The Upcoming 2015-16 Season!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Wow, both Tevin Mack and Kenny Williams released from their VCU commitments. Shaka's departure having a huge effect on the program.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:Wow, both Tevin Mack and Kenny Williams released from their VCU commitments. Shaka's departure having a huge effect on the program.

They were their top two recruits, both 4 star players.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Hopefully it is just a short term blip for them. Would have been better if their roster wasn't impacted at all, but I'd like to think VCU has a strong enough foundation in place to weather the storm and come out OK on the other side.

PeterRamTime · Unread post by **PeterRamTime** » 9 years ago

They'll likely struggle next year. NIT at best.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

I wonder how many scholarship players they will have. They will still have talent, I think, but very little depth.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

The coach they hired could make things happen. I think Shaka's hype has surpassed his ability.
I don't know much about the guy outside of an article I read outlining him. BUT if you take a Bill Self for instance and throw him in any coaches office, he will likely improve that basketball team outside of the other elite.

Maybe their new guy can do better than a string of opening weekend exits. Like Chris Mack, wow that guy just gets Xavier to the second weekend year in and year out.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Too bad we couldn't get one of their recruits now.

That 2 year waiting period thingy.....

VCU will be fine. They will take a short term hit, though.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Tillman is a big loss.
Looks like Michigan of Michigan State for him.
Don't underestimate what Smart meant to VCU.
Xavier has made great hires since the days of Pete Gillen
leaving for PC. Wonder what their secret is?

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

IDK what the secret is at Xavier but I know penciling them in for the sweet sixteen isn't going out on a limb.

I'm surprised so many there are jumping ship with VCU bringing in a guy who is like us bringing Preston Murphy back. I thought the coach had a relationship with guys there.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

X has had great success grooming their assistants to move up to the big job, when the HC leaves.

On our current staff, does anybody think that will happen here?

Not very likely, imo.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Shaka was obvious the big closer on the VCU recruits.
His larger than life persona must've been tough to lose for
kids he referred to as his surrogate sons.
Guys like Tillman may have been recruited by Wade, but he left, so there was some
time in between, where he wasn't there.
I don't remotely see anyone on our present staff sitting in
Dan's chair.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

When Dan leaves, they leave with him, I would think.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Tevin Mack might be following Shaka to Texas, according to Finkelstein.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 9 years ago

The only thing I will say is VCU felt and looked similar when Grant left for Alabama, when they hired a young coach named Shaka Smart

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

Exactly. More NBA caliber guys on that team Smart inherited.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 9 years ago

Larry Sanders and Eric Maynor were both pre-Shaka guys right?

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

It feels like Eric Maynor was a decade ago.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

This really puts URI in a powerful position for next year.
Dan Hurley stays and gets a contract extension
3 Spots open to recruit to
2 Sophs become Juniors, 2 Freshmen become sophomores plus Iverson
Some nice incoming recruits
A 5th year 3 point shooter and 5th leading shooter in the Nation
Predictions for URI this coming year should be for 1st or 2nd - battling it out with Dayton

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

Personally I noticed a big drop off for vcu when Troy Daniels left also. But obviously bouncing around the NBA,he is a nba caliber shooter.

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 9 years ago

ramster wrote:This really puts URI in a powerful position for next year.
Dan Hurley stays and gets a contract extension
3 Spots open to recruit to
2 Sophs become Juniors, 2 Freshmen become sophomores plus Iverson
Some nice incoming recruits
A 5th year 3 point shooter and 5th leading shooter in the Nation
Predictions for URI this coming year should be for 1st or 2nd - battling it out with Dayton

I think Davidson will be right up there too. Yes they are losing Kalinoski, but still have a lot of firepower returning.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 9 years ago

I feel for VCU fans. They not only lost a coach but appear to be losing recruits and players left and right as well. It is another example that players choose schools based on the coach. It is quite the opposite for fans as they choose the school.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the ... 42126.html

BPR2010 · Unread post by **BPR2010** » 9 years ago

I believe Jeff Goodman reported last night that Justin Tillman, their 4 star and top recruit, is going to honor his signing and stay at VCU. Still going to be a tough transition year for them.

BPR2010 · Unread post by **BPR2010** » 9 years ago

Also, just came out that Petteway is declaring for the draft. Still a road game, but Nebraska will have far less firepower than they would have if he stayed. Very young and inexperienced team next year. Miles did bring in a good recruiting class though.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

BPR2010 wrote:I believe Jeff Goodman reported last night that Justin Tillman, their 4 star and top recruit, is going to honor his signing and stay at VCU. Still going to be a tough transition year for them.

Exactly right. Tillman is staying.

McRam · Unread post by **McRam** » 9 years ago

rambone 78 wrote:Too bad we couldn't get one of their recruits now.

That 2 year waiting period thingy.....

VCU will be fine. They will take a short term hit, though.

I wonder if it is a different rule if a player just signs a LOI and has not enrolled and/or just signed a scholly vs actually attending a school and then transfering.???

McRam · Unread post by **McRam** » 9 years ago

So we are not alone in our thoughts!! see the attached threads on the Tenn. site.

Easily could be mistaken for KeaneyBlue. !!!!!!!!!!

No info, no apparent signings, "give me an athletic 6'10", give me a 7 0".

I wonder how many other schools fit into our and the Volunteers profile.http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennesse ... orrow.html

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

McRam wrote:I wonder how many other schools fit into our and the Volunteers profile.http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennesse ... orrow.html

Like...340 of the 351 teams

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 9 years ago

So is that Matt Butler on the right side, still doing some of this community stuff even though he is transferring? If so, that's pretty damn cool and to be commended.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Yeah, that's Matt.

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 9 years ago

Earl is a big body. He's gonna see some minutes this year.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 9 years ago

Those little kids are cute.....not so much on the big ones......lol

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 9 years ago

Any clue when season tickets go up for renewal? I donated for the first time this year, so I'm wondering when I'll be able to renew/ if I'll be able to get my same seats. I donated the minimum ( college loans are a bitch), so I'm assuming I'll be one of the last to renew my seats.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

Matt Butler is the man.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 9 years ago

Rhody15 wrote:Any clue when season tickets go up for renewal? I donated for the first time this year, so I'm wondering when I'll be able to renew/ if I'll be able to get my same seats. I donated the minimum ( college loans are a bitch), so I'm assuming I'll be one of the last to renew my seats.

Last year renewal invoices were sent out June 26th. I'm not sure if they're reseating people after this season though.

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 9 years ago

RhowdyRam02 wrote:
Rhody15 wrote:Any clue when season tickets go up for renewal? I donated for the first time this year, so I'm wondering when I'll be able to renew/ if I'll be able to get my same seats. I donated the minimum ( college loans are a bitch), so I'm assuming I'll be one of the last to renew my seats.
Last year renewal invoices were sent out June 26th. I'm not sure if they're reseating people after this season though.

No reseating this year.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 9 years ago

You will keep your seats if you renew this summer. You will hear more as June/July approaches.

Bos8 · Unread post by **Bos8** » 9 years ago

Jeff Goodman reports that EC Matthews is returning to school. I didn't know he was even considering leaving?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Shocking! ......not.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Bos8 wrote:Jeff Goodman reports that EC Matthews is returning to school. I didn't know he was even considering leaving?

Obviously it's not really news to us but it's cool for him that it is treated like news by a national reporter. I guess going back to before the season you could say there was some talk he could go to the draft this year, so from that standpoint I could see why it would be mentioned. Doesn't hurt anybody.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 9 years ago

Yeah nothing to get too bent out of shape about. Helps his profile a little maybe by making the announcement. Everybody knows he has some work left to do.

PeterRamTime · Unread post by **PeterRamTime** » 9 years ago

He's gotta heal that foot up!
We'll likely be sweating it out next year on whether or not EC will come back or not.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports. ... de-island/

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 9 years ago

EC....can't wait for him to light it up next year.

Rhody15 · Unread post by **Rhody15** » 9 years ago

I wonder if E.C. Was closer to declaring for the draft than we all thought, seeing how Goodman felt like it was worthwhile to tweet that he was returning?

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Would have been a big mistake if he left.

He's not close to be being ready. His foot injury could explain some of his struggles last season, but not all. His decision making with the ball was poor at times.

If he has a good junior season, then maybe. But the way things are looking right now, it will be his senior season that the team will be loaded, and a deep NCAA run could happen.

Would like to see him be a part of that, but it will be his call.

rhodyruckus · Unread post by **rhodyruckus** » 9 years ago

Goodman and other writers have to cover dozens of underclassmen who may or may not leave early. My guess is this piece of news is just due diligence of the writers shuffling through their "watch list" going into the season, and confirming status of these players. Matthews was in a high profile camp last summer and performed reasonably well this season, so the question is worth asking by the national guys. It's not like EC had a "decision" press conference to make a 50/50 choice...

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Could this explain some of EC's problems with handling the ball last season?

Bill Koch
‏@BillKoch25 #URI guard E.C. Matthews tells @projo he will undergo surgery on his right pinky finger. Sustained injury during his freshman year. #Rams

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