ASU @ Louisiana-Monroe 3 PM EST Fant-Ewing Coliseum

[WataugaMan]

Going into this season, I wasn't sure we'd win three games after the dumpster fire Capel left us with. That Fox has gotten us to the number of wins we have and has gotten the team playing the way they are is nothing short of a miracle. This season has already exceeded my expectations. I am very happy with what he has done thus far and am looking forward to seeing what he can do with a few more arrows in the quiver.

Agreed, given the train wreck he inherited he has done a very good job squeezing blood from a turnip.

[AppinVA]

Going into this season, I wasn't sure we'd win three games after the dumpster fire Capel left us with. That Fox has gotten us to the number of wins we have and has gotten the team playing the way they are is nothing short of a miracle. This season has already exceeded my expectations. I am very happy with what he has done thus far and am looking forward to seeing what he can do with a few more arrows in the quiver.

Agreed, given the train wreck he inherited he has done a very good job squeezing blood from a turnip.

Or making chicken salad from...

[NewApp]

Just so we're reminded that Rome wasn't built in a day, Bobby Cremins' first season at App resulted in a 13-14 record.

I think we are all aware of where this program was when Fox took over. No one is critical of the job he has done. Moving forward he does need some help though.

The following post sounded critical:
"Not if you go by the last two games. That 11 point deficit is somewhat misleading. You can't win ball games when the opposition shoots 20% better than you do. This team competes but that isn't going to get it done on most nights, execution is lacking."

Perhaps it was not the intention of the writer, however.

[EastHallApp]

Ultimately, the key will be how well Coach Fox can recruit. We know he can coach.

Nearly half the roster is already made up of recruits from his first (abbreviated) class, so a big key will be how well he can develop those guys and how well they can fit themselves into his system.

I kind of thought Fox might leave a couple spots open this year to allow him more flexibility in future classes. Obviously he felt like he was able to find enough guys who could contribute to do otherwise. Barring unplanned attrition, that first class will continue to make up half the roster for the next few years. They could either be the core of Fox's rebuild, or an anchor that holds us back, depending on how they develop.

[Saint3333]

To me this will be Fox's first true recruiting class. He was hired last April and scrambled to find players to sign last year. Calling last year his first class isn't a true representation of how Fox recruits.

Much like Satt's first class in 2013, I look at the 2014 class as his first real class as recruiting starts almost a year before the signing date.

[hapapp]

Just so we're reminded that Rome wasn't built in a day, Bobby Cremins' first season at App resulted in a 13-14 record.

I think we are all aware of where this program was when Fox took over. No one is critical of the job he has done. Moving forward he does need some help though.

The following post sounded critical:
"Not if you go by the last two games. That 11 point deficit is somewhat misleading. You can't win ball games when the opposition shoots 20% better than you do. This team competes but that isn't going to get it done on most nights, execution is lacking."

Perhaps it was not the intention of the writer, however.

It was critical of the performances. Not sure what other conclusion one could get. I can tell you that Coach Fox was not pleased with the performance and the missed layups. It was not critical of the job Fox has done. I dare say we wouldn't have the recorded the victories that we have without him at the helm. However, nothing in my statement is inaccurate. When the opposition shoots 50% and we shoot 30%, the outcome is not likely in doubt. It is a true statement that we are last in the conference in shooting % and last in FG % defense. That has to improve in the future if we are to get beyond where we are. That is not say we won't improve in both areas next season, but the coach doesn't take the shots or defend against them. How well he recruits will determine our future.

I've been a number of games this season and hope to catch 2-3 more. I support the program, the players, and the coaches. I am positive we have a bright future but that doesn't mean that we don't have weaknesses that need to be overcome.

[NewApp]

Just so we're reminded that Rome wasn't built in a day, Bobby Cremins' first season at App resulted in a 13-14 record.

I think we are all aware of where this program was when Fox took over. No one is critical of the job he has done. Moving forward he does need some help though.

The following post sounded critical:
"Not if you go by the last two games. That 11 point deficit is somewhat misleading. You can't win ball games when the opposition shoots 20% better than you do. This team competes but that isn't going to get it done on most nights, execution is lacking."

Perhaps it was not the intention of the writer, however.

It was critical of the performances. Not sure what other conclusion one could get. I can tell you that Coach Fox was not pleased with the performance and the missed layups. It was not critical of the job Fox has done. I dare say we wouldn't have the recorded the victories that we have without him at the helm. However, nothing in my statement is inaccurate. When the opposition shoots 50% and we shoot 30%, the outcome is not likely in doubt. It is a true statement that we are last in the conference in shooting % and last in FG % defense. That has to improve in the future if we are to get beyond where we are. That is not say we won't improve in both areas next season, but the coach doesn't take the shots or defend against them. How well he recruits will determine our future.

I've been a number of games this season and hope to catch 2-3 more. I support the program, the players, and the coaches. I am positive we have a bright future but that doesn't mean that we don't have weaknesses that need to be overcome.

It was unclear where the team's performance and the coaches' performance ends.

[hapapp]

Just so we're reminded that Rome wasn't built in a day, Bobby Cremins' first season at App resulted in a 13-14 record.

I think we are all aware of where this program was when Fox took over. No one is critical of the job he has done. Moving forward he does need some help though.

The following post sounded critical:
"Not if you go by the last two games. That 11 point deficit is somewhat misleading. You can't win ball games when the opposition shoots 20% better than you do. This team competes but that isn't going to get it done on most nights, execution is lacking."

Perhaps it was not the intention of the writer, however.

It was critical of the performances. Not sure what other conclusion one could get. I can tell you that Coach Fox was not pleased with the performance and the missed layups. It was not critical of the job Fox has done. I dare say we wouldn't have the recorded the victories that we have without him at the helm. However, nothing in my statement is inaccurate. When the opposition shoots 50% and we shoot 30%, the outcome is not likely in doubt. It is a true statement that we are last in the conference in shooting % and last in FG % defense. That has to improve in the future if we are to get beyond where we are. That is not say we won't improve in both areas next season, but the coach doesn't take the shots or defend against them. How well he recruits will determine our future.

I've been a number of games this season and hope to catch 2-3 more. I support the program, the players, and the coaches. I am positive we have a bright future but that doesn't mean that we don't have weaknesses that need to be overcome.

It was unclear where the team's performance and the coaches' performance ends.

Go back and reread my posts. Not once did express any criticism of Coach Fox. I'm not sure why you found it unclear.

[EastHallApp]

To me this will be Fox's first true recruiting class. He was hired last April and scrambled to find players to sign last year. Calling last year his first class isn't a true representation of how Fox recruits.

Much like Satt's first class in 2013, I look at the 2014 class as his first real class as recruiting starts almost a year before the signing date.

Agreed, I wouldn't use last year as indicative of how future recruiting will go. My point was just that, having used six (?) scholarships in one class, and assuming they all stick around, Fox will only have a total of seven to use in the next three classes. So he'll need to be at least a little selective, and this year's freshmen will need to develop into the foundation of the team and program.

[Saint3333]

I believe he only used three scholarships in the 2014 class, Griffin, Babic, and Kostic.

And only 11 guys are on scholarship currently. With Tommy being the lone senior, he'll have three to give for 2015, a PG and SG have already signed with the last grant likely going to a forward.

[EastHallApp]

I believe he only used three scholarships in the 2014 class, Griffin, Babic, and Kostic.

And only 11 guys are on scholarship currently. With Tommy being the lone senior, he'll have three to give for 2015, a PG and SG have already signed with the last grant likely going to a forward.

Oh, I thought all the freshmen except Jackson were on scholarship. If it's just those three, then strike everything I said.

[asu66]

I've been messing around with this since last summer; trying to make sense of the "Grand Central Station" traffic in Coach Fox's office at HCC. He needs a traffic cop and an accountant to keep up with the player departures and arrivals on the basketball roster. Take a look.

Leaving
Canty (Drop-Out)
Scott (Drop-Out)
Baskin (Graduation)
Toney (Transfer to Georgia Highlands--JuCo)
Neal (Drop-Out)
Hamilton (Ruled Ineligible)

Returning
Spagnolo (Scholarship-Sixth Year Senior)
Burgess (Scholarship)
Clarke (W/O Transfer from Hartford as Soph) Awarded Scholarship by Fox????
Eaves (Scholarship)
Gilbert (Scholarship)
Kobani (Scholarship)
Lawson (Scholarship)
Obacha (Scholarship)

Arriving
Kinney (Scholarship)
Kostic (Scholarship)
Babic (Scholarship)
Jackson (W/O Transfer from NC Sate)
Hodson (W/O Late Signee)
Goesling (W/O Late Signee)
Sanders (W/O Late Signee)
Mosser (W/O Mid-Year Transfer from Mercer)

2015 Early Signees
Logan (Scholarship)
Shabazz (Scholarship)

2015 Late Signee (April 15, 2015)
TBA (Scholarship)

There are two issues that I haven't resolved...(1) Has Dustin Clarke been awarded a scholarship? He came to ASU as a walk/on (W/O); and (2) VerbalCommits.com is reporting that four (4) freshmen are on scholarship--meaning that either Jackson, Hodson, Goesling or Sanders is receiving a grant in addition to Babic, Kinney and Kostic. If this is true, who is the other scholarship player?

We can't have it both ways. If Clarke has been awarded a scholarship, there isn't one for another of the freshmen as reported by Verbal Commits. On the other hand, if Clarke remains a W/O, then which of those four freshmen has the remaining scholarship? Methinks VerbalCommits has it wrong.

Regardless of the confusion, it does seem correct that 12 scholarship players are in the fold for next season and that Coach Fox will fill one remaining scholarship for 2015 in April. He'll have to decide on his biggest need. Does he need a big, sharp-shooting wing or does he need another versatile small forward who can play the 3, 4 and maybe the 5?

[T-Dog]

Clarke got a scholarship over the summer.

V/C shows that Goesling is the fourth scholarship player. He was added after the signing period so I don't know if he is or not.

Tab is still on scholarship as it's important for him to graduate.

I'll ask Fox tonight to confirm one way or the other.

[asu66]

Clarke got a scholarship over the summer.

V/C shows that Goesling is the fourth scholarship player. He was added after the signing period so I don't know if he is or not.

Tab is still on scholarship as it's important for him to graduate.

I'll ask Fox tonight to confirm one way or the other.

Yeah, please check it out. By my count, Clarke and Goesling put us at 13. With Hamilton and Spagnolo leaving and Logan and Shabazz arriving; we'll still be at 13. Unless a scholarship player transfers over the summer, we're done with '15 recruiting. The reason I question Clarke and Goesling is that Coach Fox is still making offers to '15 prospects. I reference the two JuCo kids (Moneke and Vanhook) and the kid at Huntington Prep (Cook) who plays with Shabazz.

One scary way that it could work is IF either Logan or Shabazz fail to qualify or if one of 'em pulls a "dat kid dtae" move on us and requests a release.

[TheMackAttack]

It's also possible that Clarke and Goesling got scholarships because they were available and might give them up if we bring in new recruits. Wes Miller did something similar a few years ago at UNC.

[T-Dog]

Fox is looking to bring in two more recruits in the late signing period. How the math will get him there is up in the air cause both Clarke and Goesling are currently on scholarship.

[EastHallApp]

Fox is looking to bring in two more recruits in the late signing period. How the math will get him there is up in the air cause both Clarke and Goesling are currently on scholarship.

Pretty common for a coach to offer one or more walk-ons a scholarship for one year when he has them to give, with the understanding that they'll go back to paying their own way the following year if the coach uses those ships on new recruits.

[T-Dog]

That's what I figure will happen if no one leaves.

[asu66]

Thanks, T-dog, for checking that out with Coach Fox. What you're saying makes sense up to the point where the coach has to play the negative role of "Indian-giver" and take back a benefit players believe they have earned. I know, I know--contract-wise in the NCAA, scholarships are awarded one year at a time and must be renewed annually. It'll just be a bitter pill to swallow for the player who has to find the cash to pay (possibly) out-of-state tuition, room and board. It could, but hopefully won't, affect team chemistry.

Our scholarship players who rarely make the rotation now, need to do some long and substantive soul searching about their realistic chance for playing time with as many as four new players taking the practice court next October. They may find that a transfer elsewhere is in their best interest insofar as basketball is concerned. That would take the pressure off of Coach JF--of becoming the bearer of bad news. I know he's up to the task if he finds it to be in the best interest of his program--but it would still be hard for him to do.

[EastHallApp]

What you're saying makes sense up to the point where the coach has to play the negative role of "Indian-giver" and take back a benefit players believe they have earned. I know, I know--contract-wise in the NCAA, scholarships are awarded one year at a time and must be renewed annually.

Yes, technically all athletic scholarships are annually renewable, but that's not really what we're talking about. An athlete who's recruited on scholarship certainly expects to have that scholarship available for the duration of his eligibility.

What I was referring to - and again, I don't know if this is what Fox did with Clarke and Goesling - is when a coach has an available scholarship at the start of the season, he can approach a walk-on and offer him that free ride for one year. There is nothing promised or implied beyond that year. It's a bonus - the coach chooses to give a kid a free year when the alternative was to not use the scholarship at all. But it's always understood that the coach will not be holding that spot for him in future years, so he's not "taking back" anything.