Zeise News - Maia may not join team

[NTOP]

OK NTOP, let me ask you directly. If Rafael MaIa does not show, should Dixon go out there and spend his open scholly on whatever player he can find (and don't expect he will find any good one) that can bring the ball up the court??

That is my point... for SEVERE cases, you can always bring in a walk-on PG for those cases.

Of course, this conversation is pretty much moot unless Robinson gets injured. Otherwise, as long as Newkirk stops throwing the ball away and taking bad shots... he should be able to spell at PG and bring the ball up the court. If not, Wilson should be able to... and if still a problem Smith can probably play some PG (as Dixon alluded to) and so can Slim.

You are making one big mistake.....assuming that a walk-on would be better than a last-minute addition....ESPECIALLY a grad transfer.. They could do both, don't forget.....perhaps another Antonio Graves....late qualifier, he.......plus Fat Fred Freethrow, a 5-8, 220 lb. specialist from the Dormont playground. Counting on a walk-on is silly....at least a transfer will have some history, and real experience. I do think Dixon would need to have lightning strike to use up a guaranteed 4-year scholie....a late reclassification, e.g.

 

[Zaratoughda]

You are making one big mistake.....assuming that a walk-on would be better than a last-minute addition....ESPECIALLY a grad transfer.. They could do both, don't forget.....perhaps another Antonio Graves....late qualifier, he.......plus Fat Fred Freethrow, a 5-8, 220 lb. specialist from the Dormont playground. Counting on a walk-on is silly....at least a transfer will have some history, and real experience. I do think Dixon would need to have lightning strike to use up a guaranteed 4-year scholie....a late reclassification, e.g.

If Maia doesn't make it AND Dixon can land a grad transfer with one year left... what the heck.

But otherwise, wasn't there something posted that now schollys are for four years? In this event you don't want to be bringing in someone that nobody else wants and is gonna use up a scholly for 4 years.... it would be a total waste.

You gotta be a lot more careful with who you give schollys to now.

If schollys to JUCOs are now for two years as well..... you don't want any more Haughtons.

I think Maia is gonna make it. But, if he doesn't, good chance that scholly goes open for the year. Not much left if anything in grad transfers out there now I would bet.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

You 'pretty much' said the same thing I was saying except... I said it in just three words.

It's your complete cluelessness that is the best thing about you. We weren't saying the same thing. You were wildly speculating about something that you clearly have no clue about. I was politely attempting to set you straight.

When you couldn't figure out how Maia could be playing basketball in Brazil now because it's winter down there and that's when all the college players would be playing in their college leagues I told you that there is no such thing as big time college basketball in Brazil or anywhere else but the US and that in any event Brazilian basketball follows the international calendar and not the seasons of the year.

Then you couldn't figure out where guys would be playing basketball without playing in college and speculated that it must be mostly in high school and I told you that other than in the US kids don't play sports for their schools, they play them in clubs set up specifically to teach kids how to play sports. And somehow to you that means that we were both saying the same thing.

So let me help you out. Your incorrect speculation was most certainly not the same thing as the facts that I posted. Not even close, in fact.

 

[NTOP]

If Maia doesn't make it AND Dixon can land a grad transfer with one year left... what the heck.

But otherwise, wasn't there something posted that now schollys are for four years? In this event you don't want to be bringing in someone that nobody else wants and is gonna use up a scholly for 4 years.... it would be a total waste.

You gotta be a lot more careful with who you give schollys to now.

If schollys to JUCOs are now for two years as well..... you don't want any more Haughtons.

I think Maia is gonna make it. But, if he doesn't, good chance that scholly goes open for the year. Not much left if anything in grad transfers out there now I would bet.

That's why I mentioned the 4-year thing. Not sure if that kicks in until August, so maybe a coach could still bring in a "disposable" recruit for one year. That's not Dixon's style, so IF he brings in a late signee, it'll either be a one year grad transfer or a kid worth having for several years.....I doubt it'll happen. Besides, someone posted that Maia was in Pgh, so it may be moot.

 

[California Panther]

To those on the pay board, some updated Maia info over there.

 

[Zaratoughda]

That's why I mentioned the 4-year thing. Not sure if that kicks in until August, so maybe a coach could still bring in a "disposable" recruit for one year. That's not Dixon's style, so IF he brings in a late signee, it'll either be a one year grad transfer or a kid worth having for several years.....I doubt it'll happen. Besides, someone posted that Maia was in Pgh, so it may be moot.

Ya know, the whole thing about this... COULD just have been a misinterpretation by Zeise of what Dixon was telling him... in other words the thing could JUST have been that Maia had decided to play summer (winter?) ball down in Brazil and thus was not on campus when all the other new players were. So, this could have been the only 'issue' and Zeise thought it was something more than that.

In any case, assuming no problems with Maia, we can (if we want) always discuss that we think Dixon should do with the two open walk-on slots. He otherwise doesn't have any schollys open.

Lets see. From last year we lost Wright, Randall, Uchebo, Haughton and Durand Johnson. We gained Smith, Maia, ANO, Wilson and Nix. Given the fact that Durand was suspended all of last year, this seems to be a definite step up from last year.

Otherwise, there is always the question as to how much time we can expect Jamel Artis to be playing at SF. One thing in all this... there is Jeter and Jones, both of whom played SF last year (Jones played at SG some also). Both of these players SHOULD be better than last year and if either of them make a GLF then they will be starting at SF. Yeah, Dixon will play things by ear and see how players are looking then make any decisions.

 

[NTOP]

Ya know, the whole thing about this... COULD just have been a misinterpretation by Zeise of what Dixon was telling him... in other words the thing could JUST have been that Maia had decided to play summer (winter?) ball down in Brazil and thus was not on campus when all the other new players were. So, this could have been the only 'issue' and Zeise thought it was something more than that.

In any case, assuming no problems with Maia, we can (if we want) always discuss that we think Dixon should do with the two open walk-on slots. He otherwise doesn't have any schollys open.

Lets see. From last year we lost Wright, Randall, Uchebo, Haughton and Durand Johnson. We gained Smith, Maia, ANO, Wilson and Nix. Given the fact that Durand was suspended all of last year, this seems to be a definite step up from last year.

Otherwise, there is always the question as to how much time we can expect Jamel Artis to be playing at SF. One thing in all this... there is Jeter and Jones, both of whom played SF last year (Jones played at SG some also). Both of these players SHOULD be better than last year and if either of them make a GLF then they will be starting at SF. Yeah, Dixon will play things by ear and see how players are looking then make any decisions.

Walk-ons are irrelevant. I always cheer for them, but they really aren't in the equation. They provide depth for practices, improve our GPA, and seem to enjoy themselves. I can think of exactly 2 walk-ons to really play a significant role for Pitt: Pat Cavanaugh & Andre Alridge. I'm only going back to 1972, though, perhaps there were others????

 

[Zaratoughda]

Walk-ons are irrelevant. I always cheer for them, but they really aren't in the equation. They provide depth for practices, improve our GPA, and seem to enjoy themselves. I can think of exactly 2 walk-ons to really play a significant role for Pitt: Pat Cavanaugh & Andre Alridge. I'm only going back to 1972, though, perhaps there were others????

Hmmm... last year Aron was better than either Randall or Uchebo. Dixon was playing him along those lines starting around the middle of the season, but then he got injured and was out for a considerable time.

Actually, from what I saw Aron was not bad at all. Pretty much got the job done. Unfortunate he got injured as otherwise we would have been a lot more solid last year in spelling Young and Artis.

Also, Newkirk was so bad that Dixon, I believe this in the last game against GW, sent Lecak in and sat Newkirk down. Lecak, was kind of funny out there, almost getting into a fight in the short time he was in there. IMO, Lecak may well be on the depth chart this coming year more-so than a normal walk-on (though, probably not to a great degree). My expectation is that this is what Dixon has in his plans though... again.... just to a minor degree.

DT was right when he said it usually takes time for walk-ons to develop and Aron was a senior and Lecak will be a senior this coming year. But, if you gave them a few more minutes (when it is deserved) other than the very end of games, they might just develop a bit faster. In any case, their role is to be there in emergency situations... so you don't have to play a Joe Uchebo... at PG. In some cases, they progress to the point where they can be real players... particularly if you have a Derrick Randall as one your scholarship players.

 

[NTOP]

Hmmm... last year Aron was better than either Randall or Uchebo. Dixon was playing him along those lines starting around the middle of the season, but then he got injured and was out for a considerable time.

Actually, from what I saw Aron was not bad at all. Pretty much got the job done. Unfortunate he got injured as otherwise we would have been a lot more solid last year in spelling Young and Artis.

Also, Newkirk was so bad that Dixon, I believe this in the last game against GW, sent Lecak in and sat Newkirk down. Lecak, was kind of funny out there, almost getting into a fight in the short time he was in there. IMO, Lecak may well be on the depth chart this coming year more-so than a normal walk-on (though, probably not to a great degree). My expectation is that this is what Dixon has in his plans though... again.... just to a minor degree.

DT was right when he said it usually takes time for walk-ons to develop and Aron was a senior and Lecak will be a senior this coming year. But, if you gave them a few more minutes (when it is deserved) other than the very end of games, they might just develop a bit faster. In any case, their role is to be there in emergency situations... so you don't have to play a Joe Uchebo... at PG. In some cases, they progress to the point where they can be real players... particularly if you have a Derrick Randall as one your scholarship players.

You've foisted the Lecak nonsense before. Nice kid, played like a walk-on.....which is to say not at all. Check the minutes. Aron DID progress a lot, but only got time because Artis, Shell & Luther weren't able to defend inside. Aron played some bullyball, hustled, and should be proud. But a few games in 4 years as a walk-on is insignificant.
Walkons aren't expected to develop into real players. And they don't.

 

[geeman2001]

Man. Hits keep coming to this program. Threads like these are painful. What the hell has happened?

Having to count on these fringe one-and-done commodities like Maia as backbones of the team is bad enough (and folly) in the first place. Very Duquesne like, and we see how it's worked out for them. Then reading we can't even get these guys in and eligible right away to practice (repeating the Haughton fiasco, it sounds) is discouraging. And a bad reflection on team management, whoever bears that responsibility.

I'm not delusional enough to think we should be turning away 5 star recruits, that we're an "elite", or whatever some bull others spew. But it's head spinning to think things have gotten this tough, this fast. Again, substitute Duquesne for Pitt for many of these storyline of the past six months (two years, really), and much would be parallel, at least with roster struggles.

Are we really at the point that several here seem to earnestly and legitimately be debating not if, but how much, the program should be counting on WALK ON players to contribute??? Walk ons are great. Unsung contributors. But on game day, their roles should be to wave towels after a big dunk or clutch 3. By, you know, the real players.

Geez. On this fancy new board format, is there an alert we can set to get notification when a positive thing finally happens?

 

[Zaratoughda]

You've foisted the Lecak nonsense before. Nice kid, played like a walk-on.....which is to say not at all. Check the minutes. Aron DID progress a lot, but only got time because Artis, Shell & Luther weren't able to defend inside. Aron played some bullyball, hustled, and should be proud. But a few games in 4 years as a walk-on is insignificant.
Walkons aren't expected to develop into real players. And they don't.

Aron played instead of Uchebo or Randall.. and that meant he was playing at C. So, Artis does not come into play here. Dixon also tried Luther at C (where he was a disaster against Christmas and Okafor) and Jeter at C (where he held his own). But, the best play we got all year at C spelling Young... was Aron.

And Aron, was a walk-on.

 

[NTOP]

Aron played instead of Uchebo or Randall.. and that meant he was playing at C. So, Artis does not come into play here. Dixon also tried Luther at C (where he was a disaster against Christmas and Okafor) and Jeter at C (where he held his own). But, the best play we got all year at C spelling Young... was Aron.

And Aron, was a walk-on.

"Inside" doesn't mean just at center.. Yes, Aron was better than Joe or Derrick...for a few minutes/game. But that's an anomaly. Mike Lecak played all of 20 minutes last year...in 9 appearances. Most of those were reward minutes in Pitt blowout wins. THAT is your typical, beloved by the fans walk-on. I'd say Dixon's spending more time on his new tie collection than finding walk-ons. Appropriately....clothes make the man!!

 

[BlueMtPanther]

Here's a good one for ya... how the heck could Rafael Maia be playing summer ball down there in Brazil, when it is WINTER down there right now? And that means all the colleges, etc, etc, that are playing BB, are in their normal leagues. Might be difficult to find a league to play in at this time of the year down there.

So, maybe he just wanted to be with family and friends over this period.

But, on the other hand, with his degree in hand from Brown, I guess it is possible he may decide not to come back.

In that case, this may indeed be a real issue and if so and he doesn't show.... then it will probably be Young, ANO and Artis, with some Nix and Luther, handling the inside positions and there isn't any need to play Artis at SF for any significant periods.

Just for kicks I checked Google maps; it's 79 degress in Rio today. Rio is about as far below the equator as Florida is above it!!

 

[Zaratoughda]

"Inside" doesn't mean just at center.. Yes, Aron was better than Joe or Derrick...for a few minutes/game. But that's an anomaly. Mike Lecak played all of 20 minutes last year...in 9 appearances. Most of those were reward minutes in Pitt blowout wins. THAT is your typical, beloved by the fans walk-on. I'd say Dixon's spending more time on his new tie collection than finding walk-ons. Appropriately....clothes make the man!!

You keep saying that walk-ons can't contribute except as fans on the bench... but Aron contributed last year and was better than Uchebo and Randall and... would have contributed more except for his injury.

So, so much for what you are saying. You can throw more words at it but it ain't gonna change things.

 

[levance2]

You keep saying that walk-ons can't contribute except as fans on the bench... but Aron contributed last year and was better than Uchebo and Randall and... would have contributed more except for his injury.

How much contribution did Charles Small, Marcus Bowman, Tim Frye, or Josh Ko ever give? Aron was a unique situation, and was a D-II or super-low D-I caliber player.

 

[NTOP]

You keep saying that walk-ons can't contribute except as fans on the bench... but Aron contributed last year and was better than Uchebo and Randall and... would have contributed more except for his injury.

So, so much for what you are saying. You can throw more words at it but it ain't gonna change things.

You just don't get it, not even close. Aron was OK, and his contributions were nice...limited, but nice. If Uchebo's knee was OK, Aron would have logged about 20 minutes last year, like Lecak. But you want Dixon to waste his time looking for an intramural hero?? Better shot with a lottery ticket. No way that's gonna happen.

 

[KiwiJeff]

Aron's main contribution wasn't even exactly a basketball skill. He made things happen with hustle, which on a team of guys who stood around a lot, really stood out. If you had a team of Aron's at this level, you wouldn't necessarily win a lot, but you'd not be out hustled or out efforted very often.

 

[DT_PITT]

Walk-ons are irrelevant. I always cheer for them, but they really aren't in the equation. They provide depth for practices, improve our GPA, and seem to enjoy themselves. I can think of exactly 2 walk-ons to really play a significant role for Pitt: Pat Cavanaugh & Andre Alridge. I'm only going back to 1972, though, perhaps there were others????

For what it's worth, Andre Aldridge was not even a walk-on. Instead, he was a very late signee and was NYC Catholic League Player of the Year. (Pretty talented actually)

The other walk-on (along with Cavanaugh) who did play a role was Brian Brush, from Sharpsville PA. Brian was an excellent HS player, who could have had a strong Division II or III career. There just aren't many guys out there like that who would be available. And Brush gained his role after serving as a walk on for a few years prior with the Panthers.

I'd suspect that Jamie will add a walk-on or two to the roster this year, but I am certain it will be for practice only, like you have suggested.

 

[KiwiJeff]

II wonder if this is related to the year he lost his first year in the US? According to NCAA rules he stayed at a post grad school six months too long without enrolling in college, or something like that, and lost his freshman year at Brown.

 

[Zaratoughda]

You all seem to think that, if Maia doesn't make it, then Dixon should go out and spend that open scholly on whomever he could find that could bring the ball up the court. My point was that, if you could find a 5th year transfer then that would be fine, but otherwise he should hold that scholly open for a player that can really play come next year, and let walk-ons handle those possible disastrous situations that might require such a guard.

In short, in all likelyhood, there AIN'T ANYBODY ANY GOOD now out there so he should keep that scholly open.

But, ya all seem to think that Dixon should take any scrub he can find... someone that even the Dukes or PSU wouldn't take. Someone that maybe even could not get a scholly to a D2 school.

Maybe y'all are just dreaming... that the next Levance Fields is running around out there looking for a scholly.

But, THERE AIN'T ANY... and WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE HAUGHTONS. That was a total waste.

 

[DT_PITT]

You all seem to think that, if Maia doesn't make it, then Dixon should go out and spend that open scholly on whomever he could find that could bring the ball up the court. My point was that, if you could find a 5th year transfer then that would be fine, but otherwise he should hold that scholly open for a player that can really play come next year, and let walk-ons handle those possible disastrous situations that might require such a guard.

In short, in all likelyhood, there AIN'T ANYBODY ANY GOOD now out there so he should keep that scholly open.

But, ya all seem to think that Dixon should take any scrub he can find... someone that even the Dukes or PSU wouldn't take. Someone that maybe even could not get a scholly to a D2 school.

Maybe y'all are just dreaming... that the next Levance Fields is running around out there looking for a scholly.

But, THERE AIN'T ANY... and WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE HAUGHTONS. That was a total waste.

I agree that if Maia doesn't make it that we shouldn't (and almost certainly would not) pursue a scholarship player.

 

[drunkinoakland]

I agree that if Maia doesn't make it that we shouldn't (and almost certainly would not) pursue a scholarship player.

I heard Onion Bryant still has eligibility left.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This is the actual quote, lets not get carried away:

"The fifth newcomer, transfer forward Rafael Maia, has not enrolled yet as there are some snags and some challenges that have come up. Dixon said he thinks they are all issues that can be worked through but as of right now he isn’t able to enroll."

Zeise asked about all the newcomers and when it was time to talk about Maia, he had to say something. We dont know the "snags" and "challenges" but really it just seems like paperwork stuff. The kid has a degree from Brown, the NCAA has had enough bad PR to do something stupid. This is much ado about nothing similar to the Damon Wilson rumors. Maia will be here.

 

[NTOP]

For what it's worth, Andre Aldridge was not even a walk-on. Instead, he was a very late signee and was NYC Catholic League Player of the Year. (Pretty talented actually)

The other walk-on (along with Cavanaugh) who did play a role was Brian Brush, from Sharpsville PA. Brian was an excellent HS player, who could have had a strong Division II or III career. There just aren't many guys out there like that who would be available. And Brush gained his role after serving as a walk on for a few years prior with the Panthers.

I'd suspect that Jamie will add a walk-on or two to the roster this year, but I am certain it will be for practice only, like you have suggested.

Well, I'll be jiggered. Always thought of him as a walk-on. Decent player, even if he couldn't bring the ball up vs. Danny Hurley.
You can throw in Matt Miklasevich, whose career was mainly staring back at eWing, or John Rasp....but walk-ons aren't gonna solve our depth problems. We need healthy guys, and will be alright if that arrives. If not, Oliver Antigua looks to be in game shape!!

 

[NTOP]

You all seem to think that, if Maia doesn't make it, then Dixon should go out and spend that open scholly on whomever he could find that could bring the ball up the court. My point was that, if you could find a 5th year transfer then that would be fine, but otherwise he should hold that scholly open for a player that can really play come next year, and let walk-ons handle those possible disastrous situations that might require such a guard.

In short, in all likelyhood, there AIN'T ANYBODY ANY GOOD now out there so he should keep that scholly open.

But, ya all seem to think that Dixon should take any scrub he can find... someone that even the Dukes or PSU wouldn't take. Someone that maybe even could not get a scholly to a D2 school.

Maybe y'all are just dreaming... that the next Levance Fields is running around out there looking for a scholly.

But, THERE AIN'T ANY... and WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE HAUGHTONS. That was a total waste.

Y'all can head on down to Waffle House for some freaking biscuits & gravy....nobody has suggested anything like that at all. Desperate from losing the argument, now tries deflection. Y'all must think Bob Cousy will walk on.

 

[DT_PITT]

Well, I'll be jiggered. Always thought of him as a walk-on. Decent player, even if he couldn't bring the ball up vs. Danny Hurley.
You can throw in Matt Miklasevich, whose career was mainly staring back at eWing, or John Rasp....but walk-ons aren't gonna solve our depth problems. We need healthy guys, and will be alright if that arrives. If not, Oliver Antigua looks to be in game shape!!

Hell, Miklasevich wasn't even a walk-on either. He was a true blue scholarship player out of Franklin Regional. Used four years with Willard to get a nifty Mechanical Engineering degree.

The walk-on honor role pretty much ends with Cavanaugh and Brush, although a little mention can go to Mahdi Sprauill, who actually started games in the disaster that was the 95-95 season. Hell, even Nate Cochran played an important minute that year against WVU once 3 other guys had fouled out, which is more or less up there with Lecak's minutes against L-ville this past year.

 

[NTOP]

I asked the same question point blank twice and you didn't have the guts to answer it... but instead continue to disparage what I post.

I think I will just ignore you from now on. THAT is what is most appropriate here.

Well, you keep posting the same junk. Persistence isn't always in line with worthiness. I'll miss your retorts. Have a nice day.