Topic: Landon: MU hoops offering young prospects

[biggreenarms]

Recruiting never stops.

That's particularly true for collegiate sports on the rise, such as the Marshall men's basketball program.

Besides the freshman recruits that are enrolled and on campus, coach Danny D'Antoni and his staff already have offered scholarships to seven high school standouts, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall_sports/chuck-landon-mu-hoops-offering-young-prospects/article_f91718f8-4970-50b4-becc-a96a1d7c813e.html

[Buffalo Bop]

Chuck a gives a pretty complete list of future bball recruits Dan is recruiting next year and beyond!

I'm sure basketball fans will want to check it out.

[Herdmeister]

Pretty exciting stuff. I see that Dawson was offered by Youngstown State yesterday.

[herdorbust]

I love DD style of recruiting. People are going to see how it will pay off over the next couple years.

[chris88]

One of the keys to be a great recruiter in my mind is the ability to target guys that will fit well into your system and the ability to see potential.  Overall, I think DD has done a tremendous job finding guys that can play the system and play well together without the big name recruits.  I think the recruiting will only get better and better. 

BTW, if you have used all of your article reads, you can simply open a different browser (Chrome, Edge etc) and get a fresh reset and then rotate through the browsers.

[Buffalo Bop]

https://twitter.com/BigShotsNation/status/885283396053807107

[lovetheherd2]

One of the keys to be a great recruiter in my mind is the ability to target guys that will fit well into your system and the ability to see potential.  Overall, I think DD has done a tremendous job finding guys that can play the system and play well together without the big name recruits.  I think the recruiting will only get better and better. 

BTW, if you have used all of your article reads, you can simply open a different browser (Chrome, Edge etc) and get a fresh reset and then rotate through the browsers.

My biggest concern with hiring of Dan D. was ability to recruit at the D1 level. Keeping Cline on the staff and now bringing in Corny, I am very comfortable - in fact extremely happy with his learning curve and successes. I think a lot has to do with personality and down home communication skills. He's entertaining but serious with his discussions.

And - you can also use Google Chrome and go incognito to not leave a trace checking the HD articles as well as Gazette.

[MUonium]

As a long time Herd BB fan, I’m very happy to see the incremental improvements in about every facet.  the wins have increased, the recruiting is picking up and we may finally have a bench.  I look forward to every season now because i sense an overall substantial build that is gaining steam.  I am grateful for Herd BB at a time when the future of FB is unknown.
With an exception or two, the first couple of years of recruiting did not do much to gain my confidence that we could become relevant.  this was because i felt like his choice of assistant coaches brought absolutely nothing in this regard and arguably, DD coming from a 9-year NBA bubble. 
i had practically no reservations with coaching philosophy, methods, Xs and Os...to each his own.  you can teach fitness, strength, endurance, and the like.  you might be able to unlock hidden desire in persons less driven to not settle, to be better than their peers.  Most would agree you can't teach natural athletic ability, instincts and the like.  Recent recruiting has done much to alleviate some of those worries.
Still, right or wrong as the number one factor, fans want a winner.  I’m more concerned with measurable progression year to year, how competitive/close in games, is everybody contributing positively.  Some say it's not this year, but next year or after which one might assume is giving DD too much benefit of doubt…I don’t know. 
I think this year is the most important in showing fans and future recruits that we can maintain/improve the W/L numbers and with certainty will “hold base camp” and head towards the last base camp before the summit.  While I’m torn on whether or not we should be concerned about early-year OOC loses, I lean towards wanting to start the season a bit stronger to build confidence and a taste for winning.  At the same time, we also cannot make a trend out of starting from a weak position in the CUSA tourney seating.

[scuberman]

I thought there were a couple of others that needed to be looked at.
I thought the wiiiamson kid from Chapmanville and there are two from Fairmont senior, one being the Dobbs kid. His dad played at MU

[herdorbust]

If DD has one thing that he is probably better than most coaches in America is this. He does make all his players better. And he really knows how to mesh a team that gets better as the year goes. When it comes to teaching and a practice coach, i would put him up against any coach in America. And i mean any coach. Danny will probably get more out of his recruits than anyone out there. Now that we are bringing in better talent the teams will only get better from here on. And another thing...Some of aren't saying this year will not be as good and we have to wait until 2018-2019 season. We are going to be very good and extremely fun to watch this year. This will probably be the most exciting team DD has put on the floor. But the fact is 2018-2019 season we will be loaded and that may be the best team Marshall has put on the floor in decades and who knows maybe ever. But don't discount this year because it is going to be one fun team to watch.

[chris88]

The one thing i'll add is finishing strong goes a long way.  I suspect many would have considered last year a disappointment had we gone out early in the CUSA tourney since we finished lower in the regular season standings than the year before.  Those 3 extra wins really changed the overall record and perception.  Adding to the previous year win total in a year when we had to replace the best player (Kelly) and there were huge questions about the non-guard talent on the team was no small task.

Next year I expect Burks to be better as a JR than Browning was. And while we have no 3 pt specialist per se like Loop, I think the overall games of Watson and West will more than make up the difference.  The key may very well be Thompson.  He was sort of up and down and MU needs him to be more consistent.  That would help Penevas progress and allow DD to bring along the games of the JUCO and young guys like Thaimnem (sp) and George etc IMO.

[herdorbust]

A lot this year will be the play of the inside guys. Williams will be seeing his first action, Peneva was coming on and will need to step up even more. Thompson had the injury last year and set him back and hopefully he will take another step. And Koljanin look perfect for Danny's system and can really move. We are much longer and athletic inside than we were last year. If those 4 get it going and play well, we will be a very good team. Because we have much better defenders and depth at guard. And if Bennett gets elegible that will just be icing on the cake.

[saherdfan]

I have been critical of some of Mike H. decisions.  I have to give him credit on the DD hire.  It took balls to hire an assistant NBA / Head High School coach with little recruiting background.  I love everything about DD.  DD has passion, style, & like others have said he just really seems to get the best out of the talent he has.  Having Mike D. in the league really gives DD a little extra to offer prospects.  I would love to see Bennett eligible this year.  The drunks up north picked another good time to skip out on playing the Herd.  They may need us for the RPI ranking in a few years....  LOL 

[pembrook burrows III]

I just think it is great that this is July, and we are getting almost as many basketball threads on this board as football threads. The latest NCAA July recruiting period just opened, and it sounds like the guys are out beating the bushes!

https://twitter.com/Coach_CJackson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
 

[herdorbust]

Yep, i wish everyone had the chance to go to multiple practices and get a good feel of DD. He knows exactly where he wants to go and how he wants to get there. I have never seen a coach get more respect from his players without screaming, yelling and cursing. He just oozes confidence and the players believe in everything he does and says. It truly is amazing to watch. The more you are around practice, the more you pick up on what a great teacher and leader he is. Maybe being his age is a real plus coaching HS ball for all those years and then being in the NBA and him and MD perfecting the system they now use. All i know is that it is truly enjoyable watching him teach and relate to the guys. He has truly changed the culture of Marshall basketball and now he is building the program. I just hope he is here for at least another 5 years or longer so i can enjoy the ride.

[herdorbust]

Corny was a great hire. And i'm not saying this because he is here now. But he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Just talks to you like he has known you his entire life. Always very upbeat and loves working with the guys individually to make them better. He is usually soaked in sweat before practice even starts.

[Garbanjo]

Yep, i wish everyone had the chance to go to multiple practices and get a good feel of DD. He knows exactly where he wants to go and how he wants to get there. I have never seen a coach get more respect from his players without screaming, yelling and cursing. He just oozes confidence and the players believe in everything he does and says. It truly is amazing to watch. The more you are around practice, the more you pick up on what a great teacher and leader he is. Maybe being his age is a real plus coaching HS ball for all those years and then being in the NBA and him and MD perfecting the system they now use. All i know is that it is truly enjoyable watching him teach and relate to the guys. He has truly changed the culture of Marshall basketball and now he is building the program. I just hope he is here for at least another 5 years or longer so i can enjoy the ride.

For those who go to practice, are we going to be good enough at the 5 spot (Penava and Thompson) to contend for, and hopefully win CUSA this year?

[herdorbust]

For those who go to practice, are we going to be good enough at the 5 spot (Penava and Thompson) to contend for, and hopefully win CUSA this year?

 Yes we can win CUSA. But like i said the better Williams, Peneva, Thompson and Kaljonin progress, the better we can be. The key is getting them all to be very aggressive. They are all skilled for their size and are athletic. Like i said, this team will be much much different than last years team. Much quicker, athletic, longer and a much much better defensive team. If Bennett does get OK'd, then that will be the wild card in all this. That IMO just puts us over the top.

[Garbanjo]

Yes we can win CUSA. But like i said the better Williams, Peneva, Thompson and Kaljonin progress, the better we can be. The key is getting them all to be very aggressive. They are all skilled for their size and are athletic. Like i said, this team will be much much different than last years team. Much quicker, athletic, longer and a much much better defensive team. If Bennett does get OK'd, then that will be the wild card in all this. That IMO just puts us over the top.

Thanks!

[Buffalo Bop]

Mikal Dawson receives his 3rd offer from Bowling Green.

[chris88]

I just think it is great that this is July, and we are getting almost as many basketball threads on this board as football threads. The latest NCAA July recruiting period just opened, and it sounds like the guys are out beating the bushes!

https://twitter.com/Coach_CJackson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Go down to July 7 on Corny's twitter and watch that short video of Jon Elmore....sweet

[Herdmeister]

Yes we can win CUSA. But like i said the better Williams, Peneva, Thompson and Kaljonin progress, the better we can be. The key is getting them all to be very aggressive. They are all skilled for their size and are athletic. Like i said, this team will be much much different than last years team. Much quicker, athletic, longer and a much much better defensive team. If Bennett does get OK'd, then that will be the wild card in all this. That IMO just puts us over the top.

I agree with you on EVERY point 100%. With all that said, however, we must remember that WKU is GREATLY improved from last year with a 4 star and 5 star kid on the roster. MTSU looks to be reloading too.
If we can garner a first round bye for the tournament, I will be most happy. I think we have a REAL shot at a top 4 regular season finish. The last 3 weeks of the schedule are brutal however. With 4 road games in the last 6 played. Those include a 2 game Texas swing with Rice, UNT and season ending trip to UAB and MTSU. Places we always have difficulty in playing.

[herdorbust]

Yep i noticed  that schedule. Sweet at the beggining with 3 straight home games. But we pay at the end. Yes WKU will have a ton of talent, no doubt. Like i said. I think we can win it. But it will be a dog fight with WKU, MTSU and L Tech IMO.

[MUonium]

The one thing i'll add is finishing strong goes a long way.  I suspect many would have considered last year a disappointment had we gone out early in the CUSA tourney since we finished lower in the regular season standings than the year before.  Those 3 extra wins really changed the overall record and perception.  Adding to the previous year win total in a year when we had to replace the best player (Kelly) and there were huge questions about the non-guard talent on the team was no small task.

Next year I expect Burks to be better as a JR than Browning was. And while we have no 3 pt specialist per se like Loop, I think the overall games of Watson and West will more than make up the difference.  The key may very well be Thompson.  He was sort of up and down and MU needs him to be more consistent.  That would help Penevas progress and allow DD to bring along the games of the JUCO and young guys like Thaimnem (sp) and George etc IMO.

i see absolutely no barriers on creating a 3-pt go-to (just teach squaring the body/quick consistent release but don't try to alter the player's natural tendencies) and creating space for that designee or two (which DD is good at).  i think it helps if they are in the 6'4 - 5" range and they're fairly strong.  Loop, the camper in the corner :)

However, DD said this will be a little bit different team, altered offense, so we'll see what he means soon enough.

[coalherd]

I agree with you on EVERY point 100%. With all that said, however, we must remember that WKU is GREATLY improved from last year with a 4 star and 5 star kid on the roster. MTSU looks to be reloading too.
If we can garner a first round bye for the tournament, I will be most happy. I think we have a REAL shot at a top 4 regular season finish. The last 3 weeks of the schedule are brutal however. With 4 road games in the last 6 played. Those include a 2 game Texas swing with Rice, UNT and season ending trip to UAB and MTSU. Places we always have difficulty in playing.

HM, I'll throw in a little info pertaining to this subject.  Was on UNCC's sports website lately and since around FEB/MAR their basketball coach, Prince, has signed 6 or 7 new players.

It appears that Price, a former NBA player, has hit the JUCO circuit hard, and has been angling for "size".  Has inked a 6'10", 260# center, Juco, plus about 3 or 4 6'8" players, a 6'6" guard and a small guard.  These latter players are a mixture of Jucos and HS players mainly from strong programs in and around Charlotte or elsewhere in NC.

May be an indication that the 49ers intend on "pounding" the ball inside.  If Iran is not eligible, hope we have sufficient help for Penava, Thompson, Milan and company from some of our up front newcomers.

Also, hope you and herdorbust don't plan on overlooking ODU.  Jeff Jones is a veteran coach, not sure of their new signees, but I believe the Monarchs have BOTH Stith brothers back, and the bigger one has been able to score fairly easily just about game he has played against the Herd.  Could just be that CUSA may be deeper in pretty good teams this coming season than it has been since Memphis, Tulsa, Hoooston, FUC, etc., left the league.  Can't hardly wait for the first Jump Ball!!