RE: Men's Hoops So Where are we now?
I'm about to return to vacation again.
I'll try to address a bunch of issues which have been raised in this thread:
1). We had 'trouble' recruiting locally (MI) in spring as it was picked clean, for the most part in Fall and spring 'developments'. Maten 'blew up' and went big time, Dieng in Grand Rapids (reported in the press) wanted to play on the western part of the state to be close to his American host family, Goins was a MSU fan for life and walked on, Clyburn was grades or (as he did) go prep, etc. Some other Detroit kids had grade issues, etc. Those kids off the top of my head. Twenty two wins doesn't help with locals if the local kids aren't there to be signed.
2). This is pure speculation: I don't know if Murphy thought we could offer two scholarships to redshirt candidates at the same position, Nobles and Wilson. My guess: IF we had not signed Nobles we would have signed Wilson. I just didn't see Murphy giving four scholarships to forwards (Okoloji, Nazione, Nobles and Wilson). I believe it has been noted here, but Nobles was nursing an injury for part (how much?) of the season and did have a lackluster senior year. Thinks that cemented him as a redshirt candidate. I think Murphy needed to go with experience from JUCO or graduate transfers.
3). Centers were a big point of contention reading the thread. In early May I did receive word from someone NOT on this board about signing Samuels and maybe another center (assume it was Hunter, but I didn't get a name). When Super mentioned the 'mystery seven footer' I assumed it was he. There were a couple JUCO PF/C discussed heavily here on the board. My question: Did WE not offer (or withhold the offer) them at the end as we had one center in hand and maybe a second and a number of forwards, e.g., Okoloji, Nazione, etc. Any statement that we got 'beat' for those JUCO players the one who signed with TN-Martin maybe incorrect. Sometimes the situation is very dynamic, and changing: one who agrees first gets the scholarship and the next one gets nothing. I assume Murphy is happy with his front court signees.
4). Someone, again not on this forum, says Price is a player, very good shooter.
5). I really don't know will happen with scholarship #13. As we know, 'recruiting' (e.g., transfers, etc.) can literally stretch into late August. (I know of a grad eligible transfer T&F a few years ago whose father talked to EMU say August 20 and the student was in school the first week for class. I told the transfer's father about EMU and he carried the ball calling Dr. Gragg. The athlete's family was shocked how EMU could get an athlete in school in less than 10 days). As has been suggested to me, recruiting really never stops. Players are signing on and transferring even now. Of course, Hughley was a summer add last year.
My personal belief: A smart coach keeps a scholarship in his back pocket. (See Izzo: He picked up Harris from WVU and Forbes from CSU recycling scholarships that were freed very late).
I would like to see Albert but I have NOT heard anything about his recruitment. With two frosh, a JUCO guard is a good thing, IMO. I don't know if a frosh, say Boyd, replaces Combs. Lot to ask of a frosh.
6). H.S. camps went very well from our poster who is on campus. This suggests that there is no negative vibes to the program. BUT, remember basketball team camps and football position camps are very different. FB camps are for individuals and those players come to the camps looking to collect offers. They go to camps, collect offers and tell the FB recruiting analysts who just pump the stuff out. The focus of basketball team camps doesn't have the 'meat market' feel to it. (the 'meat market' is the AAU stuff where players display their stuff to get offers from coaches in attendance.). Big, big difference how FB and hoops recruiting info is processed by the 'analysts'. (I think one of our posters mentioned it).
7). I'll venture a guess that EMU does sign one or more MI h.s. kids in November. I see the 'stars in alignment' for that. I had heard that coaches were negatively recruiting against Murphy after his flirt with Orlando, but I'd guess that is 'old' news, eventually that dog won't hunt...
8). I do follow some recruiting Twitter sites. I do like following transfers which is fun. I prefer it to following h.s. recruiting. Players announce they are transferring and look for a new school ASAP. Things usually happen in a short timeline.
That's all I can think of...
Except for possibly one more recruit (if not, I'd give it to probably Perry), we are now in the 'dog days of Summer' for collegiate athletics.
Really nothing much happens except for gray turf at the Factory during Summer.
Tomorrow is Futbol. :) World Cup has been great. I didn't realize championship soccer could be so exciting. Go U.S.A.
Then in six weeks it will be American football.
(This post was last modified: 06-25-2014 05:40 AM by emu steve.)
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