Back to Littleson, I watched his tapes and like his game. Has a nice mix of flair and fundamentals. Good guard size with some strength. Of course, highlight videos show little defensive and rebounding play so it's tough to gauge his skills there. Looks like a TK style player; good ball handler who can do things with the ball or off it, shooter, has some offensive moves. Not sure why he had a poor freshman year at Duquense, although that program was a mess last season. He'll be in the same class as Hill, M Jackson, J Gordon, and D Rose which provides good balance- a pg, 3 wings and a forward- except there is no big man. Has a year to practice, learn the system and get better. Then, 3 to play. Potential to be a fan favorite with a pretty flashy game, but we'll see how he develops as an all around player. Still waiting on that 235 pounder who is all elbows, rebounds and ugly faces.

(05-13-2017 07:12 PM)pono Wrote:  Back to Littleson, I watched his tapes and like his game. Has a nice mix of flair and fundamentals. Good guard size with some strength. Of course, highlight videos show little defensive and rebounding play so it's tough to gauge his skills there. Looks like a TK style player; good ball handler who can do things with the ball or off it, shooter, has some offensive moves. Not sure why he had a poor freshman year at Duquense, although that program was a mess last season. He'll be in the same class as Hill, M Jackson, J Gordon, and D Rose which provides good balance- a pg, 3 wings and a forward- except there is no big man. Has a year to practice, learn the system and get better. Then, 3 to play. Potential to be a fan favorite with a pretty flashy game, but we'll see how he develops as an all around player. Still waiting on that 235 pounder who is all elbows, rebounds and ugly faces.

BUT...he averaged less than 2 points a game, and didn't play nearly as many minutes after the first 10 games of last season. Looks to me like a project who didn't quite pan out at the A10 level of play. Maybe he will blossom at UT. Would still be more excited if he were 6'8" or taller at the same stat line. Make me a believer in another season, Spencer!

(05-13-2017 07:28 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 07:12 PM)pono Wrote:  Back to Littleson, I watched his tapes and like his game. Has a nice mix of flair and fundamentals. Good guard size with some strength. Of course, highlight videos show little defensive and rebounding play so it's tough to gauge his skills there. Looks like a TK style player; good ball handler who can do things with the ball or off it, shooter, has some offensive moves. Not sure why he had a poor freshman year at Duquense, although that program was a mess last season. He'll be in the same class as Hill, M Jackson, J Gordon, and D Rose which provides good balance- a pg, 3 wings and a forward- except there is no big man. Has a year to practice, learn the system and get better. Then, 3 to play. Potential to be a fan favorite with a pretty flashy game, but we'll see how he develops as an all around player. Still waiting on that 235 pounder who is all elbows, rebounds and ugly faces.

BUT...he averaged less than 2 points a game, and didn't play nearly as many minutes after the first 10 games of last season. Looks to me like a project who didn't quite pan out at the A10 level of play. Maybe he will blossom at UT. Would still be more excited if he were 6'8" or taller at the same stat line. Make me a believer in another season, Spencer!

True, he didn't do much as a frosh for Duquense, but there's always reasons why a frosh can get stuck on the bench or as a minimal rotation player. they had veteran guard transfers from Nebraska and Butler ahead of him on the depth chart and another frosh was their leading scorer so there wasn't a lot of room for him to learn on the court. He came in as a "shooter" and shot a whopping 24%, so he was clearly pressing. I don't think he was overmatched. The kid has size, talent and athletic ability, but in basketball confidence and a feel for the game are crucial. A RS year and a change of scenery could be the difference maker. We'll see. I would also be excited to see a 6-8 guy coming in, but if we're gonna get a transfer guard at least it's one with some upside who could be fun to watch.

(05-13-2017 05:04 PM)Dwight Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 04:17 PM)pono Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 03:43 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 02:55 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 07:34 AM)rocket 51 Wrote:  So hard to follow TK's thinking on these transfers...I know it isn't the good old days but I always get the feeling this is not as well thought out an operation as we give it credit for being...a Big Please!?!?

If you look at TK's Transfer History at Toledo, I think he has done a very good job overall of bringing in players who have made a positive impact on the program. Transfers who have made a positive impact in his 7 years as Head Coach include Rian Pearson, Matt Smith, Dominique Buckley, Justin Drummond, JD Weatherspoon, Curtis Dennis and Steve Taylor Jr. Transfers who had very little or no impact include Dre Applewhite, Lucas Antunez and Daniel D. The story is still out on Treshawn Fletcher and Willie Jackson, but indications are they will be major contributors this upcoming season, and in Jackson's case, 2 more seasons.

3 1/2 years to play 3 1/2

the word is jackson got caught in an ncaa tansfer loophole. even though he only played about a 1/3 of his freshman year at missouri before transferring to toledo he played too many games to get the year back of eligibility. plus, he's not allowed to play for another full rs year due to the transfer. so, he has 2 1/2 years of eligibility over 3/1/2 years. the ncaa will only allow him to play the equivalent of 3 seasons. i imagine the university is appealing but we are not an ACC or SEC school so it will likely be denied.

Right, if you play half a season, it counts as a full season. So Jackson has already used one year of eligibility, not a half year. This coming year, he will use another year of eligibility, not a half year. That will leave him two more years to play after this year. He could sit out this entire year and have three years left, but apparently he's not going to do that.

If true, that sucks.

Here's what the January 9th press release said: Jackson can begin playing for the Rockets following the fall semester of the 2017-18 academic year and will have three years of athletic eligibility remaining.

[/quote]

True, he didn't do much as a frosh for Duquense, but there's always reasons why a frosh can get stuck on the bench or as a minimal rotation player. they had veteran guard transfers from Nebraska and Butler ahead of him on the depth chart and another frosh was their leading scorer so there wasn't a lot of room for him to learn on the court. He came in as a "shooter" and shot a whopping 24%, so he was clearly pressing. I don't think he was overmatched. The kid has size, talent and athletic ability, but in basketball confidence and a feel for the game are crucial. A RS year and a change of scenery could be the difference maker. We'll see. I would also be excited to see a 6-8 guy coming in, but if we're gonna get a transfer guard at least it's one with some upside who could be fun to watch.
[/quote]

It's obvious from his HS highlights he likes to dribble and shoot. Can he play without the ball? Did Dambrot see he wouldn't fit in as a team player and encourage him to look elsewhere?

Dambrot has brought in the 4 transfers, 2 are guards. Maybe he just saw the writing on the wall.

(05-14-2017 10:32 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Dambrot has brought in the 4 transfers, 2 are guards. Maybe he just saw the writing on the wall.

I am sure we were recruiting him out of high school is part of the reason he came here. While I would like to bring in a big guy as well other than Applewhite all the transfers from other schools have made a positive impact I trust Coach K's judgement over all you whiners. Also I think the Simeon young man will end up at Akron of he had a good relationship with Groce if not he may still end up here.

trolled the duquense boards a lil and Littleson was described as "misused" "potential" disappointment" "good on defense" "dives on floor" and the usual white player debate on quickness with some calling him "athletic" and others saying he "is too slow". most of them were disappointed he is transferring as he was a pretty well regarded recruit. some wondered if he would have a hard time finding a good option at this point due to his crappy freshman year #s. i think toledo over a rebuilding duquense program is a better place to be right now.

(05-14-2017 03:22 PM)rocketpaul Wrote:  

(05-14-2017 10:32 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Dambrot has brought in the 4 transfers, 2 are guards. Maybe he just saw the writing on the wall.

I am sure we were recruiting him out of high school is part of the reason he came here. While I would like to bring in a big guy as well other than Applewhite all the transfers from other schools have made a positive impact I trust Coach K's judgement over all you whiners. Also I think the Simeon young man will end up at Akron of he had a good relationship with Groce if not he may still end up here.

The Simeon kid Williams isn't gonna follow the coach who didn't play him to a lower profile school. Nothing in either's statements about his transfer is there a hint of mutual admiration or closeness. Odds are higher he goes to Depaul which is rebuilding, moving into a new arena and signing some good players-of course it is in his hometown. Creighton was mentioned. Illinois St and Valpo are the top nearby mid majors. Toledo has connections and is close enough to home to make sense. Plus, P5 transfers who visit Toledo really like the facilities and team environment and TKs success rate with transfers. Being able to show that a guy like Steve Taylor who was a blue chip recruit who couldn't get untracked at a Big East school came to Toledo, improved, and set himself up for a pro career (even if it's just a good European league) is a good recruiting tool.

Keep in mind, JD Weatherspoon averaged 1.8 and 2.9 points in his two years at OSU and Steve Taylor averaged 3.0 and 2.5 points in his first two years at Marquette. So, only averaging 2 points at Duquesne does not necessarily indicate how Littleson will perform at Toledo.

I love how Spencer handles the ball. His game presence is great. The comparison to Sanford is fair, but I really like how he passes the ball. His touch on his shot is really good.

He could thrive anywhere. Something wasn't clicking where he was, but he will do well at Toledo. Excellent pick up.

Maybe not playing him is WHY Duquesne was 10-22.

(05-15-2017 09:45 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  Maybe not playing him is WHY Duquesne was 10-22.

Hadn't thought about it that way.

Even though he has to sit, we'll know by middle of next season, as word will trickle out about how he does at practices...Obviously, ALL of us hope he succeeds as a Rocket.

I think it's safe to say that Coach K's transfers have been far better than most of his initial recruits. I believe his batting average on transfers is pretty solid, his batting average on in-coming freshmen contributing and staying for four years is not.

Wish we'd land a few athletic 6-8/6-9 guys who can either bang inside or help out on the outside. Before you say "everyone wants that," look at the Univ of Vermont's roster to see it can be done at the mid-major level. I've been tracking this team and their coach for a few years now; if Coach K gets canned; I want John Becker to come in and move us forward.


http://uvmathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball

http://uvmathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

What's not to like