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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 11:20:59 GMT -5
Roster could have as much as players from five different countries other than the good old USA next year.
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Post by LIONS90045 on May 1, 2014 11:44:19 GMT -5
The current roster represents 3 foreign countries so far: Zambia (Siame), Nigeria (Deji. & Godwin) and Croatia (Mornar). Two more to go?
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Post by fryer4three on May 1, 2014 12:09:17 GMT -5
at least...
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Post by slblions08 on May 1, 2014 15:53:18 GMT -5
I'm all for getting the best players to play on our team because I'd like to see us win. I just hope we don't have an over reliance on international kids because some of them tend to leave early and go back to Europe to play professionally rather than stay the 4 years here. They may also be directed by their respective national FIBA organizations on what to do, if they're on the radar of playing for the national team. Of course, on the positive aspect, they get a ton of extra coaching and development during the summers and on their own, and that international experience on those under-19 and under-22 tournaments are really great.
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Post by longtimelionfan on May 1, 2014 18:18:25 GMT -5
90045,
Based upon what's been reported, two more international candidates aren't hard to find: (1) Gorski is Swedish; and, (2) Humphries is Australian.
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Post by ALioninWinter on May 1, 2014 19:53:26 GMT -5
True, but Aussies speak English. Well, at least a form of English. The coaching staff won't have to learn a whole new language if Humphries comes; just part of a language.
Meanwhile we all sit on the edge of our seats waiting to see who is coming and who is going.
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Post by LIONS90045 on May 1, 2014 20:36:43 GMT -5
All true but I never met a Swede who didn't speak English also - I believe they learn it in elementary school as they grow up. Anyway, Fryer seems to be in the know and there are probably even more international players involved. Slb - if players from Europe are good enough to go pro and leave LMU early, they are welcome on my team any day.
PS Good to hear Winter is also on the edge of his seat - like us.
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Post by lionsroar on May 11, 2014 20:05:33 GMT -5
Stover is headed to South Alabama
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Post by golions1444 on May 12, 2014 17:49:36 GMT -5
Not that I consider Stover a big loss, he never lived up to his hype (score one for the "numbers of stars out of high school does not matter too much" argument)but thought this quote from Stover regarding his commitment to USA was interesting:
"Their development, how they handle the player development and one-on-one instruction, that really sold me on it too. The individual workouts that they do and how the one-on-one workouts are helpful. All the development they are going to put me through, including the weight room and things like that, just really sold me.''
Only because you would think this is what Dunlap would be selling most, player development, and if he can't convince someone already on the team, how is he going to convince high level recruits considering the school? More or less just trying to stir the pot here. I reserve all judgement on Dunlap's recruiting ability until he goes through a full recruiting cycle.
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Post by longtimelionfan on May 12, 2014 19:08:10 GMT -5
golions1444, your last paragraph assumes that Dunlap wanted to sell Stover on staying. Maybe, Dunlap more agreed with the assessment in your opening paragraph "not ... a big loss."
The University obviously has made a commitment to Dunlap to obtain his services. So in the big scheme of things it matters little but I'll reserve judgment for longer than "a full recruiting cycle." I think any new coach should be entitled to a couple of full seasons, off seasons and recruiting cycles. That doesn't mean I'm personally giving Dunlap a free ride on my expectations for next year. I'm not. Given Dunlap's reputation and what I've seen in a very short recruiting period, I expect and believe we'll see demonstrable improvement next year. How many wins and losses that equates to I can't tell you but I certainly hope to see them place materially higher in the standings than the last two years which is a very low threshold.
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Post by LIONS90045 on May 12, 2014 20:39:43 GMT -5
I think Stover's move might provide useful personal development for him. He is a young man and if he lived all (or most of) his life in California, some time on the East coast will be a new experience. Life is a bit different there with its seasons and weather, plus its humidity and bugs, not to mention poisonous snakes. You should experiment while you are young and mobile. Also he is further from home, which I assume is in the Valley or nearby, giving him room to mature. Firther, it sounds like he was drawn by the personal development program at USA - a bit of an insight into the lack of same in last season's regime perhaps? Good luck to Nick and I'll be watching his results next season. I hope he gets the minutes he expects at USA.
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Post by vadlion on May 12, 2014 21:15:11 GMT -5
The answer Stover gave on why he chose USA is not a knock on Dunlap or LMU. Stover is going to a conference (Sun Belt) that is weaker than the WCC and to team that finished 11-20 and near the cellar of that conference. This is maybe an opportunity for him to play more since he was not cutting it in the WCC. I really loved Stover and thought he had great potential. Maybe the talent level in the WCC was too much for him or Dunlap viewed that he is not the best fit for what he is trying to build. Great kid and attitude and I wish him the best at South Alabama.
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Post by LIONS90045 on May 12, 2014 22:13:13 GMT -5
I think we're on the same page with Stover - good for him, perhaps good for the LMU program. I don't have any issues with his leaving other than I wish him the best.
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Post by ALioninWinter on May 12, 2014 23:54:49 GMT -5
If I had been in Dunlap's position I would have sat Nick down, told him he was welcome to stay with the program (and keep his scholarship) but probably wouldn't see much playing time. I would've then told him I would help him relocate to a program more commiserate with his skill level if he wanted to move. I suspect that is exactly what happened.
No knock on Nick. He's a good, well spoken, hard working kid. He simply doesn't have the skills to compete at this level on a consistent basis. I know, I know.... three stars ...etc, etc. I never saw him play in high school but from the first time I saw him play for us, I could tell he lacked the ability to play at a high level. I have no idea what the scouts saw; however I do know he played at a low (small school) level in high school. His competition was non- existent. I could look good at that level.
Could a better "player development coach" have helped him? Sure........ But there are limits to what even the best player development coach can do.
He had a couple of good games for us. He was effective last season at the point on defense because of his length. He can put his talent to work at USA. I wish him luck, and I'd rather see someone else filling our scholarship.
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Post by golions1444 on May 13, 2014 14:17:16 GMT -5
Well i guess i successfully stirred the pot a bit, how many more days until the season starts? If i had to bet on it i would agree Dunlap did not care to keep Stover. Does make me think many coaches across the country probably try to sell on developing a recruit's talents and making him a better basketball player, but not many of these coaches have been to the NBA like ours so we should have the edge there, as well as the campus being a resort in the middle LA.
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