As the Portal Turns...MBB Incoming!

Well, this is interesting. 

Earlier Saturday, Coach Simon put the bat signal into the air that a new verbal had been acquired.  A couple hours later, it was revealed.  And it is a very interesting young man.

His name is Marcus Johnson, a 6'7", 265 forward who was playing DII ball for Wheeling.  So, that's a pretty big guy, especially when you see that he shot 44.7% from 3FG.  At that size and that ability to shoot the ball, he represents an immediate matchup challenge for an opposing defenses.  He averaged 21.7 PPG and 7.6 RPG.  That's #14 in the nation in scoring.  His 3FG would have been top 10, but he missed the minimum by .5 made 3FGs.   He also made 91% of his FTs, which is #6 in the nation.

He made 49.5% of his 2FGs.

You can check the photo gallery out here...he's a full-grown man.

Yes, that's in DII.  I would point you to JT Shumate from that other school as an example of a player making the jump and there have to be others.

He went to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, high school of MAC greats Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce. 

So, right now, this is what we have:

1. Trey Thomas, holdover
2. Sam Towns, holdover
3. Da'Jion Humphrey, holdover
4. Greg Spurgin, holdover
5. Jamai Felt, holdover, injured for 2 years
6. Marcus Johnson, F (Wheeling)
7. Youseff Khayat, F (UM)
8. Javontae Campbell, G (JUCO #67)
9. Braelon Green, G (AZ State)
10. Brandon Jaxon Pardon, HS
11. Preston Squire, C (JUCO #40 JUCO Player)

A couple of observations.  First, we are still out working the portal and JUCO ranks (and who knows what else) to bring in players.  If all the players listed above are on scholarship, than we have 2 more to give.  More if one of them is not.

Second, I think we are starting to see the outlines of a roster that is more in line with what we were expecting from the new regime.  Simon says we want to space the floor and attack the gaps.  Khayat, Squire, Johnson and Pardon look to up the 3FG game, while Campbell and Green are likely to get to the rim.  You have Thomas to help distribute...and FWIW, he made 40% from 3FG as a FR in the SEC, but 32% last year.  Towns supports the inside.  Felt has real ability if he is healthy.

And there could be two more players.

Stay tuned!