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Next year's Grad Transfer Prospects--This wise Board's Thoughts?

H

Hailpitt

Junior
Jul 5, 2001
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In view of the pending graduations of Jamie's 2016 graduate crew and the lack of depth in the 2016 recruiting class it seems Jamie will have to pluck 1 or 2 grad transfer for next season. Click on link below for list of best available:
http://georgiabasketballblog.com/top-10-possible-graduate-transfers-for-2016-17/

I like the kid from Hofstra. Come on Jamie a lights out 3 point shooter (I want someone like the little white dude with Ville. Let him stand on 3 point line and knock them down. No more Chris Jones marksmanship.)
Secondly I think the kid from Xavier would be a good add. Not sure Clemson would permit it kid to transfer to an ACC school (can Clemson prevent it?)
 
Hailpitt said:
In view of the pending graduations of Jamie's 2016 graduate crew and the lack of depth in the 2016 recruiting class it seems Jamie will have to pluck 1 or 2 grad transfer for next season. Click on link below for list of best available:
http://georgiabasketballblog.com/top-10-possible-graduate-transfers-for-2016-17/

I like the kid from Hofstra. Come on Jamie a lights out 3 point shooter (I want someone like the little white dude with Ville. Let him stand on 3 point line and knock them down. No more Chris Jones marksmanship.)
Secondly I think the kid from Xavier would be a good add. Not sure Clemson would permit it kid to transfer to an ACC school (can Clemson prevent it?)
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That list was put together last summer. I'm sure it would look much different now.

And I doubt Blossomgame would transfer at this point.

I'll have to look around and see if there's someone who would be a good point guard prospect.
 
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We do not need to recruit a grad-transfer G or F, shooter or not. We desperately need a 6-10 or bigger guy with hops who can average close to double digit rebounds and be a good rim defender. IMHO, that is the only missing piece to the puzzle. That level low post guy would be worth about 5 more points per game in average scoring margin and move us from a team computer ranked in the mid 30's nationally to one ranked in the top 10-15.
 
If I had to choose... I'd want a graduate transfer PG, just in case Kithcart isn't quite ready. Going into next season with Wilson and an unknown in Kithcart is risky. Get me a grad-transfer PG. If Kithcart is good, the grad-transfer PG ends up being a quality backup.

To me, Wilson should be groomed as a 2.
 
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UPitt '89 said:
If I had to choose... I'd want a graduate transfer PG, just in case Kithcart isn't quite ready. Going into next season with Wilson and an unknown in Kithcart is risky. Get me a grad-transfer PG. If Kithcart is good, the grad-transfer PG ends up being a quality backup.
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I agree with this. if there's a steady guy out there who can handle the ball and distribute, I think it'd be a good pickup. Scoring isn't a necessity.
 
I'm more in line with Dixon and Co. bringing in a FR PF/C.

Next season, Pitt already has JUCO SG Crisshawn Clark coming in as well as JR PG/SG Jonathan Milligan coming off his RS year already with the program. Not to mention, incoming FR PG Justice Kithcart. Unless Jones transfers for his 5th year or Clark doesn't make it here, I don't see PItt adding any more guards.

As far the front court, JR Rozelle Nix is coming off his RS and incoming FR PF Corey Manigault. So... Unless Pitt can land a grad transfer PF/C of a much higher caliber than Maia and Ododa, I prefer Dixon bringing in a quality 3/4 star prospect that he and the coaches can mold.
 
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UPitt '89 said:
If I had to choose... I'd want a graduate transfer PG, just in case Kithcart isn't quite ready. Going into next season with Wilson and an unknown in Kithcart is risky. Get me a grad-transfer PG. If Kithcart is good, the grad-transfer PG ends up being a quality backup.

To me, Wilson should be groomed as a 2.
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With his weaknesses notwithstanding, replacing James for next year is going to be a much, much bigger deal than many seem to think it will be.

I like Kithcart and think he could be a fine player. But to think he can come in as a freshman and nail down 25+ minutes a game at the point right away is highly, highly unlikely.

It's probably more likely that Milligan, or even Wilson, will be more ready.

I don't know what the market for 5th year point guard transfers looks like, but if I were Dixon, I'd be checking into it.

I don't think a lower level transfer is a great idea. But if there is a higher end point guard looking to make a move, Pitt would be a great situation for such a player.
 
DT_PITT said:
With his weaknesses notwithstanding, replacing James for next year is going to be a much, much bigger deal than many seem to think it will be.

I like Kithcart and think he could be a fine player. But to think he can come in as a freshman and nail down 25+ minutes a game at the point right away is highly, highly unlikely.

It's probably more likely that Milligan, or even Wilson, will be more ready.

I don't know what the market for 5th year point guard transfers looks like, but if I were Dixon, I'd be checking into it.

I don't think a lower level transfer is a great idea. But if there is a higher end point guard looking to make a move, Pitt would be a great situation for such a player.
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I thought we did not need another point guard. What happened?
 
gary2 said:
I thought we did not need another point guard. What happened?
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Wilson falling out of the rotation and possibly moving on creates a lot of uncertainty.

Along Luther emerging and with the most likely prep center, Tshimanga reportedy leaning towards BC...

If Wilson is staying, I'd still go with a developmental post. Or another shooter. But, if he goes we're short a ball handler.
 
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gary2 said:
I thought we did not need another point guard. What happened?
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Well, at this point, you are correct as we still have three. And of course, I don't know where the staff is on the subject. Maybe they feel OK about where they will be next year.

But since we had a similar discussion a month or so ago, some questions about Damon's future, either as a point guard, or whether or not he'll be here next year, have changed the conversation, at least a little.
 
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I didn't realize that there were questions about Damon's future. Only a TR FR and playing behind a four year starter. That's a bummer. I really like his upside.
 
JohnnyGossamer said:
I didn't realize that there were questions about Damon's future. Only a TR FR and playing behind a four year starter. That's a bummer. I really like his upside.
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Same reaction, when did that talk start? I know his minutes were limited, but he was a solid 4 start player player. I liked his aggression, even if he can't finish yet.
 
Speculation has been recently the NCAA is taking a very long look at eliminating grad transfers completely. Some lower tier head coaches are complaining that the bigger schools are recruiting their players. This could be the last possible year for grad transfers in all of division 1.
 
I see the coach's son from New Mexico is looking to transfer and has 2 years of eligibility. May not be a grad transfer.
 
don't look at a single grad transfer. if we miss the tournament because of inexperience at the point, so be it. i would rather win 7 or 8 ACC games, have wilson, kithcart, and milligan get the full amount of playing time instead winning 9 or 10 ACC games and squeezing into another 9 or 10 seed. the grad transfer strategy has got to go.
 
yourhired said:
Speculation has been recently the NCAA is taking a very long look at eliminating grad transfers completely. Some lower tier head coaches are complaining that the bigger schools are recruiting their players. This could be the last possible year for grad transfers in all of division 1.
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I have mixed emotions. It absolutely sucks for the lower schools. They spent all the money housing, feeding and developing the kids for 3+ years, then they just walk their senior year when you need them most, with no way to plan for that or to fill the spot.

For the kids it's good on some level, that they possibly get to experience March Madness for the first time maybe, and play against tougher competition day in and day out. That being said, not teaching them about commitment, but that concept has been long gone in sports, both for players and coaches.
 
This is Chris Jones fourth year. Could he be a grad transfer candidate?
 
KiwiJeff said:
I have mixed emotions. It absolutely sucks for the lower schools. They spent all the money housing, feeding and developing the kids for 3+ years, then they just walk their senior year when you need them most, with no way to plan for that or to fill the spot.

For the kids it's good on some level, that they possibly get to experience March Madness for the first time maybe, and play against tougher competition day in and day out. That being said, not teaching them about commitment, but that concept has been long gone in sports, both for players and coaches.
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I certainly understand the concern- but if a kid earns their degree and has eligibility left, I don't see how it would be fair to restrict his/her ability to move on. The truth is the players have little power in the system- one year scholarships, zero recourse to switch schools without sitting out when coaches leave, schools get penalized for reasons completely beyond the players' control...

Again, I don't see how it would be equitable or encouraging academic progress to say even if you graduate you can't leave to play somewhere else if you have eligibility left. Seems overly restrictive.
 
KiwiJeff said:
I have mixed emotions. It absolutely sucks for the lower schools. They spent all the money housing, feeding and developing the kids for 3+ years, then they just walk their senior year when you need them most, with no way to plan for that or to fill the spot.

For the kids it's good on some level, that they possibly get to experience March Madness for the first time maybe, and play against tougher competition day in and day out. That being said, not teaching them about commitment, but that concept has been long gone in sports, both for players and coaches.
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I really don't mind it. Some of these kids are graduating in 3 years and getting out. I can't even fathom how that is possible for an athlete. They are restricted to moving to a school to enroll in a program not offered by their original school. Obviously that has been abused. I think if the worst "abuse" in NCAA basketball is kids taking graduate level courses, rather than, say, having sex with school-provided prostitutes, we are doing okay.

I do agree it hurts the smaller schools, and something should be done to help them. I'm really not sure how, though.
 
PittMBA said:
I certainly understand the concern- but if a kid earns their degree and has eligibility left, I don't see how it would be fair to restrict his/her ability to move on. The truth is the players have little power in the system- one year scholarships, zero recourse to switch schools without sitting out when coaches leave, schools get penalized for reasons completely beyond the players' control...

Again, I don't see how it would be equitable or encouraging academic progress to say even if you graduate you can't leave to play somewhere else if you have eligibility left. Seems overly restrictive.
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Oh, I agree. I can see both sides. Good for the kids, but really kills the program they are leaving. Take Maia for instance, role player here, would lead Ivy in rebounding. I mean, Brown stinks either way, but they are beyond stink without Maia. But Maia gets to go to March Madness, so I like the rule. Maybe a compensatory draft pick for the low major :).
 
SoufOaklin4Life said:
Sterling Smith ended up shooting 40% for the season.
Slim 38%
Luther shot 44.4%
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very misleading, Smith has 1 3 pointer since January.. Padded stats against the central Arkansas's of the world.. 14 for 42 in conference, not the end of the world but honestly, pretty much a non factor after mid-january. Let's hope next shooting guard is more effective.. Not an ACC caliber player.
 
DT_PITT said:
Well, at this point, you are correct as we still have three. And of course, I don't know where the staff is on the subject. Maybe they feel OK about where they will be next year.

But since we had a similar discussion a month or so ago, some questions about Damon's future, either as a point guard, or whether or not he'll be here next year, have changed the conversation, at least a little.
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For the record, I posted a month ago that I wasnt sure if Wilson would be happy with being recruited over and backing up Kithcart for 3 years and that players have transferred for much less than that. And I was ripped. Just saying.

Wilson is not a PG. I think he can develop into a Brad-like 2 but he has a long way to go.
 
iMissTheOldDayss said:
Please god no more sterling smiths or adodas
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It's one year. What did it hurt? There were no DeJaun Blairs or Ashton Gibbs that we're gonna walk thru their doors. And better to have some live bodies that can at least practice as opposed to taking out ads in the student paper for some warm bodies like they had to do under Willard. It was low risk with potentially some reward. Just didn't work out and they'll be on their way.
 
I do love Smith's attitude. But, man oh man, I wish that guy didn't lose his stroke from deep. If it miraculously is reborn, Pitt may well advance to the Sweet 16.
 
King Of All Message Boards said:
It's one year. What did it hurt? There were no DeJaun Blairs or Ashton Gibbs that we're gonna walk thru their doors. And better to have some live bodies that can at least practice as opposed to taking out ads in the student paper for some warm bodies like they had to do under Willard. It was low risk with potentially some reward. Just didn't work out and they'll be on their way.
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Lets say Pitt never adds Sterling Smith or either ANO/Maia. Do you think Jones and Cam Johnson would have developed more? Would we have a better idea if Damon Wilson can play? How much more consistent would Ryan Luther be if he was able to pick up the minutes that ANO played during the non conference schedule? The opportunity cost of grad transfers is the amount of playing time young guys get. After seeing how the grad transfer scenario played out this season, I see no reason to try it again.
 
KennyTheKangaroo said:
Lets say Pitt never adds Sterling Smith or either ANO/Maia. Do you think Jones and Cam Johnson would have developed more? Would we have a better idea if Damon Wilson can play? How much more consistent would Ryan Luther be if he was able to pick up the minutes that ANO played during the non conference schedule? The opportunity cost of grad transfers is the amount of playing time young guys get. After seeing how the grad transfer scenario played out this season, I see no reason to try it again.
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Why close any route for recruiting? If you find a guy who can maybe help, why does some guys not working out this year mean NO other player ever will help?
 
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There is no grad transfer that is going to stride into the pete and lead this team to a final four, and we can all agree on that.

I'm just like every other fan: I want pitt to return to where it was in the 2000s-a team that would compete for tournament championships, get high seeds, and legit chances at making deep runs in the final four. We can safely look at this roster and say that as it is composed, there is little chance for any of those things happening with Artis and young leading the way. That means that the underclassmen will be the next crop we can pin our hopes on. The problem is that we only have three....THREE! underclassmen that contributed to this team, and all three of them played less than 13 minutes a game. That isn't very much playing time. From what we have seen, there are plenty of reasons to believe that Johnson, Wilson, and Luther don't have what it takes for pitt to return to its past highs, but I would rather find out if these guys are stiffs sooner rather than later.
 
KennyTheKangaroo said:
There is no grad transfer that is going to stride into the pete and lead this team to a final four, and we can all agree on that.
.
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agree, let's avoid the grad transfer.. Dixon tried it, it failed, what's done is done. Let's not repeat our mistakes...
 
So...if there's guards available - say like the kids who played at Louisville this year....and it's a position of need. Just abandon that because these guys didn't work out to everyone's liking? I'm pretty sure Pitt went after at least one of those guys. And it's easy to understand why he chose Louisville over Pitt (at the time anyway).

In any event if there's a kid who the staff thinks is talented enough to contribute I think they should go after them. Recruiting in general is hit and miss. But of course it's a matter of opinion. Fair points all around I'd say.
 
King Of All Message Boards said:
So...if there's guards available - say like the kids who played at Louisville this year....and it's a position of need. Just abandon that because these guys didn't work out to everyone's liking? I'm pretty sure Pitt went after at least one of those guys. And it's easy to understand why he chose Louisville over Pitt (at the time anyway).
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King: kinda ironic that both Lee and Lewis went to U of L to finally get to an NCAAT, only to have the "sanctions" bite them in the a$$. Of course, one could speculate that they had some nice "perks" to attract them to play for Pitino. Sadly, when a recruit comes to Pitt, the only women they're promised look like this:

6c127dc80e6de7b54ac80e16ba202db4.jpg


:D:D:D
 
King Of All Message Boards said:
So...if there's guards available - say like the kids who played at Louisville this year....and it's a position of need. Just abandon that because these guys didn't work out to everyone's liking? I'm pretty sure Pitt went after at least one of those guys. And it's easy to understand why he chose Louisville over Pitt (at the time anyway).

In any event if there's a kid who the staff thinks is talented enough to contribute I think they should go after them. Recruiting in general is hit and miss. But of course it's a matter of opinion. Fair points all around I'd say.
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Hypothetical ahead: Lets say pitt gets the best of all worlds: Pitt gets lee and lewis (the l'ville guys) and maia as grad transfers. Maia, Luther, and Young split time at the five. Lee and lewis both average 10 points a game. What do you think pitt's record ends up being? Are lee and lewis worth an extra 2 wins? 3 wins? Five wins?

And why should pitt ever expect to get top tier grad transfers if they do not expect to get top tier recruits? it is a pipe dream for pitt to get first dibbs on grad transfers
 
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