Re: Ivan Johnson commits to UC

[Brett Pappas]

I feel the same way about these guys compared to past recruits like
Whaley and even guys like Boggans who we 'missed' out on. I love
seeing the 14 rebounds next to each of their names regardless of what
level they did it at.

Heck, it's nice to see someone that can average 14 in high school if
for no other reason than because it shows effort. Huggins has said
many times that rebounding is mostly about effort and not talent.

Truth be told, I would bet that a guy like Whaley could get battle
someone like Ivan for a rebound and come out on top 90% of the time.
The difference is a guy like Whaley will only try hard enough to do
that once or twice a game where guys like Hicks (and hopefully Ivan)
do it on every missed shot. I will take results over potential every
day.

I know you were asking about any successful Div II JC players making
an impact in college but I will at least throw out a Div. II college
player who is making an impact in the NBA with Ben Wallace. So at
least there is some precedence for making a bigger jump and having
success doing so.

--Brett

On 5/3/05, Michael W Pickens <address@hidden> wrote:
>  
> Okay so I'm a little excited about getting these last two recruits to help
> Hicks down low in the post.  Should I be?  I was never overly excited about
> Whaleys numbers because he scored 16.9 points and had only 7.7 rebounds per
> game.  Hardly what one would think could translate into someone who could
> help Max.  However, Johnson and Harris both sound like they like to get
> rebounds.  Johnson 25 points and 14 rebounds and Harris with 26 points and
> 14 rebounds.  I would like to see their shooting percentages though.  The
> question becomes how do you compare the competition.  Johnson and Whaley
> might be a lot easier to do that with.  Mike Ryan can you help with that
> one.  Harris is a different case though.  Div II has to be consider lower
> ball then Juco right?  Still he is 6'11 and has had some success.  Do we
> have any examples of DII players having any success at DI?  At the very
> least we should be able to find someone in the mix of new guys to help Hicks
> out this year.  If Armein and James decide to rebound more this year it
> could be a good rebounding team.