Basketball Recruiting Update

[Coastdog28]

Now that basketball is fun again, let's revisit recruiting for those of us that don't keep up regularly.

Current Roster 2016-2017

1 Lamar Peters G Fr.
2 Eli Wright G Fr.
3 Xavian Stapleton G So.
4 Mario Kegler G Fr.
5 Joe Strugg F R-Fr.
11 Q Weatherspoon G So.
15 I.J. Ready G Sr.
23 Tyson Carter G Fr.
24 Abdul Ado F Fr.
34 Schnider Herard C Fr.
35 Aric Holman F So.
45 E.J. Datcher C Fr.

Next year 2017-2018 we lose Ready and Ado is still considered a Freshman? 1 player has to get processed.

1 Lamar Peters G So 4 Star
2 Eli Wright G So. 4 Star
3 Xavian Stapleton G Jr ?
4 Mario Kegler G So 4 Star
5 Joe Strugg F So. 3 Star
11 Q Weatherspoon G Jr. 4 Star
23 Tyson Carter G So. 4 Star
24 Abdul Ado F Fr. 4 Star
34 Schnider Herard C So. 4 Star
35 Aric Holman F Jr 4 Star
45 E.J. Datcher C So. 3 Star

We add
N. Weatherspoon G Fr. 4 star
G. Brooks F Fr. 4 star
K. Feazell F Redshirt? 3 star

2018-2019 Recruits
R. Woodard F FR. 4 star
Would Marshall or Barber be a take? Both 3 stars
Do we have a shot at JoJo Toppin? 4 Star
Anybody else?

2019-2020
Do we have a shot at DJ Jefferies? 5 Star
Who else?

Hopefully some of you can add some insight.

[Lumpy Chucklelips]

Didn't Lil' Spoon get his 5th star? Or are we calling him tea spoon and big bro table spoon?

[HoopsDawg]

I don't know any answers to your questions but I would be taking Marshall. That kid is a monster.

[Coastdog28]

Didn't Lil' Spoon get his 5th star? Or are we calling him tea spoon and big bro table spoon?


You are correct though. He's a 5 star on 247.

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

I think Strugg might be a casulty. (Maybe even Datcher?) I just don't see them ever getting a chance now especially with Feazell, Brooks and Ado coming in.

Stapleton was a 3 star.

I read on another board that DJ Jefferies just switched to Penny Hardaways AAU team and it's Nike(Not good).

I like the targets for 2019 but not sure the real possibility to get any of those guys. But I guess we'll find out. I really wish we could pull Watford.

[MarketingBully]

I'd put Howland up against any of the suitors for DJ Jeffries especially with the success we will have over the next couple of years.

[MarketingBully]

Woodard is a 2018 recruit.

[Big4Dawg]

If someone is bored, would love for someone to look at SEC rosters and see how we stack up next year

[Dawg61]

Didn't Lil' Spoon get his 5th star? Or are we calling him tea spoon and big bro table spoon?

Yes Teaspoon and Tablespoon are correct

[Steakonastick]

just look at our two deep

Pg-peters/lil spoon
Sg-spoon/Carter/Wright
Sf-kegler/Stapleton
Pf-Holman/brooks
C-herard, ado

Redshirt-datcher and Feazell

Strugg will transfer

[msstate7]

just look at our two deep

Pg-peters/lil spoon
Sg-spoon/Carter/Wright
Sf-kegler/Stapleton
Pf-Holman/brooks
C-herard, ado

Redshirt-datcher and Feazell

Strugg will transfer
Convincing datcher to RS may be a hard sell.

[drummerdawg]

just look at our two deep

Pg-peters/lil spoon
Sg-spoon/Carter/Wright
Sf-kegler/Stapleton
Pf-Holman/brooks
C-herard, ado

Redshirt-datcher and Feazell

Strugg will transfer

I think Datcher would transfer before redshirting.

[MarketingBully]

I think Datcher would transfer before redshirting.

I doubt it. He loves it at MSU. If you could convince any of them to redshirt, I'd say it would be Datcher.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Basketball don't RS unless they're injured or academics. Don't expect any of them to RS if healthy.

[lamont]

I think Datcher would transfer before redshirting.

Explain to him he needs to RS or he can go play for some doorknob team somewhere else. You would be surprised how some kids will take the year off.

If he leaves? So be it

[Steakonastick]

Well it's either redshirt or be the 4th option at center. Which means only mop up minutes.

[smootness]

Here goes, this is going to be a lot. Some of those listed as returners could leave early, but I'm considering them to be coming back if they're not projected in the 1st or early 2nd round right now. And obviously there will be transfers and more commitments, etc. But this is about where it stands right now:

Alabama:
Leaving:
Corban Collins (8.4 PPG)
Shannon Hale (5.1 PPG)
Jimmie Taylor (5.1 PPG)
Returning:
Braxton Key (10.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
Dazon Ingram (9.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.9 APG)
Riley Norris (7.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG)
Avery Johnson Jr. (6.8 PPG)
Donta Hall (6.5 PPG)
Ar'Mond Davis (6.3 PPG)
Newcomers:
5-star PG, #7 overall
4-star SG, #30 overall
4-star PF, #87 overall
Daniel Giddens (Ohio State transfer)
2 3-stars

Arkansas:
Leaving:
Dusty Hannahs (13.9 PPG)
Moses Kingsley (11.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG)
Manuale Watkins (6.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG)
Returning:
Daryl Macon (14.0 PPG, 2.6 APG)
Jaylen Barford (10.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG)
Anton Beard (9.0 PPG)
Dustin Thomas (6.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG)
CJ Jones (4.1 PPG)
Arlando Cook (4-star FR)
Newcomers:
4-star PF, #35 overall
4-star SG, #128 overall
1 3-star

Auburn:
Leaving:
TJ Dunans (8.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.4 APG)
Ronnie Johnson (5.6 PPG)
Returning:
Mustapha Heron (15.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
Danjel Purifoy (13.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
Jared Harper (13.2 PPG, 2.9 APG)
Austin Wiley (7.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG)
Bryce Brown (6.2 PPG)
Horace Spencer (5.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG)
TJ Lang (4.8 PPG)
Newcomers:
4-star PG, #42 overall
4-star SF, #48 overall

Florida:
Leaving:
Canyon Barry (12.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG)
Devin Robinson (likely; 11.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG)
Kasey Hill (9.5 PPG, 4.9 APG)
Justin Leon (6.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG)
Returning:
KeVaughn Allen (13.9 PPG)
John Egbunu (7.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
Kevarrius Hayes (5.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG)
Chris Chiozza (5.4 PPG, 3.1 APG)
Eric Hester (4-star FR)
Newcomers:
4-star SF, #95 overall
4-star PF, #115 overall
1 3-star

Georgia:
Leaving:
JJ Frazier (16.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.3 APG)
Returning:
Yante Maten (19.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG)
Juwan Parker (9.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG)
Derek Ogbeide (7.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG)
Jordan Harris (5.7 PPG)
Mike Edwards (4.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG)
Tyree Crump (4-star FR)
Newcomers:
4-star PF, #46 overall
1 3-star

Kentucky:
Leaving:
Malik Monk (21.4 PPG)
De'Aaron Fox (16.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.3 APG)
Isaiah Briscoe (likely; 15.2 PPG, 4.2 APG)
Bam Adebayo (likely; 12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG)
Derek Willis (7.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG)
Mychal Mulder (6.5 PPG)
Returning:
Wenyen Gabriel (5.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
Isaac Humphries (3.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG)
Sacha Killeya-Jones (5-star FR)
Newcomers:
5-star SG, #10 overall
5-star PF, #14 overall
5-star C, #15 overall
5-star SF, #19 overall
5-star PG, #23 overall
4-star CG, #38 overall

LSU:
Leaving:
Craig Victor
Returning:
Antonio Blakeney (likely; 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG)
Duop Reath (13.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
Brandon Sampson (10.9 PPG)
Skylar Mays (6.4 PPG, 3.8 APG)
Aaron Epps (6.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG
Jalyn Patterson (6.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.4 APG)
Wayde Sims (5.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG)
Newcomers:
4-star SF, #98 overall
4-star CG, #119 overall

Mississippi State:
Leaving:
IJ Ready (9.7 PPG, 4.8 APG)
Returning:
Quinndary Weatherspoon (17.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG)
Lamar Peters (11.3 PPG, 2.8 APG)
Aric Holman (10.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG)
Mario Kegler (9.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG)
Tyson Carter (7.9 PPG)
Xavian Stapleton (6.4 PPG)
Schnider Herard (4.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Eli Wright (4-star FR)
Abdul Ado (4-star FR C, redshirting)
Newcomers:
5-star PG, #26 overall
4-star PF, #130 overall
1 3-star

Missouri:
Leaving:
Russell Woods (7.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG)
Returning:
Jordan Barnett (12.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
Kevin Puryear (11.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG)
Frankie Hughes (9.8 PPG)
Terrence Phillips (9.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.4 APG)
KJ Walton (7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG)
Jordan Geist (6.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG)
Willie Jackson (5.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG)
Cullen VanLeer (5.1 PPG)
Newcomers:
1 3-star

Ole Miss:
Leaving:
Sebastian Saiz (15.2 PPG, 11.6 RPG)
Rasheed Brooks (7.9 PPG)
Returning:
Deandre Burnett (18.0 PPG, 3.1 APG)
Terence Davis (12.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
Cullen Neal (10.3 PPG, 2.8 APG)
Justas Furmanavicius (6.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
Breein Tyree (3-star FR)
Marcanvis Hymon (3.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG)
Newcomers:
4-star SG, #101 overall
2 3-stars

South Carolina:
Leaving:
Sindarius Thornwell (18.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.5 APG)
Duane Notice (9.9 PPG, 2.5 APG)
Justin McKie (5.0 PPG)
Returning
PJ Dozier (likely; 14.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.1 APG)
Chris Silva (9.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
Maik Kotsar (7.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG)
Rakym Felder (6.1 PPG)
Hassani Gravett (4.4 PPG)
Sedee Keita (4-star FR)
TeMarcus Blanton
Newcomers:
4-star CG, #124 overall
3 3-stars

Tennessee:
Leaving:
Robert Hubbs III (14.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Detrick Mostella (10.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG)
Returning:
Grant Williams (10.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
Lamonte Turner (9.7 PPG, 2.9 APG)
Jordan Bone (8.0 PPG, 2.9 APG)
Jordan Bowden (8.0 PPG)
Shembari Phillips (7.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG)
Admiral Schofield (5.8 PPG)
John Fulkerson (4.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG)
Jalen Johnson (3-star FR SF, redshirting)
Newcomers:
1 3-star

Texas A&M:
Leaving:
Robert Williams (likely; 10.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG)
JC Hampton (5.8 PPG)
Returning:
Tyler Davis (13.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG)
DJ Hogg (likely; 12.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.4 APG)
Admon Gilder (12.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.9 APG)
Tony Trocha-Morelos (10.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG)
JJ Caldwell (4-star FR PG, redshirting)
Newcomers:
4-star SF, #61 overall
4-star PG, #111 overall
4-star SG, #123 overall
1 3-star

Vanderbilt:
Leaving:
Luke Kornet (13.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
Nolan Cressler (6.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG)
Returning:
Matthew Fisher-Davis (16.3 PPG)
Jeff Roberson (10.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG)
Riley LaChance (10.3 PPG, 4.1 APG)
Payton Willis (6.7 PPG, 2.5 APG)
Joe Toye (4.7 PPG)
Clevon Brown (4-star FR)
Newcomers:
4-star PG, #103 overall
2 3-stars


I think the league will fall something like this:

Tier 1 (NCAA Tournament caliber):
Kentucky
Mississippi State
Texas A&M
Auburn
Alabama

Tier 2 (competitive teams, could make a run at the Tournament:
Vanderbilt
Georgia
Arkansas

Tier 3 (not sure what to think yet, don't think they will be good):
South Carolina
Florida
Ole Miss

Tier 4 (not very competitive):
Tennessee
LSU
Missouri

[MarketingBully]

Great list there Smoot. Only thing I disagree with is Maten is gone. He won't be back. He is a first round pick. This will put UGA from the Tier 2 group to the Tier 4 group. This just solidifies my confidence we will win the conference next year especially if our group continues to grow and win games. These next two games of ours are extremely important. We need to be 5-2 when we play Alabama in the rematch and I think we will.

[smootness]

Great list there Smoot. Only thing I disagree with is Maten is gone. He won't be back. He is a first round pick. This will put UGA from the Tier 2 group to the Tier 4 group. This just solidifies my confidence we will win the conference next year especially if our group continues to grow and win games. These next two games of ours are extremely important. We need to be 5-2 when we play Alabama in the rematch and I think we will.

I'm not confident enough to tell you you'll ultimately be wrong, I'll just say that right now nobody has him projected as a 1st round pick. Draft Express lists him as the #24 prospect in the SEC alone. I think the issue is that he's sort of a rich man's Gavin Ware. He's really a center but doesn't have the size to play it on the next level.

After looking more, though, nbadraft.net lists PJ Dozier as a 1st round pick. If he leaves, South Carolina probably drops into Tier 4.

[msstate7]

I'm not confident enough to tell you you'll ultimately be wrong, I'll just say that right now nobody has him projected as a 1st round pick. Draft Express lists him as the #24 prospect in the SEC alone. I think the issue is that he's sort of a rich man's Gavin Ware. He's really a center but doesn't have the size to play it on the next level.

After looking more, though, nbadraft.net lists PJ Dozier as a 1st round pick. If he leaves, South Carolina probably drops into Tier 4.

Good job on list, smoot, but I don't think South Carolina under Martin will be back to tier 4 as long as he's there

[MarketingBully]

Good job on list, smoot, but I don't think South Carolina under Martin will be back to tier 4 as long as he's there

Basketball is all about talent and Martin has proven that he can lose if he doesn't have elite talent. If Dozier leaves, South Carolina goes back to the bottom tier of the league.

[MarketingBully]

I'm not confident enough to tell you you'll ultimately be wrong, I'll just say that right now nobody has him projected as a 1st round pick. Draft Express lists him as the #24 prospect in the SEC alone. I think the issue is that he's sort of a rich man's Gavin Ware. He's really a center but doesn't have the size to play it on the next level.

After looking more, though, nbadraft.net lists PJ Dozier as a 1st round pick. If he leaves, South Carolina probably drops into Tier 4.

That's why you have work outs. When Maten does the work outs, I bet he gets a first round grade.

[Dawg61]

Looking at that list (thanks Smoot) I think we beat Kentucky next year. Granted I haven't seen any of their signees play but the constant turnover for them is gonna eventually bite them in the ass and we have zero bad turnover with some good signees coming in and Ado with a years worth of practice.

Redshirt Datcher? No. I like Datcher a lot.

[smootness]

Good job on list, smoot, but I don't think South Carolina under Martin will be back to tier 4 as long as he's there

You're probably right, but Thornwell, Notice, and Dozier have been huge pieces in getting them to competitiveness the last 2 years. Lose all of them at once, and it will be a tough task to get next year's team back to respectability. He builds on defense, so it's certainly possible, but if Dozier leaves, that will be a young and not particularly talented roster. They will need a guy like Keita to step up big time.

Here's a very early (so ultimately inaccurate) guess at lineups for next year:

Alabama:
G Collin Sexton (Freshman)
G Dazon Ingram (Sophomore)
F Ar'Mond Davis (Senior)
F Donta Hall (Junior)
F Braxton Key (Sophomore)

Arkansas:
G Anton Beard (Senior)
G Daryl Macon (Senior)
G Jaylen Barford (Senior)
F Justin Thomas (Senior)
F Daniel Gafford (Freshman)

Auburn:
G Jared Harper (Sophomore)
G Bryce Brown (Junior)
F Mustapha Heron (Sophomore)
F Danjel Purifoy (Sophomore)
C Austin Wiley (Sophomore)

Florida:
G KeVaughn Allen (Junior)
G Eric Hester (Sophomore)
F Keith Stone (Sophomore)
F Kevarrius Hayes (Junior)
C John Egbunu (Senior)

Georgia:
G Tyree Crump (Sophomore)
G Juwan Parker (Senior)
G Jordan Harris (Sophomore)
F Derek Ogbeide (Junior)
C Yante Maten (Senior)

Kentucky:
G Quade Green (Freshman)
G Hamidou Diallo (Freshman)
F Jarred Vanderbilt (Freshman)
F Wenyen Gabriel (Sophomore)
C Sacha Killeya-Jones (Sophomore)

LSU:
G Skylar Mays (Sophomore)
G Antonio Blakeney (Junior)
G Brandon Sampson (Junior)
F Aaron Epps (Senior)
F Duop Reath (Senior)

Mississippi State:
G Lamar Peters (Sophomore)
G Nick Weatherspoon (Freshman)
G Quinndary Weatherspoon (Sophomore)
F Aric Holman (Junior)
C Schnider Herard (Sophomore)

Missouri:
G Terrence Phillips (Junior)
G Jordan Geist (Junior)
G Frankie Hughes (Sophomore)
F Jordan Barnett (Senior)
F Kevin Puryear (Junior)

Ole Miss:
G Deandre Burnett (Senior)
G Terence Davis (Junior)
G Cullen Neal (Senior)
F Justas Furmanavicius (Senior)
F Marcanvis Hymon (Senior)

South Carolina:
G Rakym Felder (Sophomore)
G Hassani Gravett (Junior)
F Chris Silva (Junior)
F Sedee Keita (Sophomore)
C Maik Kotsar (Sophomore)

Tennessee:
G Lamonte Turner (Sophomore)
G Jordan Bowden (Sophomore)
F Grant Williams (Sophomore)
F Jalen Johnson (Freshman)
F John Fulkerson (Sophomore)

Texas A&M:
G JJ Caldwell (Freshman)
G Admon Gilder (Junior)
F DJ Hogg (Junior)
F Tonny Trocha-Morelos (Senior)
C Tyler Davis (Junior)

Vanderbilt:
G Riley LaChance (Senior)
G Payton Willis (Sophomore)
G Matthew Fisher-Davis (Senior)
F Jeff Roberson (Senior)
F Clevon Brown (Sophomore)


It should be a pretty good league next year. Some of the teams that are either not very talented or lack size (Arkansas, Ole Miss, Missouri) will be the most experienced teams in the league and pretty loaded with upperclassmen. And the coaching in the league has improved so drastically over the last several years, and we will continue to see the results of that every year. You've replaced a group of Rick Ray, Darrin Horn, Donnie Tyndall, John Pelphrey, Anthony Grant, Tony Barbee, and Dennis Felton with Ben Howland, Frank Martin, Rick Barnes, Mike Anderson, Avery Johnson, Bruce Pearl, and Mark Fox. That's incredible improvement. I think the changes at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt were mostly even changes, and though you obviously had a downgrade at Florida, I think White is a good coach.

[smootness]

That's why you have work outs. When Maten does the work outs, I bet he gets a first round grade.

I'm just not sure he's athletic enough.

[smootness]

Looking at that list (thanks Smoot) I think we beat Kentucky next year. Granted I haven't seen any of their signees play but the constant turnover for them is gonna eventually bite them in the ass and we have zero bad turnover with some good signees coming in and Ado with a years worth of practice.

Redshirt Datcher? No. I like Datcher a lot.

I don't think the turnover will bite them so much as they will inevitably have years where their freshmen aren't as good, and those are the years they will dip. I think next year could be one of those years, but it's tough to know until the guys are on campus and playing. Their 2012 class was ranked higher than this upcoming class, and it proved to be subpar by their standards, which led to an NIT berth. Their other slight dip occurred last year where their class was again ranked slightly better than this one, but Labissiere didn't do anything, so that killed them. At the same time, two years ago was phenomenal even though that freshman class wasn't unbelievable, but it's because they had some carry over from the previous class, and Anthony-Towns was a beast.

They'll need Gabriel and Killeya-Jones to step up, and they may need Briscoe to stick around. Otherwise, they'll have to hope one or two of their freshmen are better than advertised. They also still have a good shot at the #3 player in the class, which would help quite a bit. I agree it's possible we're better next year, but it's just hard to know until they start playing.

[Dawg61]

I don't think TeaSpoon starts immediately for us. I think we will be better with him running the second team with Carter, Ado and Stapleton as his outlets. Our starting lineup will stay the same next year.

PG Peters
SG TableSpoon
SF Kegler
PF Holman
C Herard

[MarketingBully]

I don't think TeaSpoon starts immediately for us. I think we will be better with him running the second team with Carter, Ado and Stapleton as his outlets. Our starting lineup will stay the same next year.

PG Peters
SG TableSpoon
SF Kegler
PF Holman
C Herard

I was thinking that as well. If we finish strong and finish in the top four of the SEC with that starting five, we should get a lot of pre-season recognition. I think Kegler continues to improve and it will be harder and harder to keep him out of the starting five at the small forward spot.

[smootness]

I don't think TeaSpoon starts immediately for us. I think we will be better with him running the second team with Carter, Ado and Stapleton as his outlets. Our starting lineup will stay the same next year.

PG Peters
SG TableSpoon
SF Kegler
PF Holman
C Herard

It's not going to catch on haha. 'TeaSpoon' is not a terrible nickname. 'TableSpoon' is one of the worst I've ever heard.

[smootness]

Kegler's got to get a lot better to justify starting him over Nick Weatherspoon.

We won't run shifts with two different teams on the court. We'll mix and match, and Q, Peters, and Holman will all play a bunch of minutes.

[Dawg61]

It's not going to catch on haha. 'TeaSpoon' is not a terrible nickname. 'TableSpoon' is one of the worst I've ever heard.

Oh I am not letting the one opportunity in life to use TeaSpoon and TableSpoon go by the waste side. It'll catch on damnit!

[louisvilledawg]

I think Strugg might be a casulty. (Maybe even Datcher?) I just don't see them ever getting a chance now especially with Feazell, Brooks and Ado coming in.

Stapleton was a 3 star.

I read on another board that DJ Jefferies just switched to Penny Hardaways AAU team and it's Nike(Not good).

I like the targets for 2019 but not sure the real possibility to get any of those guys. But I guess we'll find out. I really wish we could pull Watford.

I hope Datcher is the casualty. I just don't think he's very talented. Big body? yes. Talented? meh

His only offers out of high school were us, UAB, and South Alabama. Don't think he's SEC Caliber

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

I bet we see Ado start. Ben Howland has bragged on Ado many times and says he doesnt usually do that for a player that hasn't played a game and that everyone should get VERY excited about him. They have used him to be UK's Bam and Texas A&M's Tyler Davis in practice. Of course, I don't think we'll have a set starting 5, I think it will be whatever fits the need for any particular game.

[louisvilledawg]

Looking at that list (thanks Smoot) I think we beat Kentucky next year. Granted I haven't seen any of their signees play but the constant turnover for them is gonna eventually bite them in the ass and we have zero bad turnover with some good signees coming in and Ado with a years worth of practice.

Redshirt Datcher? No. I like Datcher a lot.

How?

[Dawg61]

I hope Datcher is the casualty. I just don't think he's very talented. Big body? yes. Talented? meh

His only offers out of high school were us, UAB, and South Alabama. Don't think he's SEC Caliber

You have the choice between Strugg being the casualty or Datcher and you pick Datcher? What? It's not even a contest. Datcher is miles ahead of Strugg.

[sorrydog]

Ado WILL help, but he is not a program savior.
-Averaged 7.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks as a senior as his team posted a 27-3 ledger.
-Averaged 9.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.9 blocks as a junior en route to a 28-5 record.
-Averaged 9.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 7.3 blocks as a sophomore.

[Dawg61]

Ado WILL help, but he is not a program savior.
-Averaged 7.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks as a senior as his team posted a 27-3 ledger.
-Averaged 9.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.9 blocks as a junior en route to a 28-5 record.
-Averaged 9.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 7.3 blocks as a sophomore.

Doesn't have to be just bring the blocks and rebounds baby we got plenty of scoring

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Herard doesn't have to be a savior neither does Ado but we need them to combine to make 1 very good center.

[Big4Dawg]

I hope Datcher is the casualty. I just don't think he's very talented. Big body? yes. Talented? meh

His only offers out of high school were us, UAB, and South Alabama. Don't think he's SEC Caliber

I really like Datcher and he can be the scrapper we need who gives his 110% and do the dirty work.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I hope Datcher is the casualty. I just don't think he's very talented. Big body? yes. Talented? meh

His only offers out of high school were us, UAB, and South Alabama. Don't think he's SEC Caliber

So you would rather lose Datcher instead of Strugg? I don't see the logic behind that 1.

[smootness]

I bet we see Ado start. Ben Howland has bragged on Ado many times and says he doesnt usually do that for a player that hasn't played a game and that everyone should get VERY excited about him. They have used him to be UK's Bam and Texas A&M's Tyler Davis in practice. Of course, I don't think we'll have a set starting 5, I think it will be whatever fits the need for any particular game.

I think Ado will play a good bit and will have a clear role as a rim protector, but I don't see any way he starts over Herard next year.

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

This^^ Nobody said he was going to score 25 a game..

[louisvilledawg]

You have the choice between Strugg being the casualty or Datcher and you pick Datcher? What? It's not even a contest. Datcher is miles ahead of Strugg.

Honestly I wasn't even thinking about Strugg. I was just opining about how much i dislike Datcher.

[louisvilledawg]

So you would rather lose Datcher instead of Strugg? I don't see the logic behind that 1.

Sorry. When i quoted the OP i was concentrating just on the possibility of cutting Datcher, not trying to compare the two.

Yes, Datcher over strugg all day to keep.

[smootness]

Honestly I wasn't even thinking about Strugg. I was just opining about how much i dislike Datcher.

Why do you dislike Datcher? No, he's not super talented, nobody ever claimed or thought he was. He has a role to play, and he plays it pretty well for a freshman.

[Dawg61]

Why do you dislike Datcher? No, he's not super talented, nobody ever claimed or thought he was. He has a role to play, and he plays it pretty well for a freshman.

Agreed. Datcher has had a better freshman year than 4* top 100 Wright.

[drummerdawg]

Oh I am not letting the one opportunity in life to use TeaSpoon and TableSpoon go by the waste side. It'll catch on damnit!

Q is Spoon and that's it for him. Gotta remember there is a 3rd Spoon too.

[Mjoelner34]

Gotta remember there is a 3rd Spoon too.

Soup Spoon?**

[chef dixon]

Agreed. Datcher has had a better freshman year than 4* top 100 Wright.

Wright has played well with opportunity.

Carter isn't getting any open looks. Wish we would work on that.

[Dawg61]

Soup Spoon?**

Yup this is it. Soup Spoon won't be here till a couple years though.

[bhamdawgfan]

Agreed. Datcher has had a better freshman year than 4* top 100 Wright.

Datcher has also looked better than Holman did last year up to this point. Holman did improve alot in the second half of conference play.

Like Holman, Datcher has been mostly out of position at the 5 spot. The kid hustles and scraps down low. Not a lot of offensive ability, but that's not his role anyway.

Do I expect Datcher to improve as much as Holman between this year and next? No. But the kid is a true freshman that was not expected to play much (if any) this year. Give him time.

[louisvilledawg]

Why do you dislike Datcher? No, he's not super talented, nobody ever claimed or thought he was. He has a role to play, and he plays it pretty well for a freshman.

If his role is to shoot less than 39% from the field and to avg more fouls than rebounds, points, or blocks, i guess he is doing a pretty good job.

I'm sure he is a gentleman and a scholar. I just don't believe to him to be sec caliber

[Dawg61]

If his role is to shoot less than 39% from the field and to avg more fouls than rebounds, points, or blocks, i guess he is doing a pretty good job.

I'm sure he is a gentleman and a scholar. I just don't believe to him to be sec caliber

Do you remember what Charles Rhodes and Jarvis Varnado were like as true freshman? I wouldn't say they've looked any better than Datcher has so far.

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

Interested to see someone in the know respond to your question about Toppin. He is listed as a top target but I don't see where we are even in his top 3