Speaking of graduate transfers ...

[Norm Peterson]

OK, we weren't actually speaking of them but I'll bring up the subject again.  They do happen and they can have good results.  And they sometimes even involve big men.

 

Take Alex Oriakhi, for example.  He toiled 3 years at UCONN averaging about 10 ppg as a soph before dropping back to a little more than 6 1/2 as a junior.  He transfers to Mizzou and is immediately eligible and, this year, he averaged 25 minutes, 10 1/2 points and almost 9 rebounds per game for the Tigers.

 

If someone like that happens to fall into our laps this year ...

[FredsSlacks]

If MIles is in fact after a graduate transfer, getting an Oriakhi caliber transfer would almost double NU's chances of making the tourney next year. It would add a lot of flexibility and depth to our lineups. What Miles does with these last 2 open scholarships could play a large part in how good NU is next year. If all NU does is bring in Atewe and carry over that last scholarship, I think NU could struggle quite a bit next year.

[TheGov21]

I wonder if there is anybody on Colorado State's roster that might qualify for this and want to come play for Miles again.

[Norm Peterson]

I wonder if there is anybody on Colorado State's roster that might qualify for this and want to come play for Miles again.

There's actually someone last year who didn't.

[The_Vault]

how do you become eligible for this type of transfer?

[Daledangdarn]

how do you become eligible for this type of transfer?

 

As of now, here's the situation for graduate transfers:  (Sorry there is some info you can omit, was provided through the link)

 

The rule: Any player who has received a four-year degree and still has remaining eligibility can transfer to another school and play immediately without sitting out the redshirt year normally required of transfer athletes.

 

The degree: Graduate students are not required by the NCAA to pick a degree program and at UA, they do not have to apply to one. They can enroll as a nondegree-seeking student and stay that way, or apply to a graduate program.

 

The course load: Graduate athletes must take nine units of graduate level courses in each of the fall and spring semesters (undergraduate players need 12 units of undergraduate level courses to stay eligible). Graduates can also participate in the limited summer workouts now allowed if they enroll at a school in the summer and take three units during summer sessions. If Lyons passes at least three units over either the first or second summer session, he can participate in UA's exhibition trip to the Bahamas in August.

 

http://azstarnet.com/sports/basketball/college/wildcats/college-basketball-graduate-transfer-rule-pleases-ua-not-everyone/article_c24aa4b7-b3c6-5d53-9e2b-959318ad4d83.html

 

Sounds like a sketchy rule that the NCAA is allowing right now..

[Norm Peterson]

This is not to say we get one of these kids.  First, you have to find one that fits your needs and then you have to convince him to transfer to your school instead of someone else's.  But this just goes to show that these things do happen and the transferring player can bring a lot to the table. 

[seaofred92]

OK, we weren't actually speaking of them but I'll bring up the subject again.  They do happen and they can have good results.  And they sometimes even involve big men.

 

Take Alex Oriakhi, for example.  He toiled 3 years at UCONN averaging about 10 ppg as a soph before dropping back to a little more than 6 1/2 as a junior.  He transfers to Mizzou and is immediately eligible and, this year, he averaged 25 minutes, 10 1/2 points and almost 9 rebounds per game for the Tigers.

 

If someone like that happens to fall into our laps this year ...

oriakhi was going to be a senior this year, he was eligible to play because of our bad APR scores at UConn which banned him for post season play for the rest of his career (just this year). So technically we could ask him to enroll in a graduate course at UNL and play for us next year

[TheKamdyMan]

OK, we weren't actually speaking of them but I'll bring up the subject again.  They do happen and they can have good results.  And they sometimes even involve big men.

 

Take Alex Oriakhi, for example.  He toiled 3 years at UCONN averaging about 10 ppg as a soph before dropping back to a little more than 6 1/2 as a junior.  He transfers to Mizzou and is immediately eligible and, this year, he averaged 25 minutes, 10 1/2 points and almost 9 rebounds per game for the Tigers.

 

If someone like that happens to fall into our laps this year ...

oriakhi was going to be a senior this year, he was eligible to play because of our bad APR scores at UConn which banned him for post season play for the rest of his career (just this year). So technically we could ask him to enroll in a graduate course at UNL and play for us next year

 

youre correct on the first part because of post season ban he could transfer but he cannot enroll as a grad transfer.  Grad transfer must be players that have not exhausted their eligibility.  Oriakhi played 3 seasons at UCONN and now one at Mizzou.  That means his 4 years of playing are done.  Oriakhi, or whomever, must have eligibility left to do this type of transfer.  So you need a kid that played 3 seasons or less somewhere, graduated, and wants another chance elsewhere.  

[Donkey]

Situations with guys like Oriakhi are rare.  However, I have noticed a tactic some of the middle-of-the-pack major conference or upper tier mid-major conference schools have been using.  The coach will see a need for a backup player with specific skills (i.e. good defender, 3 pt shooter, rebounder) and will look around at the top talent in the small conferences which rarely send more than one school to the tournament.  Many of those small school programs redshirt their kids to give them an extra year of development and graduate kids in four years.  Most of the kids at these schools have no expectation of playing in the NBA and would jump at the chance to earn a Masters degree while having the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament.  The graduate students provide a veteran presence and will fill their roles.  Plus, if the player does not work out, he is gone at the end of the year without any issue.  It seems like a win/win situation.  

[TheGov21]

Heck Jay-R Strowbridge did this.  Left whatever school he was at and went to Oregon in Altman's first year.    I believe one of the most high profile graduate transfers was when Lon Kruger's kid transfered to UNLV the year they made a run in the tourney.

[Swan88]

Tim Miles isn't a novice on transfers. The following players on the current Colorado St. roster were brought in as transfers by Tim Miles: Bejarano from Arizona, Eikmeier from Iowa St., Iverson from Minnesota, and Morgan from Hawaii Hilo. We all know, of course, about Pitchford from Florida and Petteway from Texas Tech.

Granted, Tim Miles does not, historically, sign the graduate student with one year left. But neither is he deterred by a transfer's redshirt year. It would certainly be nice to get a big who could contribute next season, but we already have Pitchford to replace Ubel. So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

[trickey]

Tim Miles isn't a novice on transfers. The following players on the current Colorado St. roster were brought in as transfers by Tim Miles: Bejarano from Arizona, Eikmeier from Iowa St., Iverson from Minnesota, and Morgan from Hawaii Hilo. We all know, of course, about Pitchford from Florida and Petteway from Texas Tech.

Granted, Tim Miles does not, historically, sign the graduate student with one year left. But neither is he deterred by a transfer's redshirt year. It would certainly be nice to get a big who could contribute next season, but we already have Pitchford to replace Ubel. So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

Give Andre's recent playing time, it will have to be somebody that likes to ride the bench.

[FredsSlacks]

Tim Miles isn't a novice on transfers. The following players on the current Colorado St. roster were brought in as transfers by Tim Miles: Bejarano from Arizona, Eikmeier from Iowa St., Iverson from Minnesota, and Morgan from Hawaii Hilo. We all know, of course, about Pitchford from Florida and Petteway from Texas Tech.

Granted, Tim Miles does not, historically, sign the graduate student with one year left. But neither is he deterred by a transfer's redshirt year. It would certainly be nice to get a big who could contribute next season, but we already have Pitchford to replace Ubel. So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

We need someone to replace Rivers who is playing the 4 right now. Rivers has been very good this year, but he can't defend bigs in the B1G. Shields could potentially be our power forward next year if he gets bigger. That would leave a battle for the small forward position between petteway, rivers, and fuller.

[TheGov21]

We need someone to replace Rivers who is playing the 4 right now. Rivers has been very good this year, but he can't defend bigs in the B1G. Shields could potentially be our power forward next year if he gets bigger. That would leave a battle for the small forward position between petteway, rivers, and fuller.

 

If there isn't any new recruits or additons (besides the three incoming freshman) I believe Petteway would play the 4 spot over Shields. 

[Swan88]

We need someone to replace Rivers who is playing the 4 right now. Rivers has been very good this year, but he can't defend bigs in the B1G. Shields could potentially be our power forward next year if he gets bigger. That would leave a battle for the small forward position between petteway, rivers, and fuller.

Don't disagree on Rivers at the 4, especially against players that outweigh him substantially. Nevertheless, David seems to be doing quite well in his current role.

An observation: at the beginning of the Iowa game, Shavon guarded White, picked up an immediate foul and had to sit for awhile. Along the way, David Rivers started defending White and held White in check quite well. It seems that Rivers may be a bit quicker than Shavon defensively. Did anyone see this differently?

[TheKamdyMan]

Tim Miles isn't a novice on transfers. The following players on the current Colorado St. roster were brought in as transfers by Tim Miles: Bejarano from Arizona, Eikmeier from Iowa St., Iverson from Minnesota, and Morgan from Hawaii Hilo. We all know, of course, about Pitchford from Florida and Petteway from Texas Tech.

Granted, Tim Miles does not, historically, sign the graduate student with one year left. But neither is he deterred by a transfer's redshirt year. It would certainly be nice to get a big who could contribute next season, but we already have Pitchford to replace Ubel. So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

We need someone to replace Rivers who is playing the 4 right now. Rivers has been very good this year, but he can't defend bigs in the B1G. Shields could potentially be our power forward next year if he gets bigger. That would leave a battle for the small forward position between petteway, rivers, and fuller.

 

I feel Rivers is just an under sized 4.  I dont think his game, offensively, translates well to what you'd want out of your 3.  He only has a mid range shot and in and doesnt drive as well as your prototypical 3 does at the higher level.  I think hes a great off the bench 4 that can create some mismatches and give them a different look.

[Norm Peterson]

Here's the question:  Is it more likely that Rivers develops SF skills or builds up to PF size? 

 

He's a tweener.  It's kinda like what Miles said about Shields.  Too slow to be a 3; to small to be a 4.  More of a 3 1/2.

 

It'd be nice if Shavon had more of Rivers' athleticism and David had more of Shavon's skill package.

[MandRHusker]

We need someone to replace Rivers who is playing the 4 right now. Rivers has been very good this year, but he can't defend bigs in the B1G. Shields could potentially be our power forward next year if he gets bigger. That would leave a battle for the small forward position between petteway, rivers, and fuller.

Don't disagree on Rivers at the 4, especially against players that outweigh him substantially. Nevertheless, David seems to be doing quite well in his current role.

An observation: at the beginning of the Iowa game, Shavon guarded White, picked up an immediate foul and had to sit for awhile. Along the way, David Rivers started defending White and held White in check quite well. It seems that Rivers may be a bit quicker than Shavon defensively. Did anyone see this differently?

I don't see Pertteway as a 4. He is more slender than Shavon and has a quick first step. Petteway does not have an effective 3 ball shot. Besides outside shooting, Petteway is much more a wing. Shavon fits PF better as it stands now.

[cipsucks]

 So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

 It will take more than one person to replace Andre.....

[The_Vault]

I think Rivers could develop into a nice 3 man. That shot is pretty silky as of late. he would just need to work on ball handling and add a little more range probably.

[AuroranHusker]

 So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

 It will take more than one person to replace Andre.....

 

Based solely on girth; yes, most definitely. Replacing AA's production, on the other hand, will not be much of an issue.

[BigTexHusker]

Here's the way the vast majority of the college coaches I have known over the years talk about trying to "position" a player - both when time to recruit and time to distribute playing time comes.

 

In most cases, they do not look at offensive skills/prowess/abilities/qualities until AFTER they decide how they fit defensively.  We all know that coaches don't always play man, but for the sake of this post, I'm going to use it in my example.  The longest and strongest body that can play a specific position, is the guy who'll be looked at first.

 

So, in general, if you've got a 6'6" guy battling a 6'9" guy for the 4, the 6'9" guy is going to come out on top if both can defend that spot equally.  The same can be said when deciding where an individual player plays.  If a 6'6" guy can defend the 4, 3, and 2, he's going to be looked at initially as a 2.

 

The offensive side of the ball is secondary to ability to defend a position when deciding where to place a player.  That's why bigs with guard skills don't often play the guard spot.  It's not because they can't handle the ball and shoot it like a guard, it's because they can't defend on the perimeter.  Even the most athletic guys that fit that bill offensively (e.g. Kevin Durant), would never be able to stay in front of a Derek Rose or a Chris Paul.  Therefore, guys like Durant can only go down as far as SF in most cases.

 

When I apply that line of thinking to our squad next year, and if we're going to be a quality team, I don't see any way Shields can move his feet well enough to play on the perimeter at the three.  He should be a 4.  I do think Rivers can guard a perimeter if he gets hungry enough to work at the 3.  I see Petteway fitting in nicely as a 3.  It's really perfect for both his offensive and defensive game.  Like Rivers, I think he can check smaller players and move down to become a 2 with enough emphasis and work.  Walt is unique in this scenario because we're so thin with quality bigs.  But for the sake of argument, If we did have good depth at the PF and C, the ideal place to play him is 4 because of his ability to athletically stay with shorter players despite his great length.  I just don't know if we have that luxury next year.

 

Bear in mind, this is only a general guideline that these coaches have shared with me.  There are no absolutes.  Within any given team there is potential for chemistry issues, specialty needs, offensive skills so great they outweigh defensive liabilities and size, etc; that ultimately dictate who plays and who plays where.  But in general, a player is going to be placed where he can defend the smallest spot without consistent help.

[Cazzie22]

Where is Michael Dixon from last year's Mizzou team transferring?  I haven't heard.

[ladyhusker]

Where is Michael Dixon from last year's Mizzou team transferring?  I haven't heard.

DO. NOT. WANT.

 

This could be because I'm a girl who lives in Lincoln, but keep that guy as far away from us as possible. He may not have ever had anything stick, but the stories behind his departure from Mizzou are pretty disturbing. I want us to win and have good players, but not good players who have a habit of getting accused of sexual assault.