Quote Originally Posted by Goat Holder View Post
Let me be the first to say I like how he's recruiting. Signing the 3 star guys that want to play just to play the game. And he seems to be sticking around MS and the surrounding areas, at least now that he's settled in here. I think you can do well with just the MS guys, with a few from AL, GA, LA and TN sprinkled in here and there.

But honestly, if he wants to rise up, I think there's really only one answer: Malik Newman. Ray seems to be similar to Williams in his coaching, and suddenly, when Williams got Dampier, up we went to a tourney team. Now 96 was due to two NBA capable players, but even without Jones, I think we're a tourney team in 96 too, capable of winning a few there.

Dampier was a MS guy. That's who we have to sign. The star MS players. With the NBA rule the way it is, we can't afford to let any more Hoods get away. We have to get the Monta Ellis, the Jonathan Bender. Now it's Malik Newman. Booker was not a MS guy anyway, so I disregard him.

That's why showing that we are an average (or maybe a tad below) this year, and an average to above average team in year 3, is going to be so big. We need to show Newman that he is the missing piece to become a tournament team or better.

Anyway, that's my basketball-ignorant analysis of what I've seen. I also think Stricklin searched out a guy like Ray. Sure, he probably missed on a few hotshots, but it wasn't near as bad as some make it seem. I mean, I was a Stans supporter but it was clear at the end he'd become arrogant and complacent, and needed be run out.
Devonta Pollard is out there.

We are not getting Newman. 0% chance. We don't have to get the #1 player in the nation to compete in the SEC.