Updated Rivals 2017 Top 150

[ClickClack]

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2017

William Douglas @ 150. Really surprised, thought he would be a top 100 guy.

[hoopmanx]

He hasn't played since July

[Pony81]

Hoop, where would you put Douglas.... Top 100?
Asking because I don't know how to evaluate Bball talent.

[hoopmanx]

Being real, like 35 through 200 are all about the same overall, depending on system and opportunity in college. You don't find the success rate of kids ranked 80, any better than 150. That said, Douglas is skilled like a top 100 kid. Landrum is a beast, but lil guards that get off are more a dime a dozen and will produce, but rankings are about ceiling. To me, Chargois and Ray are both top 125 types too. It's a really good frosh class on paper

[sadderbudweiser]

We are going to need them right away next year, especially the bigs.
I hope nobody shows up with a Krispy Kreme habit like..... ummm....Soft Cheese.

[hoopmanx]

We return Shake, Ben E, Jarrey, Semi and Dashawn. add Whitt. That's a very solid core, including the 3 players w the highest ceiling off this years team. By the time we add another big, I'm pretty comfortable w our roster moving forward

[ponyinNC]

no more Australian recruiting trips...

[Pony81]

Thanks Hoop. I appreciate the insight.

[RI Stang]

1. What's wrong with Douglas where he hasn't played?

2. In terms of the big - assuming that will be a grad transfer vs another high school kid?

Thanks for the info.

[SMUstang07]

As of right now Ben E and McD are not part of a "solid core".

[hoopmanx]

As of right now Ben E and McD are not part of a "solid core".

that's garbage. Ben is a solid 6th man for this program now. McDowell shows flashes, just needs consistency. The hate for Ben E is beyond dumb. He shot poorly two years ago but got 19 minutes per on an NCAA team that won the AAC. This year, he's been arguably our second best handler, plays D and boards on what might again be the best team in the AAC. If he hadnt started the season ice cold, his percentages wouldn't be that horrendous as he's hit some big 3s in recent weeks

[hoopmanx]

1. What's wrong with Douglas where he hasn't played?

2. In terms of the big - assuming that will be a grad transfer vs another high school kid?

Thanks for the info.

1) Douglas has a banged up knee. Doesn't require surgery and his team was sorta coasting w/o him, so he's played it very conservatively coming back. I know Jarrey is the SMU model for how to handle a HS injury senior year. All about the big picture. Christian Brothers, his school, says he'll be back before too long, so its wait n see.

2) They want a grad transfer or JUCO before a high school kid, which makes this a waiting game. There are a few names starting to circulate, but as of now, both would need an exemption or reclass to play right away. There is also the adage that adding team height is position less. A name was brought to my attention yesterday that's a SG, but a solid kid physically that's 6'8. He's not a post per se, but it hasnt really mattered this year

[SMUstangs22]

I'd be fine with adding height at any position. Our positionless offense is giving teams fits and I believe is making us a force on rebounds.

[RI Stang]

Whomever we add is going to need to be a beast on the boards to replace Sterling and Ben M. Don't know a ton about Whitt but he looks pretty small to me and can't imagine he'll rebound at the level that Sterling does. Hard to rely on one of the HS bigs to come in and contribute more than 5-8 boards per game, so still hoping a rebounding big of some sort (with immediate eligibility) can be added to replace Ben M, especially early in the season next year while the newbies get acclimated.

[SMUstangs22]

Also possible for a late decommitment from a higher profile big and we would be a pretty good landing spot. I agree with a more experienced player but perhaps and odd situation makes us a good landing spot