I'm kind of curious to see where he goes though. He was a good player to bring into the program, as it's not often someone with the big five offers he had winds up at Duquesne. Plus he had already had some success at Missouri, so we knew he wasn't just a high school phenom.

Looking back with the benefit of hindsight though, it didn't really work out for him here. He's now been through two programs, and even as a junior wasn't even a full time starter and couldn't reach 10 points a game in the A-10. So I don't think the major programs will still be interested. Sure he's a talented player, but I'm guessing they've seen all they have to see.

On the other hand, if he's transferring down, why bother? He'd get the chance to at the very least compete for a starting role here, and I'd think he'd have a good chance of winning it. Would you rather be a full time starter and likely the best player at Cleveland State playing in front of nobody or be at the very least a top bench player at Duquesne playing in a league with some exposure and competition?

luckymcd wrote:

I'm kind of curious to see where he goes though. He was a good player to bring into the program, as it's not often someone with the big five offers he had winds up at Duquesne. Plus he had already had some success at Missouri, so we knew he wasn't just a high school phenom.

Looking back with the benefit of hindsight though, it didn't really work out for him here. He's now been through two programs, and even as a junior wasn't even a full time starter and couldn't reach 10 points a game in the A-10. So I don't think the major programs will still be interested. Sure he's a talented player, but I'm guessing they've seen all they have to see.

On the other hand, if he's transferring down, why bother? He'd get the chance to at the very least compete for a starting role here, and I'd think he'd have a good chance of winning it. Would you rather be a full time starter and likely the best player at Cleveland State playing in front of nobody or be at the very least a top bench player at Duquesne playing in a league with some exposure and competition?

He might have been "encouraged" to see the light. Don't be so sure that he can't land with a P5. There are always teams that have holes, and may be looking for a bench guy that they don't have to commit to for 4 years. As for transferring down, some guys just want to play. He may still have pro dreams (Europe), and if he goes to say, YSU, and has a great senior year, he'd likely have a chance as a pro over in Europe. Pipe dream, maybe, but most dreams of playing pro ball are pipe dreams. Everyone is different. Brandon Wade decided that he'd rather be a spare part at his dream program, than a possible star at a low major. Do what works for you.
 

Brandon Wade also transferring.

Frankie Hughes chooses the University of San Diego.

https://twitter.com/_4l0w/status/1242965478580146178

townsonkid wrote:

well, at least he will enjoy the weather out there.    We still need 2 more bodies to leave to allow the recruiting class in.    I see URI lost a big player to transfer, Tyrese Martin.   Twitter folks said its a big deal to lose him.

We need one spot, maybe two. That big KD offered hasn't agreed to come here yet.
 

Ed Croswell (the strong rebounder from La Salle) is on the list - he has signed with Providence.

Crutcher Dayton applied NBA no agent not final. But if Crutcher goes Duquesne should be top 2 in A10. Beat Richmond title goes to the bluff. 

BluffHunter wrote:

Frankie Hughes chooses the University of San Diego.

https://twitter.com/_4l0w/status/1242965478580146178

Their leading scorer was a teammate of Hughes in High School. They had an awful season, lost 23 games, 2-14 in league play. WCC team, so that's a very similar level to the A10. They have 7 underclassman guards, so you have to think some of them will be moving on.
 

BluffHunter wrote:

I know some of you guys are bitter to see players leaving our program to go somewhere else, but since I put a lot of time watching these players games develop I like to keep track of them wherever they end up. Being a night owl will be nice next season watching the late Oregon and San Diego games. 

I don't know why anyone would be bitter about Hughes. The injury dealt him a bad break, and he did what he felt was best for him. With KD needing room for the new players, someone had to go, and he made as much sense as anyone. Unless Harris isn't coming, one more will be departing soon.
 

duq81 wrote:

I don't know why anyone would be bitter about Hughes. The injury dealt him a bad break, and he did what he felt was best for him. With KD needing room for the new players, someone had to go, and he made as much sense as anyone. Unless Harris isn't coming, one more will be departing soon.
 

Perhaps this is me being naive, but I would hope nobody is being pushed out of the program. I don't think it's right to force guys to stay who don't want to be here (which many said the old rules did), but at the same time I'd hope anyone who wants to stay for four years isn't being pressured to leave. I know it's a numbers game and what's best for the program isn't going to be what's best for everyone in the program. Commitment shouldn't just be an empty word used in recruiting though. It should be a two way street and I'd like to think it still is at Duquesne.

As for Hughes, he initially was still onboard with Louisville despite hookergate. Then he was benched at Missouri for missing practices. Now he's on his way to San Diego. So he's been connected to four schools, stepping down a level each time. If that was all I knew about him, I probably wouldn't have wanted to use a scholarship on him. I would have thought he was a locker room cancer whose talent didn't live up to the hype.

Having actually seen his time here though, I don't think that because by all accounts he was a good teammate. I might even go so far as to call him a veteran leader given the youth around him. As for his talent level, he might not be a guy who can put up 20 every night, but he's certainly capable of doing that when he's hot. He led the thrilling comeback against URI and that's not the only game we wouldn't have won without him. When his shot isn't falling he showed the ability to at least contribute in other ways. So maybe he wouldn't have been able to hack it at a national contender like Louisville, but cellar dwellers like San Diego don't often see players of his caliber either.

Last edited by luckymcd (3/28/2020 9:04 am)

duq81 wrote:

luckymcd wrote:

duq81 wrote:

I don't know why anyone would be bitter about Hughes. The injury dealt him a bad break, and he did what he felt was best for him. With KD needing room for the new players, someone had to go, and he made as much sense as anyone. Unless Harris isn't coming, one more will be departing soon.
 

Perhaps this is me being naive, but I would hope nobody is being pushed out of the program. I don't think it's right to force guys to stay who don't want to be here (which many said the old rules did), but at the same time I'd hope anyone who wants to stay for four years isn't being pressured to leave. I know it's a numbers game and what's best for the program isn't going to be what's best for everyone in the program. Commitment shouldn't just be an empty word used in recruiting though. It should be a two way street and I'd like to think it still is at Duquesne.

As for Hughes, he initially was still onboard with Louisville despite hookergate. Then he was benched at Missouri for missing practices. Now he's on his way to San Diego. So he's been connected to four schools, stepping down a level each time. If that was all I knew about him, I probably wouldn't have wanted to use a scholarship on him. I would have thought he was a locker room cancer whose talent didn't live up to the hype.

Having actually seen his time here though, I don't think that because by all accounts he was a good teammate. I might even go so far as to call him a veteran leader given the youth around him. As for his talent level, he might not be a guy who can put up 20 every night, but he's certainly capable of doing that when he's hot. He led the thrilling comeback against URI and that's not the only game we wouldn't have won without him. When his shot isn't falling he showed the ability to at least contribute in other ways. So maybe he wouldn't have been able to hack it at a national contender like Louisville, but cellar dwellers like San Diego don't often see players of his caliber either.

Unfortunately, in today's world, guys will be pushed out sometimes. Coaches have to recruit as though guys will be leaving, because in most cases this will be true. Unfortunately, there will occasionally be a situation where a coach expected some departures, but it turns out that no one wants to leave. If that coach doesn't have enough spots for his recruits, that's when some poor player gets called into the office for "the talk", which is basically, "you're not going to play, so it might be best to weigh your options. I can make some phone calls, and get you a list of good schools where you might fit". It sucks, but what can you do?

I think you are pretty much spot on. I wonder if PSN can get us an update on Harris.