2016 Recruits

[WSUProf]

Olds a few posts back you wrote: "Before Stavrev was injured, he was the fourth big man in the rotation."
First off, since there were only 4 big men, that isn't saying much.
Second, he was the 4th big man in the rotation for just the 1st two games. He did not get injured until after the 7th game. He lost his minutes to Williams (a 3) who was brought off his red shirt after the SDSU game.
All in all, last year Stavrev saw time in 4 out of the 7 games for which he was healthy. Two of those games were against Antelope Valley and Pacific Union and Stavrev got only a few "junk minutes" in those games. His season stats for 22 minutes in 7 games were 2 points and 3 rebounds. Had he not gotten injured would he have worked his way back into the rotation the way Richardson did? We can't know.
But based on what I actually saw from Stavrev in games last year, I don't share your confidence that he will be a solid back up to Hill. Rahe's statement that he thinks Weber needs to bring in a big who is ready to play seems to suggest the same.

 

[oldrunner]

Olds a few posts back you wrote: "Before Stavrev was injured, he was the fourth big man in the rotation."
First off, since there were only 4 big men, that isn't saying much.
Second, he was the 4th big man in the rotation for just the 1st two games. He did not get injured until after the 7th game. He lost his minutes to Williams (a 3) who was brought off his red shirt after the SDSU game.
All in all, last year Stavrev saw time in 4 out of the 7 games for which he was healthy. Two of those games were against Antelope Valley and Pacific Union and Stavrev got only a few "junk minutes" in those games. His season stats for 22 minutes in 7 games were 2 points and 3 rebounds. Had he not gotten injured would he have worked his way back into the rotation the way Richardson did? We can't know.
But based on what I actually saw from Stavrev in games last year, I don't share your confidence that he will be a solid back up to Hill. Rahe's statement that he thinks Weber needs to bring in a big who is ready to play seems to suggest the same.

I understand your skepticism. We really need to see him play more meaningful minutes to get a true evaluation. I'm just basing my opinion on what I have seen in practices. That's really all I have to go on. Same with Dallas. Stavrev was the 4th of 5. He had actually beaten Dallas for that spot. Turns out that we get a red shirt year out of both of them. I have never said that he was the next Bolomboy, or anything even close to that. What he is, a power forward who can stretch a defense with his shooting. He is also a good ball handler and passer for a PF. If he was as strong and athletic as Hill, he would have been the first big man off the bench. In many ways, he is a typical European big man. As he gets stronger his PT will go up. I wouldn't be surprised to see him as the first big man off the bench. Although, it may be more likely that we see a 4 man rotation in the frontcourt next year. Of course, it all depends on who we bring in and how they impact that rotation. If we bring a guard in, they most likely would red shirt their first year.

 

[oldrunner]

With Jefferson deciding to transfer out, we now have 2 open roster spots. We know that at least one will be a combo big man. The options for the other spot are wide open. We could bring in a guard. We will need to replace two of them the following year. We could bring in a second big man, that would give us a boatload of frontcourt players and they would all be young, with similar expiration dates. We could bring in a transfer. It wouldn't even need to be someone who was immediately eligible. We could leave the spot open to see what might shake out in the summer or fall. Given what we have seen in the past, that last option is probably our least likely. Whatever happens, it will all be resolved in the next few weeks.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Wow...I've missed quite the discussion. What we know, with Joel's eligibility ending and Jefferson transferring the Cats have 2 open scholarships. Even with Joel graduating, we still are an extremely dangerous team with a lot of depth. But, can Hill and Braxton, with Dallas and Kiko becoming eligible and coming off an injury be enough? I can see both sides of the argument:

A. Joel was awesome and is going to be extremely hard to replace. At times this season, he was our rebounder, something the rest of the team struggles to do, and was good for 15 points a game. He also is a solid defender and shot blocker. These are things that will be hard to replace. Coach Rahe needs to go after a proven player who can contribute, immediately 10 and 8 a game. Go the JC route and try to sign the absolute best available, or try to get a guy who is transferring who can play right away. We are not going to find another Joel. But we can find someone who can bring enough to help stop the bleeding.

B. Zach Braxton was only a Freshman. At times this season he looked like he was about to really break out. He didn't get the # of touches normal Center's get, because Joel was the man. With more emphasis on his game, he could have a breakout Sophomore season where his averages increase. We all think Hill's game was drastically improved over the previous season and with more time to get comfortable playing exclusively the 4 his game will only get better. After Joel he was our next best rebounder and he has the potential to become a double-double machine. We don't know what to expect from Dallas, but we all know he was a solid offensive player and defender in high school and that Kiko can contribute as a hybrid big who can extend the offense with his shooting. Coach Rahe can go out and find a kid who has potential, possibly red shirt him this season, and help him develop into something more. In other words a project. If he can get something better, a guy who can contribute most nights 5 mins and possibly with time 5 - 10.

C. Get another big either a JC, Transfer, or a fresh/prep this spring, sit on the open scholarship and use it this Fall to get another solid high school recruit.

D. Sign a big and another guard. I don't really think we need another PG, but what do I know. Maybe if Rahe finds another PG, he can move John in the future to the SG position. I don't know...we don't need a wing.

 

[oldrunner]

It's looking like we will end up getting the PG and a combo big man. Last I heard they still had 2 or 3 big men in the vetting process. I'm not saying that it won't happen, but I haven't heard of any transfers being considered. Spring recruiting is a fluid process, things can turn quickly.

 

[oldrunner]

We are only 4 days away from the beginning of the spring signing period. Things have been very quiet for a while now. I have expected to see a commitment or two by now. That could mean a couple of things. Either we have had no commitments or we have but everyone involved is keeping a lid on it. Any way I look at it, I don't think there will be any mind altering announcements hitting us any time soon. It could be three or four weeks before we hear anything at all. In recent years, spring signings have been announced well after they are in hand. Seems like the only timely information we get is from the prospects themselves. I'm not complaining, just making an observation. This year seems different than most. We are not in great need of filling any particular position, IMHO. If we end up with players who have the potential to contribute, I will be a happy camper.

 

[Webergrad02]

So we signed 6'9 George Darling on the first day of the Spring signing period. Who do we use our final roster spot on?

 

[oldrunner]

So we signed 6'9 George Darling on the first day of the Spring signing period. Who do we use our final roster spot on?

I think this shows that Randy is recruiting for the long haul, and not the quick fix. The next recruit will reflect that same approach. We will get a guy who has long term potential, not a fifth year senior transfer. My guess is that it will not be another big man. One more would create a log jam of big men with the same expiration date. I would want to spread that out a bit more. We also have some really good big men on our recruiting list for the fall signing period. Wings are not a high priority for the next few years. I think that we bring in a point guard, or leave the spot open.

 

[Skippy]

Bengal V.;

You should get your coaches on Jared Stutzman. He is back from his mission next week and is shopping for a school. He was the Idaho POY in 2014. He was released from his letter to USF.

They are well aware of Stutzman. Unfortunately I'm told he is being recruited by Utah and Utah State, which makes it highly unlikely he'll be going to a Big Sky school.

Jared is not being heavily recruited by UU or USU. His father has contacted them to let them know that he is available, that is it. All of the Utah schools looked at him coming out of HS, none offered. We have a better prospect out on a mission right now, and one going on a mission this spring. We also have Williams, Richardson, and Gittens playing that position next year. We are not in that market. I don't think that UU or USU are either.
He could probably make it at UVU, SUU, or ISU. I don't know what he has against ISU, but he should get over it.

Jared's mom tweeted that his choices are down to Utah, Utah State and UVU. No surprises there. I would have loved to see him in an ISU uniform but he's never been much interested in Idaho State. Maybe we'll catch him on the next rebound. :-D

 

[oldrunner]

Bengal V.;

You should get your coaches on Jared Stutzman. He is back from his mission next week and is shopping for a school. He was the Idaho POY in 2014. He was released from his letter to USF.

They are well aware of Stutzman. Unfortunately I'm told he is being recruited by Utah and Utah State, which makes it highly unlikely he'll be going to a Big Sky school.

Jared is not being heavily recruited by UU or USU. His father has contacted them to let them know that he is available, that is it. All of the Utah schools looked at him coming out of HS, none offered. We have a better prospect out on a mission right now, and one going on a mission this spring. We also have Williams, Richardson, and Gittens playing that position next year. We are not in that market. I don't think that UU or USU are either.
He could probably make it at UVU, SUU, or ISU. I don't know what he has against ISU, but he should get over it.

Jared's mom tweeted that his choices are down to Utah, Utah State and UVU. No surprises there. I would have loved to see him in an ISU uniform but he's never been much interested in Idaho State. Maybe we'll catch him on the next rebound. :-D

Two of those are walk on offers.

 

[Skippy]

Utah maybe, but all indications are Utah State offered a full ride on April 12, and UVU had been involved awhile.

 

[n.ogdencat]

YIKES?? Are we still talking about Stutzman? I knew that his offer at San Fran wouldn't hold up. Too bad...I think he is a talented kid and that his skills fit the Don's program nicely. He is a strong slasher and has a really nice looking shot. Truthfully, at this point in the spring, he wouldn't be a bad option for some teams with openings.

Utah State did offer, but...there are guys ahead of him on the recruit "wish" list. I don't believe he has an actual offer from the Utes. If so, LK must be having some recruiting issues. Yet, Utah, according to Verbal Commits does have openings. Even if he does have an actual offer, he is low on their list.

Personally, if I was in his shoes, I would try to play at either SLCC or CSI for a year and then open up my recruiting after a year at a JC. Could pull a Tyler Rawson. UVU?? From what I heard Ott and Schenck both have scholies next year, which means that Pope doesn't have an available scholarship. Who knows...I hope that Stutzman lands somewhere.

 

[oldrunner]

He is a least 3rd or 4th on USU's wish list. If he ends up there, it won't be for long. He can walk on at UU and be a scout team member for 4 years. UVU just got a BYU transfer, Toolson, at his position. He can be a contributor at SUU or ISU. If he wants to go bigger he should go to a JC first. It would be a gamble for him. He could end up at Dixie after the JC stint.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Stutzman commits to UVU

 

[oldrunner]

Stutzman commits to UVU

Well, he landed at the right level. To be honest, it would have taken him a year or two to get in the rotation at ISU. That may be true at UVU as well. He would have been a starter at SUU, they have nothing. I hope he proves me wrong and tears us up when we play them. Good luck Mr Stutzman. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[n.ogdencat]

Stutzman commits to UVU

Well, he landed at the right level. To be honest, it would have taken him a year or two to get in the rotation at ISU. That may be true at UVU as well. He would have been a starter at SUU, they have nothing. I hope he proves me wrong and tears us up when we play them. Good luck Mr Stutzman. :thumb: :thumb:

I was perusing KSL last night and I read a funny piece about Mr. Stutzman and UVU. Seems like some BYU-homer is writing sensationalized articles for UVU showing the greatness of Pope. Weird that Weber just signed the current Kansas POY and I bet nothing makes it into the KSL.