Jordan Bowden (6'4)

[WarriorPride68]

Noticed Stan Johnson is now following this kid + his Head coach & also director of basketball.

Bowden looks like a class of 2015 kid who is now prepping(?) at 22 ft academy. I couldn't find a 247/rivals page for him. It's the same school that MU target Darius Hicks goes too.

Anyone heard of him? Sorry if this has already been posted 

[brewcity77]

Long wing that is rated 3* by Scout. Somewhat unknown because he didn't play AAU ball recently, but has had big games against Oak Hill and at the Tarkanian Classic.

Offers from Eastern Kentucky, Southern Miss, and most recently Utah. Marquette, LSU, Minnesota, Florida, and Tennessee all showing interest.

Solid long range shooter, listed at 6'5" with a 6'8" wingspan, and has some decent passing skills. This Scout article has some highlights, but whoever pieced it together added someone else's offensive putback at the end. Bowden is #1 in white:

http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/story/1634793-jordan-bowden-continues-to-open-eyes

[tower912]

I will happily take any talented player who wants to come to MU, but MU needs 6'8 guys more than they need this young man, unless Wojo knows there is going to be a mass exodus. 

[brewcity77]

I will happily take any talented player who wants to come to MU, but MU needs 6'8 guys more than they need this young man, unless Wojo knows there is going to be a mass exodus.

I would agree. Bowden might be a nice, under-the-radar player, but this team needs size and strength inside. Bruno Fernando or a grad transfer big would be perfect to go along with Markus Howard, in my dream world.

[WarriorPride68]

Much appreciated Brew! Sounds like a talented young man

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I would agree. Bowden might be a nice, under-the-radar player, but this team needs size and strength inside. Bruno Fernando or a grad transfer big would be perfect to go along with Markus Howard, in my dream world.

My guess is a grad transfer PF is a near certainty, assuming HE takes his talents to the NBA. Just hoping Wojo widens his horizons a bit - by all means go after the top 2 - but give some others guys a look as well.

[jsheim]

I will happily take any talented player who wants to come to MU, but MU needs 6'8 guys more than they need this young man, unless Wojo knows there is going to be a mass exodus.

In the Buzz years he recruited such an eclectic bunch... generally 6-2 to 6-8, slashers and overachievers under the basket....Jucos...hardly any shooters ... Wojo seems so different. But I hope he has an eye for talents like Jimmy, Devante, and Jae.

[WarriorPride68]

Bruno Fernando or a grad transfer big would be perfect to go along with Markus Howard, in my dream world.

Keep forgetting about Bruno. Just noticed Duke sent 2 assistants to visit him last week. Sounds like his recruitment is taking off

[muballbuster]

Maybe a package deal with teammate Darius Hicks. I think we need Hicks more then Bowden.

[GOO]

We have to remember a bit of a change in philosophy under Wojo.  Yes he wants great players now, and will try to get a PF to replace Henry and other great players who can step in.

But he is also going to recruit guys for two years out as well, not just trying to piece a team together year by year.

The key will be to avoid transfers of the B players while they develop. Since he recruits guys that also seem to value an education, I think we see less turnover and a little more loyalty. 

[WarriorPride68]

Texas & LSU watching Jordan Bowden tonight. UCONN was in yesterday to see him

[GGGG]

My guess is a grad transfer PF is a near certainty, assuming HE takes his talents to the NBA. Just hoping Wojo widens his horizons a bit - by all means go after the top 2 - but give some others guys a look as well.

"Near certainty?"  Grad transfers are not all that common. Power forwards who are Big East ready even less so.

[MuMark]

https://twitter.com/22ft_academy/status/697257430913327104

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

"Near certainty?"  Grad transfers are not all that common. Power forwards who are Big East ready even less so.

There were at least 30 of them last year (grad transfers). Wojo just decided to pursue the top 2 and lost out. Let's hope he broadens his horizons, because if Henry leaves, Sacar Anim and Wally Ellenson are your 2016-17 PFs, a position in which neither of them naturally play. There will be some PF type bigs on the grad transfer market.

[brewcity77]

"Near certainty?"  Grad transfers are not all that common. Power forwards who are Big East ready even less so.

Agreed. We all thought we'd land two grad transfers this year and came out two short of that. While I think the staff will definitely pursue grad transfers if they have open scholarships, there's no guarantee at all they'll land them.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Agreed. We all thought we'd land two grad transfers this year and came out two short of that. While I think the staff will definitely pursue grad transfers if they have open scholarships, there's no guarantee at all they'll land them.

Again, Wojo could have landed a useful grad transfer or two had he looked at more guys. There were more than 2 quality grad transfers, but my understanding is he only offered Miller and Lee.

[Litehouse]

Again, Wojo could have landed a useful grad transfer or two had he looked at more guys. There were more than 2 quality grad transfers, but my understanding is he only offered Miller and Lee.

Not sure if you saw the other thread where we looked at potential options...
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=50496.0

[brewcity77]

Again, Wojo could have landed a useful grad transfer or two had he looked at more guys. There were more than 2 quality grad transfers, but my understanding is he only offered Miller and Lee.

I wouldn't disagree. Those weren't the only ones we were after (Durand Johnson comes to mind) but they were very selective about who they pursued. Have we seen anything to indicate that would change next year? Say that Jaron Blossomgame and Jimmy Hall are the two big targets they go after and they end up missing on both. Will they go after guys like Bola Olaniyan and Brett Bisping just to add experienced bodies?

I think it's far more likely this staff would take a chance on landing a three-star freshman than take a grad transfer they aren't convinced would contribute. Maybe this season has changed their perspective. Maybe they look at 6'10", 260 pound former Pitt player Joe Uchebo averaging a double-double for Charlotte and think "should we have gone after that guy?" I'm not sure. We have a limited amount of information to work with, but indicators are that if they can't get their top targets (Carlino, Lee, Miller, Johnson, Rowsey, Nichols, Washington) they aren't going to take guys on just for the sake of it.

[GGGG]

Again, Wojo could have landed a useful grad transfer or two had he looked at more guys. There were more than 2 quality grad transfers, but my understanding is he only offered Miller and Lee.

You think that there will be more than two power forward grad transfers that are BE ready?  Outside of the two he looked at last year, who would have had significant impact and would have had MU interest?

[jsglow]

Again, Wojo could have landed a useful grad transfer or two had he looked at more guys. There were more than 2 quality grad transfers, but my understanding is he only offered Miller and Lee.

Let's also remember that the pitch to both would have been to play off the bench behind HE and Luke.

If HE leaves it'll be incumbent on Wojo to fill that void with a viable BEast starting #4.  Failure to do so could be considered a major recruiting failure.  It's not like this can't be anticipated.  I guess it might be argued that if Wojo is spending his time with wings/guards, perhaps he has an inkling that HE might be a 'stay' lean.  While there's no way any of this even gets hinted at publicly,  I feel certain that both HE and the Ellenson family care deeply about MU and want to do everything in their power to make any transition as seamless as possible.  HE might leave, but he won't let the program twist in the wind. 

[The Lens]

Let's also remember that the pitch to both would have been to play off the bench behind HE and Luke.

If HE leaves it'll be incumbent on Wojo to fill that void with a viable BEast starting #4.  Failure to do so could be considered a major recruiting failure.  It's not like this can't be anticipated.

I think you're spot on in all of this. HE was ranked #9 on Draft Boards before he signed with us so Wojo knows the story and hopefully has been planning. 

I feel certain that both HE and the Ellenson family care deeply about MU and want to do everything in their power to make any transition as seamless as possible.  HE might leave, but he won't let the program twist in the wind.

Yep, that's the benefit of having Wally here, the Ellenson's in some way owe a small courtesy of their plans.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

You think that there will be more than two power forward grad transfers that are BE ready?  Outside of the two he looked at last year, who would have had significant impact and would have had MU interest?

Smh. I'll give you a list later today.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

You think that there will be more than two power forward grad transfers that are BE ready?  Outside of the two he looked at last year, who would have had significant impact and would have had MU interest?

To clarify, I am referring about two different years. Last year they really only went after Miller and Lee. They sniffed around Durand Johnson and Tomas Gielo. But there are a lot of guys that would have been helpful on this team. I can give you a lost of grad transfers and their stats later today when I get time. Brew has listed subsequently.

As for next year, our focus will be on bigs - won't really need guards. Who knows who will be available? But I am comfortable assuming there will be at least a few Grad bigs that will be Looking for a home and I expect Wojo to pursue them heavily. Maybe he strikes out again, but this team will be in horrific need of an experienced PF (again, assuming HE leaves) even if he isn't polished offensively. A big body that can grab boards. I would be shocked if we go into next year without a legit PF. Maybe Kalif Young ends up getting the spot, but if not, Wojo needs to widen his horizons on the grad transfer market. Shoot high, but don't put all your eggs in a couple baskets like he did last year.

[The Lens]

When will mid-major / middling basketball programs stop letting their good players graduate before their eligibility runs out?  This has to be a topic internally with basketball staffs, slowing down guys progress. Not to be cynical but is MU pushing Duane to stay on a 4 year graduation track, knowing he could go somewhere else for his 5th year senior season?

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

When will mid-major / middling basketball programs stop letting their good players graduate before their eligibility runs out?  This has to be a topic internally with basketball staffs, slowing down guys progress. Not to be cynical but is MU pushing Duane to stay on a 4 year graduation track, knowing he could go somewhere else for his 5th year senior season?

That has certainly crossed my mind, and I sure hope he doesn't leave.