BU recruit- class of 2010- Ricardo Johnson

[SFP]

I'm sure this kid could've challenged TB for playing time...at the very least he would've been next off the bench with 15 to 20 mpg his sophomore year and then the go to guy his junior and senior year...that's the way it should be really in an ideal system.

Please challange TB at the 4???? NO the guy will be a 2/3 player at the next level at 6'5". TB will also be a Junior and there is no way this guy or any Freshmen that we can recruit will really challenge TB IMHO.

[Bradleyguy10]

How tall was TW and how tall is TB...if I'm not mistaken TW was 6'5" and a rebounding machine....that's what I thought.

[SFP]

How tall was TW and how tall is TB...if I'm not mistaken TW was 6'5" and a rebounding machine....that's what I thought.

You can have your opinion I'll have mine but I'd take TB any day over Ricardo right now! How can you compare someone who has shown that he can right now play at D-I level and someone still in HS. TB will be a stud this year and believe me he'll be that much better next year and the year after. Ricardo would have had the opportunity to line up next to TB as a starter his Sophomore year.

BTW - TW was a junior when he started playing at BU and most of us wish he played the 3 at his height.

[Eta Rho]

Several things came in to play when making this decision:

Distance- Ricardo is very close to his family and playing in Athens at Ohio allows his parents, friends, and other family the opportunity to still come and see him play. Also, with Akron recruiting his brother JJ really hard, there's a chance they could end up in the same conference and playing against one another.

Playing Time- Ricardo will see playing time right away and likely will come in and start. You guys can argue that he might not have seen much playing time as a freshman, but I'm fairly confident the coach of BU would have found somewhere for him on the floor. Let's not forget Ricardo will run the point for Holmes this year at 6'5. I don't know too many coaches who wouldn't want a pg with that kind of size, strength, and athleticism. Espn rates Ricardo as a Grade 90 prospect and the #46 SG in the country.

ESPN's scale of 90-100 gives the following defintion:
90-100: Immediate Impact Prospect
Player demonstrates rare abilities and has the potential to start as a freshman for a national, top-25 program.

Maxpreps.com also lists him as the 83rd best prospect overall nationally in the c/o 2010.

The final and deciding factor was Ohio's recruiting class for last year and this year. According to ESPN's ratings, they got the following prospects over the past two years:

2010
Ethan Jacobs 86 (C #55)
Ricardo Johnson 90 (SG #46)

2009
Ivo Baltic 88 (PF #5
DJ Cooper 87 (PG #39)
James Kinney 85 (SG #97)
Marquis Horne 85 (SF #75)
Reggie Keely 85 (PF #106)

Not overly impressive, but for a MAC team, two pretty solid recruiting classes.

Personally, I think Ge'Lawn Guyn (Charlotte) and Josh Sewell (Miami,OH) also played a part in where Ricardo chose to go to school. Both of those two players are top 5 in KY and chose smaller schools over big name programs as well because of immediate playing time.

[jeffsu]

So for once we're the dreaded BIG program where someone may not be able to play immediately? My how the tables have turned this time.

He sounded like a player who would at least crack the rotation for some time (5-10mpg) right away filling in for part of Chris Roberts' role. Could really see him developing even more and really taking off after that.

Nonetheless, I wish this guy the best. I hope we can play them sometime while he's there to see him in person!

Good luck on your senior season, Ricardo!

[Da Coach]

Nice article about Ricardo-

http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=988215

I have heard that he told the Bradley coaches he really liked Bradley, but his decision came down to Ohio being closer.

[Bradleyguy10]

You can have your opinion I'll have mine but I'd take TB any day over Ricardo right now! How can you compare someone who has shown that he can right now play at D-I level and someone still in HS. TB will be a stud this year and believe me he'll be that much better next year and the year after. Ricardo would have had the opportunity to line up next to TB as a starter his Sophomore year.

BTW - TW was a junior when he started playing at BU and most of us wish he played the 3 at his height.

I don't understand why you are attacking me? The argument was about his height being 6'5" and him not being able to be a 4 with TB. I made an argument that in our system the 4 was TW @ 6'5" and now our 4 is a 6'6" sophomore who hasn't started a game. He would fit in well in that position. Yes I'd have liked TW and now TB to start at the 3 but their 3pt shooting isn't up to par to be the 3.

I said he could challenge TB not take over. As a matter of fact I said he'd be a back up to TB until his junior year. By me saying he could challenge TB in now way diminishes TB; that's just what I thought about RJ's potential, and to be perfectly honest you are being a bit presumptive about TB as well. It's not like he's had an infinite amount more of DI experience than RJ...that kid hasn't even started for us yet. I hope that TB will have a huge year but I still think RJ would've had a brilliant career at Bradley. And of course you'd take TB "right now" over RJ...so would I...because we have a better idea of what he brings. I'd still like RJ to come here to see what he could bring.

[SFP]

Bradley10guy - Sorry you are right. I missed read your first one and I agree with you. I was thinking you said he would challenge TB right away. I'm hoping that we start recruiting guys that are taller and athletic to play the 4. It would be nice to have someone over 6'6" playing that position defensively. I'm hoping that JW can play that role next year. Imagine an interchangeable group at the 3-5 position with WE - TB - JW - JP - MK!

[Eta Rho]

So for once we're the dreaded BIG program where someone may not be able to play immediately? My how the tables have turned this time.

He sounded like a player who would at least crack the rotation for some time (5-10mpg) right away filling in for part of Chris Roberts' role. Could really see him developing even more and really taking off after that.

Nonetheless, I wish this guy the best. I hope we can play them sometime while he's there to see him in person!

Good luck on your senior season, Ricardo!

Ricardo would have played right away at Bradley. He just wouldn't have started like he most likely will at Ohio. As I stated earlier and Dacoach points out in the post below, distance was one of the biggest deciding factors on his decision. Ricardo and his mother have a very close relationship and her being able to see him play at home was a big reason for him choosing Ohio.

Nice article about Ricardo-

http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=988215

I have heard that he told the Bradley coaches he really liked Bradley, but his decision came down to Ohio being closer.

Ric really did like Bradley. When I spoke to him about his visit there, he had nothing but great things to say about the campus, coaches, and overall experience. It wasn't an easy decision for him, but it was one that he, his family, and coaches thought would be the best situation for him to continue his career.

[shaunguth]

Ric really did like Bradley. When I spoke to him about his visit there, he had nothing but great things to say about the campus, coaches, and overall experience. It wasn't an easy decision for him, but it was one that he, his family, and coaches thought would be the best situation for him to continue his career.

And really.....that's all you can ask a kid and his support group to do!

Good luck to RJ; I would love to see him in person at Carver someday.

[tornado]

Ric's team should be pretty awesome this year!

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/2009/11/checking-in-covington-holmes.html

[amckillip]

Bradley10guy - Sorry you are right. I missed read your first one and I agree with you. I was thinking you said he would challenge TB right away. I'm hoping that we start recruiting guys that are taller and athletic to play the 4. It would be nice to have someone over 6'6" playing that position defensively. I'm hoping that JW can play that role next year. Imagine an interchangeable group at the 3-5 position with WE - TB - JW - JP - MK!

Lets get ONE of those guys playing at high level before we assume we can play three at a time...