When are we going to get more recruits or transfers? Times running out.

There's never really a time to panic. In recent memory, didn't Mychal Green and Jerome Tillman sign near or during the summer?

Is it? We lost two players (assuming Simmons comes back) from the regular rotation that we had at the end of the year and are bringing in four players (3 freshman and James Gollon).

Guards
Simmons
Dartis
Butler
Gollon

Forwards
Block
Carter
Laster
Taylor
Vander Plas
Gareri

We also have Ellis Dozier but I didn't include him because I don't believe he'll be part of the regular rotation. We'll probably go with an 8 man rotation so using all our remaining scholarships this year isn't a must IMO. I wouldn't mind seeing us grab a good young true PG so he can have a year as an understudy to Jaaron.

What about the thought of upgrading at some positions? Afterall, after watching the 68 teams in the NCAA as well as several in the NIT, I just don't see the depth of talent returning for Ohio being able to match up with what I saw from these teams playing in March.

Here are some late period dates from the last few years for context.

In 2014 we signed Mike Laster on 5/3
Jaaron Simmons committed on 5/5
We offered Ryan Taylor on 4/13 and he committed on 5/13
Saul announced the Chandler Thomas signing on 5/29
Kenny Kaminski committed on 8/25

In 2013 Khari Harley committed on 8/28

In 2012 we offered Travis Wilkins on 4/25, he committed on 5/2
Treg Setty was assumed to commit on 5/20, officially announced on 6/11

Today's date is 4/7, signing day is 4/12. No need to panic.

First off, we should be better at four of our five starting positions (assuming Simmons is back) just with one more year of experience. My point was that we don't necessarily have to bring in bodies just to fill the open spots. If we can grab guys that will contribute next season then by all means do it but there certainly is no reason to panic.

I actually could see a 9-man rotation at least..maybe 10. We will start Darty, Simmons, Carter, Block and probably Laster. Then off the bench you've got Butler, Doug, Gollon and 1 or both of Vander Plas and Gareri. Gareri is not as quick as Carter but he can contribute and from what people are saying, Vander Plas sounds like he's ready to go now. I'm not saying these guys will play a ton but Jaaron and Dartis can get some more breaks now and average 35 minutes instead of 39 per game.

I'm telling you now that the odds of the starting lineup being Simmons, Dartis, Carter, Block, Laster is EXTREMELY small. That's a very small lineup with 3 bigs on the bench. Taylor, Vanden Plas, Gareri or some yet to be signed big are going to get starts. All the guys you mention are likely to play a ton, and that's all that really matters. I'm excited to see how Mr. Laster performs in his Senior season. He made big strides last year.




I agree we haven't see anything in the first three years, but assuming at least one other player who will contribute from day one gets signed this spring, I think we'll finally see some depth getting used.

Somewhere in a past thread, I shared about how in some of Saul's years at NDSU he had 9-10 guys get 10min+ in a game. It would be nice to get into a situation where Simmons and Dartis aren't playing 34-35mpg, or more. No matter how well conditioned they are, and how big of competitors they are, they have to wear down a little as a result of that.