New Article on Noel Johnson on Rivals.... http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=952370 Basically, story confirms that NJ has visited Charlotte, is visiting UNLV this weekend, but it gives more context into what the Johnson family is looking for and how soon he'll be deciding. If a decision isn't reached right after the UNLV visit, LSU and Xavier are candidates for official visits, and unofficial visits could be taken to nearby Georgia and Georgia Tech. Noel had these thoughts on what he is looking for during this second go around. "I want a situation similar to USC where they are building a tradition in basketball but are also a good academic school," said the younger Johnson. "I also want to play the two guard and maybe some point and the three as well. I want to be versatile." As for a timetable for his decision, Johnson had this comment. "I'm going to take my time, maybe in three weeks," he said. Whatever happens, it does look like LSU will get a fair shake, if he waits and makes his visits. Trent's style of a "controlled fast break" should be real conducive to what they're looking for... :thumb:
Not completely a recruiting story, but hopefully this bit of news is good news to Noel Johnson. Tasmin Mitchell is reportedly coming back. http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=953107 LSU is a better team with Tas' obviously, and at some level, recruits want to play for good teams with a chance to make a splash and get their kids some exposure. With Noel, who reportedly in the latest Rivals article, wants to be versatile and play anywhere in the 1, 2 or 3 positions, could do very nice in a line up where there could be 4 very quality players (Bo, Dotson, Johnson and Tas') all playing in interchangeable roles. Plenty of minutes still abound for NJ even with Tas' back. I hope the good news continues... :grin:
Well, beyond the effect on NJ (I kind of like the sound of that, not MJ, but NJ), it is just great to hear that Tas will be coming back. Both for LSU and for Tas. I think that is the best, soundest decision for his future.
I'm wondering what news will come out of Las Vegas after this weekend. Hopefully, nothing, as I'm hopeful that Noel Johnson will at least visit LSU and give the Tigers a fair shake. I think after he does, he'll come to a quick conclusion that the Tigers offers a much better playing situation for him. UNLV first of all, plays in a lesser featured conference, the Mountain West. Kruger is a decent coach, and has UNLV playing well (most of the time). But, they'll typically only get their exposure in the tourney, if they make it (they lost to Kentucky in the NIT this year). The SEC next year starts their lucrative TV package with ESPN, and the SEC is a conference on the rise, especially with all of talent coming back and in. Second of all, while UNLV may tout the run and gun and that's sort of what NJ is looking for, I'd be wary of that... They actually averaged less points per game than LSU this past season. Trent runs a very efficient offense that's designed to get his outside players good shots, and NJ will benefit from that immensely. Thirdly, UNLV only has one schollie spot and they have both a SG and a SF signed in the 2009 class to compete against NJ. Plus, they have transfers that play his position. Just hard to see how he'll get the minutes in either a UNLV or GATech situation... He just needs to get the official to LSU in to see the campus, see the new basketball facility, and hopefully buy in to the Trent Johnson era. Former Southern Cal commit Johnson to visit UNLV this weekend - Las Vegas Sun
Precisely. Get him in for a visit to see the campus is key, and really make clear all of the advantages LSU has to offer regarding competitive conference, flexibility in playing positions, early starting potential, competing for championships under CTJ, and commercial exposure for future opportunities. I mean, he is a great fit for us and us for him, IMHO.
if he is serious about this he goes to GT because it dumps on all the others. but i gather that this is almost always lip-service to make them sound smart.
Perhaps, but then if that was the case, why even visit UNLV or Charlotte? Very little academics to speak of there, right? I think you're right, generally speaking, kids want to go where a degree matters when they graduate, and that's code language for "I care about academics". In the off chance that these kids don't get into the League, they want their degree to matter. Some would argue that even USC wasn't all that great in academics, although the alumni base certainly is influential. What LSU does have is the large enough university to support various academic pursuits, while providing the great academic support resources that it has for its athletes. When, Matt D says he's looking at Stanford, GTown, Duke, and others, I get a little bit more worried that he's probably really basing his decision on the academics :shock:.
Decision will come within the next week according to his dad. He will visit Xavier (Wednesday), LSU, and Uconn this week. Indiana could get a visit as well.
10th ranked Information and Technology program in the country 9th ranked Up & Coming Best College US News and World Report 9th ranked Special Education program in the country 4th ranked Architecture, Design, and Planning program in the country 4th ranked Infastructure and Environmental in the country 2nd Most Patents Received out of any University in the country, most of which were for our Automotive/Mechanical Engineering program who works with and provides internships with Nascar. Many Nascar teams are located in Charlotte. 2nd largest banking city in America, only behind NYC, and our financial and business programs work with and provide internships and employees with these companies. If Noel Johnson does happen to sign with LSU at least it's not our rival Xavier, or GA Tech who's in the ACC. Charlotte hates the ACC, especially Clemson and UNC. I was at a big party this spring where everyone was pulling for you guys to beat them. You let us down. I ****ing hate the tar heels.
