URI 2023 Transfers - Who Will Stay and Who Will Go?

[Rhody Sody]

Sucks if we lose Ish. Would love to see him for another year with an improved supporting cast. Think we could do some damage in the a10 with him as our leader.

[Dino611]

My predictions of who will leave

1. Samb

2. Alex

3. Ish

Hope i'm wrong.

Ish and Samb have transferred. Assuming the intel, I received that Alex is going to be gone may be true.. But keep in mind I was told that if we do not land talent Alex would be welcome back if he decided to stay.

I'd like to see Alex in his natural position as a 4. I think trying to be a 5 is throwing off his mojo.

I’m sorry but what do people see Alex at the 4 like the man can’t even a catch a ball on the fast break can’t even shoot past the free throw line, I’m sorry but I don’t see him making an impact unless he’s a 5-10 min a game player

[reef]

Yeah I would say less than 10 % he stays

[LoveThoseRams]

Ish and Samb have transferred. Assuming the intel, I received that Alex is going to be gone may be true.. But keep in mind I was told that if we do not land talent Alex would be welcome back if he decided to stay.

What are chances Ish comes back?

I think he's gone. Hope i'm wrong

I agree Stevie, his family pretty much said that to us at the A10s. Said that it was taking a big toll on his body being the only one playing hard and tough, also said they weren't impressed with the "coaching" and that he was very disappointed to not receive any mentions in the A10 awards. I think he had already made his decision by then.

[LoveThoseRams]

I’m glad we have a collective. So what is the collective paying the players for and what does it get back of value? Or is it’s simply pay for play with a fancy name?

URI decided to go the FOR PROFIT collective instead of a NFP. Which means donations to the collective are not tax deductible. The only write off would be for advertising/marketing expenses should you have a business. You can request the player do social media posts (like Ish and Dunkin') or advertise for your company, or you company can support an event (such as a visit to the Boys and Girls Club) such as what Ish did last week.

[NYGFan_Section208]

It would only be a turnaround if they kept it up which they won’t. Wasn’t the goal to make the NCAA tourney or even the less desired NIT? If you are building with freshman and each year you get better it is growth. If not than you are right back where you started

If they finish ahead of Rhody next year, is it a turnaround then?

Finishing ahead of a well oiled URI basketball would qualify as improvement.

Not the question.

[steviep123]

What are chances Ish comes back?

I think he's gone. Hope i'm wrong

I agree Stevie, his family pretty much said that to us at the A10s. Said that it was taking a big toll on his body being the only one playing hard and tough, also said they weren't impressed with the "coaching" and that he was very disappointed to not receive any mentions in the A10 awards. I think he had already made his decision by then.

Interesting about not being impressed with coaching as Miller seems 100 years ahead of Cox. The A10 awards thing is bs. A10 fd that up. There’s no way ish isn’t one of the best 18 players in the conference

[PeterRamTime]

I think he's gone. Hope i'm wrong

I agree Stevie, his family pretty much said that to us at the A10s. Said that it was taking a big toll on his body being the only one playing hard and tough, also said they weren't impressed with the "coaching" and that he was very disappointed to not receive any mentions in the A10 awards. I think he had already made his decision by then.

Interesting about not being impressed with coaching as Miller seems 100 years ahead of Cox. The A10 awards thing is bs. A10 fd that up. There’s no way ish isn’t one of the best 18 players in the conference

Seriously. Our ball movement is best I've ever seen since I've been a fan.

I watched one game with my dad who is not a fan and said the same thing unprompted.

[NYGFan_Section208]

I agree Stevie, his family pretty much said that to us at the A10s. Said that it was taking a big toll on his body being the only one playing hard and tough, also said they weren't impressed with the "coaching" and that he was very disappointed to not receive any mentions in the A10 awards. I think he had already made his decision by then.

Interesting about not being impressed with coaching as Miller seems 100 years ahead of Cox. The A10 awards thing is bs. A10 fd that up. There’s no way ish isn’t one of the best 18 players in the conference

Seriously. Our ball movement is best I've ever seen since I've been a fan.

I watched one game with my dad who is not a fan and said the same thing unprompted.

Agree with that....who here remembers countless posts about.....wait for it....... the three man weave? (That should make folks feel better)

[RhodyRams916]

And here we go. First visit (I’m assuming)… I think the chance we get Battle is very slim, but we’ll see!

[bigappleram]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

[rhodysurf]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Yeah not the player I was hoping to be the first visit tbh

[NYGFan_Section208]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

What are they? And, were there red flags with Freeman before he came here?

[PeterRamTime]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

[RhodyRams916]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

Seriously though, this guy is the real deal. I’ve seen a lot of comments about his attitude. Hopefully Archie’s not making a mistake like he did with Brayon.

[bigappleram]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

What are they? And, were there red flags with Freeman before he came here?

His rep: dynamic offensive player BUT not a leader, pouty when things don’t go well, volume scorer. He’s bigger and better than Bray but there are some pretty big red flags. Believe he either quit the team this year or was asked off by McKie.

[KingstonLane]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

Seriously though, this guy is the real deal. I’ve seen a lot of comments about his attitude. Hopefully Archie’s not making a mistake like he did with Brayon.

Don’t have much of a choice if you want a guy of his skill level.

A 17ppg scorer in a solid mid major conference is likely only coming here if they have some baggage.

[bigappleram]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

Maybe worth it if you are 1 piece away from a tourney team and have other stars around him. Not so much if you are still trying to build a foundation and culture.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

What are they? And, were there red flags with Freeman before he came here?

His rep: dynamic offensive player BUT not a leader, pouty when things don’t go well, volume scorer. He’s bigger and better than Bray but there are some pretty big red flags. Believe he either quit the team this year or was asked off by McKie.

Yikes. Hard pass. No thanks.

[KevanBoyles]

Is Battle a PG, SH, or CG?

[PeterRamTime]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

Seriously though, this guy is the real deal. I’ve seen a lot of comments about his attitude. Hopefully Archie’s not making a mistake like he did with Brayon.

Let's roll the dice baby!

[NYGFan_Section208]

Major Bray Freeman vibes with this one all the way down to RV waving his pom poms. Hope Archie does the due diligence here. We need scoring and he can fill it but there are red flags.

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

Maybe worth it if you are 1 piece away from a tourney team and have other stars around him. Not so much if you are still trying to build a foundation and culture.

Pass. Pass. Pass.... you cannot build around someone with a bad 'tude (thinking we recently saw that play out someplace?). I agree, 'maybe' if you are one piece away. so that when the guy goes into a one man pity party, you can probably still move along, but if he's your best player, you're just eff'd. In bidness (and in my hiring), we say, "hire attitude, you can teach skills". Did I say "pass" yet?

[Rhody72]

It basically all but guarantees no sooner than a 4 year rebuild.

Many posters disagreed when I said the same a year ago.

[NYGFan_Section208]

It basically all but guarantees no sooner than a 4 year rebuild.

Many posters disagreed when I said the same a year ago.

Disagree. Ish leaving does not change the timetable...

[Billyboy78]

Ace follows Temple very closely. I'd love to hear her opinion on Battle.

[RhodyRams916]

Totally worth it

This dude is better than any guard in the A-10

Maybe worth it if you are 1 piece away from a tourney team and have other stars around him. Not so much if you are still trying to build a foundation and culture.

Pass. Pass. Pass.... you cannot build around someone with a bad 'tude (thinking we recently saw that play out someplace?). I agree, 'maybe' if you are one piece away. so that when the guy goes into a one man pity party, you can probably still move along, but if he's your best player, you're just eff'd. In bidness (and in my hiring), we say, "hire attitude, you can teach skills". Did I say "pass" yet?

We don’t fully know the situation at Temple. He also transferred from Butler to be closer to home iirc

[NYGFan_Section208]

Maybe worth it if you are 1 piece away from a tourney team and have other stars around him. Not so much if you are still trying to build a foundation and culture.

Pass. Pass. Pass.... you cannot build around someone with a bad 'tude (thinking we recently saw that play out someplace?). I agree, 'maybe' if you are one piece away. so that when the guy goes into a one man pity party, you can probably still move along, but if he's your best player, you're just eff'd. In bidness (and in my hiring), we say, "hire attitude, you can teach skills". Did I say "pass" yet?

We don’t fully know the situation at Temple. He also transferred from Butler to be closer to home iirc

All I know is...when a player has a sucky attitude, it's usually, evenly matched by his play - up and down. And, if it's known he has a bad attitude, you have to expect some bad, un-teamly play (and other actions...like 'bench moping'. No. Thanks) I don't ever again want to pay season ticket money to see some dude - who's supposed to be a leader, or at least a + player, moping on the floor or on the bench on the regular, when it was known he had the propensity for that. And, if he already has a rep...it's probably on the reg....

[KingstonLane]

This board has unrealistic expectations

[Billyboy78]

Looking at his numbers, he was off to a great start in his junior year before getting hurt. Yes, only 7 games, but he was averaging 21.4 points, shooting 54% from the field, 49% from three and 80% from the line. His numbers were down a little his senior year, although he did shoot 90% from the line. Don't know what his beef was about with McKie. He was averaging 32 minutes per game before he left.

[Jdrums#3]

72, did Thorr steal your candy ? Is that why you always have an ax to grind against him ? Or, was it Dooley and Thorr that colluded to steal your candy ? Come on…fess up. You are amongst fellow fans here. We can handle the truth. You can’t hold the grudge indefinitely; it’s not healthy.

No grudge. Thorr is among the nicest administrators I have known at URI. Football supporters should feel that he is a savior of the program. He has been as steadfast a Title IX supporter as I am. That said, I lack confidence in his leadership and he has been too slow to recognize opportunities and problems to keep URI athletics moving in a positive direction. We are the definition of mediocrity in a mediocre conference. It is time for more dynamic and forward looking leadership.

72, I appreciate the response. I am not intimate with the athletic department, so I am not qualified to accurately analyze Thorr’s job performance. That said, from where I sit I believe he has done a very good job, particularly when I compare him to his predecessor’s. We differ on this so I will leave it at that.

Back to transfers.

[Billyboy78]

There's this...
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports ... 30303.html

[bigappleram]

My only expectation is to be a strong program again.
There are many good basketball players out there. We are wayyyyyyy more than 1 player away.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Looking at his numbers, he was off to a great start in his junior year before getting hurt. Yes, only 7 games, but he was averaging 21.4 points, shooting 54% from the field, 49% from three and 80% from the line. His numbers were down a little his senior year, although he did shoot 90% from the line. Don't know what his beef was about with McKie. He was averaging 32 minutes per game before he left.

I have no idea of the history of this guy, but, if he couldn't even finish the year*.....what are we doing here...?
BB's story behind a paywall, so don't have any details, but still stand by that.

Here's a free one (not really much detail, but it's a familiar gist): https://temple-news.com/battle-away-fro ... asketball/

[KingstonLane]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

[Billyboy78]

Looking at his numbers, he was off to a great start in his junior year before getting hurt. Yes, only 7 games, but he was averaging 21.4 points, shooting 54% from the field, 49% from three and 80% from the line. His numbers were down a little his senior year, although he did shoot 90% from the line. Don't know what his beef was about with McKie. He was averaging 32 minutes per game before he left.

I have no idea of the history of this guy, but, if he couldn't even finish the year*.....what are we doing here...?
BB's story behind a paywall, so don't have any details, but still stand by that.

Here's a free one (not really much detail, but it's a familiar gist): https://temple-news.com/battle-away-fro ... asketball/

I read it for free. Just close the payment thing. It probably gives you a couple of free reads before you have to pay.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

Agree. But guys that can go into a funk, and just flat out disappear...like he has apparently....do. Whether he scores 10 a game or 20, if he goes into a funk and vanishes, he's useless. They're all over the place, you just hope not to get any of that on you....

[Backroads]

There's this...
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports ... 30303.html

This article mentions him as a fourth year sophomore. Does he have 2 years of eligibility? Would bringing him in help recruit Ish back or push him more away?

[bigappleram]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

[NYGFan_Section208]

There's this...
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports ... 30303.html

This article mentions him as a fourth year sophomore. Does he have 2 years of eligibility? Would bringing him in help recruit Ish back or push him more away?

Ish is history....let him go. If he asks to come back, consider it then - if it seems like a fit - otherwise, sayonara....

[Billyboy78]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

He didn't get thrown off the team. He left on his own. Not that that is good either, but McKie didn't throw him off, as far as I can see.

[Billyboy78]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

He didn't get thrown off the team. He left on his own. Not that that is good either, but McKie didn't throw him off, as far as I can see.

And I'm sure if Archie sees him as an ass, he won't take him after what he just went through with Bray. I'm not saying I want him. I'd like to know more. I wish Ace would chime in. I respect her opinion.

[KingstonLane]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

Teams are only as good as their stars. I get the mantra you’re trying to get at, but URI isn’t getting anyone of Battle’s level of talent on this team in the next 2-3 years without some baggage. Is what it is

[bigappleram]

True 78 hard to get anything definitive except that he was benched a couple points in the season and then eventually just stopped playing whether he left or McKie told him to leave. It’s just odd for those kids to then turn into “he was a great leader did everything we asked of him and helped turn this program around.” Rarely rarely happens.

[NYGFan_Section208]

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

He didn't get thrown off the team. He left on his own. Not that that is good either, but McKie didn't throw him off, as far as I can see.

And I'm sure if Archie sees him as an ass, he won't take him after what he just went through with Bray. I'm not saying I want him. I'd like to know more. I wish Ace would chime in. I respect her opinion.

lol...

picard.JPG

[Billyboy78]

He didn't get thrown off the team. He left on his own. Not that that is good either, but McKie didn't throw him off, as far as I can see.

And I'm sure if Archie sees him as an ass, he won't take him after what he just went through with Bray. I'm not saying I want him. I'd like to know more. I wish Ace would chime in. I respect her opinion.

lol...picard.JPG

What???

[NYGFan_Section208]

He didn't get thrown off the team. He left on his own. Not that that is good either, but McKie didn't throw him off, as far as I can see.

And I'm sure if Archie sees him as an ass, he won't take him after what he just went through with Bray. I'm not saying I want him. I'd like to know more. I wish Ace would chime in. I respect her opinion.

lol...save us, Ace! Tell us what to do!

picard.JPG

[bigappleram]

Khalif battle is a DUDE. This board should be ecstatic we’re getting him on a visit.

Spare me the attitude problems. This isn’t Brayon Freeman averaging 10ppg. This is a kid who would be a pre season favorite for A10 POY

Go look at this kids game log from this past season and tell me you don’t want him on this team

21 points vs Villanova
26 vs Richmond
22 vs Lasalle
27 vs VCU
24 vs Houston (#1 seed in the NCAA tourney)

These guys don’t grow on trees

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

Teams are only as good as their stars. I get the mantra you’re trying to get at, but URI isn’t getting anyone of Battle’s level of talent on this team in the next 2-3 years without some baggage. Is what it is

Strongly disagree. Just taking a bunch of talent with no thought of fit, culture and chemistry is literally what David Cox just did. I hope that is not what Archie replicates. Dan attracted talent that were also high character guys even when we stunk. EC, Hassan, Stan, Kuran, Jared all committed to URI when we weren’t very good.

[Billyboy78]

And I'm sure if Archie sees him as an ass, he won't take him after what he just went through with Bray. I'm not saying I want him. I'd like to know more. I wish Ace would chime in. I respect her opinion.

lol...save us, Ace! Tell us what to do! picard.JPG

She's a graduate of Temple, I believe. I'm sure she knows a lot more about the situation than any of us do.

[Jdrums#3]

I am not sure what to think about Battle. I haven’t seen him play at all yet and haven’t read anything about him as to the type of person he is.

You all make good points pro and con. The red flags some here raise leave me scratching my head and wondering why the staff is focused on him after what just transpired with Freeman. But, I am only seeing the tip of the iceberg of our player acquisition strategy and will trust that the staff knows what they are doing with this particular player.

[KingstonLane]

He’s a skilled offensive player for sure.
But given that, is it odd he’s only started 19/69 games in his career despite his offensive stats? He literally just got thrown off the team at Temple. To just blindly gush over some stats is crazy to me. We need to build a team.

Teams are only as good as their stars. I get the mantra you’re trying to get at, but URI isn’t getting anyone of Battle’s level of talent on this team in the next 2-3 years without some baggage. Is what it is

Strongly disagree. Just taking a bunch of talent with no thought of fit, culture and chemistry is literally what David Cox just did. I hope that is not what Archie replicates. Dan attracted talent that were also high character guys even when we stunk. EC, Hassan, Stan, Kuran, Jared all committed to URI when we weren’t very good.

I’m not saying Archie should go out and collectively try to piece together a treasure chest of misfit toys. I’m saying you can’t expect to get a stud bucket getter at URI right now without baggage. You can keep lying to yourself and pretend it’s an option, but it’s not.

I think Archie is adapting his plan on the fly. He had the traditional long rebuild in mind. Then he saw how bad the A10 was last year, beating top teams with our horrible roster and realized we can be in the top half of the conference with only a couple impact players

Khalif battle is the definition of an impact player