2009/2010 Big Men

[SFHoya99]

I have no clue whether or not Riley decommitted, though I'd guess he did. The source who said he did is his HS coach, and the counters to that were earlier and in Barker's case, he's been known to run with a story more than once before everything was put to bed.

However, this is about alternatives IF he has decommitted.

Yes, there are a ton of super studs still uncommitted. Cousins, Sidney, Favors, Josh Smith in '10...

However, we're coming from behind on these guys. One, you need to eliminate most of the 2009 guys for various reasons.

No one thinks Favors is leaving Georgia. So the chances there are tiny.

Sidney seems to come with baggage. Tiny, if not not at all.

Cousins seems loathe to leave the South. Seems tiny as well.

Smith seems like a better shot. He's 2010, so it isn't so late. And while the scuttlebutt is all left coast, he's shown interest in a lot of other schools.

So I guess my question is, what other big man out there is good enough to extend a scholarship to, but is still even somewhat likely?

I really haven't heard us with any other 2009 or 2010 bigs at all.

[hoyaboy1]

We are potentially looking at 8 scholarship players in 2009, with only 2 ball handler and 2 big guys. Don't seem to be a lot of options at this point but something has to happen.

[harwoodhoya]

I saw forget Riley. I'd rather use it 2010 anyway. Summers will stay four.

[williambraskyiii]

if the train has sailed on Riley, and Summers/Monroe both jet after big years, we are facing Ray Reed/Sead Dizdarevic level panic for 09.

I exaggerate, but lets say the above scenario occurs (not highly unlikely, though not probable)...what do we do?

[jyd]

If both Monroe/summers jump then that means they both had great years. It probably also means the team had a great season. if that is the case then things should open up for other players to come in. It seems to always work out that way.

[hoyaboy1]

There aren't exactly tons of great options left, jyd.

[jyd]

i don't know anything about what the options are but things always seem to change after the season ends as kids decide to leave early, high school kids decommit, transfers happen, JUCO players emerge, high school seniors emerge, etc. I had no idea who Julian Vaughn was this past summer and now he is on our team and seems like a very productive player. There may not be options now but things will come up.

[SirSaxa]

Chris Wright did not seem like a GU option either, until Sendek left for ASU.

Not to suggest this is an ideal way to recruit, but unexpected opportunities will arise.

[HeartAttackHoya]

Riley was a big project anyway so while I was hoping Riley would be the next great Hoya big man, I did not expect much out of him in 09.

[RBHoya]

If we had any real chance with guys like Sidney, Favors, Cousins or Smith, we should have been pushing hard on them whether Riley was coming or not. I mean, those guys are the kind of players you make space for one way or another. I mean, I think if a team got a decommitment from a Top 10 guy and then tried to get in late with a Top 150 type, that would make sense. But trying to do the reverse seems highly unlikely. Plus all the '09 guys you mentioned have shown preference for schools that don't match Georgetown's profile, so yea, I think the chances are extremely remote. The exception to that would be Josh Smith who has listed Georgetown and might leave WA. I'd love to get him, he's kind of like the Greg Monroe of the 2010 class (different style of play but in terms of recruiting). However, he's still a 2010 guy and while I hope we can make a stronger move on him I don't think that Riley being here was really preventing us from doing that anyway, and he still wouldn't help us to avoid being painfully thin up front next year.

There's that one big guy Kyryl something who is from I think Russia. He's a top 100 recruit and there were reports that we had shown interest though not offered. Think he's still unsigned, so maybe we will offer him if the staff thinks he's a good one. I know very little about him except that he's top 100.

Other than that, I think the staff is just going to keep monitoring all options for 2009 and 2010 and see how things work out. If Greg OR Dajuan stays we could conceivably get by with no additions, though the team would be smallish. If both stay, it's a non-issue, we'll use the same rotation as this year. If both go, yea, we have to add somebody. I suspect they'll keep an eye on the Juco ranks though not necessarily take anyone from there unless they make sense. I also wouldn't be surprised to see us add a wing player or a guard and play small ball. It seems unconventional that we'd lose Riley and add a wing or a guard in his place. But JTIII definitely strikes me as a guy who is going to put 5 best players out there rather than focusing too much on heights. And I know we have rebounding problems. But I still wouldn't be shocked to see JTIII add somebody like Hill and not focus too much on heights or positions.

Finally, every year there are coaching changes and there are kids who reopen their recruitment now that the coach they committed to won't be there anymore. Who knows where the job openings will be this year but I'm sure we'll have an eye on any decommits. Plus, sometimes kids just skyrocket up the charts with strong senior high school seasons. A guy who we've never heard of who is currently under the radar with mid-major type attention could end up having a great year, and maybe we get in on his recruitment late.

Lot of things can shake out, but my guess is that JTIII is not going to add some random unskilled guy just because he's big. He's more likely to add a good player who is smaller. But if a big guy emerges in the high school ranks, junior college ranks, or somebody decommits, I suspect we'll be in the mix.

[lichoya68]

i thougth thompson and riley signed what happened ive not aclue on this help go hoyas

[ceb8]

Yeah it's unlikely we even get in the mix with Favors, Cousins etc.

Is Kyryl Natyazhko worth pursuing? I know nothing about his game.

I know a lot of things can change and kids can develop and really come on late but what are some viable 09 options the coaching staff should look into? or do we simply look at 10 big men?

[strummer8526]

Hopefully we can find something in one of those "gray areas."

[SirSaxa]

Nov 20, 2008 12:40:17 GMT -5 lichoya68 said:

i thougth thompson and riley signed what happened ive not aclue on this help go hoyas

Lic, seems like Thompson signed and is on his way.

Riley either signed, or didn't sign, but then reneged and begged out of his Hoya commitment. Cold feet. Buyer's remorse. Flake city. Whatever. He isn't going to be a HOYA.

Good thing we didn't give him any bananas or name a candy bar after him yet!

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Here are unsigned big ban from the 09-10 class we might look to get involved with I have no clue about fit or our chances:
2009
Kyryl Natyazhko rivals rank 75 6-10/250. ( not listing georgetown)
Angus Brandt rivals rank 146 6-10/210 ( not listing georgtown)

2010(only people who list us or have no schools listed)
Josh Smith Rival rank #1 6-10/270 ( i'm goign to keep him on the list since at least he's listing us or has in the past the list may be old)
C.J.Aiken rivals rank 41 6-9/180 no schools listed
Johnathan Graham rival rank 77 6-8 /210 no schools listed from Baltimore
Kadeem Green rival rank 103 6-8/212 lists georgetown
David Nyarsuk rival rank 109 7-0/ 220 no list
Papa Samba Ndao rival rank 118 6-8/195 no list ( great name)
Dwight howell rival rank 123 6-9/200 no list
John Bohannon rival rank 124 6-8/175 no list
Will Regan rival rank 139 6-8/220 lists georgetown
DeAndre Daniels rival rank 149 6-8/180 lists georgetown

so there are a lot of options out there for 2010 but not much for 09




And lets not forget we already have Nate Lubick in the fold for 2010 a 6-8 227 lb forward.

[SirSaxa]

Balla seemed to imply there will be another big in the '09 class.
And a good one, who could contribute right away.

[HoyasAreHungry]

are there any other rumblings of elite bigs decommitting or that already have decommited from other programs for whatever reason?

[BubbleVisionBiff]

Nov 20, 2008 14:50:00 GMT -5 SirSaxa said:

Balla seemed to imply there will be another big in the '09 class.
And a good one, who could contribute right away.

He said "get your popcorn," which I took to mean TO was coming. But I don't know how he would have any eligibility.

[ceb8]

Nov 20, 2008 15:08:52 GMT -5 HoyasAreHungry said:

are there any other rumblings of elite bigs decommitting or that already have decommited from other programs for whatever reason?

Only one I have seen is DeMarcus Cousins wanting an agreement to opt out if the head coach leaves. He won't sign early and that may open up things. UAB also lost two JUCO kids who were once thought to sign early as well.