2015 JuCo G Malique Trent (TCU Commit)

[Chicagojayfan]

6'2 is pretty a pedestrian height for a Big East SG, but with Harrell and Huff, I'm not sure we'll necessarily need length on the wings next year as much as we'll need a slasher. Hopefully, Mr. Trent fits that description.

Agreed, I think it's not just about the height, but about a guy who can make a difference defensively and who can play above the rim (in my mind a guy like Wichita always seems to have who can guard the perimeter shooters and make it difficult for teams to pass around in the half-court). We desperately need more physical and mental intensity in our backcourt for Big East play.

This might also be about getting a combo guard who is D1 ready as a backup at the 1 and the 2 next year. Eventually Stewart can play that role, but asking him to play 5-10 minutes a game at the point as Watson's backup as a true frosh might be pushing it.

[McKinney's Neighbor]

This looks like more of the same to me.

[JayPak]

This might also be about getting a combo guard who is D1 ready as a backup at the 1 and the 2 next year. Eventually Stewart can play that role, but asking him to play 5-10 minutes a game at the point as Watson's backup as a true frosh might be pushing it.

Let me understand this correctly: You're a fan of Mac's recruiting and said on another thread that Stewart could end up as a Rivals 100 or 150 but he's yet another recruit who won't be able to contribute as a freshman even in a 5-10 minute backup role? Good grief.

[R Jay]

This might also be about getting a combo guard who is D1 ready as a backup at the 1 and the 2 next year. Eventually Stewart can play that role, but asking him to play 5-10 minutes a game at the point as Watson's backup as a true frosh might be pushing it.

Let me understand this correctly: You're a fan of Mac's recruiting and said on another thread that Stewart could end up as a Rivals 100 or 150 but he's yet another recruit who won't be able to contribute as a freshman even in a 5-10 minute backup role? Good grief.

So you'd have him play ahead of Mo Watson at the point or James, Isaiah, or Ronnie at the off-guard? All Chicago is saying is that he believes it will be difficult for him to get minutes behind those four. I'm sure he's going to have the opportunity to compete and if he performs well, he'll play a bigger role. Simple as that.

[Duke1Agn]

This looks like more of the same to me.

I partially agree. The fact that the staff is having to turn to Juco guys that were lightly recruited in HS isn't really the most encouraging idea. Especially given the considerable upgrade in talent we need right now. With that said, there isn't much left in terms of 2015 HS players. There are a few top 100 wings left, but the chances of us being able to get involved this late and actually get a commitment are slim to none. This really goes back to the staff putting all their chips into the Clarke/McQuaid basket, and seemingly not having many backup plans.

With that said, I really don't know enough about Trent to even comment on his abilities. It sounds like there are some other high major schools involved as well, which is good to hear.

[JayPak]

This might also be about getting a combo guard who is D1 ready as a backup at the 1 and the 2 next year. Eventually Stewart can play that role, but asking him to play 5-10 minutes a game at the point as Watson's backup as a true frosh might be pushing it.

Let me understand this correctly: You're a fan of Mac's recruiting and said on another thread that Stewart could end up as a Rivals 100 or 150 but he's yet another recruit who won't be able to contribute as a freshman even in a 5-10 minute backup role? Good grief.

So you'd have him play ahead of Mo Watson at the point or James, Isaiah, or Ronnie at the off-guard? All Chicago is saying is that he believes it will be difficult for him to get minutes behind those four. I'm sure he's going to have the opportunity to compete and if he performs well, he'll play a bigger role. Simple as that.

Uhh, NO. I'd expect a BE point guard recruit (going forward) to be ready to play backup pg to Watson for 5-10 minutes. Chicagojayfan suggested it "might be pushing it" to ask that of Stewart.

[TrueBlueJay]

It seems to me that guards are often ready to contribute early in their career more than big men. Of course this is a generality, but certainly is something I think holds true more often than not.

[Chicagojayfan]

...

Let me understand this correctly: You're a fan of Mac's recruiting and said on another thread that Stewart could end up as a Rivals 100 or 150 but he's yet another recruit who won't be able to contribute as a freshman even in a 5-10 minute backup role? Good grief.

So you'd have him play ahead of Mo Watson at the point or James, Isaiah, or Ronnie at the off-guard? All Chicago is saying is that he believes it will be difficult for him to get minutes behind those four. I'm sure he's going to have the opportunity to compete and if he performs well, he'll play a bigger role. Simple as that.

Uhh, NO. I'd expect a BE point guard recruit (going forward) to be ready to play backup pg to Watson for 5-10 minutes. Chicagojayfan suggested it "might be pushing it" to ask that of Stewart.

A few points...
1. we are breaking in a new starting PG for next year. He's obviously good, but PG is maybe the toughest place to break in a new starter. Having a bit of depth is pretty important.
2. It's clear that Watson is the heir apparent at that position for the next 2 years, but we need depth and it's hard to find a dedicated PG to be a backup (try recruiting someone who knows they are going to ride the bench for 2 years). As such, we've recruited guys who are combo guards. It's not clear to me that either Trent or Stewart are pure PGs. Stewart might be ready to play (physically he looks like he's ready), but he may not be enough of a point to run the team the way we want, and may end up at the 2 more often than not. Having a JUCO guy who can also handle isn't a bad option for Mac to have.

FWIW, I do think Stewart can play. He's physical ready to play, has played good competition in traveling and the reports from his tournament in Chicago were good about him playing PG:

http://www.krossover.com/blog/2014/07/r ... up-071014/

""However, the prospect who raised his stock the most in this game and throughout the remainder of the evening was 6’2 point guard Marlon Stewart. A rising senior at North Scott High School in Iowa, Marlon wasn’t much of a known commodity coming into the event, as the field mostly consisted of players from the Chicagoland area. By the end of the day, Marlon had the gym buzzing, as he dazzled with sharp passing, tight ball-handling, and next-level court savvy. Marlon, who competes on the AAU circuit with Team Rose, has offers from Wisconsin Green Bay, Northern Illinois and Chicago State, and interest from Bradley, IUPUI, Drake, Northern Colorado, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and South Dakota State. You can expect that list to more than double by the time the July evaluation period comes to a close.""

pretty sure he broke his finger right after that and wasn't available for the evals he was likely to get.

[gtmoBlue]

Thought we were looking for big guards -
Kyrie, Council, and Ellison fit that requirement.

Another 6-2 Juco? We have 2 already...

[JacobPadilla]

@Chicago, Marlon is a point guard. I don't know how good he'll be right away, but that's more to do with him being a true freshman than him not being able to run the point. In fact, I didn't see him do much of anything off the ball when I watched him play in Minneapolis.