And the counterpoint to this is that Ricardo Gathers absolutely blew up at the City of Palms tournament this past weekend. If there wasn't already enough attention on this recruit, now it's big time. Great news for Ricardo, as he showed significant improved skills, including better free throwing, some three point shooting and a jump hook in the lane, going up against the best high schools and bigger players. But, could this kid simply be wanting a different stage than the home town stage? Ricardo gathers thoughts at City of Palms - Dave Telep Blog Blog - ESPN http://blip.tv/ballislife/2011-city...zz-muhammad-ricardo-gathers-many-more-5829886 Lavin watches Ricardo Gathers, Jaren Sina at City of Palms - Rumble In The Garden Now, he lists LSU, Baylor, NC State, Duke and St. Johns as his top five and those recruitnig him the hardest. LSU coaches were there at the Palms event. Can't fault them for their effort!
Jarrell Martin was at the game the other night and said that LSU is recruiting him pretty hard! He said he has no favorites tho Scout.com: LSU is high on Martin's 'wide-open' list
Yeah, eww. But, the thing is Gathers is sort of talking to everyone. Brother is handling his recruitment and Greg knows Wojo when he was at GA Tech and Wojo was at Duke. He "had" to take the call. But, Duke has been on several other bigs far longer, and I can't help but feel like this is a "late" desparation move on their part. Their frontline is loaded with Plumlees, and the hard part with this is Gathers wants to go somewhere he can win, but also play right away. Not sure he gets that with Duke. It's been a while since Duke really developed a big man too, as he'll be playing pitch and pass out to the like of Rivers, and others. Not saying you can't take Duke seriously, but he has a better chance of being showcased at LSU in an offensive scheme that probably develops post men a little better. Duke has always been a guard first team. What I'd be worried about if I was Gathers is what happens if another big man commits to the Dukies? That's not what they're focusing on with him. Duke Basketball Recruiting News
Gene Banks wasn't no guard....but that was a while ago. I was studying population genetics when he was in the pros....and I used to call him "The Gene Bank". (it was funny at the time)
St. Johns just had its lone last 2012 recruit decommit... St. John's loses last 2012 recruit= if that means anything to Ricardo at this point.
Various stuff... Lavin's run with prostate cancer has led some to question he would be around next season. There's also rumored "improprieties" around some of his recruiting practices... although that's purely rumor. Another thing is the state of affairs in the Big East... a league that was tops in hoops, but now with football realignment is in disarray. I think the practical matter as well, was like Trent's inheritance of a team with a bunch of seniors, Lavin was able to get a bunch of underachieving seniors to play hard last year. He was then dependent on good recruiting to keep the momentum going. He had some attrition issues in his 2011 class, and once the cancer thing hit, followed by the Big East implosion, there was doubt cast in the 2012 class. And, when the snowball of de-commitments started happening it didn't take long for the entire class to unravel. Now, it's hard to commit to St Johns knowing that you're joining a team that's not very deep or very competitive. Lavin almost needs a complete 2012 signed team to start the foundation... much like Trent had in his 2009 year. It takes time to build a program... problem is that most really good kids want to go to an established program where they can start winning right away. Gathers looking at LSU today must have been happy. Trent has been perhaps less flashy, but consistent in his recruitment in years 2010 and 2011. Give the guy time and his teams usually develop. Gathers and another decent recruit in the Spring, on top of Morgan, builds on an already solid foundation, and well, looks a lot better than St Johns now.
New article on Rivals about Nate Guy. From what I've seen he seems like an interesting prospect. Not particularly quick, but seems pretty fluid at 6'6" with a decent outside shot and an ability to drive and dish. Sounds like he's partial to the home team though, if UW offers. Don't know if a visit is scheduled yet... http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1318106
As the world turns, with Rico Gathers. The Gathers family continues to work hard for offer opportunities at big name programs, and Gathers continues to basically have this on again off again love affair with teasing LSU fans. Right now, he was quoted at a recent tourney as wanting to schedule visits in late January and February, and LSU is not on the list (although, you'd expect this, he has been to LSU many times in the fall). He lists his "top" list as Baylor, Florida, NC State and St Johns and his current favorites (although LSU and Cal are both schools getting mention for his considerations). He'd also like to visit Duke and Kentucky, although it doesn't seem like Duke or Kentucky is that serious about him at this point. http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1318806 The problem with some of these kids is just that unfortunate process of the visiting and recruiting that seems to be bigger than life. If he's seriously thinking about "winning" program, a NC State and St. Johns just seem like reaches. And, well, a Florida or Baylor seem like decent programs right now, but Baylor has been inconsistent coaching wise with all of the talent they've had (Drew is a great recruiter, but sort of an underachiever on the court)(plus--Waco as a place to go to school? comeon!) and Florida, well, their track record developing bigs has been interesting. Just hard to tell what exactly Gathers is looking for, which I gather is exactly what his camp wants--but evidence points against LSU. While LSU is at times struggling and having its ups and downs this year (which, frankly is to be expected in college basketball season), you don't have to be a genius to see what an additional shooter, in friend Malik Morgan, and additional front court depth to replace guys like Warren and White, could add up to. Let's remember that most of the primary team are sophomores and freshmen (Hickey, Stringer, Turner, Isaac, Courtney, O'Bryant, and incoming Morgan) and Hamilton, who is a difference maker in the SEC has another year. :geaux:
