Ricky Council II Moravian Prep (Hudson, NC) 2015 6'4 SG

[VegasWarrior77]

Marquette Hoops ‏@MarquetteHoops  24m24 minutes ago
#mubb RT @JamieShaw5: Marquette made the trip down to catch 6'4 Post Grad Ricky Council of @MoravianPrep today

Moravian Prep retweeted
Carolina Prep Hoops @SC_NC_PostGrad  ·  Nov 20
Ricky Council has really improved his stock at Moravian Prep.

Ricky Council II Moravian Prep 2015 6'4 SG - Scores 53 Points at Pioneer Swanny Classic!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oV0Sbyi3Pk

Looks like another great shooter with range!  Was a 3*. Maybe he's on the rise...?  Had a 3.8 GPA his senior year of high school.

He was nominated for the 2014 McD's AA team but didn't make it.
http://www.heraldsun.com/news/showcase/x1385733157/McDonalds-snub-motivates-Northern-High-star-Ricky-Council

[tower912]

Never stop recruiting, but unless Wojo knows somebody is leaving, I don't see what need this guy fills.    JJJ, Haanif, Dawson, NN, Deonte, WEllenson, Cohen.

[jsglow]

I know the scholly table says '1' for next year because of the assumption that all prior years are fully filled but if I'm not mistaken they have 2, correct?

Edit.  I miscounted.  There's 12 committed right now for next year as it stands.

[VegasWarrior77]

I think there is a good chance one of those players leave.  Not unusual in today's current NCAA BB environment.

[nyg]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Ricky-Council-141047

[VegasWarrior77]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

[w0bbie]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

I'm pretty sure the only thing required to earn a McDonald's AA "nomination" is for someone to fill out the form on your behalf. This topic came up a few years ago when someone posted a breakdown of nominations by state and Iowa had way more than Illinois and other states.

[thehammock]

Yep...there were over 800 players nominated in 2013.

[VegasWarrior77]

That explains it.  But why would MU make the effort if they weren't interested?

[NersEllenson]

That explains it.  But why would MU make the effort if they weren't interested?

Because MU is probably going to have a transfer.  Surprised to see we are recruiting yet another 2 guard for next year.  Logjam at the position as it is.  Would much prefer to see us targeting a pure PG if we are going to be bringing in a player for 2015.

[VegasWarrior77]

I stated above that I thought we would have at least one transfer.  I would also prefer a pure PG who can also shoot it.  More of a need.

[NersEllenson]

I stated above that I thought we would have at least one transfer.  I would also prefer a pure PG who can also shoot it.  More of a need.

Sorry - missed that.  Whatever the case this kids game must have blossomed a ton since prep school as the list of schools he had offers for out of HS was about as underwhelming as it gets.

[VegasWarrior77]

The player is from NC so I'm thinking Wojo got some good info about him. Anytime you can pour in 53pts (mostly from long range) - even against lower competition - and you're 6'4" that's a good start!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The schools on his list aren't majors.  As I was researching him I couldn't figure out why a player nominated for the McD's AA game and a 3.8 student wasn't garnering more interest.  Maybe Wojo's on to something?

Wake Forest was recruiting him at one point IIRC. Not quite at our level, but another high major. Could be a late bloomer.

[4everwarriors]

Gotta respect the process, hey?

[jsglow]

As it stands right now, I guess I'd expect to see Duane at the PG next year.  So glad he seems positioned to get starter minutes this year.  The experience will be valuable.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

As it stands right now, I guess I'd expect to see Duane at the PG next year.  So glad he seems positioned to get starter minutes this year.  The experience will be valuable.

The question is will we be better with Duane at PG and Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham at SG or finding a PG to let Duane stay at SG.  Duane is our leading scorer right now, will almost surely be our leading returning scorer next year, and quite possibly be our #1 scorer next year.  Personally, I think an offense runs smoother when the PG is not the primary scorer.  Yes, I want my PG to be able to shoot and score off the bounce.  But I'd prefer that PG distributes first and gets his picks his spots to score.

I also view Duane as a combo guard more than a PG.  Think Jason Terry.  He can slide to the point at times, he'll get some assists, but he's best starting off the ball and looking for his shot.  The PG needs to set up the offense, getting the ball to Duane, HE, and others.  Is that player John Dawson, Nick Noskowiak, or someone not on the roster?  If Wojo can add a starting caliber PG the roster shapes up nicely.

PG ???/Duane/NN/Dawson
SG Duane/Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham/Dawson
SF (3G) Johnson-Burton-Cohen-Cheatham-Wally (still a wide open race, IMO)
PF HE/Taylor/Heldt (small ball 4's Wally/Deonte?)
C Fisher/Taylor/HE/Heldt

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

[4everwarriors]

I'm not for sure on anoitin' Du Wil as the startin' 1 guard. Wojo and staff have a pretty keen eye on the type of playa they want runnin' the show. Don't sleep on Nick

[wadesworld]

The question is will we be better with Duane at PG and Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham at SG or finding a PG to let Duane stay at SG.  Duane is our leading scorer right now, will almost surely be our leading returning scorer next year, and quite possibly be our #1 scorer next year.  Personally, I think an offense runs smoother when the PG is not the primary scorer.  Yes, I want my PG to be able to shoot and score off the bounce.  But I'd prefer that PG distributes first and gets his picks his spots to score.

I also view Duane as a combo guard more than a PG.  Think Jason Terry.  He can slide to the point at times, he'll get some assists, but he's best starting off the ball and looking for his shot.  The PG needs to set up the offense, getting the ball to Duane, HE, and others.  Is that player John Dawson, Nick Noskowiak, or someone not on the roster?  If Wojo can add a starting caliber PG the roster shapes up nicely.

PG ???/Duane/NN/Dawson
SG Duane/Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham/Dawson
SF (3G) Johnson-Burton-Cohen-Cheatham-Wally (still a wide open race, IMO)
PF HE/Taylor/Heldt (small ball 4's Wally/Deonte?)
C Fisher/Taylor/HE/Heldt

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

I thought Burton was primed to lead our team in scoring, be 1st Team All BE, and head to the League after this year, hey?  Is that why Duane will be the leading returning scorer?

[MUfan12]

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

No inside info, but the sophomores don't seem to be grasping how Wojo wants them to play. Wouldn't be surprised if more than one looked elsewhere after this season.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I thought Burton was primed to lead our team in scoring, be 1st Team All BE, and head to the League after this year, hey?  Is that why Duane will be the leading returning scorer?

Not sure where you're going with this.  If you're calling me out, I never thought Burton was gone after this year.  I learned to temper expectations from people overreacting in the past.  People had Dameon Mason as a 1st round pick by his junior year and Jimmy Butler as a wasted scholarship after each played in one public scrimmage.  Look how that turned out. 

I thought Burton and Carlino were primed to be our two leading scorers but I saw Burton as a four year player until he proves otherwise.  Obviously Burton hasn't made the progress I and others anticipated.  Still think he's a four year player.

I also really liked Duane Wilson's skillset but he had no experience so I was in wait and see mode.  So far Duane is off to a strong start.  He's averaging 14.0 PPG. Taylor, Burton, and Johnson are all between 6.6 and 7.6 ppg.  Sure there's time for Duane to fall off and one of the other players to catch him.  But at this point he's almost doubling Taylor and more than doubling up the other non-seniors.  I guess I'll change my qualifier from "almost surely" to "quite possibly" that Duane is our top scorer among players that return next year. But if I'm right, I'll revisit this thread and post how I was right 1 million times.

[wadesworld]

Not sure where you're going with this.  If you're calling me out, I never thought Burton was gone after this year.  I learned to temper expectations from people overreacting in the past.  People had Dameon Mason as a 1st round pick by his junior year and Jimmy Butler as a wasted scholarship after each played in one public scrimmage.  Look how that turned out.  

I thought Burton and Carlino were primed to be our two leading scorers but I saw Burton as a four year player until he proves otherwise.  Obviously Burton hasn't made the progress I and others anticipated.  Still think he's a four year player.

I also really liked Duane Wilson's skillset but he had no experience so I was in wait and see mode.  So far Duane is off to a strong start.  He's averaging 14.0 PPG. Taylor, Burton, and Johnson are all between 6.6 and 7.6 ppg.  Sure there's time for Duane to fall off and one of the other players to catch him.  But at this point he's almost doubling Taylor and more than doubling up the other non-seniors.  I guess I'll change my qualifier from "almost surely" to "quite possibly" that Duane is our top scorer among players that return next year. But if I'm right, I'll revisit this thread and post how I was right 1 million times.

I was just joking around because that we have some posters here who have said they would be very surprised if Burton was here for all 4 years.  I just think it's silly to expect a player who showed promise but was far from a dominant player as a freshman to leave college early.  Especially when that guy is a 6'4" power forward who isn't an awful shooter but is far from a 3 point specialist and doesn't handle the ball particularly well.

[TedBaxter]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=5611F6D62C8DF46397C05611F6D62C8DF46397C0

Shooter.  Different type of player from anyone on the roster next year.  Would like to see how he plays defense.

[NersEllenson]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=ricky%20council%20moravian%20prep&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=5611F6D62C8DF46397C05611F6D62C8DF46397C0

Shooter.  Different type of player from anyone on the roster next year.  Would like to see how he plays defense.

Agree.  Nice form on shot.  Nice size for his position.  Showed a good ability to get shots off of of dribble - nice step back jumper move.  Collects well off of two feet to get into his jumper.

[jsglow]

The question is will we be better with Duane at PG and Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham at SG or finding a PG to let Duane stay at SG.  Duane is our leading scorer right now, will almost surely be our leading returning scorer next year, and quite possibly be our #1 scorer next year.  Personally, I think an offense runs smoother when the PG is not the primary scorer.  Yes, I want my PG to be able to shoot and score off the bounce.  But I'd prefer that PG distributes first and gets his picks his spots to score.

I also view Duane as a combo guard more than a PG.  Think Jason Terry.  He can slide to the point at times, he'll get some assists, but he's best starting off the ball and looking for his shot.  The PG needs to set up the offense, getting the ball to Duane, HE, and others.  Is that player John Dawson, Nick Noskowiak, or someone not on the roster?  If Wojo can add a starting caliber PG the roster shapes up nicely.

PG ???/Duane/NN/Dawson
SG Duane/Johnson/Cohen/Cheatham/Dawson
SF (3G) Johnson-Burton-Cohen-Cheatham-Wally (still a wide open race, IMO)
PF HE/Taylor/Heldt (small ball 4's Wally/Deonte?)
C Fisher/Taylor/HE/Heldt

*This assumes no transfers.  Would not be surprised if we had one.

I too think I like Duane in the 2 guard.  It'll be interesting to see if he slides to the 1 out of necessity, if next year's 1 is somebody already on the roster or signed (NN or John), of if that player is not affiliated with Marquette.  Who knows, maybe Henry bring the ball up! But whatever happens I think Wojo will figure it out.  No doubt he's thinking about it even now.

Lots of you guys know way more about basketball than I do.  But next year I really hope to play outstanding on ball PG defense and distribute.  For the first time in a few years at least, I'd anticipate that we'll already have enough guys to put the ball in the hole.