Ari Stewart asks for transfer from Wake.

[Woodburn]

Supposedly, we were #2 for him when he committed. Coach Kelsey partially recruited him for Wake and Coach Mack was on him for X. Seems like we could find/make room for a 6'7" athletic wing. Thoughts? Link: http://www2.journalnow.com/sports/2011/mar/22/ari-stewart-has-been-granted-his-release-wake-fore-ar-881890/

[SixFig]

IMO for the 2012 class we will need a PG/SG to replace Tu and a PF/C to replace Frease. Getting a new small forward would be a luxury if a new scholly opens up.

[Lamont Sanford]

Allelujah!!!

[XU 87]

As it stands now, we don't have a scholarship to give. But if Tu goes pro or someone transfers.......

And in light of the fact that Mack and staff are still recruiting that 7'4" guy, the staff must feel they wil have a scholarship for next year.

[xeus]

"The development is not a surprise after Stewart was suspended for last week’s ACC Tournament for what Bzdelik described as a need to get his academic affairs in order."

Hmmmm. That certainly complicates any possible transfer to Xavier.

[xavierj]

This would not surprise me at all as I heard some rumblings about this over a month ago. How it will work out I have no idea.

[West is Best]

He shot 39% from the field this year, and got most of his minutes early in the season when Wake was playing a very weak schedule. Unlike Parrom, Ari doesn't have the weight to be an inside presence and rebounder. Almost half of his shots came from beyond the arc. He may need to transfer to a small conference school to get the offensive looks he's been getting.

While XU might need a PF/SF over the next few years, it would be a more rugged and efficient player. Justin Martin is almost the same size and is a much better scorer.

[xavierj]

IMO for the 2012 class we will need a PG/SG to replace Tu and a PF/C to replace Frease. Getting a new small forward would be a luxury if a new scholly opens up.

Xavier needs a small forward who can hit the 3. Right now they do not have that nor do they have one coming in. If it means TU has to leave then I don't want it unless Ari will pay his own way for a year or they talk another player into paying his own way for a year.

[BlueX]

A few posters on the Wake board are also saying X is a possible destination.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=192&f=1118&t=7346779

[gladdenguy]

There is no room with Dez, Canty, and Martin.
At least I don't think.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Xavier needs a small forward who can hit the 3. Right now they do not have that nor do they have one coming in. If it means TU has to leave then I don't want it unless Ari will pay his own way for a year or they talk another player into paying his own way for a year.

I think you're forgetting about Justin Martin.

[xavierj]

Ari shot 37% from 3 his freshman year and had 16 against UNC late and 12 in a win over Texas in the NCAA tourney. He did not fit with the new coach at Wake but he is a good player.

[xavierj]

I think you're forgetting about Justin Martin.

I don't think Justin Martin is much of a small forward. Maybe I am wrong but I think he will play more of the 2 once TU is gone. Heck I don't know. To be honest I would prefer just to have everyone back that is already here who still has eligibility. But I trust the coaches to make the right decisions.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I don't think Justin Martin is much of a small forward. Maybe I am wrong but I think he will play more of the 2 once TU is gone. Heck I don't know. To be honest I would prefer just to have everyone back that is already here who still has eligibility. But I trust the coaches to make the right decisions.

He might end up at the 2 at some point but I think they'll stick him at the 3 for the most part in his career. If Xavier lands DSR or another good SG they'd play the 2 instead of Martin. Nothing is written in stone though, Stewart would be a tremendous asset if Xavier could make that transfer work out somehow. I always hate when our own players transfer out or leave before their eligibility is up, which would have to happen if we got Stewart.

[West is Best]

He might end up at the 2 at some point but I think they'll stick him at the 3 for the most part in his career. If Xavier lands DSR or another good SG they'd play the 2 instead of Martin. Nothing is written in stone though, Stewart would be a tremendous asset if Xavier could make that transfer work out somehow. I always hate when our own players transfer out or leave before their eligibility is up, which would have to happen if we got Stewart.

Also, Martin is better at defending 3's than 2's.

[MCXU]

Wow, Ari Stewart was like the hot girl in high school who turned us down to date that tool from across town with the rich parents. We wanted Ari, and he chose someone else.

Well, 2 - 3 years later that tool from across town has lost his trust fund and is living in his parents basement. Ari may well come calling to see if we are available.

Problem is we currently are all stocked up with hot girlfriends. See, in the last 2 years we have become something of a MACK when it comes to the ladies. We may end up having to throw this sloppy seconds to one of our boys.

Meanwhile, Dayton's Dungeon and Dragons buddies are currently posting ads on Craigslist for a new best friend.

Ouch.

[XU 87]

He shot 39% from the field this year, and got most of his minutes early in the season when Wake was playing a very weak schedule. Unlike Parrom, Ari doesn't have the weight to be an inside presence and rebounder. Almost half of his shots came from beyond the arc. He may need to transfer to a small conference school to get the offensive looks he's been getting.



He is listed at 6'7" 195 lbs. So he doesn't have the frame to play inside, right now. But a year off to hit the weights could change that.

If the X staff thinks a scholarship is available, I think they would be interested in him transferring.

[ThePowerOfX]

Only way I could see us taking Stewart is if a wing left (like Canty) and I really dont see that happening....

[xufan02]

I think we have some serious talent on the wing already. If you think about it Martin, Canty, Wells, and Robinson can all play the three. We are good on the wing. I like our depth if Tu comes back, might even redshirt someone.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Martin is basically Stewart right? Their game seems, at least to me, to be identical.

Long, athletic wings who can really shoot.

[Xavgrad08]

We will have to see how it plays out, but as has been mentioned we currently don't have an open scholarship. No one on the current team can switch to an academic scholarship because of the recent NCAA rule. I don't see anyone transferring this offseason, so the only potential opening is if TU leaves imo.

Also, I think Canty is going to be a really solid wing player for us. I know he had limited action , but I think he has big upside. Stewart transferring is not a good omen for Wake Forest. Jeff Bzdelik didn't exactly have a good first season in Winston Salem.

[xu15]

Xavier needs a small forward who can hit the 3. Right now they do not have that nor do they have one coming in. If it means TU has to leave then I don't want it unless Ari will pay his own way for a year or they talk another player into paying his own way for a year.

Uhhhh. Have you heard about this guy named Justin Martin. He's a 6'7 SF who can shoot the 3 very well

We have plenty of SF's that are young and have upside here and coming in as well. We don't need to use a scholly on Stewart.

[kyxu]

Wow, Ari Stewart was like the hot girl in high school who turned us down to date that tool from across town with the rich parents. We wanted Ari, and he chose someone else.

Well, 2 - 3 years later that tool from across town has lost his trust fund and is living in his parents basement. Ari may well come calling to see if we are available.


Actually, Xavier's recruitment of Ari Stewart was a tad different than that. Stewart for all intents and purposes was going to commit to Xavier, but wanted to wait to take another visit. Miller, knowing he had Parrom likely in hand, told Stewart to either commit soon, or they would no longer be recruiting him. Stewart didn't bite, and we accepted Parrom's commitment, who ended up never enrolling at Xavier.

But the belief is that had Miller waited, Stewart would've come on board, but at the expense of Parrom. It was basically whichever guy made a move first.

[xufan02]

Actually, Xavier's recruitment of Ari Stewart was a tad different than that. Stewart for all intents and purposes was going to commit to Xavier, but wanted to wait to take another visit. Miller, knowing he had Parrom likely in hand, told Stewart to either commit soon, or they would no longer be recruiting him. Stewart didn't bite, and we accepted Parrom's commitment, who ended up never enrolling at Xavier.

But the belief is that had Miller waited, Stewart would've come on board, but at the expense of Parrom. It was basically whichever guy made a move first.

This is Truth.

[Masterofreality]

Actually, Xavier's recruitment of Ari Stewart was a tad different than that. Stewart for all intents and purposes was going to commit to Xavier, but wanted to wait to take another visit. Miller, knowing he had Parrom likely in hand, told Stewart to either commit soon, or they would no longer be recruiting him. Stewart didn't bite, and we accepted Parrom's commitment, who ended up never enrolling at Xavier.

But the belief is that had Miller waited, Stewart would've come on board, but at the expense of Parrom. It was basically whichever guy made a move first.


This is Truth.

Well, that makes me even more pissed at the Raccoon. He costs Xavier Stewart by getting Parrom, then rips Parrom away. That's a double whammy.

Thanks you double blackeyed double crosser.

[LadyMuskie]

Well, that makes me even more pissed at the Raccoon. He costs Xavier Stewart by getting Parrom, then rips Parrom away. That's a double whammy.

Thanks you double blackeyed double crosser.

I don't know. It feels like your hatred for a certain coach is waning. This post makes me feel like you two meet up in the off season for a couple of rounds between old friends ;)

[waggy]

I don't know. It feels like your hatred for a certain coach is waning. This post makes me feel like you two meet up in the off season for a couple of rounds between old friends ;)

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

[xnatic03]

Miller did something similar with Kyle Lowery too. I believe he wanted to commit to Xavier, but Miller told him they were waiting for someone else (Odia), who then committed. We all know how that one worked out.

[XUOWNSUC]

Miller did something similar with Kyle Lowery too. I believe he wanted to commit to Xavier, but Miller told him they were waiting for someone else (Odia), who then committed. We all know how that one worked out.

That would be Thad not Sean.

[xnatic03]

we sat with Amy Miller senior night back in 06 (yes, that debacle), and she talked about that as if Sean had a ton to do with that decision too.

[halcyon.days.of.Carter]

Well, that makes me even more pissed at the Raccoon. He costs Xavier Stewart by getting Parrom, then rips Parrom away. That's a double whammy.

Thanks you double blackeyed double crosser.

I mean, at the time he didn't exactly know that he was leaving Xavier. I think the whole "Miller-to-Arizona" saga has been pretty well documented in that it was a difficult decision for Sean.

To paraphrase Good Will Hunting (one of my favorites) it's not like Sean was "sitting at home every night twisting his mustache and hatching plan to ruin Xavier's program."

While Stewart would be nice, it's not exactly what we need right now. But then again, FMG (Father Michael Graham) doesn't pay me to make decisions relating to the basketball team. I'm sure Mack will make whatever decision is best (if there is even a scholarship available).

[Masterofreality]

I mean, at the time he didn't exactly know that he was leaving Xavier. I think the whole "Miller-to-Arizona" saga has been pretty well documented in that it was a difficult decision for Sean.


Parrom had signed, yes signed a Letter of Intent that committed him to Xavier. Most coaches tell a recruit who they went after on the dime of the school that signed them to honor their committments- especially after the letter has been signed. Most times, also, the coach says to the recruit to make sure that it is the school that he wants to go to.

Obviously, honoring committments was not part of the Raccoon's makeup, nor did he impress upon his recruits that little part of integrity.

[kyxu]

Parrom had signed, yes signed a Letter of Intent that committed him to Xavier. Most coaches tell a recruit who they went after on the dime of the school that signed them to honor their committments- especially after the letter has been signed. Most times, also, the coach says to the recruit to make sure that it is the school that he wants to go to.

Obviously, honoring committments was not part of the Raccoon's makeup, nor did he impress upon his recruits that little part of integrity.

The moment Sean Miller walked out the door, he became a competitor with Xavier. Though I'm sure he felt some measure of loyalty to XU, he recruited Parrom because he knew that he was a good player, therefore, he's going to let him know that he had a scholarship open at UA while telling him Xavier's a good place.

Ultimately, it's Parrom's choice to go where he wants to go, and if he decides he wanted to play for Sean Miller, Sean Miller isn't going to tell him "no".

[Masterofreality]

The moment Sean Miller walked out the door, he became a competitor with Xavier.

Which is exactly why anyone who roots for him or Beaknose is in error.

Rasheen Davis is recruiting New York City. Guess who else does? Some guy named Book.

The former coaches are competitors to what we want for Xavier. They are no longer "wit" us.

As such they are now the enemy.

[LA Muskie]

Which is exactly why anyone who roots for him or Beaknose is in error.

Rasheem Davis is recruiting New York City. Guess who else does? Some guy named Book.

The former coaches are competitors to what we want for Xavier. They are no longer "wit" us.

As such they are now the enemy.

Meh

[sash19]

Parrom had signed, yes signed a Letter of Intent that committed him to Xavier. Most coaches tell a recruit who they went after on the dime of the school that signed them to honor their committments- especially after the letter has been signed. Most times, also, the coach says to the recruit to make sure that it is the school that he wants to go to.

Obviously, honoring committments was not part of the Raccoon's makeup, nor did he impress upon his recruits that little part of integrity.

MOR:

I have a ton of respect for you but here you are a little off base. Sean did tell Kevin to keep his commitment to Xavier. He told him to stay with them, find out who the coach was going to be and then meet with that coach. I would also imagine he told Kevin that he, himself suggested Chris for the job. He can do no more. If Kevin decides he wants to play for Sean then what can Chris do to keep him? Chris flew to NYC and met with Kevin. At that point, Chris realized that Kevin wanted to play for Sean and Book and therefore did the right thing by letting him out of his LOI. Chris tried to keep him here. Sean then "recruited" Kevin to Arizona but only after he was released from his LOI.

A kid commits to a school but most times, he commits to a coach. You know this MOR.......I know you dislike Sean for leaving and that is your right. However, Sean did nothing to X here besides leave the head coach seat.......He did nothing that any other coach wouldnt do. I hated to lose Kev but that is how it shakes out sometimes. We win some and we lose some. Sucks how it went down but in the end, stripped of emotion-Sean didnt do anything sketchy or wrong with Kevin coming to Tucson vs Cincy.....

[DART87]

MOR:
Sean did tell Kevin to keep his commitment to Xavier. He told him to stay with them, find out who the coach was going to be and then meet with that coach. I would also imagine he told Kevin that he, himself suggested Chris for the job. He can do no more.

I do think Sean gave Kevin one of these:

http://www.gregsonline.com/eshop/Apparel/Thumbnails/Buick/H136BT-TN.jpg

Honestly do you think Sean approched the recruits signed to Xavier at his departure the same way Skip did?

I have no animosity towards Sean but that Buick quote from Parrom was telling of the way Sean approached Xavier COMMITMENTS after he left. Kevin had signed an LOI.

[MADXSTER]

One detail that you left out Sash. Kevin asked out of his LOI first and Mack would not let him until they met and talked first. Afterwards Mack let him out. Kevin def wanted out. Interesting how this is the first time I've EVER heard that Miller told Kevin to talk to Mack first. You would think that this would have come out before and save Miller some face.

[sash19]

I do think Sean gave Kevin one of these:

http://www.gregsonline.com/eshop/Apparel/Thumbnails/Buick/H136BT-TN.jpg

Honestly do you think Sean approched the recruits signed to Xavier at his departure the same way Skip did?

I have no animosity towards Sean but that Buick quote from Parrom was telling of the way Sean approached Xavier COMMITMENTS after he left. Kevin had signed an LOI.

Dart:

If he gave him that hat as the U of A coach, that is a violation since he wasnt signed at the time! :)

As for the second part-I think all coaches probably handle it differently. Do I think Sean and Skip handled it the same-no. They were two totally different types of people. Do I think they both did the same thing in their own manner, yes. Was the quote messed up-yes, you bet. However, I would be willing to bet we have made the same type of comments towards schools like Indiana, _ayton, etc....That's part of recruiting. The timing was really, really bad but it's not like it doesnt happen......

[sash19]

One detail that you left out Sash. Kevin asked out of his LOI first and Mack would not let him until they met and talked first. Afterwards Mack let him out. Kevin def wanted out. Interesting how this is the first time I've EVER heard that Miller told Kevin to talk to Mack first. You would think that this would have come out before and save Miller some face.

Mad:

9.9 out of 10 times, the kid will ask out immediately once the coach leaves. Just happened at Tenn with Ware and the other guard they had signed. The situation as it happened with X is the norm. Sean had no reason to burn bridges with Xavier nor the "recruiting" circles by trying to steal Kevin from X if that is where Kevin's heart was set on going. That would be suicide in the East Coast circles.....

And let me add 1 clarification, I am not stating this as utmost and total, unquestionable truth as I did not sit in on the meetings nor was I on the phone. This is coming from a source that I have that knows how this all went down and that I trust 110% in things like this.......Just wanted to make that known versus sounding like I was saying it was "gospel" per se......

[MADXSTER]

I have no animosity towards Sean but that Buick quote from Parrom was telling of the way Sean approached Xavier COMMITMENTS after he left. Kevin had signed an LOI.

I was in Sean's boat all the way until this quote came out. In my mind it change my entire perception of Miller. It was pretty low and dirty. It was the same type of thing that Sean hated about recruiting against BCS schools. And within an instant he went to the dark side of recruiting. He became what he hated.

[DART87]

Sash:

Agreed it is part of recruiting and it is fair game and a quote I do not doubt a coach at Arizona or Indiana or Kentucky or UCLA would use against XU.

The difference here is Kevin had committed to the XU program with Sean as the coach. Sean's relationship to XU and Kevin are vastly different that that of any other recruit. I used that quote as a specific example of how Sean was encouraging Kevin away from Xavier...and by illustration, not doing all he could to encourage Kevin to keep his commitment.

[kyxu]

The difference here is Kevin had committed to the XU program with Sean as the coach. Sean's relationship to XU and Kevin are vastly different that that of any other recruit. I used that quote as a specific example of how Sean was encouraging Kevin away from Xavier...and by illustration, not doing all he could to encourage Kevin to keep his commitment.

In the end, it's Parrom's decision. Sean can say all he wants about how great Xavier is, but the kid is going to go where he wants to go.

[MADXSTER]

I have no reason to doubt you Sash.

:logo::shield::sword:

[sash19]

Sash:

Agreed it is part of recruiting and it is fair game and a quote I do not doubt a coach at Arizona or Indiana or Kentucky or UCLA would use against XU.

The difference here is Kevin had committed to the XU program with Sean as the coach. Sean's relationship to XU and Kevin are vastly different that that of any other recruit. I used that quote as a specific example of how Sean was encouraging Kevin away from Xavier...and by illustration, not doing all he could to encourage Kevin to keep his commitment.

Dart:

Fair enough. I agree that the comment was wrong, I just dont see Kevin going to U of A being as bad or uncommon as others do. No one is right or wrong, just varied opinions.....

[sash19]

I have no reason to doubt you Sash.

:logo::shield::sword:

I just didnt want to come off as saying that it was "gospel" and no one could question it....Just throwing out the disclaimer!!

[DART87]

In the end, it's Parrom's decision. Sean can say all he wants about how great Xavier is, but the kid is going to go where he wants to go.

I completely agree! Let's just not pretend that Sean did say alot about how great Xavier is. It became a recruiting war the second he signed his contract with AZ.

I don't blame Miller for Kevin not attending Xavier. But I will NOT say Miller did all HE COULD to try to convince Kevin to keep his commitment!

[XU 87]

I just didnt want to come off as saying that it was "gospel" and no one could question it....Just throwing out the disclaimer!!

Mack mentioned at some function that after Miller left, there was no way Parrom was coming to X. Mack met with Parrom as sort of a courtesy, but Mack never expected him to come to X.

[LA Muskie]

I completely agree! Let's just not pretend that Sean did say alot about how great Xavier is. It became a recruiting war the second he signed his contract with AZ.

I don't blame Miller for Kevin not attending Xavier. But I will NOT say Miller did all HE COULD to try to convince Kevin to keep his commitment!
By all accounts, Mack has remained VERY good friends with Miller. I think that says a lot. If Mack thought Miller had slighted him in the least, I don't think they'd be as close as they are. If Mack can get over it, then so should we. Me? I'm proud that Miller won tonight. He will always be connected to the Xavier program in people's minds, and I want only success for him.

[DC Muskie]

I'm proud that Miller won tonight. He will always be connected to the Xavier program in people's minds, and I want only success for him.

I will never,ever, understand this type of thinking by Xavier fans.

I hate the fact two former Xavier coaches are coaching OTHER teams in the second and third round of the tournament while we sit home.

I actually hope one day they STOP connecting Miller to Xavier, like people pretty much have with Thad because in people's minds that means Xavier will NEVER be where these coaches current are, and that should upset EVER Xavier fan.

I certainly don't wish failure for Sean. But he left us. For something he considered better. Best of luck to him. I just want to win a title before he does. And I most certainly, without a shadow of a doubt, felt no pride whatsoever in his win last night.

[halcyon.days.of.Carter]

By all accounts, Mack has remained VERY good friends with Miller. I think that says a lot. If Mack thought Miller had slighted him in the least, I don't think they'd be as close as they are. If Mack can get over it, then so should we. Me? I'm proud that Miller won tonight. He will always be connected to the Xavier program in people's minds, and I want only success for him.

Oh, hey, reason. Nice to see you make an appearance. How are you doing?

[halcyon.days.of.Carter]

Parrom had signed, yes signed a Letter of Intent that committed him to Xavier. Most coaches tell a recruit who they went after on the dime of the school that signed them to honor their committments- especially after the letter has been signed. Most times, also, the coach says to the recruit to make sure that it is the school that he wants to go to.

Obviously, honoring committments was not part of the Raccoon's makeup, nor did he impress upon his recruits that little part of integrity.

Dude, when things blow up at a school (a coach leaves, sanctions get handed down) everything changes. We know that these days kids mostly sign to coaches first, schools second. That is a fact. While you may like to think that Kevin signed an LOI to Xavier, he actually signed an LOI to Sean Miller. Sorry.

With that being said, think about it from the kid's perspective. If he had his heart set on playing for a certain coach, rather than the school don't you think they should be able to go where they want. It's not like part of Miller's new job description at AU was "make sure that the kids you recruited to X stay there." In fact, I'm pretty sure that it was - "Set us up to win. Now."

I have no qualms with recruits opting out of commitments after something drastic (like a coach leaving, sanctions) happens. At the moment that happens, the "school" they committed to ceases to exist in the manner they committed to it. Ergo, they should have options.

Using your logic, shouldn't IU fans be furious at X for "stealing" Tu (a signed Hoosier recruit) from them? I may be missing something here, but I don't think that's any different.

[CinciX12]

By all accounts, Mack has remained VERY good friends with Miller. I think that says a lot. If Mack thought Miller had slighted him in the least, I don't think they'd be as close as they are. If Mack can get over it, then so should we. Me? I'm proud that Miller won tonight. He will always be connected to the Xavier program in people's minds, and I want only success for him.

Or it could just be treating the guy nice who recommended you for your dream job?

People don't think how awesome Xavier is when Arizona and Ohio State win. They think that it was never even a tough decision to leave that crappy little school in Cincinnati for both of them. If you can't realize that I don't know what to tell you.

You should know this better than anyone. Walk around LA and ask some people who Xavier is and to mention something about us. If you get more than a 40% correct ratio I would be shocked.

[xnatic03]

Or it could just be treating the guy nice who recommended you for your dream job?

People don't think how awesome Xavier is when Arizona and Ohio State win. They think that it was never even a tough decision to leave that crappy little school in Cincinnati for both of them. If you can't realize that I don't know what to tell you.

You should know this better than anyone. Walk around LA and ask some people who Xavier is and to mention something about us. If you get more than a 40% correct ratio I would be shocked.

Seriously man, it doesn't matter what other random people think. Has it affected ability to enter the living rooms of the recruits Mack and company have gone after? If anything, they are in with many higher rated recruits than any other previous Xavier coach. LET IT GO