Re: 2015 Recruiting

by wrv Mon Mar 23, 2015 7:49 am

"So that's 7 scholarship players out and 4 added for next year. Still a lot of work to be done with this recruiting class."

I assume “4 added for next year” is a display of optimism about this weekend’s visitor?

No doubt that in 2015 we will take at least 4, maybe more, but I am aware of only 3 so far.

by Dean Murdoch Mon Mar 23, 2015 7:56 am

wrv wrote:I assume “4 added for next year” is a display of optimism about this weekend’s visitor?

No doubt that in 2015 we will take at least 4, maybe more, but I am aware of only 3 so far.

Four added scholarships: Jazz, Chiir, Russell, and apparently one promised to Livingston.

There does certainly seem to be some optimism about the visit, though...

@CoachReveno wrote:Pilots has a very good recruiting weekend. Always special when you have a visit from an exciting basketball player who will be a great fit.

by Dean Murdoch Mon Mar 23, 2015 7:59 am

@RyanSilver1 wrote:Portland has offered 2015 sg/sf Malik Fitts Damien HS / @Earl_Watson Elite. One of top unsigned seniors in country.

Showed up this morning. Other offers from Tulsa, UC Riverside, Wyoming, and Northern Arizona.

by DTLegend Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:02 am

It's interesting how quickly they got that offer out to Fitts after Xubi's announcement. Seems like they had probably been recruiting him as a back up plan to Jarrel, or as a safety in case something like Xubi leaving happened.

by DoubleDipper Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:25 am

DTLegend wrote:It's interesting how quickly they got that offer out to Fitts after Xubi's announcement. Seems like they had probably been recruiting him as a back up plan to Jarrel, or as a safety in case something like Xubi leaving happened.

Not a big surprise that Xubi will leave UP....it has been a subject of discussion since the beginning of the year, but still....as a wonderful guy and teammate, you hate to say goodbye.

Fitts is actually on the radar of a lot of schools, including USD, LMU, and PU from the WCC, and "bigger" schools like OSU, CSU, WSU, BSU, UNM, and Tulsa.

As there is still a question about Chiir's academic status, Fitts could be a back up plan there also.

I'm still betting on a JC or D1 transfer to fill some BIG holes in the lineup.

by NoPoNeighbor Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:13 pm

I'm sorry to see Xubi leave the Bluff. I was envisioning a Korey Thieleke-like breakout year for him next season.

His transfer also poses the danger that the recruiting classes could become even more unbalanced. Xubi was one of only 2 scholarship players in next year's junior class. If he is replaced by an incoming freshman, that is a step backwards in terms of balance.

Of course, if Marshall comes on board that would be a step in the right direction; Mashall would join Wintering as a junior next season. Using the remaining scholarships for transfers who will be juniors or seniors next year would help restore some balance among the classes. Incoming freshmen and sophomores would exacerbate the existing imbalance.

Current class composition of next year's roster:
Senior: 2 (Pressley, Livingston)
Junior: 1 (Wintering)
Sophomore: 4 (Taylor, Todd, Tyson, Hartwich)
Freshman: 3 (Johnson, Russell, Maker)
Open slots: 3

And the following year:
Senior: 1 (Wintering)
Junior: 4 (Taylor, Todd, Tyson, Hartwich)
Sophomore: 3 (Johnson, Russell, Maker)
Freshman: 1 (Monson)
TBD from 2015: 3
Open slots: 1

by wrv Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:17 pm

Marshall tweeted today "that this can't be life," and no further comment. That is not an indication of an exciting weekend. Of course the statement could be entirely unrelated, but it is not the kind of comment you hope for from a prospective student athlete who just visited your campus.

by Dean Murdoch Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:37 pm

wrv wrote:Marshall tweeted today "that this can't be life," and no further comment. That is not an indication of an exciting weekend. Of course the statement could be entirely unrelated, but it is not the kind of comment you hope for from a prospective student athlete who just visited your campus.

I'm at a complete loss at how you got all the way from Point A to Point B there.

by NoPoNeighbor Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:37 pm

DoubleDipper wrote:It now turns out that Ray Barreno (6'11/C/2015) from New Mexico JC, has developed some interest in attending UP.....I have no idea what UP's interest level is.

Reveno reports on Twitter that he is on a recruiting trip in New Mexico. My conclusions:

1. Reveno is definitely not being fired.
2. They are going after Barreno, which means...
3. Connor Clifford is now out of the picture. He recently received an offer from Washington State.

by DoubleDipper Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:16 pm

I love your deduction powers, NPN....

Re: #2, Rev could also be making a stop at New Mexico Military Institute where I understand they have "A Few Good Men" who are power forwards, including a couple who at one time committed to D1 schools, but are now at NMMI instead.

One of those is 6-8 freshman Marquis Godfrey, who at one time signed with Max Good, but with the change of coaches at LMU headed to NM as an alternative.

But an even more intriguing 6-8 freshman at NMMI could be Andre Berry, voted as a Top-10 prep player in Rhode Island last year at St. Andrews School. From his picture, it would appear he can take up a lot of space: pirat

As the late Dean Murdoch once said, "As always, I'm just throwing spit balls at the ceiling to see what might stick," or words to that affect.

by wrv Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:32 pm

I'm at a complete loss at how you got all the way from Point A to Point B there.

Terry Cahill
Bench Warmer

Prospective student athletes more often than not utter/ or now write on the internet superlatives about the school they intend to attend, particularly after their official visit. The absence of comment with the rather negative comment suggest a less than stellar experience as a possibility.
The reasoning is evident and easily grasped, try again.

by Dean Murdoch Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:38 pm

@_rellyrel_ wrote:Blessed to say I will spending my next 2 years of college at university of Portland so thankful for this opportunity

Welcome Jarrel!

Seems like a great pickup for the Pilots, and a guy they'd been pursuing for quite some time.

by wrv Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:40 pm

Well, that is great, if unexpected by me.

by NoPoNeighbor Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:41 pm

Hey! Go Pilots!

by NoPoNeighbor Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:47 pm

UPDATE:
Current class composition of next year's roster:
Senior: 2 (Pressley, Livingston)
Junior: 2 (Wintering, Marshall)
Sophomore: 4 (Taylor, Todd, Tyson, Hartwich)
Freshman: 3 (Johnson, Russell, Maker)
Open slots: 2

And the following year:
Senior: 2 (Wintering, Marshall)
Junior: 4 (Taylor, Todd, Tyson, Hartwich)
Sophomore: 3 (Johnson, Russell, Maker)
Freshman: 1 (Monson)
TBD from 2015: 2
Open slots: 1

by NoPoNeighbor Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:49 pm

Pretty clear where the need is for those last two spots:

PG: Wintering, Johnson
SG: Pressley, Livingston, Tyson
SF: Todd, Marshall, Maker
PF: Taylor, Russell
C: Hartwich

by blacksheep Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:00 pm

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Pretty clear where the need is for those last two spots:

PG: Wintering, Johnson
SG: Pressley, Livingston, Tyson
SF: Todd, Marshall, Maker
PF: Taylor, Russell
C: Hartwich

I've never seen it with a Reveno team, but I would love to see a guard-centric offense next year. Alec, Bryce, and Jason can all score. Gabe has such a great mid range shot if they try to keep a big down low. We need more slashing to the hoop and less trying to pass into the big men.

by DoubleDipper Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:04 pm

NoPoNeighbor wrote:Pretty clear where the need is for those last two spots:

PG: Wintering, Johnson
SG: Pressley, Livingston, Tyson
SF: Todd, Marshall, Maker
PF: Taylor, Russell
C: Hartwich

Based upon Jarrel's build and height you could easily expect him to be a SF replacement for KB, but from what I've seen of his tapes and some comments, I think he could very well end up playing the 3 and the 4 position at UP, but primarily the 4......

by NoPoNeighbor Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:12 pm

Obviously there is some wiggle room for some of the guys...

Pressley often plays PG. Todd has played PF. Marshall could play PF.

None of that changes that basic fact that we are extremely thin at the center position. We'll see how Reveno's current recruiting trip goes. Will the Land of Enchantment be sending us another big guy?

by wrv Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:19 pm

I am thinking that whatever position he plays we just got a little more athletic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeGh9GEUSqc

by DoubleDipper Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:26 pm

wrv wrote:I am thinking that whatever position he plays we just got a little more athletic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeGh9GEUSqc

Yeah, watching that, I see him as a more athletic Voldy, with hops!! (Not the beer making kind, btw).

Watching all the NCAA Tournament games the last four days showed me that UP needs someone that can get to the hoop and throw it down....finesse is wonderful, and the European game is wonderful to watch, but verticality is critical.

by Guest Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:37 pm

While the super athlete is missing from this roster......doesn't matter what type of athlete/athletes you have if you don't open up the offense! With the roster that is coming together.....this team should be a micro-BYU model. Pushing, slashing, back-cuts, dribble hand-offs, shooting the 3 at a higher number. All out push, and dribble attack. That may turn around this program! Basketball

by DoubleDipper Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:06 pm

UP basketball wrote:While the super athlete is missing from this roster......doesn't matter what type of athlete/athletes you have if you don't open up the offense! With the roster that is coming together.....this team should be a micro-BYU model. Pushing, slashing, back-cuts, dribble hand-offs, shooting the 3 at a higher number. All out push, and dribble attack. That may turn around this program!

Ha-ha, yeah I think most of us are thinking that way too, UP basketball, we're just afraid to say anything out loud after so many past predictions and disappointments.

But yes, a more athletic team that can do all the things you say would be a treat to watch, and could be a winner. But the bottom line will still be putting the ball through the hoop!! I know, "games are won by defense" and "offense only determines by how much," but dang it, defense can be taught/learned....scoring is an ability a player must have when he begins D1 play.

BTW, thanks for commenting, UP basketball. We want to hear what you have to say......so post more often!!

I appreciated your earlier comment about Coach Reveno:

Might as well extend him 2 more years to "right" this program. I can tell you this much, hanging on to him for only one more season, with a young/inexperienced group would be the worst possible way to handle it! So if they have confidence in him for one more year, then they need to pony up and go all in!

by wrv Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:21 pm

I am liking the possibilities of our forward rotation. There is some talent that spreads around nicely: Todd, Marshall, Taylor, Maker(if he indeed can qualify) and Russell.

Opening the offense is a much easier task if you have players who can make plays . . .Marshall, btw, can also shoot the three ball.

by Guest Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:16 pm

Glad to see the staff effort paying off with a recruit they targeted. Adding another 'ready to play' JC or transfer would be most helpful, and take the Xubi spot.

I watched a couple minutes of the video WRV posted. I loved the pump fake and drive moves, and the emphatic finishes!