2008-2009

Censored by Laurie · February 11, 2008

Let me preface...this is more of a "bored at work" post than it is a "our season is done, this is a young team, lets think about the future" post. And with signing day just passing, and the talk of Roderick Flemings resurfacing...I've got recruiting on the brain.

Departing Players

PG. Ben Bell (6'3" 185)

OG. Dez Willingham (6'0" 175)

PF. Quincy Williams (6'8" 230)

C. Keith Wooden (6'9" 250)

Returning Guards / Wings

PG. Josh White (5'8" 170)

W. Tristan Thompson (6'5" 185)

SG. Collin Dennis (6'2" 180)

W. Adam McCoy (6'4" 190)

Returning Forwards / Centers

C. Justin Howerton (6'10" 240)

SF. Harold Stewart (6'8" 195)

SF. Kedrick Hogans (6'7" 190)

2007-2008 Redshirts / Transfers

SG. Collin Mangrum (6'4" 185)

PF. George Odufuwa (6'8" 240)

2008 - 2009 Committed Scholarships

PF/C. Ben Knox (6'10" 215)

My 2008-2009 Available Scholarship Wish List in order of importance

PF. Obi Ikeakor (6'8" 240 Blinn Junior College)

PG. Cardell McFarland (6'1" 170 Brighton Acadamy)

W. Chris Babb (6'5" 200 Arlington Oak Ridge)

Player I'm hoping the Bobby Knight resignation will cause to re-think his commitment

SF/PF. Corbin Ray (6'8" 215 Katy Taylor)

Ikeakor played his freshman season at St. Louis before transfering to Blinn and would be a great compliment starting next to Odufuwa. A ready to go power forward/center is the key to this recruiting class. McFarland is a true point with the advantage of prep school experience...important because he would be pressed into immediate action for 15-20 minutes per night. Babb is the most talented freshman on our board...he would be joining a crowded back court next season, but a starting backcourt of White, Thompson and Babb in 2010 is VERY appealing.

On the off-chance that Ray de-commits...I'd take him over Babb in a heartbeat.

As for Roderick Flemings...I wouldn't mind him coming back here...I'm just not sure where the scholarship comes from. Power forward an point guard are MUST gets. If presented with the Babb vs. Flemings question...I have to lean towards Babb if for no other reason than he's a freshman who could contibute for 4 seasons rather than 2. Seeing the way White and Thompson have contributed as freshman makes me think that the nature of recruiting may be changing at UNT...they we're now able to sign stars as freshman rather than as transfers.

The other thing on my mind...and I mentioned it in another post...is the status of Collin Mangrum. He played sparingly in 06-07 and then red-shirted all this season with injury. With the glut of wings and shooting guards on our roster, I'm wondering where he fits into future plans...and if Flemings and Babb both want to come here, would JJ not renew Collin's scholarship?

foutsrouts · February 11, 2008

Let me preface...this is more of a "bored at work" post than it is a "our season is done, this is a young team, lets think about the future" post. And with signing day just passing, and the talk of Roderick Flemings resurfacing...I've got recruiting on the brain.
Departing Players
PG. Ben Bell (6'3" 185)
OG. Dez Willingham (6'0" 175)
PF. Quincy Williams (6'8" 230)
C. Keith Wooden (6'9" 250)
Returning Guards / Wings
PG. Josh White (5'8" 170)
W. Tristan Thompson (6'5" 185)
SG. Collin Dennis (6'2" 180)
W. Adam McCoy (6'4" 190)
Returning Forwards / Centers
C. Justin Howerton (6'10" 240)
SF. Harold Stewart (6'8" 195)
SF. Kedrick Hogans (6'7" 190)
2007-2008 Redshirts / Transfers
SG. Collin Mangrum (6'4" 185)
PF. George Odufuwa (6'8" 240)
2008 - 2009 Committed Scholarships
PF/C. Ben Knox (6'10" 215)
My 2008-2009 Available Scholarship Wish List in order of importance
PF. Obi Ikeakor (6'8" 240 Blinn Junior College)
PG. Cardell McFarland (6'1" 170 Brighton Acadamy)
W. Chris Babb (6'5" 200 Arlington Oak Ridge)
Player I'm hoping the Bobby Knight resignation will cause to re-think his commitment
SF/PF. Corbin Ray (6'8" 215 Katy Taylor)
Ikeakor played his freshman season at St. Louis before transfering to Blinn and would be a great compliment starting next to Odufuwa. A ready to go power forward/center is the key to this recruiting class. McFarland is a true point with the advantage of prep school experience...important because he would be pressed into immediate action for 15-20 minutes per night. Babb is the most talented freshman on our board...he would be joining a crowded back court next season, but a starting backcourt of White, Thompson and Babb in 2010 is VERY appealing.
On the off-chance that Ray de-commits...I'd take him over Babb in a heartbeat.
As for Roderick Flemings...I wouldn't mind him coming back here...I'm just not sure where the scholarship comes from. Power forward an point guard are MUST gets. If presented with the Babb vs. Flemings question...I have to lean towards Babb if for no other reason than he's a freshman who could contibute for 4 seasons rather than 2. Seeing the way White and Thompson have contributed as freshman makes me think that the nature of recruiting may be changing at UNT...they we're now able to sign stars as freshman rather than as transfers.
The other thing on my mind...and I mentioned it in another post...is the status of Collin Mangrum. He played sparingly in 06-07 and then red-shirted all this season with injury. With the glut of wings and shooting guards on our roster, I'm wondering where he fits into future plans...and if Flemings and Babb both want to come here, would JJ not renew Collin's scholarship?

I'd hate to lose Mangrum and would be surprised if he weren't renewed. If he can get healthy and work hard on his 3's, I kind of think that he could be a nice contributor over the next 3 seasons.

GrandGreen · February 12, 2008

Wonder why some write off Magrum. Not a bad freshman year but played behind all those big guards. IMO he will be back and contribute and could very well start before he is through. Obviously, if JJ placed Flemings at a juco, he is hoping he will get his academics in order and be back at NT. Flemings could very well be the best player on NT's team if he had played this year.

A starting lineup of Odufuwa, Flemings, Thompson, Dennis and White next year would not be bad. Yes, a dominating big man would be nice but those are little difficult to recruit.

greendog · February 12, 2008

According to the coaching staff, Mangrum is the "toughest" player on the team.

Hpoefully he will be well since he can shoot lights out. Also, there is no

indication that JJ would pull his scholarship.

risinggreen · February 12, 2008

I think Mangrum can be one helluva player for us. Some might try and overlook him because of his AA HS background and I think that is bull. He's very talented and could be the type to mature into a big time player. He has got three years ahead of him and I for one am expecting big things from him. Of course that is all dependent on his health after his recent surgeries.

Censored by Laurie · February 12, 2008

A starting lineup of Odufuwa, Flemings, Thompson, Dennis and White next year would not be bad. Yes, a dominating big man would be nice but those are little difficult to recruit.

Odufuwa would average 20 minutes in a line up like this...fouls and fatigue would kill his effectivness. Flemings is 6'7" 215...he's a true 3...and it would be both a disadvantage to the team and for Flemings to play out of position.

I don't think we need a dominant big man...I think Odufuwa will be our post scoring option, so I would love a strong rebounder and defender (like Ikeakor)...a sort of keith and Quincy 1-2.

The SBC is getting bigger:

FAU signed former Florida recruit Jimmie Sutton (6'10" 250) to play the five next to Carlos Monroe (6'9" 245)

FIU signed former Miami recruit Freddy Aspirilla (6'9" 260 to play the four next to Russell Hicks (7'0" 240)

ULL has signed 3 strong and talented big men; Lester Fergeson (6'10" 230), Jeremy Barr (6'8" 265) and UNLV transfer Emmanuel Adiefe (6'10" 220)

UALR signed former Purdue post Johnathon Uchendu (6'11" 215)

UNO signed a very solid JUCO post in Jacolby Pittman (6'9" 230)

6'8" 240 and 6'7" 215 up front just won't cut it...and you're being an irrational homer if you believe that Justin Howerton is capable of starting at the 5...yes, he's improved...but in 10 to 15 minutes per game...not 30. Flemings would certainly be a nice addition...but not at the expense of ignoring our other areas of concern.

On Collin...is it simply the fact that hes a white guard that makes people think he's a lights out shooter? I think he's a solid player, a good defender and very tough competitor...but in practice and games I saw no indication that Collin is a sniper.

Just playing devils advocate with his scholarship...if the choice is between Flemings and Mangrum for the last scholarship, there are times you have to set aside loyalties in exchamge for better and healthy talent.

untgeorge · February 12, 2008

All the sources i can find show Uchendu at 215, but he must have bulked up, surely Purdue did not intend to play a 215 guy at the post in the very physical Big10.

Collin is shooting 40% YTD from 3-pt line.

foutsrouts · February 12, 2008

On Collin...is it simply the fact that hes a white guard that makes people think he's a lights out shooter? I think he's a solid player, a good defender and very tough competitor...but in practice and games I saw no indication that Collin is a sniper.
Just playing devils advocate with his scholarship...if the choice is between Flemings and Mangrum for the last scholarship, there are times you have to set aside loyalties in exchamge for better and healthy talent.

That could be one of the reasons why some people tend to overlook Magrum. Also, he has over two and a half years before he even starts his senior season which gives him quite a bit of time to develop. I hope we get to find out just how much he can develop, and I also think that loyalty should at least play a small part in Mangrum's retention since we weren't exactly his only option coming out of Howe. Btw, didn't you recently say in another thread that you were "under-impressed" with Flemings abilities? Although I would like us to find a way to get Flemings in here, with serious grade problems and questionable D1 abilities, I'm not so sure I'd be too quick to pull the plug on a three year Mangrum for a two year (maybe) Flemings.

Censored by Laurie · February 12, 2008

That could be one of the reasons why some people tend to overlook Magrum. Also, he has over two and a half years before he even starts his senior season which gives him quite a bit of time to develop. I hope we get to find out just how much he can develop, and I also think that loyalty should at least play a small part in Mangrum's retention since we weren't exactly his only option coming out of Howe. Btw, didn't you recently say in another thread that you were "under-impressed" with Flemings abilities? Although I would like us to find a way to get Flemings in here, with serious grade problems and questionable D1 abilities, I'm not so sure I'd be too quick to pull the plug on a three year Mangrum for a two year (maybe) Flemings.

I played with Flemings and a good portion of the team when he first came to UNT for a visit with coach Steadman in I guess what would've been the summer of 06 (I think)...and his game reminded me of Ty Thomas...a very nice athlete with a very mediocre jump shot, a nice handle but a questionable basketball IQ. He could've been pressing or simply had a bad day...and that is really my only first hand knowledge of his abilities. The numbers hes putting up at WC and the schools looking at him make me believe he's better than my first impression.

I think Collin will prove to be a fine player...and I too doubt JJ is the type of coach to make a move like my scenerio...just trying to stir some conversation. Do you happen to remember who else was recruiting Collin?

Censored by Laurie · February 12, 2008

All the sources i can find show Uchendu at 215, but he must have bulked up, surely Purdue did not intend to play a 215 guy at the post in the very physical Big10.
Collin is shooting 40% YTD from 3-pt line.

I think he's sort of a Longar Longar types...I use post sort of liberally to describe any 4 or 5 type...I don't think Uchendu is a back to the basket sort of player.

The Collin we're referencing is Mangrum, not Dennis...Mangrum shot 18% (3-17) from 3 last season

untgeorge · February 12, 2008

I think he's sort of a Longar Longar types...I use post sort of liberally to describe any 4 or 5 type...I don't think Uchendu is a back to the basket sort of player.
The Collin we're referencing is Mangrum, not Dennis...Mangrum shot 18% (3-17) from 3 last season

Oops. My bad.

foutsrouts · February 12, 2008

I played with Flemings and a good portion of the team when he first came to UNT for a visit with coach Steadman in I guess what would've been the summer of 06 (I think)...and his game reminded me of Ty Thomas...a very nice athlete with a very mediocre jump shot, a nice handle but a questionable basketball IQ. He could've been pressing or simply had a bad day...and that is really my only first hand knowledge of his abilities. The numbers hes putting up at WC and the schools looking at him make me believe he's better than my first impression.
I think Collin will prove to be a fine player...and I too doubt JJ is the type of coach to make a move like my scenerio...just trying to stir some conversation. Do you happen to remember who else was recruiting Collin?

Mangrum was recruited by Baylor, TCU, Smu, Tulsa and Stephen F. I think he committed to us pretty early in the game. I agree that he needs to work on his outside shot. Could be the weakest part of his game. Just a guess, but he was so dominant in high school that he may not have developed it as well as he could have. Anyone know how well he's recovering from his surgeries?