Abdul-Malik Abu, PF (NC STATE VERBAL)

[MJDinkins]

It's no joke Moose. If Lavin loses Abu after losing every single front court player/recruit he went after last year, things will not be looking good.

IF is one helluva word. Packs a powerful punch for just 2 letters.

Perhaps wishfully thinking on my part but I have a hard time with coach Lavin losing out on recruits to the likes of Providence and crappy conference affiliate Yukon, especially after last years failure to bring in a front court player and with the potential upcoming losses of Sanchez and Sampson.

True, I guess well just have to wait and see but it is a bummer when many here thought we led for this kid.

I don't recall anyone here who thought we led for Abu.

I'm not sweating it. Quite frankly, I think Sampson will be back. IMO, the only player we'll lose is Sanchez. That is because he'll be a senior.

I guess you can chalk this up to Providence and UConn being in New England aiding them in this recruitment. Cooley also, supposedly, has a good rapport with Expressions' coach due to his (Cooley) roots in New England.

 

[Andrew]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

Unless your Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and a few other programs recruiting is really difficult and seems to get harder each year.

 

[MJDinkins]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Does the 2011 class ring a bell? The entire class, with the exception of Gift, committed early.

I also like early commits, but at the end of the day it's all about committing period. Whether, they commit early or late, it's all about getting the player to sign.

 

[Lavin1991]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

I was specifically referring to the last 2 years. The majority of the signings were late.
Sampson (Re-committed in march)
Balamou (March)
Obekpa (June)
Orlando Sanchez (April)
Rysheed (April)

 

[MJDinkins]

Recruiting should be the last thing to bitch about when it comes to Lavin.

It's disappointing to miss out on Abu, but I'm confident Lavin will bounce back. Until he consistently strike out with targeted recruits, then I'm not gonna sweat it.

 

[Moose]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

Unless your Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and a few other programs recruiting is really difficult and seems to get harder each year.

Early returns on 2014 rankings per ESPN

1. UNC
2. Ohio St.
3. Maryland
4. Florida
5. Gtown
6. Miami
7. Lville
8. Tennessee
9. Alabama
10. NC State.

So one of the schools you mentioned. But also year to year based on # of ships its too unpredictable. I don't agree with your statement because then it would leave about 340 coaches in D1 who have it hard in your words.

We will be attractive to front court players if we have time to offer them. Not saying Abu's will magically add us but we know full well how much things change. Karr, Obekpa, Gathers, plenty of others.

 

[Moose]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

I was specifically referring to the last 2 years. The majority of the signings were late.
Sampson (Re-committed in march)
Balamou (March)
Obekpa (June)
Orlando Sanchez (April)
Rysheed (April)

I know. But I also pointed out the opposite and also showed how a lot of the early guys didnt work out. Rushed decisions? Jumped the gun? Any complaints with what Lavin pulled in late? When he doesn't deliver then the critics can come flying. In the meantime they can just critique his 'coaching'.

 

[Lavin1991]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

I was specifically referring to the last 2 years. The majority of the signings were late.
Sampson (Re-committed in march)
Balamou (March)
Obekpa (June)
Orlando Sanchez (April)
Rysheed (April)

I know. But I also pointed out the opposite and also showed how a lot of the early guys didnt work out. Rushed decisions? Jumped the gun? Any complaints with what Lavin pulled in late? When he doesn't deliver then the critics can come flying. In the meantime they can just critique his 'coaching'.

Great point.

 

[Redfaced]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

I was specifically referring to the last 2 years. The majority of the signings were late.
Sampson (Re-committed in march)
Balamou (March)
Obekpa (June)
Orlando Sanchez (April)
Rysheed (April)

Good point, perhaps we can credit the early signees in the 2011 class to the hype surrounding the arrival of coach Lavin and of course, the immediate playing time factor. If you think back to past SJU coaches as Mahoney and Frannie F, each brought in a big recruiting haul in their first year surrounding the hype of their arrival.

 

[Andrew]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

Unless your Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and a few other programs recruiting is really difficult and seems to get harder each year.

Early returns on 2014 rankings per ESPN

1. UNC
2. Ohio St.
3. Maryland
4. Florida
5. Gtown
6. Miami
7. Lville
8. Tennessee
9. Alabama
10. NC State.

So one of the schools you mentioned. But also year to year based on # of ships its too unpredictable. I don't agree with your statement because then it would leave about 340 coaches in D1 who have it hard in your words.

We will be attractive to front court players if we have time to offer them. Not saying Abu's will magically add us but we know full well how much things change. Karr, Obekpa, Gathers, plenty of others.

Is it possible that Lavin's first year success recruiting was a result of being an ESPN commentator that was familiar to the recruits?

 

[Moose]

I won't doubt Lavin. But things aren't looking too good for the class of 2014

You can never count Lavin out. He stole Obekpa (turned into a MAJOR piece for us) at the last second from Cincy, fought and got us Sanchez, and just stole Rysheed from Philly. Let's just wait and see what happens first before worrying.

I know it's tough to doubt Lavin with his track record but I wish he's had success in getting recruits to commit early.

Like his first year when 7 of the 9 kids committed before we ever played a game?
Of course having unlimited playing time sure helped.
Flip side is look how many made the 'wrong' decision maybe.

Unless your Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and a few other programs recruiting is really difficult and seems to get harder each year.

Early returns on 2014 rankings per ESPN

1. UNC
2. Ohio St.
3. Maryland
4. Florida
5. Gtown
6. Miami
7. Lville
8. Tennessee
9. Alabama
10. NC State.

So one of the schools you mentioned. But also year to year based on # of ships its too unpredictable. I don't agree with your statement because then it would leave about 340 coaches in D1 who have it hard in your words.

We will be attractive to front court players if we have time to offer them. Not saying Abu's will magically add us but we know full well how much things change. Karr, Obekpa, Gathers, plenty of others.

Is it possible that Lavin's first year success recruiting was a result of being an ESPN commentator that was familiar to the recruits?

I think immediate playing time had to do with a lot.

So are you saying the first year was a mirage? And since then we aren't getting top recruits?

 

[MJDinkins]

Lavin brought in a top 20 recruiting class in 2012.

He also brought in a top 25 player, with only one scholarship, in 2013.

So, he's had success besides his first year.

 

[mjmaherjr]

it's funny how the natives get restless when a recruit picks another school or drops us. Makes for fun reading at least

I'm not going to lose sleep over it. Lavin just brought in our highest ranked recruit this past year.

Dont know who it will be but Lavin will deliver

 

[Redfaced]

It would seem hat Angel Delgado becomes a priority recruit at this juncture.

 

[Moose]

it's funny how the natives get restless when a recruit picks another school or drops us. Makes for fun reading at least

I'm not going to lose sleep over it. Lavin just brought in our highest ranked recruit this past year.

Dont know who it will be but Lavin will deliver

And when a recruit lists us or there is article written they all feel we lead for him and nobody else exists. It's way too hot and cold. Recruiting is unpredictable. Everyone just needs to be more even keel on it.

 

[bamafan]

it's funny how the natives get restless when a recruit picks another school or drops us. Makes for fun reading at least

I'm not going to lose sleep over it. Lavin just brought in our highest ranked recruit this past year.

Dont know who it will be but Lavin will deliver

And when a recruit lists us or there is article written they all feel we lead for him and nobody else exists. It's way too hot and cold. Recruiting is unpredictable. Everyone just needs to be more even keel on it.

Agree with your first statement with the caveat that if either Duke or Kentucky is on the list everybody just gives up!

 

[LJSA]

I thought we'd be in top five for Abu, but I didn't think we had any chance of coming out on top, so I'm not worried at all.

I'd actually be more worried to be a Providence fan at this point in time. If they flop big time after all the effort they are pouring into this current class, I think their reputation takes a big hit with regard to future recruiting.

 

[MJDinkins]

I thought we'd be in top five for Abu, but I didn't think we had any chance of coming out on top, so I'm not worried at all.

I'd actually be more worried to be a Providence fan at this point in time. If they flop big time after all the effort they are pouring into this current class, I think their reputation takes a big hit with regard to future recruiting.

In some ways, I agree with you, in reference to Providence.

The pressure is on them to land Abu, Terrell, and Chukwu. Or, at least, two out of the three.

 

[usguard]

Thought I just read Abu down to 4 and we are not one of them. Got this from rivals .com

 

[LJSA]

Thought I just read Abu down to 4 and we are not one of them. Got this from rivals .com

Only 12 hours late. :cheer: