Ball St just got a good 2019 commit. 6-5 kid named lucas croft

EMU just picked up a commit from 6’9 forward Andre Rafus, who was initially committed to TCU before going to prep school.

He had offers from a bunch of upper echelon programs, including Kansas, UCLA, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Still not entirely sure how he ended up at EMU, but we will take our chances.

https://247sports.com/Recruitment/Andre-...Interests/

Murphy can find talent. Clearly, Rafus has had chances to go to premier basketball schools and for whatever reason-indecision, grades, bad luck, ???... -finds himself going to EMU as a 20 year old college freshman. Murphy has recruited Baltimore before, both for Syracuse and EMU's Tim Bond was from there too, so there are some connections. Maybe, his success with guys who have some baggage generally succeeding as players and students at EMU was helpful. Rafus is a pretty big time basketball player. True 6-9 and a shooter with good athleticism. good fit for that zone and will open up the floor even more for Thompson inside, Minnie on a wing and Jackson driving from the point. Will have to wait and see if he does enroll and stick around as he decommitted last minute from TCU and seems to change schools every year.

(06-27-2018 04:31 AM)pono Wrote:  Murphy can find talent. Clearly, Rafus has had chances to go to premier basketball schools and for whatever reason-indecision, grades, bad luck, ???... -finds himself going to EMU as a 20 year old college freshman. Murphy has recruited Baltimore before, both for Syracuse and EMU's Tim Bond was from there too, so there are some connections. Maybe, his success with guys who have some baggage generally succeeding as players and students at EMU was helpful. Rafus is a pretty big time basketball player. True 6-9 and a shooter with good athleticism. good fit for that zone and will open up the floor even more for Thompson inside, Minnie on a wing and Jackson driving from the point. Will have to wait and see if he does enroll and stick around as he decommitted last minute from TCU and seems to change schools every year.

Getting to play in the MAC instead of having to play for Kansas or a UCLA is BAD luck?

(06-26-2018 10:38 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  EMU just picked up a commit from 6’9 forward Andre Rafus, who was initially committed to TCU before going to prep school.

He had offers from a bunch of upper echelon programs, including Kansas, UCLA, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Still not entirely sure how he ended up at EMU, but we will take our chances.

https://247sports.com/Recruitment/Andre-...Interests/

I watched his tape and tape of a kid I know (know the family very well) who went to an ACC school. Both SF. Rafus is much better.

This kid was a 3-star recruit. I believe Rafus, on hoops ability alone, is a 4-star recruit.

Rafus can play in any conference in the country.

He wanted to play 100% zone and this was his only remaining chance to get that deal.

(06-26-2018 10:38 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  EMU just picked up a commit from 6’9 forward Andre Rafus, who was initially committed to TCU before going to prep school.

He had offers from a bunch of upper echelon programs, including Kansas, UCLA, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Still not entirely sure how he ended up at EMU, but we will take our chances.

https://247sports.com/Recruitment/Andre-...Interests/

Buffalo just gained a commitment from MTSU Junior Guard transfer Antwain Johnson - averaged 10.3 points on 44% shooting (39% from three) in 22.7 minutes per game last year for a good MTSU squad. Presumably he will sit one and play one.

(07-02-2018 10:35 AM)GoBullsGo Wrote:  Buffalo just gained a commitment from MTSU Junior Guard transfer Antwain Johnson - averaged 10.3 points on 44% shooting (39% from three) in 22.7 minutes per game last year for a good MTSU squad. Presumably he will sit one and play one.

I've seen Johnson in person a couple of times. very muscular guard who plays a bit bigger than 6-2. also a spectacular leaper when he has space to gather himself. shooting percentage is good, but i wouldn't call him a shooter. more of a guy with a decent shot and pretty good shot selection playing on a well coached team that moves the ball. he had a role where he was mostly a reserve but might be on the court in crunch time. i think MTSU changed coaching staffs this year and had some turnover. good pickup for UB. i like the sit 1 play 1 transfers. they have worked out great for toledo. generally, guys who want to do that are pretty committed to improving their game during their RS year. really maximizing that college time to get a degree while also fine tuning skills for pro opportunities.

(07-02-2018 10:35 AM)GoBullsGo Wrote:  Buffalo just gained a commitment from MTSU Junior Guard transfer Antwain Johnson - averaged 10.3 points on 44% shooting (39% from three) in 22.7 minutes per game last year for a good MTSU squad. Presumably he will sit one and play one.

I believe I read a note that he was dismissed from MTSU and not a simple transfer. I don't know any back story. Surprised by it as Oat's is in a position to be discriminating in whom he recruits (so I would think).

oats has consistently brought in guys with question marks, both as a head guy and hurley's top recruiter. that's not a ciriticism, just a fact. Justin Moss started at UT who sat him after team doctors discovered a heart condition. buffalo gave him a scholarship when a lot of other schools defaulted to precautions. moss also had other issues at UB, stayed around, and then had more issues and was expelled, i believe. wes clark had questions coming in. wasn't there a kid named torian graham- big time transfer prospect with a slightly murky history who oats brought to UB but never played? generally, oats has had success with talented players who have some baggage by having a team culture of full buy in on both ends of the court that wins and brings out the best in a lot of players, he's never been "discriminating". if antwain johnson was dismissed from MTSU but has redeeming qualities as a person and player i wouldn't be suprised by oats giving him a shot. as i said i've watched johnson play and he has a solid mature game and will occasionally make a huge play with his hops.