College Basketball "off-season" Thread (players leaving/coaching changes/recruiting)

[allen3xis]

I was saying if Hairston held off till Midnight Madness the tables could be turned..never happened.

With Kelly...he's taking an official this weekend...so a commitment 3 days prior, not happening.

Yall can have him though. Cause I don't want him. John Wall made him. Literally, made him.

And a white dude at Georgetown? C'mon. That don't even look right

If not him, then Nate Lubick. Unfortunately

 

[bigmike23]

PHOENIX -- The University of Arizona has reported a possible NCAA recruiting violation by coach Lute Olson, who called it "an unfortunate andregrettable error."

Athletic director Jim Livengood said Monday that Olson had sent a letter to basketball boosters asking for a donation to Jim Storey's Arizona CactusClassic basketball tournament, held last May at Arizona's McKale Center. NCAA rules prohibit institutional representatives or boosters from arrangingfinancial assistance for potential recruits.

"A 'personal and confidential' letter was sent to Rebounders Club board of directors over the electronic signature of Lute Olson, requestingthat they provide financial assistance to Jim Storey's Cactus Classic AAU Tournament," Livengood said in a July 2 letter to Ron Barker, Pac-10associate commissioner in charge of governance and enforcement. "The letter expressed how important this tournament is to the Arizona basketballprogram's recruiting. The letter also stated [correctly] that 'The athletics department can't assist in any way.' Which would includerequesting that donors make financial contributions."

The alleged violation did not involve a specific athlete, Livengood told the Pac-10.

Livengood reported that Olson had denied knowledge of the letter.

"Others inside and outside of the department stated that they thought that he had requested that the letter be sent," Livengood told theconference.

Livengood said the NCAA is investigating and that university officials would have no further comment until the process is concluded.

In a statement issued by the university, Olson called the letter "an unfortunate and regrettable error."

Olson, who turns 74 next week, returned to the helm of the Wildcats last spring after missing the 2007-08 season on a personal leave of absence.

In a letter to the Rebounders Club, Olson denied any knowledge of the request for donations, calling it a "clear-cut violation of NCAA rules."

"We have always been very diligent in following rules to the letter," Olson wrote in the letter, which was distributed to the media by theathletic department. "We always make sure to cross our 't's' and dot our 'i's' and do not look for a way around the rules.

"I am very embarrassed that this letter was sent," he wrote. "I have already met with our compliance officer to apologize about this letter.Please accept my deepest apology. Thank you for your understanding."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

 

[allen3xis]

Tide is riding on Steele and Green

Monday, September 15, 2008 | PrintEntry

Ronald Steele didn't look the same in Orlando last June at thepre-draft camp. He wasn't as quick. He looked hesitant. He was clearly still recovering, as expected, from not playing competitive basketball for over ayear after knee injuries.
Ultimately that's why Steele didn't stay in the NBA draft. He knew he wasn't ready to be a first, let alonesecond-round draft pick. So he returned to Alabama for his fifth year in Tuscaloosa and, in a unique twist, will play this season with his brother, Andrew Steele, who arrived last month for his freshman season. The good news forSteele, and Alabama, is that he is apparently showing no signs that he isn't the same player from his junior season in 2006 when Steele was a solid starterat point guard for the Tide, averaging four assists a game and earning All-SEC honors.
Steele's return to the court during individual workouts at Alabama over the past few weeks has given Tide coach Mark Gottfried renewed optimism for thisseason.
The Tide will start this week, just like everyone else, with full-team workouts. Teams are allowed to have full-team workouts for two hours a weekbeginning Monday and running through the first official practice on Oct. 17. "He doesn't look gimpy at all," Gottfried said Monday on his wayback to Tuscaloosa after recruiting the past few days. "He's 100 percent healthy." But Gottfried cautioned himself a bit on getting too excitedabout Steele until he sees him in games. Steele sat out last season because of the two knee surgeries he had in 2007. "He needs to play games --that's what he needs now," Gottfried said. "But he is playing more loose [than he did at the Orlando pre-draft camp]." Gottfried iscautiously optimistic about the Tide. Alabama has a bit of an undercard billing in the Maui Invitational with heavy-hitting top 10 teams North Carolina, NotreDame and Texas, which could be a top 10 team sooner than later once the season begins. Gottfried likes the role of being a bit of an unknown. Richard Hendrix decided to stay in the draft rather than return for his senior season and hisdeparture seemed to have lowered expectations on this team. But the Tide have a freshman gem in 6-foot-9 JaMychal Green, who was a stud on the U-18 USA silver medal team thatlost to host Argentina in July. Sophomore forward Justin Knox and junior Demetrius Jemison should help offset the loss of Hendrix, too. Although Gottfried said youcan't dismiss the potential Hendrix would have had as a 20-point, eight-rebound performer. Still, this will be a guard-oriented team with Steele as thepoint man, Alonzo Gee, who also declared for the draft and withdrew, on the wing, anda trio of players in sophomore Senario Hillman, senior Brandon Hollinger and the younger Steele. Gottfried said he fully expects the Steeles to playtogether at times, but Andrew still has to earn his way up the ladder. Ronald Steele and Gee haven't shown any issues with returning to Alabama instead ofbeing in the NBA. Gottfried said both players are proving to be the leaders during workouts and aren't bitter about being back in school instead of gettingpaid (although it's arguable that they would have received any money since neither may have been drafted and wouldn't have received a guaranteedcontract). "I'm excited about this team," Gottfried said. "I think we could have a really good year." The SEC West is completely openwith every team in the division possessing plenty of faults. No one is the clear favorite. That gives the Tide even more hope that they can turn around aprogram that hit a rough patch last season in missing the postseason with a 17-16 record, 5-11 in the SEC West. "But we will be [better] later in theseason," Gottfried said. "Hillman will be better. Knox will be better. JaMychal will be better later in the season." That doesn't meanAlabama won't be a surprise in Maui. But the Tide is worth riding a bit early in the season to see if a healthy Steele and a star in the waiting in Greenis enough to carry them through their nonconference slate and into a successful SEC West run.


Beast

 

[haiti5]

Chicago people yall hear about this Mike Shaw kid (2011)
jus a lil bit..i was a volunteer assistant at his grade school football team at Visitation academy. basketball is his better sport..but for a6'7'' 8th grader..lets just say he completely dominated at wide out

 

[rocdamike11]

Abdul Gaddy has recommitted to Arizona.


Aaric Murray (2009) has commited to La Salle. Nice get for the La Salle program, considering they beat out a few other schools, including ones in the area.

 

[allen3xis]

Nice get for Zona.

Rivals #34...get familiar with em

[table][tr][td]
Head coach: Fran McCaffery.
Last season: 23-11 overall, 13-5 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Postseason: Earned automatic bid to NCAA Tournament. Lost 84-72 to Villanova in second round.[/td] [td]

[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Breakdown: Probable starters | Backcourt | Frontcourt | Offense | Defense | Outlook[/td] [/tr][/table]
http://

BACKCOURT

The backbone of Siena's team is its multi-talented and veteran backcourt. Kenny Hasbrouck likely will be the preseason conference player of the year afteraveraging 16.1 points per game last season while leading Siena's defense with a league-best 77 steals. He also is one of the league's best defenders.His shot selection needs to improve, though.

http://

[size=-2]Edwin Ubiles was Siena's top scorer last season.[/size]

[table][tr][td]PROBABLE STARTING FIVE[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Ronald Moore, 6-0/Jr.
8.6 ppg, 5.3 apg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Kenny Hasbrouck, 6-3/Sr.
16.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 77 steals[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G/F Edwin Ubiles, 6-6/Jr.
17 ppg, 4 rpg, .526 FG%[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Alex Franklin, 6-5/Jr.
15.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Josh Duell, 6-7/Sr.
5.5 rpg, 3.3 rpg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]TOP RESERVES[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Ryan Rossiter 6-9/Soph.
1.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Cory Magee 6-7/Jr.
1.4 ppg, 0.8 rpg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Clarence Jackson 6-3/Soph.
3.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg[/td] [/tr][/table]
The backbone of Siena's team is its multi-talented and veteran backcourt. KennyHasbrouck likely will be the preseason conference player of the year after averaging 16.1 points per game last season while leading Siena's defensewith a league-best 77 steals. He also is one of the league's best defenders. His shot selection needs to improve, though.
The versatile Edwin Ubiles led the team in scoring last season. He is perhapsthe most talented of the group and able to contribute from multiple positions. During the offseason, he worked to improve his jumper. He already was a 3-pointthreat and also possesses a nice mid-range game.

The glue guy in the backcourt is diminutive point guard Ronald Moore, who isgenerously listed at 6 feet. He distributes well (5.3 apg), makes good decisions (2.43-1 assist/turnover ratio) and pushes the pace in Siena's up-tempooffense. He might be better-served to be even more of a passer this season, as he shot just 37.4 percent from the floor last season.

Clarence Jackson will be the first guard off the bench. He's hoping tobe more productive after struggling with an ankle injury last season.

http://

FRONTCOURT

Leading the frontcourt is Alex Franklin. Although he is undersized at 6-5, hefinished in the top 10 in the conference in scoring and rebounding thanks to his length and athleticism.

Also starting in the frontcourt is Josh Duell, who can create problems for adefense with his shooting ability. Duell, who began his career at Vermont, is an excellent free-throw shooter.

Coming off the bench are defensive specialist Cory Magee and Ryan Rossiter, who can provide an inside presence with his rebounding andshot-blocking. Neither is an offensive threat.

http://

OFFENSE

Siena is a running team whose strength is getting up and down the floor. The backcourt leads the team in transition. The Saints have a wealth of outsideshooters returning to a team that led the conference in scoring and assist-to-turnover ratio.

http://

DEFENSE

[table][tr][td]

http://[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Siena opened some eyes with its rout of fourth-seeded Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This team should be even better, and coach Fran McCaffery is a solid X's and O's guy. Four starters return from last season, which is good because the non-conference schedule is brutal. Siena will play in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando against Tennessee and then either Georgetown or Wichita State. Games at Pittsburgh and Kansas loom in December and January, plus there's a BracketBuster game in February. Siena feels it has several players who can compete with anybody. How the remainder of the roster performs will be critical.[/td] [/tr][/table]
Siena likes to force the tempo with its defense but is not an all-out pressing team. The Saints like to pick their spots and mix up thedefense with man-to-man and zone. Siena led the MAAC in steals last season.
SHOES TO FILL

G Tay Fisher. He was a senior leader and the team's best 3-point shooter. Hasbrouck is the returning leader with 56 3-pointers, butUbiles, Jackson and Moore will have to fill part of the void.

MUST STEP UP

The bench. Siena knows what it will get out of its veteran starting five. Without Fisher and backup guard Chris De La Rosa, whotransferred, the bench must be more productive, especially against the Saints' demanding non-conference schedule. Rossiter and Jackson will be the firsttwo off the bench.

IMPACT NEWCOMER

G Kyle Downey. With a veteran team, the freshmen won't be asked to contribute much immediately, but Downey brings good 3-point shootingto the mix.

David Fox is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at [email protected].

#32
[table][tr][td]Head coach: Jim Boeheim
Last season: 21-14, 9-9 in Big East.
Postseason: Earned at-large bid to NIT. Lost to UMass in quarterfinals, 81-77.[/td] [td] [/td] [/tr][tr][td]Breakdown: Probable starters | Backcourt | Frontcourt | Offense | Defense | Outlook[/td] [/tr][/table]
http://

BACKCOURT

Jonny Flynn showed why he was a Rivals.com five-star prospect, stepping intothe role as the starting point guard for the Orange from Day One and delivering 15.7 points and 5.3 assists per game. He started all 35 games and averaged awhopping 35.5 minutes, with Syracuse depleted in the backcourt by injuries to EricDevendorf and Andy Rautins. Flynn shot the ball well (45.9 percent overall;34.8 percent from 3-point range), and he handled himself just fine on the defensive end. His decision-making was solid most of the time, but he could stand tocut down on his 95 turnovers.

http://

[size=-2]Paul Harris ranked among the top 20 in the Big East in scoring, rebounding and assists.[/size]

[table][tr][td]PROBABLE STARTING FIVE[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Jonny Flynn, 6-0/So.
15.7 ppg, 5.3 apg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Eric Devendorf, 6-4/Jr.
17.0 ppg, 3.9 apg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Kris Ongenaet, 6-8/Sr.
4.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Arinze Onuaku, 6-9/Jr.
12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Paul Harris, 6-5/Jr.
14.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.3 apg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]TOP RESERVES[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Andy Rautins, 6-5/Jr.
7.2 ppg, 67 3-pointers in 2006-07[/td] [/tr][tr][td]G Scoop Jardine, 6-1/So.
5.5 ppg, 2.5 apg[/td] [/tr][tr][td]F Rick Jackson, 6-9/So.
3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg[/td] [/tr][/table]
Devendorf started the first 10 games before suffering a torn ACL against East Tennessee State. He was off to an excellent start, averaging17 ppg and shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range. He had scored at least 12 points in all 10 games, and he looked poise to knock down in theneighborhood of 80 3-pointers if he had stayed healthy. Devendorf was a major beneficiary of Flynn's creative and unselfish play, and he should be ready togo when practice starts Oct. 17.
Rautins missed all of last season when he tore his ACL in the FIBA Americas Championship while playing for Team Canada. But he rehabbed hard, added weightand muscle and came back to play for Team Canada this past summer, so he'll be ready to go for the Orange. As a sophomore he hit 67 3-pointers. He figuresto have ample opportunity to improve on that total with Flynn and Devendorf setting him up. He also can spell Flynn at point guard.

Depth in the backcourt also is provided by Scoop Jardine. The formerfour-star prospect got increased playing time because of others' injuries and made 10 starts. He contributed heavily down the stretch, averaging 10.3 ppgin the postseason.

http://

FRONTCOURT

Paul Harris is a triple-double waiting to happen. The 6-5, 228-pound forwardis one of the most physical players in a physical league. He was the only player in the Big East to rank in the top 20 in scoring, rebounding and assists.Harris started all 35 games and averaged a team-high 36.1 mpg. He also led the Orange in steals (59). Harris never takes a play off and works relentlessly onboth ends of the floor. When a ball comes off the rim it's either going to be his or someone is going to go through quite a battle.

Arinze Onuaku had a breakout year after redshirting in 2006-07 followingknee surgery. He led the Orange and was second in the conference in field-goal percentage (62.8 percent). His presence in the low post created room for Flynnand Co. on the perimeter, and Onuaku teamed with Harris to form a formidable rebounding duo. In fact, the Orange ranked second in the Big East in reboundingmargin. If Onuaku continues to improve at such a rapid pace, Syracuse will be a serious threat to the powers-that-be in the Big East.

Kris Ongenaet probably is the other starter up front. Ongenaet is a Belgiannative who made 15 starts last season after transferring from junior college. He's a solid role player who knows when to take a shot: He averaged 8.2 ppgand converted at a 69.2-percent clip once the calendar turned to March.

Rick Jackson will contribute significant minutes off the bench. He's agreat leaper and a defensive force. He blocked a whopping 44 shots, third on the team, despite averaging just 12.9 mpg.

http://

OFFENSE

The Orange transitioned nicely to more of an up-tempo team last season, averaging 79 ppg (second in the Big East and 21st nationally). Flynn plays at a fastpace, and he's surrounded by a cast that can get up and down as well. The outside shooting will be improved with the return of Devendorf and Rautins. Thewhole group needs to take better care of the ball; no team in the Big East had more turnovers per game (15.9) than Syracuse.

http://

DEFENSE

[table][tr][td]

http://[/td] [/tr][tr][td]In any other year in the Big East this would be a team contending for a league title. But in the strongest league in the country it will have to play well just to finish in the upper division. The loss of Donte Greene is significant, but with the return of Devendorf and Rautins this should be a deeper team. The coaches made the right move to be more up-tempo offensively, and this group again should be a high-scoring bunch. Now the Orange has to solve the defensive woes. There is too much talent and athleticism for this team to rank 14th in the Big East in scoring defense. Youth was a factor a year ago when Syracuse started three freshmen and two sophomores for most of the season. Jim Boeheim is entering his 33rd season as coach of the Orange. During that time he never has gone more than two years without making the NCAA Tournament. He and Orange Nation will be sweating it again come Selection Sunday, but something tells us this time it will go Syracuse's way.[/td] [/tr][/table]
Jim Boeheim still employs the 2-3 zone, but teams solved itlast season with relative ease. The Orange surrendered 74.3 ppg to rank 14th in the Big East.
SHOES TO FILL

F Donte Greene. The silky smooth 6-9 Greene joined the ranks of the one-and-dones. The former five-star prospect led Syracuse in scoring(17.7 ppg) and blocks (57) and averaged 7.2 rebounds. That's a lot of production that will be missing this season.

MUST STEP UP

The bench. The Orange had five players average more than 30 minutes per game last season. That makes for a group that's tired at theend of games and at the end of the season. It probably goes a long way toward explaining why Syracuse committed more turnovers than any Big East team.

IMPACT NEWCOMER

F Mookie Jones. The New York native is a four-star prospectranked by Rivals.com as the No. 6 small forward in the class and No. 35 overall. He's an athletic all-court player who has a nice outside shot.

Bob McClellan is the college basketball editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at [email protected].

 

[notoriouslar]

I checked back 3 pages and didnt see it, but AJ Price cleared for full contact workouts.

 

[rocdamike11]

Originally Posted by NotoriousLAR

I checked back 3 pages and didnt see it, but AJ Price cleared for full contact workouts.

that's good to hear... hope he's back at full strength for the start of the season...

 

[haiti5]

soo is rautins gonna have to beat out johnny for his spot ...

 

[bigmike23]

Notes: We talked to Jordan Hamilton and he told us he has set his announcement date for choosing a college. ESPN will televise the announcement on Ocdtober 6th and his final three teams are Texas, UConn, and USC.

 

[seymore cake]

Originally Posted by haiti5

soo is rautins gonna have to beat out johnny for his spot ...

Andy has about the same chance as Arizona had getting Jennings into school for this season... He'll be a 6th man ans spot up person

 

[allen3xis]

Rautins could start the 3...

Johnny
Dorf
Rautins
Paul
Onuaku

Unless Mookie Jones or Kris Joseph step right in, which I doubt. (not a fan of the German, but he could be the guy)

They are so thin up front.

Rick Jackson having to be counted on = problems

 

[seymore cake]

Originally Posted by allen3xis

Rick Jackson having to be counted on = problems

CHURCH TABERNACLE.

 

[jamesonnt]

All signs point to Hamilton going to Texas ... edit: New rivals article says otherwise ...

Good to hear about AJ. Long Island!

 

[mr subliminals]

too bad cuse sucks...

 

[haiti5]

too bad cuse sucks...
AGREED.

 

[ricardo malta]

too bad cuse sucks...
AGREED.

Ya'll need to chill before Rell go in on ya'll like he did on me. It could get Ruger ugly in here

Syracuse = 2009 NCAA Champs. You wit me Ruger?????

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

_ Rell did come for your thorax there Kerlew....

I was like

Y'all _'s crazy tho

 

[rellbettablues]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Malta

too bad cuse sucks...

AGREED.

Ya'll need to chill before Rell go in on ya'll like he did on me. It could get Ruger ugly in here

Syracuse = 2009 NCAA Champs. You wit me Ruger?????

Nah, but in all seriousness I don't think Scoop and Rick gonna see that much because their sexual assault charges never got dropped. Jonny was the only onewho they let off. I don't know when the trial date is though. Scoop is gonna get kicked out of school the rate that he is going at.

 

[jamesonnt]

^ what was the story with that again?

weren't they all out at some gay bar?

 

[rellbettablues]

Originally Posted by JamesOnNT

^ what was the story with that again?

weren't they all out at some gay bar?

Nah, the gay bar was something else. My man's man got stabbed after he got them out of there because some thirsty bum $*% *#%!!% was trying to get at them.

The sexual assault happened in November after a party. No one on campus knew until just a few weeks ago. Even then a lot of people still don't know. Youwould have had to read the "rotten" Orange (school paper is actually called the Daily Orange but its really, really bad) to find out.

 

[jamesonnt]

I see .. keep us updated ...

 

[ricardo malta]

Nah, but in all seriousness I don't think Scoop and Rick gonna see that much because their sexual assault charges never got dropped. Jonny was the only one who they let off. I don't know when the trial date is though. Scoop is gonna get kicked out of school the rate that he is going at.
So ya'll went from being buns to burger buns.

Nice.

Still NCAA Champs though, ya dig?

 

[wildkycat]

http://kentucky.rivals.com/barrier_...ipt=content.asp&cid=851365&fid=&tid=&mid=&ridhttp://kentucky.rivals.co...amp;tid=&mid=&rid=

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat

http://kentucky.rivals.com/barrier_...ipt=content.asp&cid=851365&fid=&tid=&mid=&ridhttp://kentucky.rivals.com/barrier_...ipt=content.asp&cid=851365&fid=&tid=&mid=&ridhttp://kentucky.rivals.co...amp;tid=&mid=&rid=

September 16, 2008
[h1]Nation's top player returning for Madness?[/h1]
Jeff Drummond
CatsPause.com Publisher

Talk about it in The House of Blue
A big question on the mind of many Kentucky basketball fans is will the nation's top-rated player in the Class of 2009, North Carolina point guardJohn Wall, be making a return trip to Lexington next month for theWildcats' version of Midnight Madness?

[table][tr][td]

[/td] [td]

[/td] [/tr][tr][td]

[/td] [/tr][tr][td]John Wall[/td] [/tr][/table]Wall was on hand last year for Big Blue Madness in Rupp Arena, and it was actually his second unofficial visit to UK, leading many towonder if the Cats had emerged as one of his top contending schools.

It's been a curious recruitment from the UK standpoint. There hasn't been discussion of Wall late this summer, and many have considered him to be alock for Baylor after the Bears hired his AAU coach and mentor, Dwon Clifton. Wall hasn't said as much, however, and is still listing six schools.

"They're still on my list of schools I'm considering," Wall said of UK. "I'm looking at Kentucky, N.C. State, Memphis, Kansas,Oregon and Baylor.

"Kentucky's still n there because I took two unofficials up there last year, and I liked it a lot. I went to their Midnight Madness and had a goodtime, and I got to see a game there. It's a good school. I like the tradition and the coaching staff there. I feel like I could fit in real well."

That being said, it's unsure whether the Cats will draw an official visit from Wall. He had indicated in a previous interview that he may be visitingLexington on Oct. 10, the date of Big Blue Madness, but that does not appear to be the case any longer. And while Memphis and Kansas have made recent in-homevisits, he said there has been no communication with the UK staff about setting up a meeting in his Raleigh, N.C., home.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see about that," he said.

Kansas just made its in-home visit, and it reportedly went very well.

"One of the big things I'll be basing my decision on is my relationship with the coaches, and I feel like it's pretty strong with Kansas andMemphis right now," Wall said.

He added that he plans to be in Lawrence this weekend for his official visit with the Jayhawks. No other official visits have been scheduled at this time.

Asked if he planned to sign in the fall, Wall said: "Might be, might now. It will be whenever I know for sure."