Ricardo Gathers, PF - BAYLOR
- Thread starter Moose
- Start date
Della9250
Active member
From Harkless postgame:
On the message to recruits about Coach Lavin’s health:
“For some recruits it might be a problem with players not knowing if the coach is going to be there when they get to the school. I think him coming back tonight gave recruits confidence that he’ll be here next year and for many years to come.”
On the message to recruits about Coach Lavin’s health:
“For some recruits it might be a problem with players not knowing if the coach is going to be there when they get to the school. I think him coming back tonight gave recruits confidence that he’ll be here next year and for many years to come.”
Apparently more to the speculation about Lavin's health by nefarious characters on the recruiting trail. Pretty sure Dunlap pushed Lavin back ASAP at least in part due to this issue. No doubt LSU people have been in Gathers ear about many things, Lavin's health being one of them. Glad to see him back. Hope he reels Gathers back in as well.
While I love St J and love Gathers game I think the 3 reasons given for him not signing are legit. He is an 18 yr old kid making an impt decision and he wants to make sure coach's health is not an issue, BE doesn't fall apart and become a non-football conf, and that we look like title contenders with more good recruits on board. Remember this kid can just about name his school and needs to make the best decision for himself. And believe me I am as disappointed as anyone that he isn't signing right now. It used to take me months to get over losing a recruit going all the way back to Albert King, Pearl Washinton,Tony Red Bruin, and even Frank Spoon James.
I dont buy those reasons and think there's somebody in his ear for several reasons.
1). The "new" Big East won't effect Gathers all that much. All existing schools will be here until he's at least a junior. Conference changes shouldn't be the issue for most 2012 recruits.
2). If gathers thought his health was an issue, why not just ask him? You're committed to him. Lavin didn't
Even know about his de-commit. Lavin was healthy enought to postpone his surgery a year and when he is recovering from surgery during signing week, there is a de-commit? Gathers could google Lavin's prognosis and still know that his 4-year survival with low grade prostate CA is excellent.
I'm not blaming Ricardo for this stuff, but somebody is working his family and/or advisors with a lot of ying yang behind the scenes. Hopefully Lavs feels well enough to take a flight down there at the next open recruiting period to set everybody straight.
Of course there is someone in his ear; that is just part of the game when recruiting great players. Hopefully we keep recruiting this level of player and therefore we get used to this and realize early committments ae great but don't mean much until that LOI comes in.
Class of 72
Active member
It could be as simple as that no doubt or he is in love with a Cajun girl who wants him to stay close. it is almost out of character for a cajunkid to come play in NYC so this was quite a coup at first. I personally think the coaches dropped the ball on this kid and should have id'd all the key players around Gathers.
In the mean time we are still very much in the running for Gathers and there is a very good chance he will be wearing red and white next September. Lets all support the kid and let this play out as it should.
billthetruth
Well-known member
From Doug Gottleib
Coaches on the Hot seat
Trent Johnson, LSU
Johnson got to a Sweet 16 at Nevada, did well at Stanford and won the SEC in his first season in Baton Rouge. But in two seasons since, the Tigers are 5-29 in the SEC. Ouch. AD Joe Alleva loves Johnson's values and image, but the losing can't continue.
Coaches on the Hot seat
Trent Johnson, LSU
Johnson got to a Sweet 16 at Nevada, did well at Stanford and won the SEC in his first season in Baton Rouge. But in two seasons since, the Tigers are 5-29 in the SEC. Ouch. AD Joe Alleva loves Johnson's values and image, but the losing can't continue.
Good. Now that Lavin is back on the sideline squashing southern-based rumors about his health and everything else, I think we'll be in good shape to sign Gathers in the spring. Gathers was quick to say that he wasn't really opening his recruitment as he was just waiting for the spring, Gathers is one kid that Lavin doesn't want to lose and I don't think he will.
Don't usually discuss recruiting but from what I hear Gathers is still keen on SJU, however, he is getting a tremendous amount of pressure locally because of LSU's situation which caused him to defer signing until the spring. Reminds me a bit of Roderick Rhodes situation, RR wanted to go to Seton Hall, was convinced by a particular member of his family to at least visit Kentucky, which he did. The family was wooed big time and RR went to Kentucky where things did not work out to say the least. From what I understand Gathers is still a good bet to come to NY but you just never know until the LOI is signed. One last thing, the same person who assured me we will love Pointer because of his committment to winning told me similar things about Gathers.
Logen, I had posted it in the past and heard something similar. I think he is catching a lot of heat down there. He can commit to SJU in the spring and then just get out of dodge if he wants. I hope he stays on board and I think he will. He's another truly elite guy up front.