I think on all of this stuff, there's a lot to work with, since we have 4 schollies. Truth of the matter is, usually you try to get "best available" talent, but, frankly with Trent's system, to me, the key is the right mix of balance, smarts and athleticism. As we saw with kids like Tyrus Thomas, sometimes a 2 star can bloom into a NBA draft pick. If you look at the LSU team now, we have a very deep team. Sticking with the Trent philosophy, if these kids learn to play together, you've got a solid base and foundation, for other "good" players to come in. The key of course will be consistent improvement. For example, will Derenbecker and Jalen Courtney at the 3 continue to develop and show SEC starting skills/talent, or will they be stuck in more of a role player mode. Likewise, is Stringer going to improve, or does Trent have to go after another point? To me it's interesting in 2010 Trent went after "skilled" guards, primarily. In 2011, Trent went after a more athletic "balanced" (ie., guards and PF) team. In 2012, Trent should go after another "balanced" class, a mixture of bigs, SF and another guard. My view would be center, a forward, whether a PF or a SF (or both) and another versatile guard, would be the best bet. With mostly big men graduating, it seems logical to fill those spots with some quality bigs. I like a Robert Upshaw out of Trent's backyard from WA/West coast, or a TX big man like Shaq Cleare. From a fowards standpoint, I'm hearing decent things out of LSU offer, Troy Jones, more of a classic post than Gathers, but an athletic 6'7" 200" kind of kid (would need to see if he can project to grow a little bit taller than Gathers). Gathers, of course, is a key. The question to me, is can he really be a college SF. He played with Derenbecker in AAU ball, so he should know what he's working with. He's more of a Tasmin swing power forward, so he could frankly play 3-4, while Derenbecker/Turner play more 2-3. Regardless, with the likes of White and Warren graduating, Gathers would get a lot of playing time. I'd love to sign J-M Reese out of houston. Right now there is a lot of competition for several TX guards, who are pretty elite. LSU is showing up on his list, but not sure how seriously he's looking at them. Texas already has their sights on other guards, and Reese is looking at other Big 12 schools or East Coast. He could probably go to LSU and really contend to start, depending on how our guards develop. I certainly like Reese's skill set more than Felix, he's bigger, a better scorer. He's less of a "pure point", but he could be a pretty deadly combo guard with few comparable players in the SEC. All in all, though, LSU has some work to do. I think recruits are certainly waiting to see what, if any, domino falls (i.e., you'd like to see Trent really get one of these big names to commit), they are also looking to see what the fruits are of Trent's "system." I certainly do hope that some big names will fall, b/c that frankly is what is missing from LSU's recent classes (with the exception of maybe O'Bryant). But, we could also see a couple of fall signees, and a few folks wait until the Spring, to see how LSU develops. I don't know about our chances at Pollard. Would depend on how tight Stringer, Courtney and O'Bryant are with him... I don't think he's critical to the class, but he certainly fills that athletic combo guard/SF sort of role.
Let's spend a few moments on Gathers, shall we? I agree on all accounts, and frankly, I was a little worried with all of the noise around Gathers recently. He had talked about moving schools, perhaps moving to Findlay Prep, and all that. He's clearly motivated to take his recruiting "to another level" and has worked hard in these showcase events to make a name for himself. To me, it comes down (still) to what is in his mind about staying home, playing close to family and wanting to build and represent his state school, versus thinking of Gathers first and going for a big name. It will also depend on the situations at those "big name schools." We forget quickly that Derenbecker had flirted with the likes of Florida, UNC and Duke--who knows if he would have gone there if given the offers. LA kids, especially in hoops, have always been intrigued by the allure of the big time programs in the ACC/Big East. If you were a recruit wouldn't you? It's again perverted by the "football" mentality of the community. Why wouldn't they look at LSU (in football), they are nationally challenging for the SEC C and NAtional C? But, they aren't in basketball and there are many reasons for that, as we debated countless times. But, something will have to get that change machine cranking, and Gathers may feel some pressure, to get that rolling. Frankly, he can, when he thinks about pairing him alongside a Hamilton, O'Bryant, and playing aside former AAU teammates Derenbecker and Isaac, and some developing backcourt. Recruit a J-Michael Reese and a Robert Upshaw to alongside Gathers and this all of the sudden turns the corner to a very talented team and one good enough to challenge for the SEC W and SEC consistently. I'll note that the nice thing is, Gathers really doesn't seem to be flirting with other SEC schools (not like Felix is). So, I think for Gathers, it's either stay home and make LSU a SEC contender, or head for the "limelight" in a different locale, Cal, Syracuse, St. Johns, Kansas, Texas. I'll note however, that if I'm him, I'm carefully watching the "allure" of these schools. Frankly, St. John's going through a little bit of a LSU phenomenon. Lavin was able to make a splash this year with largely a Sr. laden team (he didn't win the league C like Trent did), but Lavin being a great recruiter has a lot of young talent coming in. Will Gathers really jive with that talent (Lavin also has a very perimeter oriented, big guard/swing forward based team) and will he have to compete for that PT. On top of that Lavin always had a rep of underachieving despite talented teams, so there's still some question of whether he can win with his recruits (much like Trent)--also will St. Johns be mired in that mid-tier of Big East schools or can they break through. Likewise UConn, will he be a little bit of a fish out of water, on a traditionally big low post, guard set. Not sure that the are known for building a SF position. Texas has become sort of a UK wannabe factory, and Kansas, well, they are obviously one of those hoops meccas. Not sure they are going to offer Gathers and not sure again, the fit is right. With LSU, there's some uncertainty as to whether LSU will be in that "limelight" again soon. But, with Warren graduating, and essentially an unproven SF corp, I think Ricardo will have plenty of PT and a chance to shine. This team actually sets up nicely for him, some bigs down low, some decent guards, and some versatile, but young SFs. Practicing against Derenbecker will improve his perimeter skills, playing against the likes of Bryant will help with his post skills. Much like Tasmin, Gathers could have an impactful career. The key is making sure Trent and staff have a good coherent plan for him at LSU. The rest is up to Rico, and whether he wants to help put LSU back on the map.
I know this isn't 2012 recruiting, but it could fall into 2013. Anthony Davis, PG, that played with Issac at Pickering has signed w/ Copiah Lincoln (Miss juco, also the juco that Fairley went too) Personally i feel he has all the skills to play in the SEC, just his height hurt him probably 5'8. Perhaps we could see him show out and get own our radar in 2013. Also not sure what the PG class for that year is like. maybe someone for the future.
Unfortunately T'Ger that's pretty much the mirror image of football up in NY. The football players there that are in the top 100 all have offers from the SEC/Big 10 teams and they have the option of staying home where they would start immediately and for 3-4 years, or go away at a big time program and be a winner. The names that I know because they were from CNY was Greg Paulus(he was a 4 star football recruit), Latavius Murray(went to UCF), and Mike Hart(went to Michigan). They were all 4-5 star recruits and would have been starters as long as they were healthy. I'm not saying Gathers won't come to LSU, but once he starts seeing a lot of teams that are traditional powers recruiting him, he sees the chance to play at a place where he's all but guaranteed to play in the NCAA tournament and challenge for final 4's every year. Trent will have his hands full with selling LSU basketball, because there's really no reason for him to come here other than that he's from Louisiana. Even though LSU is traditionally one of the better basketball schools in the SEC, it isn't when he's here and that's what matters. If he's a late signee, an NIT/20 win showing might be enough to sway him to LSU. I often wished I could trade a Syracuse basketball recruit for an LSU football recruit.
Rivials just posted an updated top 150 list and surprisingly two more La. guys are listed in the top 100... Malik Morgan a 6'3 guard out of River Ridge at #81 and Darryl Milburn a 6'4 guard from Baton Rouge at #88... Yahoo Sports: Rivals.com Ranking - Rivals150 for the class of 2012
And, Rivals (Tigerbait) now reports that Trent Johnson and Brent Scott have offered Malik Morgan, as the LA SG in 2012, to join LA offerees, Javan Felix, Troy Jones and Ricardo Gathers. Interestingly, the New Orleans pipeline continues. From the report from TBait, Morgan sounds like a very intriguing prospect and perhaps a little bit under the radar, although he made a nice jump from 3* to 4* and 126 to 81 in Rivals' ratings recently. Let's hope that these kids want to stay in LA and it sounds like Morgan is certainly taking the wait and see approach.
I see an ACC school (Boston College) just offered him too...Haven't herd to much about Morgan...Does anyone have the 411 on him?
Looks like the staff has been in touch with him at least since Feb... http://www.abc26.com/sports/athleteoftheweek/wgno-malik-morgan-20110211,0,6222615.story
Based upon the limited review of the video available and what I read, he's a 6'3" shooting guard with a pretty stroke. Good first step and pretty quick, with a multi-faceted scoring game. He'll be playing with a N.O. AAU team this summer, so we'll see if his pub expands. I liken him actually to a leaner John Isaac with a better pure 3 point shot. Several games where he scored big, including a stand out game against Riverside, where he scored over 50 points. Isaac I think will similarly surprise with his size and strength, taking the ball slashing to the basket. Morgan seems to do a little bit of both, not afraid to take it in, but has a nice pull up 3. Certainly a kid that LSU should prioritize for additional SG help. You just get the feeling that there are going to be more and more of these under the radar, but good, guard-wings coming up in the LA ranks. As we know, it never hurts to have guys who can get you points. Frankly, in some ways, this kid is more of a pure fit in the college game than even Gathers, who is sort of an anomaly.
KC Ross-Miller is transferring out of UNO (big surprise)...What is a surprise is they will allow him to transfer to any school without sitting out except an SEC school... I'm happy with Hickey but it would have been nice to see what KC could have done on the big stage in purple and gold! Good luck KC! K.C. Ross-Miller Transferring, Considering Louisville
