2014 SG/SF Ronnie Harrell (Signed)

[jayball]

As fans, we see but a glimmer of all of the facts and information which goes into these types of decisions.

Here's what the fans know: Ronnie Harrell is a 6'8 guard with long arms, (at least) decent ball skills and NBA range. It would speak volumes to how far the program has come in the past 18 months for the coaching staff to decide to redshirt such a player.If it happens, fine. I'd trust that the coaches made the right call. But as it stands now, I think Creighton is a better basketball team in 2013-2014 if Ronnie plays. And that's why you don't redshirt him.

Yep fans reading stuff on the internet > actually seeing a guy practice against other D1 players and comparing him to other players on the team. In person. Everyday. As a profession.

None of us knows jackshit.

[TBC Alum]

But as it stands now, I think Creighton is a better basketball team in 2013-2014 if Ronnie plays.

And even better in 2014-2015 when he gets on campus!

[vivid_dude]

As fans, we see but a glimmer of all of the facts and information which goes into these types of decisions.

Here's what the fans know: Ronnie Harrell is a 6'8 guard with long arms, (at least) decent ball skills and NBA range. It would speak volumes to how far the program has come in the past 18 months for the coaching staff to decide to redshirt such a player.If it happens, fine. I'd trust that the coaches made the right call. But as it stands now, I think Creighton is a better basketball team in 2013-2014 if Ronnie plays. And that's why you don't redshirt him.

Yep, you definitely just cited the hype. Now let's see the substance. If hype equated to inevitable reality, then P'Allen would be Creighton's all time leading scorer, Chad Millard would be spit shining his MVC POY award(s), Bryce Nengsu would be wearing "Rodney Who?" shirts around Omaha and Doug McDermott would have developed into a nice little 12 PPG scorer in a mid-major conference.

Listen, I hope you're right. I'm sure the coaches hope you're right too. I want to see him play right away. I want the hype to be true. But to go so far as to say it would be IDIOTIC to redshirt him when he hasn't stepped on a practice court? That's pretty extreme. So, using your quote, "as it stands now", it's an unknown with much better-than-average potential. My only point in responding is to say that the staff, once they actually see the kid run a drill for the first time, will know what the right course will be.

[TrueBlueJay]

+1 Vivid. I'm afraid some folks on this board are going to be close to slashing their wrists if the incoming freshman perform like....well, freshman. Let's give these kids a break. There is going to be an adjustment period, maybe even a year or two. I hope everyone just takes a deep breath and restrains their postings about these young men, especially early in the year.

I'm as excited about the future of the Jays as anyone, but don't let the hype machine skew what realistic expectations should be. That is what we see and read each year about UNL football. Let's not become that (my apologies to the Jayskers)

[jln]

Harrell is ranked 71st nationally by ESPN. Here are the guys ranked at that spot since ESPN started doing rankings in 2007:

2007-Dallas Lauderdale, Ohio State. As a freshman averaged 0.9 points, 1.8 rebounds per game. By his senior year he was at 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and he is currently playing in the D League.

2008-Elston Turner Jr., Washington. As a freshman he averaged 3.6 points, 2.1 rebounds per game. He transferred to Texas A&M after his sophomore year and averaged 17.5 points per game as a senior. He is now playing professionally in Italy.

2009-Maurice Creek, Indiana. He was averaging 16.4 points per game through 12 games as a freshman before a season ending injury. He then dropped to 8.3 points per game as a sophomore and 1.8 as a junior before transferring to George Washington for his senior year where he just averaged 14.1 points.

2010-Juwan Staten, Dayton. Averaged 8.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and transferred to West Virginia. He had a huge junior year for WVU and flirted with the NBA before deciding to come back for his senior year.

2011-Antwan Space, Florida State. He played 30 minutes total in 10 games as a freshman and then missed the rest of the season with a foot injury. He transferred to Texas A&M and just averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

2012-Hanner Perea, Indiana. Averaged 0.9 points and 1.5 rebounds per game as a freshman. He was suspended the first 9 games of the year and never got going. As a sophomore he averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

2013-Christian Wood, UNLV. Averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game as a freshman.

[HandDownManDown]

Ive heard from a couple of different people that there are some serious concerns about Ronnie's D and that, coupled with some strength needs, could easily lead to a redshirt season.

[fritzpointer]

Ronnie told OWH that he had gained 10lbs since coming to Omaha.

[Jaysker12]

Is it realistic to expect a player to put on any amount of weight during the season?

[AttyAlum]

Is it realistic to expect a player to put on any amount of weight during the season?

Probably not. It is common for guys to put on weight before the season starts though. I know before Doug's freshman year he worked hard to put on weight and that, along with Wragge's injury, probably saved a redshirt.

[Duke1Agn]

Ronnie will not be red shirting.

His offensive game is going to be too valuable for us to pass up next year. Defensively, he's behind, but that can be said about most freshman. His style of play is not one that requires strength. He's a finesse player who is a jump-shooter, not a guy that's slashing and attacking the rim consistently. Sure, adding strength could allow him to do that more regularly, but we have guys who can do that on the roster (Brooks, Milliken, Chatman). Defensively, he has one thing that no amount of practice can teach: length. If he makes even a little progress, his length is going to allow him to really, really bother opposing wings, SFs.

Side note: his Twitter handle now says "Point Guard for Creighton University". Interesting.