So how big is this recruiting class gonna end up?

[RoyalShock]

I think educated guesses can now be made. Eight looks like the number to this year's recruiting class to me. In that number, I count E.O. (or a replacement for him) since he never used his scholarship offer this year. In other words, I expect three non senior players with us this year not to be back, and for the coach to fill all available scholarships.

I detect a hint of plaigerism in that post! ;-)

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

I like the idea of signing Beckham, Soderberg or Brock, and Shaw. If EO doesn't make it, lets go ahead and get Frank Ben-Eze.

[Ricky Del Rio]

I like the idea of signing a point guard just like the freshman point guard of Penn State.

Also, I like the idea of signing a big man just like #11, Alexander, of West Virginia.

[forevershockerfan]

After watching the Selections, I am really getting even more excited with the Late Signing Period. Reloading all starts here and I still dream that EO will show and we will get 2-4 new awesome recruits to go with the impressive Class we already have. I hope when it is all said and done, we have a very impressive recruiting ranking (top 30-50) that will get us back on the map in upgrading the quality players which should also get us back to where we want to go.

[1972Shocker]

HCGM keeps making comments that lead me to believe that he is looking for 2 more players in this year's signing class.

For example, in today's Eagle:

http://www.kansas.com/250/story/342976.html

Marshall said WSU is looking for a guard and the best available player, either from the juco or high school ranks. Size, backcourt quickness and shooting are qualities he wants to upgrade.

On the other hand he also said:

"We're not going to pass on a really good player," he said.

And, of course, Ehimen Orupke's status remains up in the air:

Marshall said WSU is still trying to get Orupke out of Nigeria and he has not thought about a deadline for cutting ties.

[SpanglerFan316]

I'm just going to wait and see what Marshall comes up with. I have no inside connection with basketball. The rest of you probably know more about basketball than me and so I'll just save your gems of knowledge to admire in August. I think Gregg signs one more (for Wendell) and either EO comes or Gregg signs an additional player. This time next year, we'll know how it turned out.

I remember more than one person saying that Gal should start over Matt. I remember telling them they were crazy for thinking that....

Speculating as some are predicting that JT, Gal, Wendell, and Graham, do not come back, then what in the blazes does GM do? Recruit for four more positions? Or hold one or two back.

If not, there are only two senior positions (Clemente and Gris) that will be available after next year, and no positions available for the following year.

I think a lot will depend on the quality of commits HCGM believes he can reel in.

For the sake of argument, let's ASSUME, that he is able to find 4 additional players that he wants to bring this year and let's ASSUME EO arrives and Mantas has a full recovery from his injury. That means 4 are gone.

If this does happen, I would expect that we will see two players redshirt next year as you don't really need 13 guys for the games. 9-10 guys will get the bulk of the PT. HCGM has talked about the possibility of redshirting Aaron Ellis if things work out.

HCGM has pretty much said he will sign two more players this year. His dilemma in whether or not to sign an additional one or two players should not be based so much on whether they are marginally better than the bottom of his returning roster, but on whether or not he feels they are comparable to what he may be able to attract during next year's early signing period. Based on the four we signed early this year, I would say whatever late signees we get should be comparable to what we have already signed or we should pass and look for better players next year.

I think Gal and Preadom are both gone, IMHO.

Hannah scored 3 points and played 18 minutes in their quarter-finals win last night. His backup scored 1 point and played 17 minutes

With the choices of this year's NCAA selection committee, I think WSU needs to plan to win the conference tourney every year. I think next year will be tough. If the "Gal hater"'s http://www.shockernet.net/sn/viewtopic.php?t=10634 have their way, none of the guards playing for WSU will have significant D1 experience and we will be depending on

Center: Garrett Stutz (freshman)
Forwards: Ramon Clemente (juco-senior), Aaron Ellis (sophomore), Mantas Griskenas (juco-senior), A.J. Hawkins (transfer-junior)
Guards: Clevin Hannah (juco-junior), Toure Murry (freshman), David Kyles (freshman)

This list leaves out Gal Mekel (junior), Wendell Preadom (senior), Graham Hatch (sophomore), Ehimen Orukpe (freshman), J.T. Durley (sophomore), Brett Burley (walk-on sophomore) and Bret Michael (walk-on sophomore).
If Gregg signs two more players, then three of the schloarship players return. Which ones? My guess is Orukpe, Mekel and Durley. My guess could be wrong. Marshall said he would have 13 scholarship players next year and, if we only add 6 (Stutz, Hannah, Murry, Kyles plus two more signees), then three current players have to return.

[Hotel Paper]

we have to hold out on Ehimen.

[forevershockerfan]

EO is very well worth the wait I'm sure. My dream for his arrival will stay alive unless we learn it is not so. GS and EO will be great at helping each other get better. EO is supposed to be a defensive gem(blocking shots and rebounding) and GS has some very nice offense and a smooth shooting touch. Nothing like some competition with their similar height and various skills to improve your own game's strengths and weaknesses. As mentioned before on here, it would also be nice to get Paul Miller in here this summer to scrimmage with them both.

[SpanglerFan316]

forevershockerfan: I would love to see Stutz and Orupke next year. Paul could teach them a lot about improvement and toughness.

[SFL]

forevershockerfan: I would love to see Stutz and Orupke next year. Paul could teach them a lot about improvement and toughness.

That would be simply wonderful and take some of the sting away from this season. If EO ever arrives on campus, we're throwing a big Shockernet celebration party and I'm buying the first round.

EO may be the most over-hyped recruit in WSU history... if he shows, I sure hope he can walk and chew gum at the same time... if not, he will be the biggest recruiting bust in Shocker history.

[Snapshot9]

I think from now through the 15th of April, we hare going to hear about a lot of recruits we are interested in and/or recruiting.

[SpanglerFan316]

I think from now through the 15th of April, we hare going to hear about a lot of recruits we are interested in and/or recruiting.

rabbits?

[Snapshot9]

Whoever mentioned that we are suppose to be recruiting a player out of Louisiana might be right. The jet went to New Orleans last Saturday.

I know, I know about the jet, but who could the recruit possibly be?

[forevershockerfan]

Soon the question will not be---"How big is this class going to be because we will soon know." The question is----"How good is this recruiting class going to be?" Remember the 'Fab 5' from Michigan? No, we won't have all of the 4 * and 5 * players they reloaded with that turned them around so quickly. However, this will be the first time that Coach Marshall could have a full period of recruiting to reload what is lacking with us and THAT is exciting. These young men coming have been very successful and winning most of the games in their careers thusfar.

So how good will this class be and will the experts agree and rank it high? When we start seeing our recruiting classes in the top 25-50, we will know we are on the right track for the future. The test of time will be the proof of the puddin. Stay tuned.

[WstateU]

I found this little tidbit from 3/23/2006 interesting... notice who Marshall (Winthrop) was recruiting against for this 3* shooting guard:
:good:

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=34185