2012 PF: Devin Thomas

[Skatastrophy]

If you guys are hungry for recruiting news, I'll start posting stuff like this as I come across it.

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2011-0803/class-of-2012-pf-visiting-wake-forest-today/


"Wake Forest, Temple and Marquette," were new schools of note that Thomas mentioned adding that, as of now, he is considering "Wake Forest, Maryland, Clemson, Temple, Marquette, Penn State, Virginia Tech and VCU."

Devin's ESPN profile, graded a 90:  http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/141215/devin-thomas

[Litehouse]

Skat, thanks for posting these.

[GGGG]

It seems like, with the Ferguson commit and the Taylor transfer, that Buzz is really narrowing in on PF and C for the next class.  I counted 9 Rivals top 100 players with Marquette consideration, and only one is a guard (Dunn).  The rest are front line players, six of whom are 6'7" or taller.  And that doesn't include Auguste or Thomas who are outside the top 100.

It would be really nice if we could get one of these nice power forwards in 2012.

[MerrittsMustache]

While I'd obviously love to see MU land a Sullinger-type dominant big man, I'm not going to be disappointed if they end up signing a 2- or 3-star big who can basically be a rich man's Dwight Burke for a few seasons. A guy who can rebound, defend and screen would definitely have a lot of value on this team.

[jmayer1]

While I'd obviously love to see MU land a Sullinger-type dominant big man, I'm not going to be disappointed if they end up signing a 2- or 3-star big who can basically be a rich man's Dwight Burke for a few seasons. A guy who can rebound, defend and screen would definitely have a lot of value on this team.

Agreed, I'd take a Marcus Jackson type at the 4. Scoring doesn't seem to be MU's problem under Buzz, rebounding and defense do, somewhat.

[muhs03]

One name that was on Buzz's radar quite some time ago was Jerami Grant. Havent heard much about him. Im guessing we are out of it? Love that kid's pedigree.

[avid1010]

While I'd obviously love to see MU land a Sullinger-type dominant big man, I'm not going to be disappointed if they end up signing a 2- or 3-star big who can basically be a rich man's Dwight Burke for a few seasons. A guy who can rebound, defend and screen would definitely have a lot of value on this team.

Its impossible to say just how hard it is to find diamonds in the rough when it comes to big men...but I love what Buzz did with finding Gardner, and I would hope we wouldn't have to settle for anything less than Gardner/Otule types of big men.  I do believe that if he can develop those players, we will soon be able to land higher rated big men. 

[BubbaWilliams]

We seriously need rebounding.

[PBRme]

We seriously need rebounding.

+1

And scoring, defense, and coaching

[Blackhat]

We've needed more rebounding since cross eyed "shades" deane was roaming the sidelines.

Don't even need to say it anymore...just assume.

[bamamarquettefan]

We seriously need rebounding.

Of course we always want more rebounding, but we outrebounded even our big east opponents last year.  We grabbed 35.3 percent of our misses in conference play, and only allowed 34.3 percent to our opponents in conference play. Not a huge edge, but above average in a great conference after having been pummeled for several years is a great step forward.

And we didn't lose that much rebounding except for fulce when he was in.  Crowder was nationally ranked in both offensive and defensive rebound (butler was not), otule was ranked in offensive rebounding, and Gardner would have been in the top 50 in the country in offensive rebounding if he had enough minutes.

Blue was out top rebounding guard.  I'd live a great cents or pf recruit, but we are holding our own on the boards already.

[Silkk the Shaka]

PBRme: really?? We need more scoring? What team have you been watching the last 3 years? These are some of the best offensive teams in MU history.

[MUMac]

PBRme: really?? We need more scoring? What team have you been watching the last 3 years? These are some of the best offensive teams in MU history.

The teal must have passed right by ... If you looked at all of the segments he listed, that pretty well sums up all of basketball, no?  Frankly, I thought the teal was overkill, but with your response, I guess not.

[Skatastrophy]

The teal must have passed right by ... If you looked at all of the segments he listed, that pretty well sums up all of basketball, no?  Frankly, I thought the teal was overkill, but with your response, I guess not.

On Jamailman's post you can see the icon of a cell-phone (next to the title).  On some cellphones the teal doesn't show up for some reason.  Some trolls have been harping on our defense and coaching, so if there were no teal I could see taking it seriously and jumping down a guy's throat about the scoring comment   /2cents

[Silkk the Shaka]

On Jamailman's post you can see the icon of a cell-phone (next to the title).  On some cellphones the teal doesn't show up for some reason.  Some trolls have been harping on our defense and coaching, so if there were no teal I could see taking it seriously and jumping down a guy's throat about the scoring comment   /2cents

You're right.  My fault.  I usually don't need teal, but I didn't see it on my phone.

[MUMac]

On Jamailman's post you can see the icon of a cell-phone (next to the title).  On some cellphones the teal doesn't show up for some reason.  Some trolls have been harping on our defense and coaching, so if there were no teal I could see taking it seriously and jumping down a guy's throat about the scoring comment   /2cents

I was just having some fun with Jamailman.  As I stated, though, teal wasn't necessary because out of rebounding, offense, defense and scoring, what else is there?   

[seakm4]

give the kid a baseline jumper and he sounds like Fulce.  I loved his game and heart and wish all kids had his kind of passion for the game.

[bilsu]

give the kid a baseline jumper and he sounds like Fulce.  I loved his game and heart and wish all kids had his kind of passion for the game.

and good knees

[brewcity77]

and good knees

Agreed

I have wondered quite a few times what might have been if Fulce had been healthy. According to players and guys on the training staff, he was the most athletic guy on the team from the moment he arrived, including the Big 3, Lazar, and Jimmy. Had he had his health, I wonder if we would have had two guys drafted into the league this year. Fulce's work ethic and passion was never a problem, he just didn't develop as well as he might have due to all those injuries. Really too bad for him, the guy was the definition of a Warrior.