Recruiting Discussion

[bleedingTNorange]

So, to take three we would have to lose 1 to transfer, right? Or is that not counting Daniels, meaning we have to lose 2?

We only have 1 open scholarship...I don't think they're taking 3 or even 2 in the fall...just saying I think those are the top 3 targets to fill the open scholarship.

 

[Lefteye]

My choice would be Richardson, then Tyson and then Toppin. No diss intended for Toppin, I just see a couple already on UTs roster with similar games to his.(from what video can show anyway)

But Richardson looks like an instant contributor. And I will never have a problem with UT taking a 6'7 capable outside shooter.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

We only have 1 open scholarship...I don't think they're taking 3 or even 2 in the fall...just saying I think those are the top 3 targets to fill the open scholarship.

Oh, ok lol

 

[cncchris33]

I see a need for a 6-2 to 6-4 pure shooting guard, and a 6-9+, 250+ lb scorer and rebounder, and we just don't seem to be recruiting any of those. I feel like all three of those guys are replicas of what we already have to some degree. Richardson is a little different in that he is a taller type PG, but I'm not sure PG should be our focus with one scholarship available.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I see a need for a 6-2 to 6-4 pure shooting guard, and a 6-9+, 250+ lb scorer and rebounder, and we just don't seem to be recruiting any of those. I feel like all three of those guys are replicas of what we already have to some degree. Richardson is a little different in that he is a taller type PG, but I'm not sure PG should be our focus with one scholarship available.

Maybe if Turner is likely to leave. We need another PG this class or next. But if Turner and Bone get a lot better we could hold out to 2020. I'd go after one with one of the 4 2018 and 2019 spots though.

PG is the most important position and we've not had a real good one that's not been a converted PG for a while now. CJ might be the last one. I guess Bobby Maze too. Ramar couldn't shoot and was a dolt. Melvin Goins was okay. Trae Golden was okay, might have really been a 2. Lofton and JaJuan were both 2s. Other than Buzz and CJ, it seems like we've had pretty good teams when the PG is better than average. Great PGs can attract great players to the roster,

Saying all that, I'd only want to sign one with the 2018 open spot if they were very good or if the staff knows that Turner (or Bone) weren't likely to be back in 2019-19.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I see a need for a 6-2 to 6-4 pure shooting guard, and a 6-9+, 250+ lb scorer and rebounder, and we just don't seem to be recruiting any of those. I feel like all three of those guys are replicas of what we already have to some degree. Richardson is a little different in that he is a taller type PG, but I'm not sure PG should be our focus with one scholarship available.

I think Richardson is what you're talking about, he's listed at PG but not sure why, he's a 2 at the next level. Very strong perimeter shooter, good defender, all around just a very good player but definitely more a 2 than 1.

As for a big guy, I know they just offered that guy out of Georgia that's blowing up, and they've been in to see Emmanuel Dowouna a few times lately as well who they offered a few months ago, so he may be one to watch and see if they get anywhere with him. The 2018 class is very thin of good big men so you're seeing a lot of competition for guys you typically wouldn't, so that could be playing a role also.

By my count there is 5 home football games before the fall signing period, I wouldn't be surprised to see them schedule OV's one at a time and in order of preference since they've got just the 1 spot.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'd like to see the classes balanced with 3 or 4 in every one. I'm glad that Jalen Johnson was able to redshirt out of this sophomore group and if Fulkerson picks up where he left off then that injury might have unbelievably worked out favorably. That class is still about a player too large though.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'd like to see the classes balanced with 3 or 4 in every one. I'm glad that Jalen Johnson was able to redshirt out of this sophomore group and if Fulkerson picks up where he left off then that injury might have unbelievably worked out favorably. That class is still about a player too large though.

I agree...I think you should ideally take 4 a year and you plan for 1 transferring every year, that would keep you at 12-13 scholarships every season and balanced to where you don't have big drop offs.

Right now...

Senior: Daniel

Junior: Darrington, Schofield, Alexander

Sophomore: Turner, Bone, Bowden, Williams

Freshman: Pons, Johnson, Walker, Fulkerson

Likely redshirt: Kent (making him effectively part of 2018 class)

So you've got good balance except for this upcoming class, ideally we take one in fall and 1-2 in the spring after attrition, that would balance the roster out nicely.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I agree...I think you should ideally take 4 a year and you plan for 1 transferring every year, that would keep you at 12-13 scholarships every season and balanced to where you don't have big drop offs.

Right now...

Senior: Daniel

Junior: Darrington, Schofield, Alexander

Sophomore: Turner, Bone, Bowden, Williams

Freshman: Pons, Johnson, Walker, Fulkerson

Likely redshirt: Kent (making him effectively part of 2018 class)

So you've got good balance except for this upcoming class, ideally we take one in fall and 1-2 in the spring after attrition, that would balance the roster out nicely.

I guess that Sophomore class actually worked itself out. It was 7 with Johnson, Fulkerson, and Kwe.

 

[k-town_king]

I see a need for a 6-2 to 6-4 pure shooting guard, and a 6-9+, 250+ lb scorer and rebounder, and we just don't seem to be recruiting any of those. I feel like all three of those guys are replicas of what we already have to some degree. Richardson is a little different in that he is a taller type PG, but I'm not sure PG should be our focus with one scholarship available.

If he is a pure shooting guard he should be 6'3 to 6'7. We have been hurt by having undersized guards. I hope we stop bringing them in. Elite teams don't have 2s that small usually. Only if they are Donovan Mitchell types that are 6'3 with a damn near 7 foot wingspan and elite athleticism.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'm not convinced that Zach Kent redshirts. He's actually got some skills, he's the tallest player on the roster, and getting to the NCAAT ASAP is critical to shut up some of the noisy critics that do nothing but poison the program.

 

[BigZiti09]

Sign me up for all the college 6'7" pure 2-guards we can get. Lol.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'm not convinced that Zach Kent redshirts. He's actually got some skills, he's the tallest player on the roster, and getting to the NCAAT ASAP is critical to shut up some of the noisy critics that do nothing but poison the program.

As I've already said I don't see us playing 13, nor do I see it as beneficial to the team...so whether it's Kent or someone else I would be surprised if there wasn't a redshirt. Kent seems the most likeliest to me, so that's why I mention him, would be shocked to see us roll with 13 available plus 3 walk-ons.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

As I've already said I don't see us playing 13, nor do I see it as beneficial to the team...so whether it's Kent or someone else I would be surprised if there wasn't a redshirt. Kent seems the most likeliest to me, so that's why I mention him, would be shocked to see us roll with 13 available plus 3 walk-ons.

If they all played with the same energy as Fulkerson then 13 wouldn't be a problem.

Ideally we'd redshirt a guard. But the best candidate(s) don't have a RS year available. Bone makes a lot of sense. Maybe Bowden if he's slow to recover from his injury.

We're still not real deep in the paint, especially if we play a fast pace, so that's another reason to use Kent this year. If Alexander has significantly his skills then Kent isn't needed as much. I wish that Alexander had the basketball knowledge that Kent seems to already posses. It would be great if Pons is able to play any of the 2, 3, or 4 spots, but I think he'll only play one or two of those this year... 3 or 4. And probably mainly one of those spots in his first year.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

If they all played with the same energy as Fulkerson then 13 wouldn't be a problem.

Ideally we'd redshirt a guard. But the best candidate(s) don't have a RS year available. Bone makes a lot of sense. Maybe Bowden if he's slow to recover from his injury.

We're still not real deep in the paint, especially if we play a fast pace, so that's another reason to use Kent this year. If Alexander has significantly his skills then Kent isn't needed as much. I wish that Alexander had the basketball knowledge that Kent seems to already posses. It would be great if Pons is able to play any of the 2, 3, or 4 spots, but I think he'll only play one or two of those this year... 3 or 4. And probably mainly one of those spots in his first year.

Pons, Schofield, Williams, Walker, Fulkerson and Alexander...6 guys for a total of 80 minutes in the post. We may not be overly experienced in the post, but depth is no longer an issue.

 

[cncchris33]

Maybe if Turner is likely to leave. We need another PG this class or next. But if Turner and Bone get a lot better we could hold out to 2020. I'd go after one with one of the 4 2018 and 2019 spots though.

PG is the most important position and we've not had a real good one that's not been a converted PG for a while now. CJ might be the last one. I guess Bobby Maze too. Ramar couldn't shoot and was a dolt. Melvin Goins was okay. Trae Golden was okay, might have really been a 2. Lofton and JaJuan were both 2s. Other than Buzz and CJ, it seems like we've had pretty good teams when the PG is better than average. Great PGs can attract great players to the roster,

Saying all that, I'd only want to sign one with the 2018 open spot if they were very good or if the staff knows that Turner (or Bone) weren't likely to be back in 2019-19.

I agree it is the most important position on the floor. If they know Turner is thinking about bolting, I can see it, but even that leaves Darrington and Bone for the next two seasons. I believe we should wait until 2019 to address the position myself.

 

[cncchris33]

I think Richardson is what you're talking about, he's listed at PG but not sure why, he's a 2 at the next level. Very strong perimeter shooter, good defender, all around just a very good player but definitely more a 2 than 1.

In that case, consider him my #1 want for this class.

 

[cncchris33]

If he is a pure shooting guard he should be 6'3 to 6'7. We have been hurt by having undersized guards. I hope we stop bringing them in. Elite teams don't have 2s that small usually. Only if they are Donovan Mitchell types that are 6'3 with a damn near 7 foot wingspan and elite athleticism.

In the NBA, I'd agree. In college, 6-4 SGs are a dime a dozen. Plenty big enough for the college game.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Pons, Schofield, Williams, Walker, Fulkerson and Alexander...6 guys for a total of 80 minutes in the post. We may not be overly experienced in the post, but depth is no longer an issue.

Only two of those 6 are limited to the 4 and 5. Williams wants to play some three, Schofield looks like he will get most of the minutes at the 3, maybe he'll play some 4 if we go small. Fulkerson would be a good 3 if he gets a consistent perimeter shot.

We really don't have a lot of height outside of Akexander, so I think Kent could contribute this year. If Barnes is guaranteed at least 5 years, then I think that a RS for Kent is more likely. But Barnes needs to win as many games as possible ASAP. Getting 4 minutes per game from Kent now is more valuable to CRB than having him around as a 5th year senior if somebody else is the HC.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I agree it is the most important position on the floor. If they know Turner is thinking about bolting, I can see it, but even that leaves Darrington and Bone for the next two seasons. I believe we should wait until 2019 to address the position myself.

Doesn't Darrington only has one year left after 2017-18? We need some help at PG in 2019-20... especially if Turner leaves (I hope he stays BTW). Plus somebody needs to be in the system preparing to take over after Bone graduates. Really you need to sign a PG almost every year. Another reason we need to balance the classes. But the talent pool dictates it. If it's a weak class there's no need to sign one just to sign one. I'd always have getting great point guards the number one priority... especially now that the era of dominating 7' centers seems to be history.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Only two of those 6 are limited to the 4 and 5. Williams wants to play some three, Schofield looks like he will get most of the minutes at the 3, maybe he'll play some 4 if we go small. Fulkerson would be a good 3 if he gets a consistent perimeter shot.

We really don't have a lot of height outside of Akexander, so I think Kent could contribute this year. If Barnes is guaranteed at least 5 years, then I think that a RS for Kent is more likely. But Barnes needs to win as many games as possible ASAP. Getting 4 minutes per game from Kent now is more valuable to CRB than having him around as a 5th year senior if somebody else is the HC.

Again, 13 guys aren't going to be logging minutes, I would be willing to bet the farm on that. You want to get your best players on the court, neither Fulkerson or Williams are going to be getting minutes at the 3, Schofield maybe. Again, may not be Kent, but I'll be shocked if nobody redshirts...who's most likely in your opinion?

 

[cncchris33]

Doesn't Darrington only has one year left after 2017-18? We need some help at PG in 2019-20... especially if Turner leaves (I hope he stays BTW). Plus somebody needs to be in the system preparing to take over after Bone graduates. Really you need to sign a PG almost every year. Another reason we need to balance the classes. But the talent pool dictates it. If it's a weak class there's no need to sign one just to sign one. I'd always have getting great point guards the number one priority... especially now that the era of dominating 7' centers seems to be history.

Darrington has two years of eligibility; 2017-18 & 2018-19. That is why I don't want us to necessarily focus on PG with only 1 scholarship to give for this upcoming class (the 2018 class). That, along with Darrington and Bone (and possibly Turner) around for 2018-19, is why I would prefer to wait and sign one in the 2019 class instead. That freshman PG, whoever it is, can come in and play 1 season behind Bone and Turner, both SRs, and be ready to take over in 2020-21.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Again, 13 guys aren't going to be logging minutes, I would be willing to bet the farm on that. You want to get your best players on the court, neither Fulkerson or Williams are going to be getting minutes at the 3, Schofield maybe.

I bet that Schofield starts at the 3. I only see him getting more minutes at the 4 versus the 3 is if Johnson beats him out for minutes or if Johnson plays some 2 (but it looks like JJ's a bigger threat to drive than to pop from the perimeter).

1) Darrington/Bone/Turner/Daniel
2) Daniel/Bowden/Turner/JJ/Bone
3) Schofield/JJ/Pons/Wms/Fulk/JBwdn
4) Williams/Fulkerson/Walker/Pons/AS
5) Alexander/Kent/Fulkerson/Walker

We've lose players every year. The bench isn't likely to be 13 deep even if nobody plans to RS.

I don't think anybody redshirts unless they are injured. Barnes is a guy that fiddles with his lineups... he's a coach that places a high priority on personnel matchups. Also, there's better competition for minutes using all 13. We'll see, but if it's announced early on that Zach Kent will be redshirting then I think that will indicate that Barnes has been promised he has at least three more years (through 2019-20).

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Darrington has two years of eligibility; 2017-18 & 2018-19. That is why I don't want us to necessarily focus on PG with only 1 scholarship to give for this upcoming class (the 2018 class). That, along with Darrington and Bone (and possibly Turner) around for 2018-19, is why I would prefer to wait and sign one in the 2019 class instead. That freshman PG, whoever it is, can come in and play 1 season behind Bone and Turner, both SRs, and be ready to take over in 2020-21.

Yes. I'd put a high priority on taking the best PG possible first and not worry which signing class it is though. If the pickings are far better in the 2018 class instead of 2019 then I'd jump on it. It wouldn't be a reach to say that both Bone and Turner could be recruited over. I don't have much faith in 2019-20 being a good year if the only options at PG are Turner and Bone. Maybe one or both can elevate their game though.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Again, 13 guys aren't going to be logging minutes, I would be willing to bet the farm on that. You want to get your best players on the court, neither Fulkerson or Williams are going to be getting minutes at the 3, Schofield maybe. Again, may not be Kent, but I'll be shocked if nobody redshirts...who's most likely in your opinion?

Pons or Walker could redshirt too. Bone or Alexander makes sense, but I think they'd resist. Kent is the most likely, but only to gain strength. His basketball skills are already pretty good. Alexander needs to work on his strength as well as his skills. Really Turner would be a string candidate had he been able to play as a true freshman.

To answer the question... if it was a normal situation and the coach is putting a priority on building for the future, then Kent is the logical candidate. I think that Alexander needs it more, but it would be unusual to RS a junior that started a lot as a sophomore.