Next year's roster...

[JohnnyGossamer]

Okay. The season didn't end as hoped and there's much to be addressed by Dixon and Co. in the upcoming off season.

Incoming 2015 recruiting class...
PG/SG - Damon Wilson FR
C - Rozelle Nix JUCO
C - ???
PF - ???
PG/SG - ???

2015-16 roster
PG - Robinson SR
PG/SG - Newkirk JR
PG/SG - Wilson FR
SG/SF - D. Johnson RS SR
SG/SF - Jones RS JR
SG/SF - C. Johnson RS FR
SF/PF - Jeter RS JR
SF/PF - Artis JR
PF - Luther SO (possible departure)
PF/C - Young JR
C - Uchebo RS SR (likely departure)
C - Haughton RS JR (possible departure)
C - Nix JUCO

The last time Pitt had an off year, albeit a far worse year than this current season, Dixon added Adams, Robinson, Jones and Ziegler. Such being, I expect at least two players to depart and Dixon to likely add at least two more commits whether incoming FR or transfers.

I assume, as everyone else seems to as well given he's just about finished up his degree, that Uchebo's done here. Additionally, I expect Haughton and/or Luther to depart too. And, I guess, there could be another unexpected departure as well.

Such being so, who are some of the players Dixon and Co. are know to be in on? I know about the C Diallo of course. Could someone provide some of the other names Pitt's currently recruiting? Thanks!





This post was edited on 3/13 10:33 AM by JohnnyGossamer

 

[thebadby2]

A huge part of our problems is that literally none of the players you listed as SGs actually are SGs (Newkirk is the only actual guard in that group, and he;s more of a PG), and none of the guys you listed as PFs are actually PFs--except Young. They are all 3 men , and none of them, with the possible exception of Artis, are particularly good three men. They are all wing players without ideal size and skill skill sets for the three. And of course we don't have a 5, so we are playing our one real 4 man out of position in the post.

Nix and WIlson don;t change the equation much IMO.

We will be a year better, but i still don't think that will make us very good at the end of the day.

 

[gary2]

I have been saying that we have had poor roster distribution for years. We do not have enough guards. That is clear.

Some will tell you, forget about position numbers 1-2-3-4-5. It is really about guards, wings and bigs. It really makes no difference how you slice it.

Ideally you would have a roster that includes 3 players capable of being the primary ball handler, Someone who could advance the ball against a press. Call them a 1 or a guard or whatever. Then you would want 5 players capable of giving you scoring, rebounding and post defense near the basket. Call them a 4 or 5 or big or whatever. That leaves 5 players for the 2 or 3 or wing.

I do not know enough to judge incoming freshman Wilson but, I do not think Newkirk is capable of being a primary ball handler. If Newkirk stays, he is a smurf 2 guard or a wing.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

I don't disagree. Although, with no other additions, I'd still expect at 23-9 type season next year. But, what I was wondering is who else Pitt is in on to fill out the current incoming class. I know of Diallo, Dillard, Cook. I know Pitt's still recruiting PGs. Any other names out there?

 

[passedout]

What do you guys expect from Nix next year? Watching his video, he's a space eater. Think "Escalade" from the AND1 Mixtape Tours -- without the "athleticism". lol Pitt better be getting him on a serious cardio program, because he barely makes it up and down the floor from the looks of it. This team needs Diallo, period.

 

[Saboteur]

Why do you think Luther is a possible departure. He was/is a true freshman.
He should have been red shirted , but he wasn't.
Does it make sense for Pitt to give up on an investment so they can go out and get a player with less experience who will not develop until the 2017-18 season as a redshirt soph?
If he is looking to leave then that is different, but casting him aside now makes no sense to me.

 

[KiwiJeff]

Yeah, that seemed pretty random.

 

[Harve74]

Originally posted by JohnnyGossamer:
Okay. The season didn't end as hoped and there's much to be addressed by Dixon and Co. in the upcoming off season.

Incoming 2015 recruiting class...
PG/SG - Damon Wilson FR
C - Rozelle Nix JUCO
C - ???
PF - ???
PG/SG - ???

2015-16 roster
PG - Robinson SR
PG/SG - Newkirk JR
PG/SG - Wilson FR
SG/SF - D. Johnson RS SR
SG/SF - Jones RS JR
SG/SF - C. Johnson RS FR
SF/PF - Jeter RS JR
SF/PF - Artis JR
PF - Luther SO (possible departure)
PF/C - Young JR
C - Uchebo RS SR (likely departure)
C - Haughton RS JR (possible departure)
C - Nix JUCO

The last time Pitt had an off year, albeit a far worse year than this current season, Dixon added Adams, Robinson, Jones and Ziegler. Such being, I expect at least two players to depart and Dixon to likely add at least two more commits whether incoming FR or transfers.

I assume, as everyone else seems to as well given he's just about finished up his degree, that Uchebo's done here. Additionally, I expect Haughton and/or Luther to depart too. And, I guess, there could be another unexpected departure as well.

Such being so, who are some of the players Dixon and Co. are know to be in on? I know about the C Diallo of course. Could someone provide some of the other names Pitt's currently recruiting? Thanks!





This post was edited on 3/13 10:33 AM by JohnnyGossamer

Uchebo and Haughton are gone. Somebody else might leave but probably any extra scholarship and maybe even one of the two from the centers would be held for the 2016 class.

They are after Levi Cook, a big developmental center from Huntington Prep. A couple weeks ago that signing looked very likely. Now, still possible but not as certain. Getting a developmental big in the system is pretty important if we follow the earlier player development model.

There are a host of ways they could go with the 4th ride. It would probably be best to go with a ball-handling combo guard. Ideally, he might be someone like Sterling Gibbs, a 5th year guy who would free up the scholarship again for the '16 class. But, Gibbs has said he is staying at Seton Hall.

A juco could be a possibility. But, that would make 7 guys in the junior class next season, which creates real problems down the road.

Obviously they will find a scholarship somehow for Diallo (or for Matt's mystery good news) if either comes to pass. But if they wait until Diallo signs, it would likely be too late for most 2015 recruits. Honestly, there are not many 2015 recruits available even now. Only 17 of the Rivals 150 remain unsigned. That top 150 is all of the 5-stars, all of the 4-stars and the top 50 or so 3-stars. So outside of Diallo, almost any high school kid may be somewhat of a reach. Unfortunately we have not had a lot of success signing 5th year transfers.

We could have a very nice class in 2016 but right now we may be hampered by scholarship count. They are recruiting several PG's for 2016 and will push strongly to sign one. At this point 5-star Heron is still committed as a SG and we are well regarded by two 2016 6-8 strong 4 /5 kids, Manigault and Konate. A PG, Heron and a big will be signed if at all possible. There several pretty well rated athletic 3/4' s who are possibilities IF we can find more scholarships to give.

Attrition always happens. We can probably get to 3 rides, if not 4 for 2016. We have holes now and we aren't sure Durand, Slim and the two signed recruits will fill them. But the staff has to balance immediate needs against having players available for the 2017 season when the big junior class is gone. Playing young, relatively inexperienced guys is a big part if the problem this season. Any extra scholarship we give this Spring probably costs us a potentially better player in the next class, something the guys calling for 6 new faces seem to miss completely.