Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) http://louisianastate.scout.com/a.z?s=107&p=8&c=1&nid=2371479 Scout now has us a low interest for Karron Johnson, but Rivals still says we're leading for him. He would be a huge prospect for us to get, so hopefully Scout is wrong.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I had posted this discrepancy a few posts back, which is worrisome that Scout and Rivals could have it so far apart. It's not that I haven't seen that before, but it's troubling that these recruiting experts have it so far off (again, makes me a little annoyed that these guys don't keep their hoops news up to date) and two, the reality is we don't know what these kids are thinking. Right now, given Karron's a '09 recruit, it's early. Unless you're TMG or Brandon Mitchell, who have committed, every one else is just playing the field. Right now, LSU has been quiet on the recruiting scene it seems. We're at all the tourneys but behind the scenes. Dollar has gotten some GA/SE kids to put us on our radar, but are they taking us seriously? I don't know. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your perspective, LSU is dependent (again) on local homegrown talent. That may not be a bad thing, given that it's Monroe, Moore, Henry and Warren (all 3-star and above forwards) and we only have 3 schollies to give next year, but it is a little concerning that we don't have a single 2008 guy that has come out strong for LSU. I guess that's a factor of the domino to fall is the #1 recruit in the country, Greg Monroe. I only hope that the kid will sign somewhere in the fall, so there's clarity for the LSU team and we can adjust if the answer is no. For 2009, however, you kind a wonder what's the hold up. We have a huge number of schollies opening up and we've got two commitments--quality guys in Tommy Mason Griffin (BIG get, b/c he is perhaps the first "true" point, Brady's ever signed) and Brandon Mitchell, a LA "loyal" signee. But, I think with everyone else, there's a wait and see. I think last year hurt us in the recruiting department--one, b/c we didn't perform to expectations and recruits are asking, is that a product of the coaching? chemistry? what? Two, we ended up signing a few quality players that are untested and unknown, Randolph, Marcus Thornton, Bo Spencer--are they going to make it hard for someone to come in and play right away in '09? And, who signs in '08? If we've got a frontline of Randolph, Monroe and pick another quality big man, is there going to be PT for Karron Johnson or Keith Gallon? But, to spin it another way, if LSU is a surprise team next year and the next, is Randolph or Monroe even going to be around the following year? Bottomline, recruits like to go to winners, and I think that for many of the '09 recruits, LSU will be more on the mind after this next season if we are competing in the NCAA tourney and doing better than this year. :bball: :geauxtige LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A FAN.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) According to Scout, the Tigers have made a '09 offer to a GA SG Lorenzo Brown, and a GA PF Terrence Shannon. Two more GA prospects with offers from the scouting work of Coach Dollar. I'd like to see one of these converted. http://louisianastate.scout.com/a.z?s=107&p=9&cfg=bb&c=4&yr=2009 As it seems both in '08 and '09, LSU's primary recruiting grounds these days seem to lie in LA, TX and GA, with some FL, MS and the occassional CA or other far away state mixed in. Less so now Florida, and moreso GA, due to the shift in assistant coaches. The question to me really seems to be does Brady and staff have an identity now and can they now start to focus and convert. There are plenty of recruits in these states to land a decent hoops recruiting class every year, but if you're stuck signing 3 or less stars, do you drift too far away from home? The flip side is, if you don't do more recruiting in places like GA, and make offers, are you ever going to sign that 4 or 5 star guy from GA? Whatever the case, it seems clear with Dollar here we're going to be mining GA every year, including making offers to whomever is playing on the Atlantic Celtics AAU team! :lol: :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A FAN.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) I'd love a pipeline in the ATL Celtics. It'd be hard to do, but to establish them as a pipeline would be humongous. Also, it appears Brandon Reed has cut his list to five (LSU included) and claims an LSU offer. He has natural scoring ability and a consistent 3-point shot. To land him or Lorenzo Brown would really solidify our backcourt recruiting for 2009. To get them both would be awesome, but don't count on it. http://lsu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=57921#ticker
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) By the way, I hear Terrance Shannon is quite an animal on the court. He'll be at least a 4-star when all is said and done.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Look who was made a 4-star recently. http://lsu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=44564
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Huge news (lame pun intended). Gargantuan center Keith Gallon admits that LSU is his number one school leading his recruitment so far! Obviously we have some competition for the big guy, be we do have a hookup of some sort - he played with Tommy Mason-Griffin for the past couple of summers or so, so hopefully they became friends and liked each other's game.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Not sure where you're getting this quote, but if true, I'm excited. Think Big Baby, but a man child who does NOT think he's a swing forward. And, yes, the kid played with TMG on the Houston AAU team and the duo was pretty dominant. If the reports are true, the '09 class has the makings of a pretty stout class, and could be reminiscent of Butch and Brady's top 5 class from a few years back. KG... be a Tiger. :bball: :geauxtige LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A FAN.
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) Well, if we finish this weekend with a bang, and a Storm W. commitment, I think Brady would have finished with a solid, respectable class. Things were a little shaky in the beginning, but it's a decent finish right before signing day. This'll be known as the class of big men, and a class with a LA, TX and GA connection. Contrary to my post above, Brady came through with some non-LA players, despite there being a pretty nice LA crop of players. Grabbing J'Mison Morgan was probably an unexpected get. And landing a couple of kids in Graham and Harris from GA, is probably a nice pipeline beginning for Coach Dollar. Got to start looking at 2009 soon... so let's keep this thread going! Also, final exhibition of the men's pre-season tonight. We'll know more about this new team soon... :geaux: :bball: :bball: :bball:
Re: Hoops Recruiting (2009) It's early still and a lot is moving, but looking back at your initial post, 'Chokes, it looks like LSU has moved off many of the big names' lists. Right now, we're relying on the Dollar/Atlanta connection it seems with Reddick, Shannon and Reed. Who are the top Louisiana recruits of '09, besides Mitchell? Don't know why were aren't locking up another top-notch LA talent, big or small. :geaux: :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BEAT 'NOVA.
