Coach Scott Nagy
It's been often said on this site, what if football coaches from Kent State and EMU respectively could do better with Candle's recruits than what Candle has done since his tenure as head coach at UT ?
Well I often wonder how Wright State's Scott Nagy could do as head coach for UT basketball ? Nagy before arriving at WSU, coached the Jackrabbits of S. Dakota St (SDS), accumulating a won and lost record of 167-98. At WSU, he has a won and lost record of 130-62. with at least 2 NCAA appearances in the Big dance, most recently last year's team. Granted, it maybe easier to win the Horizon title than the MAC.
One thing Nagy has done real well is the development of big men, while he has been with the Raiders. When he came from SDS, he brought with him big man 6-8, 235 Louden Love (presently playing as a pro overseas). Following him was Scott Basile, 6-9, 225 (who transfer to VA Tech after leading the Raiders in points score last year).
This year's team features 3 big men, starter AJ Brown (soph 6-9, 230 Fenwick HS, south of Dayton), ave.9.8 pts/3.4 RB's per game. He was not recruited by UT, but by OU from the MAC. Ohio 1st team All State selection from Chillicothe, 2 years ago, Brandon Noel, 6-8, 235, now a RS Freshmen. He is coming off the bench ave. 9.2 its, 6.2 RB's. He was not recruited by UT. Another big man is a transfer from Evansville, Blake Sisley, 6-9, 230, ave. 5.8 pts, 0.6 RB's. He was recruited by Ball State as well other mid majors in Indiana. He was not recruited by UT. Nagy and his staff have a keen eye in finding and developing talent.
Coach K did recruit and develop both Boothe and Knapke. Both players I believe are playing pro ball overseas. But he has a tough time in recruiting that big man to go along with this year's team, either through a transfer or bringing in that big freshman. He will have to compensate all season when facing more bigger aggressive teams. Kudos for coach K in having a deeper bench this year.
I will give credit to Coach K, who he recruited both Boothe and Knapke, but has not landed anyone with the size those 2 possessed. He has offered other big men in the region, but they have shun the Rockets. The Rockets will have to compensate with no big men when facing big aggressive teams. Plus factor, is the deep bench which can only get better.
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