2015 Recruiting needs and potential recruits

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:14 pm

I thought the thread that 69 started for 2014 recruiting was a good place to talk about that recruiting class in general. From all outside appearances our 2014 class is set. News and developments on the 2015 are starting to become more prevalent, so I figured while we wait for the next UMass game I would start up the thread for 2015 recruiting.

Here's who will be here in 2015-16 and 2016-17:

2015-16
Guards - Davis, Hinds, Gordon, Dyson, Clark, Anderson
Forwards - Santee, Coleman, Berger
Centers - Bergantino, Holloway
2 scholarships available for 2015

2016-17
Guards - Dyson, Clark, Anderson
Forwards - Santee, Coleman, Berger
Center - Holloway
4 scholarships available for 2016 (assuming 2 used in 2015)

Looking at the roster we don't have a glaring need at any position for the 2015-16 season, but in 2016-2017 we are going to need a PF/C and PG that can contribute. I'd rather not have to rely on a freshmen to fill either of those needs, which means getting them in the 2015 recruiting class.

It's still pretty early in the process for 2015 recruits and things can change really quickly (especially w/ UMass as history has shown), but here are some names that have been linked to UMass that fill what I think are the two biggest needs:

PG
Damontrae Jefferson
Nych (Nick) Smith
Kevin Dorsey
Munis Tutu
Chris McNeal

PF/C
Chris Baldwin
Abdul Shanun
Moses Toriola

I'm getting the impression that Nych Smith is going to stay in the south (favors Memphis & Miss St. as reported this week). Tutu was offered by Michigan State, so that seems like a longshot. Apparently we aren't pursuing McNeal very hard.

Another poster said DK & Smoke flew out the DMV area to see Dorsey play yesterday (VCU was also apparently in attendance). Reports this past summer indicated DK was heavily pursuing Jefferson, but recent reports haven't been quite as encouraging.

Shanun & Toriola are both from Africa and are said to be very raw but with lots of potential.

I think there's a good chance Chris Baldwin becomes a Minuteman. He's highly regarded, but there's very little information on his recruitment. Looks like only UMass and La Salle have offered him a scholarship as best as I can figure out. As of January 2013, UMass had been the only school to have offered him and he claimed that UMass, BC and BU were recruiting him the hardest. Kind of makes me wonder if other schools aren't spending a lot of time recruiting him because they think he's already pretty well decided where he wants to go. But that's pure conjecture on my part.

Marty Peretz · Post by **Marty Peretz** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:23 pm

So when you say, 2015 and 2016, you're referring to the fall of that year, correct? As in, 2016 really refers to the 2016-2017 season? Because if not, then Bergantino, Gordon and Hinds will all be here for 2016 (as in the 2015-2016) season. Sorry, just trying to get some clarity on that.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:03 pm

^ yes you are correct. I was following the format of the 2014 thread iteration. I'll edit the first post and clarify it there too.

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:18 pm

According to VerbalCommits.com we have offered Aaron Falzone and Josh Sharma. Right now, they are probably looking at higher level programs, but if we finish the year strong maybe we creep into the picture. Both are New England kids and I would gladly take either (or both) of them.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:32 pm

69MG wrote:According to VerbalCommits.com we have offered Aaron Falzone and Josh Sharma.

I left them off purposely because in recent articles/comments they've mentioned lots of schools, but not UMass.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:38 pm

ktabz16 wrote:the problem with your post is that you're projecting out too long. look at predictions for this year's roster and it's littered with players who left or who never made it.

That's the case with everything, doesn't mean we can't talk about possibilities and likelihoods. It's just a good idea to keep it in perspective and always remember that yes, a lot can change.

If players unexpectedly leave the program it will increase the # of available scholarships and possibly add positional needs. But the positional needs that we can already predict down the road are only going to go away if we add players.

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:03 pm

NilesGold wrote:
69MG wrote:According to VerbalCommits.com we have offered Aaron Falzone and Josh Sharma.
I left them off purposely because in recent articles/comments they've mentioned lots of schools, but not UMass.

When we go to the final 4 this year, they will drop all of their other schools and come to their State School in Amherst where they belong.

DoctorJ · Post by **DoctorJ** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:48 pm

Conte forum looked pretty damn empty the other night when they lost to Maryland. I wouldn't be surprised if we start picking up more in-state kids.

UMass87 · Post by **UMass87** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:49 pm

^ the ACC is a big draw but no major D1 school has as bad fans as the beagles.

DoctorJ · Post by **DoctorJ** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:51 pm

Fair-weather Flutie flockers

UMassbball14 · Post by **UMassbball14** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 10:28 pm

This has got to be the class that we start seeing a 4-star recruit or two if we continue to have success this season, right?

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:39 am

You have to tentatively sketch out your needs for the future 3-4 years out, but no more than that. As ktabz said, things chance quickly so that sketch better be on a whiteboard. It would be foolish for the staff to not project out to when his youngest class would finish up but they need to find a balance between actual need and pure talent. I don't envy the recruiting part of this job.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 10:55 am

^ agreed. My guess is that we might be seeing DK offer some shooting guards and small or combo forwards in the class of 2015 because DK has to keep his options open in case things change.

Roadtrip · Post by **Roadtrip** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:43 am

As someone alluded to in another thread, the 2 positions you should not skimp on are PG and C. Best to have 3 of both.

HoopHead · Post by **HoopHead** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:30 pm

^ agreed but also DK's favored recruits also include the slasher-type, long and speedy, as Putney, Esho. So, we can't overlook those type guys.