Kevin Willard

[PhillyPirate]

What does Seton Hall's recruiting class look like for next year?

Right now they only have one open scholarship and that is going to Myles Powell, a top 75 recruit. They also have transfer Jevon Thomas eligible next year. He was the starting point guard at K-State. His stats werent amazing but he led the team in assists and was second in steals so worst case he is a pure point for depth and veteran leadership.

They are still out recruiting so that anticipates someone will transfer or leave early. Whitehead made it clear he wants to play in the NBA but will leave when hes a guaranteed first round pick. A lot can change between now and then and I dont know what is family situation is like but I honestly think he stays- not ready yet. Delgado I have no idea, dont think he is ready for the league but he could always go home and play back in the Dominican Republic I guess.

Think its pretty likely someone on the end of the bench transfer transfers, opening ships for either Eron Gordon, Taureen Thompson, or Alpha Diallo- all who have been linked to SHU with heavy mutual interest.

[SetonHallPat08]

What does Seton Hall's recruiting class look like for next year?

Right now they only have one open scholarship and that is going to Myles Powell, a top 75 recruit. They also have transfer Jevon Thomas eligible next year. He was the starting point guard at K-State. His stats werent amazing but he led the team in assists and was second in steals so worst case he is a pure point for depth and veteran leadership.

They are still out recruiting so that anticipates someone will transfer or leave early. Whitehead made it clear he wants to play in the NBA but will leave when hes a guaranteed first round pick. A lot can change between now and then and I dont know what is family situation is like but I honestly think he stays- not ready yet. Delgado I have no idea, dont think he is ready for the league but he could always go home and play back in the Dominican Republic I guess.

Think its pretty likely someone on the end of the bench transfer transfers, opening ships for either Eron Gordon, Taureen Thompson, or Alpha Diallo- all who have been linked to SHU with heavy mutual interest.

We are also looking at a few of other prospects for next year who has mutual interest in us... Moustapha Diagne & Jeromy Rodriguez... We also had about 20 recruits at the Wichita State game.

[ChestRockwell85]

Well, it certainly seems, that despite the lack of scholarships, which is certainly not something Willard can control, Seton Hall's recruiting remains strong. Always a good sign if you ask me.

[trephin]

How are scholarships not in Willard's control? He's in his 6th year as coach. These recruiting classes have been his to put together for several years now. I don't think he's had any inherited players for at least 3 years

[xusandy]

Having scholarships "available" is a tricky concept. Scholarships are not guaranteed for 4 years, and there have been cases when a scholarship was simply withdrawn from an unliked and unhappy bench player, and then offered to a hot recruit -- usually with a tiny little story in the local paper about how the dismissed kid cut practices, didn't go to the weight room, etc. Callipari did it at Kentucky a couple of years ago. But when he really wants to have another scholarship available, it's more common for a coach to help the bench player transfer to a school (DII?) where he'll get playing time immediately. These are risky moves for coaches though, since you can bet potential recruits will hear about the "lack of integrity" and "lack of commitment" to his players shown by a coach who does this very often.

Personally, I like what Chris Mack has done at X, though I'm not sure whether it's intentional or accidental. For several years, he has carried one FEWER scholarship player than allowed (what the heck, no-one plays more than a 10 man rotation anyway, so the last one or two scholarships are usually held by "projects" who have a pretty low chance of working out in the future.) So X's last available scholarship has usually been open for a last minute opportunity, or if one doesn't turn up, it has been given as a full or partial 1 year prize to a walk-on or two (usually seniors) who have shown a lot of dedication to the program.

And there are ways to open up a scholarship. For example, I've seen a medical redshirt attend a few Freshman classes as a non-scholarship part-time student (whatever his family can afford to pay for, maybe with the help of a friendly part-time job), and even attend practices or team meetings, with the strong promise that a full scholarship will be offered to him again the following year. Not a bad deal if you're a high school stud who has knee surgery before ever getting to college and fears his free ride may be lost forever.

Bottom Line: Not having a scholarship "available" for that prized recruit is not necessarily a huge problem.

[Hall2012]

I could be wrong, but I get the impression that Willard is continuing to recruit the class of 2016 hard as an insurance policy for, or even in anticipation of, one or two players attempting to turn pro at the end of this season.

[SetonHallPat08]

If either Angel or IW go pro. They are making a mistake. Neither has played that well and at the beginning of the year IW was projected as the 90th best player in the nation. Angel wasn't even ranked.

Anyway the NBA will invite top prospects to a camp after CBB season and GMs/Scouts will directly tell players where they are.

I doubt either goes Pro.

My bet? In order of likelihood:

1) Someone who isn't seeing any time and is very far down the depth chart at their position may transfer and open up another spot.
2) Braedan Anderson does not get his 6th year of medical eligibility.
3) IW/Angel goes Pro.

[Hall2012]

If either Angel or IW go pro. They are making a mistake. Neither has played that well and at the beginning of the year IW was projected as the 90th best player in the nation. Angel wasn't even ranked.

Anyway the NBA will invite top prospects to a camp after CBB season and GMs/Scouts will directly tell players where they are.

I doubt either goes Pro.

My bet? In order of likelihood:

1) Someone who isn't seeing any time and is very far down the depth chart at their position may transfer and open up another spot.
2) Braedan Anderson does not get his 6th year of medical eligibility.
3) IW/Angel goes Pro.

I absolutely agree that it's not likely and would be a mistake for either player to go, but knowing that it's each player's goal, it would also be a mistake for Willard to dismiss the possibility and get caught with his pants down if one of them should decide to leave. Personally, I don't expect Seton Hall to make any major recruiting additions, simply due to the fact that options 1 and 2 here both would not open up any substantial amount of minutes for next season.

[BEhomer]

willard has done a good job so far this season.

put his team in a good position for ncaa berth.

team is showing much better chemistry. (I never liked gibbs holding the ball and chucking up 3's at the end of shot clock. now, that problem is uconn's)

players are showing development from last year. (Nzei, rodriguez)

and he has added a solid recruit to 16 class.