'13 NY PF Jermaine Lawrence (Commit)

[Nomadic1]

I don't think Johnson is coming as a pr move. He's a good player. I think Morman and Caupain are both rugged players, neither of them really strike me as being big east PGs... In fact, Morman is more of a short 3.
That said, "Skummit"? Why are we talking trash about highschools? Does anybody really care where someone went to highschool?
How honkytonk/insignificant, does one have to be, to be discussing such things? Aren't we a major metropolitan? Why not just go on about the local hitchin' posts and watering holes....
Jeez lol

 

[Bearcat04]

A special financial aid package? Let's keep this on the down-low so every other team doesn't figure out our secret.

There are no special financial aid packages. There are no circumstances that will allow him to get a academic scholarship therefore allowing them to make room. And (not directed at you) I think we need a sticky telling everyone that redshirting does not open up a scholarship. I think I've read that 100 times on here.

The fact is that someone who is either on the current roster won't be here next year or an incoming recruit won't be here. It's really that simple. For those saying "it will work itself out", well yea, it has to because you cannot have 14 scholarships so if UC wants to have a team next year it will have to work out. As to how, who really knows right now besides the UC staff. They obviously have something up their sleeves or they wouldn't have been able to get Lawrence but we'll just have to wait and see.

Not necessarily. Andre Drummond played as a walk-on last year to avoid having someone transfer out. UConn was down to 10 scholarships because of recruiting violations. Not saying something like that is going to happen here, but it's definitely possible.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7377356/andre-drummond-play-uconn-walk-on

 

[CPAW29]

Not necessarily. Andre Drummond played as a walk-on last year to avoid having someone transfer out. UConn was down to 10 scholarships because of recruiting violations. Not saying something like that is going to happen here, but it's definitely possible.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7377356/andre-drummond-play-uconn-walk-on

Good find! You would think if that scenario was to happen that the player would also redshirt.

Looking at chris bains tweeter feed, it seems this might be the case for strickland

 

[mplebanon]

Here is the scenarios:
1. Someone transfers due to wanting more playing time and not seeing it at UC.
2. I actually don't see anyone on the current roster that I'd like to see leave. Nyarsuk has had his moments and can be solid in a slowdown halfcourt type game. Gaines and JJ are athletic enough for the fast paced game, and Gaines is showing improvement. Mick is high on Sanders and Thomas. Guyn has played more lately and looks like the PG heir apparent. JDIII is a fan fave and looks promising to have playing time next season. Rubles ain't going anywhere, he plays alot.
3. S K shocks us all and leaves for the European League, which I don't see happening.
4. Maybe there is some kind of scholarship rule for these situations - such as academic, hardship, low family income.........maybe something we're not aware of and UC has all 14 next season.
5. One of the incoming recruits goes the prep route.

 

[UCalum08]

Is Alex Epp on a scholly? I know he walked on but I didn't know if he earned one over the years?

 

[bearcat jeff]

First of all, I believe Mormon still needs to qualify. I hope he does, because he reminds me of Dion Dixon in many ways, with a better jump shop. But the fact is if he doesn't, problem solved. I have heard a couple things but the info isn't reliable and I really don't want to speculate about particular players with bad info. With my health issues from late summer to the end of December has me far less in touch with things this season but I'm starting to research and reach out a bit more again.

But purely speculating, there is a log jam at the guard position. Barring a nonqualifier I'd look at this group first. Also, I know the staff are cautiously excited about the strides Gaines is making. Let me tell you this, a more athletic frontcourt than Gaines and Lawrence, you would not find. Lawrence and Rubles are both capable of playing at the 3. Jackson is a senior and isn't going anywhere and there's Nyarsuk and Strickland. You have to have 1 of these guys for some size at the 5 spot secured on scholarship. Nyarsuk has some experience and I've been told that the staff thinks they potentially have a steal in Strickland. So just based on my own reasoning it is obvious to me, as to everyone else, that a move will come from the center position or a guard leaves if everyone qualifies. People keep talking JD3 but I don't believe he will leave. I know how Mick loves veterans and I think he'd like to start the year with 2 guys with some experience at the point, and JD3 can play to the 2as well and could even start there if SK goes.

Personally I think they knew when they signed Mormon and continued to pursue Lawrence they didn't have enough scholarships. There is/was already a plan in place. A) A decision by SK has already been made B) There is a reasonable certainty Mormon will not qualify C) A player has already been talked to and/or a decison made on a player going off scholly or transferring. We can speculate all we want but Mick knew the situation and already has a plan A and plan B. So when I say it'll work itself out, I believe it already has. The Mormon situation will just determine if it's plan A or plan B imo.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Not necessarily. Andre Drummond played as a walk-on last year to avoid having someone transfer out. UConn was down to 10 scholarships because of recruiting violations. Not saying something like that is going to happen here, but it's definitely possible.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7377356/andre-drummond-play-uconn-walk-on

Yea, you are right, someone could walkon but I'd put that at incredibly unlikely.

Good find! You would think if that scenario was to happen that the player would also redshirt.

Looking at chris bains tweeter feed, it seems this might be the case for strickland

I'd put lots of money on Strickland not paying his own way. Unless you are speaking solely about redshirting but that has nothing to do with the scholarship situation.

Is Alex Epp on a scholly? I know he walked on but I didn't know if he earned one over the years?

He may have been given one this year since they had a open scholly but I don't recall hearing anything about it. Either way, scholarships are renewed on a yearly basis so if he was given one it would have been for this year only.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

First of all, I believe Mormon still needs to qualify. I hope he does, because he reminds me of Dion Dixon in many ways, with a better jump shop. But the fact is if he doesn't, problem solved. I have heard a couple things but the info isn't reliable and I really don't want to speculate about particular players with bad info. With my health issues from late summer to the end of December has me far less in touch with things this season but I'm starting to research and reach out a bit more again.

But purely speculating, there is a log jam at the guard position. Barring a nonqualifier I'd look at this group first. Also, I know the staff are cautiously excited about the strides Gaines is making. Let me tell you this, a more athletic frontcourt than Gaines and Lawrence, you would not find. Lawrence and Rubles are both capable of playing at the 3. Jackson is a senior and isn't going anywhere and there's Nyarsuk and Strickland. You have to have 1 of these guys for some size at the 5 spot secured on scholarship. Nyarsuk has some experience and I've been told that the staff thinks they potentially have a steal in Strickland. So just based on my own reasoning it is obvious to me, as to everyone else, that a move will come from the center position or a guard leaves if everyone qualifies. People keep talking JD3 but I don't believe he will leave. I know how Mick loves veterans and I think he'd like to start the year with 2 guys with some experience at the point, and JD3 can play to the 2as well and could even start there if SK goes.

Personally I think they knew when they signed Mormon and continued to pursue Lawrence they didn't have enough scholarships. There is/was already a plan in place. A) A decision by SK has already been made B) There is a reasonable certainty Mormon will not qualify C) A player has already been talked to and/or a decison made on a player going off scholly or transferring. We can speculate all we want but Mick knew the situation and already has a plan A and plan B. So when I say it'll work itself out, I believe it already has. The Mormon situation will just determine if it's plan A or plan B imo.

Thanks for clearing up some of the speculation Jeff. Also glad your health is improving. Seems like a great time to be a Bearcat fan.

 

[nparker1]

Jamaree Strickland ‏@CaliSwag_510
I should've went to Fishburne Military when i had the chance for more exposure. O well i signed already it doesn't matter
Saw this on Twitter (#BearcatNation)...could changes for Strickland be option?...would be kind of surprising because as people have been saying the coaches are high on him...who has a higher ceiling: Gaines or Strickland?

I am confident in Cronin that he will figure something out...

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Jamaree Strickland ‏@CaliSwag_510
I should've went to Fishburne Military when i had the chance for more exposure. O well i signed already it doesn't matter
Saw this on Twitter (#BearcatNation)...could changes for Strickland be option?...would be kind of surprising because as people have been saying the coaches are high on him...who has a higher ceiling: Gaines or Strickland?

I am confident in Cronin that he will figure something out...

If he is playing well enough to get the idea he could have had many more options had he not signed early that is a good thing for us. Come in and win you some playing time Big fella.

 

[bearcatfan1211]

Doesn't Johnson have like a 4.3 GPA or something like that? I know the kid has very good grades, what kind of package could the school put together for him (academic, multi-cultural, greater cincinnati, etc.) for his first year I wonder?

 

[UCalum08]

I don't think Johnson is coming as a pr move. He's a good player. I think Morman and Caupain are both rugged players, neither of them really strike me as being big east PGs... In fact, Morman is more of a short 3.
That said, "Skummit"? Why are we talking trash about highschools? Does anybody really care where someone went to highschool?
How honkytonk/insignificant, does one have to be, to be discussing such things? Aren't we a major metropolitan? Why not just go on about the local hitchin' posts and watering holes....
Jeez lol

Thats actually what I was thinking. Its a big reason why a lot of Cincinnati "fans" are douche bags. They are grown ass adults and think it still matters what HS is doing what. I'm not sure why any local kid would want to stay.

 

[Bearcat91]

Jamaree Strickland ‏@CaliSwag_510
I should've went to Fishburne Military when i had the chance for more exposure. O well i signed already it doesn't matter
Saw this on Twitter (#BearcatNation)...could changes for Strickland be option?...would be kind of surprising because as people have been saying the coaches are high on him...who has a higher ceiling: Gaines or Strickland?

I am confident in Cronin that he will figure something out...

I also think this could be just a reaction to the Lawrence commitment. If I was a 6'9" PF committed to a school and then another 6'9" player who happens to be the #19 player in the country commits, even if Lawrence could play the 3 I would be worried. If Lawrence sticks to just the 4 I would see it as this kids playing time diminishing so he's probably thinking maybe I should have went to prep school to prepare myself and go somewhere that has a large need for a PF where he can potentially start.

But thats all assumption that Lawrence will strictly play the 4 which I dont see happening.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Doesn't Johnson have like a 4.3 GPA or something like that? I know the kid has very good grades, what kind of package could the school put together for him (academic, multi-cultural, greater cincinnati, etc.) for his first year I wonder?

doesn't matter, a scholarship is a scholarship.

 

[bearcatfan1211]

doesn't matter, a scholarship is a scholarship.

Thanks...I didn't know if an academic scholarship would affect the athletic scholarship count.

 

[Bearcat22]

First of all, I believe Mormon still needs to qualify. I hope he does, because he reminds me of Dion Dixon in many ways, with a better jump shop. But the fact is if he doesn't, problem solved. I have heard a couple things but the info isn't reliable and I really don't want to speculate about particular players with bad info. With my health issues from late summer to the end of December has me far less in touch with things this season but I'm starting to research and reach out a bit more again.

But purely speculating, there is a log jam at the guard position. Barring a nonqualifier I'd look at this group first. Also, I know the staff are cautiously excited about the strides Gaines is making. Let me tell you this, a more athletic frontcourt than Gaines and Lawrence, you would not find. Lawrence and Rubles are both capable of playing at the 3. Jackson is a senior and isn't going anywhere and there's Nyarsuk and Strickland. You have to have 1 of these guys for some size at the 5 spot secured on scholarship. Nyarsuk has some experience and I've been told that the staff thinks they potentially have a steal in Strickland. So just based on my own reasoning it is obvious to me, as to everyone else, that a move will come from the center position or a guard leaves if everyone qualifies. People keep talking JD3 but I don't believe he will leave. I know how Mick loves veterans and I think he'd like to start the year with 2 guys with some experience at the point, and JD3 can play to the 2as well and could even start there if SK goes.

Personally I think they knew when they signed Mormon and continued to pursue Lawrence they didn't have enough scholarships. There is/was already a plan in place. A) A decision by SK has already been made B) There is a reasonable certainty Mormon will not qualify C) A player has already been talked to and/or a decison made on a player going off scholly or transferring. We can speculate all we want but Mick knew the situation and already has a plan A and plan B. So when I say it'll work itself out, I believe it already has. The Mormon situation will just determine if it's plan A or plan B imo.

Well said. Logically that probably has been the discussion Cronin and his staff have been having. I think we have to trust, and Cronin has earned that trust, that he knows what he's doing and has planned for each contingency.

 

[Hicks' Guns]

I'm really late to the party here but HELL YEAH!

I was in Vegas watching the Super Bowl when my Dad texted me. I screamed out "Hell Yes!" and pounded the table. Unfortunately no Bearcats fans were around and people found this weird. I did not care and

Cloud 9 man.

BJeff...once again, your summary is insightful and sounds right on.

 

[Hicks' Guns]

ESPN Insider article moves UC recruiting class up to #24 after Lawrence. I can't say I know anyone else's any better but seems a little low.

 

[JumpinJack5]

ESPN Insider article moves UC recruiting class up to #24 after Lawrence. I can't say I know anyone else's any better but seems a little low.

Seems about right to me-1 crown jewel (Lawrence), two diamonds in the rough (Caupain and Strickland), one average role player (Johnson) and a question mark (Morman).

 

[ucdave]

Seems about right to me-1 crown jewel (Lawrence), two diamonds in the rough (Caupain and Strickland), one average role player (Johnson) and a question mark (Morman).

Have you actually seen KJ play? Calling him an average role player is ignorant. I think I'll trust the ESPN guy that said KJ is one of the most versatile players in the country:

"K.J. is one of the more athletic guards in the country. He is explosive and can play either guard spot. Johnson should be impactful at the next level with his ability to score from all three levels on the court."