2019 Class

[jaybacker11]

Question - are we done recruiting for 2019? Feel like we've been radio silent on the recruiting front and only have 1 guy signed. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

Nothing against Scurry - but he shouldn't be taking a scholarship if we want to compete with the big boys. If people believe depth is an issue, which I don't really see, but if you do - that needs to be handled by filing our bench with talent.

Scurry isn't "taking" a scholly from anyone. We didn't fill that scholarship this season, so Mac is giving it to him for this year. Very common for coaches to do this and reward walk-ons.

I get that and understand it's common - but we shouldn't be in a position where we didn't "fill that scholarship". All I'm saying is that there technically is room on the roster for someone who can contribute on the court. Mac needs to have some backup guys in mind in case a Bowen situation happens and/or one of your players goes to the NBA. Nothing against Scurry, he's a great glue guy for our guys and congrats to him on the scholarship.

[ictjay]

Backups for scollies are a waste. Kids don’t wait around. They know where they stand and they arent going to wait to see if a scollie opens up.

[hilltopalum]

asked about 2019 & 2020 in Cam Thomas thread:

Jays seem to want a 4 in to finish off 2019. They have two open spots at the moment and could have 3 in Martin goes pro. I know they'll be active in the transfer market. They were active over the winter break but a worthwhile player did not become available. They looked at the Oregon kid and peaked in at Arizona's transfer but neither fits the bill.

For 2019:

Tristan Enaruna is the name. He continues to grow and would fit the system perfect. Another name to watch is the rapid rising Zane Meeks from KS who is playing a Brewster. Stretch four who was injured during last summer evaluation period. Rumors are he could be doing a post-grad year to help his stock. David Skogman is another name to watch.

Outside those two, look for the Jays to be involved with a few different transfers


For 2020:

Jays seems to really like Ben Carlson, another 4 from Minnesota. Xavier Foster has been a long time target from Iowa. However lately the Dukes, UNCs, USCs, have joined Iowa and Iowa State for his services. Cam'ron Fletcher is another the Jays evaluated early but the bluebloods are circling. Cameron Thomas is a perfect fit for replacing Tyshon once he graduates but he too is getting ACC looks. Luke Kasubke, Jayden Stone, Caleb Love, and Ty Berry are a few others Jays have been linked with recently. I just posted about Bowen Born, the heady led guard from Norwalk, Iowa. I could very well see the Jays getting interested in him.

2021:

Jays REALLY like Matthew Mors out of SD but so does Wisconsin. He is the type of player I could see McDermott building a future around, much like Ballock. They're also very interested in Hunter Sallis from Millard.

[vivid_dude]

"If Martin goes pro..."

Whoah! I didn't know this was even close to a possibility.

[jln]

"If Martin goes pro..."

Whoah! I didn't know this was even close to a possibility.

He'll be 24 by the end of this season and presumably have a degree in hand. If he wants to go back to Europe and make some money playing basketball it would make a lot of sense to start now, especially for a guy with his injury history.

[bluejayfan00]

asked about 2019 & 2020 in Cam Thomas thread:

Jays seem to want a 4 in to finish off 2019. They have two open spots at the moment and could have 3 in Martin goes pro. I know they'll be active in the transfer market. They were active over the winter break but a worthwhile player did not become available. They looked at the Oregon kid and peaked in at Arizona's transfer but neither fits the bill.

For 2019:

Tristan Enaruna is the name. He continues to grow and would fit the system perfect. Another name to watch is the rapid rising Zane Meeks from KS who is playing a Brewster. Stretch four who was injured during last summer evaluation period. Rumors are he could be doing a post-grad year to help his stock. David Skogman is another name to watch.

Outside those two, look for the Jays to be involved with a few different transfers


For 2020:

Jays seems to really like Ben Carlson, another 4 from Minnesota. Xavier Foster has been a long time target from Iowa. However lately the Dukes, UNCs, USCs, have joined Iowa and Iowa State for his services. Cam'ron Fletcher is another the Jays evaluated early but the bluebloods are circling. Cameron Thomas is a perfect fit for replacing Tyshon once he graduates but he too is getting ACC looks. Luke Kasubke, Jayden Stone, Caleb Love, and Ty Berry are a few others Jays have been linked with recently. I just posted about Bowen Born, the heady led guard from Norwalk, Iowa. I could very well see the Jays getting interested in him.

2021:

Jays REALLY like Matthew Mors out of SD but so does Wisconsin. He is the type of player I could see McDermott building a future around, much like Ballock. They're also very interested in Hunter Sallis from Millard.

Thanks for the updates! What do you think is the most likely scenarios for the classes, and what the staff would prefer to see happen?

[hilltopalum]

Looking through my blue tinted glasses I think they convince Martin to come back if they don't make it to NCAAs. They've signed Mitchell and if they don't land Enaruna, which is looking tough as Kansas and possibly Virginia has no offered then I think they take a transfer (sit-and-wait) and likely role over the scholarship again if they can't find a grad transfer.

2019-2020 season needs (assuming Krampelj returns):

Bigs:
Krampelj
Epperson
Froling
Bishop

- all have/will have played meaningful minutes at some point = this area is a strength


Wings:
Alexander
Jefferson
Ballock
Mahoney
Mintz (1/2)

- outside of Mahoney, who per reports is going to be an instant impact player, have showed well at times = this area is a strength

Point:
Zegarowski
Mitchell
Mintz (1/2)

- Z is the surefire PG moving forward. Mitchell could be a 5-8 mpg guy which allows Mintz to fully add to the depth on the wing. = this area is a strength as Z will likely be one of the top returning PG and Mintz, a senior will be experienced, allowing Shereef to grow into speed.


2 open spots


The main area I could see needing to be improved is 'toughness' and rebounding from wing/4. If they can address that in 2019 it will likely be from Enaruna or a grad transfer, otherwise I think they take best available on transfer market.

[bluejayfan00]

Looking through my blue tinted glasses I think they convince Martin to come back if they don't make it to NCAAs. They've signed Mitchell and if they don't land Enaruna, which is looking tough as Kansas and possibly Virginia has no offered then I think they take a transfer (sit-and-wait) and likely role over the scholarship again if they can't find a grad transfer.

2019-2020 season needs (assuming Krampelj returns):

Bigs:
Krampelj
Epperson
Froling
Bishop

- all have/will have played meaningful minutes at some point = this area is a strength


Wings:
Alexander
Jefferson
Ballock
Mahoney
Mintz (1/2)

- outside of Mahoney, who per reports is going to be an instant impact player, have showed well at times = this area is a strength

Point:
Zegarowski
Mitchell
Mintz (1/2)

- Z is the surefire PG moving forward. Mitchell could be a 5-8 mpg guy which allows Mintz to fully add to the depth on the wing. = this area is a strength as Z will likely be one of the top returning PG and Mintz, a senior will be experienced, allowing Shereef to grow into speed.


2 open spots


The main area I could see needing to be improved is 'toughness' and rebounding from wing/4. If they can address that in 2019 it will likely be from Enaruna or a grad transfer, otherwise I think they take best available on transfer market.

I could be wrong, but is Enaruna a "toughness and rebounding" 4? I always assumed he was a smaller/finesse play making 4. Thanks again for all the updates!

[hilltopalum]

you're right he's highly skilled but I think he has intangibles like Harrell and last check Enaruna has grown and its up to 6-8 or 6-9 so he seems like one of those players who has enough skill to see floor next year and would likely stay in rotation if he does the rebounding type things.

[Ethanfor3]

Looking through my blue tinted glasses I think they convince Martin to come back if they don't make it to NCAAs. They've signed Mitchell and if they don't land Enaruna, which is looking tough as Kansas and possibly Virginia has no offered then I think they take a transfer (sit-and-wait) and likely role over the scholarship again if they can't find a grad transfer.

2019-2020 season needs (assuming Krampelj returns):

Bigs:
Krampelj
Epperson
Froling
Bishop

- all have/will have played meaningful minutes at some point = this area is a strength


Wings:
Alexander
Jefferson
Ballock
Mahoney
Mintz (1/2)

- outside of Mahoney, who per reports is going to be an instant impact player, have showed well at times = this area is a strength

Point:
Zegarowski
Mitchell
Mintz (1/2)

- Z is the surefire PG moving forward. Mitchell could be a 5-8 mpg guy which allows Mintz to fully add to the depth on the wing. = this area is a strength as Z will likely be one of the top returning PG and Mintz, a senior will be experienced, allowing Shereef to grow into speed.


2 open spots


The main area I could see needing to be improved is 'toughness' and rebounding from wing/4. If they can address that in 2019 it will likely be from Enaruna or a grad transfer, otherwise I think they take best available on transfer market.

Thanks for the analysis and I agree with your thought process. A couple of points to consider:

Spot #1 definitely needs to go to an Enaruna type whether Martin stays or goes. I very much hope he stays, but it sure feels like he's been here forever and might want to go get paid in Europe. At some point everyone has to grow up and get a job. He'll be sorely missed if he goes as I see him as the perfect fit for our style.

Spot #2 - I hope the staff is thinking this way, but that's why they get paid to do this and I don't. I love our wing players, but they all look the same with the slight exception of Jefferson who can play bigger than he is. What this team really needs is a really athletic 6'6" to 6'8" 3/4 hybrid to play the role that Mitch is being forced into right now. If you look across the big east we are consistently facing taller and more athletic teams and while our style is to play small, it sure would be nice to be a little bigger on the wings.

Regardless, we look loaded with a very talented, experienced team for 2019 / 20, especially if Martin comes back and Epperson recovers from his back issues.

Really excited for the future!