Absolutely. That's exactly why I asked the question. Because believe it or not, many times, even great coaches with an eye for talent, get it wrong. Recruiting can be a difficult game. I particularly hate, though, those really vocal "board" chastisers who now pile on and take out their frustrations on kids like Eddie Ludwig, Aaron Dotson, when probably when they were recruited, they had nothing but good things to say. Or, these were the same folks calling for LSU to give an offer to say, Brian Williams (out of Glen Oaks), over Ralston Turner, who took a schollie to Oklahoma State, but sat out an entire year due to injuries. What you can say is that Trent has shown a willingness to go out there and compete for recruits and he's slowly building the talent base back up at LSU. 2010 was a class that LSU could build on, and 2011 hopefully will continue that building. That's also why now, I want folks to all get their two cents in, especially those who know so much about what LSU needs. Is Talley what they're looking for, Sam Grooms, or Anthony Hickey? Do they roll the dice on a LA kid like Nick Syrie or is that just not good enough?
As for Talley, I do like him and his profile and body of work, and frankly I find it funny that he's really considering Nebraska and LSU. Ironic b/c Bo Spencer is there after being unable to take advantages laid out for him at LSU. And, ironic, b/c of some of his quotes...
Talley said the two biggest topics during his visit were Nebraska's strong academic support system for student-athletes and how he would fit in with the Huskers should he decide to play for NU. "They just explained to me about their academics and stuff like that, how they're going to give me tutors and everything I need to be successful in the classroom," Talley said. Ironic, b/c of course, Bo Spencer couldn't get his stuff in order at LSU with all of the academic support that LSU has to offer (which is undoubtedly more impressive that Nebraska's), and he apparently hasn't had that easy of a time at NU. Second it certainly appears that NU wants to have Talley play off guard, they're recruiting another JUCO to play point, and they have another JUCO kid, a 25 year old, coming in for a visit next weekend. I understand why a kid would, leaving a visit, say that that school's on top. But, things can also change quickly.
Talley will have a much better team to play on to showcase his talent at LSU. Turner and him could team up in the backcourt, or add Stringer at point and he plays the 2. The main point is that he is instantly one of the more experienced guards in a guard rotation that this pretty thin.... Bass, Stringer, Turner (who could play 3), and John Isaac. He also will have the services of one of the better front courts in the SEC.
I hope that once he visits LSU, he'll realize that he can play a bigger role for a team with more promise. A school with far greater Hoops tradition and NBA almuni. I'm sure he could ask Justin Hamilton what it's like to be at a bottom feeding Big 12 school (see Iowa State). A line by line coach's comparison isn't even close. Sadler's never sent anyone to the NBA, he's never had his Nebraska team in the top half of the Big 12, going on his seventh year. It's a little unfortunate that after a SEC championship, Trent has to defend himself after his third year, but hopefully, some sense of basketball reason will prevail here. :thumb:
I do need to report, though, that visits and commitments are tightening up. Lon Kruger, new to Oklahoma, wasted no time in getting a commitment out of Sam Grooms, the other 6'1" JUCO point guard LSU was looking at in Florida (never though offered by LSU). That leaves only Anthony Hickey Jr., a good, but less experienced FR looking at the Tigers, with a Trent offer. For the arm chair recruiters, do you line up Hickey for a visit the next weekend?
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