Briscoe Annoucing Next Thursday.

[billyjack]

Weird, cuz Briscoe tweeted about the great crowd at Carnesecca making some noise.

[ChestRockwell85]

You are right, that is weird.

[SJHooper]

Odd that he complimented the crowd, but maybe Lavin's BS is working again lol. Honestly if Lavin lands Briscoe and some other studs, I will start to think that he really has the ability to hypnotize recruits. If he lands Briscoe, is anyone else as curious as me to be a fly on the wall and see what his pitch is? I mean it must be incredible, because the program itself clearly can't brag about much.

[Amase2]

This is gonna be some decision. Both sides seem almost sure he is coming lol, one shoe has to drop.

SJU Baby!

[R Jay]

Apparently I was lost in the shuffle, but is it just between SJU and Kentucky now? I thought UCONN was in play as well?
Hope he picks SJU!

[SJHooper]

UConn was always the distant third it seemed. If you go on their board they say there is not as much PT for him as SJ can offer, plus they don't make him the priority that SJ is making him. The only thing IB seems concerned about regarding SJ is getting enough help to win. If that's all that's keeping him from signing this second, then he should verbally commit and wait to see if other big recruits come here knowing he is coming here. If Lavin can't get anyone else here besides Briscoe then he can always back out. I think the issue is that UK is telling him they won't wait for him if he decommits from SJ/UConn (if he picks either). So he only has 1 shot at UK and that's if he chooses them Thursday.

He claimed he wants to play for more of a players coach who isn't a screamer, demeaning players. Cal comes off as a major dick just from hearing him in interviews. If IB really doesn't want to get screamed at, then Lavin is the obvious choice. Our players LOVE Lavin. He may not have the tourney berths to show he is a great coach but personally, the kids love him. Cal will have no qualms about screaming at Briscoe. Lavin keeps his cool a lot more.

My heart tells me he is coming, but there is just always that nervous feeling of being insanely disappointed. I can't remember this ever happening to a team: if Briscoe comes SJ will likely be a good program and keep some prestige in the near future. If Briscoe doesn't come, Lavin is immediately on the hot seat if we don't make the tourney this year. This is going to be really tough going up against the big bully Kentucky, but if we win this battle I will never forget it as long as I live. I'll watch him passing over the UK and UConn hats grabbing for a SJ hat on ESPNU over and over. I realize he alone cannot do everything, but his presence will guarantee hype, respect, headlines, and other good recruits.

[RDinNY]

Apparently I was lost in the shuffle, but is it just between SJU and Kentucky now? I thought UCONN was in play as well?
Hope he picks SJU!

http://zagsblog.com/articles/isaiah-bri ... ore-123739

As for UConn, George said they are “absolutely” still in the mix.

“Connecticut’s been to the school,” he said. “Glen Miller’s been in contact, Kevin Ollie’s been in contact, but you know how this thing goes. If you think the odds are against you and it’s down to three, you move on to the next guy. That’s just the recruiting world. You put more stock into another person. That’s cool, that’s the way it goes.”

Asked if UConn had done that, George said, “I haven’t seen them, but I know they’ve been at the school. I’m not in town. I’m just saying, we understand it. If that’s what’s going on, I don’t know. But I know they’ve been in contact with my son heavy.”

A bit of a mixed message but it does sound like UConn has backed off a bit.

[REDMEN1415]

This is gonna be some decision. Both sides seem almost sure he is coming lol, one shoe has to drop.

SJU Baby!

IB coming could be a program changer, if he comes then I'm thinking other top recruits will follow. In the past I'd be all nervous and hoping he comes.
Now I'm just relaxed. I say if he comes then great. If not then oh well, I won't lose any sleep over it.

Just not setting myself up to be disappointed again with SJU, even if he verbals and doesn't sign I won't be excited, how many times do recruits back out of their verbals?
Sign the LOI and that's the only way I'll be excited.

But in the end my gut feeling tells me SJU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SJHooper]

I think it makes sense for him to just sign the LOI wherever he goes on Thursday. This has been so drawn out and covered everyday. If he doesn't sign the LOI and tries to decommit, the only team that will wait for him is SJU. UConn and UK would move on. So if he chooses SJU he should know that the other 2 won't wait for him. Just sign the LOI. I also think there's a sense of closure and true commitment when a player signs. Verbally committing isn't saying much. Signing is saying "Let's get this thing started". If I were Briscoe, I'd be eager to sign and know where I'm going 100%.

I know the crystal ball shows us leading about 55% or so, but I'm deathly afraid of Cal. He is so powerful, you just know he can easily promise a Range Rover behind everyone's back if he signs. Or a stipend, or anything else he wants. I can also see him saying "If you want your family to come see you I will pay for all their travel expenses including airfare and hotel". Don't call me crazy, because a lot of this stuff goes on behind closed doors. The more powerful the program and coach, the more resources they have. Even though UConn appears to be a distant 3rd, I've seen crazier things…maybe he shocks everyone and goes there.

I'm not being dramatic at all when I say that Briscoe's decision determines St. Johns' (and Lavin's) fate for the immediate future and can have long-term effects. If we get him, then we are back in the big headlines, the media is drooling over him being in NYC, the hype is back, and we may have the kind of PG who can recruit other major players and lead us to a top 25, NCAA tourney type of season. Oh, and Lavin's job would be safe for a while. And he likely keeps the momentum going with more great classes after Briscoe did his work here. If he does not choose SJ, then no way Sampson/Diallo come. Our best recruits for 2015 might end up being JUCO's, and Lavin is likely fired after this year assuming no NCAA's. We are forced to play walk-ons next year and finish anywhere from 8th through 10th in the conference. Recruits avoid us like the plague, we go back into hibernation, and we have to wait for a new coach to save us which hasn't been done since the 80's.

SJ can get Briscoe into the NBA just as easily as anywhere else if he's the real deal. Look at Stephen Curry at Davidson. If you have the true talent and you go prove it, you will be a great draft pick and succeed in the NBA. So I hope he doesn't buy Cal's speech that only he can do it. Going to UK would mean him riding the pine at times, not being anything special in a sea of 5 stars, and being far from his family whom he seems so close with. Going to SJ would mean unlimited PT, a coach that the guys love (may not be the greatest X and O's guy but his players adore him), easy access to his family, the biggest media market NYC, the most famous arena MSG, and the potential to become a true legend if he takes SJ on a deep run and turns out to be the real deal. He can be the big fish in a small pond or a big fish in the Atlantic Ocean.

[ChestRockwell85]

Let me just conclude so there is no confusion, that nothing would make me happier than IB ending up at SJU and hopefully bringing another guy or 2 with him. You SJU guys haven't had a lot to smile about in the past decade or so. I know it has been a heck of a rollercoaster ride. I am an Islanders fan so I know the feeling. I also think Lavin IS a good guy and he deserves a break. I have my fingers crossed for you guys.