Omari to Rutgers

[tornado]

I have heard that Dr. Cross recently landed another job at a Big Ten school and will be moving shortly.

again - you were right on weeks ahead ...

Dr. Cross is an assistant at Penn State Athletics

Updated...
Joanne Glasser - unknown -
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - unknown
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC
JayDee Luster - unknown
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham
Cole Pittis - unknown
Auston Barnes - signed with agent, hasn't been signed with any team yet
Tramique Sutherland - unknown
Kendahl Amerson - unknown
Josh Cunningham - Has verballed to Dayton as transfer - will sit out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
Xavier Taylor - transferring to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - immediately eligible & one year left
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship
Omari Grier - transferring to Rutgers, not known if on scholarship or walk-on
Anthony Fields - transferring to Liberty University, immediately eligible & will play for ex-BU asst. Ritchie McKay - one year of eligibility remaining
Jimmy Gavin isn't part of the housecleaning but is now on scholarship at Winthrop

[tornado]

Updated...
Joanne Glasser - unknown -
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - unknown
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC
JayDee Luster - unknown
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham
Cole Pittis - unknown
Auston Barnes - signed with BC Beroe in Bulgaria
Tramique Sutherland - unknown
Kendahl Amerson - unknown
Josh Cunningham - to Dayton as transfer - will sit out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
Xavier Taylor - transferring to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - immediately eligible & one year left - now transferred again to Kentucky Wesleyan
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship
Omari Grier - transferring to Rutgers, not known if on scholarship or walk-on
Anthony Fields - transferring to Liberty University, immediately eligible & will play for ex-BU asst. Ritchie McKay - one year of eligibility remaining
Jimmy Gavin isn't part of the housecleaning but is now on scholarship at Winthrop

[tornado]

Updated...on September 16
Followup on current location of past BU personnel...
Joanne Glasser - unknown -
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - unknown
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC
JayDee Luster - unknown
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham
Cole Pittis - unknown
Auston Barnes - signed with BC Beroe in Bulgaria
Tramique Sutherland - unknown
Kendahl Amerson - transfer to Central Oklahoma Broncos - a DII school in Edmond, OK
Josh Cunningham - to Dayton as transfer - will sit out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
Xavier Taylor - transferring to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - immediately eligible & one year left - now transferred again to Kentucky Wesleyan
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship
Omari Grier - transferring to Rutgers, not known if on scholarship or walk-on
Anthony Fields - transferring to Liberty University, immediately eligible & will play for ex-BU asst. Ritchie McKay - one year of eligibility remaining
Warren Jones - unknown
Jimmy Gavin isn't part of the housecleaning but is now on scholarship at Winthrop
Stefan Zecevic landed at Northwood in FL, Jordan Swopshire is at Colgate

[tornado]

Updated.....with info on Geno, JayDee Luster & Tramique Sutherland...

I have heard a little news on what Geno Ford reportedly plans to do. Nothing confirmed, just what is being said...so here's what I will mention but PM if...
He will not be coaching anywhere this season, he has moved to Florida and will be part time with the ESPN networks. (remember - he was reportedly still under contract to Bradley until 2018 so he will continue to be paid thru then.)
With all the different networks ESPN has and all the colleges that will be doing games on ESPN3, etc...there's a greatly expanded number of games being broadcast this year, they had to hire a bunch of new broadcast teams, and Geno will be doing some analyst work.

Followup on current location of past BU personnel...
Joanne Glasser - unknown -
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - moved to FL, doing some broadcasting and commentating, and playing golf
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC
JayDee Luster - works with Player Development in the Dallas Mavericks organization - LINK
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham
Cole Pittis - unknown
Auston Barnes - signed with BC Beroe in Bulgaria
Tramique Sutherland - Transfer to University of Texas at Permian Basin, a DII in Odessa, TX - LINK
Kendahl Amerson - transfer to Central Oklahoma Broncos - a DII school in Edmond, OK
Josh Cunningham - to Dayton as transfer - will sit out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
Xavier Taylor - transferring to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - immediately eligible & one year left - now transferred again to Kentucky Wesleyan
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship
Omari Grier - transferring to Rutgers, not known if on scholarship or walk-on
Anthony Fields - transferring to Liberty University, immediately eligible & will play for ex-BU asst. Ritchie McKay - one year of eligibility remaining
Warren Jones - unknown
Jimmy Gavin isn't part of the housecleaning but is now on scholarship at Winthrop
Stefan Zecevic landed at Northwood in FL, Jordan Swopshire is at Colgate

Only Dr. Glasser, Cole Pittis, and Warren Jones left unaccounted for

[tornado]

Updated.....with Warren Jones...

Followup on current location of past BU personnel...
Joanne Glasser - unknown -
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - moved to FL, doing some broadcasting and commentating, and playing golf
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC
JayDee Luster - works with Player Development in the Dallas Mavericks organization - LINK
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham
Cole Pittis - unknown
Auston Barnes - signed with BC Beroe in Bulgaria
Tramique Sutherland - Transfer to University of Texas at Permian Basin, a DII in Odessa, TX - LINK
Kendahl Amerson - transfer to Central Oklahoma Broncos - a DII school in Edmond, OK
Josh Cunningham - to Dayton as transfer - will sit out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
Xavier Taylor - transferring to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - immediately eligible & one year left - now transferred again to Kentucky Wesleyan
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship
Omari Grier - transferring to Rutgers, not known if on scholarship or walk-on
Anthony Fields - transferring to Liberty University, immediately eligible & will play for ex-BU asst. Ritchie McKay - one year of eligibility remaining
Warren Jones - transferred to Green Bay, will sit out this season and be eligible for one remaining year in 2016-17
Jimmy Gavin isn't part of the housecleaning but is now on scholarship at Winthrop
Stefan Zecevic landed at Northwood in FL, Jordan Swopshire is at Colgate

Only Dr. Glasser and Cole Pittis, left unaccounted for

[tornado]

Rutgers preview...

"the Scarlet Knights' best perimeter shooter figures to be Omari Grier,
a fifth-year senior graduate transfer from Bradley who last season finished
second for the Missouri Valley Conference squad in 3-pointers made.

"I want those guys to jack them up,'' Jordan said. "I really want them to
maximize their open 3s and get the attempts up.''

http://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketball/index.ssf/2015/10/rutgers_basketball_coach_eddie_jordan_expects_bett.html

Grier finished tied with Warren Jones for the 2nd most 3-pointers made...

..but he made only 13 3-pt baskets during the entire MVC Conference season and hit 29.5% of his attempts....it will be interesting to see how much he helps Rutgers this season.

[tornado]

Article on Omari - they're really counting on him!

http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2015/11/03/rutgers-hoops-looking-grier-shooting-leadership/75029344/

"Rutgers hoops looks to Grier for shooting, leadership"

[tornado]

Even more nice preseason press for Omari - gonna be hard for him to live up to the hype!!!

"Omari Grier

...It was a great pick up by the staff to secure Grier's transfer this summer.
He has plenty of experience playing in the underrated Missouri Valley
Conference, which includes Evansville, Northern Iowa and mid-major
powerhouse Wichita State. He shot 32% from three point range his two years
at Bradley and 82% from the free throw line, so he should help in both areas.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Grier should be a key member of
this team. Between his potential offensive production, while also mentoring a
young backcourt along with Bishop Daniels, his performance is a key to the
success of this team.

...I LOVE THREE POINT SHOOTERS. So I love this signing. Grier has a role
on this team, and it's going to be to defend and make the open three. He's a
senior, he's been through the wars and he's fundamentally sound. So far this
off-season, he's been the forgotten addition to this team, but I think he's
going to be playing a very big part this season. Hopefully, he goes down in
Rutgers fans memory as the best graduate transfer to play here."

https://www.onthebanks.com/2015/11/4/9410889/rutgers-mens-basketball-freshman-class-newcomers

..." going to be to defend...
....been through the wars and he's fundamentally sound
...Hopefully, he goes down in Rutgers fans memory as the best graduate transfer to play here."

[tornado]

I think what this proves is that "O" made the right decision...
He's starting over, new system, plenty of playing time available, fans are anxious to see him on the court....and...
gets to play literally in front of his family, friends, and his hometown fans...
Hope he has a great year!!

[Da Coach]

I think what this proves is that "O" made the right decision...
[/B]

But aren't you always saying kids shoot too high, and many would be better off not always going to the highest level school that recruits them? Omari was not much of a success at Florida Atlantic or Bradley, but now a huge jump up to the Big Ten is "the right decision" for him?
I wish him luck, but IMO he is not close to being a Big Ten caliber player.

[tornado]

yes, if he were just now heading off to his college destination...
but he's not going there to build a career...

he's going to a depleted last place team with lots of playing time available to finish the final year of his career.

They probably won't win a ton of games but as I said, he'll have a chance to play a lot and be close to friends & family..

had he stayed at Bradley he'd have found 18 year old freshmen playing in front of him

[tornado]

A few more past Braves and Braves' commits have been in action...

Macari Brooks now has played 6 games with awesome stats...
24 minutes per game, 61.4% FG accuracy, 9-21 (43%) on 3-pointers, 20-23 (87%) on FTs,
19.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3 apg, 2.5 A/T Ratio, 1 stl/gm


Kentucky Wesleyan (Jermaine Morgan) faced Louisville last night at the Yum Center in Louisville, KY
KWM has only two low post players over 6-6 so Jermaine basically gets about as much playing time as he wants....
The game was surprisingly close - Louisville won by single digits 77-68!
Jermaine Morgan started and played 31 minutes - but was just 1-4 with 2 pts, 4 rebs...
The game was only a 6 pts game (74-68 ) with KWU having possession a few times in the final minute or two but they couldn't drain one -
Louisville shot just as their final possession shot clock hit zero and drained a three for the final score 77-68

BTW- Louisville has a guy who shoots free throws Rick Barry-style - underhanded- LINK
(Jermaine Morgan is the player on the lane in blue that is facing the camera)


Xavier beat Northwood, Remy Abell had a fine game - 9 pts, 3 rebs, 7 asst


UMKC won their exhibition game last night but Shayok Shayok did not play at all and there was no mention of why as he was in their pregame story as if he was OK to play.

[tornado]

a remote followup of all those who departed in the final year of Geno...
Those players marked with * still have further eligibility for next fall...

Followup on current location of past BU personnel...
Joanne Glasser - unknown - but appeared at an Eastern Kentucky event last month
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - moved to FL, doing some broadcasting and commentating, and playing golf - not mentioned for any of the hundreds of hires of head & assistant coaches this spring
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC -they finished 5-25 but have some good young talent
JayDee Luster - worked with Player Development in Mavericks organization - now hired as asst. at Pacific
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham, they were 17-14
Cole Pittis - unknown
Auston Barnes - plays for BC Beroe in Bulgaria, averages 11.7ppg, 6.6rpg
Tramique Sutherland - Transfer to University of Texas at Permian Basin, a DII in Odessa, TX - subsequently dismissed, out of eligibility
?*Kendahl Amerson - transfer to Central Oklahoma Broncos - a DII school in Edmond, OK - subsequently dismissed - may still have a year of eligibility if he finds a place
*Josh Cunningham - to Dayton as transfer - sat out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
*Xavier Taylor - transferred to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - then transferred again to Kentucky Wesleyan- 6th in playing time but led team in fouls, avg 5 ppg, 47% FT shooter, out of eligibility
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship, played sparingly, eligibility ended
Omari Grier - transfer to Rutgers, played a lot on a talent depleted (7-25) team, 7.6 ppg, eligibility ended
Anthony Fields - transfer to Liberty University, 5 ppg, 3 apg eligibility ended
*Warren Jones - transfer to Green Bay, will sit out this season and be eligible for one remaining year in 2016-17
Jimmy Gavin - played well and got a lot of great press at Winthrop, 19 ppg, 41% from the arc, 83% on FT - became somewhat "the face" of eastern mid-major ball!
*Stefan Zecevic landed at Northwood in FL, they became Keiser University, NAIA, avg 10ppg/8rpg/19.2% from the arc, and was All Defense in their conference.
.....(they listed him as a junior, he's now played one year at Bradley, one at Hill College (juco) and one at Keiser, so would appear to have 1 year left of eligibility)
*Jordan Swopshire transfer to Colgate - they were 13-17, started nearly every game, averaged 10.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, hit 43.8% from the arc - STILL 2 years of eligibilty

Only Dr. Glasser and Cole Pittis, left unaccounted for

[PhiAlphaBoy]

Thanks for the update. Wow, a whole lot of last year's players really ended up in the trash heap of their own doing. Verifies that we definitely had a bunch of low character losers last year. Smdh

[tornado]

Followup on current location of past BU personnel...
Joanne Glasser - unknown - but appeared at an Eastern Kentucky event last month
Michael Cross - Assistant at Penn State Athletics - LINK
Geno Ford - moved to FL to do some broadcasting and commentating then just got hired as assistant at Stony Brook
Ron Coleman - assistant coach at UIC -they finished 5-25 but have some good young talent
JayDee Luster - worked with Player Development in Mavericks organization - now hired as asst. at Pacific
Jaden Uken - assistant coach at Fordham, they were 17-14
Cole Pittis - now a Special Asst to Head Coach at Akron
Auston Barnes - plays for BC Beroe in Bulgaria, averages 11.7ppg, 6.6rpg
Tramique Sutherland - Transfer to University of Texas at Permian Basin, a DII in Odessa, TX - subsequently dismissed, out of eligibility
?*Kendahl Amerson - transfer to Central Oklahoma Broncos - a DII school in Edmond, OK - subsequently dismissed - may still have a year of eligibility if he finds a place
*Josh Cunningham - to Dayton as transfer - sat out 2015-16 & have 3 years left
*Xavier Taylor - transferred to IPFW - will sit out 'til fall 2016 & have two years of eligibility left
Jermaine Morgan - transfer to Tarleton State Univ. in TX - then transferred again to Kentucky Wesleyan- 6th in playing time but led team in fouls, avg 5 ppg, 47% FT shooter, out of eligibility
Nate Wells - transferred to Ball State on scholarship, played sparingly, eligibility ended
Omari Grier - transfer to Rutgers, played a lot on a talent depleted (7-25) team, 7.6 ppg, eligibility ended
Anthony Fields - transfer to Liberty University, 5 ppg, 3 apg eligibility ended
*Warren Jones - transfer to Green Bay, will sit out this season and be eligible for one remaining year in 2016-17
Jimmy Gavin - played well and got a lot of great press at Winthrop, 19 ppg, 41% from the arc, 83% on FT - became somewhat "the face" of eastern mid-major ball!
*Stefan Zecevic landed at Northwood in FL, they became Keiser University, NAIA, avg 10ppg/8rpg/19.2% from the arc, and was All Defense in their conference.
.....(they listed him as a junior, he's now played one year at Bradley, one at Hill College (juco) and one at Keiser, so would appear to have 1 year left of eligibility)
*Jordan Swopshire transfer to Colgate - they were 13-17, started nearly every game, averaged 10.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, hit 43.8% from the arc - STILL 2 years of eligibilty