Putting all your eggs in one basket...

[astonmartin708]

I am curious if looking at a graduate transfer PF or C who might help out next years team (Our best in probably 16 years) might be a good way to go about things. I know Haith has said he doesn't want to leave the cupboard bare in 2016, but getting that one extra big might just put us over the top to being a top 25 team. 2 guys come to mind and are eligible immediately next season...

Aaron Roundtree III & Mike Thorne Jr.

One is leaving Danny Manning at Wake Forest, and the other is being recruited by Manning to come in next season. Both are extremely talented and could bolster our line-up. If we're going to be replacing 7 players in 2016... what's so much harder about replacing 8?

 

[Gold*]

I'd rather have one in 2016.

 

[seniorgolfer]

Originally posted by Gold*:
I'd rather have one in 2016.

Really?? The 2016-17 team, is going to be a mixed bag at best, and possibly the bigs
will be a mixture of l players that will be a year away from being major contributors..Next
season's team, even with the two guard signees, will look a lot like this season's team,
and will, in essence, have most of the same liabilities.....Even with another year's
experience for the core of this team, without more interior strength, next season's
team might be hard put to achieve as much (or more) success in what appears to be
an improving AAC.....

A graduating senior transfer would be great, hopefully someone who will have a better
chance making the tourney next year with TU, than with his present school...With
such a player, you are not burning many bridges to the future, as you are only giving
a one year scholarship......

We're a good ball club...Trouble is, there seem to be a lot of 'good' ball clubs.....If we
could somehow land that 'big' that could put us over the hump, we could take that next
step up the ladder, and capitalize on our wonderful set guards......We would be a very
tough 'out'........at this point, I'm more willing to let 2016-17 take care of itself.....

Big game tonight!! GO TU!!



This post was edited on 3/23 4:13 PM by seniorgolfer

 

[I.I.]

Originally posted by seniorgolfer:

Originally posted by Gold*:
I'd rather have one in 2016.

For sure.....Next season's team, even with the two guard signees, will look a lot like this
season's team, and will, in essence, have most of the same liabilities.....Even with another
year's experience for the core of this team, it might be hard to achieve as much (or more)
success in what appears to be an improving AAC.....

A graduating senior transfer would be great, hopefully someone who will have a better
chance making the tourney next year with TU, than with his present school.....

We're a good ball club...Trouble is, there seem to be a lot of 'good' ball clubs.....If we
could somehow land that 'big' that could put us over the hump, we could take that next
step up the ladder, and capitalize on our wonderful set guards......We would be a very
tough 'out'........

Big game tonight!! GO TU!!

We could have three years in a row that look the same ! Need someone like Tarik Black from Memphis that was a GrSr. last year. He would have helped us out a lot.

Huge game tonight and will keep an eye on ODU in case we get another home game if we win.

 

[Bill Lowery]

Pulling for Illinois State. They won by 19 at a neutral site in November, but beating ODU at home will be much more difficult.

 

[Gold*]

I think we have a better shot at getting the one in fifty good JUCO big or an impact freshman. Don't forget, we signed Uzoh,Jordan, Swanson, Shelton, Harrison, Ray, Swannegan,Charlie Davis, and Curtis late.

 

[astonmartin708]

I'm just not seeing a ton of quality left out there that would be likely to step in and give any significant minutes.

 

[Tu Geo]

Originally posted by Gold*:
I think we have a better shot at getting the one in fifty good JUCO big or an impact freshman. Don't forget, we signed Uzoh,Jordan, Swanson, Shelton, Harrison, Ray, Swannegan,Charlie Davis, and Curtis late.

Wasn't Pooh really late as well under Tubby.

Go TU!!!

 

[I.I.]

Guards are easy to find late....There are a hundred good ones. Good Bigs are rare and you have 2 or 3 so called P5's after each one of them with you .

 

[seniorgolfer]

NM

 

[PhoggyBottom]

Big guy from Charlotte is transferring, James Thorne. Looks to be exactly what TU would need. I know over 20 schools have already contacted him. Would be stunned if TU isn't one of them.

 

[texcane1982]

So bringing in a graduate Sr. and pushing the 2015 Sr. class from 8 to 9 is a good idea? Wouldn't it be better to bring in a So. or Jr. JUCO BIG? Sure there might be a longer learning curve, but unless Haith has a "Fab 5" up his his sleeve, 2016 will be a major rebuild.

If Big E were to also leave, then IMO it makes sense to bring in a Sr Big., along with a JUCO big.

TX

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Originally posted by PhoggyBottom:
Big guy from Charlotte is transferring, James Thorne. Looks to be exactly what TU would need. I know over 20 schools have already contacted him. Would be stunned if TU isn't one of them.

Your other school seems to be getting heavily involved, would think they win this battle if we decided to throw in on it.

 

[TulsaEye]

Part of the problem is this team is really really weak inside. It makes the team unbalanced. If a team has length inside on us they will throw inside all night. If we go all out to defend the inside that leaves Tulsa vulnerable to outside shots. Really vulnerable. Murray St. was the perfect example. They didn't have that much length on us but were hitting everything inside. That forced us to try to over play in side and they simply switched to outside shots, which they were great at. They inside, outsided Tulsa for an easy win.

 

[PhoggyBottom]

texcane, it is a good idea to the extent that next year is the year to make the big run. There will be a lot of rebuilding to do after that. If there is a Sr. transfer that fills an obvious need that can take TU over the hump, you take him. You are not goinjg to find a high school big man that is ready to contribute next year at the level TU needs this late in the recruiting cycle.

 

[PhoggyBottom]

Gmoney, I am not sure about that. KU definitely needs a big man that is a rim protector but that isn't this guy. This guy is an offensive threat but he is only an adequate rebounder and shot blocker. Plus, being a senior transfer, he is probably going to want two things: minutes and a chance to play in the tournament. He will have to fight for minutes at KU. KU has another big guy that is pretty similar to Thorne and they have a top 20 PF coming in and they are in the top 2 for two more top 15 Centers. If he comes to TU and is as advertised, the minutes are there and I do not see any way TU misses the tournament with an offensive threat in the post.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Originally posted by texcane1982:
So bringing in a graduate Sr. and pushing the 2015 Sr. class from 8 to 9 is a good idea? Wouldn't it be better to bring in a So. or Jr. JUCO BIG? Sure there might be a longer learning curve, but unless Haith has a "Fab 5" up his his sleeve, 2016 will be a major rebuild.

If Big E were to also leave, then IMO it makes sense to bring in a Sr Big., along with a JUCO big.

TX

Agreed.

 

[PhoggyBottom]

In my opinion, everything TU does needs to be about next year. They have a senior-led team that has a chance to be in the top 25, make the tournament and do some damage if they can add a piece or two. If one of those pieces is available, you take him regardless of his class. It has been a long time since TU has been in this position and it will at least be a couple of years before they can be in this position again. Make some noise, increase the profile and use it for future recruiting.

 

[lawpoke87]

You take the best player available in order to improve our team next season. We have a chance for a special season. 2016 is likely going to be rough regardless. We need to make an NCAA run which improves our name recognition and in turn recruiting going forward. It's 2015-2016 or but imo. Worry about the 2016-2017 next year. A great season will enhance recruiting and make for a better program going forward than taking a Jr. or Soph. while passing on a difference making Sr.

The time is now for TU basketball.

 

[Bill Lowery]

6-11 Mike Thorne has gotten his release from Charlotte. It has restrictions on 13 schools plus all of CUSA. Over 20 schools are recruiting him including Bill Self and Kansas. Another immediately eligible transfer is 6-7 Shonn Miller from Cornell. He was the freshman of the year and a stud. Avg 16.8 pts and 8.5 rebs. An unselfish player. Ivy League requires a player can't be in a program more than 4 years. Stupid rule. Best player in the Ivy. Both players are being highly recruited.

 

[Bill Lowery]

I forgot to add on Thorne. Besides Kansas, Arizona, Baylor and WVU are interested and a number of ACC schools.



This post was edited on 3/26 10:30 AM by Bill Lowery

 

[Tu Geo]

Originally posted by PhoggyBottom:

In my opinion, everything TU does needs to be about next year. They have a senior-led team that has a chance to be in the top 25, make the tournament and do some damage if they can add a piece or two. If one of those pieces is available, you take him regardless of his class. It has been a long time since TU has been in this position and it will at least be a couple of years before they can be in this position again. Make some noise, increase the profile and use it for future recruiting.

I agree Phoggy.

GO TU!!!

 

[WATU2]

Perhaps the Ivies are more interested in education that their sports programs?

"An unselfish player. Ivy League requires a player can't be in a program more than 4 years. Stupid rule."

 

[Bill Lowery]

Actually, I didn't give the main reason. The Ivy League doesn't allow grad students to play. Miller had a shoulder injury as a junior so he redshirted, but will graduate this spring, in 4 years. So he'll be going to grad school and playing at another school. Lots of schools after him.

 

[astonmartin708]

Another known talent available immediately:

Adam Smith out of Virginia Tech. He's a short scoring guard but he shoots over 40% from 3 and he led an ACC school in scoring. Might be a guy for the staff to look at.

 

[mcane]

Also agree with Phoggy. Self was able to pull this off. Let's see if Haith can. A key piece or two is the difference between a 20 win NIT season like this year and a possible Sweet 16.

 

[Bill Lowery]

Update:
Bill Self has met with Mike Thorne and his parents. He's to visit Kansas on May 1 unless they can get him there sooner. Illinois and Pitt coaches have also met with Thorne and he has a visit to Illinois April 18-19. Another 20+ schools trying to get a visit with him.

 

[Bill Lowery]

Thorne has narrowed his list to 3 teams Pitt, Illinois and Kansas. He has visits set up for all 3.

 

[seniorgolfer]

Originally posted by Tu Geo:

Originally posted by PhoggyBottom:

In my opinion, everything TU does needs to be about next year. They have a senior-led team that has a chance to be in the top 25, make the tournament and do some damage if they can add a piece or two. If one of those pieces is available, you take him regardless of his class. It has been a long time since TU has been in this position and it will at least be a couple of years before they can be in this position again. Make some noise, increase the profile and use it for future recruiting.

I agree Phoggy.

GO TU!!!

I also agree Phoggy, and well stated....You can equate playing D-1 basketball without a strong inside
game to a pro golfer trying to make it on the tour without being able to use the big stick (driver) to
the level of his/her competition.....Regardless of how well you do the things you can do, without the
power game to use against the best of your competition, you are most always spitting into the wind,
and on a pretty steep uphill climb....

Haith&Co. (and who will the final member of the staff be?) obviously have a daunting challenge ahead in
trying to finalize the 2015-16 roster and filling the huge gaps left by this coming senior class...