[olldflame]

March Madness had me checking out our recruiting class and thinking a lot about next season plus what it will take to get us to that level. I posted some of the info I found on some individual players. There is no question our roster next season is going to be as strong as it has been in a very long time.

Hypothetical question.....with re-classification happening more for high school kids, what would our scholarship situation look like if Elijah Cuffee was able to re-classify as a 2016? I'm not sure of his HS situation and if it would be possible but I did hear mention of it once so I thought I would throw it out there.

We would have a schollie for Cuffee if he reclassified to 2016. With Atencia and Maxwell transferring, we have 2 available which we are essencially holding for Cuffee and Newton in 2017. We can fill them with a grad transfer or 2 this Spring or just leave them open.

[BJWilliams]

Here is the thing about reclassifying to 2016...he is going to have to be able to have the courses to be able to graduate essentially a year early. If he doesn't have the credits for his diploma then I don't think they will approve that

[olldflame]

Here is the thing about reclassifying to 2016...he is going to have to be able to have the courses to be able to graduate essentially a year early. If he doesn't have the credits for his diploma then I don't think they will approve that

Muchas gracias El Capitán.

[BJWilliams]

Here is the thing about reclassifying to 2016...he is going to have to be able to have the courses to be able to graduate essentially a year early. If he doesn't have the credits for his diploma then I don't think they will approve that

Muchas gracias El Capitán.

Glad to be of service but you know its true. I'd hope FF11 considered that when posing his hypothetical question

[FlameFan11]

Thanks BJ. I was aware of the academic standing needed. It was mentioned during his visit and commitment last fall that he may be able to finish academically this school year. One reason for the timing of the visit and commitment. I haven't heard any mention since then which is why I threw out the hypothetical.

It would be nice to have him this year to complete our version of the Fab Five - Gardner, Barmore, Cuffee, Koval and Hicks. Throw in Baxter-Bell addition and we are in complete roster re-build. Still one of the youngest teams in the country for next year but you have to love the talent of that group.

[BJWilliams]

Agreed on that FF11. everyone with range out to 3 can really stretch most defenses. There will be quite a few nights where we go ice cold but having the ability for everyone to shoot from anywhere will definitely pay major dividends

[olldflame]

Thanks BJ. I was aware of the academic standing needed. It was mentioned during his visit and commitment last fall that he may be able to finish academically this school year. One reason for the timing of the visit and commitment. I haven't heard any mention since then which is why I threw out the hypothetical.

It would be nice to have him this year to complete our version of the Fab Five - Gardner, Barmore, Cuffee, Koval and Hicks. Throw in Baxter-Bell addition and we are in complete roster re-build. Still one of the youngest teams in the country for next year but you have to love the talent of that group.

Actually, a reclasification by Cuffee would make this a Magnifacent 7 redux. You left out J Talbert and Pacheco. Throw in Myo and let's just say "8 is enough".

[FlameFan11]

Thanks for catching that oldflame. Must have been time for bed to miss something that obvious. So, as of now this is where we stand knowing many of these guys could play different positions.

PG - Cabbil, Barmore
SG - Dawson, Kemrite, Pacheco
SF - Reid, Gardner, Hicks
PF - Homesley, E Talbert, Baxter-Bell
C - J Talbert, Koval

13 guys there. Does that look right? We had heard that Koval and Hicks were walk-ons. Definitely room for a graduate transfer if they want a one year guy. Cuffee for 2017 with slight possibility of joining this group this year and then all-in for Newton.

[ballah09]

Nation Hoops ‏@nationhoops 3h3 hours ago
JT Escobar is transferring from Ole Miss as of today. FGCU, UNF, Belmont Liberty all called today, Has plenty visits coming up.

http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-b ... 75531.html
[youtube]

[/youtube]

hope tomasz puts a good word in. a year with dawson, liberty would have a dynamic backcourt.

[olldflame]

The only way I see Escobar coming would be if we retracted our offer to Pacheco.

[Cider Jim]

I was in college when an Ole Miss transfer decided he wanted to attend a Christian college, so Anthony Eubanks left Oxford, MS and brought his SEC talent to Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. Maybe history will repeat itself, and another Rebel will land on a Christian college campus, but this time it's LU.

Escobar was actually looking at 2 Big South schools--Chuck South and G-W--before he signed with Ole Miss.

http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-b ... 75531.html

[olldflame]

Escobar is an interesting possibility. He was stuck behind Stephen Moody this season and was told by Kennedy he would likely not play much next year because they are looking to bring in one or more graduate transfers. He scored 30ppg as a senior at FAMU academy and 15ppg for Elev8 prep. where he had a monster 62 point game against Oak Hill. That one game tells you he can score against top competition. Defense may be another matter, and I have no idea if he is a Liberty "fit". In any event, I can't see how we could being in 3 lead guards this year and Barmore is already signed.

[ballah09]

https://twitter.com/grady_escobar

JT Escobar visits Liberty tomorrow

judging from reading this
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/spor ... /82212758/

I think Liberty is almost a lock with everything he's looking for. System, strength and condition, facilities, etc.

and Old, remember Ritchie has been quoted many of times, saying he doesn't mind playing 5 guards at once. I don't think Georgie or J.T wouldn't have problems switching to the 2 or 3 with the shooting abilities they have.

[Cider Jim]

Maybe the best part of the article above is this quote:

He admits it’ll be difficult to leave Ole Miss.

“The toughest part is the relationships you build here, the church I’ve gotten connected to here,” Escobar said. “My teammates are like my family. It’s definitely tough leaving here, your friends and your family and relationship that I’ve built, even just over the year.”

[FlameFan11]

I'm sure at this stage the coaching staff will take every opportunity to improve the talent on our roster. This guy looks like he would be an upgrade. I really think an addition like this is more likely to cut into Cabbil/Barmore playing time more than anyone. Will be interesting that almost every guard that plays point will be more of a scoring guard. That could open the door for Pacheco, a more defensive minded, pass-first guard, to get more time when guys like Dawson, Gardner are in the game.

At first thought, I agreed with oldflame about JT and Pacheco. However, with Atencia AND Maxwell leaving plus Koval and Hicks willing to come as walk-ons, why not add him and let the "too many guys at similar positions" situation play itself out for a year? We have the scholarship available for 2016.

[olldflame]

Unless Escobar can get a "force out" exemption like Theo did, he would sit a year. Unless there is more to the story, I don't see him qualifying for that. The scholarship is not an issue next year, but it creates a problem for 2017. If Ritchie were to go with 3 true guards, it would almost certainly be Dawson sliding up to the 3. He has the physicality to defend and rebound the position. I really don't see that happening with Gardner, Kemrite and Homesly around to play the 3. The "5 guard" lineup we used in 08-09 went 6'4", 6'5", 6'6" at the 3-4-5 and both guards were 6'3".

[olldflame]

If reports are accurate, Escobar arrived on campus yesterday. I would imagine he will be there at least through today. Our track récord on landing players who visit is pretty impressive.

Looking ahead to where that schollie could come from in 17, it occurs to me that Kemrite will almost certainly be graduating by next Spring and possibly earlier. He's a good student and I doubt he has pro aspirations, so it's quite possible he would pass on his last year of eligibility considering he would likely see límited minutes. I would think he is an excellent candidate to be a grad assistant if he wants to hang around to get his masters.

[olldflame]

No word on how Escobar's visit went, but don't be surprised if he takes his time, especially if he is taking advice from Gielo, who seemingly stretched his own transfer process out as long as posible. It is also likely Tomasz played a role in LU being on JT's short list from day one. Unlike most of the other schools on that list, we did not offer him out of HS.

[A Sea of Red]

Escobar has committed to UNF

[Sly Fox]

That clears up quite a bit.

[olldflame]

Escobar has committed to UNF

Looks like he wanted to stay close to home. He may or may not have been an upgrade over the guards we have in the pipeline, but it's a scholarship we will not be tying up next year for a player who can only práctice. Waiting to hear on Rose, and although I certainly trust JK37 when he says that under the current rules James would count against our límit, I have a feeling that will change. I'm still hoping we will land a grad transfer, who will not have to sit and whose scholarship would be free for 2017.

[A Sea of Red]

Georgie Pacheco, or Jorge Pacheco-Ortiz, has signed his NLI

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/jorg ... signs-nli/

[olldflame]

Georgie Pacheco, or Jorge Pacheco-Ortiz, has signed his NLI

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/jorg ... signs-nli/

As expected once Escobar commited to UNF. If JT had chosen Liberty, I suspect the next announcement would have been Pacheco "decommiting and re-opening the recruiting process".

[FlameFan11]

Pacheco officially signed and news of James transfer adds to the roster list. Such a unique situation with Hicks, Koval, now James and next season with Barber in regards to scholarship count. Based on what we have heard so far with walk-ons and parents on staff, it could be that those 4 guys are all on the roster without counting against our scholarship limit. There could be a lot of bodies at practice over the next couple years.

Tentative Roster for 2016-17??

PG - Cabbil, Barmore, Pacheco
SG - Dawson, Kemrite, Hicks
SF - Reid, Gardner
PF - Homesley, Baxter-Bell
C - J Talbert, E Talbert, Koval

PF - James redshirt
SG - Cuffee 2017 verbal commit; Barber verbal commit

With no seniors, the unique scholarship situation for some of these guys definitely leave the staff with some room to add young talent if the opportunity presents itself (i.e. Newton, etc..). Plus, there is definitely still room for a senior transfer for this season.

[olldflame]

It's 2016. The Warriors won the NBA playing major stretches with noone over 6'7" on the floor, and our coach is Ritchie McKay. Don't be surprised if Gardner, who tíl recently would be considered a prototype SF, plays more at the 4, and Baxter-Bell, who is 6'5" on tippy-toe, but weighs in at a Barkley-esque 255, sees most of his minutes at the 5. Depending on how Barmore and Pacheco develop, we may even see Dawson some at the 3. We also will have the capability to play a very tall lineup, but I really doubt we will see much of that.

My starting lineup:

PG Cabbil
SG Dawson
SF Homesley
PF Gardner
C Talbert

Cabbil gets the starting nod mostly for defense. Dawson is a no brainer, and IMHO Homesley has huge upside. Gardner is a wild card because I honestly think he can play any position on the floor. Center is a crap shoot. I intentionly hedged by not indicating WHICH Talbert.