Most Disappointing MU players since 2000.

[brewcity77]

Here's my list:

PG: Reggie Smith Smith was a high 3-star, but left unexpectedly despite getting starts as a freshman and never caught on anywhere else. Just edges out Traci Carter, who at least was able to earn D1 minutes.

SG: Jamal Ferguson He was a top-100, 4-star player when he committed. By the time he got to campus, he had dropped to a 2-star who we apparently offered too early, and by the next year he was gone. He tried to reboot at NC Central, but even there couldn't earn many minutes.

SF: Jamail Jones Top-100 recruit who, on paper, looked ideal. He could shoot, dunk, and had great length. And yet on the court, he never really did anything. He was okay at FGCU, but a disaster here.

PF: Erik Williams Top-100 recruit whose most significant role was getting thrown out there for a few token minutes so Jae Crowder didn't get an early foul. Was bad here and not much better at Sam Houston State. Wildly overrated.

C: Harry Froling Definitely felt like we were sold a bill of goods. Listening to the staff and Jay Bilas, he sounded like a physical guy who could rebound, shoot the three, and basically replace Henry Ellenson. Instead he didn't look like he belonged on the floor and was gone by the year's end. It's not all bad, though, he's still an entertaining Twitter follow.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Here's my list:

PG: Reggie Smith Smith was a high 3-star, but left unexpectedly despite getting starts as a freshman and never caught on anywhere else. Just edges out Traci Carter, who at least was able to earn D1 minutes

Smith transferred to Eastern Illinois and averaged 13.1 points and 3.3 assists a game as a junior.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/reggie-smith-2.html

[Galway Eagle]

Here's my list:

PG: Reggie Smith Smith was a high 3-star, but left unexpectedly despite getting starts as a freshman and never caught on anywhere else. Just edges out Traci Carter, who at least was able to earn D1 minutes.

SG: Jamal Ferguson He was a top-100, 4-star player when he committed. By the time he got to campus, he had dropped to a 2-star who we apparently offered too early, and by the next year he was gone. He tried to reboot at NC Central, but even there couldn't earn many minutes.

SF: Jamail Jones Top-100 recruit who, on paper, looked ideal. He could shoot, dunk, and had great length. And yet on the court, he never really did anything. He was okay at FGCU, but a disaster here.

PF: Erik Williams Top-100 recruit whose most significant role was getting thrown out there for a few token minutes so Jae Crowder didn't get an early foul. Was bad here and not much better at Sam Houston State. Wildly overrated.

C: Harry Froling Definitely felt like we were sold a bill of goods. Listening to the staff and Jay Bilas, he sounded like a physical guy who could rebound, shoot the three, and basically replace Henry Ellenson. Instead he didn't look like he belonged on the floor and was gone by the year's end. It's not all bad, though, he's still an entertaining Twitter follow.

Didn't realize Ferguson was that highly rated when he committed. I only remember him being lowly rated coming in

[Skip Intro]

C: Harry Froling Definitely felt like we were sold a bill of goods. Listening to the staff and Jay Bilas, he sounded like a physical guy who could rebound, shoot the three, and basically replace Henry Ellenson. Instead he didn't look like he belonged on the floor and was gone by the year's end. It's not all bad, though, he's still an entertaining Twitter follow.

I enjoyed all of the articles this spring/summer about Froling's NBA chances.  He apparently worked out for 16 NBA teams, none of them bit, but (supposedly) that's just because teams are waiting a year until he's out from under his NBL contract.  Basically, every article still reads like he's the second coming of Bogut, but those darn college coaches just wouldn't let him play his game and use his superior basketball IQ...

[The Sultan]

I enjoyed all of the articles this spring/summer about Froling's NBA chances.  He apparently worked out for 16 NBA teams, none of them bit, but (supposedly) that's just because teams are waiting a year until he's out from under his NBL contract.  Basically, every article still reads like he's the second coming of Bogut, but those darn college coaches just wouldn't let him play his game and use his superior basketball IQ...

Which is the entire basis of my disappointment.  This wasn't a college freshman who flamed out.  That happens all the time.

This was a guy who was a transfer from another D1 program who was hyped up big time.  Not only could the dude not really play, but he was basically a pud that everyone wanted out of the program.

[Its DJOver]

Which is the entire basis of my disappointment.  This wasn't a college freshman who flamed out.  That happens all the time.

This was a guy who was a transfer from another D1 program who was hyped up big time.  Not only could the dude not really play, but he was basically a pud that everyone wanted out of the program.

When you say this, do just mean posters here, or were there people within the program that wanted him gone as well, because he seemed like a decent teammate, he just didn't have the skillset necessary.

[The Sultan]

When you say this, do just mean posters here, or were there people within the program that wanted him gone as well, because he seemed like a decent teammate, he just didn't have the skillset necessary.

A number of players and coaches were tired of his lack of effort and attitude.

[Its DJOver]

A number of players and coaches were tired of his lack of effort and attitude.

Really? I don't remember any stories about that.  I do remember comments about how he used his year off to drop a lot of his baby fat, and actually get into shape.

[MUfan12]

Let's just say Harry's view of himself was a little... inflated. Had heard stopped going to class because he was leaving anyway, and was told by the staff to get his sh*t together or be launched during the season.

[Its DJOver]

Let's just say Harry's view of himself was a little... inflated. Had heard stopped going to class because he was leaving anyway, and was told by the staff to get his sh*t together or be launched during the season.

I knew that the endgame in his eyes was to get paid, I just assumed he figured out that he'd never make the NBA and wanted to start making Aussie money earlier.  If he really started ditching class then it was probably best for all parties to move on.

[MU82]

Here's my list:

PG: Reggie Smith Smith was a high 3-star, but left unexpectedly despite getting starts as a freshman and never caught on anywhere else. Just edges out Traci Carter, who at least was able to earn D1 minutes.

SG: Jamal Ferguson He was a top-100, 4-star player when he committed. By the time he got to campus, he had dropped to a 2-star who we apparently offered too early, and by the next year he was gone. He tried to reboot at NC Central, but even there couldn't earn many minutes.

SF: Jamail Jones Top-100 recruit who, on paper, looked ideal. He could shoot, dunk, and had great length. And yet on the court, he never really did anything. He was okay at FGCU, but a disaster here.

PF: Erik Williams Top-100 recruit whose most significant role was getting thrown out there for a few token minutes so Jae Crowder didn't get an early foul. Was bad here and not much better at Sam Houston State. Wildly overrated.

C: Harry Froling Definitely felt like we were sold a bill of goods. Listening to the staff and Jay Bilas, he sounded like a physical guy who could rebound, shoot the three, and basically replace Henry Ellenson. Instead he didn't look like he belonged on the floor and was gone by the year's end. It's not all bad, though, he's still an entertaining Twitter follow.

Interesting take, brewski. That's 4 Buzz recruits, including 3 top-100s. I still think Buzz was a very good coach at MU. Stuff happens.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Interesting take, brewski. That's 4 Buzz recruits, including 3 top-100s. I still think Buzz was a very good coach at MU. Stuff happens.

Off the floor that list was a disappointment too.

[Nukem2]

Interesting take, brewski. That's 4 Buzz recruits, including 3 top-100s. I still think Buzz was a very good coach at MU. Stuff happens.

Buzz did a great job of getting Jucos and other transfers.  That was his legacy at MU.

[The Sultan]

Buzz fell in love with an archetype that didn't always pan out. Especially at the high school level.

[MU82]

Buzz did a great job of getting Jucos and other transfers.  That was his legacy at MU.

And those count, for sure, just as transfers do.

I don't like it when some say Wojo is only a "mediocre" recruiter but don't count Rowsey, Reinhardt, Carlino, etc. That's 3 good players, in addition to the HS recruits he signed.

Same with Buzz. He built a team his way, and did so using the rules that the school allowed at the time. Mostly very fond memories of his time at MU and the players he brought in.

[Nukem2]

And those count, for sure, just as transfers do.

I don't like it when some say Wojo is only a "mediocre" recruiter but don't count Rowsey, Reinhardt, Carlino, etc. That's 3 good players, in addition to the HS recruits he signed.

Same with Buzz. He built a team his way, and did so using the rules that the school allowed at the time. Mostly very fond memories of his time at MU and the players he brought in.

Guess I should have been clearer in distinguishing between HS recruits and transfer of varying kinds.  Both work, just noting that Buzz earned his chops here via the transfer route.

[Lennys Tap]

Buzz has the biggest disappointments. And the best teams/most success. Speaks volumes.

[brewcity77]

Interesting take, brewski. That's 4 Buzz recruits, including 3 top-100s. I still think Buzz was a very good coach at MU. Stuff happens.

I don't think Buzz was a good high school recruiter at all. He focused too much on effort guys, which didn't work when the talent didn't match the effort. He's grown in that regard, which was seen in his last couple classes here (Burton/Duane/JJ & Hill/Shayok/Cohen) but he missed more often than not early on, even on top-100s.

[Herman Cain]

In my book there is no such thing as a disappointing player. All these kids work their a&*sses off to be the best they can be. I am 100 percent for the players.

I reserve my grievances for the coaches. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

In my book there is no such thing as a disappointing player. All these kids work their a&*sses off to be the best they can be. I am 100 percent for the players.

I reserve my grievances for the coaches.

So coaches don't work their a&*sses off to be the best they can be? Or are they just not deserving of the same respect?

[Herman Cain]

So coaches don't work their a&*sses off to be the best they can be? Or are they just not deserving of the same respect?

The coaches are not deserving of the same respect. The coach has complete dominion over the player . So the relationship is not one of perfect symmetry. 

[Billy Hoyle]

In my book there is no such thing as a disappointing player. All these kids work their a&*sses off to be the best they can be. I am 100 percent for the players.

I reserve my grievances for the coaches.

Yeah, no. Dameon Mason was a perfect example of that.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The coaches are not deserving of the same respect. The coach has complete dominion over the player . So the relationship is not one of perfect symmetry.

What does that have to do with anything? Because the players have a boss they deserve respect but because the coaches have a different boss they don't deserve respect?

[muguru]

Interesting take, brewski. That's 4 Buzz recruits, including 3 top-100s. I still think Buzz was a very good coach at MU. Stuff happens.

Which makes my point exactly...people get so excited about "top 100" recruits...even if they are ranked 89 or 94...You have to be careful with those types of guys. The higher up the rankings you go, the LESS chance(though never guaranteed) of being a bust.

[Lennys Tap]

What does that have to do with anything? Because the players have a boss they deserve respect but because the coaches have a different boss they don't deserve respect?

I don't think Herman means they don't deserve respect, only that given their age, experience, control and compensation they are subject to scrutiny and criticism that (in his opinion) players aren't. Agree or disagree, it's not unreasonable.