Torian Graham 2014 JUCO SG

[JackBauer151]

jack I think everyone should consider the twins as gone. Both will be declaring as soon as the season is over.
Johnson is the only one starting now who will be returning.

Really? Why is that? All the mocks dont have them going very high. Their run in the NCAA tournament has certainly helped their stock but lets not forget they did not have an outstanding year. So I'm definitely not as sure as you are on that point. UK has only one SG signed for next season and with an exodus of guards leaving (Should the harrisons leave) there isnt much left on the board to fill those holes. The best available wing scorer in the juco ranks who they have kept tabs on would definitely be on the list. He has already said its his dream school. To say it doesnt give me pause about Torian would be disingenuous.

 

[dp3113]

This isn't what I wanted to read first thing this morning!!! Come on Torian we need you and want you here.

trust in the coaching staff. you have to keep in mind Graham comes with a lot of baggage. if they decide that he is a good fit they will accept him in the class. if not, they decided that the grass was greener with other options. uc's program has been built back up to the point where it is now based on culture. cronin famously says culture can take 7 years to build and take one season to destroy. let the process play itself out and trust that the staff will make the best decision.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

UC has come very close to landing a lot of highly ranked guys. It looks like Graham could be another casualty. I hope he ends up coming to Cincinnati but I cannot blame him for going to Kentucky if the expected guys leave (I've always thought the Harrison's were leaning towards leaving, even before the NCAA tournament).

 

[anbuc88]

trust in the coaching staff. you have to keep in mind Graham comes with a lot of baggage. if they decide that he is a good fit they will accept him in the class. if not, they decided that the grass was greener with other options. uc's program has been built back up to the point where it is now based on culture. cronin famously says culture can take 7 years to build and take one season to destroy. let the process play itself out and trust that the staff will make the best decision.

Great post and 100% spot on. Graham is a talent and I hope he lands at UC, but I trust the coaching staff to find the best fit for the team. If it's Graham great. If not they will find someone else who they think is worthy of this opportunity.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Is it possible that he wants to make a visit before committing? Call me optimistic but I think we will land him. The people who do the crystal ball picks hadnt updated anything in 3 months, so if KY was still in play, why wouldnt they wait 1 more week to make their pick?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Really? Why is that? All the mocks dont have them going very high. Their run in the NCAA tournament has certainly helped their stock but lets not forget they did not have an outstanding year. So I'm definitely not as sure as you are on that point. UK has only one SG signed for next season and with an exodus of guards leaving (Should the harrisons leave) there isnt much left on the board to fill those holes. The best available wing scorer in juco ranks who they have kept tabs on would definitely be on the list. He has already said its his dream school. To say it doesnt give me pause about Torian would be disingenuous.

Jack was of the same belief as you concerning them leaving this year until I heard Jay Bilas say he thought they would leave. Guards 6'5, 6'6 who have seemingly figured it out at the end of their freshman years and led there teams on a deep run in tourney will generate a lot of interest from NBA teams. Last three weeks have done a lot to change peoples views of they abilities. I thnk they are gone.

 

[dp3113]

Great post and 100% spot on. Graham is a talent and I hope he lands at UC, but I trust the coaching staff to find the best fit for the team. If it's Graham great. If not they will find someone else who they think is worthy of this opportunity.

I'm also not of the "Graham or bust" mindset. I think he could bring some great scoring punch to the team if they take him. We all know that this team simply needs more dependable scoring options, especially due to the lack of development by the current sophomore and junior classes on the offensive end. However, the coaching staff also thinks that Kevin Johnson will lead the team in scoring next year (although that could change to #2 in scoring depending on what happens with 5th year transfers). They are very confident in his ability to get buckets.

 

[anbuc88]

I'm also not of the "Graham or bust" mindset. I think he could bring some great scoring punch to the team if they take him. We all know that this team simply needs more dependable scoring options, especially due to the lack of development by the current sophomore and junior classes on the offensive end. However, the coaching staff also thinks that Kevin Johnson will lead the team in scoring next year (although that could change to #2 in scoring depending on what happens with 5th year transfers). They are very confident in his ability to get buckets.

Not doubting you, but where did you hear or read this? I also think that KJ will be a big contributor next year. Also, don't forget, they stopped recruiting Jared Terrell, a Top 50 recruit, once it became clear than Morman would be eligible. Don't sleep on him. I know when watching shoot around, he was money. I know that doesn't necessarily translate to a real game, but I think the year off may have allowed him to work on his stroke, and he may be a pleasant surprise.

 

[Bearcat22]

Is the coaching staff backing off or in a holding pattern because of possible transfers?

 

[TheLongHaul]

trust in the coaching staff. you have to keep in mind Graham comes with a lot of baggage. if they decide that he is a good fit they will accept him in the class. if not, they decided that the grass was greener with other options. uc's program has been built back up to the point where it is now based on culture. cronin famously says culture can take 7 years to build and take one season to destroy. let the process play itself out and trust that the staff will make the best decision.

lots of baggage? what's all the baggage he comes with?

I'm also not of the "Graham or bust" mindset. I think he could bring some great scoring punch to the team if they take him. We all know that this team simply needs more dependable scoring options, especially due to the lack of development by the current sophomore and junior classes on the offensive end. However, the coaching staff also thinks that Kevin Johnson will lead the team in scoring next year (although that could change to #2 in scoring depending on what happens with 5th year transfers). They are very confident in his ability to get buckets.

Where did you hear this? Mick said just a month ago that he expects Lawrence to lead the team in scoring next year.

 

[Bearcat Rob]

Really? Why is that? All the mocks dont have them going very high. Their run in the NCAA tournament has certainly helped their stock but lets not forget they did not have an outstanding year. So I'm definitely not as sure as you are on that point. UK has only one SG signed for next season and with an exodus of guards leaving (Should the harrisons leave) there isnt much left on the board to fill those holes. The best available wing scorer in the juco ranks who they have kept tabs on would definitely be on the list. He has already said its his dream school. To say it doesnt give me pause about Torian would be disingenuous.

They are gone no doubt about it. Regular season doesn't matter much a good post season run changes everything. With them gone uk has two 3 star freshman guards coming back don't know how good or ready they are tho, they were not big recruits. But bottom line the Harrison twins are leaving and will be some what high picks

 

[bearcatz1]

lots of baggage? what's all the baggage he comes with?



Where did you hear this? Mick said just a month ago that he expects Lawrence to lead the team in scoring next year.

Oh my we may score 20 points a game if he's our leading scorer

 

[JasonS]

lots of baggage? what's all the baggage he comes with?



Where did you hear this? Mick said just a month ago that he expects Lawrence to lead the team in scoring next year.

I actually believe Mick's comment was that at some point Lawrence will be our go to scorer and it could be as early as next year with a good off season. I don't think he ever said someone would definitely be the leading scorer next year.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I actually believe Mick's comment was that at some point Lawrence will be our go to scorer and it could be as early as next year with a good off season. I don't think he ever said someone would definitely be the leading scorer next year.

No, it was that he said Lawrence would be the leading scorer next year.

 

[Scheids21]

I believe it was go-to scorer as well, not that it matters.

 

[TrillCosby]

The more I've watched the tournament the more I'm convinced we need Graham or at least a graduate transfer scoring guard for next year.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I believe it was go-to scorer as well, not that it matters.

He said it in his post game after one of their last home games. Maybe he has said other version, but what I heard straight out of his mouth was that Lawrence would be their leading scorer. It was pretty undeniable at the time with the way he said it.

 

[TrillCosby]

He said it in his post game after one of their last home games. Maybe he has said other version, but what I heard straight out of his mouth was that Lawrence would be their leading scorer. It was pretty undeniable at the time with the way he said it.

Cronin over hypes players often. So it may be what he hopes for, but not an actual reality. IMO I don't think Cronin has much of a clue with who leads the team in scoring next year. Although I think the safe bet would be Thomas. Ideally there would be 4-5 guys next year averaging 9+ ppg.

 

[Robert]

Cronin over hypes players often. So it may be what he hopes for, but not an actual reality. IMO I don't think Cronin has much of a clue with who leads the team in scoring next year. Although I think the safe bet would be Thomas. Ideally there would be 4-5 guys next year averaging 9+ ppg.

I think it will be a scorer-by-committee approach as well. I would like to see something like this from our starters:

Caupain - 10 pts, 4 ast
Johnson - 12 pts
Thomas - 12 pts, 5 reb
Lawrence - 10 pts, 6 reb
DeBerry - 8 pts, 6 reb

 

[coachpipe]

Signing Day is less than 10 days away...Come on Graham