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Think Happy Thoughts: Let's Talk About Greg Echenique

I need to move on. I know you need to move on. The longer I think about...that...the worse I will feel. So why not talk about something a little more joyful? (For what it's worth, this was coming anyway).

Wondering who this Greg Echenique fella is? (Some/most, no doubt, already know, but whatever). Simply, he's a 6-8, 260 big man originally from Venezuela who ended up at Rutgers after being heavily recruited by Maryland out of a high school in NJ. He averaged over 8 points and 8 rebounds a game as a freshman in the Big East, no small feat.

This year, he was doing even better: about 12 and 7. Then he injured his eye and would've had to sit the rest of the season out, but instead decided to transfer because Fred Hill - Rutgers coach - is a lame duck at this point and, despite great talent, the Scarlet Knights are a pretty crummy program.

Echenique will enroll before the spring semester begins, meaning he'll be able to play at the end of the first semester next year, sometime in December (I want to say the 11th, but I'm not sure) as a junior. Maryland is currently in competition with Indiana, Creighton, Miami and Georgia Tech for his services.

I'd imagine that Miami and GT would be the biggest competitors given that they, like Maryland, are big-time ACC programs, and, unlike Maryland, present a big playing time opportunity next year.

At this point, I'm not exactly confident about the big man choosing Maryland; next year is a rebuilding year of  sorts, and, unless Maryland lands a big recruit soon, the following year won't be all that much better. At the same time, his playing time wouldn't be great considering Jordan Williams and James Padgett are already in-house. That doesn't seem like an overly attractive package.

On the other hand, Maryland might've been #2 for him and already has a solid relationship. It's been proven as a place that can get you to the NBA, and it's apparently Venezuelan-friendly. He also has the ability to step in and be a star right away. Oh, and the transfer process is rarely the same as the recruiting process; he needs to make a quick decision, and he's very familiar with Maryland already.

If Echenique were to choose Maryland, I'm not sure any team will have gone from average down low to outstanding down low any faster. He's a little similar to Williams in that both are just as wide as they are tall, though Echenique is slightly more developed and is more aggressive, probably due to his experience. Ultimately, I see him more like a bulkier Trevor Booker than a JWill, and he would instantly be one of the best post players in the ACC. Not a great complement to Williams, but simply having two true posts for once would be delightful.

Even though Maryland would be in a rebuilding phase, Echenique would definitely give this team bubble potential or greater, so long as Pe'Shon Howard, Terrell Stoglin, and (especially) Mychal Parker met expectations. Guard play is a necessity in the ACC, but less so when the big men can dominate games.

A decision will be coming soon from Echenique, because he needs to enroll pretty soon. Maryland will definitely have the scholarships to spare, so time to hope he ends up in College Park.

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When's the deadline?

He’d be a nice get, but with our luck….

by mariolucasforthree on Jan 13, 2010 10:44 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Not what we need

I would take him, but he is not the shot blocking quick jumping addition the team does need. Someone around 6-10 who gets off his feet fast and has some lenght. One of these days we will get one, a game changer, hard to find but they are out there. To much like J Will I think.

by bigmanvan on Jan 13, 2010 11:32 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

he’s gone, he’s oficially headed to Creighton. Greg avg. 2.5 blks last season in the big east and carried last yrs production over to this season where he avg 2.3. Just because he’s 6’8 doesn’t mean he can’t defend. Do your homework before you say things like “not the shot blocking” presence we need. He would have undoubtedly been our best low post defender next season.

by Rome Grant on Jan 13, 2010 7:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Rome

Thanks for your reply. Thats why i said (i would take him). I have done my homework, and he is not what we need. He is not long like i said. On top of that he is not quick off his feet. His blocks come in close as he defends the basket. J Will will learn this as he matures..What I am speaking of is someone who can leave the man there on , come across the lane for the block.Leave that impression on everyone on the other team who thinks about driving the lane. Two different types of players, someone with length at least 6-10 around 225lbs or so.

by bigmanvan on Jan 14, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Classes starting

Of the five schools, Creighton’s classes begin today while GTech and IU started on Monday so I’d think that would knock them out if he wants to avoid sitting out all of 2010/11 as well. Miami starts Tuesday so it seems the longer it goes the better MD has a shot at him.

by themick17 on Jan 13, 2010 12:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Deadline

According to sources close to Echenique, Creighton is currently in the lead. Ga Tech and Miami are no longer in the mix. He is also reportedly looking at Duke and Indiana, although I think I just read that Indiana’s effectively jumped out of the race. Ech is apparently a good student (I don’t know if that is relative to other college basketball players or what) and takes academics very seriously, as do his parents. Creighton has top-notch academics and a medical school, both of which are important to the Echeniques. Of course, this all begs the question: if academics are so important to him, how’d he end up at Rutgers anyway? Kidding, mostly.

Remember, coming in as a freshman, he chose between Rutgers, Creighton and Duke. Duke has apparently been putting on a lot of pressure as of late, but I would imagine Ech is looking for playing time and he certainly would get more of that at CU. He’d also dominate the Missouri Valley Conference, which really lacks powerful big men inside at the moment.

Classes started today here at Creighton (Happy Syllabus Day, everyone) but I think he has until the University add/drop deadline, wherever he goes, to get enrolled in classes. I’ve also heard that his eye injury is preventing him from flying out for official visits, because of the variations in pressure and what-not.

If Creighton does manage to land him, it would be a very bright spot in an otherwise depressing season so far.

by Hilltopper on Jan 13, 2010 1:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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