Pitts 6-8 GUARD Cameron Johnson: an excellent grad transfer with TWO years of elegibility

[willycat]

Backward Bob makes an appearance. He still has not figured out that Caleb Swanigan is a better prospect than led footed Isaac Haas. Did you watch the Purdue - Kansas game genius? Not.

The top 5 transfer list was from a source and not mindless speculation from FS. Those are random shots in the dark. There is no connection of Cameron Johnson to NU but the only reports where Cameron Johnson is going to is that he went to same high school as John Calipari and the only school that any blog has pointed to is Kentucky. Until a transfer has announced a list, we are purely speculating with no basis in fact.

What is not speculation is that NU has offered Mark Smith and has offered Clifton Moore earlier in the year. So more educated speculation is that Collins prefers recruiting high school seniors over transfers.

Yes, Mike Webb has a ton more basketball expertise and acumen than FS and Backward Bobby (I.e. Frick and Frack).

Ah,

Backward Bob makes an appearance. He still has not figured out that Caleb Swanigan is a better prospect than led footed Isaac Haas. Did you watch the Purdue - Kansas game genius? Not.

The top 5 transfer list was from a source and not mindless speculation from FS. Those are random shots in the dark. There is no connection of Cameron Johnson to NU but the only reports where Cameron Johnson is going to is that he went to same high school as John Calipari and the only school that any blog has pointed to is Kentucky. Until a transfer has announced a list, we are purely speculating with no basis in fact.

What is not speculation is that NU has offered Mark Smith and has offered Clifton Moore earlier in the year. So more educated speculation is that Collins prefers recruiting high school seniors over transfers.

Yes, Mike Webb has a ton more basketball expertise and acumen than FS and Backward Bobby (I.e. Frick and Frack).

Yes, more is known of the top H.S. recruits and coaches likely would prefer getting kids who stay for 4 years or more but I and others on this board also find it interesting what kind of guys might be available in the transfer in market. If you or the future HC Webb don't like the information that's been posted, the easy solution is to ignore it. NU has a couple of holes that could use patching for next season and maybe getting a transfer or two might help them make a run in the conference and the NCAA tourney.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

Lots of interest in CJ (as expected). 20 offers as of 2 weeks ago. For whatever reasons, NU not mentioned (certainly it's NOT b/c of grades, since he's an excellent student). The list includes:
Florida
Ohio St
Texas
Kentucky
Michigan
Arizona
Iowa St
South Carolina
Baylor
Ole Miss
Marquette
TCU
Rutgers has also been mentioned.
I wouldn't have the foggiest idea why he wouldn't interest NU (have no idea if he would be interested in NU, although NU would seem to be ahead of most/all the mentioned schools academically, and he seems to be academically inclined).

 

[Walker Fan]

Maybe it is because NU has interest in other prospects like Mark Smith who would be a better fit in NU's system. Thanks for playing, but wrong again as always. BTW, newsflash, NU made the tournament easily and were not on the bubble.

I have much more confidence in our coaching staff watching hours of tape of this player and other players versus your reading a list and never seeing Cameron Johnson play. There is a 6'9" F that NU is very high on. Check out www.btpowerhouse.com.

His name is Rapolas Ivaunauskas.

The 6'4" SG Anthony Gaines is also receiving rave reviews. See Jon Rothstein's comments from Jordan Brand classic. These are comments from people who have watched these players play and comments from NU's coaching staff.

Not from a random poster who has never seen a player play.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Lots of interest in CJ (as expected). 20 offers as of 2 weeks ago. For whatever reasons, NU not mentioned (certainly it's NOT b/c of grades, since he's an excellent student). The list includes:
Florida
Ohio St
Texas
Kentucky
Michigan
Arizona
Iowa St
South Carolina
Baylor
Ole Miss
Marquette
TCU
Rutgers has also been mentioned.
I wouldn't have the foggiest idea why he wouldn't interest NU (have no idea if he would be interested in NU, although NU would seem to be ahead of most/all the mentioned schools academically, and he seems to be academically inclined).

"I wouldn't have the foggiest idea." You could have just stopped there.

I take it your timeout is over?

 

[mikewebb68]

Lots of interest in CJ (as expected). 20 offers as of 2 weeks ago. For whatever reasons, NU not mentioned (certainly it's NOT b/c of grades, since he's an excellent student). The list includes:
Florida
Ohio St
Texas
Kentucky
Michigan
Arizona
Iowa St
South Carolina
Baylor
Ole Miss
Marquette
TCU
Rutgers has also been mentioned.
I wouldn't have the foggiest idea why he wouldn't interest NU (have no idea if he would be interested in NU, although NU would seem to be ahead of most/all the mentioned schools academically, and he seems to be academically inclined).

He's BAAAAAAAAACK!

 

[mikewebb68]

You are correct. There are 2 or 3 individuals with up to 5 different names. Each one has historically blasted you for your otherwise sound research and accompanying logic.

Imo rivals should give you a free month subscription, at least, because ONLY you have spent the time digging up all of these fine transfers. Thank you!

I have only one screenname. I make fun of Feli all the time. I have ZERO connections to the AD. There are MANY posters just like me, who ignore Feli or mock him for his beyond ridiculous nonsense (or at least what little nonsense gets past the mods since they are constantly deleting his posts). All the trolling in the world from whomever "Mr. Wickerpark" is is not going to change that. Facts are facts.

 

[Katatonic]

I know that Feli (deservedly so) has gotten flack for many of his posts, but don't see any reason why anyone should crap on this one (except just to be an arse-hat and contrarian).

...here are the best 5 transfers from the 2017 season:

Why not go for the best transfers at NU, a top 20-25 preseason team with 10 returning players and poised to make a Sweet Sixteen or better? We don't settle in recruiting as prior regimes have done at NU. The premier combination of athletics and academics in the NCAA.

As already stated, Johnson would be a graduate transfer and hence, wouldn't have to sit out a year and better yet, a grad transfer w/ 2 years of eligibility left.

(And there you go again w/ the snark against prior regimes - seem to recall Swop being a pretty good grad transfer).

What's not to like about the 6-8 guard from Pitt? Also can the guys you listed academically qualify at NU? Especially the guys from Alabama, Washington and Texas. Just wondering.

If CJ can play D, don't see why CC wouldn't be very interested.

While I like Falzon, the 'Cats won last season on the strength of their D with Lumpkin, Law and Lindsey (w/ a rapidly improving Pardon).

Having 3 guys who can defend the opposing teams wings/guards well is huge.

And CJ seems to be able to defend multiple positions (at least 1-4, tho maybe not having the physicality to defend the 5 at times like Lumpkin).

In addition, on the offensive end, there's a lot to like - but most importantly, CJ is pretty efficient.

.447 FG %; .415 3P %

Compare that with Law...

.403 FG %; .399 3P %

The top 5 transfer list was from a source and not mindless speculation from FS. Those are random shots in the dark. There is no connection of Cameron Johnson to NU but the only reports where Cameron Johnson is going to is that he went to same high school as John Calipari and the only school that any blog has pointed to is Kentucky. Until a transfer has announced a list, we are purely speculating with no basis in fact.

And this Top available transfers list ranks Johnson 3rd.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...asketball-best-transfers-going-2017-18-season

Behind Brown, but ahead of Jeter and Mack.

In addition, simply going by other people's rankings/lists and/or star ratings is foolish and an overly simplistic way of doing things.

Despite this list ranking Brown ahead of CJ, like CJ better.

CJ is a tall wing and has a better FG and 3P % (.379 and .330 for Brown against inferior competition).

As for guys like Jeter, he's all potential on the basis of star rating/recruiting rankings.

Even when Jeter played a decent amount of mins last season, didn't do much.

BB did nearly as much as a true frosh and playing 8 mins/gm as opposed to 15 mins/gm for Jeter.

Now the question is if these transfers would be interested in the 'Cats for any variety of reasons, with the prime factor probably being the chances of starting, esp. for a grad transfer w/ 2 yrs left who was a starter.

 

[Gladeskat]

Good post, FS. Thanks for the info.

 

[Walker Fan]

First of all, you spell eligibility like this. Second of all, Johnson has announced 6 finalists four days ago in UofA, UK, Oregon, UCLA, OSU and TCU. I do not think he has high academic standards as a key criterion.

 

[Gladeskat]

Unfortunately, NU only has a 6,800 seat refurbished gym so there is no point in coming to play in Evanston......

NU doesn't have a "Cardiac Hill" like Pitt does, so we have a chance. Brutal little hill.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

From TOS:
Cameron Johnson, one of the nation's best transfers, went in-depth about his recruitment, (<--) his Kentucky visit and the next trips on his agenda.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

From TOS:
Cameron Johnson, one of the nation's best transfers, went in-depth about his recruitment, (<--).

The most interesting piece of info in this article is that he explicitly mentions TCU (TCU!!!) as one of his finalists. Not much surprise about the others: Kentucky, Oregon, UCLA, Arizona (his dad was a teammate of the AZ HC at Pitt), and OSU(which hasn't been doing that well recently, but still is a very accomplished program). But TCU??? (no special connection to him was mentioned).
Granted, TCU did win the NIT this season, but that was after finishing the reg season 17-14 (6-12). Most importantly, the TCU accomplishments at the NCAAT are extremely modest, especially since the early 70's. Their best overall finish was a single E8 (back in 1968!). Since, they've been to the T only 3 times, '71, '87 and '98, advancing to the R32 in '87. Hence, since 1988 NU NCAAT record is actually stronger than TCU! (which is saying something!).
I have no idea if the NU staff made any attempt to contact him. If they didn't I'd love to know why (he's an excellent student, also). It seems that if TCU is a "finalist", NU did have a chance (in principle). I hope the coaching staff did try...if not, they made a serious mistake.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

The most interesting piece of info in this article is that he explicitly mentions TCU (TCU!!!) as one of his finalists. Not much surprise about the others: Kentucky, Oregon, UCLA, Arizona (his dad was a teammate of the AZ HC at Pitt), and OSU(which hasn't been doing that well recently, but still is a very accomplished program). But TCU??? (no special connection to him was mentioned).
Granted, TCU did win the NIT this season, but that was after finishing the reg season 17-14 (6-12). Most importantly, the TCU accomplishments at the NCAAT are extremely modest, especially since the early 70's. Their best overall finish was a single E8 (back in 1968!). Since, they've been to the T only 3 times, '71, '87 and '98, advancing to the R32 in '87. Hence, since 1988 NU NCAAT record is actually stronger than TCU! (which is saying something!).
I have no idea if the NU staff made any attempt to contact him. If they didn't I'd love to know why (he's an excellent student, also). It seems that if TCU is a "finalist", NU did have a chance (in principle). I hope the coaching staff did try...if not, they made a serious mistake.

Jamie Dixon is now the head coach at TCU. Where did he come from again?

 

[FeliSilvestris]

Jamie Dixon is now the head coach at TCU. Where did he come from again?

The article doesn't mention it, but it's a valid point.
Still, TCU's modest profile as a bkb program is a reality. It suggests that he isn't terribly worried about a program past (or very recent) accomplishments, and NU is actually a bit better positioned than TCU in that respect. NU also seems competitive with OSU, if one only looks at the very recent past. In all it still SEEMS that NU had a chance, in principle.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

The article doesn't mention it, but it's a valid point.
Still, TCU's modest profile as a bkb program is a reality. It suggests that he isn't terribly worried about a program past (or very recent) accomplishments, and NU is actually a bit better positioned than TCU in that respect. NU also seems competitive with OSU, if one only looks at the very recent past. In all it still SEEMS that NU had a chance, in principle.

In all, it SEEMS that you're just making things up for argument's sake.

 

[willycat]

In all, it SEEMS that you're just making things up for argument's sake.

The arguments will continue until NU signs someone for the final schlorship. For what it's worth I think having a 6-8 G, SF, PF, C. is interesting. A guy going by the name of "Magic" comes to mind.

 

[Walker Fan]

Magic was the no. 1 high school prospect in the nation. Cameron Johnson was not and is not at that level but UK is going after him.

 

[willycat]

Magic was the no. 1 high school prospect in the nation. Cameron Johnson was not and is not at that level but UK is going after him.

Of course your right on that point but a 6-8, highly ranked G out of HS, would look good in NU Purple next season and with Kentucky wanting him, then all the more so.

 

[combes]

He narrowed is list to six several weeks ago.

 

[NJCat]

First of all, you spell eligibility like this. Second of all, Johnson has announced 6 finalists four days ago in UofA, UK, Oregon, UCLA, OSU and TCU. I do not think he has high academic standards as a key criterion.

He's bound for Chapel Hill. Just shows how opaque the whole transfer process is.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ransfer-cameron-johnson-headed-north-carolina

 

[FeliSilvestris]

He's bound for Chapel Hill. Just shows how opaque the whole transfer process is.

I am surprised he'd choose an ACC school (which puts in doubt whether he'll be able to play immediately) when he had plenty of options outside the ACC, including several programs that have a similar standing to UNC's. We'll see how it goes.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

I am surprised he'd choose an ACC school (which puts in doubt whether he'll be able to play immediately) when he had plenty of options outside the ACC...

Apparently he did finally get a full release from Pitt, and WILL play immediately at UNC...I guess they'll have to do the same for anyone else in a similar situation from here on out....how could they not?...oh well...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nc...o-play-at-unc-as-graduate-transfer/ar-BBCk2Rf

 

[Walker Fan]

Great. Too bad UNC is not repeating this year.

Good job on wasting all your time on predictions of grad transfers that were 100 percent wrong. Never mentioned AJ Turner as a potential get for NU. The Board needs to send you a certificate for the most predictions that fail to come to fruition.

 

[Walker Fan]

Ok, your lists of suggested players that NU should go after are 100 percent inaccurate. But thanks for the information.

 

[willycat]

Great. Too bad UNC is not repeating this year.

Good job on wasting all your time on predictions of grad transfers that were 100 percent wrong. Never mentioned AJ Turner as a potential get for NU. The Board needs to send you a certificate for the most predictions that fail to come to fruition.

I thought that that the players that Feli "mentioned" were an interesting addition to this board. Guess what, just maybe one of those "possibilities" might still choose NU.

 

[Walker Fan]

Yes, if you are on a national college basketball blog, but we are a NU blog and none of those guys had connections to NU so the posts were irrelevant and a waste of time to read. The ironic and humorous thing is that the only transfer that NU got, AJ Turner was not on the lists that FS posted.