2020 Recruiting

[TheOFFSeason]

DeGray is quite a bit better and different. We did offer him first.

This year they did not offer him first

[TheOFFSeason]

Degray doesn’t upgrade your talent level, he gives you another backup...that scholarship needs to be used by a talent upgrade next year.

If they use the last scholarship in 2020-21, in 2021-22 UMass will have 2 open scholarships from departing seniors, and I think you can bank on at least 1 person transferring, bringing the total openings up to 3 or more. I just don't see a ton of value in holding a scholarship open in 2020-21.

I certainly don't think it's the end of the world if UMass doesn't get DeGray, and if they do maybe he's not a talent upgrade (but maybe he is?), but I do think he could provide a different element than DD or DW. Hard to see DD or DW as a 5 if Tre/MG are injured or on the bench, DeGray on the other hand might be able to manage it in spurts or against some opponents.

Basically, at this point I don't think UMass can go wrong as long as they're honest & transparent with the players. Holding the spot would be my last choice, but with 12 presumably eligible players it's not the end of the world. If you reach on a player, as long as they're not a distraction in the locker room and they know that if things don't work out the staff might ask them to transfer, there's no downside.

If there's even a small chance that Noah won't be eligible, I'd want UMass to grab another PG, maybe even Darius Ervin.

Your theoretically using that scholarship for the next 4 years...they will be getting involved with better talent going forward.

[TheOFFSeason]

I'm still in the Richards camp, especially if he has to sit a year due to grades.
2020-2021 - Redshirt year. Practice against Tre and learn the offense.
2021-2022 - Take over the backup role from Gasperini and play the 5 at times with Tre at the 4.
2022-2023 - 50/50 or better that Tre declares for the draft after his junior year. Richards get the starting spot.
Richards then has 2 more years to play, so he gets to start for 3 years (if he's good enough) and just be a backup for 1. That would seem to be a good scenario for him and for us.

As a non qualifier he wouldn’t be able to practice

My feeling is that he would choose Juco first because of this but I am not basing this off information

[DoctorJ]

DeGray looks like he has better hands, better release, more physical. He's right handed. DD is lefty.

Watching the games he seems ready for A10 day 1.

[Bub89]

DeGray is a stronger rebounder and that remains an area of concern in my opinion. DeGray had multiple double doubles this season and is a proven scorer, at least at the prep school level. I'd like to see us sign him.

[NilesGold]

Your theoretically using that scholarship for the next 4 years...they will be getting involved with better talent going forward.

You tell player XYZ that you're offering them a scholarship on a year to year basis. You see how things go in year 1 and decide from there. If they're not on board with that going in then then don't come.

[DoctorJ]

Niles, hearing anything new on DeGray's recruitment? You called Gasperini on the none.

Anything on Frederick Scott? I like his game and , if DeGray doesn't pan out, he's a good option.

[TheOFFSeason]

Your theoretically using that scholarship for the next 4 years...they will be getting involved with better talent going forward.

You tell player XYZ that you're offering them a scholarship on a year to year basis. You see how things go in year 1 and decide from there. If they're not on board with that going in then then don't come.

That doesn’t happen unless the kid has no offers

[Gaber205]

So I get that transferring is increasingly commonplace but the amount of turnover we have had I think is a bit more than most:

DK's guy that transferred at various points after the coaching change:
Donte
Pip
DJ
Brison
Tyrn
Lewis
Baldwin
Unique
Malik
Coleman
Berger

McCall's transfers that transferred again:
Cobb
Laurent
Hayward
Keon

McCall's HS recruits that transferred:
KTM (well he didn't transfer he disappeared into the injury abyss)
Samba
Wood
Chatman
CJ
East

Hell even the walk-ons transfer (Rayshawn,Jaylen) and the assistants do too (well in their own way)...

I mean that is staggering when you look at it -- even if half of them or so weren't McCall recruits. I understand that McCall walked into a difficult situation that was compounded by early decisions he made. I understand the sea change we have going on here and if things work out and the team continues to improve then all this change is fine. We are clearly going in one direction here.

I liked Samba -- he seemed like a great kid and he was a good UMass representative, the kind I want to have at my school. Did he have it all put together on the court? Nope, but there was some potential and I wish it worked out differently.

I also like the kids we still have and hope it works out and recognize the potential that is there.

All of these things can be true.

KTM medically retired and Rayshawn was a walk-on who proved he could play and earned a D1 scholarship for his senior year. In no way should those be on this list.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

KTM medically retired and Rayshawn was a walk-on who proved he could play and earned a D1 scholarship for his senior year. In no way should those be on this list.

Still to the point of the turnover though... they should just have qualifications listed with them while on that list.

[Jackson96]

I noted that KTM was injured. The walk ons were a bit tongue in cheek. I was really just listing all of the players no longer with us.

But by all means if it helps you sleep better at night, feel free to cross them out!

[NilesGold]

Your theoretically using that scholarship for the next 4 years...they will be getting involved with better talent going forward.

You tell player XYZ that you're offering them a scholarship on a year to year basis. You see how things go in year 1 and decide from there. If they're not on board with that going in then then don't come.

That doesn’t happen unless the kid has no offers

No offers, possibly lesser offers, or maybe they have a lot of confidence in them-self & if the new transfer rules passes it's not really a risk.

[Gaber205]

I noted that KTM was injured. The walk ons were a bit tongue in cheek. I was really just listing all of the players no longer with us.

But by all means if it helps you sleep better at night, feel free to cross them out!

I don't care one way or the other, but he wasn't injured, he was medically retired, thats not a program turnover situation.

[DoctorJ]

When will the NCAA announce its transfer policy? It is strange that we haven't heard yet.

[Jackson96]

Ok Gaber thanks for not caring enough to tell me what my list should or shouldn’t have on it.

I was just listing players no longer with the program. They were here. Now they aren’t and not because of the expected end result (graduation). That’s my definition of turnover. You have a different definition that’s totally cool! I’m not going to argue that. That’s like arguing semantics.