Rebuild? Reload? How about change the entire makeup of the roster after your most successful season in over 20 years.
Mid-major teams have a small window to capitalize on success. Coach Gary Waters knows this better than most. Just one year after springing the biggest upset in the 2009 NCAA tournament, coach Waters has totally re-shaped his team. Expect a deeper, more athletic, full-court pressing squad this season at the Wolstein Center.
Going into last season coach Waters knew his team didn't have great perimeter shooters so he went to California and snatched up shooting guard Trevon Harmon and got Jeremy Montgomery from Chicago. The wheels were already in motion for this upcoming season. Charlie Woods was redshirted and Aaron Pogue, from Dayton Dunbar, sat out after a year in junior college. Coach Waters was essentially playing seven or eight guys a night. Not ideal, especially for a coach that likes to push tempo and teaches an exhausting style of defense. Things will be different this season.
Replacing four starters from a second-round team isn't going to be easy but coach Waters parlayed CSU's success into some good commitments in the late-signing period. Judging by the players he brought in, coach Waters had four priorities in this recruiting class:
1) Athleticism
2) Size
3) Toughness
4) Finishers
Anthony Wells is the only true freshmen coming into the Vikings' program this year. A 6'1" guard from Shaker Heights, OH, Wells is a slasher who will have to fight his way through a crowded backcourt to get minutes. Wells is a playmaker with an excellent open-court game, conducive to the pressing defensive style that will be utilized more by the Vikings this year. He could end up being an two guard early and eventually develop into a guy Waters' will go with at the point. He's a little small for a two and isn't a lights-out shooter but in the open court he'll be a force for CSU.
Jared Cunningham is 6'9" junior from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (D2) who gives this recruiting class a little balance. He fits in the ‘size' category but has a game more like a perimeter player. He's the best shooter in this class and will allow returners Norris Cole and D'Aundray Brown space to drive to the basket. Cunningham will create havoc and cause turnovers in the press, where his length and ability to trail and shoot will give teams fits. He can run up and down the court and is a solid rebounder but it's his defensive progress that will determine how much floor time he sees. I caught up with his coach at Arkasas-Fort Smith, Josh Newman, for his thoughts on Jared and his transition to D1.
Kevin Anderson could put a check under all four categories outlined above. He's athletic for a 6'10" guy, he can certainly finish, and is wiry despite only being listed at 215 lbs. Anderson is yet another JUCO kid brought in by coach Waters from Technical Career Institute. Sounds like where THIS guy went to school. Anderson is a shot-blocking big man who will balance the shorter but more stout Aaron Pogue. With his size Anderson is certainly going to get a look as a starter and is the type of long and lean big man that fits well into a press defense. (Getting tired of seeing that yet?) Size and athleticism are his two calling cards and one recruiting service has him listed as newcomer of the year.
Lance James is the other guard in this class and could make an immediate impact and possibly start. James is listed at 5'10" but is already 20 lbs heavier than Wells. James comes to Cleveland by way of Aiken Technical College where he put up beastly numbers for coach Bruce Capers. He was a NJCAA third-team all-american last season. James is a tough player who will be able to get in the lane and score with contact in the Horizon League. He's a capable outside shooter and solid defender. He averaged 3.25 steals/game at Aiken Tech and those anticipatory skills and quick hands will cause problems for HL guards this season. He's also not afraid to finish at the rim so trying to take a charge against him could get you put on some posters in Northeast Ohio. Is he the new King James in Cleveland? I was lucky enough to track down Aiken Tech head coach Bruce Capers and asked him a few questions about Lance.
The last member of this class is the one generating the most internet buzz right now. Nigel Ajere is a 6'6" runaway train. With apologies to Big Lumber and Eugene Blue, he is the last guy in the league I'd like to take a charge from. Ajere will be a sophomore this season and has already made noise by stealing the show at the CSU Midvike Madness celebration. So he can dunk...what else? Well...did I mention his size? He'll be a matchup problem for teams wherever he plays on the floor and will undoubtedly be able to overpower some players in the league. He needs to work on refining his post moves and getting a little more range on his jumper. He didn't post the most impressive rebound numbers at Summit Prep which is a little puzzling. He's certainly got the look of an impact player, we'll see where he fits in the CSU coaching staff's plan.
The plan is in place and the pieces are all there for CSU to have a surprisingly good year. If you want to get on the mid-major map you have to maintain success. Butler was in this same place last year and had a program-changing season. It can be done in the Horizon League. That's exciting news for Vikings fans.
This is recruiting profile 2 of 10 that will be released over the next two weeks. Tomorrow: Green Bay
