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Post by eport on May 17, 2011 1:48:01 GMT -5
Oldtimer1, thanks for the hands on information about Ferguson and company. I live in Atlanta, but sometimes wish I still lived in Jersey so I could watch the pick up practices and attend more games. I'll always be a Jersey guy, but the state is in big financial trouble and the taxes are ridiculous. I do miss going to Belmar Beach on 17th Street.
Glad to hear that Ferguson is already working out with his new teammates. Everything I've read on Ferguson lists him at 6'8", so what's your estimation of his real height? I know height listings cannot be relied upon, for instance I've seen Lamin Fulton listed from 5'9' to 6'0".
Hopefully Tuckers absence was do to hitting the books since we are in the middle of exams. I've mentioned it before that I have a good inside source that states he's on track to qualify. Right now he has his head above water, but it's touch and go. I heard he's a good person and is working his ass off in the classroom. I'm pulling for him all the way. I've never seen him play, but based on what I've read and heard he's a wide body Barkley type who knows how to use his body to rebound in traffic. Also has 10-12 foot jump shot range.
Nice to see that Kelsey Grant is working out with the team. Kelsey is our unsung hero from last years team. He's kind of our answer to Rudy. It was great to see him get into the game against Purdue and score 2 points......something to tell the grand children. .
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Post by eport on May 17, 2011 2:18:59 GMT -5
I forgot to comment on your assessment of Jack Hill. I only hear good things about him as a person and teammate. It's his Senior year and I hope he realizes, it's now or never. He's got the height, length , can jump and knows the system. I'm hoping he can give us a productive 10-12 minutes per game next year. I also agree that confidence is a huge factor. If he can put a few good games together, his confidence will rise as well as his performance.
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Post by oldtimer1 on May 17, 2011 6:02:15 GMT -5
Eport, thanks. Just trying to help. Re: Difficult to judge from the sideline but I'd put his height from 6'6" to 6'7" at best, watched him stand next to Ryan Bacon.. Approximate height was confirmed by speaking with Chris Burke who knows Ferguson.Buke's comment, with a smile, was that Ferguson wasn't even close to 6'8". I would describe him as a leaper and shot blocker (not in Ryan's class) who has a nose for the ball defensively and isn't afraid to fight for a rebound. Saw several follow up scores inside but missed the few short range jumpers he took. Was on the winning team in several games so I guess he contributed. IF he had a body like Jeron I'd be more excited. Let's see what Summer conditioning does.
Jack Hill is an enigma. Most here think that he can't play but I see the potential and scratch my head. Talked with Darius on the sidelines and his comment was that Jack "has the talent to be all-league". Those were Darius' exact words and I'll let our few fans argue. No doubt, Jack has shown nothing to date and perhaps never will but he has the height, bulk, moves very well for a big man, and can rebound. I know all to well the negatives but the potential is obvious. Additionally, as you say he is a good kid and academically one of smartest players on the team. Agree that he will get playing time.
As for Kelsey and the others, they all seem to get along well and push each other. On one particular play Hill made a great move off a pass from Nick but the missed the layup in traffic. Nick yelled "Come on Jack, finish the play". Said more in a supportive mood that yelling. Like to hear that type of stuff.
Wrote more than I intended but we have some pieces. All depends on the other newbees and how JD puts this team together. Brandon is solid, Prescott can score, Darius is Darius, Chris Buke is very underrated and Steve will be a star both offensively and defensively. Not a bad team but not yet ready to challenge. Long way to November.
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Post by loyal on May 17, 2011 7:58:04 GMT -5
Samuels can be a very good MAAC player...........his Tourney was outstanding, especially defensively. Both Needham and Machado were completely taken out of their game by Steve. Improved handle = all MAAC candidate. OT's initial observations of Ferguson are in sync with my "highlight" video impressions. Sounds like KF has some work to do before making any sort of significant impact. We need "bodies" up front, for sure, but we may have to hope the FL JUCO is capable of making a positive contribution sooner than Ferguson.
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Post by loyal on May 17, 2011 8:07:24 GMT -5
By the way, appreciate OT's pickup game comments!
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Post by eport on May 17, 2011 18:23:39 GMT -5
Oldtimer1, thanks for further clarification on Ferguson's height.....hopefully, he's closer to 6' 7". I sure hope Hill stops being an enigma and lives up to his potential. On another note, it will be interesting to see how Lamin Fulton performs in pick up games.
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Post by oldtimer1 on May 17, 2011 19:38:32 GMT -5
Spoke with Dan Drutz today. Asked Dan when the NLI list would be published. He said that there are still some in transit ( other sports have different signing periods). Thus he'd prefer to wait a few more weeks before publishing a comprehansive list.
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Post by eport on May 17, 2011 20:07:11 GMT -5
Thanks for giving it the old college try. I wonder why we have to wait for a comprehensive list? I guess we'll have to figure things out for ourselves.
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Post by loyal on May 17, 2011 21:00:45 GMT -5
Open question to AD and SID: What is the rationale for waiting until the list is "comprehensive", when a vast majority of the NLI interest, realistically, centers around Men's Hoops? Thanks.
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Post by peacockblue on May 17, 2011 21:04:37 GMT -5
There is no rationale. Just another pointless policy from the Loughran era that needs to be changed by someone with common sense.
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Post by eport on May 17, 2011 23:03:51 GMT -5
It will probably be old news by the time we get our comprehensive list.
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Post by eport on May 18, 2011 0:04:33 GMT -5
We all know that Ferguson is signed, on campus and actually practicing with the team, yet still no announcement.......totally ridiculous!
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Post by spcfan on May 18, 2011 6:07:51 GMT -5
I agree with Loyal on Steve Samuels. He has all MAAC potential.I expect a big step up in scoring out of him this year to go with the defensive ability. To me he's easily 6-5 has definitely grown since he came in as a frosh.
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Post by Peacock on May 18, 2011 11:41:05 GMT -5
There is no rationale. Just another pointless policy from the Loughran era that needs to be changed by someone with common sense. No one in the college can talk about a player who is not enrolled as yet unless there is a signed NLI. In most cases the JUCOs don't sign an NLIs as they may have done one in an earlier instance or the school chooses not to use the NLI. So this may not be a problem in the administration but an NCAA one. Once they enroll, even in a summer class, they can be discussed. I am not sure why everyone thinks these players are signing NLIs. Now if they have, one only looks at the current staff for the closed mouth. One usually gets the information from the the blogs these days and many have staffs that leak the info through alumni or press sources. No one at the school can discuss these players until either an NLI is in place or they have enrolled.
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Post by peacockblue on May 18, 2011 13:28:24 GMT -5
Fulton signed in the fall and no announcement has been made yet- same as in the past with early signees. Unacceptable for a Division 1 school IMO. You may be correct with the JUCOs, but a large part of the problem is the administration unless I'm missing something.
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