Ray Kasongo

[messageboardsuperhero]

Per twitter, Howland and McCray went to see Kasongo this weekend in Toronto and today took a private jet to see him again in Idaho... This guy is obviously a HUGE priority for us on many levels- with our obvious need for an impact big man, his connection to Malik Newman, plus Newman's desire for us to sign another post player. Getting those two to sign on for next year would expedite the rebuilding process tremendously, IMO.

[msstate7]

So any news on who leads with kasongo?

[Coach34]

247 say its us

[Dawg61]

Per twitter, Howland and McCray went to see Kasongo this weekend in Toronto and today took a private jet to see him again in Idaho... This guy is obviously a HUGE priority for us on many levels- with our obvious need for an impact big man, his connection to Malik Newman, plus Newman's desire for us to sign another post player. Getting those two to sign on for next year would expedite the rebuilding process tremendously, IMO.

If we get Newman and Kasongo and hold onto Tookie and Spoon we have got to have a top 10 class. Howland's very last signing class at UCLA was ranked #1 in the country. Man did we ever land a whale in Howland! We are incredibly lucky right now. Timing is EVERYTHING in life. Not even a week after we get Howland, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona St. and St. John's all have their HC spot open up. Bama too. This decision to fire Ray and Hire Howland has leapfrogged MSU all the way to a top 25 program again and it's a decision that will have a lasting hugely positive effect on the basketball program for twenty years. What a fantastic week for MSU basketball!

[Ifyouonlyknew]

If we get Newman and Kasongo and hold onto Tookie and Spoon we have got to have a top 10 class. Howland's very last signing class at UCLA was ranked #1 in the country. Man did we ever land a whale in Howland! We are incredibly lucky right now. Timing is EVERYTHING in life. Not even a week after we get Howland, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona St. and St. John's all have their HC spot open up. Bama too. This decision to fire Ray and Hire Howland has leapfrogged MSU all the way to a top 25 program again and it's a decision that will have a lasting hugely positive effect on the basketball program for twenty years. What a fantastic week for MSU basketball!

Add Kasongo & Malik we finish 18 or 19 with or without Tookie in the class.

ETA: this is according to 24/7

[msstate7]

Add Kasongo & Malik we finish 18 or 19 with or without Tookie in the class.

ETA: this is according to 24/7

Tookie is rated higher than kasongo

[messageboardsuperhero]

Considering our coaches are flying all around North America to have two in-person visits with him in as many days, you have to feel like Howland and co. like our chances.

[messageboardsuperhero]

If we get Newman and Kasongo and hold onto Tookie and Spoon we have got to have a top 10 class. Howland's very last signing class at UCLA was ranked #1 in the country. Man did we ever land a whale in Howland! We are incredibly lucky right now. Timing is EVERYTHING in life. Not even a week after we get Howland, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona St. and St. John's all have their HC spot open up. Bama too. This decision to fire Ray and Hire Howland has leapfrogged MSU all the way to a top 25 program again and it's a decision that will have a lasting hugely positive effect on the basketball program for twenty years. What a fantastic week for MSU basketball!

Damn you're even more wooly than I am, ha.

[Dawg61]

Damn you're even more wooly than I am, ha.

Yes I am. Howland is the real ****ing deal boys. We landed a whale!

[messageboardsuperhero]

If we get Newman and Kasongo and hold onto Tookie and Spoon we have got to have a top 10 class. Howland's very last signing class at UCLA was ranked #1 in the country. Man did we ever land a whale in Howland! We are incredibly lucky right now. Timing is EVERYTHING in life. Not even a week after we get Howland, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona St. and St. John's all have their HC spot open up. Bama too. This decision to fire Ray and Hire Howland has leapfrogged MSU all the way to a top 25 program again and it's a decision that will have a lasting hugely positive effect on the basketball program for twenty years. What a fantastic week for MSU basketball!

And BTW, Howland and the staff locked up Weatherspoon for good a few days ago when they were visiting him and Malik in Jackson.

[msstate7]

And BTW, Howland and the staff locked up Weatherspoon for good a few days ago when they were visiting him and Malik in Jackson.

Seems weatherspoon is becoming the forgotten guy in this class. I love this kid and think he will be a great player for us

[Dawg61]

And BTW, Howland and the staff locked up Weatherspoon for good a few days ago when they were visiting him and Malik in Jackson.

Awesome! I'm a little worried about Tookie though.

[msstate7]

Awesome! I'm a little worried about Tookie though.

Me too. More worried about us dropping him than him dropping us. I think it will be a mistake though

[Dawg61]

Seems weatherspoon is becoming the forgotten guy in this class. I love this kid and think he will be a great player for us

PG has the more immediate upgrade effect for us. Tookie and Newman elevate our team offensively drastically. Spoon can hopefully get space because of them and play a Devin Booker type role for us. But Spoon will be playing the 2 or 3 and he's most likely not immediately an upgrade over Sword or Thomas that played the 2 or 3 last year. That's why Spoon isn't talked about as much as Newman (obviously) or Tookie. Those two will immediately add 10-15 extra points a night. Maybe more but we'll see how fast Howland really wants to play.

[Dawg61]

Me too. More worried about us dropping him than him dropping us. I think it will be a mistake though

HUGE MISTAKE!! I'd be PISSED!! Please don't let that happen

[Ifyouonlyknew]

We'll see what happens with Tookie.

[Jacksondevildog]

We'll see what happens with Tookie.


You still feel good about Newman?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

You still feel good about Newman?

Yep.

[Dawg61]

We'll see what happens with Tookie.

Can you expand further?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Can you expand further?

No decision has been made on our side or his. We're not sure he's going to be apart of the class & right now he's not sure he wants to be.

[msstate7]

I really want tookie, but I wonder if it's a Tyler Russell situation. Howland predicates his teams on tough, man-to-man defense. I wonder how well ready and tookie will fit bc they're so undersized.

[messageboardsuperhero]

I really want tookie, but I wonder if it's a Tyler Russell situation. Howland predicates his teams on tough, man-to-man defense. I wonder how well ready and tookie will fit bc they're so undersized.

I don't buy that at all. Brown may be a little short for what Howland likes, but Darren Collison came into UCLA at 6' flat weighing 150 soaking wet and that turned out ok. I have no idea what Howland is thinking about Brown- but IMO, the "Howland fit" is more about having a tough guy mentality than being a certain size.

Not calling you out specifically, but I've done a lot of research on Howland in the past week and it amazes me how so many people at UCLA and around the country have tried to pigeon hole him as boring or stubborn. I'm sure he has been stubborn at times, but there aren't many coaches in the country who have successfully adapted to different situations and circumstances throughout their career like Howland has. Luckily for us, he waited to adapt at the end of his UCLA tenure after it was already too late... Now sitting out two years, reflecting on his career, and traveling to other programs to study them- I believe Howland when he says he thinks he can do his best job ever here.

That's not to say I think he'll ever take us to three straight final fours, but he can win and win big here.

[Dawg61]

I really want tookie, but I wonder if it's a Tyler Russell situation. Howland predicates his teams on tough, man-to-man defense. I wonder how well ready and tookie will fit bc they're so undersized.

Tookie isn't undersized for Howland. Darren Collison right now today in the NBA is 6'0 175lbs. Tookie is listed as 5'11 180lbs. He's already thicker than an NBA player that Howland raised.

[smootness]

Tookie isn't 5'11".

I certainly hope he's in the class, and my feelings on his potential are documented. But I trust Howland, whatever he feels is best.

[engie]

I certainly want Tookie. We need to bring in a PG in this class besides Malik IMO unless Howland believes he can pull another elite CG/PG in the 2016 class to fill Malik's likely freshly vacated spot. Otherwise, we're looking at Ready being a Sr -- Malik being gone -- and us breaking in a true freshman or JUCO as backup PG. I'd rather have experience in the spot even if you redshirt that guy this year. Unless the next guy is elite as well. So, all that being said, I'll trust whatever Howland wants to do -- but I think passing on Tookie would be a mistake. Let's get him here -- make room -- and we can make the numbers work out in the future.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I certainly want Tookie. We need to bring in a PG in this class besides Malik IMO unless Howland believes he can pull another elite CG/PG in the 2016 class to fill Malik's likely freshly vacated spot. Otherwise, we're looking at Ready being a Sr -- Malik being gone -- and us breaking in a true freshman or JUCO as backup PG. I'd rather have experience in the spot even if you redshirt that guy this year. Unless the next guy is elite as well. So, all that being said, I'll trust whatever Howland wants to do -- but I think passing on Tookie would be a mistake. Let's get him here -- make room -- and we can make the numbers work out in the future.

Kobi Simmons would be that elite CG we're targeting for the 2016 class.

[C222]

Kobi Simmons would be that elite CG we're targeting for the 2016 class.

Simmons is a stud. I have a feeling our 2016 class is going to be loaded.

[maroonmania]

Tookie isn't undersized for Howland. Darren Collison right now today in the NBA is 6'0 175lbs. Tookie is listed as 5'11 180lbs. He's already thicker than an NBA player that Howland raised.

Its Howland's decision, not mine, but as I've said numerous times I don't see how it can make sense to turn Tookie away and keep Dunlap when pretty much everything points to Tookie being the better player. Size is an issue for both so that's not a differentiator.

[engie]

Its Howland's decision, not mine, but as I've said numerous times I don't see how it can make sense to turn Tookie away and keep Dunlap when pretty much everything points to Tookie being the better player. Size is an issue for both so that's not a differentiator.

Agreed.

If he can land Simmons, Howland can do whatever he wants right now in my opinion... But Tookie feels like an Isaiah Canaan-type that we'll kick ourselves about letting go to me...

[Raytoraid83]

Its Howland's decision, not mine, but as I've said numerous times I don't see how it can make sense to turn Tookie away and keep Dunlap when pretty much everything points to Tookie being the better player. Size is an issue for both so that's not a differentiator.

Dunlap played for Jackson tigers, Malik's AAU team. Can't risk ruining any connections.

[msstate7]

Agreed.

If he can land Simmons, Howland can do whatever he wants right now in my opinion... But Tookie feels like an Isaiah Canaan-type that we'll kick ourselves about letting go to me...

Simmons, kegler, simonds, and a big man... This should be our goal

[Dawg61]

Dunlap played for Jackson tigers, Malik's AAU team. Can't risk ruining any connections.

Daniels looks to be odd man out then is my guess

[msstate7]

Daniels looks to be odd man out then is my guess

Gotta be 2 if we sign kasongo and Malik

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Simmons, kegler, simonds, and a big man... This should be our goal

James Banks is the big man we're targeting right now.

[messageboardsuperhero]

Also of note, UM took a Juco PG yesterday. Their website people say it has nothing to do with Newman though, and their coaches still like their chances... We'll see. They had been telling Newman all along that he'd be their starting PG next season if he were to sign.

[Raytoraid83]

Also of note, UM took a Juco PG yesterday. Their website people say it has nothing to do with Newman though, and their coaches still like their chances... We'll see. They had been telling Newman all along that he'd be their starting PG next season if he were to sign.

Howland, Johnny Jones and Caliapari battle for Malik. Ole Miss is out.

[C222]

Simmons, kegler, simonds, and a big man... This should be our goal

Josh Langford
Mario Kegler
James Banks
Braxton Blackwell
Kobi Simmons

That is our goal.

[Thick]

That's a pretty damn good goal.

[maroonmania]

Gotta be 2 if we sign kasongo and Malik

Yep, if we sign both then its likely one frontcout player and one backcourt player will need to move on. Could be any 2 though I guess. For example, could be that Ndoye moves on and we keep one of Daniels and Zuppardo. Right now it seems that Daniels, Houston, Black and Zuppardo are sort of a logjam at the 4 position though Daniels plays the 3 some as well.

[chef dixon]

Josh Langford
Mario Kegler
James Banks
Braxton Blackwell
Kobi Simmons

That is our goal.

Sounds awesome but I'll believe it when I see it. You have to beat out UConn, Duke, UK, KU etc. for those type of guys.

[Dawg61]

Gotta be 2 if we sign kasongo and Malik

Ndoye is a given. He doesn't need mention every time.

[C222]

That's a pretty damn good goal.

Haha..wishful thinking on my part. I want to raid the Atlanta Celtics.

[smootness]

Yep, if we sign both then its likely one frontcout player and one backcourt player will need to move on. Could be any 2 though I guess. For example, could be that Ndoye moves on and we keep one of Daniels and Zuppardo. Right now it seems that Daniels, Houston, Black and Zuppardo are sort of a logjam at the 4 position though Daniels plays the 3 some as well.

Houston is a pure 3, and Daniels is really more of a 3 than a 4.

[smootness]

Haha..wishful thinking on my part. I want to raid the Atlanta Celtics.

Ha yeah, Kegler may be in play with him coming back to MS, and I could see us potentially grabbing one from the Celtics, but I would be shocked if we got more than that.

I doubt Simmons is very much in play, but we'll see.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

We need to do our best to lock up Banks, Simonds, & Kegler those are 3 guys that are really interested & 3 top 100 players who will be here at least 2yrs. Then you can go after Simmons, Langford, Blackwell & whoever to fill the last couple spots.

[ZedFedder]

We need to do our best to lock up Banks, Simonds, & Kegler those are 3 guys that are really interested & 3 top 100 players who will be here at least 2yrs. Then you can go after Simmons, Langford, Blackwell & whoever to fill the last couple spots.

What are the odds/percentages on those 6 guys? It would be fantastic to get 3 big time players and then lock in on that 2018 class.

[smootness]

What are the odds/percentages on those 6 guys? It would be fantastic to get 3 big time players and then lock in on that 2018 class.

He'll know much better than me, but I'd say our chances on Simonds are extremely good, good on Banks, and then nobody knows on the others.

I think we'll have a shot at Kegler, but I wouldn't put money on us. And the Celtics guys, we'll just have to wait and see. Simons and McCray will help a lot, but without McCray our chances would probably be pretty low, so who knows.

[Homedawg]

Josh Langford
Mario Kegler
James Banks
Braxton Blackwell
Kobi Simmons


That is our goal.

You are setting yourself up for some major disappointment.

[Homedawg]

Haha..wishful thinking on my part. I want to raid the Atlanta Celtics.

Ok I see. Nothing wrong with wishful thinking!

[msstate7]

http://scouthoops.scout.com/story/1533008-lsu-in-running-for-ray-kasongo

Lsu may be tough to beat out esp considering Martin and Mickey are gone. Also we all though kasongo and Malik followed each other bc we were both recruiting them. Perhaps it was the lsu connection instead.

[messageboardsuperhero]

Johnny Jones may not be able to coach a lick, but right now he is and will continue to be a bitch for us to recruit against... He's also after a St. John's decommit that is visiting us at some point this week.

ETA: The fact that we beat them last year with our shitty coaching and all the talent they had should tells me all I need to know about his coaching ability...

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Kasongo committed to MSU on his OV 4/17-4/19.

[messageboardsuperhero]

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Kasongo committed to MSU on his OV 4/17-4/19.

I LOVE that he's visiting on SBW. Any chance we bring in Newman for his OV that weekend too?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Johnny Jones may not be able to coach a lick, but right now he is and will continue to be a bitch for us to recruit against... He's also after a St. John's decommit that is visiting us at some point this week.

I'd love nothing more than for LSU to get Brandon Sampson. That would put them out of the Malik sweepstakes. Sampson is deciding before Malik so if he chooses LSU that would basically make it a 2 team race with us & Ky.

[messageboardsuperhero]

I'd love nothing more than for LSU to get Brandon Sampson. That would put them out of the Malik sweepstakes. Sampson is deciding before Malik so if he chooses LSU that would basically make it a 2 team race with us & Ky.

And that was my exact thought process as well. Hopefully if they do get Sampson, it'll make at Newman look at us even harder. I still feel pretty good about our position, even though we've still got a ways to go.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I LOVE that he's visiting on SBW. Any chance we bring in Newman for his OV that weekend too?

Nope he's playing in the Jordan Brand Classic that weekend.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

And that was my exact thought process as well. Hopefully if they do get Sampson, it'll make at Newman look at us even harder. I still feel pretty good about our position, even though we've still got a ways to go.

Yea I wouldn't trade our position with any school.

[msstate7]

Kasongo CB'ed again to us.

Whether we get Malik or not, I want kasongo

[chef dixon]

Kasongo CB'ed again to us.

Whether we get Malik or not, I want kasongo

Ole Miss and LSU are just following suit and copying the game plan by pushing for Kasongo hard after Howland made his move. They see it as a link to Malik. Fortunately to me it looks like Howland is more in control of the situation.