(03-18-2018 06:07 PM)Wheatshock Wrote: (03-18-2018 05:53 PM)Tigergary Wrote: (03-18-2018 02:30 PM)cotton1991 Wrote: (03-17-2018 05:59 PM)Tigergary Wrote: Yall are in some serious need of new sarcasm meters. They were jokes. And John Martin was just tweeting someone told him Shaq was house hunting. Shaqs son was a possible recruit mention.
Yeah, nothing wrong with a fanbase poking fun at itself which is what this is. Certain fanbases that could use some of that come to mind . . . .
Easterwood just confirmed on radio a credible source did say Shaq was in town. Penny has told the administration that his son was a possible recruit he would bring. So that wasn't a joke apparently. But Shaq won't be on staff. That was the joke part.
Spitballing on roster construction for a moment.
Lets say you get Shaq's boy and Harris. That pretty well covers your needs inside and at PG. Assuming there are no transfers from current players that would leave you with 1 more spot.
What else would you need? A wing?
More spots will open up. Nickelberry, a low rotation minutes freshman, complained about PT this year. He is likely gone. He's not getting MORE time.
Malik Rhodes, the backup PG, is also gone. I think Azab the big Egyptian, who barely played, will likely go.
That opens 5 or 6 spots, at least.
Remaining core is all the other Jucos (Parks, Thornton, Davenport, Brewton) plus Johnson, plus Jeremiah Martin. Maybe FR Victor Enoh, but he would be at the bottom of the totem pole.
Both Tubby commits have de-committed. They would not get much PT.
So, we could look like this, before adding others:
PG: Harris
SG: Johnson
Combo G: Martin, Brewton
SF: Davenport
PF: O'Neal, Thornton, Enoh
C: Parks
That leaves 4 spots, maybe 5 if Enoh leaves. Davenport may go, too. He is reportedly homesick, but that was before Tubby was fired and Penny was hired.
Other possibilities for 2018 (besides Harris and O'Neal).
1. Anfernee Simons, SG, 5 star. #7 in the country. He may choose between Penny or the NBA. He is at IMG Academy in "post-graduate," and will be 19, with his HS graduating class one year removed,.
2. Jayden Hardaway. Penny's son. He will be a walk-on.
So for 2018, these seem to be the players Penny is hopeful he can get:
Harris, O'Neal, Simons (doesn't count the other 2 possibilities below).
2018 or 2019:
1. James Wiseman, PF, 5 star. Class of 2019 (not 2018). #1 in the country. He is probably coming to Memphis. He will perhaps reclassify to 2018 and play this fall. If not, he will return to HS, and likely come out to Memphis for 2019. If he reclassifies, he will have to play 2 years before turning pro, b/c he is not quite 17 yet.
2. Sorry. Alex Lomax, PG. Penny has helped raise him since 6th grade. Kid has lived with him for a lot of that time. He committed to Wichita when he thought Tubby was staying. He will either get his release and come home, or he will leave anyway and go prep, or enroll on his own with no scholly, sit a year, and play next year.
For 2019, more on the way, as well. Maybe 4 or 5. No names yet, though. But Martin and all our Jucos plan to graduate after this upcoming season.
Staff update:
Penny will be announced Tuesday.
Assistants:
1. Tony Madlock - interim HC at Ole Miss
2. Mike Miller, former NBA All-star, sponsor of one of biggest AAU programs in the country. In Memphis, of course. He hasn't accepted yet. Will talk to Penny tomorrow, most likely.
3. ?? My best guess is Steve Roccaforte - Associate HC at Va Tech.
Non-AC positions:
1. Todd Day - Penny's BFF and current coach of AAU Team Penny.
2. Faragi Phillips - current HC at Whitehaven HS in Memphis. Lost to Penny and East in finals of state 'ship yesterday.
Those 2 are obviously for local Memphis AAU and HS relationships. That community needs serious hand holding. May be one or both.
Again, no guarantees. All this is already out there in the media somewhere.
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Memphis East State Title Game (Wichita State and Memphis Fans)
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