Larry Austin transferring

[THRILLHOUSE]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 13s13 seconds ago
Xavier's Larry Austin will transfer, per release. Two years of eligibility remaining.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Shannon Russell ‏@slrussell 40s41 seconds ago
.@CoachChrisMack on @LarryAustinJr: "Larry stated to us that he has a desire to transfer with a hope of getting more playing time."

[mistabeecee41]

Good luck, LA. I think it's the best move for both parties.

[XUMIOH12]

I wouldn't have minded him staying, but it didn't appear that he was going to ever improve enough to make a big impact

[STL_XUfan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CF3sXr4UoAA53Wj.jpg:thumb

[XU 87]

He was a productive player who had some athleticism, but he was going to stay behind Sumner on the depth chart. And he just couldn't shoot from the three, which I think is essential for any point guard at this level.

Good luck to him and Makinde. I am sorry to see both of them leaving.

[BandAid]

Dammit. I liked Larry. Good luck out there young man. Thank you for your time as a Muskie.

[mistabeecee41]

He was a productive player who had some athleticism, but he was going to stay behind Sumner on the depth chart. And he just couldn't shoot from the three, which I think is essential for any point guard at this level.

Good luck to him and Makinde. I am sorry to see both of them leaving.

productive? debatable. he had a handful of good games, but for the most part he was unreliable.

[XUMIOH12]

productive? debatable. he had a handful of good games, but for the most part he was unreliable.

yeah he really wasn't a productive player at all. He could come in and play some solid defense and every now and then produce a little on offense.

[SemajParlor]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CF3sXr4UoAA53Wj.jpg:thumb

Need a Jordan crying face photoshopped and needed one yesterday.

Wish LA the best of luck!

[BMoreX]

What a weird week.

[XU 87]

productive? debatable. he had a handful of good games, but for the most part he was unreliable.

I didn't mean from a statistical stand point. He did what he was asked to do. He ran the offense well and played good defense. He did a good job of pushing the ball up the court.

[XMuskieFTW]

This sucks. I was a huge Larry fan. Really liked having him as a third point option to spell Sumner and Myles. Looks like Quentin is going to be thrown to the fire a bit. I wouldn't mind seeing us get a 5th year guy who can handle the ball and defend well.

[GoMuskies]

What a weird week.

I don't think there's anything particularly weird about guys who are getting very limited (to no) minutes transferring. It happens to just about everyone every year.

[sgarcia]

2 down, 1 to go?

[XMuskieFTW]

This doesn't really affect next year a ton, but brings in some concern for 17-18. If sumner leaves after next year, that will leave Goodin as the only remaining ball handler on our roster and he'll only have 1 year of experience. I also feel like Goodin is going to end up playing off the ball more. I'd like to see us either target some transfers that would have to sit a year, or HEAVILY recruit the PG position in the 2017 class.

[Musketeer]

Mack is gonna need to bring in a really good class next season

[casualfan]

2 down, 1 to go?

Who is the 1 to go? Jalen?

[sgarcia]

Who is the 1 to go? Jalen?

Correct.

[GIMMFD]

Well that's kind of strange as well, I wonder what's going to happen, if we go the transfer route, or hopefully hit a home run in the 2017 class, I have faith in the staff, and I can understand why Larry would want to transfer. Kind of sucks, he was a good defender, and had some decent minutes out there for us. Next year is going to be interesting with the ballhandler, guard situation now.

[XU-PA]

His work really stepped up from year one to year 2. But he was not destined for a starting role with Ed's emergence. LAJ will be missed.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Ed killing it last year and Goodin coming in LAJ got recruited over at his spot. That is just an unfortunate fact. I am hoping that his transfer means that we have a guard coming in somewhere. If Reynolds leaves we are a thin team with just 10 scholarship players.

[Olsingledigit]

You might remember that LAJ was a last minute pick up for us to begin with, but I always felt that Mack liked him and was giving him his shots. I am sorry to see him to also, but we could use an upgrade. I agree with those saying we need a killer 2017 class and we are already off to a slow start versus some of the other schools out there, including Butler.

[Juice]

You might remember that LAJ was a last minute pick up for us to begin with, but I always felt that Mack liked him and was giving him his shots. I am sorry to see him to also, but we could use an upgrade. I agree with those saying we need a killer 2017 class and we are already off to a slow start versus some of the other schools out there, including Butler.

20 of the top 100 have committed. There is plenty of time. Butler has one 3-star commit. I'm not sure how we are behind them.

[Cheesehead]

What I like about Larry and Makinde is that they enjoyed their teammates and possessed great attitudes. I wish them the best. This happens in top level D-1 programs. Sometimes the numbers game just forces these things. Only 5 on the floor at any given time.

[BMoreX]

I don't think there's anything particularly weird about guys who are getting very limited (to no) minutes transferring. It happens to just about everyone every year.

More so the fact that the player meetings occurred with no transfer news and then both transfer news come out within days of each other. (Frankly I thought one of London/Austin would transfer after this season given who is coming in.)

And the Gavitt Games.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Thank you Larry for all your contributions to this team. Good luck. His wish for transferring certainly come as no surprise, to me anyway. I've been expecting that more than ML leaving. Looks like we are going to have an off-season filled with anticipation.

[boozehound]

I didn't mean from a statistical stand point. He did what he was asked to do. He ran the offense well and played good defense. He did a good job of pushing the ball up the court.

I agree with the good defense, and I suppose he ran the offense alright. He was a major liability in any type of pressing situation though, and he had an extremely limited offensive skill set. It's hard to have a PG who isn't a threat to drive or shoot. That's a lot of ball handling for a player that can't really score. He seemed like he had a great attitude though, and his teammates seemed to like him. Hopefully he thrives elsewhere.

[X-man]

You might remember that LAJ was a last minute pick up for us to begin with, but I always felt that Mack liked him and was giving him his shots. I am sorry to see him to also, but we could use an upgrade. I agree with those saying we need a killer 2017 class and we are already off to a slow start versus some of the other schools out there, including Butler.

I would like to see a transfer come in and sit next season if we can get a good one. We are fine next year, but will be very thin in the backcourt in 2017-2018 assuming Ed leaves along with Myles.

[boozehound]

I would like to see a transfer come in and sit next season if we can get a good one. We are fine next year, but will be very thin in the backcourt in 2017-2018 assuming Ed leaves along with Myles.

I agree. One way or another we need to get another boss PG like Tu Holloway. I think Sumner will be fine, but he seems like more of a 1/2 combo guard. Maybe Goodin will be that guy, but I'd like to get another quality PG in the system.

[nuts4xu]

I would like to see a transfer come in and sit next season if we can get a good one. We are fine next year, but will be very thin in the backcourt in 2017-2018 assuming Ed leaves along with Myles.

I agree, and think the roster will work itself out in the next few weeks. It would be nice to land a guy that can play right away, if not, we use it wisely for the future.

[zanesxu]

Nothing surprising about Makinde or Laaaarrrrry leaving. Makinde saw half an hour of court time once BE play started and he has 24 months of eligibility left... not enough court time to progress. Larry is a loss insofar he was a serviceable body on the court, but he's a point/shooting guard who made ZERO threes in his Xavier career... he attempted 1.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

If he stayed at Xavier, he would have 3 years left as he red-shirted his first year. Now because he is transferring, he has just two years of playing time left.


Nothing surprising about Makinde or Laaaarrrrry leaving. Makinde saw half an hour of court time once BE play started and he has 24 months of eligibility left... not enough court time to progress. Larry is a loss insofar he was a serviceable body on the court, but he's a point/shooting guard who made ZERO threes in his Xavier career... he attempted 1.

[THRILLHOUSE]

The London transfer kind of surprised me since I didn't think he would want to sit out another season. Austin transferring isn't a huge shock to me. I wish both of them well.

[XU 87]

I agree with the good defense, and I suppose he ran the offense alright. He was a major liability in any type of pressing situation though, and he had an extremely limited offensive skill set. It's hard to have a PG who isn't a threat to drive or shoot. That's a lot of ball handling for a player that can't really score. He seemed like he had a great attitude though, and his teammates seemed to like him. Hopefully he thrives elsewhere.

I agree with you on one thing- he really struggled when the other team pressed.

[markchal]

These transfers sort of feel different to me than past years. Usually, you can pretty much tell who's gonna transfer and that it isn't quite working out (Griffin Mck, Walsh, etc.), but I really thought LAJ and Makinde especially could have key roles for us after this year. I'm not totally shocked because they are low on the depth chart, but I do think these are some of the most talented/promising transfers we've seen leave. I really think these guys could succeed in other places if they work hard and I hope it works out for them.

Neither leaving should have a huge effect on next year (barring injuries, of course), but I agree with the concern about the year after. We're getting pretty thin at the SG position and it's entirely possible we'll be faced with replacing Sumner, Myles, Gaston and Trevon after this season (I think Tre stays all four, but with him testing this year, it's certainly a possibility). That would put us in more of a rebuilding situation than I'd care to be in.

[bobbiemcgee]

True, but hopefully other studs will be transferring IN. Everybody wants to come to X. We're BB royalty.:pulpfiction:

[XMuskieFTW]

I fully expect a transfer in this year at this point.

[slysyl]

I think coach Mack, knows what he is doing. If he wanted either of the two players to stay they wouldn't be leaving.

[Muncie]

I think coach Mack, knows what he is doing. If he wanted either of the two players to stay they wouldn't be leaving.

Yep ....as any great coach he can seduce and spank as needed

[RetireFiftyTu]

It's mind boggling that in this day and age a point guard attempts only 1 three in 2 years. Jalen took more threes than Larry did this year.

[Wheelhouse]

It's mind boggling that in this day and age a point guard attempts only 1 three in 2 years. Jalen took more threes than Larry did this year.

Is this true? That's crazy.

[XMuskieFTW]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3136524/devin-watson

This guy just decided to transfer. Would love to scoop him up and have him ready to fill in in 17-18

[bobbiemcgee]

And Max Strus visited last weekend.

[Juice]

I think coach Mack, knows what he is doing. If he wanted either of the two players to stay they wouldn't be leaving.

Wrong. They originally told Mack they'd be back. He wanted them back. They changed their minds and decided this week to leave.

[xu82]

Wrong. They originally told Mack they'd be back. He wanted them back. They changed their minds and decided this week to leave.

Well, that's even more disappointing. Hope we have a strong Plan B.

[bobbiemcgee]

Disappointing? They weren't going to play.

[xu82]

Disappointing? They weren't going to play.

If Mack wanted them back, and now he has to replace them, then I find that disappointing.

[Nigel Tufnel]

If Mack wanted them back, and now he has to replace them, then I find that disappointing.

One could speculate that the coaches expected them to say they were going to transfer at player meetings and they both said they were staying. Coaches were pleasantly surprised...then they changed their minds a week later. Don't think it's disappointing...think it was expected and their plan moving forward was only delayed by a week.

[sirthought]

I'm sorry to see Austin leaving.

Look, as of last season, I thought Farr was pretty much a bust because he only wanted to shoot long range and wouldn't hang out near the basket enough. There are several other XU players you could point to that don't really blossom until their final season playing.

I was more confident with both London and Austin finding their groove in due time. I don't blame them for wanting a bigger role, only because I'm sure they put in the hard work and think they can play. So it stings a little to see that they couldn't see a path towards achieving their goals here where they started.

If anything, this is going to make practices not as challenging for the first team. Hopefully, Goodin comes in good as advertised.

[JEHARDI]

Wrong. They originally told Mack they'd be back. He wanted them back. They changed their minds and decided this week to leave.

It has been no secret for well over a month that LAJ was going to transfer.

[bleedXblue]

I like it. Opportunity to improve the roster. Go get em Mack !

[Wheelhouse]

So do we think we're going to add players for this year? LAJ along with London transferring opens two scholarships, right? And if Jalen leaves, which seems likely, that would open a third. I would think Mack will be adding multiple players for the upcoming 2016-17 season. At least I hope so.

[XMuskieFTW]

So do we think we're going to add players for this year? LAJ along with London transferring opens two scholarships, right? And if Jalen leaves, which seems likely, that would open a third. I would think Mack will be adding multiple players for the upcoming 2016-17 season. At least I hope so.

That would be my assumption. My guess is we get a 5th year guy eligible immediately and a transfer who has to sit out a year.(Fingers crossed for Devin Watson)

[Juice]

That would be my assumption. My guess is we get a 5th year guy eligible immediately and a transfer who has to sit out a year.(Fingers crossed for Devin Watson)

X is in the market for one transfer as of now, Max Strus.

And where do these 5th year guys who are willing to accept limited playing time and a secondary role exist?

[XMuskieFTW]

X is in the market for one transfer as of now, Max Strus.

And where do these 5th year guys who are willing to accept limited playing time and a secondary role exist?

There are probably very few, if any. I can dare to dream though.

[AviatorX]

That would be my assumption. My guess is we get a 5th year guy eligible immediately and a transfer who has to sit out a year.(Fingers crossed for Devin Watson)

Do we really want a 6'1 volume scorer from a low-tier conference? I think Xavier, if it happens, will be more than fine with 10 scholarship players. All 10 wouldn't even play in a tight game.

[XMuskieFTW]

Do we really want a 6'1 volume scorer from a low-tier conference? I think Xavier, if it happens, will be more than fine with 10 scholarship players. All 10 wouldn't even play in a tight game.

I think he'd probably be a good add for the PG spot in 17-18. He is a volume scorer, but he has decent shooting %s for a volume shooter. If he were on Xavier, he'd have a much better shot selection because he would have options around him. The 5 assists a game looks nice too.

[AviatorX]

I think he'd probably be a good add for the PG spot in 17-18. He is a volume scorer, but he has decent shooting %s for a volume shooter. If he were on Xavier, he'd have a much better shot selection because he would have options around him. The 5 assists a game looks nice too.

Fair enough. I am just a bit hesitant on the really small guards after seeing what the team looks like with some more size in the back court this year.

[XUFan09]

I think he'd probably be a good add for the PG spot in 17-18. He is a volume scorer, but he has decent shooting %s for a volume shooter. If he were on Xavier, he'd have a much better shot selection because he would have options around him. The 5 assists a game looks nice too.
Yeah, he was fairly efficient, with an offensive rating of 108.3. That's 5 points above the D1 average, which isn't a huge jump but not insignificant either. He also had an assist rate of 29.3%, which is really good. I don't understand the "volume shooter" label that often gets thrown on guards from low-major teams. When you're a good player but your team is no good, circumstances demand that you put up a lot of shots.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[bigdiggins]

Fair enough. I am just a bit hesitant on the really small guards after seeing what the team looks like with some more size in the back court this year.

Size is nice, but I would rather have Watson from Creighton, than a 6'6" version of London Warren (if that person existed).

[AviatorX]

Size is nice, but I would rather have Watson from Creighton, than a 6'6" version of London Warren (if that person existed).

Obviously, but that's an extreme example. I'd roll with Tyler Ulis over Churchill Odia also.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I'd roll with Tyler Ulis over Churchill Odia also.

Or Kyle Lowry over Churchill...

[mistabeecee41]

per Rothstein - LAJ is planning visits to Pacific and Valpo.

[Muncie]

I really hope he ends up in a situation where he has a great experience . I am a fan of his, he seems like a good kid.

[Cheesehead]

I really hope he ends up in a situation where he has a great experience . I am a fan of his, he seems like a good kid.

I could see Larry at Valpo. Small Midwest school with a decent tradition. He would probably do well in that conference.

[Masterofreality]

Or Kyle Lowry over Churchill...

Uh, yeah. Thanks Beaknose.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

per Rothstein - LAJ is planning visits to Pacific and Valpo.

Is this a trick question?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykao1o0hyxQ

[X-band '01]

Is this a trick question?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykao1o0hyxQ

I make it a point never to get involved with possessed people.

[SC in DC]

You are on the wrong board then---oh possessed, I thot you said obsessed!

[THRILLHOUSE]

@JonRothstein 5m5 minutes ago
Xavier transfer Larry Austin told @CBSSports that he has committed to Vanderbilt. Sit one, play two. Nice get for Bryce Drew.

[xudash]

@JonRothstein 5m5 minutes ago
Xavier transfer Larry Austin told @CBSSports that he has committed to Vanderbilt. Sit one, play two. Nice get for Bryce Drew.

Good for him.

[paulxu]

I'm guessing London will get a lot of playing time in Chattanooga, but I was surprised he didn't end up in a better conference.

[xu82]

Good for Larry. That's not some Third World hoops. Wish him all the best (unless, of course, we meet down the line.) My son lives across the street from Vanderbilt and I hope to catch some games there.

[XUFan09]

Honestly, if you had told me that the two guys had transferred to Vanderbilt and Chattanooga, I would have assumed that London ended up at Vandy.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[xu82]

Honestly, if you had told me that the two guys had transferred to Vanderbilt and Chattanooga, I would have assumed that London ended up at Vandy.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Yeah, I'm a little surprised London didn't and at a little more prominent program, but as long as he's happy.....