[quote="Moose" post=386480][quote="Boo Harvey" post=386474][quote="Moose" post=386466][quote="Boo Harvey" post=386465][quote="Moose" post=386464][quote="Boo Harvey" post=386462][quote="Rob" post=386428]Contingency planning because the expectation is a greater than 50% chance that LJ decides to turn professional, so the staff is pleasantly surprised if he elects to return but has some options if he does not. Or someone else is considering a move. Or either of those are not likely to happen but they want to make sure diligence is done so we aren't left without options. Or some other creative options none of us are thinking about.[/quote]
Greater than 50 percent chance he doesn’t come back? Do you have inside info bc that’s not what I’ve been hearing.[/quote]
Well are you hearing based on inside information also?[/quote]
Most of the “insiders” have suggested he’s likely coming back. Of course few people, if anybody, know LJ’s mind. Indeed, it’s not clear whether even he does at this point. But I haven’t read anything credible to suggest the expectation is it’s more than likely he’s not coming back.[/quote]
I must have missed it because I don't recall seeing any insiders saying he is likely back. Is he getting drafted? No way but doesn't take inside information to figure that one out. The question will be if he has INTL options to play. At this point now its a flip of the coin.
I have seen quite a few players announce they are back or they are signing with an agent since declaring. LJ declared over a month ago but its been quiet.
I'm still firmly in the corner of we can't wait till July or whatever new opt out date they put into place.[/quote]
Zach has said it and Paultz as well. I don’t think either of them have suggested they know anything for certain, but even their hunches are meaningful to me.
Regardless, we can’t chase Figueroa out or force him to make a decision before July. Would send a horrible message to recruits. Nothing wrong with having a candid discussion up front about his intentions, but the kid has every right to explore the draft. It’s unfortunate that the process is delayed this year, but these are special circumstances.[/quote]
Respectfully I don’t think anyone has any firm idea. It’s 50 50. Zach and anyone who watches SJU knows he has no chance of being drafted. It comes to down to if he wants to play for pay somewhere in the world and nobody has those connections to know.
So will you promise then if LJ waits to formally leave and we can’t fill a spot because it’s too late and we struggle next year to not complain when losing our leading scorer leads to struggles?
Kid has every right to explore but doesn’t mean staff has to wait. Clearly they aren’t if we are being linked with Perez and Salnave etc. And I don’t feel it sends a bad message to recruits at all but you are absolutely good to feel that way if you choose.[/quote]
The fact that the staff "has been linked" to other players does not mean that "[c]learly they aren't" keeping Figueroa's scholarship open. It's not clear to me what, if any serious overtures the staff made to other players. The fact that we are not in Perez' top five strongly suggests that we weren't making a big push for him.
As to your question about whether I will pledge not to complain if Figueroa leaves and we find no adequate replacement, I make no such promise. I'm an irrational fan, and when it comes to this program, my emotions are unpredictable.
That said, I would expect the staff to do their due diligence and talk with the kid and his family/handlers before deciding how to proceed. If they feel there is a good chance he will come back, I think it's a prudent gamble to let things play out.
I know schools like Kentucky and UNC can afford to move on from a kid who hasn't made a decision on turning pro. I don't think we're there.
