All Things 2014 Basketball Recruiting Thread

I could see us banking 1 scholarship, but not any more than that. We have a pretty solid 10-man roster going into next year but we need some additional depth and players to develop so we aren't completely relying on freshman when Mathieu, Dre, Moe, and EE all graduate.

That is why we have Buggs!
 

I haven't followed the situation closely, but is there a reason why pitino has not offered or even shown interest in him thus far especially with relationship he has with him? He seems like a good talent, good schools are after him, position that we need, so whats the hold up on our end?

Well, he ATE weed to hide it from a cop, and his grades haven't been very good in the past anyways. Some high level programs aren't willing to take a risk like that. (of course in the other hand, some will)
 

Carlos Morris for Malik seems fairly even. Coach P. didn't get those 2 additional scholarships so he could bank one. He knows the current group won't go dancing w/o help next season. Also, it's hard not to notice the roster for 2015/16 is practically bare. I have no idea what he's going to do, but he must do it fairly quickly. Not as easy to win in the B1G or recruit at the U as some think.
 

Carlos Morris for Malik seems fairly even. Coach P. didn't get those 2 additional scholarships so he could bank one. He knows the current group won't go dancing w/o help next season. Also, it's hard not to notice the roster for 2015/16 is practically bare. I have no idea what he's going to do, but he must do it fairly quickly. Not as easy to win in the B1G or recruit at the U as some think.

Just my opinion, but Carlos Morris will be much better than Malik. Malik is a one trick pony. When his shot is off, he's useless on the court.
 

Just my opinion, but Carlos Morris will be much better than Malik. Malik is a one trick pony. When his shot is off, he's useless on the court.

Howie hates Morris for whatever reason though, so this is a good start for him to finally say something positive about him. Just a few weeks ago Howie was predicting Morris would never touch campus.
 


From everything I've heard, it sounds more like Morris is more like Austin than anything. Not a great shooter, but does other things well, where with Malik, he was only good for his shooting, IF he was on, which didn't happen often this year
 

From everything I've heard, it sounds more like Morris is more like Austin than anything. Not a great shooter, but does other things well, where with Malik, he was only good for his shooting, IF he was on, which didn't happen often this year

Yeah, this is what I've gathered as well. That's why I leaned toward Eubanks more than Piper in terms of ideal wing for this class. Though both seem unlikely at the moment.
 

Howie hates Morris for whatever reason though, so this is a good start for him to finally say something positive about him. Just a few weeks ago Howie was predicting Morris would never touch campus.

Pollyanna, discussing recruits is a time honored practice on this board, and disagreeing on one is hardly hatred. A few weeks ago, we did not have 3 scholarships available and I felt our resourceful coach would find ways to make more available. Maybe it was a shot in the dark, but a lightly recruited JUCO, who was a non-qualifier appeared to me to be an obvious target.
 

Piper and Rainier Beach play Vaughn and Findlay Prep April 3rd. I believe ESPNU is carrying the national tournament. Should be a good measuring stick for Piper
 



Video of Piper's game winner for those requesting it. Sequence starts at 1:06

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PAT-hpWMIf0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)
 

Video of Piper's game winner for those requesting it. Sequence starts at 1:06

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PAT-hpWMIf0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)

I guess the fact that he has not already chosen Washington is a good sign.. although he likely wants to focus on his season before deciding. I would think its between us and Washington. I'd really like this kid.. hopefully Coach P is working it non stop
 

STrib: Who might fill the Gophers' last three 2014 scholarships?

Who will be the latest players to don maroon and gold? Right now, there are four Minnesota is going after the hardest:

Bakary Konate: The 6-11 Mali native (Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas) has already visited Minnesota, and the Gophers seem to be among the frontrunners for him. With Elliott Eliason and Mo Walker both seniors next year, the Gophers are in great need of a big man to develop and Konate seems like he could be a good fit. The center moves pretty well for his size and can shoot the ball a little as well. Louisville and Texas A&M are also involved, according to Rivals.com.

Djuan Piper: The Seattle (Rainer Beach) forward has said he's down to three schools, and Minnesota is among them. The 6-6 quick slashing Piper is one of the better recruits remaining in the 2014 class, but he will need to get his grades in order before signing day arrives. Minnesota would benefit from his good length and the addition would help bulk up a power forward position that needs depth. Piper visited Minnesota during the weekend of the Indiana game in early February. The other schools involved are Gonzaga and Washington.

Kobie Eubanks: The shooting guard from Our Savior New American (NY) has whittled his list down to five: Wichita State, Pittsburgh, Missouri, Baylor and Minnesota. The 6-4 Florida native had a visit scheduled for Wichita State, but never made it. Recently, Eubanks, a shooting specialist, visited Pitt and Baylor, and has talked about visiting the others although there is nothing scheduled at the moment.

Abdoulaye Gueye: The Gophers have been on the Senegal native for some time, but always knew he would be a late signee. Now, it could be a recruiting battle between Richard Pitino and Tubby Smith (how fun!) with Minnesota and Texas Tech showing the most interest, according to Rivals.com. The 6-9 power forward (currently at Central Park Christian in Birmingham) has great size, has a good jumper and would give the Gophers a very different type of player at the four-spot than they have currently have on the roster.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/249638191.html

Go Gophers!!
 

Amelia lives....

STrib: Who might fill the Gophers' last three 2014 scholarships?

Who will be the latest players to don maroon and gold? Right now, there are four Minnesota is going after the hardest:

Bakary Konate: The 6-11 Mali native (Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas) has already visited Minnesota, and the Gophers seem to be among the frontrunners for him. With Elliott Eliason and Mo Walker both seniors next year, the Gophers are in great need of a big man to develop and Konate seems like he could be a good fit. The center moves pretty well for his size and can shoot the ball a little as well. Louisville and Texas A&M are also involved, according to Rivals.com.

Djuan Piper: The Seattle (Rainer Beach) forward has said he's down to three schools, and Minnesota is among them. The 6-6 quick slashing Piper is one of the better recruits remaining in the 2014 class, but he will need to get his grades in order before signing day arrives. Minnesota would benefit from his good length and the addition would help bulk up a power forward position that needs depth. Piper visited Minnesota during the weekend of the Indiana game in early February. The other schools involved are Gonzaga and Washington.

Kobie Eubanks: The shooting guard from Our Savior New American (NY) has whittled his list down to five: Wichita State, Pittsburgh, Missouri, Baylor and Minnesota. The 6-4 Florida native had a visit scheduled for Wichita State, but never made it. Recently, Eubanks, a shooting specialist, visited Pitt and Baylor, and has talked about visiting the others although there is nothing scheduled at the moment.

Abdoulaye Gueye: The Gophers have been on the Senegal native for some time, but always knew he would be a late signee. Now, it could be a recruiting battle between Richard Pitino and Tubby Smith (how fun!) with Minnesota and Texas Tech showing the most interest, according to Rivals.com. The 6-9 power forward (currently at Central Park Christian in Birmingham) has great size, has a good jumper and would give the Gophers a very different type of player at the four-spot than they have currently have on the roster.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/249638191.html

Go Gophers!!
......but doesn't give one bit of information we haven't know for a couple weeks.
 



Pollyanna, discussing recruits is a time honored practice on this board, and disagreeing on one is hardly hatred. A few weeks ago, we did not have 3 scholarships available and I felt our resourceful coach would find ways to make more available. Maybe it was a shot in the dark, but a lightly recruited JUCO, who was a non-qualifier appeared to me to be an obvious target.


Morris wasn't a slouch coming out of high school. He was a top 150 player with offers to many good schools. With his size he has to come in and pick up some of the time lost to Austin. From the most recent videos, he is bigger physically (muscles, etc.) than I expected.
 

Morris wasn't a slouch coming out of high school. He was a top 150 player with offers to many good schools. With his size he has to come in and pick up some of the time lost to Austin. From the most recent videos, he is bigger physically (muscles, etc.) than I expected.

He was a 4* three years ago, but he's a 3* star now who received offers from Old Miss, UAB, Seton Hall and us. His coach, and at least one poster who went to see him play, have commented he needs to add strength. To tell you the truth, now that we have 3 scholarships I no longer care. Coach P. fills the black hole at the 3 or he doesn't. McNeil/Morris at the 3, will be no worse than the problems we had at the 4 this year.
 




I consider the two years that we will have Morris as a replacement for the two years that we would have had Wally. Similar position, juniors to be, etc etc.

Limited sample size for both, but I'll take the trade-off.
 


He was a 4* three years ago, but he's a 3* star now who received offers from Old Miss, UAB, Seton Hall and us. His coach, and at least one poster who went to see him play, have commented he needs to add strength. To tell you the truth, now that we have 3 scholarships I no longer care. Coach P. fills the black hole at the 3 or he doesn't. McNeil/Morris at the 3, will be no worse than the problems we had at the 4 this year.
I said before the game that Morris would be expected to put on weight. That was based on when I saw him in November. I was surprised at how much stronger he looked. He is at least 15 lbs heavier than his listed weight of 175. I was also surprised at how tall he was. He was standing next to Cinmeon Bowers (6'7") and from where I was at, they looked to be the same height. I would put him close to 6'6".
Howie, I can tell you with certainty, that there are no plans to use McNeil at the 3. If he does, that means that something went drastically wrong in spring recruiting.
 

God damn, too many Pollyannas on this board.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
 




Ok, gotta know, what does Pollyanna mean?

character from a '60s movie titled Pollyanna after a book that always expects the best

Websters said:
a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything

I've now adopted it as my battle cry, every slightly positive post will be finished with....

POLLYANNA!!!!

I encourage all you other POLLYANNA's out there to follow suit.

POLLYANNA
 

character from a '60s movie titled Pollyanna after a book that always expects the best



I've now adopted it as my battle cry, every slightly positive post will be finished with....

POLLYANNA!!!!

I encourage all you other POLLYANNA's out there to follow suit.

POLLYANNA

Got it thanks! POLLYANNA!!
 


I said before the game that Morris would be expected to put on weight. That was based on when I saw him in November. I was surprised at how much stronger he looked. He is at least 15 lbs heavier than his listed weight of 175. I was also surprised at how tall he was. He was standing next to Cinmeon Bowers (6'7") and from where I was at, they looked to be the same height. I would put him close to 6'6".
Howie, I can tell you with certainty, that there are no plans to use McNeil at the 3. If he does, that means that something went drastically wrong in spring recruiting.

I didn't include you as the poster who said he needed strength, one member who lives close by reported back to us. Good news that he gained weight. I wasn't sure if a JUCO had weight training, a training table etc. I agree McNeil won't start at the 3 unless Coach P. and staff fall flat on there faces. Once again, now that we have 3 scholarships available, I really don't care about Carlos Morris anymore, but I think he will be a fine role player.
 

I think the incoming freshmen we signed will be good in time, but you can't count on them right away. With juco's, you never quite know. And spring signees, I guess we're still waiting to see how it shakes out, but it's always a seller's market in the spring.

That said, I really hope we can land an impact graduate transfer (or other transfer who can play right away). We could use a true PF, give Buggs another year to learn as a backup, and let King play his natural role of shooter off the bench. We could also use a big-time scorer on the wing, but those are hard to come by.
 




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