Post by joshadam84 on Mar 24, 2014 18:18:07 GMT -6
It's been a while since I've posted about Cougar basketball. After seeing all of the graduating seniors I believe next year will more than likely be a step backwards for the program. Their key returning players are: Rahjan Muhammad, Clarke Rosenberg, Jared Dimakos, and Johnny Griffin. Karis played quite a bit, especially early on, but unless he greatly improves his shooting I don't see him contributing a lot next year. Aaron Williams was a red-shirt senior this year and maybe it's possible he'll be back? And that's about it.
The Cougars have LOI from HS Seniors SG Anthony Glover and SF Josh Meier. They have a commitment from 6'6 SG Elijah Robertson who will be a walk-on his freshman year. After his freshman year, he should be on scholarship. Finally, they have a couple JC verbal commits from SG Devin Foster and PF? (he's 6'6) Latrell Love. I'd prefer to see more freshmen coming into the program than JUCO players because the freshmen can grow a lot more -- but hey, maybe the JUCO's will be a pleasant surprise next year.
Hopefully they can continue to recruit some size because they're going to need it if they're going to be successful in the WAC. Meier is a good start at 6'7. Some other players with size, but not a lot of experience, are Willie Rosenthal (6'11) and Quron Davis (6'9). So, they will have some size on the team. The question will be how effective these guys will be around the basket.
I'm anticipating the team will struggle next year and, unfortunately, finish at or near the bottom of the WAC. My opinion may change once I get a chance to see the team in November but right now I just don't see where the scoring will come from. Clarke will likely be the leader on the team but beyond him the other guys are really going to have to step it up. Dimakos, Muhammad, Griffin, and Karis will all need to greatly work on their outside game. Hopefully Ramsey and Batson will be able to contribute next season as well.
I just hope Dildy steers away from focusing on JUCO players and consistently brings in freshmen. I know this year they had a lot of spots to fill so JUCO's probably had to be used. But.. recruiting freshmen, that's the only way to team will be competitive in the WAC. Four years to improve as to two years.. big difference.
The Cougars have LOI from HS Seniors SG Anthony Glover and SF Josh Meier. They have a commitment from 6'6 SG Elijah Robertson who will be a walk-on his freshman year. After his freshman year, he should be on scholarship. Finally, they have a couple JC verbal commits from SG Devin Foster and PF? (he's 6'6) Latrell Love. I'd prefer to see more freshmen coming into the program than JUCO players because the freshmen can grow a lot more -- but hey, maybe the JUCO's will be a pleasant surprise next year.
Hopefully they can continue to recruit some size because they're going to need it if they're going to be successful in the WAC. Meier is a good start at 6'7. Some other players with size, but not a lot of experience, are Willie Rosenthal (6'11) and Quron Davis (6'9). So, they will have some size on the team. The question will be how effective these guys will be around the basket.
I'm anticipating the team will struggle next year and, unfortunately, finish at or near the bottom of the WAC. My opinion may change once I get a chance to see the team in November but right now I just don't see where the scoring will come from. Clarke will likely be the leader on the team but beyond him the other guys are really going to have to step it up. Dimakos, Muhammad, Griffin, and Karis will all need to greatly work on their outside game. Hopefully Ramsey and Batson will be able to contribute next season as well.
I just hope Dildy steers away from focusing on JUCO players and consistently brings in freshmen. I know this year they had a lot of spots to fill so JUCO's probably had to be used. But.. recruiting freshmen, that's the only way to team will be competitive in the WAC. Four years to improve as to two years.. big difference.
