Dorian-Finney Smith

[Jay Bee]

Dorian is looooooong.  Watched him a bit last year.. had some awful games trying to put the ball in the basket, but his two-point shooting will improve.. no problem there.

Not strong, but weird... so long he's a good rebounder and can frustrate shots... overall, not a great year for him or Va Tech, but I think his potential is ridiculously high.  Give him a year working with the team in the Al and it's almost guaranteed we'll win it all in 2013-14.

[BCHoopster]

Dorian is looooooong.  Watched him a bit last year.. had some awful games trying to put the ball in the basket, but his two-point shooting will improve.. no problem there.

Not strong, but weird... so long he's a good rebounder and can frustrate shots... overall, not a great year for him or Va Tech, but I think his potential is ridiculously high.  Give him a year working with the team in the Al and it's almost guaranteed we'll win it all in 2013-14.

The kid averaged 6 points a game, get real on MU winning the whole thing.  He is not Anthony Davis or Terrance Jones. 

[BCHoopster]

It's crazy how many transfers we're involved with.

Just remember, MU's recruiting budget is through the roof, like $10M a year.  MU can go after anyone they want, really like transfers.  There cost is like $187,000 per player.  Got to give Buzz credit, he is developing a name for himself.  Look in the paper today what Marquis Hines the new coach from Vincent stated.  They love Buzz, but what was he doing today at the Brewers game?  Secondly, nice tickets!  Did he get them from Juan?

[Jay Bee]

The kid averaged 6 points a game, get real on MU winning the whole thing.  He is not Anthony Davis or Terrance Jones. 

DFS to MUBB = NCAA NC. 

PS - who is TerrAnce Jones? 

[BCHoopster]

DFS to MUBB = NCAA NC. 

PS - who is TerrAnce Jones? 

the dude from Kentucky, spelled wrong, me bad, no big deal.

[HelixAir6]

Gives a little credence to the rumors of departures...

Does it really?  I may be thinking about this the wrong way, and correct me if I'm wrong, but if we were in imminent danger of losing several players, wouldn't we be looking for several players who can help us immediately NEXT year, rather than those that have to sit out for transfer reasons?  The only explanation I see going after transfers in fear of departures would be to balance the classes, but DFS would be in the same graduating class as our new 2012 class (sophs and jrs would make more sense but they still can't play next year)... 

I just think that if we were worried about departures this year we would be worried more about refilling a roster for next year rather than balancing classes, and therefore, I would think that we would be spending our recruiting time/money on players who are at least eligible to see the court next year... 

[Windyplayer]

This is the type of guy that could make 2013-2014 really special. Top 5 in the nation in my eyes.

So if we land an underclassman transfer that has expressed no interest in us, at least not to my knowledge, we'll potentially be a top five team in two years. It doesn't get any more concrete than that. Where's the final four that year--I need to book my arrangements ASAP?

[Canadian Dimes]

6 points is what jamil avg.d as a frehman too

[damuts222]

Currently we are uncertain on whether or not Otule will be granted another year. Also, the continued mention of Hiroshima due to players not meeting grades.

  Finney-Smith is the type of player we need long and athletic. Needs to work on his offensive touch but as stated previously hes young and has time to work on it.

[esotericmindguy]

No doubt about it.

No doubt? Don't we have an open scholarship?? What does it matter how many recruits Marquette is on? Not being naive, maybe people will be leaving but I don't think being on a large amount recruits eliminates all doubt. Frankly, I'd be disappointed is buzz didn't contact this guy with 1 open scholarship, he sounds like a stud...7 rebounds as a freshman is impressive.

[Canadian Dimes]

Does it really?  I may be thinking about this the wrong way, and correct me if I'm wrong, but if we were in imminent danger of losing several players, wouldn't we be looking for several players who can help us immediately NEXT year, rather than those that have to sit out for transfer reasons?  The only explanation I see going after transfers in fear of departures would be to balance the classes, but DFS would be in the same graduating class as our new 2012 class (sophs and jrs would make more sense but they still can't play next year)...  

I just think that if we were worried about departures this year we would be worried more about refilling a roster for next year rather than balancing classes, and therefore, I would think that we would be spending our recruiting time/money on players who are at least eligible to see the court next year...  

come on man!!  we have a roster spot to fill and Buzz is out trying to fill it.  Dont you know this indicates certain imminent implosion of everything MU basketball?  just ask muguru, goose, lenny and the other tea leaves

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

This is at least the second time if not more that I've seen a player who's mentioned his top two choices of interest in Marquette & Florida.  Just coincidental?

[MUMac]

No doubt? Don't we have an open scholarship?? What does it matter how many recruits Marquette is on? Not being naive, maybe people will be leaving but I don't think being on a large amount recruits eliminates all doubt. Frankly, I'd be disappointed is buzz didn't contact this guy with 1 open scholarship, he sounds like a stud...7 rebounds as a freshman is impressive.

+1  I was about to type virtually the same before I read your post.  Spot on.

[dw3dw3dw3]

This is at least the second time if not more that I've seen a player who's mentioned his top two choices of interest in Marquette & Florida.  Just coincidental?

The comment in that article sounded like former Boo Williams AAU coaches were the link, however I can't find anywhere that Aki was ever involved with the program. Getting Jamal from there he obviously has a strong connection. Not sure on the Florida side.

[MUMac]

Not sure. Buzz couldn't hire one of the Boo Williams coaches because of Jamal Ferguson, I believe.

The comment said that he was already an assistant at VT.  Buzz would not be hiring him from the AAU program, but from VT.  In addition, DFS played at VT while said coach was an assistant there already.

[muhoops1]

Source? When he announced he was transferring I looked for interest from us, but didn't see any.

Sadly a friend of a friend....blah, blah.  Don't know if there is any validity, but found it plausible considering our current schollie situation.

[dw3dw3dw3]

The comment said that he was already an assistant at VT.  Buzz would not be hiring him from the AAU program, but from VT.  In addition, DFS played at VT while said coach was an assistant there already.

That would be interesting, especially since there would be an overlap with Aki in recruiting territories.  Not sure I can see Buzz doing that for a player unless the coach is extremely qualified. Hope we're not losing a third member of the staff.

[bilsu]

This is at least the second time if not more that I've seen a player who's mentioned his top two choices of interest in Marquette & Florida.  Just coincidental?

I would not expect both to go to MU or Florida. I am hoping for a split. I will take either one.

[brewcity77]

The comment in that article sounded like former Boo Williams AAU coaches were the link, however I can't find anywhere that Aki was ever involved with the program. Getting Jamal from there he obviously has a strong connection. Not sure on the Florida side.

I was wondering about this this morning. With an open slot, it's possible Buzz is going to go after one of the Boo Williams coaches to replace Benford. And if it's a recruiting move, it might well be a wise one. Boo Williams has 2 players in the top-25 for 2013, both rated by numerous sources as 5-star players, SF Troy Williams and PG Anthony Barber. However, with a SF and PG in that class, not sure that'd be the endgame. They also have a rising 2013 C in Kevin Huang and a solid 2014 PG in Devon Hall, but neither are currently the prospects that either Williams or Barber are.

[MUfan12]

The comment said that he was already an assistant at VT.  Buzz would not be hiring him from the AAU program, but from VT.  In addition, DFS played at VT while said coach was an assistant there already.

Ah, I see. Thanks for clearing that up, Mac.

[Dawson Rental]

Does it really?  I may be thinking about this the wrong way, and correct me if I'm wrong, but if we were in imminent danger of losing several players, wouldn't we be looking for several players who can help us immediately NEXT year, rather than those that have to sit out for transfer reasons?  The only explanation I see going after transfers in fear of departures would be to balance the classes, but DFS would be in the same graduating class as our new 2012 class (sophs and jrs would make more sense but they still can't play next year)...  

I just think that if we were worried about departures this year we would be worried more about refilling a roster for next year rather than balancing classes, and therefore, I would think that we would be spending our recruiting time/money on players who are at least eligible to see the court next year...  

How many of those are still out there do you think?  Or at least ones that we would want to see out on the court...

HS senior recruiting is largely done, this is transfer recruiting season. 

[Dawson Rental]

The comment in that article sounded like former Boo Williams AAU coaches were the link, however I can't find anywhere that Aki was ever involved with the program. Getting Jamal from there he obviously has a strong connection. Not sure on the Florida side.

The comment said that he was already an assistant at VT.  Buzz would not be hiring him from the AAU program, but from VT.  In addition, DFS played at VT while said coach was an assistant there already.

That would be interesting, especially since there would be an overlap with Aki in recruiting territories.  Not sure I can see Buzz doing that for a player unless the coach is extremely qualified. Hope we're not losing a third member of the staff.

I was wondering about this this morning. With an open slot, it's possible Buzz is going to go after one of the Boo Williams coaches to replace Benford. And if it's a recruiting move, it might well be a wise one. Boo Williams has 2 players in the top-25 for 2013, both rated by numerous sources as 5-star players, SF Troy Williams and PG Anthony Barber. However, with a SF and PG in that class, not sure that'd be the endgame. They also have a rising 2013 C in Kevin Huang and a solid 2014 PG in Devon Hall, but neither are currently the prospects that either Williams or Barber are.

We're assuming that whoever posted the comment knows what they are talking about.  It looks to me like he only kind of knows what he's talking about.  Like dw3dw23dw3, I checked MU coaches and no one's bio shows any evidence that they were ever involved with Boo Williams.  Nor was there a coach at VT who was involved in Boo Williams.  The coach this guy was probably thinking about was John Richardson who VT hired away from Old Dominion where he coached Dorion's brother Ben as an assistant coach which allowed him to get to know Finney-Smith's family well.  He was the lead recruiter on Finney-Smith for VT.  However, he couldn't stomach working for Greenberg, so right after the season was over, he bolted and went back to Old Dominion which is why the guy says that he thinks Old Dominion is in the running for Finney-Smith which if Finney-Smith's mom is to be believed is not true.  Buzz has said that he's not hiring a new assistant until recruiting is over, so I don't see how Buzz could be hiring Richardson away from ODU in order to get Finney-Smith.  Nor do I think that Buzz would be interested in a assistant coach who would bolt from ODU after just having gone back there after having bolted a year before.

If Dave Telep is to be believed, right now the likely destinations for Finney-Smith are MU and Florida, and not ODU.  So, I don't see there being any assistant coach hiring coming into this kid's recruitment.

[awilhelmscream]

Per ESPN Insider:

"UPDATE: Though Florida looks to be the early frontrunner for Virginia tech transfer Dorian Finney-Smith, Dave Telep of ESPN Recruiting points out that several other schools could be in the mix.

"Will be a few days before list emerges by Dorian Finney-Smith," Telep tweets. "Might hear Fla, VCU, Kansas and Villanova plus others."

Adds Jeff Borzello of CBSSports.com: "Hearing Florida, Marquette, Georgetown and Iowa State as potential landing spots for Virginia Tech transfer Dorian Finney-Smith."

---
Less than 24 hours after the news came out that freshman Dorian Finney-Smith was transferring from Virginia Tech, the Florida Gators appears to be the favorite to land him.

As Rumor Central's Luke Lapinski pointed out yesterday, Florida was one of the finalists for Finney-Smith during his original recruitment, so this wouldn't be a huge surprise.

Per this tweet by Fran Fraschilla, Finney-Smith would likely become a solid role player if he does in fact choose to play at Florida."

[MUMac]

We're assuming that whoever posted the comment knows what they are talking about.  It looks to me like he only kind of knows what he's talking about.  Like dw3dw23dw3, I checked MU coaches and no one's bio shows any evidence that they were ever involved with Boo Williams.  Nor was there a coach at VT who was involved in Boo Williams.  The coach this guy was probably thinking about was John Richardson who VT hired away from Old Dominion where he coached Dorion's brother Ben as an assistant coach which allowed him to get to know Finney-Smith's family well.  He was the lead recruiter on Finney-Smith for VT.  However, he couldn't stomach working for Greenberg, so right after the season was over, he bolted and went back to Old Dominion which is why the guy says that he thinks Old Dominion is in the running for Finney-Smith which if Finney-Smith's mom is to be believed is not true.  Buzz has said that he's not hiring a new assistant until recruiting is over, so I don't see how Buzz could be hiring Richardson away from ODU in order to get Finney-Smith.  Nor do I think that Buzz would be interested in a assistant coach who would bolt from ODU after just having gone back there after having bolted a year before.

If Dave Telep is to be believed, right now the likely destinations for Finney-Smith are MU and Florida, and not ODU.  So, I don't see there being any assistant coach hiring coming into this kid's recruitment.

Actually, I did not assume anything.  I clarified the point to dw3 that the commenter made.  I have no reason to believe the person knows what they were talking about or that they do not.

As for the coaches, I had done some investigation earlier today as well.  I do believe it is Richardson who the individual was describing.  Richardson had been involved with Boo Williams, but came to VT from ODU.  Spent one year at ODU and left because of the relationship with Greenburg, but did land back at ODU.  Maybe he is looking to move to another program or the individual really did not know what they were talking about.

[HelixAir6]

How many of those are still out there do you think?  Or at least ones that we would want to see out on the court...

HS senior recruiting is largely done, this is transfer recruiting season.  

I get that.  And I think there may be enough out there or still left to risk spending some time on in order to fill a needed spot for next year (unless we haven't been on any from the beginning, which I doubt).  I guess my point is that recruiting transfers seems to indicate less of a chance that we see departures rather than more of a chance that we see departures.  As was said above, we have 1 spot open for 2012 and one open for 2013.  Filling those spots with a transfer will have virtually the same affect on the court for next year as filling it with a 2013 (who there seem to be plenty of that it we are in on as well), but to me that has no more of an indication that we will see multiple people leaving until we have more commitments in 2013 than spots to fill.

I just didn't see the logic of the original posts that said going after transfers = recent rumors coming to fruition.  If that's the case, then Buzz being in on so many 2013s would be a similar indication, although the scholarships would be banked (but that is no different than every other year, especially considering that players could continue to transfer next year).  

My subsequent point is, I would be much more worried if we were putting all of our eggs in one basket on players that can play next year and ignoring the transfers and 2013s.  But it seems that we have been "going hard" after transfers, and to me that indicates that maybe we aren't worried too much about next years roster.

I guess that I may be way-over analyzing the situation, which is what the past few weeks of reading this board has done to me...  Perhaps I'm just grasping at straws for a glimmer of hope...