Giveth

The MBB team has picked up 2 more players...at least one a small forward.  The portal closes on the 21st, and you can still sign guys after that and there's JUCO too.  BTW, a Simon post indicates 3 players were acquired, but I'm not aware of who it is.

One is Tristan Beckford, who is transferring from South Florida.  He's from Ontario.  He played internationally with Canada--where they are increasingly competitive--during the U18 AmeriCup, where they finished 3rd.  He led the team in scoring and rebounding.

He's a small forward at 6'5".  He played for a Prep Team in Phoenix.  He was a 3-star recruit (247) from there, and was offered by Minnesota, Boise, Arizona State, Arkansas State, Iowa, Mississippi State, Oregon, Grand Canyon, Pepperdine, and Seton Hall. He went to South Florida, where Bryan Hodgson was, but he moved on to Providence.

He did not do much for South Florida, playing 7 minutes a game for a good team.  It's interesting...he played four games in December...Charleson, Alabama, UMBC and Georgia College...even excluding the non D1 game, he played 61 minutes, scored 30 points and had 13 rebounds.  That was while Wes Enis was injured.  But it does show some production.  After that, he went to the bench and played very little after that.

So, you have a guy who was widely evaluated as having talent who did not play much for an #11 seed in the Tourney.  FWIW, Hodgson used his bench sparingly, at 27% of overall minutes.

The other is Juan Cranford, Jr, a 6'4 G who played last at EKU.  He played at St. Francis (PA) before that.  At EKU, he scored 12 PPG on 49% and 36% shooting.  Also, 79% at the line.  

At. St. Francis, he was All-Rookie in the nEC and was the tournament MVP, where he led them to the NCAA Tourney. 

HS-wise, he went to Wayne High School in Dayton. He was conference player of the year his senior year and was 3-time all-conference. He was unrated and St. Francis was his only recorded offer at 247.

The roster limit is 15.  FWIW, I am counting Spurgin as not on the roster since he was in Senior Day and listed as a senior.  We remain G-heavy and without a rim-protector.

  Confirmed back (5)

• Leach, G
• Shackelford, G
• Karel, F
• Goins, F
• Squire, F (Thanks to the commenter)

Incoming (5)

• Torbert, G
• Howell, G
• Simmons, G
• Cranbrook, G
• Beckford, F

No News (2)

• Dedivanaj, G
• Adem, G