St. John's Nearing Powerhouse Recruiting Class

[1and1sju]

Not to bash Felix, but I'm not sure what you mean by how he's been used? The kid got 10 minutes each game against FDU, Fordham, and Long Beach State. Got a total of 1 point. I get that he didn't play against Butler and Villanova. And he had limited minutes against SHU and Providence. But in any sport, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. I do expect he'll get a few more minutes as the season progresses, but I'm not really sure how Lavin can give minutes to a guard with an inability to score.

I dont disagree that he felix hasn't earned more minutes. But I'm not looking at it objectively, his adadvisor is Diallos advisor, and I've heard he isn't pleased with how the redshirt was burnt last season and how he's been used inconsistently this season.

As a basketball observer I agree with you that Lavin has given felix repeated opportunities, but his skill set doesn't warrant a full time role.

 

[simplyred]

My point is that there are plenty of kids that a coaching staff is involved with that the fans may not know about because the staff is not allowed to talk about potential recruits until they commit (maybe sign---I'm not sure). Some staffs may leak information but it doesn't appear that we do. Whenever we hear about a school being involved with a kid, that info comes from the kid or those around him (including HS and AAU coaches). Many times, a name pops up late on our radar but then you hear that we've been in contact for a couple of years. The reason I get frustrated with stories about our laziness on the recruiting trail is because people say things that aren't true. You don't know what you don't know. That doesn't mean it isn't happening.

 

[1and1sju]

Scramble mode = "I didn't know we were recruiting those kids"

Also, we have more 2015 commitments than Kansas right now. I'm sure Bill Self is scrambling. I too would like to get kids signed in the Fall but for whatever reason, Lavin always seems to get them late in the year. I don't think he pressures kids to commit early.

Oh my god, just stop.
I've posted in freeman, lovett, the greek, and the Italians threads... how can you say u didn't know we were recruiting them.
and Kansas is in the running for 6 of the top 10 players in the country, and they already have a likely mcdonald's all American signed.

Dink, the Europeans are reaches, and people are already counting on them being here.
I would be fine with Freeman and lovett if they were surrounded with better talent.

I will say this, the entire equation changes if obekph and jordan return. I'm not convinced they will, but then adding Sampson and lovett and freeman, gives us decent talent. Lot of its though

Tell us why the Europeans are reaches....

Counting on them as part of a powerhouse class is the reach. That's giVing them more credit than they deserve in my opinion.
As complimentary recruits, I think they're perfect. But they have not been exposed to the competition here that they would have had they been US HS students. The greek was a good prospect when he was in HS in PA, somebody to keep an eye on, but not being discussed as a future pro.
because we haven't seen them it gives them an exotic appeal, that I don't know that their games warrant.

Again, they're a reach to be counted on as top of the line recruits.
Sampson is a good start, staff needs to work their asses off to get Diallo.
And in fairness, it appears they're doing that.

But our recruiting situation isn't vastly different than last week when Zach wrote his critical piece.

 

[paultzman]

Not to bash Felix, but I'm not sure what you mean by how he's been used? The kid got 10 minutes each game against FDU, Fordham, and Long Beach State. Got a total of 1 point. I get that he didn't play against Butler and Villanova. And he had limited minutes against SHU and Providence. But in any sport, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. I do expect he'll get a few more minutes as the season progresses, but I'm not really sure how Lavin can give minutes to a guard with an inability to score.

I dont disagree that he felix hasn't earned more minutes. But I'm not looking at it objectively, his adadvisor is Diallos advisor, and I've heard he isn't pleased with how the redshirt was burnt last season and how he's been used inconsistently this season.

As a basketball observer I agree with you that Lavin has given felix repeated opportunities, but his skill set doesn't warrant a full time role.

My impression - Diallo camp, whether right or wrong, considers him one & done. They want to put him in best position to shine. One element of shining is getting primo PT. Another is playing with a team that can get him the ball. (PG) SJU has the former and is working on several fronts on the latter. Could we get him? Of course, but certainly not a lock. That said, the way things have unfolded recently, I like our chances. We'll see.

 

[simplyred]

Zach gets his information from this board.

 

[paultzman]

I

Scramble mode = "I didn't know we were recruiting those kids"

Also, we have more 2015 commitments than Kansas right now. I'm sure Bill Self is scrambling. I too would like to get kids signed in the Fall but for whatever reason, Lavin always seems to get them late in the year. I don't think he pressures kids to commit early.

Oh my god, just stop.
I've posted in freeman, lovett, the greek, and the Italians threads... how can you say u didn't know we were recruiting them.
and Kansas is in the running for 6 of the top 10 players in the country, and they already have a likely mcdonald's all American signed.

Dink, the Europeans are reaches, and people are already counting on them being here.
I would be fine with Freeman and lovett if they were surrounded with better talent.

I will say this, the entire equation changes if obekph and jordan return. I'm not convinced they will, but then adding Sampson and lovett and freeman, gives us decent talent. Lot of its though

Tell us why the Europeans are reaches....

Counting on them as part of a powerhouse class is the reach. That's giVing them more credit than they deserve in my opinion.
As complimentary recruits, I think they're perfect. But they have not been exposed to the competition here that they would have had they been US HS students. The greek was a good prospect when he was in HS in PA, somebody to keep an eye on, but not being discussed as a future pro.
because we haven't seen them it gives them an exotic appeal, that I don't know that their games warrant.

Again, they're a reach to be counted on as top of the line recruits.
Sampson is a good start, staff needs to work their asses off to get Diallo.
And in fairness, it appears they're doing that.

But our recruiting situation isn't vastly different than last week when Zach wrote his critical piece.

I don't know if we will land Mussini, but would love it. He moved up a level in Euro play & has done very well. His competition includes kids like Allan Ray, Andy Rautins & others who had taste of NBA. If Gonzaga wants him, that says something.

 

[bamafan]

Not to bash Felix, but I'm not sure what you mean by how he's been used? The kid got 10 minutes each game against FDU, Fordham, and Long Beach State. Got a total of 1 point. I get that he didn't play against Butler and Villanova. And he had limited minutes against SHU and Providence. But in any sport, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. I do expect he'll get a few more minutes as the season progresses, but I'm not really sure how Lavin can give minutes to a guard with an inability to score.

I dont disagree that he felix hasn't earned more minutes. But I'm not looking at it objectively, his adadvisor is Diallos advisor, and I've heard he isn't pleased with how the redshirt was burnt last season and how he's been used inconsistently this season.

As a basketball observer I agree with you that Lavin has given felix repeated opportunities, but his skill set doesn't warrant a full time role.

Fact - Diallo camp, whether right or wrong, considers him one & done. They want to put him in best position to shine. One element of shining is getting primo PT. Another is playing with a team that can get him the ball. (PG) SJU has the former and is working on several fronts on the latter. Could we get him? Of course, but certainly not a lock. That said, the way things have unfolded recently, I like our chances. We'll see.

Don't think these handler types do these kids any favors declaring them one and done types. Why don't they just keep their mouths shut until after they see what the kid does after his freshman year and than if it is the right move do it. All it does is put extra pressure on the kid, let him enjoy his fr year in college. Make your own damn money.

 

[MJDinkins]

Scramble mode = "I didn't know we were recruiting those kids"

Also, we have more 2015 commitments than Kansas right now. I'm sure Bill Self is scrambling. I too would like to get kids signed in the Fall but for whatever reason, Lavin always seems to get them late in the year. I don't think he pressures kids to commit early.

Oh my god, just stop.
I've posted in freeman, lovett, the greek, and the Italians threads... how can you say u didn't know we were recruiting them.
and Kansas is in the running for 6 of the top 10 players in the country, and they already have a likely mcdonald's all American signed.

Dink, the Europeans are reaches, and people are already counting on them being here.
I would be fine with Freeman and lovett if they were surrounded with better talent.

I will say this, the entire equation changes if obekph and jordan return. I'm not convinced they will, but then adding Sampson and lovett and freeman, gives us decent talent. Lot of its though

Tell us why the Europeans are reaches....

Counting on them as part of a powerhouse class is the reach. That's giVing them more credit than they deserve in my opinion.
As complimentary recruits, I think they're perfect. But they have not been exposed to the competition here that they would have had they been US HS students. The greek was a good prospect when he was in HS in PA, somebody to keep an eye on, but not being discussed as a future pro.
because we haven't seen them it gives them an exotic appeal, that I don't know that their games warrant.

Again, they're a reach to be counted on as top of the line recruits.
Sampson is a good start, staff needs to work their asses off to get Diallo.
And in fairness, it appears they're doing that.

But our recruiting situation isn't vastly different than last week when Zach wrote his critical piece.

I don't believe anyone has actually counted on them being a part of the recruiting class. But there is a chance they could be a part of the class. Both Mussini and Papagiannis plans to take a visit, and that is all you can ask for at this moment. I was also told there is a good chance Mussini ends up in the USA. Where? Yet to be determined.

Frankly, I'm not too worried about both of them not being exposed to HS ball over here (although, Papagiannis did play some HS ball over here). As, long as they display the proper fundamentals, then they should be alright. Many Europeans are well-schooled in that aspect.

As, for Papagiannis being considered a top prospect....

Papagiannis, a 7-foot-1 center who played Westtown School (Pa.), is ranked No. 38 in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2015. He had already taken unofficial visits to Maryland and Penn State.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...eorgios-papagiannis-signs-with-greek-pro-team

 

[MJDinkins]

I

Scramble mode = "I didn't know we were recruiting those kids"

Also, we have more 2015 commitments than Kansas right now. I'm sure Bill Self is scrambling. I too would like to get kids signed in the Fall but for whatever reason, Lavin always seems to get them late in the year. I don't think he pressures kids to commit early.

Oh my god, just stop.
I've posted in freeman, lovett, the greek, and the Italians threads... how can you say u didn't know we were recruiting them.
and Kansas is in the running for 6 of the top 10 players in the country, and they already have a likely mcdonald's all American signed.

Dink, the Europeans are reaches, and people are already counting on them being here.
I would be fine with Freeman and lovett if they were surrounded with better talent.

I will say this, the entire equation changes if obekph and jordan return. I'm not convinced they will, but then adding Sampson and lovett and freeman, gives us decent talent. Lot of its though

Tell us why the Europeans are reaches....

Counting on them as part of a powerhouse class is the reach. That's giVing them more credit than they deserve in my opinion.
As complimentary recruits, I think they're perfect. But they have not been exposed to the competition here that they would have had they been US HS students. The greek was a good prospect when he was in HS in PA, somebody to keep an eye on, but not being discussed as a future pro.
because we haven't seen them it gives them an exotic appeal, that I don't know that their games warrant.

Again, they're a reach to be counted on as top of the line recruits.
Sampson is a good start, staff needs to work their asses off to get Diallo.
And in fairness, it appears they're doing that.

But our recruiting situation isn't vastly different than last week when Zach wrote his critical piece.

I don't know if we will land Mussini, but would love it. He moved up a level in Euro play & has done very well. His competition includes kids like Allan Ray, Andy Rautins & others who had taste of NBA. If Gonzaga wants him, that says something.

So, does Virginia.

 

[paultzman]

Not to bash Felix, but I'm not sure what you mean by how he's been used? The kid got 10 minutes each game against FDU, Fordham, and Long Beach State. Got a total of 1 point. I get that he didn't play against Butler and Villanova. And he had limited minutes against SHU and Providence. But in any sport, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. I do expect he'll get a few more minutes as the season progresses, but I'm not really sure how Lavin can give minutes to a guard with an inability to score.

I dont disagree that he felix hasn't earned more minutes. But I'm not looking at it objectively, his adadvisor is Diallos advisor, and I've heard he isn't pleased with how the redshirt was burnt last season and how he's been used inconsistently this season.

As a basketball observer I agree with you that Lavin has given felix repeated opportunities, but his skill set doesn't warrant a full time role.

Fact - Diallo camp, whether right or wrong, considers him one & done. They want to put him in best position to shine. One element of shining is getting primo PT. Another is playing with a team that can get him the ball. (PG) SJU has the former and is working on several fronts on the latter. Could we get him? Of course, but certainly not a lock. That said, the way things have unfolded recently, I like our chances. We'll see.

Don't think these handler types do these kids any favors declaring them one and done types. Why don't they just keep their mouths shut until after they see what the kid does after his freshman year and than if it is the right move do it. All it does is put extra pressure on the kid, let him enjoy his fr year in college. Make your own damn money.

True, but I guess it is the world we live in today. Also, the advisors might have such assumptions, but things don't always turn out that way.

 

[monte]

My point is that there are plenty of kids that a coaching staff is involved with that the fans may not know about because the staff is not allowed to talk about potential recruits until they commit (maybe sign---I'm not sure). Some staffs may leak information but it doesn't appear that we do. Whenever we hear about a school being involved with a kid, that info comes from the kid or those around him (including HS and AAU coaches). Many times, a name pops up late on our radar but then you hear that we've been in contact for a couple of years. The reason I get frustrated with stories about our laziness on the recruiting trail is because people say things that aren't true. You don't know what you don't know. That doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Red name me one legitimate recruit(not a walk on or kid no one's ever heard of) who we recruited for a while without anyone knowing about and who popped up late on our radar? I'm getting up there in years so maybe I'm forgetting. Forget about the staff talking about it, these kids and their handlers blab to anyone who will listen.

 

[stjohnnie75]

Bottom line, no one should get too high or too low on recruiting until the recruiting cycle is over. Way too many factors and things changing to know the end result.

 

[simplyred]

My point is that there are plenty of kids that a coaching staff is involved with that the fans may not know about because the staff is not allowed to talk about potential recruits until they commit (maybe sign---I'm not sure). Some staffs may leak information but it doesn't appear that we do. Whenever we hear about a school being involved with a kid, that info comes from the kid or those around him (including HS and AAU coaches). Many times, a name pops up late on our radar but then you hear that we've been in contact for a couple of years. The reason I get frustrated with stories about our laziness on the recruiting trail is because people say things that aren't true. You don't know what you don't know. That doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Red name me one legitimate recruit(not a walk on or kid no one's ever heard of) who we recruited for a while without anyone knowing about and who popped up late on our radar? I'm getting up there in years so maybe I'm forgetting. Forget about the staff talking about it, these kids and their handlers blab to anyone who will listen.

I'd rather not do it off the top of my head but let me look into it and get back to you.

 

[ras]

Like many have mentioned CO and Sheed maybe the 2 most important "recruits".

 

[monte]

Like many have mentioned CO and Sheed maybe the 2 most important "recruits".

Everyone in the world knew we were on CO and Sheed, and for a very long time. We were discussing recruits who no one knew we were involved with and who popped up late. The only one that I can think of is maybe Thomas.

 

[SJU85]

So according to Zach a week ago, Lavin had lost his mojo for recruiting and a week later, we are on the verge of a monster recruiting class.

Hey Zach, why not stick to your original guns until we at least some of the players you mentioned have actually singed LOIs with us. It that happens you could at least say you made a mistake. I would respect you better.

 

[paultzman]

Like many have mentioned CO and Sheed maybe the 2 most important "recruits".

Everyone in the world knew we were on CO and Sheed, and for a very long time. We were discussing recruits who no one knew we were involved with and who popped up late. The only one that I can think of is maybe Thomas.

Initially we were listed with Cunningham last year, but the recruitment seemed to have abated. Then at the end we were right there. At that point his Mac Irvin guy noted we had recruited him long & aggressively. That one surprised me as I thought we had not stayed on him.

 

[ras]

Like many have mentioned CO and Sheed maybe the 2 most important "recruits".

Everyone in the world knew we were on CO and Sheed, and for a very long time. We were discussing recruits who no one knew we were involved with and who popped up late. The only one that I can think of is maybe Thomas.

I'm talking about for next year. Lavins gotta work on them staying.

 

[simplyred]

Like many have mentioned CO and Sheed maybe the 2 most important "recruits".

Everyone in the world knew we were on CO and Sheed, and for a very long time. We were discussing recruits who no one knew we were involved with and who popped up late. The only one that I can think of is maybe Thomas.

Initially we were listed with Cunningham last year, but the recruitment seemed to have abated. Then at the end we were right there. At that point his Mac Irvin guy noted we had recruited him long & aggressively. That one surprised me as I thought we had not stayed on him.

That is one that I recall. I was actually looking for the article where it mentioned that we had been in contact for a while. I know there were others but I would rather have proof before I throw any names out there.

 

[paultzman]

Like many have mentioned CO and Sheed maybe the 2 most important "recruits".

Everyone in the world knew we were on CO and Sheed, and for a very long time. We were discussing recruits who no one knew we were involved with and who popped up late. The only one that I can think of is maybe Thomas.

Initially we were listed with Cunningham last year, but the recruitment seemed to have abated. Then at the end we were right there. At that point his Mac Irvin guy noted we had recruited him long & aggressively. That one surprised me as I thought we had not stayed on him.

That is one that I recall. I was actually looking for the article where it mentioned that we had been in contact for a while. I know there were others but I would rather have proof before I throw any names out there.

Zach Braziller ‏@NYPost_Brazille · 19m
Josh Cunningham's coach Nick Irvin said St. John's has been recruiting Cunningham for a while. #sjubb