Transfers SJU May Get Involved With

[bamafan]

New Mexico announces all three members of recruiting class have been given releases. Chris Sodom, Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, Mike Parks, Jr.

Sodom is 7'3". Chandler is 6'9". Both 4 star recruits.

Parks is 6'9" forward. JC transfer.

Nice find. Get Sodom and Parks to come and play together! And works out nicely for everyone.

Although NM is loosing them, I have to ask myself how come they can get 2 4 star bigs and a JUCO big and we haven't gotten any bigs for next year so far?

I don't know the history but most 4 and 5 star high schoolers have had schools involved for years some going back to 8th grade. It's mostly a long game except for Kentucky and deal making

Oh come on Paul, I think it goes back even further than that. You have to visit them in the cradle and bring them a new binky. Seems like some are giving up on getting a big ready to help next year. If we don't that is a pretty big failure on the part of the staff in recruiting. We needed and wanted one last year, didn't get Livingston or anyone else and now a year later and after losing Sima, Williams, (and Freud) still no big? I'm the first to say Lavin left the cupboard totally bare but at this time it is all on Mo and the staff. There seems to be plenty of players out there and we better damn well come up with a big or it's another year of Kassum fumbling the ball off his hands and AliB clanging a 3. Forget the big dance for the foreseeable future.

 

[Red.Fans]

I've already agreed that it would be a failure. I'm very disappointed that we don't have someone lined up and as I said before, how hard is it to sell a big man to play with Simon, Clark, Ponds and Lovett? Add a 5 star big man and you have a team that could compete with ANY team in the country.

I'm not making excuses but reality is that this staff has had one full recruiting cycle. Matt called in some of his previous work to get us some players but the rest will take time. We've got 4 legitimate 4/5 star players that is impressive in the short period of time with one recruiter and a head coach that had zero ground work recruiting players the previous years.

 

[Moose]

I would agree that not landing a grad transfer is a major disappointment. However, I don't doubt the staff knew this was a priority. I acknowledge that recruiting is tough and I appreciate that they didn't just settle for a big that would be overmatched in the BE.

Personally, from what I have read, I am not confident that Kante or the Juco 7-footer can be impact players next year. We may be praying for rebounds again.

. Forget the JUCO. Kante isn't going to be an impact player next year. But, he might be his Jr. year. W recruiting you have balance our immediate needs w our future needs.We have 4 scholys ,would hope we can get 1 impact big for next year.

He will develop into an impact player just in time for him to transfer out as a junior.

So who was the "impact' player that has recently left? 65 points a game are returning next year.

and so is giving up 80 points on defense

Did not notice any impact defender transferring. The guy we had to worry about leaving ended up staying.

It was a win getting the scoring back when it was likely that Lovett was a goner. The two incoming transfers will add much needed defense to what looks to be a pretty dynamic team next season. Fans are forgetting how this team surprised us during the second half last season - despite being a bunch of dumb freshmen and first year players. If they give up 80 a game next season they will score 90 a game.

You're joking right?

 

[Class of 72]

New Mexico announces all three members of recruiting class have been given releases. Chris Sodom, Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, Mike Parks, Jr.

Sodom is 7'3". Chandler is 6'9". Both 4 star recruits.

Parks is 6'9" forward. JC transfer.

Nice find. Get Sodom and Parks to come and play together! And works out nicely for everyone.

Although NM is loosing them, I have to ask myself how come they can get 2 4 star bigs and a JUCO big and we haven't gotten any bigs for next year so far?

Because when a 7 footer opens his door and looks out he sees no there.
It's easy to miss Matt if you are not looking straight down,

 

[DaTiger]

Chris S. could fill the need. Surprised at the lack of interest from other programs.


http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/chris-sodom

Crap, I'm getting my hopes up.

 

[usguard]

New Mexico announces all three members of recruiting class have been given releases. Chris Sodom, Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, Mike Parks, Jr.

Sodom is 7'3". Chandler is 6'9". Both 4 star recruits.

Parks is 6'9" forward. JC transfer.

Nice find. Get Sodom and Parks to come and play together! And works out nicely for everyone.

Although NM is loosing them, I have to ask myself how come they can get 2 4 star bigs and a JUCO big and we haven't gotten any bigs for next year so far?

Because when a 7 footer opens his door and looks out he sees no there.
It's easy to miss Matt if you are not looking straight down,

I just want to see action from this staff on a post player and a rebounder There out there disappointing yes, we have not be able to get one

 

[Knight]

Looks like there is more to determining a kid's choice of schools then playing time. The improving roster is making this a more desirable destination. Who wants to join a team that has no chance at winning, even if they get a chance to play in MSG?
Patience required until we can become a team that is not the hand picked homecoming opponent of choice.
We're getting there.
Go Johnnies!

 

[paultzman]

Owens, Clark, Yakwe, Kante & Ahmed in spots will have to man the interior. Not perfect, but what can you do?

Pray

Not anywhere close to perfect. That would be a whiff. Was pretty clear for some time that frontline help was priority 1 for next season.

No doubt, a disappointment thus far. Thought getting functional functional grad transfer big, not a star, would have been in cards, especially in light of fact Matt expressed confidence to more than a few folks. Oh well, let's see how this plays out. Love our wings, guards, just need one more piece.

 

[OLV72]

I would agree that not landing a grad transfer is a major disappointment. However, I don't doubt the staff knew this was a priority. I acknowledge that recruiting is tough and I appreciate that they didn't just settle for a big that would be overmatched in the BE.

Personally, from what I have read, I am not confident that Kante or the Juco 7-footer can be impact players next year. We may be praying for rebounds again.

. Forget the JUCO. Kante isn't going to be an impact player next year. But, he might be his Jr. year. W recruiting you have balance our immediate needs w our future needs.We have 4 scholys ,would hope we can get 1 impact big for next year.

He will develop into an impact player just in time for him to transfer out as a junior.

So who was the "impact' player that has recently left? 65 points a game are returning next year.

and so is giving up 80 points on defense

Did not notice any impact defender transferring. The guy we had to worry about leaving ended up staying.

It was a win getting the scoring back when it was likely that Lovett was a goner. The two incoming transfers will add much needed defense to what looks to be a pretty dynamic team next season. Fans are forgetting how this team surprised us during the second half last season - despite being a bunch of dumb freshmen and first year players. If they give up 80 a game next season they will score 90 a game.

You're joking right?

Sort of. But not getting worked up over this either.

 

[Moose]

I would agree that not landing a grad transfer is a major disappointment. However, I don't doubt the staff knew this was a priority. I acknowledge that recruiting is tough and I appreciate that they didn't just settle for a big that would be overmatched in the BE.

Personally, from what I have read, I am not confident that Kante or the Juco 7-footer can be impact players next year. We may be praying for rebounds again.

. Forget the JUCO. Kante isn't going to be an impact player next year. But, he might be his Jr. year. W recruiting you have balance our immediate needs w our future needs.We have 4 scholys ,would hope we can get 1 impact big for next year.

He will develop into an impact player just in time for him to transfer out as a junior.

So who was the "impact' player that has recently left? 65 points a game are returning next year.

and so is giving up 80 points on defense

Did not notice any impact defender transferring. The guy we had to worry about leaving ended up staying.

It was a win getting the scoring back when it was likely that Lovett was a goner. The two incoming transfers will add much needed defense to what looks to be a pretty dynamic team next season. Fans are forgetting how this team surprised us during the second half last season - despite being a bunch of dumb freshmen and first year players. If they give up 80 a game next season they will score 90 a game.

You're joking right?

Sort of. But not getting worked up over this either.

You shouldn't get worked up over.

You should be very much used to it as an SJU fan

 

[sjc88]

Owens, Clark, Yakwe, Kante & Ahmed in spots will have to man the interior. Not perfect, but what can you do?

Pray

Not anywhere close to perfect. That would be a whiff. Was pretty clear for some time that frontline help was priority 1 for next season.

No doubt, a disappointment thus far. Thought getting functional functional grad transfer big, not a star, would have been in cards, especially in light of fact Matt expressed confidence to more than a few folks. Oh well, let's see how this plays out. Love our wings, guards, just need one more piece.

Paultz, to recap so far we have added Simon and Clark. We have lost Williams, RF, and Malik Ellison. I have no idea as to the status of Amir but he really is not a factor on the floor. We still have hope for Kante but he is not signed. Our front court currently is Clark, Tariq and Yakwe. Unless I am missing something we are going to get KILLED in the paint. ZERO depth. One guy/no less two in foul trouble will signal game over.

Sorry, for asking for the painful recap but I am losing track. It is unthinkable that this staff cannot find the "functional grad transfer". As we saw last year all the guards and wings are irrelevant if no one can do the dirty work inside including rebounding and defense.

If that is all we do we are destined for another fall short season. On top of that Lovett and Ponds are sure to leave after next season if what I think is going to unfold happens. I will hold out hope but Matt A and staff seem to be more smoke and not enough substance on the recruiting trail.

 

[paultzman]

Owens, Clark, Yakwe, Kante & Ahmed in spots will have to man the interior. Not perfect, but what can you do?

Pray

Not anywhere close to perfect. That would be a whiff. Was pretty clear for some time that frontline help was priority 1 for next season.

No doubt, a disappointment thus far. Thought getting functional functional grad transfer big, not a star, would have been in cards, especially in light of fact Matt expressed confidence to more than a few folks. Oh well, let's see how this plays out. Love our wings, guards, just need one more piece.

Paultz, to recap so far we have added Simon and Clark. We have lost Williams, RF, and Malik Ellison. I have no idea as to the status of Amir but he really is not a factor on the floor. We still have hope for Kante but he is not signed. Our front court currently is Clark, Tariq and Yakwe. Unless I am missing something we are going to get KILLED in the paint. ZERO depth. One guy/no less two in foul trouble will signal game over.

Sorry, for asking for the painful recap but I am losing track. It is unthinkable that this staff cannot find the "functional grad transfer". As we saw last year all the guards and wings are irrelevant if no one can do the dirty work inside including rebounding and defense.

If that is all we do we are destined for another fall short season. On top of that Lovett and Ponds are sure to leave after next season if what I think is going to unfold happens. I will hold out hope but Matt A and staff seem to be more smoke and not enough substance on the recruiting trail.

Matt yesterday noted intent to add one more big. I suspect that means getting Kante commitment, but we'll see. If this occurs, I assume Bashir will play some 4 as well.

 

[SJU1512]

Owens, Clark, Yakwe, Kante & Ahmed in spots will have to man the interior. Not perfect, but what can you do?

Pray

Not anywhere close to perfect. That would be a whiff. Was pretty clear for some time that frontline help was priority 1 for next season.

No doubt, a disappointment thus far. Thought getting functional functional grad transfer big, not a star, would have been in cards, especially in light of fact Matt expressed confidence to more than a few folks. Oh well, let's see how this plays out. Love our wings, guards, just need one more piece.

Agree. Think key in evaluating current state is what expectations are for next year.

If we're okay with possibly the greatest probability being inverting the record, maybe 19-14 overall/11-7 conference, and just outside of the NCAA T bubble, I think we may already be there assuming health. Difficult for me to imagine the top 4 guys from last year, all of whom were first year at SJU, being back and adding what I think Simon and Clark are, plus an anticipated slightly softer schedule, and not taking a 4-5 win step forward.

Overall, that's very good shape for Year 3 for this staff. However it will put additional pressure on critical Year 4 in terms of making NCAA T, and who knows what kind of momentum and/or roster uncertainty we'll have. Could see scenarios where it's excellent and others where it's pretty underwhelming.

If NCAA T is measuring stick for this coming season gap is obvious and much discussed:

1. Lovett
2. Ponds
3. Simon
4. Ahmed
5. Clark
6. Owens
7.
8. Yawke
9. Mussini
10. Amar

Could Yawke step up and become that player? Absolutely. This past season from him was one of the most confusing I've seen in college hoops and I follow SJU. What we needed was an approximation of his freshman year with perhaps some slight improvement and instead went way backwards. Hoping Yawke can return to freshman year level of production but obviously don't think it can be relied on.

Big picture still think progress has been excellent, but short-term think part of frustration is what you note above and Paul did a few posts back - we might be one piece away from being really good next year. Depending on who it is 20+ wins overall, 12 in conference, and NCAA T just seems very much in reach. To come up short when we seem so close and really capitalize on that opportunity would be unfortunate.

Fair to evaluate staff on adding that piece or not? Hard to say. Seems like we have so much PT to offer and play with premium guards/situation to surround with that it's an ideal situation for a big. But at same time know it's tough late in the game and that we are dealing with some standard turnover under new staff that can create a little scrambling.

See what happens next month or so, hopefully this is rendered moot. If it isn't, let's go Yawke and will be curious if we learn why Williams left, as shy of adding a big capable of filling that #7 slot above or better, Williams likely would have been a pretty good fit with benefit of being something of a known production wise.

 

[fun]

If NCAA T is measuring stick for this coming season gap is obvious and much discussed:

1. Lovett
2. Ponds
3. Simon
4. Ahmed
5. Clark
6. Owens
7.
8. Yawke
9. Mussini
10. Amar

[...]

See what happens next month or so, hopefully this is rendered moot. If it isn't, let's go Yawke and will be curious if we learn why Williams left, as shy of adding a big capable of filling that #7 slot above or better, Williams likely would have been a pretty good fit with benefit of being something of a known production wise.

I think that the staff's depth chart might be slightly different: they've expended a lot of time and effort on Yawke. He was awful the first half last year but less awful the second and I wouldn't be surprised if he showed considerable improvement this year. If he's #7, is it possible Williams didn't want to be #8 or 8a andb with AA? No doubt he would have helped but the assumption is he was forced out and I don't know that that's the case.

 

[Lopez_13]

I feel like Williams just wanted more playing time, because he still has aspirations of playing professionally somewhere overseas. I wish he stayed since I think he would have been a solid role player but maybe his decision to leave is based on Clark just being much better than he is and also yakwe always being ahead of him on the depth chart even if it was not warranted.

Out of the 3 New Mexico players released, chandler or parks look like the better fit. Sodom is Owens body type but would still welcome if he wanted to come here.

 

[sjc88]

Owens, Clark, Yakwe, Kante & Ahmed in spots will have to man the interior. Not perfect, but what can you do?

Pray

Not anywhere close to perfect. That would be a whiff. Was pretty clear for some time that frontline help was priority 1 for next season.

No doubt, a disappointment thus far. Thought getting functional functional grad transfer big, not a star, would have been in cards, especially in light of fact Matt expressed confidence to more than a few folks. Oh well, let's see how this plays out. Love our wings, guards, just need one more piece.

Paultz, to recap so far we have added Simon and Clark. We have lost Williams, RF, and Malik Ellison. I have no idea as to the status of Amir but he really is not a factor on the floor. We still have hope for Kante but he is not signed. Our front court currently is Clark, Tariq and Yakwe. Unless I am missing something we are going to get KILLED in the paint. ZERO depth. One guy/no less two in foul trouble will signal game over.

Sorry, for asking for the painful recap but I am losing track. It is unthinkable that this staff cannot find the "functional grad transfer". As we saw last year all the guards and wings are irrelevant if no one can do the dirty work inside including rebounding and defense.

If that is all we do we are destined for another fall short season. On top of that Lovett and Ponds are sure to leave after next season if what I think is going to unfold happens. I will hold out hope but Matt A and staff seem to be more smoke and not enough substance on the recruiting trail.

Matt yesterday noted intent to add one more big. I suspect that means getting Kante commitment, but we'll see. If this occurs, I assume Bashir will play some 4 as well.

Thanks for the info Paultz. IMO clearly FWIW, I think if Kante is it (and still an IF) then staff has let us down on this one. I know someone posted a great picture of beating the dead horse (and I belong in that club) but with all the names floated out there (realistic or unrealistic) I can't hide my disappointment. I know what you are saying but Bashir is not a 4. He thinks offense first. We all talk about rebounding but our defense was awful at times last year as well. I don't want to kill Yakwe but he has regressed into nothing more than a shot blocker who has terrible hands for a "rebounder". Somehow I think we are wasting a great opportunity to make the Tournament next year.

 

[fuchsia]

Board may have future utility as the Massell Depression Inventory; measuring the amount of negativity posters are able to project on to lack of information. I actually like most the times when I sense that Paultzman and Happy and other insiders are sitting on info because they feel it might do damage to the program if it were disclosed. This feels close to one of those times.

 

[Knight]

Matt's tweets yesterday gives me confidence that we will get a BIG soon.
Go Johnnies!

 

[Spruces2]

Owens, Clark, Yakwe, Kante & Ahmed in spots will have to man the interior. Not perfect, but what can you do?

Pray

Not anywhere close to perfect. That would be a whiff. Was pretty clear for some time that frontline help was priority 1 for next season.

No doubt, a disappointment thus far. Thought getting functional functional grad transfer big, not a star, would have been in cards, especially in light of fact Matt expressed confidence to more than a few folks. Oh well, let's see how this plays out. Love our wings, guards, just need one more piece.

Paultz, to recap so far we have added Simon and Clark. We have lost Williams, RF, and Malik Ellison. I have no idea as to the status of Amir but he really is not a factor on the floor. We still have hope for Kante but he is not signed. Our front court currently is Clark, Tariq and Yakwe. Unless I am missing something we are going to get KILLED in the paint. ZERO depth. One guy/no less two in foul trouble will signal game over.

Sorry, for asking for the painful recap but I am losing track. It is unthinkable that this staff cannot find the "functional grad transfer". As we saw last year all the guards and wings are irrelevant if no one can do the dirty work inside including rebounding and defense.

If that is all we do we are destined for another fall short season. On top of that Lovett and Ponds are sure to leave after next season if what I think is going to unfold happens. I will hold out hope but Matt A and staff seem to be more smoke and not enough substance on the recruiting trail.

Matt yesterday noted intent to add one more big. I suspect that means getting Kante commitment, but we'll see. If this occurs, I assume Bashir will play some 4 as well.

Thanks for the info Paultz. IMO clearly FWIW, I think if Kante is it (and still an IF) then staff has let us down on this one. I know someone posted a great picture of beating the dead horse (and I belong in that club) but with all the names floated out there (realistic or unrealistic) I can't hide my disappointment. I know what you are saying but Bashir is not a 4. He thinks offense first. We all talk about rebounding but our defense was awful at times last year as well. I don't want to kill Yakwe but he has regressed into nothing more than a shot blocker who has terrible hands for a "rebounder". Somehow I think we are wasting a great opportunity to make the Tournament next year.

Agreed. Total air ball by the recruiter(s) and missed opportunity.

 

[SJU1512]

If NCAA T is measuring stick for this coming season gap is obvious and much discussed:

1. Lovett
2. Ponds
3. Simon
4. Ahmed
5. Clark
6. Owens
7.
8. Yawke
9. Mussini
10. Amar

[...]

See what happens next month or so, hopefully this is rendered moot. If it isn't, let's go Yawke and will be curious if we learn why Williams left, as shy of adding a big capable of filling that #7 slot above or better, Williams likely would have been a pretty good fit with benefit of being something of a known production wise.

I think that the staff's depth chart might be slightly different: they've expended a lot of time and effort on Yawke. He was awful the first half last year but less awful the second and I wouldn't be surprised if he showed considerable improvement this year. If he's #7, is it possible Williams didn't want to be #8 or 8a andb with AA? No doubt he would have helped but the assumption is he was forced out and I don't know that that's the case.

Good point and apologies, should have caveated that I didn't mean this as exact depth chart, just flagging the spot on the roster where I think there is currently a break/gap especially in regards to our NCAA T chances next year. Agree if Williams were on roster staff would probably have him below Yawke and that could explain transfer.