2014 Spring Recruiting

[Robert]

Not looking ahead but I think everyone on this board is crazy excited for 2015.

I'm pretty disappointed in this recruiting class outside of Clark, but we'll see what happens. Just hurts to see us in the running for all these 4-star and above players and settle for 3-star guys and JUCO transfers. That's not to say these guys won't pan out, but I thought we would really be upgrading our talent after 4 straight NCAA tournament appearances. I am intrigued by Ellis, but I am concerned about distribution of playing time in the front court. I am always excited to start a new season and do believe this team will compete, but I feel like we are going to have the same issues on offense we had last year. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[bearcat18]

I'm pretty excited with these two additions. The only other guy I really wanted was Stewart, but who knows how many more visits he was going to take. I'm sure Mick knew what his chances were of landing him after his visit. If he feels Cobb is good enough, then I'm all for it.

Octavius gives us some shot blocking and athleticism that will be needed. We now have a great balance of big bodies and athletes in our frontcourt.

Cobb just looks like a player to me. He's a shot maker. Granted, I know it was JUCO and small D1 ball... but he looked great creating his own shot, catching and shooting, coming off curls and pin downs. He just looks smooth. Like others have said - I think he'll be a 7-8 PPG guy with a couple outbursts of 15+ games throughout the season.

For the first time in forever, we have 13 good scholarship players. I'm too excited!

 

[UCalum08]

I'm pretty excited with these two additions. The only other guy I really wanted was Stewart, but who knows how many more visits he was going to take. I'm sure Mick knew what his chances were of landing him after his visit. If he feels Cobb is good enough, then I'm all for it.

Octavius gives us some shot blocking and athleticism that will be needed. We now have a great balance of big bodies and athletes in our frontcourt.

Cobb just looks like a player to me. He's a shot maker. Granted, I know it was JUCO and small D1 ball... but he looked great creating his own shot, catching and shooting, coming off curls and pin downs. He just looks smooth. Like others have said - I think he'll be a 7-8 PPG guy with a couple outbursts of 15+ games throughout the season.

For the first time in forever, we have 13 good scholarship players. I'm too excited!

I agree with your statements here. I still really want Stewart. Doesn't seem like its a reasonable option but I can still hope.

 

[TrillCosby]

I want Stewart too, but I think now we should just put the full court press on '15 SG Beasley.

 

[Bearcatboy]

Cobb and Ellis will average max 20 mins per game between the two of them. The future is still caupain, johnson and lawrence. Filling out the roster with 2 jucos doesn't change that.

Then mick should of saved the scollys, the whole point to get 2 players was for experience and scoring if mick already had that in Lawrence and Johnson then it's a waste. You could be right about Cobb not playing slot but def not Ellis we need his scoring down low Lawrence can't do it.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Then mick should of saved the scollys, the whole point to get 2 players was for experience and scoring if mick already had that in Lawrence and Johnson then it's a waste. You could be right about Cobb not playing slot but def not Ellis we need his scoring down low Lawrence can't do it.

Lawrence can't, but you are sold Ellis can? Lawrence didn't have a great first year, but it was better than Ellis' first year here. Let's just hope Ellis can make it to his senior year.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Then mick should of saved the scollys, the whole point to get 2 players was for experience and scoring if mick already had that in Lawrence and Johnson then it's a waste. You could be right about Cobb not playing slot but def not Ellis we need his scoring down low Lawrence can't do it.

I don't get why you're so sure Ellis is over Lawrence. I disagree with that.

 

[JasonS]

I think Troy starts next year. No doubt about it.

 

[bearcat18]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein

Not a lot of separation bw players on Cincinnati's 14-15 roster. PT will be earned on a daily basis. Each practice will be a rock fight.

 

[Bearcatboy]

Lawrence can't, but you are sold Ellis can? Lawrence didn't have a great first year, but it was better than Ellis' first year here. Let's just hope Ellis can make it to his senior year.

When Lawrence is a jr or sr I think he can be really good but this year Ellis is a jr not a fr anymore he knows how to play down low (13ppg), him and Deberry together will block alot of shots and how many teams we play next year have two 6"10 players to guard our two 6"10 players its a mismatch all day long.

 

[Bearcatboy]

I don't get why you're so sure Ellis is over Lawrence. I disagree with that.

Lawrence will be good but he's not right now he's not going to make that big of a jump to next year, Ellis has experience and is ready to prove ppl wrong.

I respect your opinion I'm just giving mine you could be right.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Lawrence will be good but he's not right now he's not going to make that big of a jump to next year, Ellis has experience and is ready to prove ppl wrong.

I respect your opinion I'm just giving mine you could be right.

Those are the guys who should get all the minutes at the 4. So I think we'll need both.

 

[bearcat18]

Lawrence will be good but he's not right now he's not going to make that big of a jump to next year, Ellis has experience and is ready to prove ppl wrong.

I respect your opinion I'm just giving mine you could be right.

Ehhh you can say the same thing about Lawrence. I don't think he's satisfied with the year he just had.

A lot of players usually make significant jumps in their second year in the program too. I'm excited for the competition all 5 positions will have.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Great read. From a couple years ago when Ellis originally committed.

“The campus was good and the players were real cool,” said Ellis. “I fit in with them very well. I also fit in with the style of play that they use. I like up tempo. I'm 6'9” and I can handle the ball like a guard. I like to cause mismatches.”

http://cincinnati.247sports.com/Article/Ellis-never-gave-up-on-his-dream-5384

when evaluating Lawrence people should take into effect his injury his senior year in high school. They should also factor in two issues from his freshmen year.

1. He was injured

2. He was forced to play out of position the entire year. His shot didn't fall much last year but he improved defensively and hit the boards. Especially offensive boards. The experience and a full year of college conditioning will pay huge dividends next year.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I really am happy Ellis is coming back. I recall reading his twitter when he was released from Arizona State and he was posting a lot of things about Cincinnati and was tweeting back and forth with JDIII and a few other players. I thought there was a possibility, but didn't think it would materialize.

He is very similar to Lawrence but has more ability to slide over to the 5. Cincinnati is going to be able to be very versatile on the front court meaning there is a good chance Moore or Clark is redshirted.

 

[Bulldog01]

Ellis was a guard before he had growth spurt. I thought he was always considered a perimeter player?

 

[culverrd]

Deberry, Moore, Strickland at 5
Lawerence, Clarke, Ellis at 4
Sanders, Morman, Shaq at 3
KJ, TC, Cobb, Guyn at 1/2

I like it! I also don't see anyone red shirting. 3 true big men. 3 lengthy athletic forwards. 3 lengthy 3 guards 2 that are very athletic 1 descent shooter. 3 guys who can battle out the point guard spot. Cobb and KJ putting in a lot of work at 2 maybe even Caupain working in at 2 some along with Morman.

 

[bearcat jeff]

It is a solid class. Ellis is talented, has matured and had a really good season. His coming back was not an out of the blue thing. Cobb gives you an athletic guard that can score. Together they give UC experience on the perimeter and down low and some scoring at both spots. Add that to the young talented bigs and it's a really nice class.

 

[TrillCosby]

I could definitely see Moore or Clark being redshirted now. Either one could really benefit from it, especially defensively. Moore could also get more conditioned to play and Clark could get a lot stronger in a redshirt year. So I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them redshirt.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I really am happy Ellis is coming back. I recall reading his twitter when he was released from Arizona State and he was posting a lot of things about Cincinnati and was tweeting back and forth with JDIII and a few other players. I thought there was a possibility, but didn't think it would materialize.

He is very similar to Lawrence but has more ability to slide over to the 5. Cincinnati is going to be able to be very versatile on the front court meaning there is a good chance Moore or Clark is redshirted.

When Ellis was here if memory serves me he was still growing. Anyone no where he ended up height and weight?