'12 NY PF Christopher Obekpa

[NYC baller]

People are just mad about this 1717 guy. I've had nothing but respect for st j and I would definitely say most agree.

Thank you as do most st johns fans for Cincy.

 

[The Met]

^This. I actually never minded St. John's. Two years ago they were fun to watch with Hardy and Kennedy. I think they could have been dangerous in the tournament if Kennedy didn't get hurt.

1717, UC fans understand that we aren't going to win every recruiting battle. But you have to understand we have been considered the leader ever since he visited in February. We kept waiting and waiting and waiting for him to verbal. Cronin and assistant coach Darren Savino visited him at Our Savior numerous times. Mick was the only head coach watching him in Vegas a month or two ago when Obekpa played his first tournament with New Heights. Nobody else was even aware he was suiting up in Vegas and Mick was right there. I think we have the right to be frustrated.

Lavin already announced his recruiting class. You really only do this if you are certain you won't sign anyone else. Obekpa tweeted one day asking his followers where he should go out of UC, Oregon, and Providence. St. John's was considered to be in the "also considering" category. And then boom! St. John's is now considered the favorite? If you don't understand why UC fans aren't happy or skeptical of Lavin, then I don't know what to tell you.

In the past couple years we've lost some big recruiting battles (Burke to Michigan, Kemba to UCONN, Teague to UK, Hammons to Purdue, White to Kansas, Ratliffe to Missouri). All of these cases were understandable because the programs were simply better all-around choices for them. Burke started as a freshman, Kemba and Teague won national championships, and Ratliffe played 35+ minutes a game for Missouri. What are the advantages St. John's has over UC? Location, and the fact that one of his friends is going there? That's all I can think of.

Anyway sorry for the rant, but go back to your St. John's boards, if you even have any.

With all due respect, the rumor was Cincy was the leader. I'll say there are many times where recruiting rumors are true. But, there are other times a rumor gets started then it runs like wildfire.... Whether, it's true or not.

Secondly, St. John's has been recruiting Obekpa since April of 2011. Lavin and assistants (Tony Chiles and Rico Hines) have seen Obekpa many times throughout the season. So, don't believe St. John's actually came out of nowhere. You should also not get caught up in visibility from a coach.

Seton Hall's coach, Kevin Willard, probably watched every minute of Kyle Anderson's games last spring and summer. Quite a few of the Pirate fans took a comment, per Kyle Anderson, Sr., out of context in reference to coaches watching Anderson, Jr. play, and ran with it. They figured since their coach had witnessed Anderson play the most (versus the other coaches involved) that they were in great shape, per his dad's quote (again, a quote taken out of context). I, happened to NOT see Ben Howland at one of Kyle Anderson's games (an assistant was in attendance), and that didn't stop him and UCLA from nabbing Anderson in the end. Howland might've been the coach who was the least visible (although, he saw Anderson play many, many times) amongst the coaches involved.

Some of you should also remember how some of these recruits tease fans and play the game, per se'. It happens often, and most of us saw it first hand in the Nerlens Noel recruitment. Be careful about getting caught up, especially during a tight recruiting race.

Lastly, St. John's has plenty of advantages. Steve Lavin has a pretty, good record, and a solid, track record when it comes to players going to the NBA under his watch. Not to mention, St. John's has a fine coaching staff. Mike Dunlap is a well-known X's and O's guy throughout the collegiate ranks and NBA. Rico Hines is known for player development. Tony Chiles is a bright, young assistant that is well-respected throughout the Northeast. Mo Hicks (DOBO) is the former coach of Rice High in NYC. Go check out his coaching resume'. Gene Keady.... 'Nuff said.

Obekpa wanting to play for St. John's with a friend and proximity to his high school goes further than you like to think.

 

[JordanW]

That last sentence should have a ...SUPPOSEDLY at its finish. So much heresay nonsense. You'd think this kid may have an opinion of his own outside these handlers.

 

[bearcat18]

1. I understand St. John's has been recruiting Obekpa for a long time. UC has too.

2. Players still notice who is in the stands watching them. For some players, knowing they're wanted is a huge deal, and sometimes does play a role in what school they pick. Who knows how much Obekpa cares about this though because you never see any quotes from him.

3. Ok, I was being short-sided when listing advantages for SJU, but it makes me mad that some Johnnies fans come on here and bash our coach and program. And bring up Huggins, who has been gone for how long now? 8 years? And you might say some are bringing up Lavin's past...but he's your current coach. A little different.

 

[1717]

Think SJU fans know about savino trust me, also you do realize what obekpa twitted in reference to SJU to a fellow friend right? That was when he was a cincy lean so save all your comments.

 

[bearcats5]

Think SJU fans know about savino trust me, also you do realize what obekpa twitted in reference to SJU to a fellow friend right? That was when he was a cincy lean so save all your comments.

If it's the tweet I think you're talking about, it made no reference to any specific school other than SJU, nor was it even clear, to most, what he was saying. I remember seeing St. John's fans trying to decipher some of the tweets from around that time (it appeared some of them contained Nigerian words/phrases--Nigerian Pidgin English maybe?, and if so, "don" doesn't mean "don't/doesn't"--that made some parts unclear). It was also around the time when the Oregon talks were heating up and the stories of a possible visit to there were starting (and Providence was still considered a possible destination by recruiting analysts--the majority of ESPN's "experts" picked him to go there around that time in their signing day prediction story), so more than two schools were still being talked about at that point.

 

[Bearcat91]

Think SJU fans know about savino trust me, also you do realize what obekpa twitted in reference to SJU to a fellow friend right? That was when he was a cincy lean so save all your comments.

You also realize that he tweeted about all the schools he is considering. Asking twitter which one he should go do so going through and trying to read into someone tweet about where they are going is a bit nit picky

 

[handwaver]

The Bottom Line

Hey recruit! Let me sum it up:

UC = 12-6 in the Big East, 26-11 overall, playing Ohio State in the Sweet 16

St. Johns = 6-12 in the BE, 13-19 overall, sitting at home watching the Big Dance on TV and wishing you were there......you decide!

 

[ralph1950]

How about letting Obekpa make his choice before ripping his selection.

 

[1717]

St John's, with 6 players beat the mighty thugs on home court when D'lo went through the defense like a hot knife through butter. Sorry it was Moe with the putback to win. The BE ROY soon to be high 1st rd pick another ravin player to the NBA

 

[The Met]

Hey recruit! Let me sum it up:

UC = 12-6 in the Big East, 26-11 overall, playing Ohio State in the Sweet 16

St. Johns = 6-12 in the BE, 13-19 overall, sitting at home watching the Big Dance on TV and wishing you were there......you decide!

St. John's went 6-12 in the conference (13-19 overall) with a team full of newcomers (5 freshmen and one JUCO) while only playing six players (some of them playing more minutes than they should've been playing) for a good portion of the season.

But, we're not gonna allow logic to get in the way.

 

[Cpaw]

Let's all relax a bit here. We are arguing about our programs over a H.S. kid who has to make a decision between our 2 fine institutions. The best thing about this is that at least 2 times a year the team who does not get him will be able to show him that he made a poor choice! St. Johns has a great tradition as does UC, let's all show some class and fight with dignity.

 

[cincycpaw]

St John's, with 6 players beat the mighty thugs on home court when D'lo went through the defense like a hot knife through butter. Sorry it was Moe with the putback to win. The BE ROY soon to be high 1st rd pick another ravin player to the NBA

"Mighty thugs". Stay classy. Seriously, I'm all for some nice discussion with fans from other teams, but this guy is a clown.

 

[Bearcat91]

Let's all relax a bit here. We are arguing about our programs over a H.S. kid who has to make a decision between our 2 fine institutions. The best thing about this is that at least 2 times a year the team who does not get him will be able to show him that he made a poor choice! St. Johns has a great tradition as does UC, let's all show some class and fight with dignity.

I agree 100%. It will be a pain to watch him play for St. Johns but if he feels thats the best fit for him then he should go there. Either way Cronin is always known for doing more with "less" (3-star players on recruiting sites). We will still be a top 25 team for next year and thats just another scholly that we can use in the future.

 

[bobbrannen]

Chris Obekpa ---please come to the University of Cincinnati.

 

[Bearcat22]

I agree 100%. It will be a pain to watch him play for St. Johns but if he feels thats the best fit for him then he should go there. Either way Cronin is always known for doing more with "less" (3-star players on recruiting sites). We will still be a top 25 team for next year and thats just another scholly that we can use in the future.

I agree, If he selects us I want him to have no doubt. It seems like overall players transfering is on the rise. If we get him, hopefully we can avoid a situation like that. It would be tough to spend the time and resources coaching up a player only to realize he's on his way out after a year.Not to mention the impact on team chemistry.

For some reason, I can't shake the feeling (no inside info at all) that his handlers are going to steer him to the NBA after a year or two or encourage him to transfer in seach a better situation.

 

[bearcat18]

St John's, with 6 players beat the mighty thugs on home court when D'lo went through the defense like a hot knife through butter. Sorry it was Moe with the putback to win. The BE ROY soon to be high 1st rd pick another ravin player to the NBA

HA I don't want to keep feeding the troll, but you didn't forget that blowout at MSG did you? UC was up by 25 pretty much the whole half. Could have won by 40 if we wanted. Not that it matters or anything.

Also not our problem you had kids not qualify and someone leave the team during the season. Not feeling sorry for you considering when Mick took over we had 1 scholarship player.

 

[mplebanon]

A city where the only show about it is wkrp lol

Better than being the biggest $hithole armpit city of the entire country. Not to mention worst state in the country.

SJU = armpit of Big East

 

[Cpaw]

Better than being the biggest $hithole armpit city of the entire country. Not to mention worst state in the country.

SJU = armpit of Big East

Really? Let's have some class ourselves. Embarrassing.

 

[mplebanon]

St. John's went 6-12 in the conference (13-19 overall) with a team full of newcomers (5 freshmen and one JUCO) while only playing six players (some of them playing more minutes than they should've been playing) for a good portion of the season.

But, we're not gonna allow logic to get in the way.

Nobody feels sorry for you. We know from experience. UC's b-ball program was destroyed by a rogue female school president who had more allegience to Ohio State than the university she was president of. It was the thing conspiracies are made of. UC lost 2 recruiting classes due to the timing of her firing of Huggins (who, by the way, I wasn't that much of a fan of).

But our crosstown rivals, the Norwood University Gangstateers, conveniently forget that everytime they beat their chests and proclaim how much better they are than us. Logic goes out the door.

So expect no pity from us. Been there done that.

One thing in all of this rebuilding though is that because of Mick, UC has done it the right way. No shortcuts. No cheating in recruiting. Handling tough situations with class.