oil salesman...just like the rest of em
---
rodfromcranston wrote:Sure, list a bunch of meaningless heights.
On is Iffy. One is Berry. Nuff said.
One is Iverson, who is not an inside player.
One is a freshman swingman, Akele, and one is Butts,
who is a finesse player.
Only one, Martin, is a proven commodity.
No bangers except Hassan. No shot blockers except Hassan.
So, we have three scholarships, and you want to waste one or two on
shooting guards? Really?
So Andre Berry, 260 POUND Andre Berry, isn't a banger?
TP edit to fix formatting
and apparently Watson isnt a banger either...
As a "Banger," I suppose the stat was "OBFOCPM"? That's short for "Opponents' Bodies Flying On Court Per Minute," which, if I remember correctly, wasn't too often this past season. Performances certainly didn't meet expectations, as for one reason or another -- including injuries -- EW had his share of DNPs.
Also, as an old man with nothing worthwhile to add to a "2015 Logical Conversation," if you're not on the court being productive with the minutes earned/given, you're a letdown to the overall performance of the team.
If you're a banger at URI then it seems pretty clear to me that that person would seize the moment and opportunity and not let go, because URI doesn't have one, Mr. Rolling Eyes.
Guess we have differing definitions of what a "banger" is.
To me it was someone who is a ferocious rebounder who goes
up and gets the ball, regardless of who he's up against.
"The Manimal" Kenneth Faried, Charles Barkley, or our own ARD,
are examples of bangers. Martin is a banger, especially late in games.
There are plenty of examples.
Gettin back to Williams, I wouldn't mind seeing him here. Let's say EC leaves after his junior year, Robinson plays a year, doesn't like it here and transfers as a post grad. Boom we're down two guards just like that.
rodfromcranston wrote:Guess we have differing definitions of what a "banger" is.
To me it was someone who is a ferocious rebounder who goes
up and gets the ball, regardless of who he's up against.
"The Manimal" Kenneth Faried, Charles Barkley, or our own ARD,
are examples of bangers. Martin is a banger, especially late in games.
There are plenty of examples.
Yes, we should move this to "General Recruiting Discussions." A "Banger" is a player who is a relentless rebounder, someone who neither gives up on a play nor backs down from anyone or any situation. Dennis Rodman was one, Gus Johnson, Bill Bridges, Paul Silas, Moses Malone, Wes Unseld, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, et al., were, too.
Kenny Green never backed down from anyone. He left his heart and soul out on the court every game.
The irony in this convo is that we lead the league in blocked shots and were near the top in rebounding last year I believe. Neither PC nor Kansas had their way with us on the boards - I only use them as I assume they were two of the better teams on our schedule. Some folks talking like we were manhandled inside last year and are doomed. I would rather have Hassan Martin than Steve Zack all day. If you don't recall our 6'7 center dominated Lasalle's 7 footer.
And at Lasalle, Jerrell Wright, a real bull, did whatever he wanted to
Hassan.
Kansas outrebounded us 40-31, so I'd say we got killed on the boards.
PC beat us 32-26 on the boards, so that's two.
If I felt like it, I'm sure I could find some other such games.
Last edited by rodfromcranston9 years ago, edited 1 time in total.
bigappleram wrote:The irony in this convo is that we lead the league in blocked shots and were near the top in rebounding last year I believe. Neither PC nor Kansas had their way with us on the boards - I only use them as I assume they were two of the better teams on our schedule. Some folks talking like we were manhandled inside last year and are doomed. I would rather have Hassan Martin than Steve Zack all day. If you don't recall our 6'7 center dominated Lasalle's 7 footer.
13/8/1, 9/10/3
Those were Zak's stats (pts., rebs., blks.) against URI
8.6, 9.2, 1.7 season averages.
For argument's sake, BAR, I for one, would have loved Zak on last year's URI team. Imagine what Martin could have done from his more natural power forward position.
Zak's play certainly wouldn't have caused a game-to-game liability or big question marks for neurotic KeaneyBlue posters on a daily basis about the lack of consistent front court play.
bigappleram wrote:The irony in this convo is that we lead the league in blocked shots and were near the top in rebounding last year I believe. Neither PC nor Kansas had their way with us on the boards - I only use them as I assume they were two of the better teams on our schedule. Some folks talking like we were manhandled inside last year and are doomed. I would rather have Hassan Martin than Steve Zack all day. If you don't recall our 6'7 center dominated Lasalle's 7 footer.
13/8/1, 9/10/3
Those were Zak's stats (pts., rebs., blks.) against URI
8.6, 9.2, 1.7 season averages.
For argument's sake, BAR, I for one, would have loved Zak on last year's URI team. Imagine what Martin could have done from his more natural power forward position. Zak's play certainly wouldn't have caused a game-to-game liability or big question marks for neurotic KeaneyBlue posters on a daily basis about the lack of consistent front court play.
You're right -- it wouldn't have been his play. It would have been his recruitment. Zack was the No. 50 center in the class of 2011 per Verbal Commits. He was unranked by Rivals or Scout and a 2-star recruit per ESPN. To illustrate the somewhat uncertain nature of developing bigs, Willy Kouassi was No. 13 that year....and Andre Drummond was No. 15.
The point I make here is a basic one -- size in college basketball is hard to acquire and tough to project over time. But just think back to the reactions of some on this board during Jordan Hare's freshman season. There were quite a few posters who were none too pleased about a 6-foot-10 true center and his development, but that's the type of 5 man -- a project, like Zack, Ndoye and others in the A10 -- that programs in this league are going to attract and successfully recruit.
Hare would have been a difference maker, instead he was a major disappointment. I agree that we will have to find diamonds in the rough or develop from within (ie Jeff Kent or Michael Andersen senior year) to have a real force at that position given where we sit in college landscape. Let's face it Hassan could easily be playing at a higher level if not for his unique situation of being injured his Jr year and us having the Tirone/Staten Island connection. It will always be a challenge for us to land athletically elite bigs. Hence why I was one of those who had a long leash with JH.
Maybe part of the problem is, they were looking for
finished products, or close to it?
Without a legitimate big man coach, maybe they were reluctant to
take someone a bit rough, but with upside?
ARD could turn that around.
We don't need elite bigs. We need functioning bigs.
Billyboy78 wrote:Soóoooo........how about a Greg Williams profile......
Easy, feller. Only so much time in a day. (Also, there is not a magic formula - anyone can make the profile. I'm happy to do it, but if you're in a hurry to see it you can always make it yourself.)
"If you build it, they will come." --Us, circa 2011
Billyboy78 wrote:Soóoooo........how about a Greg Williams profile......
Easy, feller. Only so much time in a day. (Also, there is not a magic formula - anyone can make the profile. I'm happy to do it, but if you're in a hurry to see it you can always make it yourself.)
No, TP, I was just hinting that the Williams thread was getting WAY off track. I wasn't rushing you, just trying to get it back to being a Greg Williams thread.
The days of a point guard passing to a "back-to-the-basket post player" are over. This is the day of the quick-physical 6-6 to 6-8 athlete who can guard a 3 or 4, and who can move his feet quick enough to get in front of a play.
.....I saw very few of our opponents [like us] run set plays for frontcourt players. Today they are coached to be opportunists on offense...find a quick lane, get a put back...take a quick jump-hook-floater........the athletes are too quick. Offenses like the "triangle-and-one" rarely work today. Guards take 40% of their shots from the perimeter. The rest is dribble drive, and either dish or go in.
Guess you didn't see Duke, Wisconsin, Kentucky,and Gonzaga play last season.
Dominant post players and big forwards.
If schools can get them, believe me, they prefer big studs in the middle.
What you describe is, everyone else making due with what they have.
No coach would turn down Townes or Okafor or Kaminsky to play whatever
style they're now playing.
and that is apparently the case as you know, Rod. Of course it would be easier to win with a player like Okafor et al, but
obviously we have to go with what we can get right now, so 3 guard offense it will have to be. Maybe if the team can
get off to a great start in the fall there might be interest from a big recruit for '16. Otherwise Hurley has no choice. I'm sure he
doesn't want it to be that way, but we are going to have to be patient a little bit longer.
Yes, it would have been nice to get a good post player to play with Hassan for 2 years, but that's not going to happen. The best window of opportunity has passed.
Anyway, let's get a couple for 2016, and be the best we can be then......