'12 IN PG D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (Offer)

[psax889906]

I dont think it is a big hit because most X fans didnt expect him to qualify.

You know it is funny. I would take our roster over there but where X dominates UC is the culture of the program. They expect to win. The players that is.

I think that is 90 percent on the coaches.

You can say it is the A-10 and we are in the Big East but their coaches and players know they will dominate the A-10 and our coaches and players are always talking about how good the Big East is. That goes a long way. We need to gain confidence again.

Sounds a bit like a team that used to dominate Conference USA, if you ask me. My point being, both sides of the coin are correct... there is certainly an expectation to win at X and the players they bring in are taught immediately what that's like, what it takes, etc... at the same time, it is the A-10 and this is the Big East... would Xavier fare better over the past 4 years in the Big East than UC has?... undoubtedly... but you can't completely write off the conference switch either.

 

[Thegreatone]

Oh i agree. I firmly believe that UC would have made the tournament the past two years had they played in the A-10 or Cusa.

SHoulda coulda woulda. I wouldnt change conferences for anything though.

 

[psax889906]

Oh i agree. I firmly believe that UC would have made the tournament the past two years had they played in the A-10 or Cusa.

SHoulda coulda woulda. I wouldnt change conferences for anything though.

Mick made the comment a couple years ago after the team surprised some people by finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big East that it was going to be much easier to go from the bottom of the pack to the middle, than it would be to go from the middle of the pack to the top... that is the task that faces them now... and with the Big East about as wide open as it's going to get this year, they've got a shot at a top 5 finish if everything falls into place... it could just as easily be another finish in the 8-12 range though. We Shall see.

 

[bearcat18]

I think Martin being ineligible is a huge hit to them, especially after just losing Redford for the year. Now they have 10 players on scholarship available, with one being former walk on Andrew Taylor and one being Griffin McKenzie, who everyone expected to redshirt. I don't think McKenzie produces much at all this year, so that leaves them with 8 players to put up numbers. 2 of those 8 are freshmen as well.

Their 10 players on scholarship are:

1. Holloway - easily their best player, good playmaker
2. Lyons - explosive and athletic but out of control
3. Jackson - leader, good shooter, doesn't provide much else
4. Mclean - solid rebounder but oftentimes disappears against big opponents
5. Frease - nuff said
6. Robinson - a lot of XU fans think he will break out, but he only played 44 minutes last year. Not too mention he averaged like 3 points in high school.
7. Taylor - walk on, not much production
8. McKenzie - not much production IMO
9. Latham - looks like a solid player but is still a freshman
10. Canty - same as Latham

Basically, if you contain Holloway, I don't see many scoring threats on this team but we'll see. I really like our matchup against them and would take our talent over theirs all day everyday.

 

[CDS86]

Decommitted from Xavier per Evan Daniels on scout

 

[bearcat18]

There's over a year to go before signing date. If Xavier holds unto him it's very nice pick up, but a lot can happen in 13 months with early commits. We've all seen that.

Good call, Jeff.

 

[psax889906]

Decommitted from Xavier per Evan Daniels on scout

Go get 'em Mick.

 

[bearcat jeff]

D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera is one of the nation's top 2012 guards.
D'vauntes Smith-Rivera, PG/SG, North Central- A physically imposing combo guard, the junior has always been able to overpower his opponents to score on tough drives to the rim. But, he's continued to lean up his frame and the added quickness shows in his game. He's very clever off the ball, can make open jumpers and is improving defensively. After scoring 29 points, Smith-Rivera listed Ohio State, Xavier, UCLA, Florida, Miami, Georgetown, Cincinnati and Louisville. He also confirmed that he will play this summer with Spiece.

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1176748

 

[bearcat jeff]

RT @KyleNeddenriep: Former Xavier commit D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera '12 was recently offered by Texas & Florida.

 

[psax889906]

RT @KyleNeddenriep: Former Xavier commit D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera '12 was recently offered by Texas & Florida.

I don't know if UC is actively recruiting him or not- or if he's really interested. Haven't heard anything to suggest he is. With that said, as long as he doesn't go to X I'll be fine with it. It would be a plus if he didn't come to the Big East too.

 

[bearcat jeff]

D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (2012 , Spiece)- Smith-Rivera continues to impress. He moves seamlessly between both guard positions, and has a fearlessness to his game. His command of the game and his physical attributes indicate that he will be playing productive basketball for years to come.

www.rivals.com

 

[bearcat jeff]

TheRecruitScoop Alex Kline RT @ EvanDanielscout : Former Xavier commit D' Vauntes Smith-Rivera '12 will take an unofficial visit to Texas tomorrow.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Cross one likely frontrunner’s name off the list for Indiana Mr. Basketball in 2012.

North Central’s D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, this year’s Indianapolis Star Super Team Player of the Year, is headed to Oak Hill Academy (N.C.) as a senior, his mother Kelana Rivera told the Star on Saturday.

Kelana Rivera cited reasons for the transfer as “a good opportunity to prepare for college” and a chance for her son to play for Oak Hill Academy coach Steve Smith.

Smith-Rivera is ranked No. 23 nationally by Scout.com in the 2012 class. He was at one time committed to Xavier, but has since opened his recruitment. He averaged 25.1 points and 4.0 rebounds as a junior, helping North Central to a 22-3 record.

Former Carmel center A.J. Hammons also plays for Oak Hill. He and Smith-Rivera play in the same Spiece Indy Heat travel team.

Smith-Rivera was likely top contender for Mr. Basketball going into next season. Among the contenders from the area are Hamilton Southeastern’s Gary Harris, Park Tudor’s Yogi Ferrell, Broad Ripple’s Ron Patterson and Pendleton Heights’ Kellen Dunham.

http://blogs.indystar.com/recruitin...off-to-prep-school-out-of-mr-basketball-race/

 

[bearcat jeff]

Ranked 21st, but there is no interest in Cincinnati.