2018 Recruiting Class Could Be The Best Yet

[kayako]

We going to pretend Brunson, Bridges, and Spellman are all going to return?

Might as well add Booth to that list. All 4 may leave, all 4 may stay, or more likely 1-3 decides to leave. I see Spellman as least likely to leave, though. The other 3 may have very little to gain by staying even if they aren't projected 1st rounders.

[MullinMayhem]

Two things really come to mind with SJ recruiting:

1) Yes, it's nice when a NYC metro area recruit wants to stay home. But let's be real, it's very rare especially if it's a 5 star or 4 star player. I know many will say look at Ponds, but he's the exception and wasn't Lavin the original recruiter? Could be mistaken, but I thought he was in on him while he was still here. For whatever reason, NYC area recruits want to get out more than recruits from other areas it seems. NYC isn't as much a draw for local recruits who grew up locally as it is for outsiders in other regions of the US who are more likely to be impressed by it. Of course we should do our best to get the local kids to stay, but it's becoming increasingly apparent they won't...so let's make a more national effort. Some of our best players weren't from the NYC area...look at Harrison from Houston and ended up our #3 scorer all time. Focusing on locals only will not help with our commuter school reputation. If we want a national presence, we need to recruit nationally.

2) I believe a Villanova fan said this above...maybe we are reaching too much. Prospective college students have their reach schools, their 50/50 schools, and their safety schools. So far, we seem to only be going for Harvard, Yale, and Princeton but the problem is we do not have the grades yet for it. If we seriously want to be landing these 5 star kids, we need to win and win now. Not only win, but show it's consistent and part of the culture of the program. We have not won an NCAA tourney game in almost 20 years...yes that's accurate even though it seems unbelievable. My point is that we need to focus more on 3 stars with high upside...solid players who will stay all 4 years and maintain consistency with the occasional pair of 4 star recruits to lead the team. As much as I want to be involved with these major recruits, it's a waste of time at this point of our rebuild. It's way too easy to negatively recruit us. Carnesecca looks like a high school gym...I remember being shocked that we were in the same conference as schools like Notre Dame, Syracuse, etc. with that building. The campus has had many upgrades recently and looks much better than just a few years ago, but there needs to be a huge effort to replace Carnesecca with something modern and get better basketball-only facilities. Ohio State probably has facilities on par with if not better than many pro teams and we are still playing in a high school gym with no seatbacks. It's almost designed to keep fans away.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...this season's results will make or break the Mullin era. If we don't make the NIT at bare minimum, we are in big trouble. Mullin has to show major strides have been made coaching defense and developing players.

[GumbyDamnit!]

RE: potential for Nova roster turnover after this year

Brunson
- JB will have enough credits to graduate after Jr year. We hear about how hard kids work on the court but the kid worked just as hard off the court. Those things rarely get reported. Kudos to him
- He’s probably peaked as a player. Either NBA scouts think he can play in the league or not at this point. You’re getting an A+ BB IQ in a below average athlete. Not sure another year improves his stock.
- He’s already got a ring. As tempting as it would be to have an entire roster in tact for he next 2 years, in his case is a run at another NC (which is so tough to win) worth it when his dream, career and $ (NBA or oversees) is there waiting for him now.
Prediction: this is his last year on the Main Line

Bridges
- RS Jr, so will graduate this year
- So much upside. Already a pro defensively—he’s like a spider. Needs to figure out how to take the next step offensively. He’s highly efficient but not polished enough IMO. He can knock down the 3 so maybe he’s a 3 and D guy. But I’d really like to see him be much more assertive. Everyone at Nova Nation is expecting him to be a 15+ ppg. I think that’s a stretch considering all the other weapons on the team.
Prediction: Tests draft waters after the season but is not a guaranteed 1st round so he returns.

Spellman
- Has one and done talent. Is he athletic enough to guard bigs at the next level?
- If he can show that he can run the floor and learn how to defend, and knock down some 3’s at a decent clip, I think there’s probably an NBA team willing to use a late first round pick on him.
Prediction: O&D

Booth
- RS Jr so he graduates this year.
- Don’t think he’s big enough or athletic enough for the NBA as an off guard.
- If JB bolts Phil is probably the starting PG in 2018-19 (unless they bring in a late stud from ‘18 like David Duke)
Prediction: tests waters, realizes if he has any chance at the big show it’ll have to be as a PG. Returns and runs the point for his post-grad year

So 2 schollys likely open and there’s a good chance another kid on the roster: Tim Delaney, either transfers out or becomes the team Mgr b/c of recurring health issues (bad hips). The kid unfortunately just can’t seem to catch a break.

[JohnW22]

RE: potential for Nova roster turnover after this year

Brunson
- JB will have enough credits to graduate after Jr year. We hear about how hard kids work on the court but the kid worked just as hard off the court. Those things rarely get reported. Kudos to him
- He’s probably peaked as a player. Either NBA scouts think he can play in the league or not at this point. You’re getting an A+ BB IQ in a below average athlete. Not sure another year improves his stock.
- He’s already got a ring. As tempting as it would be to have an entire roster in tact for he next 2 years, in his case is a run at another NC (which is so tough to win) worth it when his dream, career and $ (NBA or oversees) is there waiting for him now.
Prediction: this is his last year on the Main Line

Bridges
- RS Jr, so will graduate this year
- So much upside. Already a pro defensively—he’s like a spider. Needs to figure out how to take the next step offensively. He’s highly efficient but not polished enough IMO. He can knock down the 3 so maybe he’s a 3 and D guy. But I’d really like to see him be much more assertive. Everyone at Nova Nation is expecting him to be a 15+ ppg. I think that’s a stretch considering all the other weapons on the team.
Prediction: Tests draft waters after the season but is not a guaranteed 1st round so he returns.

Spellman
- Has one and done talent. Is he athletic enough to guard bigs at the next level?
- If he can show that he can run the floor and learn how to defend, and knock down some 3’s at a decent clip, I think there’s probably an NBA team willing to use a late first round pick on him.
Prediction: O&D

Booth
- RS Jr so he graduates this year.
- Don’t think he’s big enough or athletic enough for the NBA as an off guard.
- If JB bolts Phil is probably the starting PG in 2018-19 (unless they bring in a late stud from ‘18 like David Duke)
Prediction: tests waters, realizes if he has any chance at the big show it’ll have to be as a PG. Returns and runs the point for his post-grad year

So 2 schollys likely open and there’s a good chance another kid on the roster: Tim Delaney, either transfers out or becomes the team Mgr b/c of recurring health issues (bad hips). The kid unfortunately just can’t seem to catch a break.

I think you got the perfect breakdown here. Hard to argue with any of that. With my original post on it to clear things up I didn't think all 3 will leave, I just think chances of everybody being back is slim to none.

[CrawfishBucket]

Crawfish, you claim to be a fan of the BE, but seem to be very happy to post negative news about the BE. You are clearly a troll. What is the point of being a troll? Why don't you stay on the AAC board where you can share similar viewpoints with their fans. Not that I don't really enjoy having you show up here?!!

This is ridiculous. Come on now. I update with positive Big East News too. The Steere news just stands out because that is big news. Other Big East schools are recruiting him too.
I believe Butler is recruiting him.
LaVall is doin work. Butler is in the Final 2 for Morris Udeze from Montverde. The big man is set to announce tomorrow. It was a 3 man race between Ohio State, Butler, and Wichita State. But now its between Wichita State and Butler for the big man.

[EMT]

This recruiting class may open back up soon......

[CrawfishBucket]

Crawfish, you claim to be a fan of the BE, but seem to be very happy to post negative news about the BE. You are clearly a troll. What is the point of being a troll? Why don't you stay on the AAC board where you can share similar viewpoints with their fans. Not that I don't really enjoy having you show up here?!!

This is ridiculous. Come on now. I update with positive Big East News too. The Steere news just stands out because that is big news. Other Big East schools are recruiting him too.
I believe Butler is recruiting him.
LaVall is doin work. Butler is in the Final 2 for Morris Udeze from Montverde. The big man is set to announce tomorrow. It was a 3 man race between Ohio State, Butler, and Wichita State. But now its between Wichita State and Butler for the big man.

Looks like Evan Daniels committed a "Dewey Defeats Truman" snafu.

He said Morris Udeze commits to Butler in the headline... but in fact he gave his pledge to Wichita State. Butler seems to be looking at Chance Moore recently for 2018.

http://scout.com/college/basketball/rec ... -108091884

[JohnW22]

4 star Jaxson Hayes is making his decision at 3:30. Xavier, Butler, Georgetown are all being considered but it’s fairly obvious it’s going to be Texas unless he surprises everybody. Kid is an automatic redshirt no matter where he goes. Very athletic but is not talented in the slightest.

[FDS]

4 star Jaxson Hayes is making his decision at 3:30. Xavier, Butler, Georgetown are all being considered but it’s fairly obvious it’s going to be Texas unless he surprises everybody. Kid is an automatic redshirt no matter where he goes. Very athletic but is not talented in the slightest.

I thought it was fairly obvious that he would be taking his UK offer over Texas, Butler, Xavier, or GTown.

[billyjack]

Noah Locke, possibly the top shooter in the country, is choosing his school today.
The top finalists are Providence, Xavier, Florida and Michigan.

In a good sign for the Big East (maybe), both Florida and Michigan got SG commitments in the last 48 hours.
Hopefully that means that Locke will stay in the Big East.