So who gets cut?

[bulldogbaja]

do we have any players capable of qualifying for an academic scholarship, or affording their own way?

 

[bulldogbaja]

do we have any players capable of qualifying for an academic scholarship, or affording their own way?

 

[Bulldog from Birth]

Jaquiesque Holcombe. And it shouldn't cost us any points with future recruits if we just say, "that's the risk you run if you're going to come into the program and be a screwup."

BFB

 

[bulldogbaja]

he didn't play enough last year to really tell if he's any good, but he has to be better than Beckham. Plus he is supposedly the most popular player on the team; that seems like it could lead to conflict. I liked the spark he brought off of the bench early last season. I would tell Beckham you're not cut, but if you want a scholarship, start studying.

 

[Todd4State]

Problem is there are roster limits. So, whether the guys can stay in school with or without their scholarship isn't going to make a huge difference for many of them.

It's hard to tell at this point because we have to figure out first of all, who of our returnees wants to come back. I imagine that a few guys will transfer, possibly some of the guys who have contributed a lot this year.

Then we have to figure out if Conner Powers is going to sign with MLB- and I think he will for the record. I don't know that anyone else will get drafted, although there could be a team that takes a flier on a Rickey Bowen, or a Jet Butler. Even better, it's also going to depend on how many recruits we lose to the MLB draft. From what I have heard, we should be able to get all of our high school guys into school. We'll see though.

Now the numbers game- we lose nine seniors. We have signed 16 players so far, and are probably going to sign two more this year from what I have been hearing. We have three invited walk-ons that I know of. That comes out to a grand total of 21 new players.

So, 9 seniors + 1 Conner Powers + 3 guys that just leave on their own (I've only heard the rumor on here about Forrest Moore and Cody Freeman. I threw in Rickey Bowen for ***** and giggles, whether true or not, we're likely to lose this many players anyway) comes out to 13 players leaving on their own, which leaves us with 22 players still on the team.

Now, 22 players still here + 21 new players = 43. So, 43-35=8. So, roughly eight players will be cut depending on a variety of factors. Or should I say eight pitchers not named Nick Routt. Our recruiting class is primarily pitchers, and we're still trying to sign more.

Your answer is 8.

 

[Todd4State]

I feel like Troy McClure.

 

[BlindDawg]

So getting hurt and basically not playing at all the whole year equates to being a screw up now? I know he got suspended for a game or two for supposedly punching out Beckham, but that one incident is far from making him a screw up. I don't know who gets cut, but I doubt its Holcombe. I could be wrong though. He just seems like a popular guy with his teammates, and Stansbury has spoken highly of him from the start. If he were a RS Freshman, I might could see it, but since he'll be a RS Junior next year, I expect him to be around. Anyone know if Bolen is on scholarship? I want to say he was, but I could be wrong. If that's the case, he's obviously the cut, but if he's not on scholly, I really don't know who the odd man out is.

 

[bulldogbaja]

It has to be Wendell Lewis or Shaunessy Smith, or at least a greyshirt.

 

[BCash]

..I can't see us giving up a scholly or asking Smith the greyshirt.

In a different direction, has anyone noticed that the current Rivals #1 recruit in the nation for 2011 is 6'8" guard from Jackson? I know he's still young, but I would love to make it deep this year and go ahead and get a commit from him during his junior season. Not far fetched as we will probably smoke OM and we have a record of getting the top players in state in basketball.

 

[mstateglfr]

do we have any players capable of qualifying for an academic scholarship, or affording their own way?

None of the players could qualify for an academic scholarship without it still counting towards the team's total allowable scholarships.
If the player is recruited, they cant be on a seperate academic scholarship.

If they were able to do that, teams would have 15 scholarship players or more.

 

[38843dawg]

more than likely we will send Wendell Lewis to prep school.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

Anyone know if Bolen is on scholarship? I want to say he was, but I could be wrong. If that's the case, he's obviously the cut, but if he's not on scholly, I really don't know who the odd man out is.

Bolen not on scholarship. He's a walkon from MRA.

1. Holcombe
2. Varnado
3. Turner
4. Beckham
5. Augustus
6. Ravern Johnson
7. Brian Johnson
8. Osby
9. Bost
10. Eglin Bailey
11. Stewart
12. Benock

We are one under the limit. If we add S. Smith and W. Lewis, we will be at 13 because B. Johnson graduates. Renardo would make 14 so someone must go.

 

[drummer8806]

If you look a little farther down that list a guy from Cleveland, MS comes in at #9. And if you look at ESPN's top 25 players for 2011, you'll find 3 Mississippi kids and 1 from Alabama. Hopefully 2011 will be a big recruiting year for us in basketball.

 

[VegasDawg13]

You can't cut Beckham. He's one of two point guards on the team. What if Bost gets hurt for a few games?

Let's not forget that he was a true freshman playing point guard. That's an extremely difficult task. We saw Bost do it at a very high level and forget that's it's not a very common thing. We need Beckham to develop into a serviceable backup for Bost, and a rough freshman year is hardly proof that he won't.</p>

 

[Paper Dog]

nt

 

[DAWG61]

he is probably the 9th guy off the bench behind Osby, Bailey, and Augustus. He is comfortably on the team. Send Lewis to prep school for the year.

 

[BlindDawg]

You're right. I don't get why people want to dismiss Beckham already when he's only had one year. As you said, playing PG as a freshman especially in the SEC is very difficult, which makes what Bost did last year that much more impressive. But just because Bost adjusted quickly and Beckham didn't doesn't mean that he'll never amount to anything. He did some good things last year, and I think he'll develop into a good, solid backup for us.

 

[RowdieDawg05]

I'm also thinking Wendell Lewis to prep school...

1. We needed a player down low for the coming year.. position will be filled by Renardo Sidney.. with possibly he and Varnado leaving after this year.. thats when Lewis steps back in..

2. Avoids the APR hit from cutting a player.. it'd be a double hit on the APR if we cut a player for Sidney and then he left after one year..

 

[lawdawg02]

not only would we be in better shape on the court this season, these recruits would see us as a basketball power who can play (and recruit) with the big boys. there is some serious talent coming through MS, and we need to get them to come to starkville.

 

[SallyStansbury]

I would rather see Barry (5-10 min) at the point ala Zim or Bowers rather than Beckham. This would give Barry his minutes that you know Stans will insist upon, and it frees up a few min at the 2 for Turner / Ravern / Benock (assuming Smith redshirts). Turner at the 2 would give additional minutes to Osby at the 3. On my team next year, Ravern would be in big trouble if he didn't get in the weight room and learn how to play defense. Turner will be looking for minutes, because the days of him playing power forward are over if we get Sidney. Plus, sticking Barry at the point gives him the leadership role, but takes pressure off of Randy to create/score. We should have plenty of people that can do that next year. Beckham is the odd man out as I see it. Does that mean it will happen, no.

 

[ErickaDampier25]

Twanny Beckham was hands down the worst player that set foot on any SEC floor this year..at no time did he do anything that even remotely resembled skills in which an SEC point guard should have..he is 6'5" and plays like hes 5'5"..if he were to be let go, we would not miss him, rest assured..that is all

 

[JacksonDevilDog]

Stewart can work the point, but not for an extended period of time. Same with Turner.

 

[BCash]

If Ross and O'bryant remain 5* recruits, picking up 2 five stars along with the obligatory 4 stars that Stans usually picks up? Now is definitely the time if there ever was one for Stans to grab the SEC by the horns. If we get Sidney and he performs to his potential, that would catapult us to national prominence. Then with a potentially sick 2011 class, the sky is the limit.

 

[SallyStansbury]

Worst case for us is if Bost got hurt.....

I don't know if I like Phil Turner as a back up there either. I prefer Phil @ 2 or 3. Turner might be able to give a few min at the point if he had to, but what team is ever 3-4 deep at the point?

Speaking of, I have to hand it to Olemiss last year 24 was a bad man as a backup point. I was beyond impressed with the job he did.

I say it comes down to this: Phil Turner is better at the 2 than Twanny is at the point. Plus we are searching for a place to get Turner minutes. Problem solved. Plus, to me, Stewart is a little better at running the point than Twanny. So it is a no-brainer.</p>

 

[BriantheDawg]

And just think, had we not made our run in the SECT, Kodi may be gone and Sidney may not be looking at us as a potential Top 15 team next year, therefore looking elsewhere. Funny how things work out. Sidney signing would be huge for the reasons you stated. The 2011 class in MS is going to have 3 national recruits that Stans could possibly sign. This would show them that we can get the big boys to Starkville and we'd also have a good shot of having 2 1st round draft picks right before that class graduates. Of course, as it always does, something will go wrong and Sidney will sign elsewhere. I'll still like our team to do fairly well next season, but this is they guy who can get us to 'the next level'.

 

[fishwater99]

I have seen him and other assistant coaches already talking to them..

Smith - Callaway
Ross - Murrah
Ammons - Vicksburg
Hood - Meridian
Adams - Brandon

That's five right there for 2011, you sign them and it's like the Fab 5 of Mississippi.

 

[ErickaDampier25]

agreed..turner has to be on the floor in some capacity..he was our most valuable player down the stretch with his toughness and intensity..twanny beckham sucks and should never see the floor..he is on par with guy gardener and roy goffer..horrendous..with all the talent we have on the roster, you play who's best, even if theyre a tad out of position..twanny maravich is not in that equation..

 

[Todd4State]

Look at Phil Turner and Dietric Slater as examples. They looked like guys that weren't going to do much as Fr., but their So. years, they improved greatly.

I don't know if Twany will turn out like that, but at the same time, it's too early to dismiss him.

 

[Seinfeld]

Twanny Beckham was hands down the worst player that set foot on any SEC floor this year..at no time did he do anything that even remotely resembled skills in which an SEC point guard should have..he is 6'5" and plays like hes 5'5"..if he were to be let go, we would not miss him, rest assured..that is all

This is 100% accurate. Twanny Beckham made Gary "Out of Control" Ervin look like a ballerina and Jamont "Jack it up" Gordon look like definition of patience. I'll allow for a lot of mistakes when you're thrown into the fire as a freshman. Beckham, however, took into another level. Frankly, at no point last season did I ever see a reason that he should even be on scholarship.

I would feel more comfortable with Turner, Stewart, or even Benock running the point than putting the ball in Twanny's hands.

 

[bulldogbaja]

at least we would have fewer turnovers

 

[studentdawg87]

I think he will be a solid role player in time, it might just take a little while. The most likely scenario would seems to be sending Lewis to prep school or grey-shirting him.