Offseason 2024

[Flipper]

15-20 years ago...I was all in on MAC football because it was possible to make a lot of noise nationally. That possibility has largely been destroyed...so now I'm more likely to be all in on hockey and basketball. I think the chance to be relevant is greatest now in those two sports

[BleedOrange]

Green was a 4* recruit on ESPN....

Per 247…

He was the #156 recruit nationally last year.

Had offers from:
Arizona State
Alabama
Duquesne
Eastern Michigan
Kansas
Maryland
Michigan State
Mississippi State
Missouri
Oakland
USC
VCU
Washington

Has BG had a higher rated basketball recruit in the last 40 years, transfer or otherwise?

In the 90's Larranaga signed #38 Eric Herring out of Chicago. Larranaga then took the George Mason job and Herring went with him.

[mbenecke]

Simon posted another Ay Ziggy Alert on Twitter. We’ll see what comes of it.

[guest44]

This is a guess as to who it might be. Youssef Khayat Michigan transfer. That’s a name I’ve heard.

[Falcon Commander]

Yo-yo…
https://mgoblue.com/sports/mens-basketb ... ayat/23516

[fredthefalcon]

This is a guess as to who it might be. Youssef Khayat Michigan transfer. That’s a name I’ve heard.

It could also be this guy. Major Freeman 6'3" G out of Spartanburg Methodist. Three point shooter and seemed excited for an offer.
https://www.gosmcpioneers.com/sports/mb ... major_xl4t

Maybe both

[guest44]

Youssef Khayat has committed.

[fanatic13]

Youssef Khayat has committed.

Getting a guy that plays international is a big plus because it means more game time and coaching. I know Lebanon and their opponents aren't world class but him getting some minutes should help. Plus another big is always nice

Good start to the transfer portal. 1 for sure graduation and 4 more in the portal. Currently bringing in 4 guys. I'm guessing at least one of the other seniors are gone and we'll bring in another 2 or 3 guys

[fredthefalcon]

Youssef Khayat has committed.

Getting a guy that plays international is a big plus because it means more game time and coaching. I know Lebanon and their opponents aren't world class but him getting some minutes should help. Plus another big is always nice

Good start to the transfer portal. 1 for sure graduation and 4 more in the portal. Currently bringing in 4 guys. I'm guessing at least one of the other seniors are gone and we'll bring in another 2 or 3 guys

If you assume all portal guys are gone, we would still only be at 11 with the commitments. I am assuming that Greg Spurgin status is a walkon based on time played but I could be wrong on that. Surprised Anthony McCombs has not hit the portal.

[guest44]

Khayat should fit well especially if the pace gets sped up going forward. Great size and he can move. Could be a really good defender at the MAC level too. It appears they are still looking add more shooting and another center.

[mbenecke]

What are we thinking about guys like Humphrey or J Spurgin coming back? Is it happening or are they gone?

[guest44]

Humphrey is 100% back and assisted in landing Braelon Green. Spurgin is whether to take a pro contract or not and not sure what the timetable on that would be. I’ve heard nothing on Thomas at all. My guess is he is done at BG but purely a guess. Nothing on Towns but would guess he is moving on. Agee I still think has a chance to be back albeit pretty small. Hill is gone as he should be.

[mbenecke]

Humphrey is 100% back and assisted in landing Braelon Green. Spurgin is whether to take a pro contract or not and not sure what the timetable on that would be. I’ve heard nothing on Thomas at all. My guess is he is done at BG but purely a guess. Nothing on Towns but would guess he is moving on. Agee I still think has a chance to be back albeit pretty small. Hill is gone as he should be.

I noticed that Humphrey and Green are good friends from posts on social media. That’s significant. Seemed like maybe they went to the same school in/around Detroit?

This is agonizing. I want to enjoy the roster building process, but I have no idea who is back and who is leaving. Hard to say how many slots are actually open and what needs we have before figuring out who is back.

[guest44]

It’s the Wild Wild West. In one sense you have no idea what your own players are doing, but you also have access to size and talent you would never ever sniff in any other form of recruiting. The question becomes can you find better talent in this years portal than what you found or retained in last years portal? I would guess Simon believes he can upgrade.

[hammb]

It’s the Wild Wild West. In one sense you have no idea what your own players are doing, but you also have access to size and talent you would never ever sniff in any other form of recruiting. The question becomes can you find better talent in this years portal than what you found or retained in last years portal? I would guess Simon believes he can upgrade.

I think that's why I'm not convinced the new landscape is the death knell of MAC hoops. I believe that coaches knowing how to play this game will be able to build more talented teams than we've seen in the MAC over the past 20 years.

That said, coaching them is going to be a royal pain in the ass. Remember when 1 & done first hit coach Cal built some mega rosters, but they often didn't gel to play as well as the talent would dictate. That will certainly be the fear here, but there's nothing we can do about it.

One thing that is very clear is if you don't have a coach who can play this game, it's going to be a disaster.