Zach Peters visiting UNT on Thursday

Harry · May 2, 2013

Zach Peters, a former Plano Prestonwood Academy standout who left Kansas in November, will officially visit UNT on Thursday, a source close to the situation said late Wednesday night.

Peters was rated the top eighth grade player in the country in 2008 and committed to Kansas after his sophomore season. He was still considered an elite player nationally when he signed with the Jayhakws in 2012, when Rivals.com rated him No. 137 on its list of the top players in the senior class.

Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/05/zach-peters-visiting-unt-on-thursday.html/

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Andrew · May 2, 2013

I like the 6'9" and his past ability.... The concussions make me nervous though! I do not want to have Jacob Holman over again... Great player who's career was ruined due to head injuries.

Harry · May 2, 2013

http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/2009/01/21/The_Man_Child_Zach_Peters_is_a_Great_Basketball_Player-and_Why_That_Doesnt_Matter.aspx

foutsrouts · May 2, 2013

Very interesting. I saw him play vs. Arlington Grace and was fairly impressed. Certainly something to look in to.

UNT90 · May 2, 2013

Interesting.

Maybe we will finally have luck with a big white guy playing post.

As I recall, he sat out last year, which would make him immediately eligible, correct?

Edited May 2, 2013 by UNT90

Harry · May 2, 2013

Interesting.
Maybe we will finally have luck with a big white guy playing post.
As I recall, he sat out last year, which would make him immediately eligible, correct?

Yes I think between him sitting out and his medical issues he would be able to play right away. I think part of that is up to Kansas but it seems like they parted on good terms.

NT03 · May 2, 2013

Interesting.
Maybe we will finally have luck with a big white guy playing post.
As I recall, he sat out last year, which would make him immediately eligible, correct?

I would think so , but not getting my hopes after what happened w/ TJ Taylor

Harry · May 2, 2013

poss lineup?

1 Chris Jones

2 TJ Taylor or Vertrail Vaughns

3 Jordan Williams

4 Colin Voss or Greg Wesley

5 Zach Peters

Andrew · May 2, 2013

It may give us room to redshirt Friar...may.....

UNT90 · May 2, 2013

This team can't afford to redshirt ANYONE. Way too many unknowns on this team. Benford will need to find out who can and can't play.

2 minutes at a time.

Edited May 2, 2013 by UNT90

Harry · May 2, 2013

Harry · May 2, 2013

The word I am getting on Peters is IF he is health and that is a big if --- he has the potential to be VERY good and could be a rebounding machine.

When he was at Kansas, they took a European trip and he was VERY impressive as a true freshman, especially as a rebounder and defender in the paint which is what Benford needs.

untjim1995 · May 2, 2013

Why wouldn't he just go back to Kansas if he left for health reasons? Also, we would be so lucky if he CAN play and we got him. Seriously, he was a great player in high school.

Harry · May 2, 2013

Why wouldn't he just go back to Kansas if he left for health reasons? Also, we would be so lucky if he CAN play and we got him. Seriously, he was a great player in high school.

I think that ship has sailed and he is looking to stay closer to home. The main injury that was reported was a rotator cuff although I do not see anywhere where he actually had surgery for that. I can speak to that a little bit -- I had a nagging shoulder problem for awhile that was considered a torn labrum and went to a specialist for that. It is basically where it hurts to raise the arm of that shoulder above your head... his is rotator cuff but from what I understand there are similarities. I could see why that would be a very painful problem in basketball. He could have decided to come home and have that surgery to repair it. i know in my case the doctors prescribed physical therapy, massage etc and it has worked. I don't know if there is much you can do about the concussions other than just give it time. We need to be realistic about this because he may be taking muiltiple visits and you have to think some other schools may be interested but untjim is right, he is a very, very good player at a key need area for Benford and could really make this lineup interesting if he is healthy.

Cooley · May 2, 2013

Why wouldn't he just go back to Kansas if he left for health reasons? Also, we would be so lucky if he CAN play and we got him. Seriously, he was a great player in high school.

The truth is that Kansas has no interest! They had recruited this kid since 8th grade. Zach committed as a soph. Zach just didn't get any better and his stock started falling. Kansas, to my surprise, kept their commitment. I don't see much difference in Zach and Voss. Both are about the same size (give or take an inch) and build. Zach is a little more polished down low and has a better mid-range jumper.

Edited May 2, 2013 by Cooley

Harry · May 2, 2013

The truth is that Kansas has no interest! They had recruited this kid since 8th grade. Zach committed as a soph. Zach just didn't get any better and his stock started falling. Kansas, to my surprise, kept their commitment. I don't see much difference in Zach and Voss. Both about the same size and build. Zach is a little more polished down low and has a better mid-range jumper.

I don't know Cooley. He performed very well on their pre-season European trip according to the coaches and writers. He led the team in rebounds. Self said: “He was one of our better players in Europe,”speaking of Peters. “So I do think we need him.” referencing whether or not he would need to be redshirted because of his injury issues.

Then he was lost with the rotator cuff injury it appears right as the season started (Oct 11). They said it was non surgical and he would be back in a month. Self did not want to redshirt him and there was talk about having him come back from that injury.

So to say Kansas had no interest in the kid doesn't seem fair. He has had some major injuries from which I think we all hope he recovers from. I think the bigger issue is will he be able to play this season or will he have to sit out.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/11/3863242/kus-zach-peters-out-with-shoulder.html#storylink=cpy

Cooley · May 3, 2013

Bill Self is a class act

UNT90 · May 3, 2013

I don't know Cooley. He performed very well on their pre-season European trip according to the coaches and writers. He led the team in rebounds. Self said: He was one of our better players in Europe,speaking of Peters. So I do think we need him. referencing whether or not he would need to be redshirted because of his injury issues.

Then he was lost with the rotator cuff injury it appears right as the season started (Oct 11). They said it was non surgical and he would be back in a month. Self did not want to redshirt him and there was talk about having him come back from that injury.

So to say Kansas had no interest in the kid doesn't seem fair. He has had some major injuries from which I think we all hope he recovers from. I think the bigger issue is will he be able to play this season or will he have to sit out.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/11/3863242/kus-zach-peters-out-with-shoulder.html#storylink=cpy

What would you expect the coach to say?

Hopefully we get the chance to see if he can help. We can all find out then what we have.

Harry · May 3, 2013

What would you expect the coach to say?

"I thought he did some good things"

..."

Andrew · May 3, 2013

All I knows if we get him and he is able to play next year we should be a very deep team again. Benford has a lot of excuses to fall back in last year and Many of them were very viable (injuries, lack of chemistry, no 3pt. Shooting etc...). If we are not a .500 team this year then I will call for his removal. .500 or better and I could see a solid 3rd season. Add some good recruiting and we have a bright future. This will be the year though. Only a fool would think a coach could ruin a team in one year, but two is very possible. If he does not meet this goal I will be the first to throw 100 bucks into the "fund".... That seems fair enough to me.

UNT90 · May 3, 2013

All I knows if we get him and he is able to play next year we should be a very deep team again. Benford has a lot of excuses to fall back in last year and Many of them were very viable (injuries, lack of chemistry, no 3pt. Shooting etc...). If we are not a .500 team this year then I will call for his removal. .500 or better and I could see a solid 3rd season. Add some good recruiting and we have a bright future. This will be the year though. Only a fool would think a coach could ruin a team in one year, but two is very possible. If he does not meet this goal I will be the first to throw 100 bucks into the "fund".... That seems fair enough to me.

So we are "very deep" when there is not one single proven big man on the roster?

Lol.

#waitingforyourexcuseswhenwewinlessthan10games

(give me a break. I'm new at the hash tag thing)

Edited May 3, 2013 by UNT90

drex · May 3, 2013

If he'll go to class, bring him in if we can.

outoftown · May 3, 2013

The health issue makes me think this is a player with not only high upside but alsowith high risk (repeated nconcussions can lead quickly to having to abandon your major sport), probably the kind of risk we need to take in the situation NT is in.

foutsrouts · May 3, 2013

Unless he's somehow gun shy (which I doubt), or has some kind of other negative intangible that we're unaware of, I say we go all out for him. Hell, we ain't Kansas, so we absolutely have to gamble here and there when the potential fruits of that gamble could be seriously good.

UNT90 · May 3, 2013

The health issue makes me think this is a player with not only high upside but alsowith high risk (repeated nconcussions can lead quickly to having to abandon your major sport), probably the kind of risk we need to take in the situation NT is in.

Just think, a year ago everything was great with this program.