Wku 2011 Recruiting Class

[cl_1_2008]

If Knox gets playing time, I'm putting a gun to my head. If he starts, I'm pulling the trigger. Chris Jones is way better than Alzee, and you can't have a defensive specialist initiating your offense if you want to be worth a damn anyways. Jordan Williams is a 3, not a 2 or a 4. Hogans will start.

[GrandGreen]

If Knox gets playing time, I'm putting a gun to my head. If he starts, I'm pulling the trigger. Chris Jones is way better than Alzee, and you can't have a defensive specialist initiating your offense if you want to be worth a damn anyways. Jordan Williams is a 3, not a 2 or a 4. Hogans will start.

If Knox plays that means he is playing much better which would be a good thing. I think Alzee is a starter at the wing not the point. Jones will be the point. I predict Alzee will start because he will be the best defensive guard and gives you a second solid ball handler. The other three positions will be between Hogans, Holmen, Franklin and J. Williams, of course before Mitchell becomes eligible. Edwards, Knox, or Robinson could get into the rotation but Knox or Edwards will have to show significant improvement. Robinson is an unknown but reports are he is another big man that rather play outside, not what this team needs.

[emmitt01]

If Knox gets playing time, I'm putting a gun to my head. If he starts, I'm pulling the trigger. Chris Jones is way better than Alzee, and you can't have a defensive specialist initiating your offense if you want to be worth a damn anyways. Jordan Williams is a 3, not a 2 or a 4. Hogans will start.

Put that gun away.

[GrayEagle]

Other than Hogans I see alot of question marks with that line-up. Although I love the defense he plays, based on what we saw in his first year on the offensive end, I wouldn't pencil in Alzee to start. I think Chris Jones has much more long term potential so I believe the coaches will give him every opportunity to run the point. I actually think Alzee will see time at the two as some of the backup PG minutes may go to Norris. I also think based on the improvement we saw from Holmen towards the end of the year, that there is a good chance he will start as well. I think obviously when Mitchell becomes eligible we will find a way to get him on the floor, that may be as the starting 3 or playing the 4 in name only as we go with a smaller overall lineup depending on matchups. As others have pointed out I also expect Jordan Williams will get alot of PT. If he can adapt to playing the two that would be even better for us as it would give us the flexibility to potentially have J Williams, Franklin, and Mitchell on the floor at the same time. That could definitely cause some matchup problems for other teams in the Belt. We will see what happens, but no matter how the lineup shakes out - definitely exciting time to be a Mean Green fan!

Totally agree about Alzee. He had the lowest assist to turnover ratio the last year that he played with three times more turnovers than assists. He's also not a 3-point shooter so that would almost rule him out there as well. He does play great defense and does okay within the 3-point line with nearly a 50% shooting percentage.

Unless Jordan Williams can adjust to playing the two, it looks to me as if Walton may be the starter at SG. There is a possibility that Franklin could play the two but who knows if the NCAA will grant him eligibility this coming season.

[UNT90]

If Knox plays that means he is playing much better which would be a good thing. I think Alzee is a starter at the wing not the point. Jones will be the point. I predict Alzee will start because he will be the best defensive guard and gives you a second solid ball handler. The other three positions will be between Hogans, Holmen, Franklin and J. Williams, of course before Mitchell becomes eligible. Edwards, Knox, or Robinson could get into the rotation but Knox or Edwards will have to show significant improvement. Robinson is an unknown but reports are he is another big man that rather play outside, not what this team needs.

Good analysis. A lot depends on Franklin, but assuming for the moment he isn't eligile next year, I agree that Alzee starts at the 2 (backed up by Walton), especially after Mitchell becomes eligible December 17th. Jones will run the point, with Norris as the backup. Williams/Holman at the 3, Mitchell at the 4 (backed up by a combo of Robinson/Edwards), and Kendrick/Knox at the 5.

Before Mitchell becomes eligible, I think we see a number of different lineups used as JJ tries to figure out just what he has. After Mitchell is eligible, expect Robinson to share the same position, as these are both big men who prefer to play facing the basket. Robinson could really be something special before his time is done, but I expect some early struggles as he adjusts to the college game.

I have hope for Knox. Unlike our previous big white guys, he doesn't have hands of stone and has shown flashes of good athletic ability. The one thing he lacks is aggresiveness, which (I hope) will come with increased confidence. He has the skills needed, he just needs to get a little more mean to go along with the green.

Sure wish Mitchell was eligible for that Nov 29th game.

Edited May 23, 2011 by UNT90

[nana21]

Very impressive. How did they pull that off?

[meangreenacct]

Very impressive. How did they pull that off?

My guess would be the two recent runs in the NCAA tourney coupled with the fairly storied basketball tradition. They have always recruited well. The question is how well will the be coached when they get there and how much turnover in the players will they have. They had a top 150 player last year who was off the team by mid season (Snap Peters) and I believe they had another top 100 player (Boyd?) from either last year or year before who never made it to campus.

Great recruiting class for them, but I have definitely been happy with the results JJ has had with less touted classes and am excited to see what he can do with this hopefully still not completed class.

[TheTastyGreek]

Deng Leek, WKU's 3 star, 7 foot center recruit, did not qualify and will go to a JUCO instead.

Still a heck of a class, but this takes out the biggest mismatch they would have gained this year.

[NT03]

Deng Leek, WKU's 3 star, 7 foot center recruit, did not qualify and will go to a JUCO instead.

Still a heck of a class, but this takes out the biggest mismatch they would have gained this year.

They added a JUCO from Oklahoma , I assume to take Leek's spot

[Mean Green Matt]

Deng Leek, WKU's 3 star, 7 foot center recruit, did not qualify and will go to a JUCO instead.

Still a heck of a class, but this takes out the biggest mismatch they would have gained this year.

Deng...that sucks for them.