General Recruiting Discussion/Comments 2022 and before

[Gonebarongone]

BC has no chance here but they definitely seemed to have turned the corner in recruiting. Buddy of mine knows Vin Pastore really well and they are close to making Mass Rivals a feeder type program. He loves Jim Christian. Ashton-Langford (former top 100) just transferred there from PC. He's just a guy but the younger brother (Demarr) is a 2020 top 100 and Jordan Geronimo is, too. Both have visits there this month. The AAU team that sent a top 100 to BC in 2018 (Team Loaded NC) has a top 50 PG that is visiting this weekend. Christian took over a recruiting disaster at BC, did a nice job recruiting some NBA guards, and is starting to pick up steam on the recruiting scene. Also got a former five star to grad transfer this year. They don't cross paths with URI often so I am rooting for him to succeed. Nice guy and Rhody alum. Great rep for finding and evaluating guard talent. People have finally taken notice.

Hearing from a guy pretty connected to BC that they believe they're going to get a commit from Demarr Langford.

Langford is #3 ranked NERR. BC already has a verbal from #9 2020 NERR 7’ Justin Vander Baan. Jimmy Christian making some noise.

https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/ ... ss-of-2020

Just heard from a guy who would know that Terrence Clarke having BC in his final list wasn't just a hometown fake me out. Christian saw him a few days ago and they have a puncher's chance here.

[EasyEdBrown]

Camaron Tongue was scheduled to visit

Was he actually on campus? Anyone see him? How did the visit go?

Unfortunately I don't have any other information.

[bigappleram]

Either this staff follows the Biggie motto of “bad boys move in silence” or this is not going to be a good recruiting period for us. Way too quiet in this section for my liking. VCU signed two more kids today I believe. Meanwhile no news on visits, and no real news on even who we are prioritizing besides Leggett who seems to be playing the long game to see if his stock rises.

[Rhody83]

Either this staff follows the Biggie motto of “bad boys move in silence” or this is not going to be a good recruiting period for us. Way too quiet in this section for my liking. VCU signed two more kids today I believe. Meanwhile no news on visits, and no real news on even who we are prioritizing besides Leggett who seems to be playing the long game to see if his stock rises.

Lack of announced OVs is concerning.
Coaches traveled Sunday to start meeting with recruits first thing Monday morning (when recruiting period opened).
Stealth like. I think Cox prefers it that way.
Leggett isn’t playing the long game. He is working on a few potential OVs from his final list. Rhody appears to be the favorite.
He is going to announce his decision and sign in November.

[DC_Rams]

Very steathly. They have been recruiting and building relationships. When the commits start happening, be surprised. They are working despite the lack of tweets.

[ramster]

2 solid commits for VCU on Friday

Brown-Jones’ Final 5 included:
Temple, St. Joe's, New Mexico and South Florida

Watkins’ Final 4 included:
St Johns, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech

Brings VCU to 4 commits for 2020 including Ace Baldwin and Josh Banks

https://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/thr ... nes.18225/

[rhodyblue12]

Watkins seems like a bigger, slightly less polished version of Dahmir Bishop - good get.
Mikeal Brown-Jones is athletic enough to defend a pick and roll in space and can shoot a bit.
He also looks strong enough to develop into a low block defender, when needed.
Solid. VCU targeting the same type of player - 6'7"-6'8" position-less types.

It would be nice to get one guy a lot like Mikeal Brown-Jones, actually.

[Billyboy78]

Watkins seems like a bigger, slightly less polished version of Dahmir Bishop - good get.
Mikeal Brown-Jones is athletic enough to defend a pick and roll in space and can shoot a bit.
He also looks strong enough to develop into a low block defender, when needed.
Solid. VCU targeting the same type of player - 6'7"-6'8" position-less types.

It would be nice to get one guy a lot like Mikeal Brown-Jones, actually.

It would be nice to get somebody to visit.

[bigappleram]

Very steathly. They have been recruiting and building relationships. When the commits start happening, be surprised. They are working despite the lack of tweets.

I’m willing to trust you here DC, hope u prove to be right. Go Rhody!!

[DC_Rams]

Very steathly. They have been recruiting and building relationships. When the commits start happening, be surprised. They are working despite the lack of tweets.

I’m willing to trust you here DC, hope u prove to be right. Go Rhody!!

None of our staff is big on social media. There are quite a few staffs in the A10 that operate similarly. The only reason the info typically gets out is if coaches/handlers are trying to get their kids more pub. Leggetts circle is pretty big, so we are naturally hearing more on his recruitment.

[RamStock]

If we miss on Leggett we will probably be in for a very questionable recruiting class. Last year we were involved in some very high ranked players. This year we haven’t landed anyone-just don’t think Wood is going to be very good. It is true that URI sometimes lands a guy that we heard nothing about, but it is kind of concerning. There is not even close to the buzz there was last year. We will see, but with the talent we lose it is not sustainable to keep up our success without replacements.

[TruePoint]

Is it possible they looked at last year’s buzz with respect to Bishop, Walker, McLeod etc and figured that it didn’t really help them and may have hurt them (if not with the recruits maybe with outside perception after going 0/3)? There has also been some change on the staff which could account for some of the change in approach. Idk, just spitballing here. We haven’t had what I’d consider a bad class since Cox got here as an assistant; until the recruiting class is closed I won’t assume this is the first one.

[reckless jake]

As of today we have an 11 man roster for next season, including 10 returnees.

From a prospective recruit's standpoint, where is his playing time going to come from?

Individual playing time is going to be really hard to come by for incoming recruits and playing time is generally one of the top factors in a recruit's decision.

[Rhody83]

If we miss on Leggett we will probably be in for a very questionable recruiting class. Last year we were involved in some very high ranked players. This year we haven’t landed anyone-just don’t think Wood is going to be very good. It is true that URI sometimes lands a guy that we heard nothing about, but it is kind of concerning. There is not even close to the buzz there was last year. We will see, but with the talent we lose it is not sustainable to keep up our success without replacements.

Last year at this time we had the early signing of Long. I would put Wood in the same category as Long.
All the buzz was about Walker, Bishop & McLeod. Rhody missed on all three of them so who cares about the buzz.
We signed Hammond late and Toppin after recruiting was over. Yet most are excited about last year’s recruiting class of Long, Hammond & Toppin. Buzz = nothing.

If this year’s class ends up Wood, Leggett & a big man (that we haven’t heard about) how will everyone feel?
An advantage Rhody has is the current open scholarship. That can be used on big man at any time - a transfer like Walker or KI, a early enrollment like Akok at UConn or Mading here.

I believe that Leggett will commit to Rhody.

Most of the buzz comes from the recruit or high school/prep coach on social media and telling the recruiting media.

[Rhody83]

As of today we have an 11 man roster for next season, including 10 returnees.

From a prospective recruit's standpoint, where is his playing time going to come from?

Individual playing time is going to be really hard to come by for incoming recruits and playing time is generally one of the top factors in a recruit's decision.

There are two needs for next year’s roster and more importantly the year after - PG and C.
If I am a PG or C recruit, I can be sold on some playing time as a Fr and starting as a Soph.

[DC_Rams]

Mading was unheralded. Now look where his stock is headed. I don’t question Cox’s ability to identify and recruit talent. Sure, there will be misses, every coach misses. The product on the floor is all that matters. The buzz may be low because we don’t have much to sell at this time. I’m sure a C is a priority, but I’m also sure the want a C that FITS the mold that the staff is shaping.

We are legitimately looking at a 10 man rotation. 2 seniors. We are selling Leggett on Jeff’s position and a big in Cyril’s position. Other than that, we are pretty set. Wood will get in where he fits in...a long, PG to spell Fatts at times.

[Rhody83]

[TruePoint]

St George’s has a basketball team???

[Rhody83]

Guessing Calapari pushing for commitment moved Clarke’s announcement up which then caused Green to back away.

[KevanBoyles]

https://cbbcentral.com/2019/08/07/five- ... g-classes/

In case you missed this.

[ramster]

Carte’are Gordon from starting Freshman Center at St Louis and #75 ESPN to DePaul and now Northwest Florida Raiders for 2019-20.

http://nwfraiders.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/roster


When Gordon committed to Saint Louis he was ranked #9 ESPN Class of 2018.

[bkoeppen]

2022 guard - same school as Josh Ogundele

[Rhody83]

2022 guard - same school as Josh Ogundele

‘22 6’3” PG from Worcester Academy. Most likely Austin Carroll’s first offer as a Rhody Assistant. Austin played at Worcester Academy and Brewster.

[ramster]

Good company
St Louis was also on hand from the A10 at this September Evaluation

[giovanni]

[DC_Rams]

Game is eerily similar to Tyrese’s

[reef]

We love our lefty’s at URI too

[Rhody83]

[DC_Rams]

Is this significant for some reason? Were we recruiting him?

Not trying to be smug, jus never heard of the kid.

[Rhody83]

Not really significant. I can see us competing with SJU for big men so I like that they have one committing.
I am hoping Rhody starts making headway in NY area. DJ could be a start.

[DC_Rams]

Not really significant. I can see us competing with SJU for big men so I like that they have one committing.
I am hoping Rhody starts making headway in NY area. DJ could be a start.

Oh ok, I see the angle now.

[ramster]

Nice pick up today for Dan Hurley in Andre Jackson

https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/10/02/and ... s-to-uconn

[ace]

Nice pick up today for Dan Hurley in Andre Jackson

https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/10/02/and ... s-to-uconn

If I woke up one day and could magically dunk, I think I’d do just that all day, every day.

[theblueram]

Fuck uconn.

[ace]

I guess this is recruiting based, since he’s saying it based on his top ranked class. Most coaches like to keep expectations low key for a young team. Hardaway obviously does not. Whatever happens, it’s likely to be very interesting...

[theblueram]

He's got the money. Guess he's spending it well

[reef]

Wow Andre Jackson looks athletic as heck

[Rhody83]

[Rhody83]

PC swings and misses again on a 4 star (AJ Hoggard to Mich State). Make the recruit’s final 5 and then he goes P5/better school. They aren’t looking good on their other 4 star recruits who all show other schools leading - Lane, Timberlake & Foster.

[bigappleram]

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

[Rhody83]

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

You don’t get unlimited shots in recruiting. PC is shooting high this year. I don’t blame them. Leveraging Cooley, Big East and new practice facility. So far they are 0 for their 4 star targets. Making a recruit’s final 5 and missing is losing after investing a lot of resources. URI did this last year with Bishop, Walker & McLeod.

[bigappleram]

Yes and like us last year I am sure Cooley has his Plan B's and will move to those if he whiffs on his priorities.
You aren't going to snag any 4 or 5 stars if you don't pursue them, you will lose a lot more than you win but doesn't mean you stop trying.

[Rhody83]

You are oversimplifying things. Need more detail. PC has six open scholarships for next year and they have one ‘20 verbal commitment (3 star SG Alyn Breed). They could also lose Watson early. That’s a lot different than URI last year returning their top 6 players + Walker as transfer. PC has one Fr this year.

[bigappleram]

Next year they will still likely have Duke, Reeves, Bynum, Watson, Gannt and Nichols. That’s a pretty strong group still, i am sure Cooley has his eyes on secondary options behind his primary targets.

[JimSidd]

Losing Watson early? I’ve liked his game for two years and always felt Cooley should have played him more. I’m sure he has improved since last year, but he’d have to make a tremendous leap to leave after this season, in my opinion.

[Rhody83]

Losing Watson early? I’ve liked his game for two years and always felt Cooley should have played him more. I’m sure he has improved since last year, but he’d have to make a tremendous leap to leave after this season, in my opinion.

His injury sets him back. Media covering BE saying he could be BE first team.

[bigappleram]

Yes but he’s 6’9/6’10 with a 5 man skills. Not good for the NBA.

[Rhody83]

Yes and like us last year I am sure Cooley has his Plan B's and will move to those if he whiffs on his priorities.
You aren't going to snag any 4 or 5 stars if you don't pursue them, you will lose a lot more than you win but doesn't mean you stop trying.

Apparently KMac sees some concerns with the ‘20 class for PC. From his article:

The news with the 2020 Class is a bit worrisome. While some targets have dropped the Friars or chosen other schools, PC only owns one commitment (from Atlanta guard Alyn Breed) and may be fighting from behind in other battles. Two Top 50 players still listing Providence are Xavier Foster and Earl Timberlake. Foster is a 6-10 big man from Iowa who was in town two weeks ago and is down to PC, Iowa, Iowa State and Virginia Tech. His father, DaJuan, told the Des Moines Register that the family was impressed that PC is only focused on basketball, saying “the school was cool. Being there, it was so small. And the resources are unbelievable.”

Timberlake is a 6-5 wing player from DeMatha (Md.) Catholic who’s recruitment has been difficult to pinpoint. He’s now down to PC, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, South Carolina and Miami. Over the last few weeks, the Pirates, Gamecocks and Hurricanes all seemed like plausible destinations but nothing is clear right now.

[ramster]

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

You don’t get unlimited shots in recruiting. PC is shooting high this year. I don’t blame them. Leveraging Cooley, Big East and new practice facility. So far they are 0 for their 4 star targets. Making a recruit’s final 5 and missing is losing after investing a lot of resources. URI did this last year with Bishop, Walker & McLeod.

I wouldn’t call it “losing after investigating a lot of resources”
I applaud Cooley and his staff for recruiting aggressively.
One shouldn’t judge the recruiting class in short windows but over the longer term.
I think Cooley got an undervalued PG in Alyn Breed who could get to a 4 star level. Plays highest level of competition in HS and in AAU playing alongside some 5 star players
I like aiming high -

[Rhody83]

PC missed on another 4 star/Top 100 recruit after making his final five.