Strong research by ucfpengbuck on a fundamental aspect of YSU basketball. The facts support questioning
Calhoun’s ability to recruit in the high schools.
Bohannon and Ackuchie are the only high school recruits I can recall who came in as freshmen and stayed four years.
You can add Garrett Covington to that list.
I did this for fun and curiosity . I really don't think it reflects on Coach Calhoun as bad as it might look.
1. I'm sure I could do the same for all the Horizon league schools and you would find that the guys who transferred out have a similar outcome. Even a schools like OSU who gets 4 stars. These guys don't go D2 but they might go another D1 and you never hear of them again(Alonzo Gaffney,luther Muhammad,Justin Ahrens).
2.YSU being a mid-major or a lower mid-major has to recruit a player that might be under the radar or who has an upside down the road and might be a project his first 2 years. Cheick Traore may be an example of a guy that has nice size and could be a defensive force down low and hopefully add some offense as he matures in the program. If he's a back up at Chowan then obviously it didn't happen but was it worth a shot ?
On the other hand Josh Irwin had offers from MAC schools. Saw him play and he was a knock down 3 point shooter with a strong frame and he sat on the bench for 2 years.
3. We have already beat the dead horse of Beeghly and other basketball facilities and Youngstown being in the rust belt . Has to be some what of a disadvantage.
4.Transfer portal is the way coach C is now going and freshmen are going to sit while 5 year grad guys are getting the minutes which will always lead to an exodus. Coach needs to win and some feelings might be hurt .
We can criticize coach C in the micro but not sure in the macro. Program has had winning teams since he took over and a championship which leads to higher expectations after we the fans get a taste of winning after so many years of mediocracy. Still worried this present team might be a step back. Long season to go and hope I'm wrong.
