I don't know about Gottfried. I think he's a player's coach, and seems to recruit well, particularly in the South. I'm not exactly sure how he did it, but I have to give him credit for this year and next year's class. I think like any coach, there are probably some misperceptions and stereotypes. I think he's probably a better Xs and Os coach than people give him credit for, but he at times showed his vulnerability with his athletic teams in the tourney. So, let's see where NC State goes under his leadership. What do I hope for as far as 2012 recruiting, or what do I think is realistic? I like Shavon Coleman for a lot of reasons--he's a LA product and he's a JUCO All-American. He helps you right away with some physicality, and fits very well within what LSU is looking for, more athletic, taller wings. He's not a burner, but he's physical and has long arms. I also like him because he seems to not shy away from defense. We forget that some of LSU's greatest success has come with players who could simply shut down the opposing best players in a defensive role (e.g., Garrett Temple). We don't have a defensive stopper--we have fundamental team defense, but often times that requires superb execution and as we saw on nights off, we couldn't rely on team defense to slow down the hot team. Yes, having a true 3 option also gives you a more prototypical line-up with Turner switching over to 2. We can go to a more traditional larger line up. Assuming Shavon sees this, and does later sign with LSU, the other questions seem to lie around the 3rd or potentially 4th signees. I'd love to sign Norvel Pelle, but this 4-5 spot is a mystery. To your question here though, of what do we do to back up JOB and Hamilton? That is a tough one. What I think you'd say is if one of these guys is in, you can likely make do with one of Ludwig, Courtney and/or Del P. Yes, Ludwig and Del P. I think if Hamilton is your 5, you might see Eddie in there in spots at 4. His passing from the high post is helpful, and frankly better than White or Warren trying to make that hi-low pass. He also gives you someone who can crash the board and pick up points at the free throw line. If we don't sign another legit 4, I think you'll see Ludwig split some time at 4 backing up JOB. If Ham needs a breather, I'm not entirely at a loss if Del Piero goes in for 5-10 minutes. I mean 7'2" is still 7'2", and at a minimum the guy should be able to box out and grab a rebound, keep his hands up and block a shot or two. Jalen Courtney to me is an intriguing prospect, and Trent will admit he's not utilized him quite as much as he should have. I think Courtney primarily this season got his minutes at the 3, but is he really more of a small 4--what he did this year though is show his range by hitting the open 3. If he can develop his driving and passing this summer though, I could see him as a valuable back up at 3-4. At 6'8" 230 lb, he's actually around Storm Warren size (although Courtney is not as good a leaper) and LSU made do with that much of this year. If we don't sign anyone else besides Coleman, I see Courtney getting more minutes at 3 backing up Coleman and at 4 opposite Hamilton, spelling JOB, depending on the match-ups. Obviously, I really like what Pelle represents (although as of now, we're not sure he's eligible, or how strongly he's considering LSU), because at 6'9-10" 215 ish, he's a very athletic 4-5, who's got jumping ability. As we saw in 2006, a defensive weak side leaper can really do damage opposite a big, skilled post ala Big Baby, now, JOB and/or Ham. Frankly, T-Train wouldn't have been the 4th pick in the draft without Big Baby playing besides him, and Pelle (or any other athletic 4 for that matter) would be wise to see what opportunity he has playing next to JOB or Hamilton over the next few years. Pelle's athletic ability would frankly be an instant impact on this team, while he learned to refine his post moves under Trent and Brent. Shane Hammink, who not that many people have talked about, got an offer from Florida and/or Miami, and they aren't bad judges of talent at a high-major level. I think though, that whether Hammink plays the 2 or 3 (or potentially grows into a 4), I think what he gives you is depth at the wing spot down the road. Even if Shavon signs, he's a JUCO. So, if Hammink signs, he's a versatile wing who I do see as a very intriguing counterpoint to some of the guys we have now--and he'll have time to develop, maybe even red-shirt. He's a slasher, nifty handler at the wing, and also plays tough d (was actually voted most valuable defensive player at a tournament last year). He could get nice minutes beyond Coleman's time down the road, or what he offers is a wing who can look to create for others with the drive and pass. As I ultimately see it, here's the line up, assuming LSU signs the folks they'd like to sign: 1 - Anthony Hickey, Andre Stringer, John Isaac 2 - Ralston Turner, Malik Morgan, John Isaac 3 - [Shavon Coleman], Courtney, [Hammink] 4 - Johnny O'Bryant, [Pelle], Ludwig/Courtney 5 - Justin Hamilton, [Pelle], Del Piero If someone like a Pelle signs, he's in front of Ludwig and D.Piero, and getting a good 20 minutes a game interchangeably with our 4-5s, then he's the man the next year down low. As far as Isaac goes, he's an interesting one. He's clearly an athletic guy, who showed a willingness to go and defend, but can he improve enough on offense to warrant him playing serious minutes? I frankly see him potentially at times as a combo PG-SG, where if the opposing team has a taller PG, Isaac is brought in for defense at the point. If he can improve his handle and develop much like Kendall Marshall has for UNC, Isaac could find a place on a soon relatively crowded back court. A real subtle thing that Trent is doing, and I hope recruits see it, is he actually is stretching his players and developing their knowledge of positions and hopefully reinforcing or developing better skills to be more versatile. He plays Eddie Ludwig at 4, then 3. Turner plays 2 then 3. Stringer plays 1, then 2, and now, he may go back to playing 1. What this does is make that player stretch and develop. Obviously Stringer if he's going to be successful at the next level, will have to be a 1. But, playing at 2 taught him to guard bigger guys this year, become a better defender, while also learning to see the court from the 2 position. He may become a mature PG as a result. Likewise, Trent is playing Hickey sometimes at the 2 to utilize his quickness, make him think about scoring. I think that someone like Coleman could see himself playing 3 or 2 at LSU. Pelle could play 4 or 5. Courtney and Ludwig will be playing 3 and 4. So, expect on some versatility next year as well. :geauxtige
Coleman-clearly fills our need for an athletic wing Pelle -would at the very least give us desperately needed depth Hammink - can play 1-3, he is a good passer and can handle the ball, which could help with our struggles against the full-court press, sort of a point-forward if you will If we get these 3, this is how I see the lineup filling out... 1 - Hickey 5-11 2- Turner 6-6 3- Coleman 6-6 4- O'Bryant 6-9 5- Hamilton 7-0 That could end up being one hell of a starting 5...if everyone lives up to their potential Stringer - can backup the 1 or 2, preferably the 1 at this point Morgan- hopefully Turner's backup at the 2, providing an extra scoring option if Turner disappears at times like he did this year Pelle- if he comes, he will play, mainly because there are no other options Ludwig- same as this year...he hustles and can shoot free throws Courtney-? Isaac-mostly a defensive specialist at this point Hammink-not sure where he fits in at first, if he comes to LSU, could be the 3 if Coleman doesn't come and/or Courtney doesn't step up
Both, I guess, and you pretty much covered it. Thank again for all the information! You never disappoint. I agree, that looks pretty impressive, especially considering the landscape of the league next year. Florida, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi St. all are losing valuable players.
I think that we're more or less on the same page. If we go beyond Coleman for a second, here is where I think Trent (and staff) really has an opportunity to show their "want" to recruit. I think frankly, the 4-5 spot is a mystery--but certainly key. It's nice that LSU is getting enough respect to be thrown on folks lists, but Pelle, Orlando Sanchez (let's not forget about him), and Jason Carter are the names that keep getting thrown out. Problem is, are each of these guys reaches? Pelle's academic eligibility still hasn't cleared itself publicly, and he's a west coast guy--will he like Garrett Green, or Alex Farrer, or Aaron Dotson, make the trip to visit the Bayou? No doubt that we can come up with the arguments why LSU is a great school, system for him--long history of great post men, a fraternity of the likes of Rudy Macklin, John Williams, Shaq, Geert Hammink, Stanley Roberts, Brandon Bass, Big Baby, Tyrus, etc.--especially where he's looking at SDSU, UTEP, and the like. But, where are his academics and will he visit? Sanchez, is a name that I thought dropped off some time ago, when LSU kept after Gathers. Again, this is where frankly Gathers hurt LSU--he should get more flack for misleading LSU recruiters. Sanchez seemed content to stay in the Northeast earlier in the year, as I thought there was even a point where he committed to a NE school, but perhaps LSU still has a chance (likely a slim one)--he's open still. He is a guy that again, as JUCO, probably comes in right away and would be a good complement to O'Bryant and Hamilton. Carter actually reportedly committed to Ole Miss... but it seems that the topsy turvy next month before the April signing period is going to be a wild and hectic time for our staff. I know Trent alluded to recruiting commitments in late March, so I suspect he's on the road--I'll be anxiously awaiting any word of other visits. LSU's Trent Johnson on NCAAs: Wait till next year | Shreveporttimes | shreveporttimes.com The Juco national championships started yesterday, and you have to guess that LSU will have some staff there. Sanchez is playing there, and perhaps there are others worth looking at... TigerBait.com - Five questions for juco national championship I think the first and foremost get is Shavon Coleman. Follow up an "A+" visit with consistent and constant attention, by staff and community, is a must. While this article claims he is "unranked", he's actually a JUCO-All American and rated the 8th best Juco prospect by Rivals. In some ways, signing Coleman is better than just adding another high school player late. The primary suitors include Oklahoma and Texas Tech, but I mean Gillipsie and Lubbock, versus going home and playing in Baton Rouge in front of family and friends? C'mon. Although, another question is how real is Hammink's interest in LSU. Sure, he's Geert's son and was born in Baton Rouge. But, here's where it becomes interesting--on a relatively deep backcourt, does a guy like Hammink come here to play in Trent's system? Florida gave him an offer, but Donovan has already a ton of commitments in his 2012 class, and also has several guards committed. Does Hammink see himself more as a combo guard or a SF down the road? I prefer just to think of him as a wing with potential point skills, so he's attractive. Particularly opposite Malik Morgan, who is also a deadly SG with potential point skills. Morgan and Hammink could very well be what the doctor ordered in the backcourt beyond Turner/Stringer, as a bigger more versatile 1-3 combination. Very interesting backcourt with a lot of potential. That leaves 2013 really to focus on bigger players and a true point guard. It sets up nicely for sure, given some of the local talent, Jarrell Martin and Damien James. Not only is Trent trying to stagger his classes, 3-3-3-3, but he's also really setting up his recruiting where positions of strengths are being spaced out about 2 years--which is what you want. Freshman and sophomores being developed under Jrs and Srs. So, when positions leave, they get filled in with nice players with good experience. Hence, if I had to bet on any big men signing this spring, look to the JUCOs for some potential unknown answers.
Now that the site is back up, have there been any new developments in the LSU basketball recruiting world? Specfically, any idea about SColeman? Keeping my fingers crossed he's coming.
Miss you guys...this isn't recruiting news but it impacts recruiting...Word going around BR is Hamilton is going pro...if he doesn't get drafted he has no problem going overseas...
