clips from the morning papers

[123Rob]

This was in this mornings Rochester paper...
Former All-Greater Rochester basketball star Ryan Pettinella is considering transferring to SBU to join former teammate Tyler Relph or Fairfield to join former frontcout mate Marty O'Sullivan.
The following is from the Albany Times-Union re. Tyler Benson, a 6'8" wing from Massanutten Mil. Academy. Benson, originally from Morgantown,WV, averaged 16ppg, 5rpg, 3 block and shot 39% on 3pters last year.

Bruce Kreutzer, who coached Benson at Massanutten Military, was more liberal in discussing his player's visit.

"He really enjoyed it, and if he is leaning one way, he is is leaning toward Siena," Kreutzer said. "He still has some options."

Kreutzer said Benson was taking an unofficial visit at St. Bonaventure on Tuesday and might travel to Tulsa and Eastern Kentucky.

Benson averaged 16 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots at Massanutten and shot 39 percent from 3-point range.

[B02]

Maybe Lex James isn't in the bag, its good the staff is keeping its options open. As for Petinella, I would assume he would come in as a walk-on which would help because he wouldn't sit out a year.

[Deleted]

Lex is a done deal, the staff is still recruiting because there will be more 'ship(s) to fill. I believe Pettinella, if he comes to SBU, will walk-on this year also. I would LOVE Benson, he is a BIG guard, can also play the point. Would be a great match-up with Calathes from SJU.

[B02]

Who else is leaving? I thought James was our last scholarship that fills the scholarship of the transfer of Brian Gibbs. I am all for bringing in 6'8 guys who play the 2 or the 3 like Lee does. You cannot criticize Solomon and his staff at all for their recruiting efforts this spring they have immediately fixed two needs height and the lack of athletes on this team. I think the 05-06 will be at least 7-8 wins better than the 04-05 team and they will be in every game unlike the blow outs last year. Its going to be great to know that the era of the 6'4-6'5 power forwards is coming to a close.

[Deleted]

All I really know is that the Brian Gibbs transfer rumor has not been announced and it's been two months. I think they are waiting until the semester is over?!? Also, I have to wonder about Williams, if he failed a course does that make him ineligible for next semester? Or can he take summer school or what? How about Relph's mess? I do think that, with Pettinella thinking about transfering here, Relph is looking to stay. But does the staff put up with his garbage any longer? Also there has been some observation of workouts that may hint toward another player leaving.

[B02]

I would assume Kern Carter and Patrick Lottin are candiates for leaving. Lottin because i believe he is graduating this May correct? Carter just because he is getting replaced by guys coming in. I think Relph will be fine, hopefully he remembers that he is a college b-ball player/student not a normal student. He carries a bullseye on his chest unfortunately that people will hold him to a higher standard. If Williams can't play for the first semester, Petinella walking on would be a plus.

[sbu6507]

Im pretty sure that Gibbs will be the last to leave, I am a student and I work at the Richter Center. Due to the flooding in the varsity weight room the team comes in to work out there every day and everyone is there (including P-lot, Carter and Williams) with the exception of Gibbs (who comes in and works out on his own) and Relph due to his suspension. The team is always there in full practice gear with the strength coach and at least one of the assistants so im assuming that this is an official workout signifying that this is the group of players that will be returning

[Copenhagen]

alot of speculation.....but I personally like the trade of Benson for Lottin, sometimes it's better to move on....for both parties....although Lottin has brought some positives during his time....his negatives? he just was not the type of ball player to carry the program through the crisis especially when he had 2-major injuries.

the 6'9" post player as a walk-on? that would be just super for a Plan-B in case PWilliams is not available for a time and/or Fox does redshirt....

KCarter? I would think, it would be a tough decision if he was considering his options....is there a better situation for him at this point? probably yes....but also he could challenge for PT if he made some big strides this off-season and came to Midnight Madness with the eye of the tiger!

[B02]

Keep in mind Petinilla didn't exactly light it up in the Ivy league averaging about 4 pts a game. Everyone knows that Patrick Lottin is capable of lighting it up from the outside and is a much needed 3 pt threat that this team does not really have. What concerns everyone about Patrick is his lack of defense, maybe now he is a year removed from knee problems that will be the answer. I expect Ahmad and Patrick to be the leaders of this team.

[giant]

I believe, because of the transfer rules, Pettinella would have to sit next season out, even as a walk on.

[DerekBrower]

Here's one for a couple of degrees of separation. Last year, my cleaning lady at work found out I was a Bona grad. She said that she knows a guy whose son is looking to transfer to Bonaventure. Then mentioned how he wants to play basketball there. I sarcastically said, "Oh yeah", thinking that most people want to play basketball at Bonaventure. She said, yeah his name is Ryan Pettinella. Take it with a grain of salt.

[portpasses]

So, can anyone explain the possible scenarios here? All scholarships appear to be accounted for, including one that isn't even officially available yet. IF someone were to be redshirted this season, I assume that would open another scholarship, correct? I believe a transfer that sits out a year counts as a scholarship, like Relph and Williams last season. So why wouldn't a redshirt count as a scholarship? Why would Carter, Lottin, or anyone else go through the offseason workouts if they didn't intend to be here? I'm guessing that Morse is not present at these workouts, since the OTH article mentioned he works out with Gibbs.

[giant]

A redshirt counts as a schplarship.

[B02]

You do not have to sit out a year if you are a walk-on. Wisconsin's pg did that this year after he transferred from Penn St.

[GoPadres]

I may be wrong about this, but I don't think Ivy league teams award scholarships. I wonder if that would have an impact on whether he would have to sit out a year?