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How Many Scholarships Do The Bearcats Have to Play With?
Two. The Bearcats only carried 12 scholarship players in 2013-14, one short of the 13 allowed by the NCAA. Dave Nyarsuk, Sean Kilpatrick, Justin Jackson and Titus Rubles are all moving on giving the Bearcats a total of 5 open slots. Three of them are taken by recruits who signed in the early period, Gary Clark, Quadri Moore and Coreontae DeBerry leaving the Bearcats with two open slots.
Will Mick Cronin Use All His Scholarships?
It depends. The talent level for next year is just about the highest it has been in the Mick Cronin era. That gives Mick the option to be more selective with these last two scholarships. The Bearcats are in need of some perimeter scoring punch with SK moving on after a stellar career and would presumably look for guys who can fit that bill, be it a high school kid, a JUCO or a transfer. But if the staff can't find players that give them what they need on the court and fit in with the culture they could roll both over to 2015.
How Does This Class Stack Up To Previous Cronin Classes?
As it currently stands this is not one of Mick's banner classes, but the quality is high and they have addressed a huge and ongoing need. The key to this group is that it addresses what has been a long term problem of the Cronin era, a lack of any consistent low post scoring. We all know how the offense became a major slog anytime Justin Jackson went out with foul issues because no one else on the team had to be respected on the block. The three incoming guys, along with the eligibility of Jamaree Strickland will address that. Adding some scoring punch on the perimeter is the next need or the burden of scoring is going to be falling on some rather young shoulders.
A Name To Watch Would Be?
Torian Graham. Hyper athletic wing who is equally adept at getting to the rack and finishing. He has had some legal issues while at Chipola College, although he has been cleared of all wrong doing in the court of law, the court of public opinion has been less kind. Graham has also never been to campus which is problematic. So far he has visited Missouri and UNLV. Then there is this.
(Soph/6'4/SG) Torian Graham of Chipola will take an official next weekend to Houston! #Juco @Torian_Graham @ChipolaHoops
— NextUpRecruits.com (@NextUpRecruits) April 13, 2014
Kelvin Sampson everybody! If Mick and Co can get Graham on campus they will be in great shape, it just hasn't happened yet.