Tip-Off Friday, October 25

[tom in salem]

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[1and1sju]

Lavin speaks on recruiting philosophy and family atmosphere at SJU.

Briscoe pretty much echoed this in his Zags article.

Even if I wasn't an alumni or even a fan of SJU, I'd have nothing but respect for the way he explained his intentions regarding recruiting. Very honest.

We'll miss out on a lot of recruits that love the social media attention and promises of being a star, a starter or a 1st round draft pick, but at least they know what they're stepping into if they choose to commit here.

http://screen.yahoo.com/popular/steve-lavin-midnight-madness-225541214-cbs.html

I hear what you are saying, and I agree to some extent that coach is very above-board in letting kids know his intentions for them. Very upfront and honest, or so it seems. But I think you're being naive if you think he doesn't kiss their butts and tell them they'll be a star here right away, and how they could get to the NBA 1-2-3. It's not a knock on him personally, but that's a big part of the job description for being a major college basketball coach. Half his job is being a salesman. So I don't believe for a second that he doesn't guarantee kids playing time. Maybe not always, but for the right kids and in the right situations, I'm sure he guarantees everything, including the kitchen sink. And while I love our guys, they're just as much primadonnas as the avg D1 ballplayer.
Our program might be better than most, but the model for the whole industry is still based on blowing smoke up kids a$$es. Our coach isn't immune to it, and our players aren't an exception to the rule.

Oh I'm sure he points to consecutive conference rookies of the year and props their heads up on great exposure.

But I was more talking about telling a kid that he'd be the man, sort of above the team. I have no doubt he massages egos. But I don't think he guarantees playing time, being a starter or anything like that. Rysheed even said over the summer that he has no idea if he'd be a starter but that he'd have to earn it.

You think a Fran Dunphy or a Kevin Willard would dare say that?

And if you think Jakarr is a primadonna then I think that's crazy. He's the reigning ROY and is as humble as they get.

I'll piggyback you a bit, Alum.

I can recall many of the 2011 recruits mentioning Lavin being a straight-shooter of sorts, and telling them what they needed to hear, instead of wanting to hear.

I'm sure he plays the game like most of his peers, but he has a certain way of conducting and relating to these kids (and, probably their parents, as well) in which they feel they can truly trust him.

I agree with you both. I though you were implying, Alum, that coach was above the salesmanship that goes on in college ball, but i see what youre saying and I agree. Also think you were on to something Dinkins when you say he has a special relationship with kids and their parents. There does appear to be a special level of trust. And even guys like Nuri, Stith, or Amir didn't bad mouth him aftert hey left. If anything they all spoke highly of how he treated them.

 

[Moose]

Lavin speaks on recruiting philosophy and family atmosphere at SJU.

Briscoe pretty much echoed this in his Zags article.

Even if I wasn't an alumni or even a fan of SJU, I'd have nothing but respect for the way he explained his intentions regarding recruiting. Very honest.

We'll miss out on a lot of recruits that love the social media attention and promises of being a star, a starter or a 1st round draft pick, but at least they know what they're stepping into if they choose to commit here.

http://screen.yahoo.com/popular/steve-lavin-midnight-madness-225541214-cbs.html

I hear what you are saying, and I agree to some extent that coach is very above-board in letting kids know his intentions for them. Very upfront and honest, or so it seems. But I think you're being naive if you think he doesn't kiss their butts and tell them they'll be a star here right away, and how they could get to the NBA 1-2-3. It's not a knock on him personally, but that's a big part of the job description for being a major college basketball coach. Half his job is being a salesman. So I don't believe for a second that he doesn't guarantee kids playing time. Maybe not always, but for the right kids and in the right situations, I'm sure he guarantees everything, including the kitchen sink. And while I love our guys, they're just as much primadonnas as the avg D1 ballplayer.
Our program might be better than most, but the model for the whole industry is still based on blowing smoke up kids a$$es. Our coach isn't immune to it, and our players aren't an exception to the rule.

Oh I'm sure he points to consecutive conference rookies of the year and props their heads up on great exposure.

But I was more talking about telling a kid that he'd be the man, sort of above the team. I have no doubt he massages egos. But I don't think he guarantees playing time, being a starter or anything like that. Rysheed even said over the summer that he has no idea if he'd be a starter but that he'd have to earn it.

You think a Fran Dunphy or a Kevin Willard would dare say that?

And if you think Jakarr is a primadonna then I think that's crazy. He's the reigning ROY and is as humble as they get.

I'll piggyback you a bit, Alum.

I can recall many of the 2011 recruits mentioning Lavin being a straight-shooter of sorts, and telling them what they needed to hear, instead of wanting to hear.

I'm sure he plays the game like most of his peers, but he has a certain way of conducting and relating to these kids (and, probably their parents, as well) in which they feel they can truly trust him.

I agree with you both. I though you were implying, Alum, that coach was above the salesmanship that goes on in college ball, but i see what youre saying and I agree. Also think you were on to something Dinkins when you say he has a special relationship with kids and their parents. There does appear to be a special level of trust. And even guys like Nuri, Stith, or Amir didn't bad mouth him aftert hey left. If anything they all spoke highly of how he treated them.

Hey even Quincy Roberts came back to Tipoff