A Look At Recruiting Needs

First let’s look at next season’s (2009-10) roster as of today.

Kyle Gibson	2/3	Senior
Jamel Guyton	2/3	Senior
David Jackson	3	Senior
Magnum Rolle	4/5	Senior
Shawn Oliverson	5	Junior
Olu Ashalou	4/3	Redshirt Sophomore
Brandon Gibson	3	Sophomore
Yonas Behre	1	Sophomore
Kadeem Coleby	4	Freshman (fall signee)
Darius Reding	3	Freshman (fall signee)

With ten scholarships accounted for that leaves either two or three depending on the latest APR news. I was never sure what the actual number of scholarships for this 2008-09 season was due to the academic issues (2 different players) and discipline (3 players).

Doesn’t take a real long look to notice the position that needs the most help.

Target #1 has to be a big time junior college point guard. A guy who can come in and take a leadership role and give you a 2/1 A/TO ratio and handle the basketball. This is the biggest signee of the Rupp era and may determine his long term future. A Daevon Haskins type would be perfect.

Target #2 needs to be five. With next season needing to be a win now I would suspect it being a junior college player as well to pair with Oliverson as a physical banger. Doesn’t have to be an All-American just a rebound and defend guy with size.

Target #3 (if available) may be a best player available scenario. I wouldn’t mind if another junior college point came in this slot as well (one with three years would be perfect). I’m not completed sold on Behre as a long term answer. Behre’s A/TO average and assists per minute played numbers are worse than Loe’s {both players are negative for the season}. Yes – he is a freshman but after 120 minutes of court time the trends are there.

Two or three more juco’s would give you: 4 seniors, 3(4) juniors, 3 sophomores, and 2 freshmen. I don’t mind that mix especially since next year is a must win ( did I mention that yet?). I’m tired of losing and anyone who gripes about filling these gaping holes on the roster with junior college players just doesn’t get midmajor basketball.

Besides the recruiting class following this one (class of 2010) is almost done. With 4 seniors in 2009 and three commitments already (albeit two of them due to academic issues coming out of high school). So far it’s obvious both of those guys who went juco are big time players.

	Josh Brown is averaging 13.5 points at Odessa but that number should rise as the team’s leading scorer (Josh was second) was just dismissed from the roster. He is also averaging 6.5 rebounds and two assists a game. Photo credit: Odessa American.
	D.J. Wright is averaging 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds at Salt Lake CC. Also has 28 blocks in 17 games. Has a 1.3 A/TO ratio. Would kill for that from any player on this years team.
	Holton Hunsaker is on his mission to Fiji. Must be a rough place to spend two years. He’s another reason I wouldn’t mind signing two JC points. He would have a full year to get his legs back and make the adjustment to division one before he had to play heavy minutes.