Zink

Pretty sure UMB stands for United Mercantile Banker's... Edit: my bad, it stands for United Missouri Bank (Bank). Guess I was just hoping that they weren't that dumb.

yes we are

If you watch the full game videos of his Tipton team (there are a number of them on youtube), you will notice that Mike takes the tip to open the game and then brings the ball up for his team regularly throughout the rest of the game. He did it all for that team, including handle the ball to answer Clock. Also, echoing a point made earlier in this thread, as we have seen with Evans, having a guy who can score in the post (regardless of whether he is playing 3/4 or for Crawford, probably the 2/3) creates a serious match-up problem. I can see Crawford attacking other wings in the post, as he has phenomenal footwork and great touch around the hoop.

And he (Marcus Bartley) seems like more of a point than Roby (at least from highlight videos). He can handle the ball and pass, and also looks to have credible range. Bartley would be a solid get.

Ahead of Dempsey? Or are you thinking we change formations/put Dempsey on the wing?

Don't know if this will stick for the final roster, but Crawford is listed at 6'5" while both Tanner and Reggie are at 6'8". I believe these match the reports coming out of high school, so we shall see if they shrink upon arrival or not. Will Crews continue RM's tradition?

Do you have a reason for saying this? As Brian pointed out, it appears to be 50/50 unless there is more to it than SLU vs X...

Great response on ESPN, RU. I was about to add a comment but you pretty much summed it up perfectly. Well put.

Yup

Fr Anderson was a really great prof and taught one of my history classes at SLU. He left sometime while I was there to do a sabbatical at Boston College, I believe, and didn't return. He wrote some recommendations for me, and was a kind, friendly person who I respected very much and learned a great deal from. It doesn't surprise me that he would be the one to stand up to Biondi, as he was arrested protesting at the SOA back in the day. Hopefully his courage is contagious and more people put pressure on the few who actually do have authority over Biondi.

I actually had the opposite reaction - he can put the ball on the floor better than Cody did and seems much quicker/bouncier too. Not quite as big of a frame either, although Cody added bulk over his time here and I would expect this Lancona fellow to do the same. He does have good looking form from deep, and is about the same height as Cody, but seems to bring another element with his proclivity to attack the basket, rather than always settle for jumpers (at least in the highlight reels).

...werewolf strong

Completely agree

We'll have five schollies to offer to next year's class (at least). I doubt we will miss out on anyone we really want/need because there isn't an open spot for them.

Austin McBroom will be eligible and will most likely be our third guard. Plus he would have to pass Jake Barnett, who can play a few minutes/game at the two. Plus Jared Drew will be competing for the same kind of minutes. That 2/3 spot will be rather backed up next season.And Carter wasn't even really part of the rotation during his short time here.

If there is a 50% chance that something will happen, there may or may not be be a 50% chance that it won't

welcome to the board! I think what you are seeing is a general reluctance to anoint any incoming player - being a Billiken fan is hard work, as you can see by carefully examining a number of the posters' mottoes/quotes sections. Also the "Show-Me" attitude is hard at work here. That said, I think a lot of us are really excited to see a proven winner join our team, and a guy who knows how to put the ball in the hoop. From the limited video I have seen of Mike, it looks like he scored mostly by attacking the basket. Does he have a reliable outside shot? That sort of shooting ability is more likely to translate at the next level, as in college he will definitely be up against tall, fast and strong players every game. If they can lay off him on the perimeter, he will have a harder time making an impact.

I am! Ed Davis threw me off for a second earlier; he runs like Willie and I have a very pixelated feed...

I see Mike as a high-floor player. Worst case scenario, he is a glue guy at the swingman position and a rotation player for his last two years. Best case, he is a mismatch at the 2/3, can stroke it from downtown and is a 3-4 year rotation player and 1-2 year starter. He will have a tough time breaking into the rotation this year, as will be the case for all of our frosh. We will have talent from top-to-bottom at every position, and the only place we might need help will be at the 4/5. Mike is another guy who I am excited to see develop over the next four years.

Posted a question on the live chat being held at ESPN.com with some of the leading college bball writers, got these replies... any idea on what to expect out of SLU? Reggie Agbeko verballed and Coach Crews mentioned that we should expect another signing in the coming week... AdamFinkelstein: Agbeko was a good late find for St. Louis. Will be able to rebound the ball in high volume from day one. davetelep: SLU has been searching for players. In terms of who they are going to sign, can't say. Know they were scowering best availables lists and that also could mean they got a little something cooking overseas.

Can't wait to see him play the next four years. Glad you're a Billiken, Reggie.

Most of those '14 players were highlighted in a post in the "Rammer" thread as higher ranked guys who we are going after.

Ibrahim Djambo is a possibility (although he previously stated that he would pick a school on 4/30 and has yet to visit SLU). Also, the Strawberry kid is coming (has come?) in for a visit. Daishon Knight is listed as having "high" interest in us on verbalcommits.com. I might still be missing someone, but I believe that sums up everyone on the radar.

This. He looks more like a stretch 4 on offense (based on his stats), and someone who would rely more on length than strength defensively. I think he would complement Agbeko nicely.

To add a point, we are actually going after some "higher caliber" recruits in this years Jr class. JP Macura is getting looked at by Big 10 schools and wants to sign before his Sr season starts (has been a recipe for past successes, eg MM). Sean O'Mara is just outside of the top 100 nationally, and is a top 10 center. Jordan Barnett is well within the top 100. Even if we don't sign any of these guys, we are competing locally and nationally for guys who fit the SLU ethos and have the talent to contribute over the four years they will be on campus. We are moving up the food chain, step-by-step.