Humpty Out, Chauncey In...

[Captain Kangaroo]

Elton reported this morning that Humpty is officially out, and Chauncey Gilliam is officially in. Gilliam will be eligible in 2011-12.

[ZachTheZip]

Will he have one or two years?

Edit: Nevermind. He has two years. Here is the link.

[Zip Watcher]

Will he have one or two years?

Edit: Nevermind. He has two years. Here is the link.

Gotta wonder if Ronnie would have stayed had this transpired sooner.

Good luck to Humpty. Fun to watch and a really nice guy to talk to.

[Quickzips]

Gilliam has already played two years without a redshirt. After sitting one year he will have two year remaining.

The Hitchens part of this story is certainly the worst kept secret in Zipsnation. The handwriting has been on the wall on this one for a long time. I think at this venture Humpty just needed a fresh start. I will be sad to see him go, as he was always a lot of fun to watch on the floor. But he needs a program that will give him a little more freedom to run the show his way, improvising and making high risk/high reward plays. That has never been, and will never be the Dambrot style.

As far as Gilliam, I welcome the opportunity to have a bigger guard come into the program (presuming we don't pull a Diggs with him and intend to move him to SG). UMBC might not be a big name program, but the kid did average better than 13 points per game for them last year. That is three points per game better than anyone on the Zips. He's also a pretty consistent scorer, putting up double figure point totals in 12 of his last 13 last season. I worry about the significant dip in his FG% from his freshman year (51.4%) to his sophomore year (41.6%) but if the law of averages takes over you would expect him to average out around a nice reasonable 45%-47% shooting. He was the leading scorer on that team last year and also lead the team in steals at a very respectable 1.5 per game. Better yet, he shoots a solid 81% from the free throw line (something the Zips have desperatly lacked in recent years). I like the pickup, but we won't get a chance to see what this kid is truly made of for another year.

[skip-zip]

Will he have one or two years?

Edit: Nevermind. He has two years. Here is the link.

Gotta wonder if Ronnie would have stayed had this transpired sooner.

Good luck to Humpty. Fun to watch and a really nice guy to talk to.

I was thinking the same thing. Or Sullivan, for that matter. That is, if in both cases, they tranferred purely because of playing time issues.

Suddenly, we're not so deep and experienced at guard anymore.

[ZachTheZip]

Gilliam may have some academic issues.

[Quickzips]

I have to believe the Steward/Sullivan transfers had a lot more to do with the addition of Abreu than it did with any decision on the part of Humpty. As far as our guard depth, we still have McNees, Abreu, Roberts, McClanahan and Diggs who can play some SG. We've played with less guard depth before (think Dru, Dials, Middleton, who else did we have behind those guys?). I think we will be just fine for guard depth.

As far as Gilliam's academic issues it looks like those were all resolved before last year. From what I saw he got an "incomplete" on one course and was initially ruled academically ineligible for last fall semester, but completed the course and was reinstated. Doesn't sound like a situation of a kid who is failing academically or anything like that.

Twitter fanatics may be interested in Gilliams page. Looks like this decision was made at least as far back as April 30.

http://twitter.com/CG005

[Captain Kangaroo]

Oscar doesn't like his size or skills: Blog Link

If he had grade issues in Engineering, welcome to the club! It's happened to many a smart student

[skip-zip]

I have to believe the Steward/Sullivan transfers had a lot more to do with the addition of Abreu than it did with any decision on the part of Humpty. As far as our guard depth, we still have McNees, Abreu, Roberts, McClanahan and Diggs who can play some SG. We've played with less guard depth before (think Dru, Dials, Middleton, who else did we have behind those guys?). I think we will be just fine for guard depth.

As far as Gilliam's academic issues it looks like those were all resolved before last year. From what I saw he got an "incomplete" on one course and was initially ruled academically ineligible for last fall semester, but completed the course and was reinstated. Doesn't sound like a situation of a kid who is failing academically or anything like that.

Twitter fanatics may be interested in Gilliams page. Looks like this decision was made at least as far back as April 30.

http://twitter.com/CG005

I know what you're thinking, but please note how I put "experienced" into that equation. In my opinion, that leaves only two true guards who are really capable of running the team, have had any real extensive playing time, and know the system.

I hope the new guys step up really quick, and that we see more contribution from McClanahan.

[Quickzips]

I have to believe the Steward/Sullivan transfers had a lot more to do with the addition of Abreu than it did with any decision on the part of Humpty. As far as our guard depth, we still have McNees, Abreu, Roberts, McClanahan and Diggs who can play some SG. We've played with less guard depth before (think Dru, Dials, Middleton, who else did we have behind those guys?). I think we will be just fine for guard depth.

As far as Gilliam's academic issues it looks like those were all resolved before last year. From what I saw he got an "incomplete" on one course and was initially ruled academically ineligible for last fall semester, but completed the course and was reinstated. Doesn't sound like a situation of a kid who is failing academically or anything like that.

Twitter fanatics may be interested in Gilliams page. Looks like this decision was made at least as far back as April 30.

http://twitter.com/CG005

I know what you're thinking, but please note how I put "experienced" into that equation. In my opinion, that leaves only two true guards who are really capable of running the team, have had any real extensive playing time, and know the system.

I hope the new guys step up really quick, and that we see more contribution from McClanahan.

There is a certain experience factor that I admit will be a bit of an unknown. We are probably going to be relying heavily on McNees and Roberts until Abreu is ready to run the show. Alex is going to have to get to the point where he can give us 20-25 good minutes at the point relatively quickly. This is also something of a second chance for McClanahan. He'll presumably be going back to his natural SG position. I just hope we haven't bounced him around so much that we've wrecked any potential he might have had.

[Dave in Green]

The Zips' average team height sure is growing quickly. One thing I hadn't previously noticed about Gilliam is his weight -- 235 pounds. I'm guessing that may make him the heaviest guard the Zips have ever had. He's a little taller and a little heavier than Can't guard Chris Singletary, who was always a challenge for the Zips to match up with. Hopefully Gilliam will develop into a player who can perform at Singletary's level, minus the thugishness.

If Gilliam plays good D, he won't have to be a big scorer to make an important contribution to the team. There aren't many 6-5, 235-pound guards at any level who shoot 80+ percent from the free throw line. So he's an intriguing prospect, for sure.

I see that EA refers to Gilliam as a forward even though he's always been listed as a guard, just like Diggs. With all of the forwards the Zips are adding to the roster, I don't see how some of them don't end up at SG at some point.

McNees and Roberts should be rock solid in their senior seasons. Hitchens' departure on top of the loss of Steward and Sullivan definitely opens up a huge opportunity for Nitro to step up at the SG position this coming season. Hopefully he'll channel the spirit of Jimmy Conyers and make the most of this unexpected opportunity in a backcourt that unexpectedly lost a lot of depth.

[Quickzips]

The Zips' average team height sure is growing quickly. One thing I hadn't previously noticed about Gilliam is his weight -- 235 pounds. I'm guessing that may make him the heaviest guard the Zips have ever had. He's a little taller and a little heavier than Can't guard Chris Singletary, who was always a challenge for the Zips to match up with. Hopefully Gilliam will develop into a player who can perform at Singletary's level, minus the thugishness.

If Gilliam plays good D, he won't have to be a big scorer to make an important contribution to the team. There aren't many 6-5, 235-pound guards at any level who shoot 80+ percent from the free throw line. So he's an intriguing prospect, for sure.

I see that EA refers to Gilliam as a forward even though he's always been listed as a guard, just like Diggs. With all of the forwards the Zips are adding to the roster, I don't see how some of them don't end up at SG at some point.

EA is the only one I've ever seen refer to Gilliam as a forward or as being 235lbs. Everyplace else I've ever seen has him as a guard at around 220lbs.

[Zipmeister]

The Zips' average team height sure is growing quickly. One thing I hadn't previously noticed about Gilliam is his weight -- 235 pounds. I'm guessing that may make him the heaviest guard the Zips have ever had. He's a little taller and a little heavier than Can't guard Chris Singletary, who was always a challenge for the Zips to match up with. Hopefully Gilliam will develop into a player who can perform at Singletary's level, minus the thugishness.

If Gilliam plays good D, he won't have to be a big scorer to make an important contribution to the team. There aren't many 6-5, 235-pound guards at any level who shoot 80+ percent from the free throw line. So he's an intriguing prospect, for sure.

I see that EA refers to Gilliam as a forward even though he's always been listed as a guard, just like Diggs. With all of the forwards the Zips are adding to the roster, I don't see how some of them don't end up at SG at some point.

EA is the only one I've ever seen refer to Gilliam as a forward or as being 235lbs. Everyplace else I've ever seen has him as a guard at around 220lbs.

how about the umbc athletic dept web site?

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/mbball/roster.asp

[Jalapeño Zippy]

The Zips' average team height sure is growing quickly. One thing I hadn't previously noticed about Gilliam is his weight -- 235 pounds. I'm guessing that may make him the heaviest guard the Zips have ever had. He's a little taller and a little heavier than Can't guard Chris Singletary, who was always a challenge for the Zips to match up with. Hopefully Gilliam will develop into a player who can perform at Singletary's level, minus the thugishness.

If Gilliam plays good D, he won't have to be a big scorer to make an important contribution to the team. There aren't many 6-5, 235-pound guards at any level who shoot 80+ percent from the free throw line. So he's an intriguing prospect, for sure.

I see that EA refers to Gilliam as a forward even though he's always been listed as a guard, just like Diggs. With all of the forwards the Zips are adding to the roster, I don't see how some of them don't end up at SG at some point.

EA is the only one I've ever seen refer to Gilliam as a forward or as being 235lbs. Everyplace else I've ever seen has him as a guard at around 220lbs.

how about the umbc athletic dept web site?

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/mbball/roster.asp

[Dave in Green]

ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated all list Gilliam at 230 pounds, so it may be that the 220 was when he was still growing:

ESPN Link

CBS Sports Link

SI Link

Found an interesting quote from CapitolHoops.com from before Gilliam's college days:

Chauncey Gilliam a 6'4" SG / Unsigned Senior was without a doubt one of the most athletic players in the Charlie Weber Invitational hands down. With his 44 inch vertical leap , he is a human highlight machine in the making.

CapitolHoops.com Link

We've had previous discussions about vertical leap and know that the numbers are sometimes exaggerated. But it looks from the multiple YouTube videos that he can easily play above the rim.

There is no question that KD is starting to bring in a different type of player, and the days of fans griping that the Zips don't have the same level of athleticism as some of the teams they go up against may be coming to an end.

Finally, judging by this post from a "Curtis Gilliam" who identifies himself as Chancey's dad on an America East Conference forum, he is apparently a good kid with a good academic history and good family ties, which indicates that KD does not have to compromise those qualities to get more athletic players:

BasketballForum.com Link

[bandzip]

The kids probably hungry to win, UMBC went 4-26 last year.

[Dr Z]

Is there any concern with a bball program when four kids in one year ask to leave, or is this normal? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

[WinZip]

The kids probably hungry to win, UMBC went 4-26 last year.

...and one of those teams they lost to was TOLEDO!!

[RootforRoo44]

Is there any concern with a bball program when four kids in one year ask to leave, or is this normal? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

I'm concerned. No one else finds it odd that 4 players transferred out, 2 of them being highly touted players when they signed?

I'm not too optimistic about next season anymore, if used right either Humpty or Steward could have been bigtime impact players.

[Quickzips]

Is there any concern with a bball program when four kids in one year ask to leave, or is this normal? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

I think I would be more worried if we had four kids who were starting or seeing significant playing time asking to leave. Fact of the matter is that the only guy who was getting significant minutes who is jumping ship is Humpty. Steward wasn't getting regular minutes and that probably wasn't going to change. Sullivan and Swiech weren't getting any minutes at all, and that probably wasn't going to change. Kids leave all the time looking for more playing time. It is the reality of college basketball where you have thirteen kids on scholarship and only so many minutes to go around. Now if the four guys who were transfering out were Zeke, Cvetinovic, Humpty and McClanahan I would be very concerned. That would speak more to a program wide problem than just a group of kids who made the decision to seek playing time elsewhere as opposed to riding pine here.

[Quickzips]

ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated all list Gilliam at 230 pounds, so it may be that the 220 was when he was still growing:

ESPN Link

CBS Sports Link

SI Link

Found an interesting quote from CapitolHoops.com from before Gilliam's college days:

Chauncey Gilliam a 6'4" SG / Unsigned Senior was without a doubt one of the most athletic players in the Charlie Weber Invitational hands down. With his 44 inch vertical leap , he is a human highlight machine in the making.

CapitolHoops.com Link

We've had previous discussions about vertical leap and know that the numbers are sometimes exaggerated. But it looks from the multiple YouTube videos that he can easily play above the rim.

There is no question that KD is starting to bring in a different type of player, and the days of fans griping that the Zips don't have the same level of athleticism as some of the teams they go up against may be coming to an end.

Finally, judging by this post from a "Curtis Gilliam" who identifies himself as Chancey's dad on an America East Conference forum, he is apparently a good kid with a good academic history and good family ties, which indicates that KD does not have to compromise those qualities to get more athletic players:

BasketballForum.com Link

I'll conceed that I'm probably wrong about Gilliam being in the 220 range. Although his official bio from UMBC still has him listed there

http://www.umbcretrievers.com/sports/mbbal...?PLAYER_ID=3997

I think you are definitley right as far as the different type of player we are starting to bring in. We're not seeing as much of the undersized combo-guards and the skilled but unathletic bigs coming in. Gilliam and Diggs represent two athletic wings who can play above the rim. Egner is a high flying, athletic combo forward who is well known for thunderous, above the rim dunks. Abreu is a bit undersized but he is quick and shifty and is a true point-guard as opposed to Humpty who was always more combo-guard than point man. Then you look at next years class and you have another high flying forward in Harney and one of the best athletes at the PG position in the highly talented Chicago area in Ennis.

[ZachTheZip]

Is there any concern with a bball program when four kids in one year ask to leave, or is this normal? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

I think I would be more worried if we had four kids who were starting or seeing significant playing time asking to leave. Fact of the matter is that the only guy who was getting significant minutes who is jumping ship is Humpty. Steward wasn't getting regular minutes and that probably wasn't going to change. Sullivan and Swiech weren't getting any minutes at all, and that probably wasn't going to change. Kids leave all the time looking for more playing time. It is the reality of college basketball where you have thirteen kids on scholarship and only so many minutes to go around. Now if the four guys who were transfering out were Zeke, Cvetinovic, Humpty and McClanahan I would be very concerned. That would speak more to a program wide problem than just a group of kids who made the decision to seek playing time elsewhere as opposed to riding pine here.

I agree. Three of the players transferred because they weren't getting any playing time. That's completely understandable and not weird at all. They didn't leave because they hated the coach or the teammates. Talk to them and you won't hear them say anything negative about the basketball program. This happens when you have a talented, deep team. How many players transfer out of major programs for the same reasons, with no ill will towards the school they're leaving?

[zippyman23]

Having four players transfer out in one off-season is highly unusual for any program. I don't think we know the full story yet.

[Dr Z]

How many players transfer out of major programs for the same reasons, with no ill will towards the school they're leaving?

Good question. Maybe somebody can find some examples of four kids transferring in one year by the coach that recruited them. Then we would have a better idea of how common it is.

I'd still love to read an exit interview by the Beacon with Humpty. If you would like to do an interview with ZN, PM me Humpty.

[zip37]

I wish Humpty nothing but success [and the othars] where ever they go. [Alex to Edinboro, Pa Ronnie to Ashland. I hear]. I haven't checked, but I believe that Humpty's minutes were down this past season and he had a suspension which doesn't indicate someone that is happy here, to me.