nvspuds wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:56 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:27 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:02 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

I was confused too but I think the problem is the NCAA only allows 15 players on the roster. This signing means 16, so even though we are ok with 13 scholarship players we have one too many players total. Either we found a loophole or one of our players is not coming back or coming to begin with.

I too was under the impression that only 15 players could be carried on the roster. However, in taking a look at rosters from around the area, I've found that byu AND utah carried 17 dudes in 2019-20. Nevada currently has 16 on its 2020-21 roster.

Nevada has 15 on the roster. Harris is gone.

The Pack will have 11 scholarship guys on the active roster and one sit out transfer. 3 Walk Ons.

Ok. Thanks for the info!

I'm not very familiar with the European leagues and which basketball leagues are considered to have the best talent, etc. but I did recognize Sam Dekker, who was an NBA role player for several years, playing on Zakhar's team in this video. Alan Williams was also on the Lokomotiv Kuban roster (played several years in the NBA). Will Cummings was also on the roster. He had a nice college career at Temple and bounced around some NBA summer league/G-League teams before landing in Europe. Zakhar will be bringing valuable experience with him to the Aggies.

aggies95 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 7:58 am

I'm not very familiar with the European leagues and which basketball leagues are considered to have the best talent, etc. but I did recognize Sam Dekker, who was an NBA role player for several years, playing on Zakhar's team in this video. Alan Williams was also on the Lokomotiv Kuban roster (played several years in the NBA). Will Cummings was also on the roster. He had a nice college career at Temple and bounced around some NBA summer league/G-League teams before landing in Europe. Zakhar will be bringing valuable experience with him to the Aggies.

His dad is also president I believe I read.

Overall I think this is a nice signing (love the shooting we have for next year).

It will be interesting with the world we currently live in if we can get visas etc and get all of these international players over here.

Highlights against USA in FIBA U19 for anyone that's interested. He really got it going in the 3rd quarter.

aggies95 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 8:20 am

Highlights against USA in FIBA U19 for anyone that's interested. He really got it going in the 3rd quarter.

https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2 ... USA-Russia
To see who he faced in that game
https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2 ... tab=roster

More Highights

With the timing of this, earlier statements from Smith and the belief that the roster for this year was set, I just have to think that the staff thought this was an opportunity too good to pass up. I'm not a fan of his shooting mechanics, but if it works...who cares?

Man that shot gives me the willies. Hope he works out.

So it is confirmed that no other roster changes have happened? Everyone that we thought was going to be on the roster is still there? We just add the Ruskie?

Yossarian wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 10:59 am

So it is confirmed that no other roster changes have happened? Everyone that we thought was going to be on the roster is still there? We just add the Ruskie?

That is correct.

A Russian, a Ukrainian, and a Pole all in the same recruiting class. The dynamics outside of basketball here could be interesting. Hopefully there isn’t any political tension with the Russian. Basketball seems to help erase those kinds of things. The greatness about team sports.

I think Zakhar is a great get and will be pretty game ready this year (no need to redshirt) considering the competition he’s been playing against. The kid does not hesitate to pull the trigger from deep.

Balla'

AGGIEinIOWA wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 11:32 am

A Russian, a Ukrainian, and a Pole all in the same recruiting class. The dynamics outside of basketball here could be interesting. Hopefully there isn’t any political tension with the Russian. Basketball seems to help erase those kinds of things. The greatness about team sports.

I think Zakhar is a great get and will be pretty game ready this year (no need to redshirt) considering the competition he’s been playing against. The kid does not hesitate to pull the trigger from deep.

I would say there is far more political tension just within the USA than there is between those countries.

I do think several of these foreign players need some lessons on the fundamentals of shooting mechanics. Ultimately, though, the idea is to put the ball through the hoop. You don't get more points for style. As long as the motion is controlled and repeatable, keep doing what you're doing.

Seems like a solid get. Be interesting to see what Coach Smith does with the backcourt. The group is extremely young, but seem to be talented. This recruit seems like he can come in play right away due to his professional experience. Excited for the upcoming year.

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:27 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:02 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

I was confused too but I think the problem is the NCAA only allows 15 players on the roster. This signing means 16, so even though we are ok with 13 scholarship players we have one too many players total. Either we found a loophole or one of our players is not coming back or coming to begin with.

I too was under the impression that only 15 players could be carried on the roster. However, in taking a look at rosters from around the area, I've found that byu AND utah carried 17 dudes in 2019-20.

Wonder if there is no limit or some kind of loop hole.

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:12 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:27 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:02 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

I was confused too but I think the problem is the NCAA only allows 15 players on the roster. This signing means 16, so even though we are ok with 13 scholarship players we have one too many players total. Either we found a loophole or one of our players is not coming back or coming to begin with.

I too was under the impression that only 15 players could be carried on the roster. However, in taking a look at rosters from around the area, I've found that byu AND utah carried 17 dudes in 2019-20.

Wonder if there is no limit or some kind of loop hole.

I'm wondering if teams are only allowed to dress 15?

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:22 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:12 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:27 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:02 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

I was confused too but I think the problem is the NCAA only allows 15 players on the roster. This signing means 16, so even though we are ok with 13 scholarship players we have one too many players total. Either we found a loophole or one of our players is not coming back or coming to begin with.

I too was under the impression that only 15 players could be carried on the roster. However, in taking a look at rosters from around the area, I've found that byu AND utah carried 17 dudes in 2019-20.

Wonder if there is no limit or some kind of loop hole.

I'm wondering if teams are only allowed to dress 15?

They're only allowed to give shoes to 12.

Yossarian wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:24 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:22 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:12 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:27 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:02 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

I was confused too but I think the problem is the NCAA only allows 15 players on the roster. This signing means 16, so even though we are ok with 13 scholarship players we have one too many players total. Either we found a loophole or one of our players is not coming back or coming to begin with.

I too was under the impression that only 15 players could be carried on the roster. However, in taking a look at rosters from around the area, I've found that byu AND utah carried 17 dudes in 2019-20.

Wonder if there is no limit or some kind of loop hole.

I'm wondering if teams are only allowed to dress 15?

They're only allowed to give shoes to 12.

Yikes! Let's hope some of them wear the same size and then they can just switch off at the scorer's table.

slcagg wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 4:08 pm

SlumJum wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 4:06 pm

slcagg wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 3:59 pm

16=15?

That was my question too. What don't we know yet? Who is not coming back next year?

Yeah not coming back or maybe just not coming? I guess we will find out if this is legit and how it all shakes out soon enough.

Please let it be Miller.

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:25 pm

Yossarian wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:24 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:22 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 2:12 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 10:27 pm

nswaggie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:02 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

I was confused too but I think the problem is the NCAA only allows 15 players on the roster. This signing means 16, so even though we are ok with 13 scholarship players we have one too many players total. Either we found a loophole or one of our players is not coming back or coming to begin with.

I too was under the impression that only 15 players could be carried on the roster. However, in taking a look at rosters from around the area, I've found that byu AND utah carried 17 dudes in 2019-20.

Wonder if there is no limit or some kind of loop hole.

I'm wondering if teams are only allowed to dress 15?

They're only allowed to give shoes to 12.

Yikes! Let's hope some of them wear the same size and then they can just switch off at the scorer's table.

Queta's proficient at losing shoes. Does anyone else have canoe-sized feet?

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:22 pm

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

At this point in time, I think the coaching staff is finding it easier to recruit elite international talent to Logan.

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:42 pm

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:22 pm

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

At this point in time, I think the coaching staff is finding it easier to recruit elite international talent to Logan.

From the time I spent outside the US, cultural differences can really cause clashes between people. I think Utah State has a real advantage here. If I was looking to go play college ball in another country a diverse team would be very attractive to me. Especially knowing that the coaching stuff isn't gonna think of me any different because of where I am from. Not only do we have foreign players, but players who have spent significant time outside the country (i.e. Mission) as well!

Coming to logan from Irkutsk must be different than coming to logan from San Diego...

Dkdavis wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 4:02 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:42 pm

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:22 pm

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

At this point in time, I think the coaching staff is finding it easier to recruit elite international talent to Logan.

From the time I spent outside the US, cultural differences can really cause clashes between people. I think Utah State has a real advantage here. If I was looking to go play college ball in another country a diverse team would be very attractive to me. Especially knowing that the coaching stuff isn't gonna think of me any different because of where I am from. Not only do we have foreign players, but players who have spent significant time outside the country (i.e. Mission) as well!

Too bad Abel isn’t still on the team. He went on his mission to Russia if I remember correctly.

flying_scotsman2.0 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 4:09 pm

Coming to logan from Irkutsk must be different than coming to logan from San Diego...

Ever played the board game of risk?

Otlichno!

The Russki (may be a stretch, but I wonder if Abel helped out with the recruiting at all), the Pol and the Ukrainian will probably get along well. Not worried about that.

918AGG wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 5:05 pm

Otlichno!

The Russki (may be a stretch, but I wonder if Abel helped out with the recruiting at all), the Pol and the Ukrainian will probably get along well. Not worried about that.

Unless Max Shulga decides to complain about Putin annexing part of his country, I imagine they'll get along swimmingly.

slcagg wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 4:23 pm

flying_scotsman2.0 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 4:09 pm

Coming to logan from Irkutsk must be different than coming to logan from San Diego...

Ever played the board game of risk?

No, but I’ve played Scrabble and these last names have too many consonants and not enough vowels.

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:42 pm

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:22 pm

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

At this point in time, I think the coaching staff is finding it easier to recruit elite international talent to Logan.

Serious question, is this just a personal observation, or is this at all concern inside program circles? By my count, Smith's crew has landed 3 American (scholarship) recruits (Anderson, Worster, Anthony) and 5 internationals (Queta, Zapala, Shulga, Vedischev, McChesney). You could count Ashworth as a re-recruit. Still a bit unusual.

slcagg wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 4:23 pm

flying_scotsman2.0 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 4:09 pm

Coming to logan from Irkutsk must be different than coming to logan from San Diego...

Ever played the board game of risk?

That's the only reason I know about Irkutsk.

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 11:55 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:42 pm

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:22 pm

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

At this point in time, I think the coaching staff is finding it easier to recruit elite international talent to Logan.

Serious question, is this just a personal observation, or is this at all concern inside program circles? By my count, Smith's crew has landed 3 American (scholarship) recruits (Anderson, Worster, Anthony) and 5 internationals (Queta, Zapala, Shulga, Vedischev, McChesney). You could count Ashworth as a re-recruit. Still a bit unusual.

Did Smith recruit a lot of international players at his last job?

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 11:55 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:42 pm

OrangeCountyAggie wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 3:22 pm

dogie wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 9:15 pm

ususports wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 8:56 pm

I am more confused than all of you. So, we had one scholarship left that was said would go unused, and now we offer a kid a scholarship, and the numbers don't add up? What am I missing?

With this signing, most of the Aggies’ scholarship players are foreign, from Canada, Australia, Poland (2), Ukraine, Portugal and now Russia.

I wonder how many other D-1 schools have that many international players.

I love it! Why limit your recruiting to just the US (or Utah)? There are great players to be found all over the world, you'd be foolish to limit yourself.

At this point in time, I think the coaching staff is finding it easier to recruit elite international talent to Logan.

Serious question, is this just a personal observation, or is this at all concern inside program circles? By my count, Smith's crew has landed 3 American (scholarship) recruits (Anderson, Worster, Anthony) and 5 internationals (Queta, Zapala, Shulga, Vedischev, McChesney). You could count Ashworth as a re-recruit. Still a bit unusual.

At this point, it's just a personal observation. Not only is it difficult to sell in-state recruits on Logan Utah, I think it's tough to sell Logan Utah to kids period. When competing against beaches, bright lights, and much bigger cities (PAC-12 and Mountain West) for recruits, it can be tough. Logan isn't a sexy sell but if we continue to win, it will become easier to sell to kids who truly WANTS to win and win a lot. If a kid is looking for individual accolades and a good time, Logan will never be a good landing spot for a kid like that.

We'll see just how successful this dive into the international player pool is. On paper, it looks like a really good group. All the kids that play on the U19, U18 teams for the U.S. teams are all very high 3, 4, or 5-star guys. So, although it is difficult for me to get our international kids rated by my higher-ups, one could assume that all our signings are at least high 3-star recruits. They are part of the pool of kids that are the best in their age groups from their respective countries.

I do agree that our approach is unusual. However, take a look at our western state neighbors at Gonzaga and St. Mary's. They have used a very similar approach for years and it works very well for those schools. The jury is out on how well it is going to work at Utah State but the initial look is very promising in my opinion.