2016 General Recruiting

[justinhub2003]

Really enjoying the Nike and recruiting discussion. Appreciate Chad's insight. I also like that UCAlum08 ask for clarification.

I agree a little bit with several posters. Why pocket 2 scholarships. There has got to be reasonable players within a 200-mile radius that for a few games a year could be different makers. Way better than Zack tobler. I know Waite , most kids want playing time. But not all kids.

Or I agree give it to an underrated player from a big school. Build relationships with these local coaches. Then when they have a 4-star we will be right in line.

And you can't tell me there's not some less athletic shooters or pure rebounders that we couldn't get as transfers or straight out of high school. I know there are factors. But I agree some of it is just excuses. It's either put up or shut up. Instead of going for an athletic up-and-comer, get some players that you know would be solid in the Mid-American Conference, recruit them hard, give them love. Tell them their role and how they can be part of something special. A couple of those players would go a long way in spots during the year. We don't always have to get somebody with high upside. Meaning someone that's athletic that may develop. Get a real basketball player that maybe doesn't have the upside but certainly could help us

Anything we get right now won't be close to a star. So going into next season now, we will have 4 open scholarship and could use them on a bigger pool of players in the 2017 class. I mean, we can add a mediocre player who won't play this year, or we can keep them and move on and hope to land another guy like Evans or Cumberland next year, and not load our roster with 3 star late recruits in this class that we have waste a scholahip on for four years.

A lot of teams going into the season with only 10 players. I mean, we weren't a full 13 scholarships deep last season and we also were one of the few programs who didn't lose a single player to transfer.

 

[Bulldog01]

Shoe company affiliation with aau teams only matter at all for top 25-40 players at best. Bunch of excuses a click bait blogger used to get you to subscribe to their sites. Kids #1 want exposure and to be colorful. Playing time only matters for transfers really also another excuse. All the so called top dogs benches are FILLED with 4-5* that just wanted exposure and BENEFITS. To get the best of best either shoe company has to pay up or school has to pay. That's only for top kids in country. If you pay them kids a play basketball in dumpster with flip flops on. We don't have money to pay so being the top dog at au before ucla other uniforms deal should've been different uni every other week and colorful if you want top 50. Now mick only has landed 3 top 50 in ten years. Whats up with other top 250 kids out of top 300 that's NEVER going to see shoe contract or don't play on sponsored teams? If I was to bet I guarantee we have ZERO players on our roster that aau team was sponsored by AU. Get some colorful uniforms, open up offense and tell your top targets whatever they want to hear. Winning will solve lies you told. Yes at end of day if you want top players in country you need be affiliated with aau teams shoe companies, no coincidence we had our best recruiting classes under Jordan. We still can be competitive getting top players by being creative with uniforms. If that fails no way you sit on scholarships trying save money and you have top players in city that you NEVER offered(carlik jones).

 

[Bulldog01]

Also it doesn't matter if we got all Americans or all city league players, you need coaches to develop them to next level. Player development is 100% bigger issue than recruiting. If you teach left hand right it can do same thing right hand does. You can't win nothing when over half players and coaches lacks basic basketball fundamentals. Some players look like they didn't even know basic plays we run on offense and defense. Responsibilities and accountability has to change on all levels in basketball program

 

[jds513]

Shoe company affiliation with aau teams only matter at all for top 25-40 players at best. Bunch of excuses a click bait blogger used to get you to subscribe to their sites. Kids #1 want exposure and to be colorful. Playing time only matters for transfers really also another excuse. All the so called top dogs benches are FILLED with 4-5* that just wanted exposure and BENEFITS. To get the best of best either shoe company has to pay up or school has to pay. That's only for top kids in country. If you pay them kids a play basketball in dumpster with flip flops on. We don't have money to pay so being the top dog at au before ucla other uniforms deal should've been different uni every other week and colorful if you want top 50. Now mick only has landed 3 top 50 in ten years. Whats up with other top 250 kids out of top 300 that's NEVER going to see shoe contract or don't play on sponsored teams? If I was to bet I guarantee we have ZERO players on our roster that aau team was sponsored by AU. Get some colorful uniforms, open up offense and tell your top targets whatever they want to hear. Winning will solve lies you told. Yes at end of day if you want top players in country you need be affiliated with aau teams shoe companies, no coincidence we had our best recruiting classes under Jordan. We still can be competitive getting top players by being creative with uniforms. If that fails no way you sit on scholarships trying save money and you have top players in city that you NEVER offered(carlik jones).

Honestly, I don't know why this is being blown out of proportion. This was a discussion mostly about the general landscape of recruiting and why recruits tend to stick with the brand that their AAU team is sponsored by. It's a fact. It happens. I did not derive it as an excuse by anyone for Mick's sometimes poor recruiting. Anyways, did some research. The majority of UC's team played for either adidas or under armour. I think it's important to note that our brand switch happened only one year ago. But here you guys go if you're interested.

Troy caupain- team loaded-adidas
Jacob evans- Louisiana dynasty- under armour
Justin Jenifer- team takeover- Nike
Jarron Cumberland- formerly OBC- adidas now King James- Nike (I believe this is what Chad was saying about fending off Nike schools)
Nysier brooks- We-R1- under armour
Gary Clark- CP3 all stars- Nike
Trevon Scott- Georgia kings- adidas
Quadri Moore- Sports U- under Armour

I honestly have no idea where Kevin Johnson played AAU ball at so he is not included and it is a different ballgame for Kyle Washington since he was a transfer.

 

[Bulldog01]

Honestly, I don't know why this is being blown out of proportion. This was a discussion mostly about the general landscape of recruiting and why recruits tend to stick with the brand that their AAU team is sponsored by. It's a fact. It happens. I did not derive it as an excuse by anyone for Mick's sometimes poor recruiting. Anyways, did some research. The majority of UC's team played for either adidas or under armour. I think it's important to note that our brand switch happened only one year ago. But here you guys go if you're interested.

Troy caupain- team loaded-adidas
Jacob evans- Louisiana dynasty- under armour
Justin Jenifer- team takeover- Nike
Jarron Cumberland- formerly OBC- adidas now King James- Nike (I believe this is what Chad was saying about fending off Nike schools)
Nysier brooks- We-R1- under armour
Gary Clark- CP3 all stars- Nike
Trevon Scott- Georgia kings- adidas
Quadri Moore- Sports U- under Armour

I honestly have no idea where Kevin Johnson played AAU ball at so he is not included and it is a different ballgame for Kyle Washington since he was a transfer.

Its only matters when money is switching hands. 95% of players on sponsored teams still pay for trips and fees. Nothings free for players. Parents want to get paid flat out for the thousands they've invested. Aau coaches are raking in the dough because they're only going to for most part set up recruiting visit at college teams that sponsor both of them. At the coaching level it works both ways mick only going to swing for fences on UA sponsored players. That's only for top 6 on our team though. I believe the majority of folks asking for more players understand it we just be bench fillers at best and we accept that. Its hundred of kids sponsored by nike, adidas and UA that if you worked hard enough you should get that can fill certain roles. Even if they never got into a game next two years you could use ball handler, rim protector,and shooter. When they become JR if you develop them right you'll find couple key pieces to go along with your 6-8 guys that were top 100. I have no problem with the top of roster recruiting it's always been in of bench issues with me. Every year we be a player away in my eyes from being serious. This year no different. When win league easily every year if we have full roster.

 

[Chad Brendel]

Personal attacks on me aside, what you have explained is the AAU scene of 5 years ago. The EYBL chang3d everything in terms of team sponsorship and brand loyalty. UA and Adidas had no choice but to try their own leagues just to stay in the game.

All 40 EYBL teams are fully funded and have Nike pay for their travel and hotel costs for EYBL events. UA and Adidas don't fully fund as many teams, and have some on partial funding but all of their major programs are getting everything covered for their leagues. There is more money than ever going into the investment, and as a result more return is expected...

 

[Bulldog01]

Personal attacks on me aside, what you have explained is the AAU scene of 5 years ago. The EYBL chang3d everything in terms of team sponsorship and brand loyalty. UA and Adidas had no choice but to try their own leagues just to stay in the game.

All 40 EYBL teams are fully funded and have Nike pay for their travel and hotel costs for EYBL events. UA and Adidas don't fully fund as many teams, and have some on partial funding but all of their major programs are getting everything covered for their leagues. There is more money than ever going into the investment, and as a result more return is expected...

Chad I understand fully but were talking about role players that didnt even have play for sponsored teams. I wouldn't pay extra end of bench guy. Cant be cheap taking gambles holding back scholarships. Get cute for top guys and continue to win to get local role players to fill out roster. Its aau coaches that recruit better than mick not even on salary for aau program. They dress nice, interact with the kids on internet, and have nba players hang around practice. They never once get on a plane for a visit. Never leave state to recruit. Just know how to sell expired lottery tickets.

 

[Chad Brendel]

Chad I understand fully but were talking about role players that didnt even have play for sponsored teams. I wouldn't pay extra end of bench guy. Cant be cheap taking gambles holding back scholarships. Get cute for top guys and continue to win to get local role players to fill out roster. Its aau coaches that recruit better than mick not even on salary for aau program. They dress nice, interact with the kids on internet, and have nba players hang around practice. They never once get on a plane for a visit. Never leave state to recruit. Just know how to sell expired lottery tickets.

You don't understand at all. You want to complain about talent level, and then beg for MAC level talent to fill out the roster. Guess what. You take 2 MAC level players a year and wait for them to develop, and you have 8 MAC level players on your roster when all is said and done. You couldn't possibly believe that is a winning formula.

Let's be real. Quad and JJ are a little above the MAC level, and if everyone was confident in their ability to produce, there wouldn't be anyone concerned about depth. It is spewing horrible ideas for the sole purpose of having a hot take, and is not how you win even in the AAC. Please. Stop...

 

[jacobkdoyle]

You don't understand at all. You want to complain about talent level, and then beg for MAC level talent to fill out the roster. Guess what. You take 2 MAC level players a year and wait for them to develop, and you have 8 MAC level players on your roster when all is said and done. You couldn't possibly believe that is a winning formula.

Let's be real. Quad and JJ are a little above the MAC level, and if everyone was confident in their ability to produce, there wouldn't be anyone concerned about depth. It is spewing horrible ideas for the sole purpose of having a hot take, and is not how you win even in the AAC. Please. Stop...

No. Not how it works. I don't think anyone is saying take 2 per year. I'm pretty sure anyone who talks about this is saying take 1 or 2 over the course of 4 years.

 

[Bulldog01]

You don't understand at all. You want to complain about talent level, and then beg for MAC level talent to fill out the roster. Guess what. You take 2 MAC level players a year and wait for them to develop, and you have 8 MAC level players on your roster when all is said and done. You couldn't possibly believe that is a winning formula.

Let's be real. Quad and JJ are a little above the MAC level, and if everyone was confident in their ability to produce, there wouldn't be anyone concerned about depth. It is spewing horrible ideas for the sole purpose of having a hot take, and is not how you win even in the AAC. Please. Stop...

I NEVER complained about talent level. Issue is penny pinching whats going on. Fill out roster with players that was overlooked and develop them. Do whatever it takes to win. Don't know how your math work but in 4yrs you wouldn't have 8mac level players. You say its 40 teams that nike sponsor so roughly 350-400 players. Mick cant get more than one player to cross over? Quad and jj least of my worries. Scott, brooks, Cumberland and Washington are bigger ??? for me. I have one nephew that's in 8th grade thats already got offers, two nephews that's top 100 players in country in their class. Past year alone been to uc,mu, xu, osu, clemson, lsu, Georgia,Georgia tech, ncsu, INdiana, mercer, alabama and summer hasnt even started yet. I'm around hundreds of top players in football and basketball every hour on the hour. Im trying to tell you what the kids want and the last thing they talk about shoe companies or playing time. #1 is who has most pros. #2 playing against aau buddies on tv every game #3 who has coolest uniforms and fans. We struggle with all 3 basically.

 

[Bulldog01]

No. Not how it works. I don't think anyone is saying take 2 per year. I'm pretty sure anyone who talks about this is saying take 1 or 2 over the course of 4 years.

Its a money issue

 

[GarradJ21]

You don't understand at all. You want to complain about talent level, and then beg for MAC level talent to fill out the roster. Guess what. You take 2 MAC level players a year and wait for them to develop, and you have 8 MAC level players on your roster when all is said and done. You couldn't possibly believe that is a winning formula.

Let's be real. Quad and JJ are a little above the MAC level, and if everyone was confident in their ability to produce, there wouldn't be anyone concerned about depth. It is spewing horrible ideas for the sole purpose of having a hot take, and is not how you win even in the AAC. Please. Stop...

I'm personally not worried about JJ at all. I think he just lost confidence at the end because he didn't get playing time, and I truly believe Cronin would admit that as being a big mistake on his part last season. He just needs to work on not settling for jumpers and continue to create. He will be a great backup point guard for the next 3 years.

Mostly worried about quad. Need him to play like he did against st. Joes. Still confused on where that came from? I will say I loved hearing that he bought in and wants to make this work. Could tell he was a lot more into on the bench too. Justin Jackson was hard to watch his first 2 years of basketball. Ya never know

For 2016 recruiting. I think it's truley over. 2017 needs to be a big class. Fill all positions but point guard

 

[cincycpaw]

So - it's suppose to be comforting to say Quadri and JJ are a little above MAC level?

I agree though, I wouldn't be worried about depth if I had confidence in Q, JJ, and KJ. But I don't. And I'm really tired of pocketing scholarships and not getting the job done recruiting.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

So - it's suppose to be comforting to say Quadri and JJ are a little above MAC level?

I agree though, I wouldn't be worried about depth if I had confidence in Q, JJ, and KJ. But I don't. And I'm really tired of pocketing scholarships and not getting the job done recruiting.

#pocketdemschollys

 

[Bulldog01]

So - it's suppose to be comforting to say Quadri and JJ are a little above MAC level?

I agree though, I wouldn't be worried about depth if I had confidence in Q, JJ, and KJ. But I don't. And I'm really tired of pocketing scholarships and not getting the job done recruiting.

Pocketing $$$. Mick needs a jet to recruit can't facetime or get on twitter he needs to sit in living rooms still.

 

[Bulldog01]

So - it's suppose to be comforting to say Quadri and JJ are a little above MAC level?

Im a betting man and I have money on quad and jj outperforming Washington and kj if given opportunities. Im not sold on kyle and kj will NEVER be better than justin

 

[Bulldog01]

Cincinnati state dont produce juco d1s anymore?

 

[mdchick]

You don't understand at all. You want to complain about talent level, and then beg for MAC level talent to fill out the roster. Guess what. You take 2 MAC level players a year and wait for them to develop, and you have 8 MAC level players on your roster when all is said and done. You couldn't possibly believe that is a winning formula.

Let's be real. Quad and JJ are a little above the MAC level, and if everyone was confident in their ability to produce, there wouldn't be anyone concerned about depth. It is spewing horrible ideas for the sole purpose of having a hot take, and is not how you win even in the AAC. Please. Stop...

This post is 1000% correct

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I've decided to reset my expectations for this program. If we make the NCAA Tournament it should be considered a major success. When mediocre Mick lands 1 top 50 recruit every 3 years we cannot expect much more. I no longer have ambitions of winning conference tournaments or NCAA tournament games. If we even make the tournament we should be happy.

 

[cincycpaw]

Getting off the 8/9 line would be nice too