@SJUCoachLavin

 Sorely lacking all kinds of players. Shooters. Another PG. Frontcourt. Etc. Argh!

But I agree. No way we didn't reach out to Bennett. My guess is his inner circle made it clear he had a set list early on and so we didn't waste or time or resources.
 
 Sorely lacking all kinds of players. Shooters. Another PG. Frontcourt. Etc. Argh!

But I agree. No way we didn't reach out to Bennett. My guess is his inner circle made it clear he had a set list early on and so we didn't waste or time or resources.
Click to expand...
 

I'm almost sure our staff put out "feelers" for Bennett.
 
According to Scout there are eight 4star or better PF/C's undecided, including the late addition of Noels. We are discussing STJ still being in the game, to a greater or lesser extent, with 4 of them. I'm sure the staff did due diligence on the others and are sure they were not signable before eliminating them (or being eliminated by them).

Out: Noels, Parker, Bennett, Amile
Possible: Obekpa, Jakarr, Sheppard and Zena

This doesn't include JC's obviously.
 
Here is the article from Zags:

Lavin to Visit Findlay’s Winston Shepard

By Adam Zagoria on February 14, 2012, 11:44PM

While his team is mired in a four-game losing streak, St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin continues to recruit to land players for next season and beyond.

Lavin is on the West Coast and will be at Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep Wednesday to watch senior forward Winston Shepard, sources told SNY.tv. Findlay (23-1), No. 2 in the nation, plays host to ABCD Academy.

The 6-foot-8 Shepard is the Rivals No. 10 small forward in the Class of 2012. He is coming off a 10-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist game last Friday in an 82-47 win at Lubbock (Texas) Trinity.

Shepard has previously said his top five were New Mexico, Oklahoma State, San Diego State, UNLV and UTEP, but said he would also consider Oregon and St. John’s.

While in California, Lavin also checked out some younger players at Harvard-Westlake, St. John’s Bosco, Taft and Serra.

Harvard-Westlake also features 6-8 senior power forward Zena Edosomwan.

Edosomwan lists Harvard — the school that produced Jeremy Lin — as his top choice but will need the required SAT score to get in.

If not, St. John’s may have a shot.

“He’s an incredible athlete who can run the floor with anybody in the country and finish around the rim,” Harvard-Westlake coach Greg Hilliard told SNY.tv in December.

“He’s played less basketball than a lot so his polish needs to be worked on. I think everybody sees him as a four who can run the floor, rebound and block shots and has a nice handle.

“He’s a polite, high-character kid. That’s why everybody puts him so high on the list. He’s very academic oriented.”

St. John’s is also keying in on 6-8 forward JaKarr Sampson of Brewster (N.H.) Academy, a St. John’s decommit who visits Kansas Feb. 25, and 6-9 shot-blocker Chris Obekpa of Our Savior New American.

Obekpa is considering numerous schools, including Seton Hall, which beat St. John’s, 94-64, Tuesday night, handing the Johnnies their fourth straight loss
 
 It said in the article that he was also recruiting Taft and Serra high schools. Anybody have an idea for whom?
 
 It said in the article that he was also recruiting Taft and Serra high schools. Anybody have an idea for whom?
Click to expand...

I know Anthony January plays for Taft. That is the only one I can think of right now.  

EDIT: The article stated " also checked out some younger players." I can't figure out who were the "younger players." I'll take a look later and see who are on those teams rosters.
 
 Lav is also looking at Moose Bailey's kids: 6'6 PF/SF Leland King and a 6'1 soph PG Tra Holder or something like that. The soph is supposed to be a stud.

Lav was pictured with Moose tonight, so I'm sure he's in a good position for both if he wants them. I am really impressed with how close a lot of Lav's former players are to each other. I saw a tweet from Ray Young on Bailey's Twitter saying that he wished he was back in college hanging out at Rico and Moose's place. There have been several other similar tweets.
 
I really hope Lavin gets back on the bench. I am not a sky is falling kind of guy because I think it serves little purpose to panic. I think this team staying together and the ability to recruit dwindle as this tailspin of a season continues. I know Lavin has charisma oozing out of him but players, recruits and recruits parents see results as well and our results have been a wee bit on the putrid side.

Even if we lose the remaining 5 games I believe we need him on the bench to reassure recruits and this team. Something isn't clicking suddenly. I realize some of the issue is lack of depth and coaches focusing on DH, however some sort of stopgap needs to happen. Perhaps the coaches have another means of doing this but the best cure I can see is Lavin on the sideline. I know he has health issues but perhaps he can handle it if he can implement some self control, to keep himself from tiring. Just an opinion and we know what those are worth.
 
 It is a must that he gets back on the bench. I am sorry but I am one to panic.Him being in California and not at least at practices suggests possible another motive for being there beside recruiting.I want to know definitely wheather he is ever to coach again. If I am out of line,I sincerely apologize.
 
It's great Lav is recruiting, but the 6 guys he ALREADY has could really use his leadership right now! 
 
Just hard to understand how traveling around the USA, attending game after game, running to airports and taking red eyes is less stressful then coaching a 2 hour college game once or twice a week.

However, since this year is already a write off, I can see why Lavin feels that he is better off recruiting than coaching. Hard to believe that there isn't an NCAA rule that prevents this as it would appear to give us an unfair advantage over teams whose coaches must coach during the regular season.

Just make sure he brings back shooters and rebounders we already have enough "athletes"..........
 
 Actually, our "athletes" aren't even being utilized the way we'd like to with pressing and trapping due to depth problems.
 
 I hope lav is able to get a few of these guys to come visit for the UCLA game. Winston and Zena especially.
 
My wish list has Lavin back making his return appearance at either the UCLA  or the ND game at the Garden and the entire audience, security guards, ushers and hot dog vendors standing up and welcoming him back with a deafening ovation.
 
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