University of Maine 2024–2025: Freel-ing good

[umhockey91]

Who loses by more: Maine Football at Oklahoma or Maine Basketball at Duke?

Football lost by 45 to Oklahoma.

Basketball lost by 34 to Duke.

 

[Sparkee]

Duke's other frosh was on fire in the 1st half and provided enough separation for Duke to dominate the 2nd half. I was actually pleasantly surprised with how Maine played....I think that they will do well in America East.

Maine looked better than ASU vs. Duke. Steele played very well.

Also, Ace Flagg was in the stands and they talked about him going to Maine next year. Evidently Cooper accelerated his school somehow and graduated early. Ace is more of a power forward vs. Shooting guard that Cooper is playing.

 

[sshablak]

Thanks in part to your Ross Mitton, Shabby. He's been a real solid pickup for Maine.

He's a hardnosed tough forward that can score. Take as many of him as you can get. BTW good to hear from you Fish.

 

[Drew S.]

It’s so crazy to have a kid from Newport be potentially one of the best basketball players and athletes in the world. It’s going to be fun watching him this year and hopefully he winds up in a decent situation next year. I think the Pistons would be a good spot for him but ultimately it comes down to the ping pong balls.

 

[Sparkee]

It’s so crazy to have a kid from Newport be potentially one of the best basketball players and athletes in the world. It’s going to be fun watching him this year and hopefully he winds up in a decent situation next year. I think the Pistons would be a good spot for him but ultimately it comes down to the ping pong balls.

What about the Bucks? Or the Spurs? I’m don’t follow NBA that closely, but at least he could join a team there with another superstar.

 

[Drew S.]

What about the Bucks? Or the Spurs? I’m don’t follow NBA that closely, but at least he could join a team there with another superstar.

I think the Bucks are on the decline and don’t think Milwaukee would be as good of place to live. I’ve never been to San Antonio so can’t comment on what it’s like but their long time coach is on the way out so that might be ideal. Wemby is obviously a great player and him and Flagg would be a good duo. Detroit does have some good young players and I think with Flagg would be good for a long time.

 

[StillKIA2]

It’s so crazy to have a kid from Newport be potentially one of the best basketball players and athletes in the world. It’s going to be fun watching him this year and hopefully he winds up in a decent situation next year. I think the Pistons would be a good spot for him but ultimately it comes down to the ping pong balls.

the new Lisa Blais

 

[walrus]

I'm waiting to see how Cooper does against other big time BBall schools. Just remember he is still 17.

 

[umhockey91]

Is anyone else a bit disappointed that Greg Moore hasn't had a more positive effect on recruiting players from the US Development team?

 

[grooverider]

Is anyone else a bit disappointed that Greg Moore hasn't had a more positive effect on recruiting players from the US Development team?

Good question, but that may take time if at all. Doesn't BC/BU have that pipeline locked down pretty hard for the elite talent?

 

[BlackBearFan19]

Good question, but that may take time if at all. Doesn't BC/BU have that pipeline locked down pretty hard for the elite talent?

I think you have to give that a little time. It was never a really consistent pipeline for Maine the way it is for BC/BU even in Maine’s best days. I expect we will see a player on occasion and I’m sure Moore will be a big advocate.

I’m sure Barr and him are in communication but those relationships take time, if Maine can keep themselves in the top 10 consistently and with the facility overhaul, I wouldn’t surprised if we start landing blue chippers.

 

[AMC]

The USNDP kids all have legit agents now who can steer them, as opposed to the old days when recruiting and advice filtered through coaches. Factors like "who is putting more kids in the NHL" and "were can I get the most NIL" are going to weigh more than "where did my coach go to college?"

I think if Maine wants to start recruiting in that stratosphere we all need to root for Bradly Nadeau to become a top 6 NHL forward and get a big second contract more than we need to bank on Greg Moore doing a solid for the home team.

 

[tylerzx2002]

I think you have to give that a little time. It was never a really consistent pipeline for Maine the way it is for BC/BU even in Maine’s best days. I expect we will see a player on occasion and I’m sure Moore will be a big advocate.

I’m sure Barr and him are in communication but those relationships take time, if Maine can keep themselves in the top 10 consistently and with the facility overhaul, I wouldn’t surprised if we start landing blue chippers.

We've landed some good players from their program, but it certainly has been a while since anyone has come from there. I think the last might have been Stu Higgins?

 

[Sparkee]

The more important recruiting play right now is to recruit and lock up Maine’s fair share(and more hopefully) of CHL major junior kids that opt to go NCAA. Hopefully starting a pipeline at least to QMJHL where proximity helps. Line those recruits up for visits to Alfond for the BU series in Orono!

 

[NorthMike]

Barrs talked about some interesting recruiting tidbits n the uscho interview.
Basically its at the point where interested players contact the school now.
The QMJHL player potential was also talked about. Barr sounded as though its not in his wheelhouse as he doesnt feel he knows that world or maybe no connections over there. Not that its out if the question. He did mention Fourtier has good connections in the western CHL, Manitoba.

 

[OronoKO]

Fortier coached in the Q

 

[Sparkee]

Barrs talked about some interesting recruiting tidbits n the uscho interview.
Basically its at the point where interested players contact the school now.
The QMJHL player potential was also talked about. Barr sounded as though its not in his wheelhouse as he doesnt feel he knows that world or maybe no connections over there. Not that its out if the question. He did mention Fourtier has good connections in the western CHL, Manitoba.

The guy scouting for us the most now is Eric Soltys. Barr mentions often what a help it is for Soltys to cover recruiting on the road so the other coaches can focus on the on-ice development. Soltys was a scout for 8 years for Rouyn-Noranda of QMJHL. He was also an amateur scout for 8 years after that for Calgary flames of NHL. So I think he would be very connected for QMJHL. Fortier also was an assistant for a year with Rouyn-Noranda of QMJHL. And one year for Kitchener of OHL.

 

[Sparkee]

Here is a map of the QMJHL teams: https://i0.wp.com/sportleaguemaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-QMJHL-Map.jpg?ssl=1

State of Maine is surrounded on all side. I think Soltys will have fun touring the maritimes this winter.

 

[NorthMike]

The guy scouting for us the most now is Eric Soltys. Barr mentions often what a help it is for Soltys to cover recruiting on the road so the other coaches can focus on the on-ice development. Soltys was a scout for 8 years for Rouyn-Noranda of QMJHL. He was also an amateur scout for 8 years after that for Calgary flames of NHL. So I think he would be very connected for QMJHL. Fortier also was an assistant for a year with Rouyn-Noranda of QMJHL. And one year for Kitchener of OHL.

You'll have to take that up with coach, I just found it interesting how he responded to the QMJHL question.
Maybe its one of those dont want to say too much moments.

 

[umhockey91]

You'll have to take that up with coach, I just found it interesting how he responded to the QMJHL question.
Maybe its one of those dont want to say too much moments.

I think that plus he is making recruiting in-roads in places that traditional powers draw from....and now this pops up.....it's probably a bit frustrating even though it should in theory benefit Maine from a geographic perspective.