Jack, why do you say that?

It was just a heavy hunch.

Sorry about the news. PB was overrated in Michigan circles though. He's a nice player but not the level of player that a lot of Michigan fans were painting him out to be. He'll be an early project at Arkansas unless Heath breaks down and plays run and chuck ball. He's skilled but very unstructured.

Jack, why do you say that?

It was just a heavy hunch.

Sorry about the news. PB was overrated in Michigan circles though. He's a nice player but not the level of player than a lot of Michigan fans were him out to be. He'll be a project at Arkansas unless Heath breaks down and plays run and chuck ball. He's very unstructured.

Good call Jack. Props. [smilie=applause.gi: Sucks for us.

It sucks that the same week this cat clearly gets the love that backs up his "sky-rocketing" status to answer the critics is the week he Michigan is runner-up for his services. Same old story.

Any chance Dante Jackson skyrockets now?

It sucks that the same week this cat clearly gets the love that backs up his "sky-rocketing" status to answer the critics is the week he Michigan is runner-up for his services. Same old story.

Any chance Dante Jackson skyrockets now?

He probably will, and guess what? Apparently he's hearing more from K-State and Huggy bear, Wake Forest, and Indiana. [smilie=arrgh.jpg]

In other words, we've got no shot. Let's go Jerret Smith, Ron Coleman, and Kendric Price! The future! [smilie=puke.gif]

Okay Moodini, I admit it. He's skyrocketing now. The dude is the 2nd coming of Jordan. Can't wait to see him in an Arkansas uni [smilie=applause.gi: [smilie=hahaha.gif]

The inaugural King James Classic ran this weekend. Obviously a loaded tournament put on by Lebron. The best players in the nation were in the tournament. According to one analyst, 5 players stood out at the tournament above the rest. Mayo came in at #1. Guess who else made the Top 5 players?

Kalin Lucas, Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's Prep

Rivals.com
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 165 pounds
College choice: Michigan State
Kalin Lucas just might have established himself as the third best point guard in the 2007 class behind Mayo and Rose.
Lucas does not have the size of the two afore mentioned point guards, but he does have their same winning mentality and the ability to get the ball in players' hands at the right time.

When he is not pushing the ball up the court and creating scoring opportunities, Lucas is dicing up opponents coming off the high ball screen. He has the proper balance of patience and speed when navigating the screen and very quickly turns the corner with a head of steam to the basket. Once he gets in the mid-range pocket, he has a variety of floaters and runners for scoring over interior defenders.

Lucas, Summers, Allen? Shit, 07-08 MSU is gonna do some shit.

That class should win some serious Championships. There aren't many teams in the nation that can come close to comparing to that class. In addition, it's the right mix. A great point guard and two great shooters with hops. I'm a big believer in great guard play leading to tournament success. I wish we could just skip next year and arrive in 07-08. It is going to be a real fun year.

Next year will be hell. I'm calling a 9th or 10th seed in the NCAA's. Unless MoJo or Naymick produce, I don't see this team going far.

We are spoiled so next year will be a change of pace. But hey, 1-2 seasons without heavy expectations out of the last 10 isn't too bad. I won't complain.

We are spoiled so next year will be a change of pace. But hey, 1-2 seasons without heavy expectations out of the last 10 isn't too bad. I won't complain.

Inserts emoticon of dude rolling his eyes

We are spoiled so next year will be a change of pace. But hey, 1-2 seasons without heavy expectations out of the last 10 isn't too bad. I won't complain.

Inserts emoticon of dude rolling his eyes

Inserts emoticon of a sad face because we don't have emoticons anymore.

Yes we do.

See


:) :( :confused: :mad: :p ;) :D :rolleyes: [smilie=sweatdrop.g: [smilie=no.gif] [smilie=lawrence.gi: [smilie=devilish.gi:

Yes we do.

See


:) :( :confused: :mad: :p ;) :D :rolleyes: [smilie=sweatdrop.g: [smilie=no.gif] [smilie=lawrence.gi: [smilie=devilish.gi:

WTF? How did you do that? I don't see emoticons anywhere when I post.

Yes we do.

See


:) :( :confused: :mad: :p ;) :D :rolleyes: [smilie=sweatdrop.g: [smilie=no.gif] [smilie=lawrence.gi: [smilie=devilish.gi:

WTF? How did you do that? I don't see emoticons anywhere when I post.
I forogt how to do it. Ask MOOOOLLLLLAAAAAAA




Anyway, I think Brendan Wright is the next Marvin Willams.

Today is a very exciting day in recruiting. Rivals released their updated 2007 Hot 150 list. Two Spartans, Kalin Lucas and Chris Allen "skyrocketed" up the chart. Lucas has been upgraded to the #13 player in the entire country and he is now listed as a 5-Star. Chris Allen jumped from the bottom of the Top 100 to the #22 overall player in the nation and he is now listed as a 5 Star! Durrell Summers (the most highly touted of the class) did drop but remains the #28 player in the country. By the start of the season, MSU could definately have 3 5 Star recruits in the same class coming in. This could be the best class in Michigan State history and that is saying alot considering their tradition.

Izzo might not be done yet though. He might extend one more scholarship and if Shannon Brown heads to the NBA (lets hope not), he definately will. The Spartans have an endless list of 4 and 5 Star recruits that are very high on MSU. One being Southern of Saginaw High and another being the #3 player in the country! The future couldn't be brighter.

Shannon going pro doesn't really affect the scholarship situation any. It would only affect the upcoming season and nothing beyong that. He would be graduating following the season anyways and his ship has already been given away to one of the 2007 recruits.

Hopefully somebody on the team qualifies for the mystical academic scholarship and opens up a spot on the team for the #14 ranked player in the nation, Georgia big man and Chris Allen's AAU teamate, JJ Hickson.

Now THAT would be a FABulous class...as if it isn't already one.

Wow, that would be amazing. Didn't know Allen's teammate was ranked that high. Can you imagine 4 guys coming in all around the Top 25 in the entire country? You put that talent with Izzo and it wouldn't even be fair.

Hickson is Allen's teammate, and number #14, with some interest in MSU.

Blake Griffin(#18) got his first major offer from Izzo, and has MSU high on his list.

Southern obviously likes MSU too.

If a '07 schollie opens up we have plenty of options.

Wow, that would be amazing. Didn't know Allen's teammate was ranked that high. Can you imagine 4 guys coming in all around the Top 25 in the entire country? You put that talent with Izzo and it wouldn't even be fair.

Yeah, Izzo did a phenomenal job with all of State's talent this year, haha.

Wow, that would be amazing. Didn't know Allen's teammate was ranked that high. Can you imagine 4 guys coming in all around the Top 25 in the entire country? You put that talent with Izzo and it wouldn't even be fair.

Yeah, Izzo did a phenomenal job with all of State's talent this year, haha.

MSU had just 4 scholarship players this year who coming out of HS were ranked in the top 60.

In 2007, Izzo will have 8 (with an outside chance of 9) players of that variety. ;)

Every guy on State's team this past year was at least a 3-star player. Don't rip on Michigan just barely missing the tourney when they've been forced to start guys with 1 or 2 stars the past few years. Yeah, Amaker has some issues as a coach, but he's gotten a lot out of the talent he's had when you compare it to Izzo's talent this past year.

Typical Michigan fan. Tom Izzo has like 2 unsuccessful seasons in the last 8 years and a Michigan fan wants to criticize him. Coach K is the pinnacle of college coaching supposably, he gets way better talent than Izzo, and he's had more than 2 disappointing seasons lately.

Jethro are you really comparing Amaker and Izzo? What a joke! Amaker has done NOTHING. He's had a McDonald's All American, he's had a Mr. Basketball, and he's done nothing with it. Sure he doesn't have Izzo's talent. Whose fault is that?

Please stop comparing a worthless coach to one of the best coaches in the game and a sure fire Hall of Famer.

Josh Southern is feeling Michigan-

"Oh yeah, I'm very interested," Southern confirmed. "Coach Amaker and me, my parents and Coach Jackson sat down and had a long talk. We talked about I might fit in."

I think Southern would be a great pickup for Michigan. They need size and more importantly, they need some talent with Legion decommitting.

If I was Southern, I'd go to a better program, but he would get plenty of playing time at Michigan.

Josh Southern is feeling Michigan-

"Oh yeah, I'm very interested," Southern confirmed. "Coach Amaker and me, my parents and Coach Jackson sat down and had a long talk. We talked about I might fit in."

According to Rivals, his interest is "low" on Michigan. With several major programs being listed with medium interest.

By the way, for those that haven't heard, Eric Boateng (transferring from Duke, with Michigan fans hoping Ann Arbor was the destination) has picked Arizona State. In terms of how it impacts Southerns recruitment, that's good news. In terms of how it impacts the program, it's the lack of good news. But then, it's possible that Boateng was highly overrated. Maybe not, but maybe so.

I think that's pretty bad news. I think Boateng would have been a monster addition.

Every guy on State's team this past year was at least a 3-star player.

No offense, but "three stars" doesn't mean squat in college basketball recruiting. Sure a 3 star will occasionally outperform his high school ranking but more times than not a 3 star will be nothing more than a role player, at best...especially at the Big Ten level.

Only the shittiest of the shit schools bring in two star recruits and expect them to play anytime soon.

Jack jack jack jack jack. Son, you should really research before you type.

Each year they do this thing where one team wins a national championship in the sport. You may have heard of it, though your squad didn't do well, so I can understand why you stopped paying attention. However, it doesn't change the fact that a certain school from Florida won it with some 3 star fellas being far more than "role players". Heard of Taurean Green? 3 stars. They beat a team that relied quite a bit on Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, 3 stars. But that's right, you were talking about the Big Ten. Perhaps you were familiar with the work of a certain Maurice Ager. 3 stars. Clearly a role player. Ohio State's Je'Kel Foster? 2 stars. Wisconsin, Kammeron Taylor, 3 stars. Iowa almost won the Big Ten, ended up a 3 seed in the tourney, and I can't find any record of them getting A SINGLE PLAYER that was higher than 3 stars. Is that adequate evidence for you that several 3 stars, even in the Big Ten, were team leaders? Ohio State almost ended up a #1 seed and their 2nd best player was a 2 star. But that's right, only the crappiest of crappy teams bring those guys in for any PT.

By the way, for those that haven't heard, Eric Boateng (transferring from Duke, with Michigan fans hoping Ann Arbor was the destination) has picked Arizona State. In terms of how it impacts Southerns recruitment, that's good news. In terms of how it impacts the program, it's the lack of good news. But then, it's possible that Boateng was highly overrated. Maybe not, but maybe so.

Can we get anybody to play for us? OH MY GOD!

Michigan State is turning up the heat on J.J. Hickson. They were discussing it on the radio recently. He's Allen's teammate on the Worldwide Renegades AAU team. I think they have something on him on Rivals right now. Getting Hickson would guarantee us the #1 class in the nation if that isn't already the case.

I'm not sure about that. If Mayo and his teammate go to the same place and get a couple others in the top 20-30, that certainly beats State. But #2 ain't bad at all.

We're a long way off from that. Not a one has committed yet.

Does anyone have any info on what's happening with Scottie Reynolds right now?
For those unfamiliar with the name, he's the #6 PG in the class of 2006. He was committed to Oklahoma, but then opened up his recruitment again. He was done taking visits after a visit to Villanova last weekend, set to decide between 6 schools this upcoming week, and then decided to take one more visit. I believe he is in Ann Arbor right now.
Anyhow, he's from Virginia and deciding between Oklahoma, Villanova, Michigan, Illinois, Wake Forest and LSU.
This isn't meant to debate which school he SHOULD go to, since all of the other schools have had more recent success, including some Final Four trips (for the Spartan fans) the last couple years, but if his last trip before deciding is Michigan, isn't that usually a good thing?
And yet, on Rivals and Scout there aren't front page stories about him being in Ann Arbor, so maybe the insiders think he's pretty much decided on another school and he's just making one last stop in case he's completely blown away by Michigan.

Does anyone have more info than that?

Just to throw something out there, if he did sign with Michigan, he would be their 5th commit for 2006, their 2nd 4 star. For them, it would end up being a pretty decent class all things considered. While they lack top end size (nobody over 6'8"), they could possibly run the 5 out their at times -
PG - Reynolds
SG - Morris
SF - Wright (the only 2 star but he's from Oak Hill)
PF - D. Sims
C - Udoh
I'm not geeked about that lineup overall, but I've seen worse on the floor for Michigan at times the last few years. Add them to the current cast and I don't think it will necessarily be a down year for the Wolverines, and it would make for a nice bridge for the future. Size is still essential for the class of 2007 though. Southern is a must, and yet his interest seems to have plateaued and then declined again.

By the way, on a different note, when I look at JJ Hickson's profile, I see Michigan listed as a team he's interested in but not State - meanwhile State fans are thinking he might be in the bag soon. What's happening there?

Hickson has MSU on his list, but no Michigan:

http://michiganstate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=33281

Also, he is Chris Allen's teammate for AAU.

He is currently a UNC lean, if anyone's, though MSU seems(by completely unreliable sources) to be close behind them.

Ok detroitsportscity, rivals says State but not Michigan, Scout says Michigan but not State -
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&nid=1867045
And there are several examples going either way recently of guys wanting to play at the next level with a HS/AAU teammate and several where they absolutely do not want to play with their HS/AAU teammate, so I don't really put much stock in that.

Reynolds will be a Wildcat. Hickson is friends with Allen Jethro, therefore I could definately see him in EL. Why he'd be interested in Michigan, no clue.

Is Reynolds to Villanova just an opinion Tre? And does anyone have scout.com access? They have a bunch of articles about the visit now. 2 articles about him at open gym over the weekend and 1 about it being an eye-opening visit for him, along with his new decision timetable.

That's my opinion.

Is Reynolds to Villanova just an opinion Tre? And does anyone have scout.com access? They have a bunch of articles about the visit now. 2 articles about him at open gym over the weekend and 1 about it being an eye-opening visit for him, along with his new decision timetable.

It just became fact.

STFU. The Pistons lost last night, I don't need your "I told you so" BS this morning. Thankfully your sig stepped up and gave me something to be happy about last night.

>Renolds to Villanova

Booya Tre strikes again. haha

STFU. The Pistons lost last night, I don't need your "I told you so" BS this morning. Thankfully your sig stepped up and gave me something to be happy about last night.

Wasn't meant to be that way(I didn't even know who Scotty Renolds was until 2 weeks ago), but Go Zumaya!

Well, Michigan just added some more size. Zach Gibson will transfer to Ann
Arbor. Gibson was the 3rd best player in the state in 2005 (admittedly an extremely weak year for this state) and is coming to Michigan after one year at Rutgers. He obviously won't play next season, but will provide a little much needed size the following year. He's 6'10", 215 with a mid-range shot. Along with Epke Udoh, at least we now have 2 guys beyond next season that, while stretching it a bit, could be called center without it being a punch line. I still think they need to try as hard as possible for a guy like Josh Southern, because you have to have more than 2 guys 6'9" or taller, but they aren't quite as desperate now. Not sure if that will help or hurt in the recruitment of Southern, but it should help a little with others.

Speaking of others, Dar Tucker has been mentioned in association with Michigan a lot more this past week. Neither Scout nor Rivals show it in the teams he's interested in (both would have him practically signed sealed and delivered at Louisville), but the fact is that while I'm his student teacher next year I'll be talking Michigan every day boy! At least now it will be something he's familiar with. Either way, it certainly doesn't look like he'll be a Spartan. While the class of 2007 is money for State without him, I know at least a few State fans that would still be a bit upset to miss out on him. Don't get me wrong, they wouldn't trade their class for whichever school's class he does end up at (unless that school also gets Mayo and his following), but he would have been the cherry on top for a lot of you, and don't deny it.

Well, Michigan just added some more size. Zach Gibson will transfer to Ann
Arbor. Gibson was the 3rd best player in the state in 2005 (admittedly an extremely weak year for this state) and is coming to Michigan after one year at Rutgers. He obviously won't play next season, but will provide a little much needed size the following year. He's 6'10", 215 with a mid-range shot. Along with Epke Udoh, at least we now have 2 guys beyond next season that, while stretching it a bit, could be called center without it being a punch line. I still think they need to try as hard as possible for a guy like Josh Southern, because you have to have more than 2 guys 6'9" or taller, but they aren't quite as desperate now. Not sure if that will help or hurt in the recruitment of Southern, but it should help a little with others.

Speaking of others, Dar Tucker has been mentioned in association with Michigan a lot more this past week. Neither Scout nor Rivals show it in the teams he's interested in (both would have him practically signed sealed and delivered at Louisville), but the fact is that while I'm his student teacher next year I'll be talking Michigan every day boy! At least now it will be something he's familiar with. Either way, it certainly doesn't look like he'll be a Spartan. While the class of 2007 is money for State without him, I know at least a few State fans that would still be a bit upset to miss out on him. Don't get me wrong, they wouldn't trade their class for whichever school's class he does end up at (unless that school also gets Mayo and his following), but he would have been the cherry on top for a lot of you, and don't deny it.

Dar, JJ Hickson, or Southern would each be an excellent finish on an already loaded class. It would depend on Herzog or Naymick getting an academic schollie(or a defection of some sort, MoJo?), but it would be GREAT to have, I will admit.

If Dar is in able to remain eligible I think that a team that runs, and has some a need for rebounding would be great for Dar. Louisville could be a good fit, Memphis even better.

Not sure how Michigan's slow it down really appeals to Dar, but that is just me. Surprised you can't get a PG for that, or more highly regarded bigs. You seem to be better at getting commits, or at least interest from G/F's, and 'athletes' rather than the slow it down shooters, passers, and wide bodies that would logically fit.

Not sure why everyone is suddenly questioning Dar's eligibility. From what I hear he has a 2.9, which is better than enough to get into most programs. Unless he's struggling mightily on ACT/SAT, it sounds like he's doing fine.

Not sure why everyone is suddenly questioning Dar's eligibility. From what I hear he has a 2.9, which is better than enough to get into most programs. Unless he's struggling mightily on ACT/SAT, it sounds like he's doing fine.


Believe it has more to do with what classes he's taking then how he's doing in them.

But that is just what I've heard.

I guess I'll know much more in the coming months about Dar's situation. I'll be teaching credits all seniors need to graduate.

And, by the way, if I haven't already said so, I will NOT be sharing any academic info that would be considered confidential. If I share academic info on Dar, I will only do so if it has been published or issued as a matter of public information.

And, by the way, if I haven't already said so, I will NOT be sharing any academic info that would be considered confidential. If I share academic info on Dar, I will only do so if it has been published or issued as a matter of public information.

I wouldn't ask you to, maybe only something like a good/uncertain/not looking so good would be the most I would even want to hear.

Does someone want to tell me who the crap Reed Baker is and why Michigan signed him? I'll give one answer. He's a 2-star PG from Florida that was going to The Freaking Citadel until a coaching change. Then he was going to perrenial powerhouse Birmingham Southern until he found out they were going from DI to DIII in a couple years (yeah, so far sounds like a stud PG, right?). Next he actually turned back to DI and was talking to Air Force, who was so desperate to get him that they ended up telling him he couldn't play for them because he's allergic to peanuts. I promise, I'm not making this up even though it would be hilarious if I was. So Amaker offers him. Something that even his own Dad didn't understand why. Great use of a scholarship Tommy. I'm sure that 2007 class is going to be stellar now.

Here's a quote I found from when he singed with The Citadel
“It’s been a dream my whole life to play Division I-A basketball,” said Baker, a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged an area-best 23.4 points per game last season. “I was shaking while putting my signature down. I even had to check the spelling the first couple times I wrote it.”


Just wow.

I hate Michigan basketball.

Does someone want to tell me who the crap Reed Baker is and why Michigan signed him? I'll give one answer. He's a 2-star PG from Florida that was going to The Freaking Citadel until a coaching change. Then he was going to perrenial powerhouse Birmingham Southern until he found out they were going from DI to DIII in a couple years (yeah, so far sounds like a stud PG, right?). Next he actually turned back to DI and was talking to Air Force, who was so desperate to get him that they ended up telling him he couldn't play for them because he's allergic to peanuts. I promise, I'm not making this up even though it would be hilarious if I was. So Amaker offers him. Something that even his own Dad didn't understand why. Great use of a scholarship Tommy. I'm sure that 2007 class is going to be stellar now.

Here's a quote I found from when he singed with The Citadel
“It’s been a dream my whole life to play Division I-A basketball,” said Baker, a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged an area-best 23.4 points per game last season. “I was shaking while putting my signature down. I even had to check the spelling the first couple times I wrote it.”


Just wow.

Plus Tommy didn't even see him live.

I almost feel sorry for you guys. Fuck, if your basketball team didn't go to the same school as the football hype machine, then I would, that is just harsh.

A kid with a peanut allergy who can't believe he's D1, ouch.

They ix-nayed his scholarship because he was allergic to peanuts.

LMFAO

That is the funniest thing I've heard all week.

Hopefully he's got a good handle because Tommy and Co are going to need it. He can't be much worse than J.Smith can he? You never know, he could just turn out to be a pleasant surprise. Michigan is due for some good luck.

I don't get all the Jerrett Smith bashing. Can someone explain this?

I look at his stats and I see a guy whose percentages are all better than what ultra-overrated Neitzel put up as a freshman, and his per game averages are not far behind, which considering he had slithly fewer minutes makes them even closer.

When you factor in the ratings of one and the ratings of the other, I would say either Neitzel is a huge disappointment and/or Smith is a pleasant surprise. And yet Smith is constantly bashed.

I could be wrong on this, but I think Smith will take a similar step this year to the one that Neitzel made as a sophomore. Now that Horton is gone, the minutes will be there (unless peanut boy truly is a very pleasant surprise), so he'll certainly have the chance to make a similar improvement.

The only category I don't see being equal or better than Neitzel in is assist/turnover ratio, and that's no rip on Smith. Truth is Neitzel is in fact one of the better PG's in the country in that category.

On the latest Michigan signing: Wow. haha I'm not making fun of them seriously. It's one of those things that is so bad, you almost feel sorry for them.

Dar Tucker update:
Rick Pitino visited him a week and a half ago. Dar will be going to Louisville if he passes his ACT. That is a huge IF. It is a big time struggle right now. Arthur Hill's coaching staff met with Pitino and sat down for dinner.

According to The Hill's coaches, Izzo pushed really hard to get Tucker to commit prior to the signing of the trio. Once the trio signed, that was over. Tucker was real upset when things sort of fell through. About one week after MSU got the trio, Pitino kicked in his recruitment full gear. Louisville basically is the team to beat in the recruitment now. That's according to the Lumberjack coaches.

Another update I found on the network. According to scout.com, JJ Hickson named his top 5 and State isn't in the group. I didn't bother joting down the list, it's on his scout profile, but it's between those 5 and nobody else. I think UCLA, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois and someone else, but I don't remember for sure.

MANNY TO MEEEEEEEEEECHIGAN!!! Good riddance to Alex Legion as Tommy Amaker recovers to sign one of the best players in the state of Michigan and a top 50 player nationally. The thing I love the best about this kid is that he has been hailed as the best perimeter defender in the entire Midwest. This bodes well as he will have to deal with all that MSU, O$U and Illinois bring to the table. I'm very pumped that we landed this cat, he is ugly, but what a great get for the program and now we can breathe again as our recruiting does indeed have a pulse.

With his quickness, hopefully we'll be able to defend against Lucas. We'll see. Huge commit. I can't wait for early signing period so that it can be set in stone. You can't blame me for worrying about that.

The class of 2007 still needs a big though.

Rumors have abounded for the last week that Tommy Amaker could be closing in on a commitment from one of the top players in the class of 2007. Monday he got his man, a top 50 player who was even better than his ranking at the recent Nike All-America Camp in Indianapolis.


Corperryale Harris, otherwise known as Manny, committed to Michigan today, giving U-M's recruiting efforts a huge boost. The 6-4, 185-pounder was one of the top players at the camp on Thursday and Friday, finishing strong in the lane, setting up teammates with nifty passes in transition and playing much bigger than his wiry frame in the lane. He scored 17 points in a game against MSU-bound Durrell Summers' team, once stripping the talented wing for a breakaway dunk, and was a terror defensively.

"It's just the best place for me. It fits me," Harris said Monday night.

Harris is Rivals.com's No. 45 overall prospect in the junior class. He joins East Grand Rapids three-star point guard Kelvin Grady as U-M commitments from the class of 2007.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/CORPERRYALEHARRIS5_29200.JPG

This is tight, but I don't know how legit this cat is.

Nice. Too bad MSU still owns the shit out of you guys in the 07 class.

Sorry Artis, we'll stop being excited about getting recruits, how completely rude of us to get excited, what were we thinking?

nothing pissed me off more than michigan giving amaker another year.

no coach would do anything with next year's team, but amaker especially wont do anything with them. so instead of firing him this year, we'll waist an entire year of bball and fire him next year. what a joke the program is.

what happened to alex legion?

As far as the legitimacy of Harris, he was tied for 10th in scout.com's rankings for best players at the Nike Camp. To give the Spartans some love, Durrell Summers was 9th best at that camp.
Fellow Michigan target Scott Martin, the tall SG from Indiana, was 8th.

Manny is an excellent get for Amaker. Congrats. The kid is such a versatile player. I guess that now gives Michigan TWO legitimate high D1 recruits for the 2007 season. Hey, you've gotta start somewhere.

Getting LLP to sign on would be #3.

As much as LLP would be nice, I would hate to do it at the expense of getting a big body in there. If all that class turns up is Harris, Grady and Lucas-Perry, then we spent all three scholarships on PG's (though Harris would likely be a SG). If that ends up being true, it REALLY makes me wonder even more why we offered Mr. Peanut.

2007 team recruiting rankings.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=14&yr=2007

2007 team recruiting rankings.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=14&yr=2007

Those rankings don't make much sense. Keep in mind I'm looking at the bottom and not the top, where State fans are looking. They have Boston College at #25 with a single recruit. The recruit is the 20th best SG in the country. Meanwhile, Michigan has a commitment from the #16 SG in the country, AND the 18th best PG and yet they aren't in the top 25. Can anyone explain that at all? Meanwhile, Michigan just made the cut to be in the top 4 for the # 14 SG, Scott Martin. If they were able to secure a commitment from him, I would like to see him put on a little weight (he's 6'7", 190 lbs) and play SF.

DAYUMN! Look at Sryacuse. No wonder they are one.

http://syracuse.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?year=2007&sport=2&school=78

Nice. Too bad MSU still owns the shit out of you guys in the 07 class.

Too bad everyone owns the shit out of middle schoolers.

Nice. Too bad MSU still owns the shit out of you guys in the 07 class.

Too bad everyone owns the shit out of middle schoolers.

LMFAO.
[smilie=rofl.gif]

Nice. Too bad MSU still owns the shit out of you guys in the 07 class.

Too bad everyone owns the shit out of middle schoolers.[smilie=grumble.gif]

Flint Powers 3-star 2007 Combo Guard Laval-Lucas Perry will announce his college choice at a press conference later this week, according to rivals. Both rivals and scout list 10 colleges with no favorites. Michigan and Michigan State are on both lists. Some think he's a Michigan lean, mostly because his decision timetable has come to a quicker end since his recent U-M offer. I'm not particularly thrilled with this guy if he ends up at U-M, simply because combo guard is not our greatest need, especially in that class, and it's a scholarship going to a 3-star guy when they should be getting a big man or a 4-star. However, I've heard good things about his recent performances (a la rivals skyrocketing takes) and a legit 3 star is better than a preferred walk-on or a shaky 2 star.

Either way, we'll see where he goes any day now.

Alex Legion has RECOMMITTED to UM. LET'S GO BLUE!

How are more people not feeling this????? This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the Wolverines. This cat is a top 20 player and teamed with Manny Harris we will be outstanding. The best part about our three commits so far, they all play AMAZING defense. I don't mean good defense, but I'm talking great/amazing defense for sure.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.........

Hail to the Victors, valiant Hail, to the con'quering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan the Champions of the West!!!!!!

How are more people not feeling this????? This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the Wolverines. This cat is a top 20 player and teamed with Manny Harris we will be outstanding. The best part about our three commits so far, they all play AMAZING defense. I don't mean good defense, but I'm talking great/amazing defense for sure.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.........

Hail to the Victors, valiant Hail, to the con'quering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan the Champions of the West!!!!!!

Legion got dropped, call that top 50 if he's lucky.

He also plays shit defense.

He is a selfish chucker who needs to gain weight.

He also got ripped to shreds by Laval Lucas-Perry.

And Ipke Udoh is the only C on the roster.

First, Legion has been playing very well at recent camps. Scout rated him as the best shooting guard at the Reebok ABCD Camp and the #7 player overall at the camp. I think he's fine. Playing at Oak Hill will force him to do what he didn't want to do last year, play with other high profile guys and share the spotlight.

Now that I've said all that, I still don't trust this cat and will actually have troubling trusting any stud recruit on a verbal for Michigan basketball for a while due to what he did earlier, added to recent Joe Crawford, Al Horford, etc incidents. Until he signs his LOI, I'm not counting on him.

Finally, I agree with DSC about the lack of size on the roster and in these recruiting classes. But, if we're going to add a guard, I would rather add a 6-4" 4-star than a 6-1" 3-star.

I think Anthony Wright and DeShawn Sims will both be asked to play PF, with D. Sims possibly playing C at times when the other bigs are out, in a small lineup, if he grows at all. He'll need to put a lot more on his frame, maybe 15 more lbs depending on how much height he adds (if any), but Wright is pretty much already built to do some things down low.

DSC -- Who the hell is Ipke Udoh?!? If you're going to attempt to make a statement at least know what you're talking about. I think we can live with this Dalls Maverick style lineup in 2007.

PG -- Manny Harris
SG -- Alex Legion
SF -- Ronald Coleman, he is a SR. so he has to start :(
PF -- DeShawn Sims
C -- Ekpe Udoh

2nd group
PG -- Kelvin Grady
SG -- Jevohn Shepherd
SF -- K'Len Morris
PF -- Anthony Wright
C -- Kendric Price

Zack Gibson may push for time. Reed Baker will be the 3rd point guard. Jerrett Smith will be transferring to Detroit Mercy unfortunately, sorry to see ya go.

P.S. If we sign either LLP or Scott Martin we only get that much better.

DSC -- Who the hell is Ipke Udoh?!? If you're going to attempt to make a statement at least know what you're talking about. I think we can live with this Dalls Maverick style lineup in 2007.

PG -- Manny Harris
SG -- Alex Legion
SF -- Ronald Coleman, he is a SR. so he has to start :(
PF -- DeShawn Sims
C -- Ekpe Udoh

2nd group
PG -- Kelvin Grady
SG -- Jevohn Shepherd
SF -- K'Len Morris
PF -- Anthony Wright
C -- Kendric Price

Zack Gibson may push for time. Reed Baker will be the 3rd point guard. Jerrett Smith will be transferring to Detroit Mercy unfortunately, sorry to see ya go.

P.S. If we sign either LLP or Scott Martin we only get that much better.


Wow, it's Ekpe, not Ipke, screw you. I actually do know somthing about UoM Bball, but whatever.

Filly, is this news on Jerret Smith, or speculation? If it's just speculation, then I'm not sure he transfers. In fact, I'm not sure Amaker abandons him. I'm inclined to think that Amaker sticks with experience, limited as it may be. Smith's play this season may have a lot to do with it. In fact, he's probably a better bet to start at PG over Manny, since Manny doesn't have the ball control and true PG set that Smith (or even Grady) has. I'm not saying it should stay that way, but I'm just not convinced that Amaker would start a true freshman if he has a thrid year PG with a decent skill set.

So please clarify if you're speculating on Smith or if there is some breaking news I missed out on.

And as for the backup C, I think it will be Gibson over Price, since Gibson is a little taller and Price weighs 103 lbs.

but Wright is pretty much already built to do some things down low.

At 6'6" 235 lbs I'm not so certain of that. Unless he's Corliss Williamson on the block, that's too short to play the post on any kind of consistent basis.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=2&nid=339125&csid=null&yr=2005

How are more people not feeling this????? This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the Wolverines. This cat is a top 20 player and teamed with Manny Harris we will be outstanding. The best part about our three commits so far, they all play AMAZING defense. I don't mean good defense, but I'm talking great/amazing defense for sure.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.........

Hail to the Victors, valiant Hail, to the con'quering heroes, Hail, Hail to Michigan the Champions of the West!!!!!!

Yo Cronk-Diesel, I'm definitely feeling this, but I'm a little leery. Legion isn't exactly the most trustworthy cat on the block. But according to him, he's completely solid on Michigan, but aren't you "solid" if you commit to a school?(the first time) Hopefully he stays true to his word, and I think him, Manny, and Sims can get the program headed in the right direction.


I hate Michigan basketball.

Check that. I love Michigan basketball. I just hope that Legion isn't allergic to peanuts.

but Wright is pretty much already built to do some things down low.

At 6'6" 235 lbs I'm not so certain of that. Unless he's Corliss Williamson on the block, that's too short to play the post on any kind of consistent basis.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=2&nid=339125&csid=null&yr=2005

I saw him listed somewhere at 6'7" and 240 as a PF. He doesn't have the typical height of a post prescence regardless of which of those is true, but he's got what they call an NBA body, meaning he's solid and strong. I don't care how tall you are, if you have that type of build plus athleticism in the NCAA you can make a difference on the block from time to time, especially when a team is try to small-ball you.

Martin will be calling his shot at 4:00 today. With the recommit of Legion, Michigan is probably out of this one. Purdue would seem to be the favorite, since he has some AAU friends and teammates there. I think Notre Dame, Indiana and a couple others are a possibility along with Michigan still. But if Michigan even has a scholarship left for him I think the only way he comes is if he thinks his 6'7" frame can transition into a nice SF and not so much the SG he's been.

Filly wrote: "How are more people not feeling this????? This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the Wolverines. This cat is a top 20 player and teamed with Manny Harris we will be outstanding. The best part about our three commits so far, they all play AMAZING defense. I don't mean good defense, but I'm talking great/amazing defense for sure.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH........."

No offense Filly, I understand the enthusiasm but most of this is a load of crap. "We will be outstanding" Umm... I beg to differ. History tells us that Amaker doesn't do shit with his talent. I don't need to list the examples dating back to his last job. #2 You need to read up on Legion. He doesn't play a lick of defense. He's a shooter and that's it. Great to get him back, but I'd curb the enthusiasm. Everything I've heard about the guy says that he's selfish and not trustworthy. His decommittment proved that to be true. I think it's funny how every Michigan fan here ripped the hell out of the guy and shared my opinion of him following his decommitment and now everybody is hyped about him. That's a joke.

According to Scout.com Michigan State's 2007 Recruiting Class is ranked #5. Izzo also was quoted yesterday saying that the trio will no doubt become Champions!

YO! I feel it!

Filly wrote: "How are more people not feeling this????? This is HUGE HUGE HUGE news for the Wolverines. This cat is a top 20 player and teamed with Manny Harris we will be outstanding. The best part about our three commits so far, they all play AMAZING defense. I don't mean good defense, but I'm talking great/amazing defense for sure.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH........."

No offense Filly, I understand the enthusiasm but most of this is a load of crap. "We will be outstanding" Umm... I beg to differ. History tells us that Amaker doesn't do shit with his talent. I don't need to list the examples dating back to his last job. #2 You need to read up on Legion. He doesn't play a lick of defense. He's a shooter and that's it. Great to get him back, but I'd curb the enthusiasm. Everything I've heard about the guy says that he's selfish and not trustworthy. His decommittment proved that to be true. I think it's funny how every Michigan fan here ripped the hell out of the guy and shared my opinion of him following his decommitment and now everybody is hyped about him. That's a joke.


Do you have to rip every U of M fan who gets excited about basketball?

Do you have to rip every U of M fan who gets excited about basketball?
I would say I rip UM bball fans less than UM fans rip Spartan Football. But, that post you are responding to is MONTHS old. That was posted a LONG time ago.

According to Scout.com Michigan State's 2007 Recruiting Class is ranked #5. Izzo also was quoted yesterday saying that the trio will no doubt become Champions!

YO! I feel it!

Michigan is at #25 so far. I feel it too!

Actually, from what I've seen Michigan is 17 in one list and 18 in another.

So Izzo thinks being #5 is being a champion? What about 1-4? Are they just jokes? Duke will stop you.

Oh wait! You only have to beat 1 to be a champ, right? Final Four is the only goal.

Actually, from what I've seen Michigan is 17 in one list and 18 in another.

So Izzo thinks being #5 is being a champion? What about 1-4? Are they just jokes? Duke will stop you.

Oh wait! You only have to beat 1 to be a champ, right? Final Four is the only goal.

Just marked you down on my list for another dumb post.

No, Izzo doesn't think #5 is being a Champion. What the hell are you talking about? I swear you are the king of jumping to irrational conclusions. He said that he believes this recruiting class will win several Championships.

He believes that because of how good they are and the components he has to join them. Why is it necessary to rip every single thing a MSU member says? You even criticized Izzo for going to visit Nichol on his own time!

How did we do against the mighty powerful Duke last time we met?
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Mar-26-Sat-2005/photos/sports.jpg

OK, Ohio State has to stop. They just got a commit from 5 star PG Anthony "Noopy" Crater. Sick.

OK, Ohio State has to stop. They just got a commit from 5 star PG Anthony "Noopy" Crater. Sick.

Noopy isn't that good and his 5 Star status on scout is overblown. I've seen and read about the dude for the last 2 years. The only reason he went to Ohio State is because Izzo got Lucious. Noopy wanted to be a Spartan (He's from Flint) but Izzo wasn't sure he would be big/strong enough or controlled enough. Izzo told Noopy that he couldn't offer him a scholarship until he found out about Lucious.

Noopy will be good, but nothing to worry about. If he was, he'd be in green. Izzo owns Flint and Flint will always love MSU.

Not every recruit that commits elsewhere "really wanted to go to State, but Izzo wasn't feeling him". Geez.....blinders.[smilie=banghead.gi:

Izzo wanted Noopy. Noopy just said he wanted to be the man while he was here. Izzo said "Hey this Kalin kid we're gonna have is pretty good, but you beat him and you've got it."

Korie L. was fine with that. Noopy wasn't.

Korie committed to MSU. Noopy was pursued less heavily(though I doubt Izzo didn't have a schollie there, less work went towards Noopy).

MSU misses out on recruits, but I would say that a mutual chilling happened with Noopy. Noopy is bigger and stronger than Lucious though, so I don't get Tre's points. Lucious is a much better shot and seems to have a better attitude, I would also say he is more effectual and less flashy than Noopy. Both are excellent nonetheless.

Not every recruit that commits elsewhere "really wanted to go to State, but Izzo wasn't feeling him". Geez.....blinders.[smilie=banghead.gi:

Moodini, I didn't say he wasn't Izzo's Plan A recruit because he went elsewhere. Ask Jethro, I told him all of these things last week prior to him announcing. Just like you know Michigan football recruiting, I know MSU basketball recruiting. Noopy wanted to be a Spartan and told Izzo that it was his dream when he was only a sophmore. Do you really question the fact that a kid from Flint wanted to go to State?

Did Izzo continue to pursue him, yes. But, all coaches do that because they have guys that are plan A, Plan B, etc. Izzo had absolutely no room for Noopy.

I've been following this kid since he was a freshman. NO, he is not strong at all. He's a twig. That might change, but he's not strong. Korie was listed #6 overall play as a sophmore- he was plan A a long time ago.

I'll vouch for Tre. He was over here last weekend and Noopy came up (that just doesn't sound good) while we were talking about Delvon Roe and the "imagine if" class Michigan could have had if all people feeling them a little ended up commiting. Yes, Tre falt out said he had no respect for scout.com for a ton of reasons but 5 stars for Noopy was a big reason. He said the kid was good but not at all great.

Noopy was a 5 star on rivals, #2 PG and #24 overall as well...that's 2 scouting services vs dr tre...i tend to trust the experts.

Noopy was a 5 star on rivals, #2 PG and #24 overall as well...that's 2 scouting services vs dr tre...i tend to trust the experts.

I agree and I would too. However, I watched this dude in a couple of tournaments and read up on him quite a bit. I don't think he'll be a star.

Keep in mind I said the same stuff about Tory Jackson last year and all of you guys ripped me and said you'd trust the experts. His offer from Kansas fell through, he didn't go to an elite program, and he isn't doing shit so far. Everybody replied to me with, "he's a 4 star pg, ill trust rivals.com over you." He's averaging 12 minutes a game and getting 4 pts a game for sucky Notre Dame.

Well, Spartan fans know that we are potentially a big time power forward away from a future National Championship. Things are looking up on that.

Roe is obviously option #1.

But, a couple of others are emerging. Draymond Green out of Saginaw High is getting bigger and bigger and looking better each year. His favorite is the Spartans and all it would probably take would be an offer for this 6'8" 235 pd PF. He's a nice backup option.

But, as I predicted a Lucious commitment nearly a year and a half before it happened (Jethro will verify that one) I'm predicting a BIG TIME commitment from a PF in the 2009 class. That's right, 2009. Remember the name, Richard Howell, 6'7" 215. There are rumblings that he might have let Izzo know already that he will be a Spartan. I looked him up on Rivals and I was pleasantly surprised. He's a 5 Star recruit and he looks like a beast. Mark that one down.

Jethro, when is the holiday tournament at the Hill?

Saturdat the 23rd. I'll have to get the exact schedule from the AD, but there are 4 games this year.
Unfortunately I found out last night that the wife's grandparents are doing Christmas that day and I have to be in Flint. I'm hoping it's early and short.

Saturdat the 23rd. I'll have to get the exact schedule from the AD, but there are 4 games this year.
Unfortunately I found out last night that the wife's grandparents are doing Christmas that day and I have to be in Flint. I'm hoping it's early and short.

Post that schedule when you get it and don't worry about being there. Moodini and I will be enjoying your boy Tommy Izzo's company while we watch the Lucas/Tucker show while you are sipping egg nog with gramps LOL.

I'm pretty sure the first game is around 1:00 or so. Based on that, it should be about 6:00 or later before the Arthur Hill - OLSM game. If I'm not back in time for that you can only imagine thow the egg nog will strain through gritted teeth.

The Kalin Lucas Show starts at 8:00 on Saturday. Yours truly will be in attendance sitting right next to my boy Tommy Izzo.

Jethro, you are coming. Moodini is checked in.

It should be great just like last year. Except this year, I'm letting Stanford's head coach know that he needs to get on the jock of 6'6" string bean with the J.

Wrong. It starts at 6:30.
$10 gets you in for the entire tourney.
First game is at 1:30. Midland High v Grand Rapids Creston.
Next is Nouvel v Cedar Springs at 3:00.
Ypsilanti v Detroit Finney at 5:00.
OLSM and Arthur Hill at 6:30.

I'm doing everything in my power to get back from Flint for it. I was told you need to work your way out of the in-laws Christmas yourself and neither of us is happy. I'll make the phone call to your wife's cell when I'm leaving Flint. I have a few more words for "The Izzo" this year.

And 6'6" with the J is Josh Tappin if I remember correctly.

Wrong. It starts at 6:30.
$10 gets you in for the entire tourney.
First game is at 1:30. Midland High v Grand Rapids Creston.
Next is Nouvel v Cedar Springs at 3:00.
Ypsilanti v Detroit Finney at 5:00.
OLSM and Arthur Hill at 6:30.

I'm doing everything in my power to get back from Flint for it. I was told you need to work your way out of the in-laws Christmas yourself and neither of us is happy. I'll make the phone call to your wife's cell when I'm leaving Flint. I have a few more words for "The Izzo" this year.

And 6'6" with the J is Josh Tappin if I remember correctly.

Really? I was told it was at 8. I do have Christmas, but I'll be at Christmas before and after. I WILL be at the game.

BTW, you should get in free shouldn't you? I'm definately coming prepared in my coaching attire so that I get in free again like last year.

Saw the Dar and Kalin showdown tonight. Dar is an absolute freak of nature and is waaaaaay too good to go to DePaul. This guy should be playing in the ACC or the Big Ten, not Conference USA. I've never seen a guy get as high as he does as quick as he does. He dominated the game inside and out, throwing down 3 dunks in the big victory over OLSM. Lucas did not seem very focused and almost seemed disinterested. He was moving at a slower pace the entire game and focusing on his mid-range game instead of attacking the paint like he did last year. He really struggled from the floor and directing the offense. You can see the talent is there, but he needs to become more intense and fiery to reach his full potential.

I was with Moodini checking out the game last night. I have some of the same feelings. I was disappointed in the fact that Lucas didn't try to take over.

At the same time, his pull up jumper is sick and its a new addition to his game. Its obvious Izzo told him to work on his J, because that's what he did most of the game and he really gets up on it.

Lucas does need more intensity though. The only thing I don't like about him is his lack of fire.

Dar is way too good and its too bad that some cash under the table and a ridiculous Mom led him in the wrong direction (Depaul). My prediction for his future isn't a good one. I think he will get much less instruction at Depaul and he might ruin a future NBA career because of it. I hope not though, I like the dude's game.

Side note, Detroit Finney has a sick junior point guard. Michigan should be all over this kid. I'd say State, but they are locked up at the point. Of course, Michigan had absolutely nobody at the game though and they will miss on him. I know they played at UCLA but you could have sent a grad assistant or something.

Jerry Wainwright is actually a very good basketball coach, I think Dar will be fine at DePaul. They play a tough, tough schedule every year and he'll get his share of exposure.

For those at the OLSM-AH game...Looking at the box score it seems OLSM played AH even for most of the game except the 3rd quarter. What exactly went wrong for OLSM in the 3rd.

For those at the OLSM-AH game...Looking at the box score it seems OLSM played AH even for most of the game except the 3rd quarter. What exactly went wrong for OLSM in the 3rd.

Lucas gave up the ball and other less talented guys started chucking. Lucas at one point looked at the coach almost pleading and said, "Let's move the ball around." In other words, "Damn it, these guys are chucking up shots and I've had 2 damn attempts in the last 8 minutes!"

Meanwhile, AH was getting solid shot attempts and rebounding well on the offensive glass.

Kalin Lucas gave a "legendary performance" last night in the Breslin. For those of you who didn't know, MSU hosted a collection of the State's best talent with 4 games yesterday. Every top player in the state was playing in the Bres yesterday with the exception of Dar and Draymond.

Lucas had a showdown with Noopy Crater from Flint. Lucas' team was down double digits in the fourth quarter and that's when he told his teammates to just spread the court. Lucas took over scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter and dropping a dime for the winning bucket at the buzzer!

Lucas- 21 pts
Noopy- 4 pts

told ya so ;)

So through 3 quarters Lucas had 3 points?

Anyhow, how did Summers and Manny do in their respective games?

So through 3 quarters Lucas had 3 points?

Anyhow, how did Summers and Manny do in their respective games?

Summers was super trapped(3 people most the game) and got 14 and 6 or something like that. Redford got blown out, he's the only good kid on that team.

Summers didn't play well, but had the entire MSU team backing him. The team stood courtside and rose to their feet for Summers dunks. They acted as his own personal cheering section. Really cool to see college bball players support future players.

For those who haven't seen the future Spartan star in action.

Here's some video footage of Chris Allen...

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/video.asp?section=fbrecruit&vidtype=amp&vidid=2231

For those who haven't seen the future Spartan star in action.

Here's some video footage of Chris Allen...

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/video.asp?section=fbrecruit&vidtype=amp&vidid=2231

I hope Moodini watches that video since he's been saying the triplets are just 4 stars, just a "solid" class, and not "saviors." Chris Allen is SICK. The Lebron style dunk with the silky smooth threes had me salivating. I can't wait for next year. Let the show begin...

He looks pretty good in that video. He also has a pretty high release point on his jumpers which is always good to avoid blocks.

He looks pretty good in that video. He also has a pretty high release point on his jumpers which is always good to avoid blocks.

No offense, but a high release being better because of blocks is completely overrated. How often do you see blocked three balls? It just doesn't happen. You get open for looks with off the ball cuts and quickness. I guess it can't hurt though.

No offense, but a high release being better because of blocks is completely overrated. How often do you see blocked three balls? It just doesn't happen. You get open for looks with off the ball cuts and quickness. I guess it can't hurt though.

Basketball players know their limits. The reason you don't see many blocked three pointers is a player knows what his buffer zone needs to be in order to get a shot off. If the defender is inside that zone, he simply won't shoot.

Players like Neitzel and Allen who have a quick release and a high set naturally require less space to get the shot off...as opposed to a guy like Dahlman who shoots with the ball more in front of his face and has a smoother motion, hence he needs a little more space.

Plus Allen appears to have the same added benefit that a guy like Mo Ager had, which is a ton of lift on his jumpshot.

A quick release. A high set. A lot of lift. Deep range.

As far as shooting goes....that's perfect.

exactly. it also forces you to play tighter on your man if they release higher. You can sag off on Earl Boykins because it's easier to block him. but when you are forced to play up on your man they can blow buy you easier. Memo is a prime example of that. You have to play tight on him up top because of his length to try and effect his shot. if you get too tight he can blow by you with a show and go. memo isn't fast, but his high release and range force you to play him so tight he can get by you with a fake easily.

I hope Moodini watches that video since he's been saying the triplets are just 4 stars, just a "solid" class, and not "saviors." Chris Allen is SICK. The Lebron style dunk with the silky smooth threes had me salivating. I can't wait for next year. Let the show begin...

No time for that. Too busy watching Zelda walkthrough videos. Damn that water temple is tough.

No time for that. Too busy watching Zelda walkthrough videos. Damn that water temple is tough.

I love the UM hibernation period that starts in January. UM dominated forums become ghost town like until April.

[smilie=sleeping.gi:

[smilie=sleeping.gi:

LOL!

Not sure if they have any chance with him, but apparently UM is really starting to go after Dre Green from the High, who had his 2nd consecutive triple-double last night. Apparently he has been visiting Ann Arbor a few times this year. Didn't someone claim he had been a silent commit to the Spartans early last year?

Not sure if they have any chance with him, but apparently UM is really starting to go after Dre Green from the High, who had his 2nd consecutive triple-double last night. Apparently he has been visiting Ann Arbor a few times this year. Didn't someone claim he had been a silent commit to the Spartans early last year?

No, not silent, he attempted to commit but didn't have an offer.

Not sure if they have any chance with him, but apparently UM is really starting to go after Dre Green from the High, who had his 2nd consecutive triple-double last night. Apparently he has been visiting Ann Arbor a few times this year. Didn't someone claim he had been a silent commit to the Spartans early last year?

I don't know where you got that from. I know I didn't say that. What I did say was that MSU's top priority on the Saginaw High Roster was Green. I said that they are looking hard at somebody other than Southern. I told you about Green before he was averaging double figures. I NEVER said he was a silent commit, because he's not even close to a plan A recruit for Izzo.

MSU is far and away Green's #1 choice. He told Izzo that he dreams of being a Spartan and that quote was in print. I don't think MSU will have room for him though. I don't want to sound arrogant, but if Izzo wanted him today, it would be a done deal. But, Green plays too much like a guard and Izzo needs big men. If Michigan snags him when MSU doesn't offer, I think it would be a solid pickup.

Delvon Roe apparantly has two favorites according to a source close to him. There is an article about it on Rivals. Yo Moodini, hook us up with the inside info from Rivals.

Please tell me MSU is one of those favorites! I think it might be MSU and UNC, that's my guess.

Delvon Roe apparantly has two favorites according to a source close to him. There is an article about it on Rivals. Yo Moodini, hook us up with the inside info from Rivals.

Please tell me MSU is one of those favorites! I think it might be MSU and UNC, that's my guess.
According to the Rivals article it is indeed down to UNC & MSU. Roe's "Pops" wants him to go where the Staff will work him hard. I have a suggestion where that place might be.

According to the Rivals article it is indeed down to UNC & MSU. Roe's "Pops" wants him to go where the Staff will work him hard. I have a suggestion where that place might be.

Yeah, me too. I've seen a Roy Williams' practice on Sportscenter. Let me tell ya, if that segment was any indication, Williams' practices are a little more warm and fuzzy than Izzo's. If Pops wants a school that will work him hard and develop him into an NBA player, you can't go wrong with MSU. You can't go wrong with UNC either. However, I like the players MSU has in their upcoming classes more than UNC's.

I truly believe that Roe is the final piece to that National Championshp team Izzo is trying to build. If Roe chooses MSU, the combination of Raymar, Dahlman, Lucas, Allen, Summers, Lucious, Herzog, and Roe would bring MSU its 3rd National Title.

Dr Tre:
The key to The Izzo's NC was seniors who hung around. Do the kids coming in seem like the types to either A) be talented enough to get it done right away; or B) hang around to benefit from the system and coaching of The Midget of Iron Mountain?

Dr Tre:
The key to The Izzo's NC was seniors who hung around. Do the kids coming in seem like the types to either A) be talented enough to get it done right away; or B) hang around to benefit from the system and coaching of The Midget of Iron Mountain?

Remember JRich being the stud frosh coming in with an impact?

Now picture Roe with that role, and having lots of upperclassmen too.

MSU is returning EVERYONE this year, and is adding 4 top 50 kids. Then we lose Neitzel and Naymick(and presumably Ibok based on Izzo's 3 schollie call), and will bring in 3 studs(Lucious, Roe?, and someone else).

So MSU is getting ready to roll.

Just saw the film of this kid from Meadow Creek H.S. in Atlanta, Ga. Chris Allen. Very stylish player. Creates,handles, hops, touch, quicks, oh and as an aside they mention in the article that he dropped in 30 as a frosh on Gerald Green, the now Celtic, who was taken right out of high school in the NBA Draft. C'mon down Chris. Good stuff brewin' in East Lansing. We MSU Fans need to show him the love while we can. I don't think he's going to be around four years.

I don't think he's going to be around four years.

If he is around for four years, that pretty much means he didn't pan out.

That sucks, but that is today's reality.

Zip, I don't think the three studs coming in have to necessarily stay 4 years for a National Championship. Sure, that was the blueprint of Izzo's first, but it doesn't have to be that way for the next. Look at Florida for example.

I think MSU has a SERIOUS shot next year if 2 of the 3 coming in can produce 8-10 points a game. You add Herzog to the mix and you've got a great chance.

You look at the top teams in the country and all of them lose a lot after this year. UNC maybe being the best team returning. If MSU doesn't win it all next year, I think they'll have another chance when the incoming class are juniors.

When it comes to talking about guys leaving early and all that, I'm really fed up with it. I think the media and mb's like this put too many ideas in kids heads and were actually hurting great college players that could make it in the NBA if they stayed in school and improved. Instead, they start listening the NBA chatter on the internet the second they record their first double figure game. It all goes downhill from there.

So I'm confused: The Spartans don't need their players to stay all four years to win but the fact that their guys didn't stay this year is the excuse for them not winning? Which is it??

So I'm confused: The Spartans don't need their players to stay all four years to win but the fact that their guys didn't stay this year is the excuse for them not winning? Which is it??

We were talking about championships, this year wasn't going to be a championship year with or without Shannon. This is a down year.

We are having a worse year without Shannon than if we had him. However, we can do just as well if the next gen leaves early in the important years - '08 and '09(important as in championship type).

Not that complicated.

So I'm confused: The Spartans don't need their players to stay all four years to win but the fact that their guys didn't stay this year is the excuse for them not winning? Which is it??

I'm sorry, but you are reaching and sound stupid. Do you read before you post? We were saying that MSU doesn't need their incoming class to stay all four years necessarily to win the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Go ahead give me one quote with a single excuse here posted by a Spartan regarding this year. Would Shannon have helped our record? Hell yea. But we are down this year because we are in between 3 players heading to the NBA and a Top 5 class coming in. Last time I checked we had 18 wins, not exactly terrible. I'm sure you'd trade your programs best moments over the last 10 years for this season we are having.

Wrong. I wouldn't trade our best moments even in this horrible decade if I knew my team was going to set basketball back 55 years with that debacle at Purdue.
If we get the entire package, obviously we trade. But we don't trade for this year by any stretch. Say what you will, but if your squad ends up in the NCAA's it has a TON to do with the past and very little to do with this season.

Wrong. I wouldn't trade our best moments even in this horrible decade if I knew my team was going to set basketball back 55 years with that debacle at Purdue.
If we get the entire package, obviously we trade. But we don't trade for this year by any stretch. Say what you will, but if your squad ends up in the NCAA's it has a TON to do with the past and very little to do with this season.

Okay Goggles, you wouldn't trade any of your NIT or NIT near misses for a NCAA tournament season? Riiiiight. If Michigan made the NCAA tournament, you'd be pissing your pants and you know it.

If we make the tournament, it's because we've earned it. Beat a good ranked Texas team and carried a RPI in the 30's all season long. If State gets 20 wins with an RPI in the 30's, I'm pretty sure they deserve it.

Why would I piss my pants over a 1 and done? That does nothing for me at all.

Why would I piss my pants over a 1 and done? That does nothing for me at all.

Well, its better than 0 and done.

Although we've had some one and dones like everyone else, Izzo carries the 2nd highest tournament winning percentage so when I think tournament, I think potential Elite 8's, Final Fours, and even NCs. I don't even consider 1 and done.

Elite Eights are bullshit. If a guy makes a final four, of course he's made it to the elite eight.
It's not like The Izzo has made the Final Four four times, and in four SEPARATE years made the Elite Eight. That's "double dipping".
Besides, "Elite Eight" is the dumbest sports term this side of "Nebraska Cornhuskers".

Elite Eights are bullshit. If a guy makes a final four, of course he's made it to the elite eight.
It's not like The Izzo has made the Final Four four times, and in four SEPARATE years made the Elite Eight. That's "double dipping".
Besides, "Elite Eight" is the dumbest sports term this side of "Nebraska Cornhuskers".

Damn Zip, you took us into a completely different direction. Who said anything about double dipping. I just said that I don't consider 1 and dones a possibility, only successful runs in the tourney.

Well, sorry about that Tre.
Actually, for a UM guy, I'm probably The Izzo's biggest fan. "One and done" gets alot of people riled up, but to me that means you have both earned a good reputation, and that you have done more with a crap team than you should have. It beats the alternatives: staying home OR going to the NIT.
I think I just got carried away more so because every time I hear the term "Elite Eight" I have to stifle the urge to barf.
Of course, if UM EVER made an "Elite Eight", I'd probably try to get a copyright on the phrase and market it.

Well, sorry about that Tre.
Actually, for a UM guy, I'm probably The Izzo's biggest fan. "One and done" gets alot of people riled up, but to me that means you have both earned a good reputation, and that you have done more with a crap team than you should have. It beats the alternatives: staying home OR going to the NIT.
I think I just got carried away more so because every time I hear the term "Elite Eight" I have to stifle the urge to barf.
Of course, if UM EVER made an "Elite Eight", I'd probably try to get a copyright on the phrase and market it.

Elite 8 appearances are a lot of fun, but they aren't Champioships. There have been years when MSU made the Elite 8 and I was real happy. But generally, its a close but not quite accomplishment. Depending on the team, it can be a good thing. I want BT titles, Final Fours, and NCs though. So I feel you on that.

Well, its better than 0 and done.

Although we've had some one and dones like everyone else, Izzo carries the 2nd highest tournament winning percentage so when I think tournament, I think potential Elite 8's, Final Fours, and even NCs. I don't even consider 1 and done.

You're classic for ripping people that distort the conversation and then you do it.
Your claim was that we would trade the last decade for this one season. So leave all the other crap out. This season we are talking about a 1 and done IF you get in. I would NOT trade for that. If Michigan had this season, 12 second half points would be the entire story, and there is no interest in that for me. So which is it? Are we trading the decade straight up? If so, where do I sign? But I don't want your "best coaching job" season. I'll take the coach, but I don't want the season. After all, without the coach and the new building you have nothing. Your program was a shambles in 89 and the Bres followed by Izzo changed everything. The perfect answer to Michigan winning the NC that year. I just Michigan was smart enough to have made similar moves after your NC. Now they're stuck in the almost dark ages. Not dark enough to score 30-some points in a game, but pretty dark.

How about the NY Mets guy giving UM 12 Mill? Did he earmark that for anything?
I heard some guy on some radio show the other day say that UM was in kind of a cruise control mode with basketball. I had to agree. I don't appreciate UM's attitude with regard to basketball, not when basketball and football are the signatures of your athletic program, if not the University.
Expecting fans and alumni to remain loyal if you send your basketball team out with one arm tied behind its back doesn't send any kind of good message.

Here's a shocker...

Cedar Springs' Austin Thornton to walk-on at MSU.

That's an impressive get for MSU.

Here's a shocker...

Cedar Springs' Austin Thornton to walk-on at MSU.

That's an impressive get for MSU.

"Shocker" is the perfect word for this one. 3 Star Austin Thornton agrees to walk-on to MSU and join the dream class next year. This kid is 6'5", plays the SG position, is an amazing shooter, and excellent passer!

When you get this type of recruit to walk-on just because he wants to be a Spartan that bad, you know your program is doing well. It's the ultimate sacrafice and it will help both parties. MSU gets another great player to help them win a National Championship and the kid gets to play on a great team and have the opportunity to win championships.

I am instantly a HUGE fan of this kid. When you do something like this, you are a team guy and not a ego guy. He chose MSU over Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Dayton, among others.

Yeeeeeeeeah boy!

"Shocker" is the perfect word for this one. 3 Star Austin Thornton agrees to walk-on to MSU and join the dream class next year. This kid is 6'5", plays the SG position, is an amazing shooter, and excellent passer!

When you get this type of recruit to walk-on just because he wants to be a Spartan that bad, you know your program is doing well. It's the ultimate sacrafice and it will help both parties. MSU gets another great player to help them win a National Championship and the kid gets to play on a great team and have the opportunity to win championships.

I am instantly a HUGE fan of this kid. When you do something like this, you are a team guy and not a ego guy. He chose MSU over Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Dayton, among others.

Yeeeeeeeeah boy!

It doesn't hurt to have a 3.9 and be in line for an "Academic Schollie" after a semester or two either. Nice get...

Thornton put 30+ on Lucas' team. I was told that Thornton looked like the best player in the entire tournament held at the Breslin earlier this year when Summers, Lucas, Manny, etc. were there playing.

Thornton put 30+ on Lucas' team. I was told that Thornton looked like the best player in the entire tournament held at the Breslin earlier this year when Summers, Lucas, Manny, etc. were there playing.
He had 24 and Thornton's team beat Summers Redford Covenant outfit. He was named to the All tourney team ahead of Summers. I believe he received the 3rd most votes. Not bad for a walk on.

He had 24 and Thornton's team beat Summers Redford Covenant outfit. He was named to the All tourney team ahead of Summers. I believe he received the 3rd most votes. Not bad for a walk on.

Yeah, I was just coming here to correct myself on that actually. He also had 50 against previously #1 East Grand Rapids. He's turned down over 20 D1 Scholarship offers to walk on at State.

Kalin was rocking "MSU" shaved in the back of his head while he dropped 37 on Manny's squad. His boy Summers was there to root his future Spartan teammate on. Hotness

Preferred walk on Austin Thornton the 5th knocked in 40+ the other night against South Christian I think. Something tells me that DaMaster snuck one in under the radar with this guy. I've seen film and he is very solid fundamentally.

Preferred walk on Austin Thornton the 5th knocked in 40+ the other night against South Christian I think. Something tells me that DaMaster snuck one in under the radar with this guy. I've seen film and he is very solid fundamentally.

I've had more than one high school coach tell me that Thornton is every bit as good as Summers. That is some high praise.

If you look several pages back you'll see I was hyping this point guard from Finney. The kids name is Rose and I was hyping him as somebody Michigan should go after hard because State is full of pgs.

I wasn't sure if my assessment was right on this kid, but I felt he could be a major D-1 pg. Well, Jethro and I watched him drop 29 on Arthur Hill. I was yellin "That's my boy!" all game long as he continued to carry his team.

Well, looks like I'm not completely a retard afterall. The Free Press listed Rose as one of the Top 5 juniors in the state. They said he absolutely came out of nowhere and now he is one of the hottest names in the state. Michigan is absolutely ridiculous if they aren't after this kid.

I've had more than one high school coach tell me that Thornton is every bit as good as Summers. That is some high praise.
The difference between the "small stage" (Cedar Butfuck Springs, and the "big stage", Motown. Let's see how it plays out.

If you look several pages back you'll see I was hyping this point guard from Finney. The kids name is Rose and I was hyping him as somebody Michigan should go after hard because State is full of pgs.

I wasn't sure if my assessment was right on this kid, but I felt he could be a major D-1 pg. Well, Jethro and I watched him drop 29 on Arthur Hill. I was yellin "That's my boy!" all game long as he continued to carry his team.

Well, looks like I'm not completely a retard afterall. The Free Press listed Rose as one of the Top 5 juniors in the state. They said he absolutely came out of nowhere and now he is one of the hottest names in the state. Michigan is absolutely ridiculous if they aren't after this kid.

Michigan will NOT go after him. Why, you ask?

They may only have one scholarship to give for the class of 2008 and with 25 guards on their roster, they absolutely must get another big man. To go after Rose when they already have 5-6 guards in the past 2 classes would leave them way too vulnerable in the paint. I believe there will only be 4 guys on the roster above 6'6" next season. They might check in with him and see, but he would be a backup plan. That's part of the reason they've been after guys like Roe, Gates, Frease and Washburn. It's not just that they're top 30 guys, but they're bigs. By the way, Washburn plays about 6 minutes per game before fouling out, and he's like 6'11" and 185 or some ridiculous number, yet he's ranked in the top 50. That's how desperate some teams are getting for size.

Michigan will NOT go after him. Why, you ask?

They may only have one scholarship to give for the class of 2008 and with 25 guards on their roster, they absolutely must get another big man. To go after Rose when they already have 5-6 guards in the past 2 classes would leave them way too vulnerable in the paint. I believe there will only be 4 guys on the roster above 6'6" next season. They might check in with him and see, but he would be a backup plan. That's part of the reason they've been after guys like Roe, Gates, Frease and Washburn. It's not just that they're top 30 guys, but they're bigs. By the way, Washburn plays about 6 minutes per game before fouling out, and he's like 6'11" and 185 or some ridiculous number, yet he's ranked in the top 50. That's how desperate some teams are getting for size.

Jay Thames puts up sick numbers and is 6'9 and athletic, I think he'll be one to watch for '08 or '09(not sure what class).

I'm waiting to see who MSU starts pressing after - we need some bigs, will we press after Frease? Thompkins? Ashoulu? Gates? Thames? etc?

I want Roe damn it!

And in regards to the Jethro assessment, I know you are right Jethro with UM's situation. I keep forgetting about that. That's why is sucks for them when they take on guys like Shepard, Coleman, etc.

I want Roe damn it!

And in regards to the Jethro assessment, I know you are right Jethro with UM's situation. I keep forgetting about that. That's why is sucks for them when they take on guys like Shepard, Coleman, etc.
He's as good as gone to the Tar Heels. Izzo can't even get him to come 200 miles for a fucking visit. He's been 600 miles to Chapel Hill twice. See ya'.

He's as good as gone to the Tar Heels. Izzo can't even get him to come 200 miles for a fucking visit. He's been 600 miles to Chapel Hill twice. See ya'.

Roe was supposed to visit last weekend for the Indiana game. That GameDay environment and big win on national television would have put us right in the running in my opinion. He was supposed to be there in time for the festivities all day long. But the big snow storm made him postpone the visit and then he went to Chapel Hill for the Duke game. That sucks, those events probably sealed the deal.

MSU seems to have a top 3 for '08: Luke Fabrizius - a 6'9 shooting big offered by Indy, Cal, and many others; Kenny Frease - True big man, who can pass and shoot; Jarod Washburn - 7'(to be +?) athletic guy who is pretty 'raw'.

And MSU has connections on a(the?) top 2010 center who is from Cali.

does Indy = Indiana? Sorry to sound stupid if it is DSC.

does Indy = Indiana? Sorry to sound stupid if it is DSC.

Yes. I suppose I could have been saying Indianapolis or something, I just say Indy because people confuse IU and UI(Indiana and Illinois, in that order) and I don't want to write the whole name. His full listed offer list is: Cal, Dayton, Depaul, Indiana, Iowa State, Marquette, Northwestern, Creighton, and Albany.

For this early, that reflects very, very well on Fabrizius.

I'm not sure if this is old news or not, but I don't think I've seen it here. Saginaw High junior Draymond Green has committed to Kentucky.

How do all these local studs keep getting away from Michigan and MSU?

I'm not sure if this is old news or not, but I don't think I've seen it here. Saginaw High junior Draymond Green has committed to Kentucky.

How do all these local studs keep getting away from Michigan and MSU?

He committed outside the state because MSU was slow playing him, and he was essentially plan C. UM didn't have the appeal of UK for him.

UM offered, and he said MSU was his dream.

I'm not sure if this is old news or not, but I don't think I've seen it here. Saginaw High junior Draymond Green has committed to Kentucky.

How do all these local studs keep getting away from Michigan and MSU?

Yeah, like Detroit said, Green wanted to go to State.

Local kids aren't getting away from MSU. Not sure where you are getting that from? State has three in-state great basketball players coming in in their Top 5 recruiting class.

Izzo said, "Lucas is the best point guard I've ever recruited."

Compronni followed with, "He is better at this age than Mateen Cleaves was."

Yeah, like Detroit said, Green wanted to go to State.

Local kids aren't getting away from MSU. Not sure where you are getting that from? State has three in-state great basketball players coming in in their Top 5 recruiting class.
Joe Crawford, Al Horford, Malik Hariston, Tajuan Porter, that is just off the top of my head...There are more...

Joe Crawford, Al Horford, Malik Hariston, Tajuan Porter, that is just off the top of my head...There are more...

Dude, State has like 3 scholarship spots each year. And you make decisions on kids regardless if they have some hype. Izzo shying away from Devendorf is a perfect example. I think he's tight, but he doesn't play D and is an idiot.

I would only want one of the players you listed above and that is Horford. You can list tons of players, doesn't mean they LOST them. I think this year's crop proves that.

Joe Crawford, Al Horford, Malik Hariston, Tajuan Porter, that is just off the top of my head...There are more...

Yes, Yes, kinda, no way.

Izzo missed on Joe and Al. Malik we never really went after, but that was because he was kinda crazy. Porter never had a shot.

Yeah, like Detroit said, Green wanted to go to State.

Local kids aren't getting away from MSU. Not sure where you are getting that from? State has three in-state great basketball players coming in in their Top 5 recruiting class.

I guess I forgot this is a state-wide/nation-wide message board. I was talking about the Saginaw area.

Joe Crawford, Al Horford, Malik Hariston, Tajuan Porter, that is just off the top of my head...There are more...
While there was no room at the Inn for him at State he would've certainly improved U-M's point play. Looked pretty good canning 7 in a row for the Domers last night.

Yeah, I'm real pissed about not getting Tory Jackson. He was a U-M lean, but then for some reason, we stopped recruiting him and decided to go with Jerret Smith, "Peanut Man" Reed Baker, and Kelvin Grady. WTF?

I guess I forgot this is a state-wide/nation-wide message board. I was talking about the Saginaw area.

I can't speak for Michigan, but there haven't been any Saginaw kids that MSU would have taken. Southern? Kindof a plan B, C recruit. Green would have committed in a heartbeat had he been offered by Izzo. He said all along that he wanted to be a Spartan and it was his dream. Dar is the only MSU level recruit that I can think of recently that MSU would have wanted, but players that they had listed above him committed first (Summers, Allen, Lucas).

Green to Kentucky actually says a lot about the current state of Kentucky basketball. There recruiting classes haven't been all that impressive very recently and I don't see much coming in. Tubby is on the hot seat and rightly so. Green should be like the 3rd or 4th player in a class, not your #1 or #2, especially if you are Kentucky.

Guess who BankHoops.com's Class B Player of the Year is? I'll give you a hint....

It's not Kelvin Grady who Michigan gave a scholarship to.

It's not Anthony Crater who's getting a full ride to Ohio State.

It's not Laval-Lucas Perry who's going to Arizona.

It's not Paul Williams who everyone and their brother is recruiting.

And it's not Brad Redford who is likely the best pure shooter in the state.


No, it is none other than Michigan State walk-on supreme...Austin Thornton

http://www.mlive.com/weblogs/hsbasketball/



Bankhoops.com Class B all-state team

Class B Player of the Year: Austin Thornton 6-5 Sr Cedar Springs

Class B Coach of the Year: Robin Raymond, Chelsea

First team
Anthony Crater 6-2 Jr Flint Southwestern
Kelvin Grady 5-10 Sr East Grand Rapids
Laval Lucas-Perry 6-3 Sr Flint Powers
Brad Redford 6-0 Jr Frankenmuth
Paul Williams 6-3 Jr Detroit Renaissance

Second team
Tyler Laser 6-0 Sr Hillsdale
Aaron Nichols 6-1 Sr Lansing Catholic Central
Nate Schwarze 5-10 Sr Chelsea
Rocky Weaver 6-6 Sr Battle Creek Harper Creek
Joe Welch 6-8 Sr Stevensville-Lakeshore

BankHoops.com.....LOL.

Jicknuts.com has Reed Baker as Big Ten Freshman of the year.

Jicknuts.com has Reed Baker as Big Ten Freshman of the year.

Ya know that's just further proof that Amaker is doing a FAR better job at Michigan than most believe. If dude can flat out steal a player like Reed Baker from the talent rich state of Florida and the grasp of Billy Donovan...and then against all odds he goes on to be named Jicknuts.com freshman of the year.

Wow Moo. That's just the feel good story of the hour right there. That's the shit that PBS movies of the week are made of.

And who knows....Kelvin Grady = 2007 version of Reed Baker???

Michigan fans can only hope!

Guess who BankHoops.com's Class B Player of the Year is? I'll give you a hint....

It's not Kelvin Grady who Michigan gave a scholarship to.

It's not Anthony Crater who's getting a full ride to Ohio State.

It's not Laval-Lucas Perry who's going to Arizona.

It's not Paul Williams who everyone and their brother is recruiting.

And it's not Brad Redford who is likely the best pure shooter in the state.


No, it is none other than Michigan State walk-on supreme...Austin Thornton

http://www.mlive.com/weblogs/hsbasketball/



Bankhoops.com Class B all-state team

Class B Player of the Year: Austin Thornton 6-5 Sr Cedar Springs

Class B Coach of the Year: Robin Raymond, Chelsea

First team
Anthony Crater 6-2 Jr Flint Southwestern
Kelvin Grady 5-10 Sr East Grand Rapids
Laval Lucas-Perry 6-3 Sr Flint Powers
Brad Redford 6-0 Jr Frankenmuth
Paul Williams 6-3 Jr Detroit Renaissance

Second team
Tyler Laser 6-0 Sr Hillsdale
Aaron Nichols 6-1 Sr Lansing Catholic Central
Nate Schwarze 5-10 Sr Chelsea
Rocky Weaver 6-6 Sr Battle Creek Harper Creek
Joe Welch 6-8 Sr Stevensville-Lakeshore

Thornton to MSU...FEEEEEELIN' IT

Bankhoops.com is back at it again.............check out this link......

http://www.mlive.com/weblogs/hsbasketball/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_hsbasketball/archives/2007_03.html#244206

Sorry, I'm not good at links, but here is the info that is on there.........

Class A Player of the Year -- Dar Tucker (good choice)

Class A Coach of the Year -- Lou Dawkins (good choice)

First Detroit Redford player is on the 9th team. Yes they have 1st team through 10th team and Manny Harris of Detroit Redford is on NONE of the teams. How do you leave off someone with the caliber of Manny...........talk about credibility issues with bankhoops!!!

Maybe they watched the same video Tre watched.

Bankhoops.com is back at it again.............check out this link......

http://www.mlive.com/weblogs/hsbasketball/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_hsbasketball/archives/2007_03.html#244206

Sorry, I'm not good at links, but here is the info that is on there.........

Class A Player of the Year -- Dar Tucker (good choice)

Class A Coach of the Year -- Lou Dawkins (good choice)

First Detroit Redford player is on the 9th team. Yes they have 1st team through 10th team and Manny Harris of Detroit Redford is on NONE of the teams. How do you leave off someone with the caliber of Manny...........talk about credibility issues with bankhoops!!!

I don't know Einstein, maybe it's because he was selected to the Bank Hoops Dream Team as well as the Bank Hoops player of the year. lol
---------------------------------------------------------

Bankhoops.com Big 5 all-state all-class team
Michigan's best high school players for the 2006-07 season, regardless of division, age, and college future.

Draymond Green 6-7 Jr Saginaw
Corperryale Harris 6-5 Sr Detroit Redford
Kalin Lucas 5-11 Sr Orchard Lake St. Mary's
Austin Thornton 6-5 Sr Cedar Springs
Darquavis Tucker 6-5 Sr Saginaw Arthur Hill

Player of the Year: Corperryale Harris
---------------------------------------------------------

And oh look, that Austin Thornton kid has popped up again. He must suck. lol

I don't know Einstein, maybe it's because he was selected to the Bank Hoops Dream Team as well as the Bank Hoops player of the year. lol
---------------------------------------------------------

Bankhoops.com Big 5 all-state all-class team
Michigan's best high school players for the 2006-07 season, regardless of division, age, and college future.

Draymond Green 6-7 Jr Saginaw
Corperryale Harris 6-5 Sr Detroit Redford
Kalin Lucas 5-11 Sr Orchard Lake St. Mary's
Austin Thornton 6-5 Sr Cedar Springs
Darquavis Tucker 6-5 Sr Saginaw Arthur Hill

Player of the Year: Corperryale Harris
---------------------------------------------------------

And oh look, that Austin Thornton kid has popped up again. He must suck. lol

LOL!!!

If the rumors are true that Lowery will take over at Michigan, as soon as he's done securing the three incoming commits this year, he needs to focus on the following phone calls:
Delvon Roe
Kenny Frease
Yancy Gates
Trey Thompkins
Michael Dunigan
Henry Sims
DeAndre Liggins
John Brandenburg
Beas Hamga

These are all 4 or 5 star (according to Scout) big men (one is a 6-6 SF) for the 2008 class. There is one one scholarship to give in that class but they need size and it needs to be a plamaker. All these guys are from an area Lowery should be able to work: Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana. Thompkins is from Oak Hill. We would need Legions help there.

If the rumors are true that Lowery will take over at Michigan, as soon as he's done securing the three incoming commits this year, he needs to focus on the following phone calls:
Delvon Roe
Kenny Frease
Yancy Gates
Trey Thompkins
Michael Dunigan
Henry Sims
DeAndre Liggins
John Brandenburg
Beas Hamga

These are all 4 or 5 star (according to Scout) big men (one is a 6-6 SF) for the 2008 class. There is one one scholarship to give in that class but they need size and it needs to be a plamaker. All these guys are from an area Lowery should be able to work: Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana. Thompkins is from Oak Hill. We would need Legions help there.

Roe, Frease, and Thomkins have already narrowed their lists, and are getting closer to their decisions. The rest I don't really know about.

But Roe will decide between MSU and UNC(most likely the latter) within the next couple weeks, Frease is looking at MSU, Xavier, and ND, and Thompkins wants to play down south.

But remember guys, if you are a player that wants practice facilities and other state of the art basketball stuff,
You are not the player for Michigan

If the rumors are true that Lowery will take over at Michigan, as soon as he's done securing the three incoming commits this year, he needs to focus on the following phone calls:
Delvon Roe
Kenny Frease
Yancy Gates
Trey Thompkins
Michael Dunigan
Henry Sims
DeAndre Liggins
John Brandenburg
Beas Hamga

These are all 4 or 5 star (according to Scout) big men (one is a 6-6 SF) for the 2008 class. There is one one scholarship to give in that class but they need size and it needs to be a plamaker. All these guys are from an area Lowery should be able to work: Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana. Thompkins is from Oak Hill. We would need Legions help there.

Sorry homie, but a call from the Michigan basketball program to Delvon Roe probably wouldn't even get answered.

You know what, I disagree with the Roe comment. UM stayed in his top 5 for a long time with a shaky program. With the right coach, he returns that call. The conversation might not last terribly long, but he has a little something for UM still.
That being said, he would not be a good pickup for Michigan. Why? Because a player of his ability should be a one-and-done player in college. Michigan doesn't need that with their one scholarship. I don't think he capable of taking them to a championship in that one year, so I would rather have a next tier 4 star guy that will be around at least 2-3 years that a program can build with.

You know what, I disagree with the Roe comment. UM stayed in his top 5 for a long time with a shaky program. With the right coach, he returns that call. The conversation might not last terribly long, but he has a little something for UM still.
That being said, he would not be a good pickup for Michigan. Why? Because a player of his ability should be a one-and-done player in college. Michigan doesn't need that with their one scholarship. I don't think he capable of taking them to a championship in that one year, so I would rather have a next tier 4 star guy that will be around at least 2-3 years that a program can build with.

Roe loved Amaker, not UM. He ripped on their facilities, and being a football school, but he LOVED Amaker.

Roe is more likely to follow Amaker than UM.

He's an NC lock anyhow, so it doesn't really matter.

Just wanted to sum up the whole day in East Lansing.

The Nouvel game (C) was sweeeeeet! They were up by 12 at one point in the second quarter, but one kid for Bath hit 3 straight threes and another kid hit one to tie the game. The second half was a duel as the teams exchanged baskets, but the Bath Bees proved to be too much as they sank a total of 10 threes for the game.

The showdown between Manny and The High was out of hand from the get go, but was still an awesome experience. Walked past LaMarr Woodley on the way in. Dude is huge! Jickboy and I took our seats a few rows above the bleachers sort of behind the basket on Saginaw High's side of the floor, and a few seats to the right of us were wide open. A few seconds this cat and his boy take a seat next to us. Guess who it is? Dar Tucker! Tiiiiight. He was oooohing and aaaaahing at Manny and Draymond the entire game. Like I said, the game was out of hand early, but Harris and Green were very impressive. (see the summary of Manny's performance in the Mr. Basketball thread) Draymond looked a lot better than he did vs. The Hill. I believe he had 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Like Jickboy was saying "let it be known" that Draymond is the real deal. He was probably the best player on the floor on that given day. His ability to see the floor and pass out of double teams to find the open man for layups was incredible. IMO, Josh Southern is junk. He's good at 1 thing, being big. No athleticism, no post moves, just big. All in all, an awesome experience.

When I got home, I checked out the East Grand Rapids-Country Day game. Kelvin Grady vs. Jordan Dumars. That's right, Joe D's kid. He didn't play too much, he's only a sophomore. I've got to say that I've been a big hater on Kelvin Grady, and Michigan signing him, but I was very impressed. He's one of the quickest guards I've seen, has a smooth J, and his passing skills were off the charts. I'm actually excited about him coming to U-M now. He's waaaaaay better than Jerret Smith RIGHT NOW.

I always love going to the high school semi-finals, and this is actually my first time going to the finals. I remember watching Webber play for Country Day, Battier at DCD, Mike Chappell, Cleaves, Antonio Smith, Willie Mitchell, Dion Harris, Neitzel, Joe Crawford and Malik Hairston. I'd recommend checking it out to anyone, especially the A and B games. Always cool to see the future studs play in high school.

Onto another situation.
I was under the impression that there were rules about how many scholarships could be given in consecutive years. Something like the 5/3 rule or something.
So how the fuck can Ohio State have the Thad Five, plus 5 signed to LOI's in the 2007 class, and 5 verbal commits for the 2008 class?

If they can do that, why the hell does Michigan only have 1 scholarship for 2008 when they only have 3 coming in 2007. It doesn't make sense to me. I understand Michigan players haven't been leaving early, but outside of Oden I don't expect any of the Thad Five to leave this year. Maybe 1 or 2 will leave the following year, if that.

5/3 rule got abolished last year. Now you can sign up to as many players as you have spots for.

So what happens if some of Ohio State's players don't leave early? How many scholarships can you have at any time?

I'm telling you, Michigan needs to tell guys like Kendrick Price to either get their game together and figure out how to play or get the crap out of here and let us sign someone that weighs more than 115 lbs.

Tre's got to be pissed at the new scout rankings for 2008. He has thought scout was messed up for quite some time, but this will really get him.
#11 player in the country and #2 PG - Anthony Crater.
#44 player and #7 PG - Korie Lucious.

By the way, why would Lucious want to play behind "the best PG Izzo has ever recruited"? Just a question.

Lucious has been ranked in that general range for sometime now. No big deal from where I'm sitting. He's lightning quick with the ball (insiders claim that he's even faster than Lucas) and he can rain threes with a licksplickidy release. If he was three inches taller with the exact same skillset, he would be a lock as top 15-20 recruit. MSU is still getting the same skillset though, just in a 5'10" package. I have no complaints and very few worries.

And while I haven't seen a full game from Lucious yet, I have seen several games from Crater and I can confortably say that he is overrated. Did anyone watch his semifinal performance? I think he had 8 points, 4 assists, 3 TO's on something like 3 of 14 shooting. And he looked s l o w...especially in relation to Grady. Way to step up in your biggest (and consequently last) game of the season.

Kid is as non-offensive of a highly ranked PG that I have ever seen.

OSU fans think they're getting a sure fire STUD. I respectfully beg to differ.

Tre's got to be pissed at the new scout rankings for 2008. He has thought scout was messed up for quite some time, but this will really get him.
#11 player in the country and #2 PG - Anthony Crater.
#44 player and #7 PG - Korie Lucious.

By the way, why would Lucious want to play behind "the best PG Izzo has ever recruited"? Just a question.

I'll second Jack's comments. I can more than comfortably say that Crater is overrated. And don't even try saying that I'm only saying this because he didn't go to State because you'll remember what I said about him prior to him committing in your basement. I said that I didn't want him and that he overrated. Kalin showed this boy up badly.

To answer your question about playing behind Kalin, my answer would be: same reason Grady and Carlos went to Michigan only to play behind Hart. He'll get his time and he wants to play for a winner.

The Spartans might be getting a commitment from the #8 player in the country out of Virginia. He's a 6'9" power forward and exactly what the National Championship doctor ordered. Commit son, we'll get ya a ring!

The Spartans might be getting a commitment from the #8 player in the country out of Virginia. He's a 6'9" power forward and exactly what the National Championship doctor ordered. Commit son, we'll get ya a ring!
Is the son of 10 year NBA player Terry Davis, a former Bullet.

we'll get ya a ring!

So Tre is on the team/staff now up in EL?

There's some post deleting going on here. Play fair kids.

The 411 on Delvon Roe...........

---------------------------------------
St. Edward junior Delvon Roe made his decision on Monday night where to play men's college basketball. His choice between North Carolina and Michigan State, though, won't be made public for another week.

"Yes, I have made a decision," said Roe, The Plain Dealer's seven-county Player of the Year. "There will be a press conference next week."

Roe and his parents, Delvon and Tracy Blanton, met with St. Edward coach Eric Flannery at the private school in Lakewood on Monday night. It was there the Parade Magazine All-America forward made the choice between North Carolina and Michigan State. He said he was about to call North Carolina coach Roy Williams and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo to inform them of his decision.

"They are both great schools, with great programs, great coaches and great reputations," Roe said.

Roe's press conference will be held next Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at St. Edward. The school is on Easter vacation until Monday. Roe said he wants to make the announcement with some teammates and schoolmates present.

The 6-8 Roe averaged nearly 21 points and 10 rebounds for St. Edward.

"We've heard nothing but compliments from coaches around the country about how Delvon and his parents have gone through this process," Flannery said. "I'm confident Delvon will be happy with his decision."
------------------------------------


And the latest on the Roe recruitment from Dave Telep...

"Guys the winds of change are swirling. Right now, and I'm hearing from a variety of places, this one has switched. UNC was the clear leader and now the Spartans of Michigan State sit in first place.

Should it go down that way next week it would be one of the all-time shockers given Roe's public displays of affection for the Tar Heels. Not since Bill Self left Julian Wright's living room with a commitment have we heard of a shocker like this one."
----------------------------

I've long considered Roe long gone. Has Izzo gotten his horse back into the game? It would be a nice surprise if he did.

And a hearty congratulations for all that hard work Self did in luring Wright to Kansas!
They flopped in the first round last year, and bowed out in the final 8 this year, and now Wright is headed to the NBA after his sophomore year.
Wow, I'll bet Self is right proud if his recruitment of Wright, and glad he didn't sleep for that month leading up to the signing.

There is a lot of talk on the Sparty and Tar Heels message boards that his parents have swayed him to stay closer to home, which is totally understandable. He obviously can't go wrong with either school, but sometimes the lure to stay close to home and have Mom and Dad watch you play is too tough to overcome.

And to further add to the speculation, North Carolina offered Al-Farouq Aminu yesterday. Like Roe, Aminu (a forward) is also a national top 10 recruit in the 2008 class.

Might this be the writing on the wall that Roy is now focusing on Plan B???

Aminu though...that's a mighty nice plan B.

Apparently Roe has made a decision and has notified the coaches from both schools, but will be waiting to announce on Tuesday. "Credible sources" claim he has chosen MSU. Here's a breakdown from a CarolinaBlue.com mod.

As of Saturday night, ROE was almost assuredly a UNC commit. He was in Samardo Samuels ear about going to UNC with him.

He told me that he just had to sit down with his coach and parents and finalize everything and that he'd schedule a press conference after that.

He said that he knew, already, where he wanted to go

SOMETHING, Something MAJOR, obviously changed in the last 24 hours since his meeting with coach/parents. Delvon won't address the rumors as I have personally called him today and spoke with him. He has called both staffs to let them know of his decision.

Wow! What a huge surpise get for MSU!

Delvon Roe has made his college choice. The only problem is that nobody else knows who he chose. He announced that he has officially made his decision between North Carolina and Michigan State. Roe, his family, and his high school coach sat down and made the final decision this past Monday. Roe plans to announce the decision in a press conference this coming Tuesday.

Roe has been considered a near lock for UNC for months now. He's been seen wearing Carolina clothing at their games, quoted about loving the program, etc. etc.

However...a few insiders (Jim Comproni the biggest) believe that Roe is headed to East Lansing. They believe that Izzo has convinced Roe that he is the final piece to a MSU National title. Now a recent UNC offer this week may strengthen that theory. Shorty after Roe contacted Roy Williams and Izzo about his decision, Williams offered another big a scholarship. Does this mean that Williams is now looking to his plan B recruit? Did Roe commit to MSU?

What a huge decision! Although MSU might be considered the underdog in this race, they might have become an absolute powerhouse for the next few years with a major landing.

It must be nice to have to choose between Roy Williams and Tom Izzo.

While I'd like to see him go to MSU because I'm sick of all of the Carolina cock sucking, I have a feeling he'll be headed to Chapel Hill.

This is definately not in the books and MSU is obviously the underdog in this, but if Roe goes to MSU it will be one of the biggest recruits in program history. Not only will this be a major landing, it will make MSU a National Championship contender for the next several years. I've been gone in Cancun, so I showed up and started a thread about this not knowing the convo was already taking place. So if you see it deleted, that's why.

On a side note, it looks like MSU might be using MoJo's scholarship if he leaves on Draymond Green of Saginaw High. Green has publicly stated several times that he always dreamed of being a Spartan, however Izzo didn't have a scholarship left to give him. Now that MoJo might be out, there are strong rumors that Green is in. Imagine if State landed Roe and Green in the coming weeks!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOW!

How is MSU the underdog if its been reported by multiple sources that he picked them? If you wrote that last week you were probably correct, but I would think if more than one person and more than one website are reporting it that its true. Plus, like Jethro said they offered another player only hours after getting a phone call from Delvon..............so obviously UNC is the underdog.

How is MSU the underdog if its been reported by multiple sources that he picked them? If you wrote that last week you were probably correct, but I would think if more than one person and more than one website are reporting it that its true. Plus, like Jethro said they offered another player only hours after getting a phone call from Delvon..............so obviously UNC is the underdog.

Because I haven't seen any of these "sources" and he's been considered a UNC lock for so long. I generally go to rivals, scout, prepspotlight, etc. and I haven't seen one legit source put out any sort of article about him going to MSU.

However, I am loving what I'm reading on the mb's. You go to the Rivals MSU Final Forum and it's nothing but Roe everywhere. You go to the UNC bball forum and they are talking about who they should get if Roe is a Spartan now. I love the message board hype right now, but I hope there is some substance behind it. Roe as a Spartan would be an absolute dream situation. Did Izzo pull off the stunner?????!!! I gotta know!! C'mon Tuesday...get here!

I'm undeleting and merging this thread since MoTown's post got lost in the shuffle.

I've been gone for a while and not paying attention to this stuff anyway. Any chance someone can give me a quick list (with player rankings) of MSU, U of M and possibly CMU? Even a link would suffice to a site that does it. Thanks, I have been way out of the loop after losing my father in law and being gone on vacation.

Chris, if you just go to rivals I think you can click on any school and it will take you to their rivals site and then click on "basketball recruiting." Scout.com also will work as a good site to find what you need.

Word is, Tom Izzo met with Maurice Joseph and Izzo was the one that initiated the meeting. He told Joseph that he thought it would be best for him and their program if MoJo left. He told Joseph that after seeing him for two seasons now, he didn't think MoJo could play MSU's style. He said that he needs his guards to be able to play tough defense and do more than just shoot threes. He thought MoJo would benefit from a different style and he thought MSU would benefit from gaining a scholarship and using it on someone that was willing to play their style.

MoJo apparantly agreed and they are probably going separate ways. This will open up another scholarship for Izzo and it's perfect timing seeing that MSU is extremely hot in recruiting circles after landing Summers, Allen, and Lucas...adding Korie Lucious to the following class...then gaining a surprise commitment from a terrific player in Thornton...and now possibly getting The Big Fish in Delvon Roe.

If you watched MoJo closely this year he was a defensive wreck. He basically offered MSU a couple of threes a game and that was it. We needed him for depth, but he killed MSU defensively. Comproni dissected several games this year in which he pointed out how much MoJo hurt MSU when he came in.

I have seen reports that MoJo is "shopping" for somewhere closer to home. How about Vermont? Good program, loosey goosey jack 'em up. Looks pretty good compared to the #12 spot on the pine. Minutes will be precious next year and MoJo will be WAY down on the list. The Roe dealio is looking very solid. Hugest "get" for the program since Cleaves in all likelihood.

Just fyi Tre, Sam Hosey (aka DaChairman from PrepSpotlight) has long been saying that Roe was a North Carolina HEAVY lean. IMHO that guy is as clued in to the midwest recruiting scene as they come. Even after the initial Dave Telep report that Roe had apparently flip-flopped on his decision and was now leaning towards State, Chair still said it was 60/40 in favor of UNC.

But after more digging and more phone calls...he is now giving the Roe to MSU talk a "thumbsup" and saying that it's looking it's actually going to happen. On Lansing radio yesterday, he said that some influencial people have been in Roe's ear telling him that Izzo was leaving for Kentucky and not to bother with a situation that's going to be in so much flux. It definitely made a not-so-positive impression on Roe....but after the 'Tucky situation was resolved and it was shown that Izzo wasn't going anywhere anytime soon (news that was further entrenched in his mind by his good friend Raymar Morgan) he really started to warm up to the idea of being a Spartan.


So to sum up the whole convoluted situation to see if I'm missing anything...

1. Roe tells coaches his decision Monday night

2. The next day Dave Telep, Clint Jackson, Jerry Meyer, Justin Young, Sam Hosey, and several other experts say that he's now a big MSU lean.

3. Roy Williams offers Al-Farouq Aminu (another top 10 ranked forward).

3. Roe is playing in Michigan this weekend.

Did I miss anything? Sounds like a done deal to me...but that's just me;)


Oh and Hosey also said there's a pretty good chance that D.Green will be offered by Izzo.

I have seen reports that MoJo is "shopping" for somewhere closer to home. How about Vermont? Good program, loosey goosey jack 'em up. Looks pretty good compared to the #12 spot on the pine. Minutes will be precious next year and MoJo will be WAY down on the list. The Roe dealio is looking very solid. Hugest "get" for the program since Cleaves in all likelihood.

The fact that he's a non-Michigan kid, and a F/PF to boot....I have to agree.

Just fyi Tre, Sam Hosey (aka DaChairman from PrepSpotlight) has long been saying that Roe was a North Carolina HEAVY lean. IMHO that guy is as clued in to the midwest recruiting scene as they come. Even after the initial Dave Telep report that Roe had apparently flip-flopped on his decision and was now leaning towards State, Chair still said it was 60/40 in favor of UNC.

But after more digging and more phone calls...he is now giving the Roe to MSU talk a "thumbsup" and saying that it's looking it's actually going to happen. On Lansing radio yesterday, he said that some influencial people have been in Roe's ear telling him that Izzo was leaving for Kentucky and not to bother with a situation that's going to be in so much flux. It definitely made a not-so-positive impression on Roe....but after the 'Tucky situation was resolved and it was shown that Izzo wasn't going anywhere anytime soon (news that was further entrenched in his mind by his good friend Raymar Morgan) he really started to warm up to the idea of being a Spartan.


So to sum up the whole convoluted situation to see if I'm missing anything...

1. Roe tells coaches his decision Monday night

2. The next day Dave Telep, Clint Jackson, Jerry Meyer, Justin Young, Sam Hosey, and several other experts say that he's now a big MSU lean.

3. Roy Williams offers Al-Farouq Aminu (another top 10 ranked forward).

3. Roe is playing in Michigan this weekend.

Did I miss anything? Sounds like a done deal to me...but that's just me;)


Oh and Hosey also said there's a pretty good chance that D.Green will be offered by Izzo.

That's great news! I think the last time I was this excited about a recruit it was Mateen Cleaves. Like you said, he's an out of state kid, Top 10 player in the nation, and he is the exact piece we were missing (PF w/ scoring ability). Not to mention we will have beaten out North Carolina for him if he is a Spartan.

Moodini and I watched Roe's video last night and I was incredibly impressed. His post moves are great, he's strong, and he's athletic. As Moodini mentioned at the time, his footwork is excellent. Only thing that might be in question is his jump shot, but with what I saw he needs to have something to work on because I love the rest of his game big time.

Can you imagine a future starting lineup of Lucas at the point, Allen at the SG, Summers at SF, Roe at PF, and Herzog at C? That's an absolutely sick.

Okay, I need to settle down...he might not even be coming. But I'm so excited about the idea.

I'm not so sure Roe should go to MSU and play for a coach Kentucky didn't want.

Did Hansburough staying at UNC factor into Roe's desicion? I'm sure they could find PT for him, but he is certainly filling a spot of need at MSU.

The one thing that I'm a little confused about is his position. Everyone keeps calling him a "4" which seems natural because of his size, but he spoke multiple times about how he is clearly a "3" and will only play the 3 in college because he knows he will be a 3 in the NBA. I thought that this was the main reason he like UNC more than MSU at first because MSU was recruiting him as a 4 and UNC as a 3 and he preferred the 3 spot. I could totally be wrong, but I thought there were tons of reports about this happening.

Chris, if you just go to rivals I think you can click on any school and it will take you to their rivals site and then click on "basketball recruiting." Scout.com also will work as a good site to find what you need.
thanks. I was watching that vid of Roe on Rivals and he looks more like a 4 to me. Very quick in the post like Amare (not as tall though). Doesn't look like a 3 to me from the highlights I saw.

BTW, that chick Ashlie Russel on there talking about Leslie McDonald is pretty hot.

The best thing Roe could do for MSU would be to go to Michigan, and make Michigan a better team to present more of a challenge to The Izzoids, maybe toughen 'em up a bit.
MSU usually has a tough schedule, and if Roe goes to Michigan, that gives The Izzo one more tough team to have to get ready for.
I like that. Roe doing his civic duty to help cement the Legend of The Izzo.

A coach Kentucky didn't want? haha How about a coach Kentucky couldn't get Zip. Izzo told Raymar to let his friend Roe know that he isn't remotely interested in leaving for Kentucky. Apparantly Raymar and Roe are very good friends and played AAU ball together. There was some serious negative recruiting going on with Roe. People were telling him that he shouldn't go to MSU and play with Raymar because Izzo was going to go to UK. Once the 8,000th Izzo to somewhere else rumor was cleared up, Roe got hot on MSU again. Izzo contacted him, Raymar contacted him, pieces fell in place.

Roe plays like a 4. Is he athletic enough to improve his skills and make the 3 transition? Probably. His biggest concern isn't position, it's playing time. Despite MSU being loaded, they aren't loaded at the forward position and they can offer him all kinds of PT. That's big for Roe and his game.

On a side note, I watched Draymond Green play some pickup ball today. He did so while rocking a Michigan State practice jersey. Interesting.

Green in an MSU jersey?
Hmmm...Sounds like an improper gift to a recruit.

I'm surprised you want Green at all. Once upon a time he was a plan B at best.

I'm surprised you want Green at all. Once upon a time he was a plan B at best.

He's totally a plan B. But, I'll take a plan B if we've got a 8 Plan A guys on the same roster. I'll also trade a plan B for MoJo. I was excited about what MoJo could have potentially offered when he came to EL, but after seeing his D last year-peace out. Zip, you pay for those jerseys as part of your camp/tournament fee in EL.

I wasn't planning to put this on the board tonight. But since it sounds like Dave Telep is already reporting that Roe is headed to MSU, I feel it's necessary for me and SpartanMag.com to come forth with what we know about the situation.

I spoke with a very, very, very, very, very, very good source at the hockey parade and rally tonight. Don't even try to guess who it was. I don't want this to turn into a guessing game show.

Anyway. Very good source. The best.

He said MSU is still right in there with Roe, and it was looking better and better. Honestly, I was surprised to hear this. This was the first I had heard of any kind of a turn.

My guy told me that Roe's outlook on MSU has become more and more favorable every time MSU talks to him. And he said the context of Roe's text messages to the basketball staff and the number of texts he is sending are very favorable.

I don't have the info that Telep has, that it is definitely a done deal, but it wouldn't surprise me. I don't have fire for you, but I have a lot of smoke.

My source didn't tell me anything about a commitment. But he said Roe would be bigger than huge, bigger than maybe some of us realize. And he said Roe could help bring more people to MSU.

So we left it at that.

Normally, I wouldn't report any of the above. But since a competitor is coming forth with stronger conclusions about MSU's chances of getting Roe, I have to do this. I hope my source understands. I don't think my coming forward with this info can or will hurt anything that anyone is trying to do.

Also, I wasn't the only person who was given this information tonight. The info that I received from my source seems to be anything but a secret at this point. So again, I have decided to come forward with some of what I found out tonight.

A short while later, I was approached by a subscriber at Munn, someone who is very tight with the basketball office. He said that he had heard from members of the basketball office that they were expecting to get Roe.

Then I was approached by another subscriber at Munn, who had spoke with a high-ranking member of the athletic department. That member of the athletic department had told this subscriber that Roe was coming to MSU.

I don't want to give names, but these are names that you would all know.

Anyway, I hate to be the user of unnamed sources, but I feel the need to bring you up to speed on what I learned tonight in East Lansing. And I hate to keep repeating my apologies, but I want my source to have faith that every time he talks to me it doesn't mean it will end up on a message board. This is a special, competitive circumstance, and I don't see a downside toward coming forward with info from what was (at the time) a casual, somewhat confidential conversation.

Again, I don't think I'm speaking too far out of turn here because honestly, my source was telling other people the same thing, and there were wide smiles.

As for Telep, it's my understanding that his sources are people close to the UNC coaching staff. And it wouldn't surprise me if they are telling him that Roe has committed to MSU.

I know Telep, and although he works for a competing site, he's a good guy and very credible.

As for Roe, I don't think I'm going to be able to confirm anything with him tonight. I don't think he is going to say anything in public until his press conference.

Roe is scheduled to be playing on Saturday night with his AAU team at the Prep Spotlight event in Highland Park. That could be an interesting evening.

This post was edited on 4/10 10:34 PM by Jim Comparoni

Hey Tre, just fyi, Roe has ALREADY made his decision. He told his high school coaches and he informed both Roy Williams and Tom Izzo this past Tuesday which program that he's committing to. The only thing that's left to do, is for him to tell everyone else what his decision is at his press conference this upcoming Tuesday.

It's been reported that he postponed the presser because his school was on Spring Break and he wanted his friends and teamates to be there when he announces the biggest decision thus far of his very young life.

So the race is already over, there's just a tape delay in having the results announced.

Hey Tre, just fyi, Roe has ALREADY made his decision. He told his high school coaches and he informed both Roy Williams and Tom Izzo this past Tuesday which program that he's committing to. The only thing that's left to do, is for him to tell everyone else what his decision is at his press conference this upcoming Tuesday.

It's been reported that he postponed the presser because his school was on Spring Break and he wanted his friends and teamates to be there when he announces the biggest decision thus far of his very young life.

So the race is already over, there's just a tape delay in having the results announced.

Yeah, I knew that. I thought the Comp. post put a little more backing behind rumors that are everywhere though even if it was an old post.

Korie Lucious has not only been a major commitment for MSU in the 2008 class, but now he's becoming one of their major recruiters. Lucious believes MSU might have the most talented roster in the country when he arrives on campus. Rightly so, MSU will have a roster littered with 4 and 5 star players. But, Lucious believes he can boost that talent level even further.

Lucious is a very good friend and teammate of Dexter Strickland. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Strickland, he is a 6'3" shooting guard in the 2009 class. Strickland is compared to Derrick Rose and is viewed by all recruiting experts as a Top 5 player in the 09 class. Lucious is calling Strickland weekly trying to lineup a Spartan commitment. He wants to play with Strickland bad. When asked about the combination, Lucious said they'd be unstoppable. If they play off me, it's a 3. If they come up and pressure me, I'd be able to penetrate and kick to Strickland knowing he'll finish.

This MSU recruiting train just keeps rolling. If Roe commits to MSU in a couple of days, we might be looking at the most impressive string of commitments MSU has ever seen.

Korie Lucious has not only been a major commitment for MSU in the 2008 class, but now he's becoming one of their major recruiters. Lucious believes MSU might have the most talented roster in the country when he arrives on campus. Rightly so, MSU will have a roster littered with 4 and 5 star players. But, Lucious believes he can boost that talent level even further.

Lucious is a very good friend and teammate of Dexter Strickland. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Strickland, he is a 6'3" shooting guard in the 2009 class. Strickland is compared to Derrick Rose and is viewed by all recruiting experts as a Top 5 player in the 09 class. Lucious is calling Strickland weekly trying to lineup a Spartan commitment. He wants to play with Strickland bad. When asked about the combination, Lucious said they'd be unstoppable. If they play off me, it's a 3. If they come up and pressure me, I'd be able to penetrate and kick to Strickland knowing he'll finish.

This MSU recruiting train just keeps rolling. If Roe commits to MSU in a couple of days, we might be looking at the most impressive string of commitments MSU has ever seen.

And Richard Howell(another MSU target) supposedly averaged 32 and 10 in some AAU tourney(Boo Williams?) and DaShonte Riley supposedly blocked 20 shots in that tourney. MSU is going after a lot of talent in '09.

And Richard Howell(another MSU target) supposedly averaged 32 and 10 in some AAU tourney(Boo Williams?) and DaShonte Riley supposedly blocked 20 shots in that tourney. MSU is going after a lot of talent in '09.

Izzo believes Roe will help bring a few of those guys in as well. It's unbelievable how this potential Roe commitment will trigger a string of commitments. Very much the way OSU did it.

Curious - exactly how many scholarships is a team allowed. I know the old rule is gone (bad idea in my opinion), but how many total can there be at any given time?

Curious - exactly how many scholarships is a team allowed. I know the old rule is gone (bad idea in my opinion), but how many total can there be at any given time?

Why is it a bad idea? That rule was absolutely retarded. You could lose several guys to the NBA and additional losses to graduation under the old rule and not be able to replace them with enough scholarship athletes. It was ridiculous.

Why would you punish programs that are sending multiple players to the NBA by not letting them replace them as needed.

Not sure on the number. I know MSU will have one more scholarship for a player in the 08 class to go along with Lucious and hopefully Roe. I guess if you add those 3 to the 3 coming in this year, that makes 6. Then you've got Gray, Herzog, Suton, Ibok, Walton, Raymar, Dahlman. I'm guessing it's 12-13 schollies?

13 Scholarships. So if MoJo leaves we can take Williams, Green, Davis or somebody else and then have 4 open for '09.

And Strickland is one of the guys Roe is supposed to be friends with I believe. So that would be fun. And we know some of the big names for '09 so far, but there will be many many more, so that will be interesting.

Hey Delvon, tell us how you feel about Michigan State...

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"I love the players they have coming in, I love coach Izzo and the coaching staff...I like everything about MSU. I like it from the color of the grass to the players they've got coming in there. Coach Izzo pushes his players to the limit and gets the best out of them."
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Motha fuckin' music to my ears :)

http://img18.imagevenue.com/loc777/th_10571_RoeMagic_122_777lo.jpg (http://img18.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=10571_RoeMagic_122_777lo.jpg)

Does anyone know about the rumor coming out of Minnesota surrounding Lou Dawkins? I heard today that Tubby is talking with Dawkins about coming to be an assistant in Minny with the hopes that Draymond will follow? I heard this about an hour ago.................any know if its credible at all?

Hey Delvon, tell us how you feel about Michigan State...

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"I love the players they have coming in, I love coach Izzo and the coaching staff...I like everything about MSU. I like it from the color of the grass to the players they've got coming in there. Coach Izzo pushes his players to the limit and gets the best out of them."
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Motha fuckin' music to my ears :)

http://img18.imagevenue.com/loc777/th_10571_RoeMagic_122_777lo.jpg (http://img18.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=10571_RoeMagic_122_777lo.jpg)

Delvon Roe showing mad love for MSU and a pic with MSU LEGEND MAGIC JOHNSON! I FEEEEEEEL IT BOOOOOOY!!!!!! I've got some sweet new quotes too, but I gotta go coach the boys up. I'll get it up when i get back. DELVON...DELVON...DELVON....

I thought Dawkins to Minnesorta was all but a done deal a month ago.

Where is Minnesorta located at exactly?

Sorta in the Big Ten conference. But seriously, I thought Dawkins had been hired by Tubby already just a couple days after he took the Golden Goophers HC position.

Hey Jack, can you post a link to that Magic-Roe pic, I gotta get that.