UA'71

This doesn't surprise me at all having watched him at SVSM. Josh is a pure shooter, very capable of great shooting nights, albeit not 49 points every time. I expect him to have an above average PPG season. I think Dambrot hung him out to dry. Speaking of Dambrot, I see he is bringing Duquesne to LeBron James Arena on Saturday for a noon contest vs Radford. Free admission.

I've been a St V football fan for more years than I can count. Speaking specifically about Marcus Wattley, as an assistant under Dan Boarman, he coached the defense and was one heck of a coach. The SC years were his defense. His offense as a head coach was awful, complete disarray. He had two different Offensive Coordinators. If he was running the offense, God help us. But I think this is a moot point as I heard he will be an assistant at Akron, coaching the running backs. Don't get me wrong. He is a heckuva nice guy and good person, just not, in my opinion, head coach material. I wish him well in his new endeavor.

Justin Sampson is a beast going after quarterbacks. He was a 3 year starter at SVSM and got better each year. He is so quick on his feet, he easily can beat the lineman off the snap of the ball.

I just saw that Josh received the 2017 Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete Award for UA. Another reason to lament his loss. FWIW - I would have liked seeing how Josh did with Groce. Woulda, shoulda, coulda.

The Mom has an Education degree and was/is employed by Akron Public Schools. So yes, education expectations are high in their family.

A really good hire, in my opinion. Addition by subtraction, as I believed Dambrot took the Zips as far as he was capable of taking the program. My son is an OU grad, the Scripps school, and he is NOT happy. He was hoping Groce would return to Athens.

Well, he'll have to sit a year. Robert Morris has to be happy as is the Williams family. To my recollection, Josh was a good student. He may get a playing year for his Masters out of this.

I wondered where LaPear Toles ended up. There is a Kwausy Toles who played for McKinley this year. Are they brothers? BTW - I like your Akron Beacon Journal comment.

After I thought about this discussion, I think I erred in my earlier comment. Graves committed to Buffalo early in the basketball season. I think well before Josh Williams would have thought about transferring. I still do think though, because of Jayvon's closeness with Jon, he was aware all was not roses with Josh.. I could be wrong too. BTW, FWIW - I just got back from Columbus where SVSM won their 7th SC, 45-30, over Wauseon. Jayvon carried the team, more than I would have liked, with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 steals, 1 assist. He shot 10-18, rest of the team was 9-29. Wauseon was worse. I think the bright lights, arena, big game had an effect on all but one. If anyone is interested, @STVMATHLETICS has lots of video from the game.

I think my meaning is pretty clear cut. Jayvon Graves and Jon Williiams are teamates and best friends. Jayvon and Josh were also teammates. I think through that close relationship Graves would be aware that Josh (and the Williams' family) was unhappy with how things were going. After all, I doubt Josh woke up this morning and announced "I think I want to transfer."

I saw on another discussion board his only offer is Dll West Virginia State. I also wonder what is the backstory.

You are spot on about Jayvon's style of play, but that isn't Dambrot's offense. Buffalo's offense is a perfect fit for Graves. I follow SVSM and have watched him for four years. Jayvon is a heads up player, he plays within himself, and keeps his cool on the court.

There was lots of talk on the recruiting thread about SVSM's Jayvon Graves "getting away" from Akron. I imagine he was well aware of how things were going with Josh Williams and was seriously dissuaded from choosing the Zips.