soooooooo.. from what i can gather, its down to

Rodrigo Peggau, 6-8, 230, C
HS
just had surgery to repair torn meniscus.
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/meniscus...niscus.htm

or

Anthony Simpson, 6-7, 220, PF, C
JUCO

correct?

mike
'86

No one can get excited about any Brazil player at KSU anymore, especially one with a bad knee. I would like to see someone over 6-7 recruited.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/ba...ml?eref=si


I think he could be nice addition... Not that it would happen though...

http://www.chicagosports.rivals.com/view...58&sport=2

Anthony Simpson appears to have signed signed LOI with Idaho.

I believe that he was released due to a coaching change.

GFlash68,

i think you are confusing simpson with peggau. peggau was releaased from commit to james madison due to coaching change.

mike
'86

To quote Rivals:

Quote:Over the weekend Ford hosted Anthony Simpson, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound combo-forward from Rockwell, Ill. Simpson spent three years—he redshirted the 2005-06 season--at Highland Community College after graduating from Auburn High School in 2005. Last December he signed with Idaho but was released from his Letter of Intent after a coaching change at the school.

"Their coach got fired and I changed my mind," Simpson said.

axeme Wrote:"Their coach got fired and I changed my mind," Simpson said.

[/quote]

Well, that's probably the most to the point quote I've seen in a long time. This young man has no future in politics.

excellent!! :)

i'm very happy to be wrong

mike
'86

Actually mmucha you're not wrong, Peggau was released for the same reason, the JMU coach resigned and left the school.

breaking news!!!!!!

we signed simpson!

http://edgytim.rivals.com/viewprospect.a...58&sport=2

our recruiting class is complete...

Alex Grimsley SF 6-5 210 - Batesville, IN
Frank Henry-Ala SF 6-5 205 - Motlow, TN
Anthony Simpson SF 6-6 210 - Freeport, IL

Can anyone decipher how many years Simpson gets to play?
1? 2? 3?

Quote:Simpson spent three years—he redshirted the 2005-06 season--at Highland Community College after graduating from Auburn High School in 2005.

axeme,

appears simpson has 2 years remaining.

i wonder how dimaria will fit into the mix... anyone wanna make a stab at our depth chart? seems kind of wide open.

mike
'86

Here's my guess

Starters:
1 Mincy
2 Fisher
3 Singletary
4 Henry-Ala
5 Simpson

Key Reserves:
1. Sherman (if he is not a redshirt due to knee surgery ... Singletary has dropped weight and could see some time at the point, too. I think he'll see time at the 1, 2 and 3 this year)
2. McKee, Sherman (see above)
3. Woods
3-4. Grimsley
4-5. Sullinger
5. Parks

(numbers are the positions, not spot coming off the bnech)

I'm guessing Sherman may redshirt, so that leaves McKee, Woods, Sullinger, Grimsley and Parks fighting for minutes off the bench.

DiMaria will probably see the typical freshman minutes, similar to McKee two years ago.

I think redshirtting Sherman might end up being a good thing... Once he's healthy, maybe let him work to learn how to handle the point for when Mincy and Fisher graduate.... Singletary could also be the point guard as a senior

I generally agree with David here. I think Singletary will evolve into a Trevor Huffman role; strong enough to drive the hoop, but also can handle the point, but won't neccessarily be the primary guy (Mincy plays the Mitchell role here, except he can't shoot, but he plays top notch D, so maybe Mincy is Mitch-shaw).

I think Grimsley will red-shirt unless he is ready for 15 minutes a game and given the players that can handle SF-PF, I don't think that'll happen. I expect Knight will have Grimsley's role.

I think Ford will be more match-up oriented on the frontcourt (PF, Center) where Parks could see major minutes if the matchup is right and not play if it isn't.

Dave,

Notice you didn't put Knight in the mix. Was this an oversight or don't you think he'll be a factor?

So essentially we've signed three (3) like players and none of them are over 6'6" tall. Size/weight wise these are 3 SF's!!! I guess we will be pushing the rock alot next year with Knight and Parks playing when necessary. Wow!!, 3 schollie's and no big!!!

From what I understand, Simpson is closer to 6-7, 6-8 ... He's Q-ish, an athletic 4-5 with long arms.Likes to run, block shots and rebound.

ksubb4evr ... there may still be a big in the mix ... stay tuned

By the way, I've seen Henry-Ala in person, and I think you'll feel very comfortable with him at power forward... He's the same height as Scott, similar athleticism, similar wingspan, similar rebounder. Similar intelligence. Thicker upper body. He'll be a good fit.

Mike Scott on paper was a shooting guard, and he developed into a power forward. Henry-Ala may look like a small forward on paper, but when you see him, you'll think KSU-type power forward. This kid loves to rebound.

DavidCarducci Wrote:From what I understand, Simpson is closer to 6-7, 6-8 ... He's Q-ish, an athletic 4-5 with long arms.Likes to run, block shots and rebound.

ksubb4evr ... there may still be a big in the mix ... stay tuned

There will never be another Q. We might say Singletary reminds us of Huffman or McKee reminds us of Armon Gates, but there will never be another Q.

ksur,
It wasn't an oversight. I don't think he'll be much of a factor, and that's too bad. I like Isaac. I've always thought he was a nice kid and a pretty good post defender.

bopol Wrote:

DavidCarducci Wrote:From what I understand, Simpson is closer to 6-7, 6-8 ... He's Q-ish, an athletic 4-5 with long arms.Likes to run, block shots and rebound.

ksubb4evr ... there may still be a big in the mix ... stay tuned

There will never be another Q. We might say Singletary reminds us of Huffman or McKee reminds us of Armon Gates, but there will never be another Q.

I agree with you.
I don't mean to say he's another Q ... From what I understand, he is similar to Q in that he's not a big, push-you-around center. He's athletic, quick, long arms, likes to run and rebound.
He's the same in "type" ... but not the same player.

Dave,

You said there may be a big man in the mix. Since we have used our 3 available scholies, does that mean there maybe another transfer or are they looking at someone for the '09-2010 season?

I think alot of people on this board have assumed we can get by with marginal height in this league. I think the unbelievable athleticism of Q and Scott the last 2 years has created a false sense of security. These 2 were athletic freaks that you could argue Kent has never seen before. Are the guys we've signed just as athletic and will handle the boards and defend like we've all grown accustomed to? I hope so but my gut tells me i dont think so!

Akron has gotten bigger and some others have bigs already on the roster. I hope were not setting ourselves up by assuming we can get by with this strategy. Q and Scott were the exception not the norm.

If Ike graduates this year, we have another ride open.

We have now signed our 3rd and final recruit. He is not the Big that we had all hoped for. Anthony Simpson is only 6'6". This is not a disaster if our players mesh and develop great chemistry. With 3 new players in the 6-6 to 6-7 range, I see a team being built around athleticism and quickness. Depth may be the greatest asset as I see many pieces / parts. Our guards, except for Mincy, play pretty tall. I could picture an opponent with one good big going against this type of team, but 2 or 3 bigs probably would get run to exhaustion. Look for the full court, long bench game, to come back to KSU.

I'm not as excited about this. Sorry, GF, but I don't share your enthusiasm. It looks like another season of running laps around the Mid-major opponents, then getting stomped in the post-season. But bro, I do hope I'm wrong and we will all have dancing bannanas in the 2nd week of March.

When did Akron get bigger? They lost a bigger guy than they will play. The Knights are OK, but who else do they have who would make an impact in the conference underneath? We so overmatch them at the 1-2-3 it almost doesn't matter who they play down low.

axeme Wrote:When did Akron get bigger? They lost a bigger guy than they will play. The Knights are OK, but who else do they have who would make an impact in the conference underneath? We so overmatch them at the 1-2-3 it almost doesn't matter who they play down low.

they got a 7 ft from pittspuke. but i think you're right as he might not be on campus until 09-10. My whole point was cant we get a 6-8 6-9 guy instead of all these tweeners.

I would rather have all tweeners who can play basketball, than a bunch of 6-8 6-9 guys who cant play.......some of you people dont think that BP can play at this level and he is 6-10. You just dont measure how good a player is by their size

FlashFan Wrote:If Ike graduates this year, we have another ride open.

Are you saying that Ike could graduate in May or August and decide to give up his last year of eligibility?

From Kent Sports report "Ford also announced today that junior forward Isaac Knight (Detroit. Mich. / Crockett) has left the program for personal reasons. "

That's too bad, if true, about Ike. He was to be going to be a fifth year senior and would have offered some size and experience down low. I remember him getting a fair amount of playing time in the '06 MAC tourney championship game. I always thought he played well when given the opportunity.

The news on Isaac was what I was hinting at earlier when I said there may soon be another big man in the mix.

My guess is that Kent State will add a freshman center with the new fourth scholarship.

They are heavily involved in the recruiting of Justin Greene, who started at center for the three-time New York City and two-time New York state champions. He's been listed at 6-7, but he may still be growing because I've heard from a few sources that he's now 6-8.

As far as size, KSU still has a 6-10 for two more years in Brandon Parks. I know he hasn't shown much in his first two years, but I keep hearing that he's working hard to drop weight to add stamina and some more mobility. If he can do that, then he can become a nice compliment to Simpson, similar to the way Edwards added some more height at 7-foot behind Gerwig, who was around 6-8.

So for the next year you could have Simpson starting, Parks providing size and strength off the bench with Sullinger adding some scoring and veteran play also off the bench at the five.
You could also have Greene in there, who could ready to play early. If he comes in, there's even a chance of moving Simpson to the four, Henry-Ala to the three and Singletary to the two. You get bigger, stronger and quicker across the board in that situation.

After next year, KSU will have five new scholarships, and they are in the mix for several current high-school juniors who are in the 6-9 to 6-11 range.

This year was about going out and getting guys who could play right away. In this second go-round in the recruiting year, its hard to get 6-10 players ready to step right in.

Next year, add at least one recruit out of the five in the 6-10 range to go with maybe a juco point guard, a freshman point guard, a wing, and then one athlete, and they'll be back on track with the makeup of the roster. Coming into this offseason, the balance at several positions was a bit off. Ford had some work to do, and I think its getting back together.

Here's another nice thing if you are a Kent State fan ...

The two new members of the coaching staff may have already hit in recruiting within a month of being hired.

The Simpson signing has Armon Gates fingerprints on it. Both are Chicago-area guys. Gates is the one who first spotted him and recruited him.

Senderoff is a New York guy, and if KSU lands Greene, that'll be one of the Flashes first NYC kids in a long while. Greene's played in some impressive settings already, winning a few city titles at Madison Square Garden.

One other way to look at all of this ...

We've known for a while that KSU was going to have to replace Q and Mike Scott.

A few months ago, we all thought they'd get a point guard in Ronnie Moss and a big ... and that big looked like it might be Kennedy, who is 6-7.

Instead, KSU has added a JUCO power forward in Henry-Ala, who is 6-6 to 6-7 and has a game very similar to Scott. They've added a high school power forward in Grimsley, who is 6-6 to 6-7 and has a game and work ethic that reminds some of a Tim Pollitz. They've added a JUCO power-forward-slash-center in Simpson who is in the 6-7 to 6-8 range, giving them an athletic, versatile five, which is what KSU is used to in that position. Now they are close to adding a 6-7 to 6-8 high school center who has won state and city championships in New York.

And for the first time, they are saying some encouraging things about the possible development of Parks. That's a 6-10 they really didn't have last year.

So ... KSU fans are obviously going to miss Scott and Q... Players like that don't come around very often.

But, instead of replacing them with a 6-1 or 6-2 point guard and a 6-7 Juco transfer ... they've added 6-7, 6-7, 6-7 and possibly 6-8. Two are JUCOs who Ford believes will be able to play right away. Two more are very promising high school kids who will probably see action right away. From everything I hear Grimsley is going to see the floor this year, and I have to believe Greene would too if he decides to come to Kent, and I have a feeling that's far better than a 50-50 proposition.

Nice job of summarising things Dave, I think Geno and staff have done a wonderful job with their backs against the wall and such a small window of opportunity, better I think we'd have seen had JC stuck around. That Greene kid would be nice, and if he wants to bring his buddy Lance Stephenson along would be even better.

Thanks Polish Hammer ...

And (LOL), that would be nice. It would be some coup wouldn't it? Fun headline to write, too: KSU beats Duke and UNC to land Stephenson.

Dave,

That was a great eye opening summation of the situation and that is exactly what I was speaking of when I said "looks like we'll be pushing the rock" next year. Though I understood the need for a PG due to Fisher & Mincy graduating next year I did question that signing with what we were losing for the upcoming season. Well here's to another MAC Reg/Tourn Championship, AF winning another POY, Ford getting COY and a few wins in the NCAA's.

Just out of curiosity...have we already gotten back the use of the scholarships that we lost due to Cutley et al taking off? If not does anyone know when we do?

Rockets, the loss was for one year only. Kent had the full complement of 13 scholarships on board this past season.

Obviously I enjoy living in the past...I wasn't sure and didn't take the time to count...thanks 76.

Yes, they already got those back ... and even with Isaac Knight becoming academically ineligible, KSU shouldn't lose any scholarships to APR next year. Q is graduating and Garcia left in good academic standing, so they'll be ok.

Isn't one of the NCAA no-no's having players leave the program not in good academic standing? I know we batted 1.000 this past year, so I guess this failure will be offset by those who are graduating.

axeme,
that's correct ...

If Q had not graduated and Garcia had not left in good academic standing, then Isaac becoming academically ineligible would have led to KSU losing two scholarships the following season. As it is, there is no hit in the APR.

Is Knight leaving school altogether? I would hope, even if his college basketball career didn't work out as he hoped, he would still earn a degree.

Well, the worst case is that it should lead to losing two scholarships. However, if the NCAA is as leinent in negotiating with us as they have been with Indiana, Kansas State and USC on the same issue for men's basketball, we'd be fine. All we'd have to say is "We'll do better."

Never have seen as much of a double standard applied as I have with the APR "penalities."

Did Q graduate this May? I am just wondering bc according to the video boards (introductions) he did not declare a major until January. And since he transfered it seems like he might be behind.

I like the recruits and hope to see both BP and Sing step it up. Sing could really hurt this league next year, depending on how he progresses. I still would like to see us pick up a hs PG for this year, but a center is always nice.

FlashFan,

I agree

KentKrazy,

I believe Q had was in the General Studies major which is becoming more and more popular since it was introduced not too long ago

Someone who attended commencement told me that as Q walked across the podium to get his diploma, a final cheer of
"QUUUUUUU" came up from the audience.

Also, Q has a work out with the Orlando Magic coming up along with several oversees offers.

axeme Wrote:When did Akron get bigger? They lost a bigger guy than they will play. The Knights are OK, but who else do they have who would make an impact in the conference underneath? We so overmatch them at the 1-2-3 it almost doesn't matter who they play down low.

Akron Bigs:

Mike Bardo (RSoph) 6' 10"
Steve Sweich (RFresh) 6' 9"
Chris McKnight (Junior) 6' 7"
Brett McKnight (Soph) 6' 6"
Jimmy Conyers (Senior - Eligible for 5th year) 6' 5"
Nate Linhart (Senior) 6' 4"

Akron Guards:

Steve McNees (RSoph) 6' 2"
Ronnie Steward (RFresh) 6' 1"
Darryl Roberts (Junior - Eligible for a 5th year) 5' 11"
Rydell Brooks (Junior) - 6' 2"
Eric Coblentz (Soph) - 6' 2"


The 7-footer doesn't show up until '09