Zeise News - Maia may not join team

[Zaratoughda]

Here's a link to an article from Zeise... after a talk with Dixon.

The big news is that some issues have developed with Rafael Maia transferring. Wilson is in but there are some problems here. Read the article.

Also, the reason the pro-am was cancelled, was because 7 of the 13 Pitt scholly players were out. The other news on this, it may not be coming back.

The good news... Ontario Lett has indeed been hired as a graduate assistant coach and will work with the bigs.

http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com...taff-Some-News-and-Notes/stories/201506240001

 

[thebadby2]

Here's a link to an article from Zeise... after a talk with Dixon.

The big news is that some issues have developed with Rafael Maia transferring. Wilson is in but there are some problems here. Read the article.

Also, the reason the pro-am was cancelled, was because 7 of the 13 Pitt scholly players were out. The other news on this, it may not be coming back.

The good news... Ontario Lett has indeed been hired as a graduate assistant coach and will work with the bigs.

http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com...taff-Some-News-and-Notes/stories/201506240001

Wilson enrolled and ready to rock is great news. Sounds like the Maia thing stands a good chance of working itself out. Hopefully everyone can get healthy well before the first game.

Too bad about the pro-am, from what I gather on the board a couple of our regular posters, I believe Harve and DT, put a lot of time and effort into the event mostly for the benefit of the fans. Sorry to see it go guys.

 

[NTOP]

Wilson enrolled and ready to rock is great news. Sounds like the Maia thing stands a good chance of working itself out. Hopefully everyone can get healthy well before the first game.

Too bad about the pro-am, from what I gather on the board a couple of our regular posters, I believe Harve and DT, put a lot of time and effort into the event mostly for the benefit of the fans. Sorry to see it go guys.

Agree...the guys who pitched in were great help....Joe the Panther Fan messed with rebounding stats, but all's forgiven! Maybe we can put together a social event...tog-of-war between the haters & JIGers??

 

[pittizit]

Yea good news about O Lett...except he may have NO players to coach.

 

[pittizit]

Yea good news about O Lett...except he may have NO players to coach.

By the way he did graduate from Brown..his FB page shows him in his cap and gown...so it has to be another issue.

 

[levance2]

By the way he did graduate from Brown..his FB page shows him in his cap and gown...so it has to be another issue.

That doesn't mean anything. Pitt holds graduation ceremony in advance of final grades being issued. I even knew people graduating after the fall semester that were allowed to attend graduation the preceding spring...

 

[NTOP]

That doesn't mean anything. Pitt holds graduation ceremony in advance of final grades being issued. I even knew people graduating after the fall semester that were allowed to attend graduation the preceding spring...

Maybe he borrowed a cap & gown???

 

[Zaratoughda]

Here's the link to the full article on the pro-am cancellation that Zeise mentioned:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...r-Pitt-pulls-players-out/stories/201506250053

 

[Harve74]

Wilson enrolled and ready to rock is great news. Sounds like the Maia thing stands a good chance of working itself out. Hopefully everyone can get healthy well before the first game.

Too bad about the pro-am, from what I gather on the board a couple of our regular posters, I believe Harve and DT, put a lot of time and effort into the event mostly for the benefit of the fans. Sorry to see it go guys.

I take no credit for the ProAm. I was merely a fan and had a very minor contribution in helping line up donors from this board for the summer league. DT was very involved with handling the donations, and kept stats as did JoethePantherfan. Whirlybird Option and FranB kept the scorebooks too at least last season.

If I'm missing anyone else I apologize. There were others including some significant friends of the program who contrbuted money or who volunteered their time at everthing from handing out jerseys to players and rosters to fans to mopping sweat from the court at Greentree, and even coaching games.

It was John Giammarco's league and he deserves the main credit, but a lot of people contributed. John's Pittsburgh Basketball Club also runs leagues for D-2/3 and high schools. He's a very busy man

I was just happy to come and get a summer basketball fix.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Joe the Panther Fan messed with rebounding stats

I could have sworn the rule was that if the guy got two hands on the ball he got credit for two rebounds!

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

Wilson enrolled and ready to rock is great news. Sounds like the Maia thing stands a good chance of working itself out. Hopefully everyone can get healthy well before the first game.

Too bad about the pro-am, from what I gather on the board a couple of our regular posters, I believe Harve and DT, put a lot of time and effort into the event mostly for the benefit of the fans. Sorry to see it go guys.

Wilson getting enrolled is way more important than Maia making it here. I'd like Maia to join us this season too, but Wilson failing to enroll would be quite the gut punch.

 

[Zaratoughda]

Wilson getting enrolled is way more important than Maia making it here. I'd like Maia to join us this season too, but Wilson failing to enroll would be quite the gut punch.

Maia not getting here would be a gut punch as well. Would probably not be able to RS Nix and would probably have to play him some (like Uchebo) and might not be able to RS Luther either.

Yeah, I wonder what Dixon would do with that open scholly. Bring back Uchebo for another year? Ya never know.

 

[mvk112]

I still fail to understand this whole redshirt Nix stuff. If he can play, you play him. If he can't play, you want him out of the program as soon as possible. The kid has a tremendous work ethic, and he has the coach who helped transform his game coming along with him. He's got a decent chance to be a factor ths year.

 

[NTOP]

I still fail to understand this whole redshirt Nix stuff. If he can play, you play him. If he can't play, you want him out of the program as soon as possible. The kid has a tremendous work ethic, and he has the coach who helped transform his game coming along with him. He's got a decent chance to be a factor ths year.

It only makes sense if Maia + ANO look capable of getting it done in the post.....and if a year at Pitt can make Rozelle a legit ACC center. It balances the roster a bit, with all those 15-16 juniors to be replaced. W/o Maia, it might not be feasible. And if Big Joe is still around as the 13th scholie....so be it. His story's pretty sad, but that would probably send him off with a Pitt sheepskin. And who knows....maybe these months off with no Pro-Am...will improve his knees a bit. He looked pretty capable last summer. A few minutes/game might be useful. The preference would obviously be another guard, but I doubt there's help available.

 

[Harve74]

It only makes sense if Maia + ANO look capable of getting it done in the post.....and if a year at Pitt can make Rozelle a legit ACC center. It balances the roster a bit, with all those 15-16 juniors to be replaced. W/o Maia, it might not be feasible. And if Big Joe is still around as the 13th scholie....so be it. His story's pretty sad, but that would probably send him off with a Pitt sheepskin. And who knows....maybe these months off with no Pro-Am...will improve his knees a bit. He looked pretty capable last summer. A few minutes/game might be useful. The preference would obviously be another guard, but I doubt there's help available.

I THINK Joe is completely gone. Several media sources reported late in the season that he was leaving and an ACC blog said he had left. One source reported he had the credits to graduate but I haven't seen that confirmed. My experience with my bad knee was that off-season rest helps but it is the daily grind of practice during the season which is a killer.

Surely SOMEBODY knows if he has been on campus. There aren't THAT many 6-11 guys with a limp walking around Oakland.

Besides, if we aren't getting Maia, and I still think we probaby will get him here, as you said, we REALLY need a guard for depth. There has to be a 5th year ball handler out there somewhere who is more ready for D-1 ball than Mike Lecak. No offense to Mike or the Lecak family. Mike plays hard and gave us some good minutes against the Ville last season but he is more of a shooter than a ball handler.

 

[bwh05]

Joe is gone

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Joe is gone

Nah, I'm still here.

What? A different Joe? I thought I was the only one.

 

[bwh05]

I stand corrected.

 

[Zaratoughda]

I THINK Joe is completely gone. Several media sources reported late in the season that he was leaving and an ACC blog said he had left. One source reported he had the credits to graduate but I haven't seen that confirmed. My experience with my bad knee was that off-season rest helps but it is the daily grind of practice during the season which is a killer.

Surely SOMEBODY knows if he has been on campus. There aren't THAT many 6-11 guys with a limp walking around Oakland.

Besides, if we aren't getting Maia, and I still think we probaby will get him here, as you said, we REALLY need a guard for depth. There has to be a 5th year ball handler out there somewhere who is more ready for D-1 ball than Mike Lecak. No offense to Mike or the Lecak family. Mike plays hard and gave us some good minutes against the Ville last season but he is more of a shooter than a ball handler.

I don't think Dixon could find ANYTHING out there now worth wasting a scholly on.

A better choice would be to bring in a walk-on (or two... we got two walk-on positions open) that could bring the ball down the court. Yeah, check out the intramural leagues and things along those lines. Dixon in fact may have his walk-ons already lined up just hasn't announced it yet.

Also, it's not like we have a big hole with nobody to fill it (like we did at SG and inside). We are talking about who spells Robinson... and there is Newkirk..... Wilson..... Smith.... and even Cam Johnson is a possibility there. So, better Dixon sees where things are at on this one before... hmmm... before being desperate for a PG that can play come next year around this time and looking for the best graduate transfer PG out there.... worst case scenario.

 

[thebadby2]

I don't think Dixon could find ANYTHING out there now worth wasting a scholly on.

A better choice would be to bring in a walk-on (or two... we got two walk-on positions open) that could bring the ball down the court. Yeah, check out the intramural leagues and things along those lines. Dixon in fact may have his walk-ons already lined up just hasn't announced it yet.

Also, it's not like we have a big hole with nobody to fill it (like we did at SG and inside). We are talking about who spells Robinson... and there is Newkirk..... Wilson..... Smith.... and even Cam Johnson is a possibility there. So, better Dixon sees where things are at on this one before... hmmm... before being desperate for a PG that can play come next year around this time and looking for the best graduate transfer PG out there.... worst case scenario.

So are you saying you think we can bring in a walk-on who can be a ballhandler for us in live game action? That's not gonna happen. This is why Wilson was so critical. He's a real ballhandler and will be needed ASAP.

FWIW, I also can't buy the Nix redshirt scenario. I suppose it might make some sense if our 5th year transfer bigs are all good to go, but I'm not sure I've ever seen or heard of a 2-year JUCO transfer redshirting for non-injury reasons. I'd defer to a Harve or someone who's tuned in as to what the likelihood of a Nix redshirt really is.

 

[Jeffburgh]

So are you saying you think we can bring in a walk-on who can be a ballhandler for us in live game action? That's not gonna happen. This is why Wilson was so critical. He's a real ballhandler and will be needed ASAP.

FWIW, I also can't buy the Nix redshirt scenario. I suppose it might make some sense if our 5th year transfer bigs are all good to go, but I'm not sure I've ever seen or heard of a 2-year JUCO transfer redshirting for non-injury reasons. I'd defer to a Harve or someone who's tuned in as to what the likelihood of a Nix redshirt really is.

Oh, yeah ... I have a REALLY hard time seeing Nix redshirt.

 

[NTOP]

Oh, yeah ... I have a REALLY hard time seeing Nix redshirt.

That only works if Maia and ANO are on board & good to go. Nix might be OK with the idea if it gives him a better chance at a degree. He'd be an all-time sleeper find if he reached pro potential. I just can't see trying to get through another year with Mike and only one backup.

 

[California Panther]

but I'm not sure I've ever seen or heard of a 2-year JUCO transfer redshirting for non-injury reasons.

Techincally, wouldn't HOUGHTON fit into your above description?

 

[Zaratoughda]

The thing about Nix redshirting... if Maia and ANO are both on board.... then there is not enough time inside already for those two plus Young and Artis... unless Artis plays all his minutes at SF which is not gonna happen IMO. Nix, has done a great job with his weight but now had to learn to play D1 ball. So, a redshirt year would allow him to get the practice against D1 players, as well as firm up his weight, and give him another year of eligibility.

Othewise, if Maia and ANO are both good to go.... I don't see where Nix (or Luther for that matter) is gonna find any playing time.

As far as a walk-on PG.... this is really just a matter for depth. Aron was a red-shirt last year and he did pretty good when he got PT... probably better than Uchebo and Randall. So, I can see them having a walk-on PG that you can use for depth instead of potentially having to play Smith or Slim there in those cases where the need arises. IMO this is a better option than wasting a scholly on a player that might not be much better. People keep saying we need another guard and I agree but IMO we need to see how things develop with Newkirk and Wilson before doing anything else.

 

[DT_PITT]

The thing about Nix redshirting... if Maia and ANO are both on board.... then there is not enough time inside already for those two plus Young and Artis... unless Artis plays all his minutes at SF which is not gonna happen IMO. Nix, has done a great job with his weight but now had to learn to play D1 ball. So, a redshirt year would allow him to get the practice against D1 players, as well as firm up his weight, and give him another year of eligibility.

Othewise, if Maia and ANO are both good to go.... I don't see where Nix (or Luther for that matter) is gonna find any playing time.

As far as a walk-on PG.... this is really just a matter for depth. Aron was a red-shirt last year and he did pretty good when he got PT... probably better than Uchebo and Randall. So, I can see them having a walk-on PG that you can use for depth instead of potentially having to play Smith or Slim there in those cases where the need arises. IMO this is a better option than wasting a scholly on a player that might not be much better. People keep saying we need another guard and I agree but IMO we need to see how things develop with Newkirk and Wilson before doing anything else.

Aron was a four year walk on who improved greatly over that time. When he was a freshman, he was nowhere close to being able to play. There may not have been a single Panther who improved more in his time with the team than Aron.

A walk on at PG is not an option. Smith or Johnson would be much, much better options. Maybe even Jamel Artis would be a better option.

 

[NTOP]

Aron was a four year walk on who improved greatly over that time. When he was a freshman, he was nowhere close to being able to play. There may not have been a single Panther who improved more in his time with the team than Aron.

A walk on at PG is not an option. Smith or Johnson would be much, much better options. Maybe even Jamel Artis would be a better option.

I seem to recall Jamel bringing the ball up last year to break the Ville press. Harrell was covering him, but never applied pressure. Can work in certain situations. It's silly to talk about an unknown walk-on at this stage. But we get regular doses of nonsense these days.

 

[Zaratoughda]

People keep saying we need another guard but with Robinson, Newkirk, Wilson, Smith and Johnson (and Jones)... what I am saying is it is better to let a walk-on handle this depth issue than to waste on scholly on whatever could be found out there right now.

If you guys think Dixon should give a scholly (if Maia doesn't show) to whatever he can find out there right now that can bring the ball up the court... then I believe we are in disagreement.

As far as Artis is concerned... I believe it was in the Cuse game in the dome... it appeared to me that Artis was playing at the point. Jeter was in there at the time and Dixon moved Jeter to the PF slot and moved Artis out to the perimeter in the center of the court (I believe that was the PG slot). Jamel, was getting the ball into Jeter and that was working pretty well, with Jeter one time putting the ball in the hoop and another time getting it to a cutting Jamel who layed it in. Yeah, I don't know who was bringing the ball up the court but I don't think that matters.

So, maybe that is Dixon's plan to getting Jamel enough playing time and also handle the problem with spelling Robinson.

Hey, it was you guys that brought up the possibility.

I should say here though that... to me.. Jamel did prove that he is a very good passer.

 

[Zaratoughda]

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.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

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.

Does Brazil even have a college basketball league? You may not know this, but big time college sports is pretty much an America only invention.

Additionally, Brazil's professional league follows what might be called the "international calendar". Their season ended at the end of May.

 

[Zaratoughda]

I did a google search on Brazil College Basketball and... most of the entries that came up were talking about...

Guilherme Crabogiale F*ck

Yeah, there is a u there not an asterisk (What a name!). Yeah, his last name probably came as an expletive after trying to pronounce his first two names.

Otherwise, I could find a pro-league but nothing specific re college. They gotta have something otherwise how to the players that come from Brazil learn to play the game. Maybe mostly high school.

In any case... if Rafael is playing in one of those pro-leagues, it is possible that is where the concerns are rising from. But, this is just speculation.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Maia not getting here would be a gut punch as well. Would probably not be able to RS Nix and would probably have to play him some (like Uchebo) and might not be able to RS Lutherw.

I wouldnt worry much yet about Maia not making it here. Its more than likely that he didnt graduate in the spring as was probably the original plan. That's the "snag" Im sure. He probably just needs to complete a few classes by August now which is very common in these situations. On the football side, Nathan Petetman is in the same predicament. There's never a guarantee players like this will complete their degrees in a time efficient manner but most times they do.

The only other thing that could be holding this up which is less likely is the Pitt grad program that Maia wants to enroll in is too similar to one at Brown. Maybe the NCAA hasnt granted the waiver yet cuz of that but id thats the case, things will work themselves out.

Zara, here's some homework for you. Do some googling and go to the Brown site to see if Maia graduated or is still enrolled there.

 

[bwh05]

He graduated. The snag is on our end

 

[Zaratoughda]

He graduated. The snag is on our end

What snag could possibly exist on our end?

Not qualifying for the graduate transfer program he planned to enter??

That is kinda crazy but you never know.

 

[Zaratoughda]

I wouldnt worry much yet about Maia not making it here. Its more than likely that he didnt graduate in the spring as was probably the original plan. That's the "snag" Im sure. He probably just needs to complete a few classes by August now which is very common in these situations. On the football side, Nathan Petetman is in the same predicament. There's never a guarantee players like this will complete their degrees in a time efficient manner but most times they do.

The only other thing that could be holding this up which is less likely is the Pitt grad program that Maia wants to enroll in is too similar to one at Brown. Maybe the NCAA hasnt granted the waiver yet cuz of that but id thats the case, things will work themselves out.

Zara, here's some homework for you. Do some googling and go to the Brown site to see if Maia graduated or is still enrolled there.

As I understand it that was Haughton's problem to start with.... had to finish up a few courses at his JUCO school and missed the pro-am, the trip to the Bahamas, and the time Dixon would have spent with him coaching him over the summer. Yeah, got off on the wrong foot and never got on the right one.

Maia, doesn't need the coaching but it would have helped.

I checked the Brown site and the list of people and he is not listed.

My guess is there is some concern with whatever league he is playing in down in Brazil. Sometimes there are pro leagues that let amateurs play but you gotta work out all the details so he is for sure not considered a pro and the NCAA lets him play.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Otherwise, I could find a pro-league but nothing specific re college. They gotta have something otherwise how to the players that come from Brazil learn to play the game. Maybe mostly high school.

In pretty much the whole rest of the world playing sports is not tied to going to school. In pretty much the whole rest of the world kids learn how to play sports by playing for clubs that are dedicated to teaching kids how to play sports. Pretty much the whole rest of the world finds our system of tying athletics to schools to be something bizarre that no one in their right mind ought to be doing.

So just a guess, but don't look too hard trying to find a Brazilian college basketball league. Because if there is one, it most certainly is not where the best college aged players are playing the game.

 

[Zaratoughda]

In pretty much the whole rest of the world playing sports is not tied to going to school. In pretty much the whole rest of the world kids learn how to play sports by playing for clubs that are dedicated to teaching kids how to play sports. Pretty much the whole rest of the world finds our system of tying athletics to schools to be something bizarre that no one in their right mind ought to be doing.

So just a guess, but don't look too hard trying to find a Brazilian college basketball league. Because if there is one, it most certainly is not where the best college aged players are playing the game.

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

Kids that are good out of HS come to this country to get the experience as well as get a college degree.

Those that don't, tend to turn pro.

I have seen the NBA draft 19 year old kids out of Europe that have been playing pro for years.

Now, exactly what is happening in Brazil this time of year neither you or I know... they don't seem to have any web-sites.

But, this brings us back to my assertion that the concerns re Rafael Maia getting here in the fall.... are quite possibly due to whatever league he is playing in down there in Brazil.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I believe that a player can play in a foreign professional league as long and maintain eligibility as long as he is not paid. If Maia is playing in a pro league down there and still intends to play for Pitt, he may just need to provide bank statements and have the NCAA get some affidavit signed by his club team saying he wasnt paid or given benefits.

 

[Saboteur]

Yea good news about O Lett...except he may have NO players to coach.

Ontario has one of the most infectious positive attitudes on the planet. AN overachiever times 10, I love that he is back at Pitt.

 

[NTOP]

People keep saying we need another guard but with Robinson, Newkirk, Wilson, Smith and Johnson (and Jones)... what I am saying is it is better to let a walk-on handle this depth issue than to waste on scholly on whatever could be found out there right now.

If you guys think Dixon should give a scholly (if Maia doesn't show) to whatever he can find out there right now that can bring the ball up the court... then I believe we are in disagreement.

As far as Artis is concerned... I believe it was in the Cuse game in the dome... it appeared to me that Artis was playing at the point. Jeter was in there at the time and Dixon moved Jeter to the PF slot and moved Artis out to the perimeter in the center of the court (I believe that was the PG slot). Jamel, was getting the ball into Jeter and that was working pretty well, with Jeter one time putting the ball in the hoop and another time getting it to a cutting Jamel who layed it in. Yeah, I don't know who was bringing the ball up the court but I don't think that matters.

So, maybe that is Dixon's plan to getting Jamel enough playing time and also handle the problem with spelling Robinson.

Hey, it was you guys that brought up the possibility.

I should say here though that... to me.. Jamel did prove that he is a very good passer.

You've missed the point. Walk-ons are just around for practice purposes and dire emergencies. Occasionally, one earns some playing time, like Aron. Guys who light it up on playground or at Trees would be destroyed by ACC-level competition. Bad enough at SF, e.g., but basically game-forfeiting vs. a pressing team like the Ville or Duke (at times) if a walk-on is running the point. How would Ko or Lecak have done last year, e.g.?? You don't just put up "Point guard wanted" posters. Most are known quantities before being invited

 

[Zaratoughda]

You've missed the point. Walk-ons are just around for practice purposes and dire emergencies. Occasionally, one earns some playing time, like Aron. Guys who light it up on playground or at Trees would be destroyed by ACC-level competition. Bad enough at SF, e.g., but basically game-forfeiting vs. a pressing team like the Ville or Duke (at times) if a walk-on is running the point. How would Ko or Lecak have done last year, e.g.?? You don't just put up "Point guard wanted" posters. Most are known quantities before being invited

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.