2016 Recruiting needs and potential recruits

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:02 am

I'm sure some of you will feel the need to point out that there's no way to know for sure what the roster is going to look like a year or two from now. And yes, that's absolutely true and under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't start this thread so early. But it looks as though DK may have wrapped up his 2015 recruiting class with the addition of Hines and he's got 4 scholarships to work with for the 2016 class.

Let's start off by making some assumptions. Malik Hines will be part of the 2015 class. Holloway and CJ Anderson will be part of the 2014 class and will not redshirt. Everyone currently on the roster will stay with the program without taking a redshirt year for injuries, etc.

So here goes.

Here's who will be here in 2016-17 and 2017-18:

2016-17
Guards - Dyson, Clark, Anderson, Pipkins
Forwards - Santee, Coleman, Berger, Hines
Center - Holloway
4 scholarships available for c/o 2016

2017-18
Guards - Clark, Anderson, Pipkins
Forwards - Coleman, Hines
Center - Holloway
3 scholarships available for c/o 2017

DK is going to have 6 guards on the roster in 2014-15 and 7 the following year, I'm not sure if it's coincidental, but it seems as though his philosophy might have shifted into preferring lots of guards and the ability to run 3-guard sets. To which he'll want 2-3 pg's and 3-4 wing guards on the roster at all times. For c/o 2106, PG and C would seem to be glaring needs, with a SG and wing or combo forward as secondary needs.

It's early in the process for 2016 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.

Ikenna Ndugba - PG
Bruce Brown - CG
Tyonne Malone - G/F
Tony Bradley - F/C
Corey Manigault - F/C
Sedee Keita - F/C

Tyonne Malone is local and I believe DK offered him a scholarship and has been tracking him for what seems like forever. He was supposed to be a pretty big talent, but has fallen off over the last year and is no longer being mentioned all that much by recruiting services and is NERR's #19 New England prospect in c/o 2016.

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:26 pm

I checked my roster spreadsheet (yes, I actually have one) and it matches what you have. Now that I look at it, I'm a little concerned with our size in 2015 and in 2016. Holloway is such an unknown and TB is pretty much what we have seen, so we could actually use another quality big man for 2015. Hines may be the guy, but he's not a bruiser.

I have no information to substantiate this, but it wouldn't surprise me if one of the guards transferred because of the lack of playing time. Even with a 3 guard lineup there is no way for all 6 or 7 to get decent minutes. I would love to see us get Nick Marshall, a 2015 recruit. He's from Tenn. and that's an area where we have done pretty well.

Kosty · Post by **Kosty** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:52 pm

Do we know if Sedee Keita is related in some way to Abe Keita who I believe Bruiser went after back in the day??

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:06 pm

69MG wrote:Now that I look at it, I'm a little concerned with our size in 2015 and in 2016. Holloway is such an unknown and TB is pretty much what we have seen, so we could actually use another quality big man for 2015. Hines may be the guy, but he's not a bruiser.

I have no information to substantiate this, but it wouldn't surprise me if one of the guards transferred because of the lack of playing time. Even with a 3 guard lineup there is no way for all 6 or 7 to get decent minutes. I would love to see us get Nick Marshall, a 2015 recruit. He's from Tenn. and that's an area where we have done pretty well.

By the time someone transfers most of the good players in the c/o 2015 will have committed elsewhere. If DK doesn't have confidence that Holloway + TBerg + Hines will be enough in 2015-16 then he'll have the opportunity to add a 5th year senior and then a transfer who's eligible in 2016-17 or a 2016 Freshman that's ready to play right away.

Someone might transfer out, but I think there are other possibilities as well. It wouldn't shock me if CJ Anderson redshirted, or someone could get injured. What's the deal w/ non-qualifiers transferring? Do they just lose a year of eligibility (In which case Santee and Clarke probably won't leave)? DK has been very good at keeping players happy and in the program. He's kept Esho in the program through a redshirt year and 3 years coming off the bench.

uz2b-len · Post by **uz2b-len** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:50 pm

Niles, I must not be understanding what you're saying. Because I'm sure you know that a player who redshirts or who is injured still use their scholarship. So what is it you mean by "other possibilities"?

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:16 pm

uz2b-len wrote:Niles, I must not be understanding what you're saying. Because I'm sure you know that a player who redshirts or who is injured still use their scholarship. So what is it you mean by "other possibilities"?

I was referring to the issue of guards wanting to transfer out due to a lack of playing time. I'm not of that opinion that it's a likely outcome.

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:46 pm

DK doing some scouting/recruiting in Chicago.

https://twitter.com/Daniel_Malone/statu ... 0149549057

http://www.adidasuprising.com/adidas-un ... 14-roster/

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:14 pm

^ This is a big recruiting week, it's one of a very few periods where coaches can watch players in person.

uz2b-len · Post by **uz2b-len** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:22 pm

69MG wrote:DK doing some scouting/recruiting in Chicago.

https://twitter.com/Daniel_Malone/statu ... 0149549057

http://www.adidasuprising.com/adidas-un ... 14-roster/

Very nice that AdidasUprising has a team called the Minutemen, amongst the teams named for lots of big time programs like Bearcats, Jayhawks, Badgers, Wolfpack, etc.

Winslow05 · Post by **Winslow05** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:21 pm

Honestly guys, I am very impressed with your in depth knowledge and dedication to this team and this program.

I pride myself on being a fairly informed and knowledgeable fan, but the fact that you guys are keeping spreadsheets of potential recruits and signees etc is commendable.

If we had more fans like you guys I don't think we would have any trouble filling the Mullins Center and finding future recruits and a future conference.

Kudos to you guys!

BTHoops · Post by **BTHoops** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:45 pm

Bruce Brown.

uz2b-len · Post by **uz2b-len** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:53 am

What about him?

69MG · Post by **69MG** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 8:13 am

Bruce Brown is the #2 player in New England, class of 2016 per NERR. We may need a PG more than a SG, but he's good enough to take regardless of position.
http://www.newenglandrecruitingreport.c ... -Brown.php

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/baske ... ruce-brown

Not sure what BT was referring to, but Brown is a player.

NilesGold · Post by **NilesGold** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 8:42 am

^ I think BTHoops likes Bruce Brown...
https://twitter.com/BTUMassHoops/status ... 5802768386

I wonder if Brown is another EC Matthews type situation in the sense that he might want to go somewhere that lets him play, or at least dabble, at the point. He's a 6-3 combo guard that surely has NBA aspirations (and legitimate ones at that) where he would be a point guard. He's good enough that you take him regardless if he fills a need. Luckily he would fill a need for UMass, especially if he can play some point.

BTHoops · Post by **BTHoops** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 8:55 am

Sorry, I just love Bruce Brown. Have seen him play several times and saw him again yesterday in Springfield at the Basketbull tournament at the Mass Mutal Center. Kid is legit and would be a huge get in that 2016 class.

They (BABC 2016s) play today (Sunday, July 13) at 10:25 and if they win they'll play at 2 if they win that they'll play at 4:20. Admission is $10, get a UMass shirt on and go watch if you're free today.