Yeah…usually when Duke enters the picture, I give ourselves at least a fighting chance (or, perhaps, my attitude is one of “screw Duke, let’s take our shot”).
In this case, I’m almost surprised they haven’t committed yet (to Duke). This one seems wired in. Our best shot was probably that they had bigger fish to fry.
@MattD Surprised someone hasn't snarked at you yet, but for all your Daniels love he isn't the most bouncy player. Looks skilled though.Also, I think the tell them whatever they want to hear sales pitch is dishonest. I hate it in industry and I don’t like the idea of it in recruiting. I’ve been on the delivery side of things for years in technology and the salesperson that closes the deal based on vaporware or false promises is just an ass. It’s also bad for business when the promises can’t be or are not met.
Daniels has above average bounce, look at his film. I hate the ‘not fully transparent’ aspect of recruiting too…but on a practical basis in recruiting, what else can you do if you want to remain competitive?
Last couple of films didn’t really show the bounce. Prior ones may have, didn’t go back to watch.
As for the recruiting thing, I think it comes down to the value your place in your integrity and how much of it you’re willing to sacrifice to remain competitive.
You see, MattD, this is where we just have to agree to disagree, which seems to be one of your favorite phrases when you think you’re right and others are wrong. The end doesn’t justify the means. And, no, I don’t think you actually said that but twisting the truth, or changing the pitch, just to get a commitment is dishonest, something JB simply will not do. One of the things I admire about Coach B is his honesty and integrity, even if that means he “can’t recruit” in the eyes of some on this forum. I’m also a guy that thinks program is bigger than any individual player but I know we disagree on that as well. I do, however, appreciate your ability to evaluate talent and to find players we, as fans, might not otherwise be familiar with. Oh, and I think we agree that eventually Coach B is going to get one of these “elite” talents. I just think it’s going to be the right kid for our program at the right time. And, yes, I thought Jaylen Brown was the right kid at the right time, but it didn’t work out. Too bad for us, and possibly too bad for Jaylen.
Syracuse has been pitching Battle as a point guard. MCW was a tall point guard, and Boeheim certainly put the ball in Dion Waters’ hands quite a bit, so he’s probably not being deceitful - he’ll probably give Battle a chance to run the point (and then when he likely can’t do it, move him off the ball).
It’s tough for us to offer him the same opportunity because we are explicitly recruiting a point guard in the 2016 class. If Winston wants to commit, we’re clearly going to take him, period, whether that’s before or after Battle commits. At Michigan, guys like Levert and Stauskas handled the ball considerably, even if they were not “point guards,” and all we really have to do is show Battle he’ll get the opportunity to fill that role, which means running a lot of pick and roll and having the ball in his hands a lot. I think part of the reason Stauskas went so high in the draft is the perception (whether accurate or not) that he can play some point in the NBA.
Ultimately, it sounds like Duke is where Battle will land. Hopefully we make a great impression on his visit and give him something to think about.
Huerter up to high 3 star/#101 as a shooting guard. Can’t believe im saying this, but I think Rivals is spot on with both ranking and position.
https://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Kevin-Huerter-170031
I am absolutely not in favour of bait and switch recruiting tactics, but I do support promising truly high-end recruits the world and then delivering.
Hypothetical example, if you have a chance at landing the No. 1 PF in a class but it would mean promising him 35 minutes a game from day one while benching a workmanlike 3-star senior who has put in his blood, sweat and tears for the team, I say, “bench away.”
Here’s what I believe - as a coach, you tell any recruit that you are going to play your best players, and the guys who have earned the right to play, because that’s in the best interest of the TEAM. Now, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying, “We think you have all the ability to come in and earn a starting job right away, assuming you work hard and follow our instructions.”
But, “best players” also does not automatically equate to “most talented players.” If guys don’t know what to do on offense, or can’t/won’t play defense, that’s a problem.
It seems to me this staff is doing things exactly the right way. We’ve landed several very good recruits over the years, and nearly all of them had the right mental makeup to contribute from day one. The only guys who didn’t were Smote and Brundidge, and they didn’t last.
So I can’t remember if Rivals knows anything for Basketball ratings, but they have Cumberland rated just below Goodin. I think that means that they don’t know anything. Given a direct comparison between the two, I would view Goodin a far superior prospect in every area except height. Of course that is just my opinion.
Very well said, LA! There is nothing I can add. I agree completely, and that is exactly who we have as a coach, and he’s a man I admire and respect.
So we don’t really seem to recruit the city of Chicago, but Zach Norvell (Simeon HS) seems to fit that perimeter creator role. Shot is a bit funky looking, but to me at least he seems like a player about the level of which Michigan can land. 247composite - 80. Of course he goes to a Chicago high school which means he will end up at a Nike school.
Izzo struck out in Chicago more times than Brandon Inge.
Norvell Is one of the guys I wish the staff would take a look at. Along with Lamar Stevens and Tony Carr from Philly as well as Jagan Mosely from Jersey who apparently is a real good student as well.
Sane - LOL, best one liner I’ve seen on here in awhile. I always loved the typical Inge at bat - he would let two strikes go right down the middle without lifting his bat off his shoulder, and then he would swing and miss at a slider two feet outside.
I did not love those Inge at bats!
Izzo struck out in Chicago more times than Brandon Inge.
HILARIOUS
Rivals150 guard Kevin Huerter has #Terps 'toward the top' following recent in-home visit: http://t.co/FXmJ08xXos pic.twitter.com/n58ytrzMB0
— Scott Greene (@TerrapinNation) May 5, 2015
New film on Daniels, seems to be a junior year HS mixtape, with a lot of footage we’ve already seen.
New film on Jarron Cumberland from last weekend’s event at Spiece. This film gives me a bit more of an optimistic view of Cumberland, as he displays the ability to shoot off the bounce. Also, I think Cumberland realizes his athletic limitations and chooses to utilize a floater off the backboard rather than attempting to finish over bigs. One thing I am convinced of though, no way can he be a primary ballhandler, this video really reflects the fact that he struggles to get separation based on a lack of quickness in addition to the fact that he is far too upright. In college, I do think he’s going to have to get a semi-jumpshot, he’s literally getting 2 inches of elevation on his jumpshot at this point.
Sidenote - it’s going to sound harsh, but man I’m becoming less optimistic every time I see film of Austin Davis on defense…it just looks like he is stuck in cement shoes whenever he has to rotate or attempt to deter a shot. Cumberland certainly isn’t the quickest/fastest guy around, yet Davis makes him look fluid…the kid just really struggles to move his feet and jump, his quick twitch muscles need to improve dramatically.
Cumberland showed good passing ability, especially in transition. His ball handing looks quite good to my eye. I have no problem with shooting the floater in the lane. It’s a staple of many guards these days. He tok some tough shots driving the ball. Made the ones we saw, but maybe not great shots to take. He may have trouble at the next level create chances one on one, but our offense doesn’t depend that much on breaking a defender down off the dribble. Reminds me somewhat of Denzel Valentine.
As a reminder … Tyus Battle’s official visit is set for this weekend.