Who does Wojo target now?

[Celtic Truth]

Unfortunately we were unable to sign our 2 top targets in Shonn Miller and Damien Lee. They were obviously both heavily recruited and they would have been amazing gets for us. Who do we go to now? 2 Juco's? Are there any other grad transfers Wojo is targeting? What position is top priority for us, a scoring guard or a forward? I trust that Wojo has a plan but does anybody have any info on what that plan is as of now?

[w0bbie]

Per Big Daddy after the banquet:

5) After that the top targets are two JUCO players.  Plan 1 is Lee and Miller, plan #2 is lee or miller and 1 JUco  plan 2 - two Jucos.  We are not heavily recruiting any other HS seniors.

I'd guess one of the JUCOs is Ty Outlaw since we were mentioned with him awhile back.

[BCHoopster]

Per Big Daddy after the banquet:

I'd guess one of the JUCOs is Ty Outlaw since we were mentioned with him awhile back.

Juco only leaves Wojo 2 scholarships the following year, so the kid has to be really a player to take one one those.  It sounds like he is on a lot of good kids for 2016 so maybe he plays with the 10 kids he has.  The only way I take a Juco is if the kid starts right away.

[jsglow]

Juco only leaves Wojo 2 scholarships the following year, so the kid has to be really a player to take one one those.  It sounds like he is on a lot of good kids for 2016 so maybe he plays with the 10 kids he has.  The only way I take a Juco is if the kid starts right away.

I'm hard pressed to think we'll leave 3 on the table.  That makes zero sense.

[brewcity77]

Based on what they targeted to start the offseason, I'd say a scoring guard and a rebounding forward. There are several grad transfers that could still fit the bill. Ike Nwamu, Mark Tollefson, and Rafael Maia would all be solid additions, but I have a feeling it's too late to get involved with any of them.

Tomasz Gielo could be a decent fit, as could recent transfer declarees Durand Johnson and Anton Grady. According to Goodman, MU has been in contact with Johnson.

As far as JUCOs, Ty Outlaw and Deshawn Freeman were guys we were rumored with that are still out there. Might be tough to get either, MU hasn't been as active with them of late and both are hot commodities.

Strictly guessing, I think Johnson becomes priority #1 and they look for someone else to be the second option.

[Boone]

Doubt Outlaw's in the picture...

http://www.jucorecruiting.com/news_article/show/504608

[brewcity77]

Doubt Outlaw's in the picture...

http://www.jucorecruiting.com/news_article/show/504608

Unfortunately, I agree.

[BCHoopster]

Unfortunately, I agree.

Like I said, 10 is better than 8.  So they all get to play next year and nobody transfers, there all back again.  I believe Henry will play 2 years with his brother.

[swoopem]

We have a tournament roster as is so I say bank the scholarships. . There's no need to bring in a scrub just because we have openings.

[Groin_pull]

I guess it's on to Plan D...whatever that is. Seems like there's just scraps left. Wonder if this is it. This is the team we'll see next year...another shorthanded season.

[brewcity77]

We have a tournament roster as is so I say bank the scholarships. . There's no need to bring in a scrub just because we have openings.

Big East Tournament. Not sure there's the depth or experience for the NCAA Tournament.

[jsglow]

Like I said, 10 is better than 8.  So they all get to play next year and nobody transfers, there all back again.  I believe Henry will play 2 years with his brother.

Last year at this exact moment it was 11.  Just sayin'.

[GGGG]

The marginal improvement that any transfer is going to bring is decreasing.  i don't want to add simply to add. Though Grady could be a good fit.

[GGGG]

Last year at this exact moment it was 11.  Just sayin'.

But things are different this year for a multitude of reasons.

[tower912]

Get the JUCO's.   Injuries and transfers happen and should be planned for.    To assume that the current 10 players will be available for every game is just stupid.   And as the roster currently stands, unless all of the freshmen are instant contributors, this is not an NCAA tourney team.   

[swoopem]

Big East Tournament. Not sure there's the depth or experience for the NCAA Tournament.

Disagree, I think we're dancing next year. That Duke team this year sure had a ton of depth and experience, eh?

[brewcity77]

The marginal improvement that any transfer is going to bring is decreasing.  i don't want to add simply to add. Though Grady could be a good fit.

The three names I'm looking at as worth targeting are Anton Grady, Tomasz Gielo, and Durand Johnson.

Grady is a monster rebounder and put up great numbers for Cleveland State. Probably wouldn't be as impactful here, but he'll hit the glass hard. I doubt his offense would translate here due to average offensive efficiency on a high volume of shots at a lower level.

Gielo would likely be a backup, but he's a decent rebounder, decent in terms of offensive efficiency, and a good three point shooter, especially at 6'9". Could be a nice sparkplug off the bench type of guy.

Johnson might be the best fit of the remaining players. Great offensive efficiency, good three point shooter, hits the glass, the only real knock is he hasn't played in a year and a half. Injured his ACL in 2014, then sat out 2014-15 due to suspension. Not sure why he sat out, but he was in position to be Pitt's main man this past season. Players in his "comparable season" lists on Pomeroy include Marshon Brooks, Scottie Hopson, Marcus Denmon, and PJ Hairston. Marquette has reached out, Johnson could be the guy everyone forgets about then comes in and averages 13-15 ppg as a graduate transfer. Really hope they put him at the top of the list, and this time, get one of the early visits.

[MuMark]

Wojo has said he would like a full roster or something close to it.

I doubt seriously if he is going to go into next season 3 short. Puts you 1 or 2 injuries away from not having enough guys to practice without using walk-ons or coaches.

[WarriorPride68]

Disagree, I think we're dancing next year. That Duke team this year sure had a ton of depth and experience, eh?

Lmao. They also were loaded with McDonalds All Americans & had 3 players turn pro who will be likely lottery picks......but yeah Wojo coached at Duke so we will win the championship

[brewcity77]

Disagree, I think we're dancing next year. That Duke team this year sure had a ton of depth and experience, eh?

A lot of people disregard it, but they had more than we will. Quinn Cook, Marshall Plumlee, and Amile Jefferson all had experience. And while we have one McDonald's All-American freshman next year, they had four. I like Henry, but our recruiting class isn't close to Okafor/Jones/Winslow/Allen.

I think we could get on the bubble next year if things go well, but right now there are way too many unknowns. We have 4 returning players and only 2 returning starters. I'm about as optimistic a fan as you'll find on these boards, but while Lee and Miller would have made us Big East title contenders, not having them most likely puts us in the middle of the pack.

The team, as constructed, is a lock for no tournament other than the Big East.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Based on what they targeted to start the offseason, I'd say a scoring guard and a rebounding forward. There are several grad transfers that could still fit the bill. Ike Nwamu, Mark Tollefson, and Rafael Maia would all be solid additions, but I have a feeling it's too late to get involved with any of them.

Tomasz Gielo could be a decent fit, as could recent transfer declarees Durand Johnson and Anton Grady. According to Goodman, MU has been in contact with Johnson.

As far as JUCOs, Ty Outlaw and Deshawn Freeman were guys we were rumored with that are still out there. Might be tough to get either, MU hasn't been as active with them of late and both are hot commodities.

Strictly guessing, I think Johnson becomes priority #1 and they look for someone else to be the second option.

Isn't Johnson a regular transfer (ie: not eligible right away). We need guys who can play next year, at least 1 or 2 I would think.  Gielo seems like he'd be a good fit to fill in at PF, but we could use a three point shooting guard too.

Bummed about Lee.

Edit: Was thinking about that guy from Miami....

[Warrior_2002]

Jeff Goodman just updated his list today and has Deandre Burnett from Miami with Marquette as a potential landing spot.

I know a completely ridiculous stretch and don't think we even want the headache, but what about Sulaimon for one year as a grad transfer of he finishes up school in summer?

[swoopem]

Lmao. They also were loaded with McDonalds All Americans & had 3 players turn pro who will be likely lottery picks......but yeah Wojo coached at Duke so we will win the championship

This has nothing to do with Wojo coaching at Duke. All I'm saying is they didn't have a lot of college experience or depth. Both of those statements are facts.

Also Tyus Jones won't be a lottery pick.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Lmao. They also were loaded with McDonalds All Americans & had 3 players turn pro who will be likely lottery picks......but yeah Wojo coached at Duke so we will win the championship

Correct, but wasn't the argument for grabbing the additional players due to injuries....or volume of players?

[Celtic Truth]

Here’s some info on the guys mentioned by BrewCity

Durand Johnson- 6’6, 210 SF forward from Pitt. Grad Transfer. He’s from Baltimore he and he’s had some injury issues and suspension issues at Pitt. He was suspended this past season for unspecified reasons. In 2014 he averaged 9 ppg, 3 rebs, in 20mpg. He shoots about 35% from 3 and he shot 85% from the line.

Anton Grady- 6’8 225 PF from Cleveland St. Grad Transfer from Cleveland. Solid contributor for 3 years and this past season averaged about 30 mins, 14 ppg, 8 rebs, 1.4 blks, and shot 49% from the field, and 65% from the line. However, he failed to play well against good competition. Here are some stat lines
VS Louisville- 0-8, 1 point, 4 rebs, 4 fouls
Vs Virginia- 4-13, 9 pts, 3 rebs, 5 fouls
Vs VCU- 2-6, 5 pts, 4 rebs, 4 fouls
Vs Toledo- 3-10, 7 pts, 5 rebs, 4 fouls
Vs Iona- 2-9, 4 pts, 9 rebs, 3 fouls
They lost every one of these games. I’m not saying I think he’s a bad player, but I don’t think that he can walk into the Big East and average double figures consistently.

Thomasz Gielo- 6’9 220 PF from Liberty. Grad Transfer from Poland. Barely played this season but over the past 2 years he averaged about 30 mins, 11ppg, 6 rebs, and shoots 40% from 3, and 80% from the line.

Ike Nwamu- 6’5 205 wing from Mercer. Grad transfer from Greensboro NC. Really athletic, big time dunker who averaged 33 mins, 15 pts, 3 rebs, and shot 37% from 3 while making 2.3 of them per game, and 76% from the line.

Mark Tollefsen- 6’9 200 pf/c from U San Fran. Grad transfer from California. Averaged 31 mins, 14 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1 blk, and shot 53% from the field, 38% from 3, and about 70% from the line.

Rafael Maia- 6’9 245 pf from Brown. Grad transfer from Sao Paulo, Brazil. 30 mins, 10 pts, 9 rebs, 54% fg, 55% ft,