Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Hmm, sounds disappointing. It doesn't matter how good of a coach you are... you have to be able to recruit. We'd probably be struggling without Thornton.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I believe Green has or will undergo back surgery so how he comes back is anybody's guess. I know coach was pretty high on him until his injury.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I think that's the only thing that is of concern this season really. CTJ is certainly not a bad recruiter, but imagine where we'd be if we didn't have Thornton on this team. Dotson was a nice pick up and Ludwig (signing one of the top LA players in this class) could debatably be "expected." The other guys, particularly bigs, that we've whiffed on raises some eyebrows, especially when you consider Trent's track record with bigs. So, not sure what the root cause is. Signing season's not over yet, and 2010 is certainly the benchmark year, but there's reason to be anxious.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I think with the whole SEC having a down year is part of it. If you look at the list of McDonald's all American's the SEC only has one (FL Kenny Boynton) there are schools in the ACC that have more then the SEC has all together. and I don't think LSU is getting much positive credit. Everytime someone talks LSU up they always take the air out by saing something like LSU is on top of the mediocre SEC. I think if we can win a few games come march it will open a few eye, which goes back to what you ended with "2010 is certainly the benchmark year"
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I think the SEC being down, while indicative perhaps of how little press they're getting, would mean to me that recruits would want to go there. You could make the argument that certain teams are younger already, so do you really want to go and compete with the likes of Nic Calethes for another year, OR you say, the overall talent in the SEC is down and so it's easier for me to compete there. Whatever the case, LSU being clearly an "older" team would mean that there are wide open chances to come in and grab some PT when all of those seniors leave. In any case, it'll be good when that ESPN package kicks in with SEC basketball--exposure also helps with recruiting, and right now, the Big East, ACC and even Pac-10 are getting alot of love. Back to recruiting though. It seems as though BBB has uncovered another gem that LSU may be recruiting. Adam Brown, a juco 6'3" SG from TX, looks to have the potential of playing good minutes next year if he's interested in LSU. http://www.bayoubengalblog.com/ and http://www.ccccd.edu/athletics/mb_bios.htm His line looks very good, particularly on 3 point shooting percentage, and as far as I can tell, noone is hot after this kid. Clearly, we need depth at scoring positions, and perhaps this kid may consider us. In other news, CTJ was reportedly back in AL today. Perhaps he was there to continue recruiting Mr. Cousins, and if not, he maybe he heeded my advice and was going to look at M Corthton. In any case, I think it's fair to say that any spring signing by CTJ looks to be a surprise...
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Just thought I'd post this piece on Eddie Ludwig, in case you didn't see it. http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl022609bhludwigopus.6f08209.html
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Great article, thanks.... But man with the post coming so late in the day I was thinking - must be some new info on a big post player for LSU... darn!! Eddie will be a great tiger I bet... Hope the coach can get him some help down low... for next year...
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) :wink: Now, when would CTJ have time to turn that? ... he was beating UK. :geauxtige Let's hope some kids (recruits) paid attention this weekend.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Not exactly recruiting news, but listened to CTJ's radio show tonight, and the topic of Dennis Harris and Garrett Green came up. It sounds like to me at some level, CTJ is perfectly content with the two developing this year and having them with major roles next year. With Dennis Harris, his comments were that this kid was going to be a real good player for LSU, was putting on some weight this season (that they want him at around 215-225 lbs), and was working hard in practice. Garrett Green actually had back surgery TODAY and CTJ was going to visit with him and his family tomorrow. About Garrett, CTJ said that Garrett was one of the kids that had impressed him the most prior to getting hurt this season. In particular, he said that Garrett at 6'10" was a great shooter, probably only Marcus, Tas' and Bo were better, and was a real nice athlete. Moreover, Garrett was working so hard and demanding more from himself than anyone else was. The key would be whether he could play pain free next season, but if he can, it sounds like CTJ was extremely high on him. That may also explain why the focus has been on signing perimeter/wing players even in the Spring recruiting. Certainly if we could sign another front court player that could immediately impact the team, I think CTJ would be very interested, but if that guy isn't there, I'm not sure he's going to be desparate.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I would not count on anybody undergoing back surgery to be full throttle for at least 2 years, particularly someone who is 6'10" and a basketball player who is asked to run back and forth up the court, jump up and down repeatedly for shots/rebounds, etc. The lower back is like a shock absorber and running/jumping/bending are the initiators of the pain/deficiencies. Peja Stojacovic (sp?) has come back, but it has taken a while, he is not the same as he was pre-back surgery, and as a G/F is asked to shoot more than rebound. Not to mention he was already a seasoned veteran, not someone young developing his game. Chances are GG will not be a factor next season until late in the season, if at all. Maybe 2011-12. Remember that center a few years back on Brady's team who hurt his back (I am blanking on his name)? He was never much of a factor after that, and he did not undergo surgery.
