SIU had six scholarships to fill after the flurry of outgoing transfers. Three down, three to go, and you have to feel good about the quality of recruits brought in so far.
I now think a veteran (JUCO or grad transfer) guard who can take some ball-handling and playmaking pressure off Jones and the incoming freshman guards is the top remaining priority. And it wouldn't hurt to add one more big and an athletic wing to the mix, if we want to get greedy. Which we do, I assume. 😀
This! Beat me to it.
Yes, be greedy. Really nice looking recruits so far. Congrats to all. Keep it going guys.
Great get and welcome Anthony!
March on triumphantly!
Ok, I was freaking a bit like everyone else but let’s take a look at where we are. National letter day was Wed. Today is Sunday .... 5 days , 3 new players.... pretty normal actually in a very abnormal year.
Is he a graduate transfer ?
Is he a graduate transfer ?
Yes, one year to play.
And that scholly opens back up for 2021. I wouldn't be surprised if we sign another grad transfer....maybe even two. Bryan seems to be in on some very good Class of 2021 recruits. Class balance...
I have to admit, I was getting a bit concerned. Never underestimate Bryan, great pickup!! Welcome to Carbondale Anthony!
I would love to see and athletic wing, maybe JUCO added to this roster, a JUCO or grad transfer point guard and a freshman big to develop. Feel much better about it all now though, we are in good shape.
Outside shooting will be greatly improved next year with Domask, Harvey and now D'Avanzo. And we're not done yet.
Great pickup. Congrats to the staff, this is a nice recruiting win.
Wood is typically 99.7 percent right🤗.
I’m sorry but some post you just can’t ignore. Wood’s efficiency rate just improved to 99.9 percent.
I would have a little caution. I haven't heard anything in particular.
More to come
The “panic” button has been removed from the house and replaced with “greed”.
- grad transfer point guard
- grad transfer wing/big guard
- one of the high school kids out of Tennessee (have no clue if we are still involved, just wishing).
Please indulge me as I try to surmise our current recruiting situation (this is going to be long). Bryan said on the news his priority is to sign another Big and another Guard. I interpret that as Adong Makoui & AJ Staton-McCray, based on North Pole Hoops saying SIU was about to get another Canadian Juco Big (likely Makoui) and some of our insiders reporting Staton-McCray was close to verballing to SIU. That would put us 10 deep for next season.
In the interview with Reis, Bryan said it was "possible" he might get another verbal in the next 24-48 hours, but it didn't sound likely. Bryan also said he was looking at both Transfers and Preps. With the Coronavirus delaying recruiting, it's obvious that players are waiting longer to make their decisions. We know at least 3 of our prospects have set future dates to announce their decisions. So, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. Bryan evidently feels we are still in the running for some of those players.
My feeling is Bryan would like to have 2-3 schollies available for 2021 recruits for class balance. Instead of leaving those open, why not use them on one-year Grad Transfers? I believe that's why we are connected to so many of them. A bunch of them are still out there and we are in a unique position to offer them. I'm confident we won't just be signing "warm bodies" this year.
So, taking into account all information available to me (Twitter posts, recruiting sites, rumors from other Saluki-Insiders, etc.) this is my list of 30 unsigned players we are or have been connected to. I've grouped them into three categories. If our staff is still following them, I'm assuming we are still in play. If neither Bryan or Brendan have continued to follow them, I'm assuming we have backed off due to grades or lack of interest (on their part or ours). I'm including my own educated guess as to where some will end up signing, just to make me look smart! I could be spot-on or I could be way off. Here we go:
HIGH PROBABILITY
Adong Makoui 6'9" PF(Juco) SIU
AJ Staton-McCray 6'5" G (Prep) SIU or Buffalo
Anthony D'Avanzo 6'8" F (Grad Transfer) SIU
Braden Burke 7'0" C (Grad Transfer) SIU
Willie Wilson 6'7" G/F (Prep) SIU or Juco
MEDIUM PROBABILITY
Kyler Filewich 6'8" PF (Prep) Presbyterian or SIU
Connor Niego 6'9" F (Transfer) no clue
Ramean Hinton 6'4" G (Prep) no clue
Jeremiah Williams 6'5" G (Prep) no clue (decides 4/22)
Desmond Polk 6'4" G (Prep) no clue
Kellen Tynes 6'2" G (Prep) 12 schools involved (decides tomorrow)
Steven Verplancken 6'4" G (Transfer) Loyola or SIU
Jayden Johnson 6'6" G (Prep) UIC or SIU
Reggie Strong 6'1" G (Prep) no clue
Detrick Reeves, Jr. 6'3" G (Prep) no clue
Eric Boone 6'3" G (Juco) no clue
Antwuan Butler 6'0" PG (Transfer) no clue
Vado Morse 6'0" PG (Transfer) no clue
Sam Rautins 6'4" G (Transfer) no clue
Zion Young 6'4" G (Transfer) no clue
LOW PROBABILITY
Ty Baynham 6'5" SF (Prep) Temple (decides 5/7)
Trevor Lakes 6'7" F (Transfer) Nebraska
Makhtar Gueye 6'10" C (Transfer) Virginia Tech
Drew Peterson 6'8" F (Transfer) high major?
Cory Hightower 6'7" F (Transfer) high major?
Destin Barnes 6'7" F (Transfer) high major?
Todd Burt, Jr. 6'8" F (Prep) Catawba College or Juco
Amar Brown 6'8" F (Prep) Juco?
Ariel Bland 6'7" F (Prep) Southern Utah or Prep School
Dylan Branson 6'5" G (Prep) Idaho
Obviously this list needs to be updated. However is there names that can be added. Any clues on likely next signees?
Start paying attention to grad transfers I think they are the main targets
