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Transfer season

Dude, you are freaking exhausting. Give the agenda a break for a couple weeks.

We need a big man grad transfer and I posted a link for a guy who could actually help us and is being recruited by another Virginia school. Kind of germane to the topic of the thread on "transfers".
 
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We need a big man grad transfer and I posted a link for a guy who could actually help us and is being recruited by another Virginia school. Kind of germane to the topic of the thread on "transfers".
I think to be fair 97, there was nothing in your post that suggested we should actually look at Agau for UR...it seemed mostly to be harping on the assertion that guys don't transfer down from P5 which I would agree is dubious. It does seem unlikely that good P5 guys will transfer down unless there's a great fit (immediate starting minutes, consistent tournament presence, etc.)
 
I can't imagine a more perfect scenario for a grad transfer than what UR offers for next season. A quality big man would be guaranteed a key role while playing significant minutes. If they are any good (not Kwesi caliber), they would most likely be a starter on a team coming off an NIT season, AND one that is returning several talented key pieces. With quality contributions from the big, the grad transfer should see a chance of participating in the NCAA tournament.

What more could a grad transfer be looking for? No need to waste everyone's time with the "he is trying to distinguish between quality graduate programs" fluff. I doubt that many (most likely none) of these 1-year journeymen are looking for the BEST graduate program. Few graduate degrees are attainable in 1-year, and it does not seem realistic to expect former 1-year players to hang around an unfamiliar city for an extra year after they quit playing to finish the degree. Makes a lot more sense to accept that they are looking to play on a quality team with a good chance of making the NCAA tournament.

So, a legitimate question for the Spider staff is, why hasn't this happened? Failing to close this deal, this year, with a quality big is indicative of a major shortcoming in my opinion. That level of performance should not be considered acceptable.
 
I can't imagine a more perfect scenario for a grad transfer than what UR offers for next season. A quality big man would be guaranteed a key role while playing significant minutes. If they are any good (not Kwesi caliber), they would most likely be a starter on a team coming off an NIT season, AND one that is returning several talented key pieces. With quality contributions from the big, the grad transfer should see a chance of participating in the NCAA tournament.

What more could a grad transfer be looking for? No need to waste everyone's time with the "he is trying to distinguish between quality graduate programs" fluff. I doubt that many (most likely none) of these 1-year journeymen are looking for the BEST graduate program. Few graduate degrees are attainable in 1-year, and it does not seem realistic to expect former 1-year players to hang around an unfamiliar city for an extra year after they quit playing to finish the degree. Makes a lot more sense to accept that they are looking to play on a quality team with a good chance of making the NCAA tournament.

So, a legitimate question for the Spider staff is, why hasn't this happened? Failing to close this deal, this year, with a quality big is indicative of a major shortcoming in my opinion. That level of performance should not be considered acceptable.
One drawback is Grant will be the starter; he is well and as an assistant coach put it "sooo talented".
 
One drawback is Grant will be the starter; he is well and as an assistant coach put it "sooo talented".
I think Grant showed some very nice ability and should end up being a great player for us. That said, we are all crazy if we think our big man depth is good for next year. Grant coming off a partial freshman year and serious health condition. Solly looks great on tape, but looks like a big wing to me. PF, we have discussed. Other guys are freshman. Believe me, I am optimistic Solly and Grant can each play 30 good minutes a game, but that still leaves 20 minutes, and that is if they both stay healthy and out of foul trouble. This would be the perfect year for a solid grad transfer to help us and get big minutes. Let's go get one.
 
I think Grant showed some very nice ability and should end up being a great player for us. That said, we are all crazy if we think our big man depth is good for next year. Grant coming off a partial freshman year and serious health condition. Solly looks great on tape, but looks like a big wing to me. PF, we have discussed. Other guys are freshman. Believe me, I am optimistic Solly and Grant can each play 30 good minutes a game, but that still leaves 20 minutes, and that is if they both stay healthy and out of foul trouble. This would be the perfect year for a solid grad transfer to help us and get big minutes. Let's go get one.

Was Solly there Wednesday night? And did we get a consensus on the size of all the freshman?
 
I think Grant showed some very nice ability and should end up being a great player for us. That said, we are all crazy if we think our big man depth is good for next year. Grant coming off a partial freshman year and serious health condition. Solly looks great on tape, but looks like a big wing to me. PF, we have discussed. Other guys are freshman. Believe me, I am optimistic Solly and Grant can each play 30 good minutes a game, but that still leaves 20 minutes, and that is if they both stay healthy and out of foul trouble. This would be the perfect year for a solid grad transfer to help us and get big minutes. Let's go get one.
Agree 100%, 23. Just sayin' that Grant will be the starter and this fact may deter some graduate transfer big men. No offense! (Pun!)
 
Solly was there, standing next to Nick when I spoke with him, a good 2-3 inches taller. Seemed to be a good natured kid, we laughed and joked about the Cayman trip.

Also spoke with Joe Kirby for awhile, such a great spirit and smile. Interesting fact, even though he is from Florida he had never seen the "blue water" and was really looking forward to the trip to Cayman.
 
I can't imagine a more perfect scenario for a grad transfer than what UR offers for next season. A quality big man would be guaranteed a key role while playing significant minutes. If they are any good (not Kwesi caliber), they would most likely be a starter on a team coming off an NIT season, AND one that is returning several talented key pieces. With quality contributions from the big, the grad transfer should see a chance of participating in the NCAA tournament.

What more could a grad transfer be looking for? No need to waste everyone's time with the "he is trying to distinguish between quality graduate programs" fluff. I doubt that many (most likely none) of these 1-year journeymen are looking for the BEST graduate program. Few graduate degrees are attainable in 1-year, and it does not seem realistic to expect former 1-year players to hang around an unfamiliar city for an extra year after they quit playing to finish the degree. Makes a lot more sense to accept that they are looking to play on a quality team with a good chance of making the NCAA tournament.

So, a legitimate question for the Spider staff is, why hasn't this happened? Failing to close this deal, this year, with a quality big is indicative of a major shortcoming in my opinion. That level of performance should not be considered acceptable.
I generally agree with your post. I think the thing you may be failing to take into account is that there are also quality P5 programs who can offer PT and are surer bets to go to the tournament. Gonzaga lost pretty much all of their bigs so they can pull in just about whoever they want.

There also just aren't that many good big guys.

But I absolutely think we should be attractive to someone. I'm a bit disappointed we didn't go after jack Whitman at W&M but it shows how sought after these guys are that he ended up at kansas.
 
Hold on, 97. You were a Spider during the Dooley era (1993-1997)? Now I understand your negativity! I returned to the east coast of the US in 1995, moving to Ellicott City, MD. Took a friend to see the Spiders play American University shortly after my move. Holy Smoke! The Bill Dooley-coached Spiders were sooooo bad. Please, we are so much better now. Last night at the signing party, I was able to meet and talk a bit with Buck; what a nice young man. When congratulated on last year's success, Buck said there was a lot more to come. Be positive and enjoy the ride.

I think I was at that game, Ulla. I too was in the Dooley era, but a year after 97 (guess which year I was???). American, as far as I am concerned, had the best Papa John's pizza in all the land at their arena.
 
Solly was there, standing next to Nick when I spoke with him, a good 2-3 inches taller. Seemed to be a good natured kid, we laughed and joked about the Cayman trip.

Also spoke with Joe Kirby for awhile, such a great spirit and smile. Interesting fact, even though he is from Florida he had never seen the "blue water" and was really looking forward to the trip to Cayman.
Need to watch out for those Avery Tolar types in Cayman.
 
Agree 100%, 23. Just sayin' that Grant will be the starter and this fact may deter some graduate transfer big men. No offense! (Pun!)
Grant and Solly aren't playing 40 minutes per game. Probably max of 30 each. So there is a good 20-25 minutes we can offer a quality big man. plus the unknowns of injuries.

And why wouldn't we be in on Agau, he is one of the few grad transfer bigs left that has shown he can play.
 
Agree 100%, 23. Just sayin' that Grant will be the starter and this fact may deter some graduate transfer big men. No offense! (Pun!)
Maybe I haven't followed this thread as closely as I should have, but are you saying that Grant would be the starter over most grad transfers we bring in? Do you think he would have started over Hans?
 
Maybe I haven't followed this thread as closely as I should have, but are you saying that Grant would be the starter over most grad transfers we bring in? Do you think he would have started over Hans?
I think it's reasonable to think that CM is probably comfortable starting Grant. He was teaching him to play the PF spot last year so that we would have him and TJ regularly on the floor together by conference play. But as we saw, people get hurt.

There's definitely room for a big guy in the rotation even without injury. But I don't think CM is out there pitching starter minutes to anyone when he feels he may have a 4 and a 5 he Expects to play a lot..
 
The questions Mooney got asked at the new player signing party were TOUGH!! It was hilarious watching Mooney gasp for air. Questions about Grad Transfers, New AD, losing players to Admissions, OOC schedule and my favorite "are we getting Grant's little brother?" in front of Grant. I was next to David Walsh and even he was cringing but laughing. I loved every damn minute of it. Mooney took it well and threw out the same old BS answers, but the body language was telling. Kudos to the guys with the balls to ask the tough questions.
 
Maybe I haven't followed this thread as closely as I should have, but are you saying that Grant would be the starter over most grad transfers we bring in? Do you think he would have started over Hans?
Yes. Was told he is really talented.
 
The questions Mooney got asked at the new player signing party were TOUGH!! It was hilarious watching Mooney gasp for air. Questions about Grad Transfers, New AD, losing players to Admissions, OOC schedule and my favorite "are we getting Grant's little brother?" in front of Grant. I was next to David Walsh and even he was cringing but laughing. I loved every damn minute of it. Mooney took it well and threw out the same old BS answers, but the body language was telling. Kudos to the guys with the balls to ask the tough questions.
K, what were you reading in the body language:
1) Losing players to admissions?
2)Are we getting Grant's brother
3) Grad transfer for this year?
 
K, what were you reading in the body language:
1) Losing players to admissions?
2)Are we getting Grant's brother
3) Grad transfer for this year?
23, not that you asked, but here is my take on your questions:
1) Losing players to admissions
Don't really think that Chris revealed any opinion on this topic. Think he realizes the academic rigors of UR and has said numerous times that he only recruits players whom he feels can be successful and graduate. Having said that, it would be nice if he were granted a bit more credibility by the admissions people.

2) Are we getting Grant's brother?
Was told clearly that the reason we are recruiting a graduate transfer is to have a schollie available for Bryce should he wish to be a Spider. Was also told that he does have a number of offers from P6 schools and his choice of UR is not a certainty. Do know that the brothers would like to play together and the family would like to see it happen.

3) Grad transfer this year?
Our coaches are still looking for a graduate transfer for this year. There are a number of guys available that have not been mentioned on this board.
 
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23, not that you asked, but here is my take on your questions:
1) Losing players to admissions
Don't really think that Chris revealed any opinion on this topic. Think he realizes the academic rigors of UR and has said numerous times that he only recruits players whom he feels can be successful and graduate. Having said that, it would be nice if he were granted a bit more credibility by the admissions people.

2) Are we getting Grant's brother?
Was told clearly that the reason we are recruiting a graduate transfer is to have a schollie available for Bryce should he wish to be a Spider. Was also told that he does have a number of offers from P6 schools and his choice of UR is not a certainty. Do know that the brothers would like to play together and the family would like to see it happen.

3) Grad transfer this year?
Our coaches are still looking for a graduate transfer for this year. There are a number of guys available that have not been mentioned on this board.
I've said it before and I'm still there unless a one and done transfer can give us a shot at winning the A10 I'd just as soon give the minutes to the freshmen and shoot for a make or break 18/19 season. And believe me I'm sick this wait til next year bull, but it's the reality of the situation
 
K, what were you reading in the body language:
1) Losing players to admissions?
2)Are we getting Grant's brother
3) Grad transfer for this year?
I can tell you he wasn't expecting tough questions. The women's coach didn't get any questions. 1. He is proud of UR admission standards. 2. Not even a hint about Grant's brother. Grant laughed hard but gave no hint either way. 3. Said he couldn't talk about any grad transfers, but added how hard it is when kids from William & Mary are going to Kansas.
 
Thanks Ulla, good to know still actively pursuing a grad transfer.
Good point K, the W&M kid shows that it may be just as tough, if not harder to get a decent grad transfer away from the big boys. They may feel this is my last chance and I want to say I played in the best conference and went to the dance, even if it means just playing 5 minutes/game or less.
 
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sign of the times. if you feel it's a must that you play as a freshman, you've got to find a level where you walk in as a guy in the top 8. not necessarily go to the biggest program. or go to the biggest program and know there are probably some really good players to compete for time. it might take a year. work and improve your game.

Brachen was one of my all time favorite targets. that had to be one of the most impressive highlight videos we've ever had on a recruit of ours.
 
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sign of the times. if you feel it's a must that you play as a freshman, you've got to find a level where you walk in as a guy in the top 8. not necessarily go to the biggest program. or go to the biggest program and know there are probably some really good players to compete for time. it might take a year. work and improve your game.

Brachen was one of my all time favorite targets. that had to be one of the most impressive highlight videos we've ever had on a recruit of ours.
I agree, he seems like the perfect 6'8" type of guy we were looking for. Of course everyone is looking for 6'8" guys that are athletic and can shoot, but I agree he looked like a perfect skill set for us.
 
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