Lots of discussions and links in the 2012 hoops recruiting thread, but here's my break-down. When you look at Gathers' pre-commitment to StJ's mindset, he made the commitment b/c he has family in the Northeast, he liked the idea of going to NYC, playing in the Big East and playing for Lavin, who had at that time a lot of buzz going with various big name recruits committed or committing to the Johnnies. Since that time, much of that picture has unravelled. While I think part of Rico Gathers would like to get away for his own sake and spend some time in NY, you've got a Big East that may not be a premier sports conference very soon, you've got St Johns without all of those big commits, and you have some doubt that Lavin will be around given his prostate cancer. Although it's unlikely Lavin will not be the StJ coach in a year, St. Johns potential success and the allure of the Big East as a premier hoops conference is frankly on very shaky ground. If you look now at the schools most likely to pick up the ball with Gathers, those schools he was interested in still had some elements to this pattern--you hear most schools like UConn and Syracuse. Again, Northeast schools near some family, and Big East schools. Of course again, Syracuse is going to the ACC and UConn wants to, but will the Big East stop all of that? On top of that UConn's APR issues, future sanctions and an imminent Calhoun retirement, probably sour Gathers on UConn. Syracuse? Maybe a better option than StJ, but they also just signed Jerami Grant, another similarly ranked wing/power forward. The other schools most mentioned in the past were then LSU, Arizona and Texas (also Cal and some Gonzaga was in there, b/c of west coast family). I think the nice thing there are Arizona and Texas have largely filled their recruiting classes. Cal and the Zags have been off the radar for some time. Which to me, leaves LSU and whomever else might be trying to make play on Gathers late. I think since the StJ's commitment, the state of affairs in the SEC has also changed--bigger conference, more sports dollars coming, and what kid in the South now isn't jazzed about the 14 team SEC being soon (when TV contracts get re-negotiated) being the top TV draw in college sports very soon. Adding Texas A&M and Missouri (arguably better basketball schools than football schools) also doesn't hurt the competition level in SEC. Frankly in a year or two, the SEC will likely be a stronger basketball conference than what's left of the Big East, and perhaps be neck and neck with the ACC for top hoops conference. I think the other thing has frankly been the prospect of LSU's team being better this year with an Anthony Hickey at point, and big men like Justin Hamilton and Johnny O'Bryant, and good young guards in the wings like John Isaac and Malik Morgan. At least the prospects of this team, with good young players coming up, are positive--of course, Gathers would like to see that play out on the court. Now the only issues are can the players/Trent deliver some wins and positive momentum, and can Rico and this team start to bring the DEAF DOME back? And, does he want to be near family, so all of his family can be a part of that, go to his games and not have to hope that Big East games are on TV--I think he's starting to think about all of that more. Why go to the cold NE, when you can get alot of that in his backyard? I'd actually put the chances LSU sign him at 60/40 now (it maybe higher if believe the local talking heads). And, if this team can show some fire and gumption, and maybe if the staff can get their heads around another key recruit or two, then, I think we're looking for a nice Spring set of signings.... Here's hoping for a great season and a great spring recruiting season. :grin::geaux:
