'14 JUCO PF Earl Watson (URI JUCO Transfer)

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

Well if his shooting range is 3 feet, then he should at least have a good percentage!

This should take care of our inside needs, with or without Hare.

Now Dan, on to the 1 and 2 positions........biggest need of all

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

Unless someone leaves, we only have one scholly left.

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

I can see Dan picking up another transfer or juco guard for the one remaining opening.

However, that should be it for short timers for a while. For 2015-16 and beyond, it's 4 year players all the way.

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

I like the idea of having a PF who doesn't want to be the next Kevin Durant,
and understands his limitations and his role on the court.
No more Holtons, cranking up 3's, when he was needed underneath.

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

Great to get this kid.
A while back many of us were questioning why we were looking at point guards as future recruits. I guess we know why now.

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

We need guys who can make layups and rebound all of our 3 point misses.

And ramfan, I think Dan knows by now what he has at the guard positions. And except for a raw but very talented freshman [EC] he doesn't like what he sees.

More quality depth is needed at that position, along with SG.

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

By the way, congrats to Preston Murphy on this one!
He continues to get the job done.

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

I still think we need to add height.

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

Check out Michigan State's roster.
Only one guy over 6'9", but four guys at over 240lbs.
Izzo likes the wide bodies and not the giraffe types.
With Biruta, Oneykaba and Watson, there seems a similar pattern here.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

yea I agree with muscle and I love it but big o had passes go over him to the SMU forward for an easy lay in and it was the same kid that big O was pushing out of the way like a rag doll. We've had height and it was almost worthless (7'0 and white) but at the same time you need it, unless youre MSU which we are not.

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

Maybe SMU also had someone that could actually PASS the ball to players in good
position to score?

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

Scoring, rebounding and defense are more about proper positioning more than just height or the lack thereof.

Look at Dennis Rodman. He was listed as 6'8". No way. I've stood next to him. He's no more than 3" taller than me, and I'm 6'3".

He used his body and position against bigger players. One of the best rebounders and defenders in NBA history. He wasn't a leaper either.

Big O was out of position repeatedly. So was Biruta. Surprising really, I don't think it's from lack of coaching. Just seems like the entire team suffered a meltdown last night.

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

So this is the only guy we have coming in next year?

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

rhodyfan3 wrote:So this is the only guy we have coming in next year?

Jared Terrell is not walking through that door...

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:
rhodyfan3 wrote:So this is the only guy we have coming in next year?
Jared Terrell is not walking through that door...

Oh really? I didn't know.

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

If he did...it would have been huge......

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

Absolutely, but we've already had that conversation and every time its brought up again I get sad lol.

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

Welcome aboard, Earl!

On a related note, I have absolutely zero problems with taking on JUCOs if the staff think that their talents over two years are more valuable than other available players' talents over four years.

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

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

Good hands. Notice he never puts the ball on the floor.
Instead he goes right to the hoop.

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

Here's a link to a video that has several Earl dunks in it.

http://blip.tv/hoopmixtape/chris-thomas ... ge-6470513

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

Nice. Big and athletic without the need to always put the ball on the floor as Rod said.

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

surprised that inspired you rod! clearly he will be popular at rhody madness, but in the few times he attempted a non dunk shot in the first video he made jordan hare circa FR year look like mchale. if hare flung it that guy shot putted it at the rim. great body and athletic so i will chalk it up that the skill is there too, especially if u are going to take a 2 year guy.

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

I took it, as the guys on the Wichita State board took it....he was thowing it up like they do in the dunk contests,
to get it on the backboard so he could dunk it.
This guy has more muscles in one leg than Hare has in his entire body.

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

Rod, all well and good, just as long as he learns enough to do other things besides dunk.

Although our front line seems to have issues making layups, contested or not. If this guy gets the ball under the hoop, he's not going to pussy foot around, he's going to slam it home without putting it on the floor.

We could use a little of that.

Bos8 · Unread post by **Bos8** » 10 years ago

I didn't realize that Chris Thomas is down there. His transcript and history makes Ricky Ledo jealous. I think he has been to up to 5 high schools, and has committed to atleast 3 different colleges. He is extremely talented though.

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

Maybe Watson is best friends with Torian Graham

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

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Good to get him in there to practice at least.

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

Watson against Oneykaba! The battle of the network muscle men.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

although im worried about height, muscle men are always good. I love those MSU teams. Intimidation is part of the game

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

RoadyJay wrote:

I would have put under the basket banger pretty low on my 2014 recruiting wants but the fact that his eligibility lines up exactly with our other two under the basket bangers (unless Onyekaba regains 4th year) makes me think we're taking what we can get at this point. What's the added dimension here, dunking? Despite his high school lore, he was not a prolific shot blocker at the JUCO level. Obviously, I haven't seen him play but based on the information we have, I'm surprised at the excitement over this signing.

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

I think the real possibility of Hare leaving, contributed to
this signing.
Hey, if a Final Four program like WSU signed him, I think he can play
for URI.

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

Please explain to me why Onyekaba needs to ‘regain’ a fourth year of eligibility? He was admitted to URI, practiced with the team last season but did not play for a single second. Doesn’t that make this season Iffy’s first year of NCAA play?

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

I'm sure he can play for us and will probably be an immediate contributor but he was committed to Wichita State before he even played a game at the JUCO level which I guess speaks to the potential they saw in him but what does it say that they didn't want to wait out him getting his academic requirements?
Its probably not a bad signing, but I don't see anything to get excited about. If we're going to take on an academic risk, I would hope for a higher ceiling player and I really don't like having every center on the team on track to exhaust their eligibility the same year.

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

Ashcat wrote:Please explain to me why Onyekaba needs to ‘regain’ a fourth year of eligibility? He was admitted to URI, practiced with the team last season but did not play for a single second. Doesn’t that make this season Iffy’s first year of NCAA play?

I can't explain it, its never really been explained but that is the situation as it has been reported. Onyekaba had no intention of being in college last year until he found out after the school year started that he would lose two years of college eligibility by going one more year in prep school. I don't think its ever really been confirmed what the cause of that issue is.

Bos8 · Unread post by **Bos8** » 10 years ago

Isn't it almost like a prop 48 situation? Wasn't Cuttino a prop 48?
I believe that with the NCAA sliding scales, there is a category called Academic Red Shirt. Guys can qualify to be admitted to a D1 school, but do not qualify to participate their first year. If they graduate within 4 years, then they regain that additional year of eligibility.

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

Yeah, when you are a partial qualifier, you "use" your first year of eligibility during the mandatory year-in-residence. Quite often, players who have met all requirements to graduate by the end of their 4th year (on-time) have been granted a "5th year".

There was some question whether Iffy's situation could result in that 5th year or not. I've heard both and am still confused.

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

So is the rule objective? If Onyekaba plays three years and graduates on time and in good standing he is automatically eligible for a fourth year? Or is it subjective and URI Athletic Department has to submit a myriad of documentation and go thru a gnashing of teeth negotiation with the NCAA powers that be to clear Iffy for a 4th year?

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

Somewhere in between. I think you "apply" for it. Probably more routine than other types of NCAA paperwork.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

I think at this point anything involving an NCAA ruling is subjective. Even if its not supposed to be.

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

I don't even think it was an academic issue that's why its so tough to assume anything.

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

This thread makes my brain hurt.

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

Good convo but probably wrong thread.

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

My understanding is that it's very likely he would not get a fifth year

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

No news on the LOI?

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

I was just about to ask the same thing, BB. If he's going to enroll next month, there has to be an announcement soon. Real soon.

Maybe there will be another signing, and they will announce them together?

Here's to hoping.

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

Don't hold your breath.

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

Rod, I agree. I think they will sign someone during the spring period.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

They are probably just trying to get his enrollment in order.