A&T Gets a Big Verbal From "A Big"

[Aggie One]

N. C. A&T got a big verbal commitment this weekend from Charlotte Harding's Steven Burroughs, 6-9, 240, a true center and banger. Burroughs is one of the few Top 50 players still left unsigned and is rated the fourth best big man in the state.

We won't get pushed around down in the blocks anymore. We going to be very, very young but we'll have some serious talent and a lot of size coming in here this summer.

verbalcommits.com/players/steven-burroughs

[Trueaggie]

We need a couple of shooters and we will be good. Should be able to find that easier than the bigs.

[DECKS]

Burrough's game is blocking shots and rebounding. He averaged 5.5 blocks per game.

[Trueaggie]

I'm sure Cy will increase his offensive impact over time.

[SixtiesAggie]

Apr 1, 2013 8:40:04 GMT -5 Trueaggie said:

I'm sure Cy will increase his offensive impact over time.

Are you suggesting that of the 7-8 recruits, none are scorers or capable of scoring?

[Trueaggie]

No not at all; I know we have size and hope to get some nice guards. Not sure about who has committed other than the two 6'7's and the 6'9.

[Aggie One]

Officially Signed In the Fall Early Period-

Mike Reid, 6-2, 175 Point Guard, Robinson Prep, Queens, NY

James Whitaker, 6-5, 190, Guard, Norcum HS, Portsmouth, VA

Denzel Keyes 6-5, 210, G-F, Kinston HS, Kinston, NC**

Maurice Taylor, 6-7, 200, G-F, Beaver Creek Prep, Cambridge, Mass.

Khary Doby, 6-7, 200, F, Riverdale Baptist, Upper Marlboro, MD

Brian Akinkubge 6-9, 230, C-PF, Columbia State JUCO, Bowie, Md.

** - Football scholarship.


Non-Binding Verbal Commitments Pending National Signing Day

Steven Burroughs 6-9, 240, C, Harding HS, Charlotte, NC

Ja'keem Yates 6-10, 215, PF-C, West Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

[neighborhoodsuperstar]

We have Beckford, Middleton, and Underwood coming back - we already have a nucleus for our scoring. No one even had Beckford on the radar last year for being one of our key offensive threats. We need height - coach clearly appears to be addressing this. We need a solid PG. Although Underwood did an admirable job in the latter part of the year, I still see him being a 2 guard. Either Stewart steps it up this year or the coach has to find a PG (even if through the JUCO route).

I've said it once and I'll say it again - the coach has an eye for talent. The team we had this year won the MEAC title......if you look at some of the teams SCSU and Tenn St had under Alexander, they dwarf our team from a talent standpoint. Just watch folks - the level of talent is about to go up a few notches in Corbett.

[oleschoolaggie]

i really think coach cy has more than an eye for talent. most coaches are pretty decent at "judging talent". a lot of low majors go after the same talent that we go after.

but where coach cy so far has separated himself is by having the ability to "sign" talent. its one thing to spot talent, but its quite another to "sign" talent. that's what made coach bibbs one of the best in the business and if coach cy can "lock in" these last 2 bigs that have committed, he'd have an outstanding freshman base foundation by which to build for several years to come.

in fact, if he's smart, he may want to consider "redshirting" a couple of this year's class (assuming they all sign) so that he won't have a massive graduating class 4 years down the road...

[SixtiesAggie]

NSS,

Mike Reid is his highly touted pg coming in. We will see. He has given Underwood his instructions for next season. Reid will push him.

Like Eric Boyd years ago, Beckford was a real steal/ jewel.

[oleschoolaggie]

hey, if underwood plays all of next season the way he played the last 4 weeks of this season, he can be my starting point guard all season long! its extremely difficult for a "true freshman" to step in and "start" successfully as a point guard at the d1 level. experience means a "ton" at that position.

you wouldn't have heard me say this a year ago, but if "the wood" keeps playing like he's now playing, "the wood" is clearly oleschool's starting point guard next season which would be ideal for the freshman pg as a backup... ;D

[SixtiesAggie]

oleschool,

Underwood understands what he has to do to solidify his starting position at the point. It depends on how badly he wants to lead. Practices in July and the fall will determine who starts. Most folks have not had the priviledge of seeing Reid play. We can only take the coach at his word, that the guy can flat out play. And Cy is not above using Underwood as the shooting guard as well as at the point. So, we'll have to wait and see.

[thefriscotxaggie]

I am trusting Coach's word on Reid; and I agree that while Underwood did a wonderful job coming down the stretch its not his natural position. Even if he goes back to two guard this trial by fire at PG will help him tremendously.

Something tells me that "The Wood" will be six man of the year next year averaging double digits a game.

[Aggie One]

I see what CY is doing. In short, he is attempting to build a team that has above the average mid-major size and length that can do more than just win MEAC championships then call it wrap after the conference tourney. If you look at the mid-major teams who were successful in getting beyond the first round of the NCAA, they all had length on the wings with speed and ball handling skills in transition, size in the backcourt, and consistent offensive rebounding with inside defensive presence.
I understand and see where he's coming from. Folks have to look beyond the immediate and be patient because he's on the right path.

[oleschoolaggie]

one thing for sure, if coach cy gets all the bigs that have committed, he'll be bringing in at least 3 bigs who are 6'9" or taller. and, none of his perimeter recruits are under 6'2" tall. for hbcu's, that's very good "size" and considering we've already got a true 6-7 inch "power forward" by the name of bruce beckford, aggieone is right. i can see where coach cy is going with this. it appears that the days of 5'10" or under aggie recruits are gone. the days of 6'7" centers are gone.

we've got to remember, coach cy has several years experience playing against former ovc foe murray state and he knows what kind of personnel it takes to make a dent on the midmajor level. gotta have "size" that's for sure. can't be having 6'7" power forwards like "d" upchurch guarding 7 foot centers like morgan state has...