Recruiting

[7ICoug]

Kind of an interesting time of year. We have 2 early LOI's in TJ Bamba a 2020 SG, and Efemena Abogidi a forward. We also have the verbal commit of guard Jefferson Koulibaly out of Canada who will no doubt sign in the final period.

The unknown is of course whether CJ will return. Nothing is easy for Coach Smith and the staff as they no doubt have to plan. Appears that Henson may hit the transfer portal tho he isn't in it at this point. So we have either 0, 1, or 2 more for 2020 assuming no one else leaves.

I am hearing that the big man walk-on Chatfield has come along nicely so he may well get a ride at some point. He redshirted last year. I guess he has put on some muscle and is progressing.

 

[Glad Cougar]

I've heard some good things about Chatfield's progress as well. If he ends up getting significant playing time next season, then perhaps he should be awarded a scholarship. I wouldn't mind picking up a big man grad transfer....perhaps the Markkuson kid from LMU....to provide some experience for Vova & Chatfield. It would be nice to have the Henson scholarship available (unless Smith has plans to use him a lot more next season, which I doubt) so that we might also bring in a true point guard, maybe another grad transfer that could mentor Rapp & allow him to grow as a player. I sure feel a lot better this offseason than I did 12 months ago!

Glad Cougar

 

[7ICoug]

Yeah I feel like everything is in the hands of a staff that knows what they need, where they are going, and they seem to be tireless in getting it done. One thing they like to play to guards who can dribble very well so they continue to look for help. Frosh, JC, Grad Transfer, or just a normal transfer.

 

[cougcowboy]

I've heard some good things about Chatfield's progress as well. If he ends up getting significant playing time next season, then perhaps he should be awarded a scholarship. I wouldn't mind picking up a big man grad transfer....perhaps the Markkuson kid from LMU....to provide some experience for Vova & Chatfield. It would be nice to have the Henson scholarship available (unless Smith has plans to use him a lot more next season, which I doubt) so that we might also bring in a true point guard, maybe another grad transfer that could mentor Rapp & allow him to grow as a player. I sure feel a lot better this offseason than I did 12 months ago!

Glad Cougar

So does Pollard get another year if he wants it? Or is that just spring sport seniors that they are giving another year to? So much news in the past two weeks, I can't keep it all straight.

 

[SaveFerris]

So does Pollard get another year if he wants it? Or is that just spring sport seniors that they are giving another year to? So much news in the past two weeks, I can't keep it all straight.

Spring sports are on the table but believe they ruled out winter sports. I don't think they can justify another year when it was only tournament games lost.

 

[Glad Cougar]

So does Pollard get another year if he wants it? Or is that just spring sport seniors that they are giving another year to? So much news in the past two weeks, I can't keep it all straight.

At this point, I think it's only the spring sports seniors who have the option of coming back. I don't know that anything's final, but I really doubt winter sports seniors will get that opportunity since most schools completed their seasons and everyone else would get 4-5 post season games maximum.

Glad Cougar

 

[SaveFerris]

Another to add to the "interest" bucket. Matt Van Komen who was at Utah last year. He's a 7'4" center, seems to have some skill although most of his high school highlights are him dunking over Lilliputians in comparison. His Mom and Grandpa played at BYU. His dad played at Lewis & Clark (not sure which) and apparently is "involved". Utah wanted to redshirt and dad ("allegedly") had other ideas. Another potential helicopter dad.

 

[mikalalas]

Another to add to the "interest" bucket. Matt Van Komen who was at Utah last year. He's a 7'4" center, seems to have some skill although most of his high school highlights are him dunking over Lilliputians in comparison. His Mom and Grandpa played at BYU. His dad played at Lewis & Clark (not sure which) and apparently is "involved". Utah wanted to redshirt and dad ("allegedly") had other ideas. Another potential helicopter dad.

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Even with the Helicopter Dad, this player would still be a awesome player for WSU.

And think there is about a 67% chance WSU gets him.

And I dont think he needs to Redshirt. He is 7 ft 4 inch. You cant TEACH that kind of HEIGHT.

Only way I would Redshirt him is if he is both super raw not enough weight, etc, combined.

If get him, get him in and working, develop him.

 

[jourdand]

If he is a transfer I would assume he would have to sit out a year. Seems to me we already have a player very similar to this in Volvo. Volvo appears to be ahead of this guy. Coach definitely seems to want a shot blocking presence but few of these guys ever really work out 7-4 non athletic players are a thing of the past.

 

[SaveFerris]

Van Komen would need to sit a year unless he gets a waiver. I personally like Vova better at this point as well in terms of presence in the low post and his late play showed the upside I was hoping to see this year. We do need depth and Markkuson would seem like a better option since he is definitely immediately eligible, has experience, and could would give Vova and Chatfield another year to progress.

 

[mikalalas]

Van Komen would need to sit a year unless he gets a waiver. I personally like Vova better at this point as well in terms of presence in the low post and his late play showed the upside I was hoping to see this year. We do need depth and Markkuson would seem like a better option since he is definitely immediately eligible, has experience, and could would give Vova and Chatfield another year to progress.

Of course Markkuson would be the better option.

But what if WSU doesnt get, loses Markkuson to another college, and at the same time gets Van Komer the 7-4?

WSU needs another Big, whether its Markkuson, or Van Komer.

At least Smith, WSU are interested in both Markkuson, Komer, and in getting 1 of the either 1 of them.

At least Komer with the Lewis Clark College thing in WSU land, has a possible connection to possibly get Komer, and possibly giving a better chance to get Komer then Markkuson.

Which means there is a pretty decent chance that WSU gets either Komer or Markkuson, and that is a good thing.

And if WSU were to need to Redshirt Komer, that would still make Komer a good scholly offer, commit, LOI, signing, etc.

 

[jourdand]

Personally I would say pass on Komen there are way better options out there than a 7-4 guy with limited mobility.

 

[SaveFerris]

More to come until decisions are made. Another Grad-Transfer who looks like a good fit:

Kevin Marfo, 6-8, 245, PF, RS Jr., Quinnipiac
Stats: 10.2 ppg, 13.3 rpg
Scout’s take: “He’s a physical, hard-playing center and one of the top rebounders in the country, especially on the offensive glass. Will help any team that needs a physical presence around the rim. Undersized for a high-major, but will compete. Scores on putbacks and drop-offs. Not great [with] back to basket.”
Schools: VCU, Louisville, Memphis, Arizona State, St. John’s, Minnesota, Texas A&M, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Wichita State, Washington State, Wake Forest, Boston College

https://watchstadium.com/top-20-college-basketball-transfers-who-can-play-in-2020-21-03-24-2020/

Forty schools reached out to him according to a Rivals article. WSU in his final 16.

https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/top-grad-transfer-kevin-marfo-settled-on-a-group-of-15

 

[mikalalas]

More to come until decisions are made. Another Grad-Transfer who looks like a good fit:

Kevin Marfo, 6-8, 245, PF, RS Jr., Quinnipiac
Stats: 10.2 ppg, 13.3 rpg
Scout’s take: “He’s a physical, hard-playing center and one of the top rebounders in the country, especially on the offensive glass. Will help any team that needs a physical presence around the rim. Undersized for a high-major, but will compete. Scores on putbacks and drop-offs. Not great [with] back to basket.”
Schools: VCU, Louisville, Memphis, Arizona State, St. John’s, Minnesota, Texas A&M, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Wichita State, Washington State, Wake Forest, Boston College

https://watchstadium.com/top-20-college-basketball-transfers-who-can-play-in-2020-21-03-24-2020/

Forty schools reach out to him according to a Rivals article. WSU in his final 16.

https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/top-grad-transfer-kevin-marfo-settled-on-a-group-of-15

Looks like Smith, WSU are, is SERIOUS about getting a 5, Big.

I think its just a matter of time, offers until 1 commits, signs with WSU.

Because with the offer of IMMEDIATE, LOTS of playing time, IF they EARN, deserve, good enough, etc.

Something that other schools cant offer, because they are loaded at the 4,5 big man spots.

So probably more offers to Bigs coming, and probably just a matter of time until 1 of them plays for, at WSU.

 

[7ICoug]

This Marfo is a perfect fit IMHO. Rebounder is what we need

 

[SaveFerris]

This Marfo is a perfect fit IMHO. Rebounder is what we need

Highly sought doesn't always work in our favor but we have minutes to give and fit his style of play.

 

[Glad Cougar]

At the very least, I'm so impressed with the seemingly endless activity the staff is conducting in the recruiting world. There's a lot of energy and aggressiveness on display. They may not win a lot of the recruiting battles but at least they are getting out, identifying a lot of good players, and making offers. You don't get them if you don't try for them. Chances are WSU, under Smith, will always be in position to land a couple of quality recruits.

Glad Cougar

 

[Observer11]

I’d still like to see Tay Martin on the basketball court.

 

[mikalalas]

At the very least, I'm so impressed with the seemingly endless activity the staff is conducting in the recruiting world. There's a lot of energy and aggressiveness on display. They may not win a lot of the recruiting battles but at least they are getting out, identifying a lot of good players, and making offers. You don't get them if you don't try for them. Chances are WSU, under Smith, will always be in position to land a couple of quality recruits.

Glad Cougar

Smith, WSU doesnt have to win a LOT of LOTS of recruiting battles.

All it takes is ONE.

If you offer 1 triilion players, 1 of them will say yes. Its just a matter of time, even if most to almost all of them say no to WSU.

That's part of the kind of Recruiting Strategy Smith is using. He is playing the NUMBERS GAME.

And it is working, and will work eventually, according to the numbers.

This kind of effort, tenacity also attracts, wins over a couple, few, some higher rated recruits, because they think that will translate into wins, and into them as players being developed, getting playing time, WINNING, etc.

 

[jourdand]

Imo the key to recruiting is the evaluation of the player. It doesn’t matter if you win a recruiting battle if the player isn’t good enough to produce at the PAC12 level. An example would be Van Komen, not sure why we would want the third string freshmen center from a team in our league? Maybe the kid got a bum deal and WSU has evaluated him to be better than he’s shown but again that’s the key to recruiting imo.

 

[7ICoug]

I would certainly agree its all about evaluation and fit within the now existing team. I would also argue that "heart" plays a big part.

 

[Brent H.]

Imo the key to recruiting is the evaluation of the player. It doesn’t matter if you win a recruiting battle if the player isn’t good enough to produce at the PAC12 level. An example would be Van Komen, not sure why we would want the third string freshmen center from a team in our league? Maybe the kid got a bum deal and WSU has evaluated him to be better than he’s shown but again that’s the key to recruiting imo.

Recruiting is such a crap shoot to begin with. There are more misses in college basketball recruiting than anywhere. With the advance stats, that we use, it gives us a much better advantage in recruiting now because you can find those overlooked players and bring them in. While Isaac Bonton was frustrating at times this year, he was clearly a P5 player, but nobody offered him. Nobody was looking at him while he was in the JC ranks, but you could clearly see how much better he made our team when he was in there. DJ Rodman contributed good minutes on the defensive side of the ball, rebounded, filled up stats, he wasn't a scorer, but that can come in time and his offer sheet was minimal. We got production from Tony Miller who was a D3 player two years ago. I always felt you can build a basketball team easier than a football team because basketball is worldwide and all you need is to find a nucleus of 7-8 players to win. So with Van Komen, he might be good enough, but isn't utilized right or doesn't fit Utah's system. It 's clear that Smith took a bunch of players, overcame a bunch of injuries throughout the season and got them to .500 and won 6 games in conference for the first time in like 8 years.

 

[etowncoug]

I've been impressed by the talent evaluation by Smith and Co. as well. On short notice he pulled in:

Noah Williams: everyone knew he was a good recruit.
Isaac Bonton: definitely a diamond in the rough.
DJ Rodman: showed he was a P6 player this year. Definitely belongs.
Tony Miller: tremendous find
Vovo: showed superstar potential late in the year. He's going to bother a lot of shots in his career.
Rapp: Was hurt this year, might find his way into the rotation as a 3 and D guy.
Hensen: Holdover from Ernie. 3 and no D guy who is transferring
Shead: looked pretty good at PG before he got hurt.
Deion James: also got hurt.

That would be good for any class, let along one thrown together at the last minute. The only potential red flag is perhaps nerdball doesn't account for durability. Regardless, we are bringing in two guards who can ball this fall and we aren't done filling the class.

Recruiting is such a crap shoot to begin with. There are more misses in college basketball recruiting than anywhere. With the advance stats, that we use, it gives us a much better advantage in recruiting now because you can find those overlooked players and bring them in. While Isaac Bonton was frustrating at times this year, he was clearly a P5 player, but nobody offered him. Nobody was looking at him while he was in the JC ranks, but you could clearly see how much better he made our team when he was in there. DJ Rodman contributed good minutes on the defensive side of the ball, rebounded, filled up stats, he wasn't a scorer, but that can come in time and his offer sheet was minimal. We got production from Tony Miller who was a D3 player two years ago. I always felt you can build a basketball team easier than a football team because basketball is worldwide and all you need is to find a nucleus of 7-8 players to win. So with Van Komen, he might be good enough, but isn't utilized right or doesn't fit Utah's system. It 's clear that Smith took a bunch of players, overcame a bunch of injuries throughout the season and got them to .500 and won 6 games in conference for the first time in like 8 years.