Jump to content

Milik Yarbrough Commits


JMM28

Recommended Posts

I think Spoon doomed Cranford by referring to him in the vernacular of not only replacing Larry Hughes but being "a poor man's Larry Hughes." And the die was cast and failure was the only option. But it was Cranford as I recall with that title, not Hardin. Spoon also signed maybe the highest scoring kid in WV at that time, Donnie Adkins or something like that. Another huge bust. Then another recruit, Tyrone Caswell,was hailed as the best signing by one magazine ala Keith Carter two years ago. I think he was a Spoonball recruit too. Short of Hughes and that class, Spoon's only really good guy was Justin Love, I think. And the H Waldman transfer.

Cranford did resurface. I think he played his senior year at either Boston University or Northeastern, starting at forward and maybe averaging just short of 10 ppg as I seem to recall.

My foundation with Billiken basketball recruiting is built on my formative years of way too many failures and minor surprises. That's why I take the recruits and their so-called talent levels and ratings with a huge grain of salt. I'd go into history,but f05's head would explode.

Cranford became an all conference player in the America East. He wouldn't have been a star but better than most. He averaged 17 ppg for northeastern one year. I remember Cranford being hyped as a Hughes replacement.

Hardin came on the last year of Claggs and Highmark. Conservatively listed in the media guide at 240, I bet he was every bit of 260 and about 6'4. He was All NYC everything and was easily the biggest hyped recruit that year, first player SLU signed out of NYC since the 50s. Spoon signed him without ever seeing him play. He was not happy when he showed up for practice 40 Lbs overweight and 2 inches below his listed height.

Caswell & Adkins were in the same recruiting class with Cobbin. Caswell put up big numbers at East side. Spoon didn't have any scholarships available the year before so he had Caswell go to Butler County CC for a year. He put up big numbers there but also hurt his shoulder. Never was the same player. He was in the rotation his first year at SLU but left half way through his jr year for "personal reasons." He couldn't get off the bench and his shoulder injury continued to bother him. Adkins was supposed to be a lights out 3 point shooter from WV. He was another guy Spoon recruited like Hardin who was completely out of his element. Every other guard on the roster ate him up and he was gone by the end of the season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 121
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

@torch --- I recall many of the nuances you mention above. I also recall this seeming to be Charlie's recruiting mantra over the last year or two -- taking guys sight unseen. Someone once said Charlie got lazy and another said Charlie didn't want to adapt to th enew style of recruiting. But taking guys sight unseen seems to be pretty much a death knell to your program and you, if you continue it along far enough.

Interestingly, neither Hardin nor Adkins are listed in the media guide as ever having been at SLU. Seems appropriate enough and quite a statement.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@larry72 ---- you are right, but with a minor caveat ----both Perry and Jeffers were recruited by Spoon but they played under Romar. Perry and Jeffers' first years were 99-00 and that was LoRo's first year. I seem to recall Romar having to"re-recruit/convince" Perry to stay. So yes,I'll give Spoon then but I passed at first due to their not playing for him.

Half credit?????

Sounds like you're pleading in the prof's office for a better grade, Taj Mahal 79. Ok, half credit but only because your attendance is up to snuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@torch --- I recall many of the nuances you mention above. I also recall this seeming to be Charlie's recruiting mantra over the last year or two -- taking guys sight unseen. Someone once said Charlie got lazy and another said Charlie didn't want to adapt to th enew style of recruiting. But taking guys sight unseen seems to be pretty much a death knell to your program and you, if you continue it along far enough.

Interestingly, neither Hardin nor Adkins are listed in the media guide as ever having been at SLU. Seems appropriate enough and quite a statement.

Wonder what Charlie's recruiting budget was. If he did not want to go at least send an assistant.

If I recall when Rickma was negotiating his contract that included more player academic support, increased compensation for assistants, charters, etc.., recruiting budget had to be increased.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@torch --- I recall many of the nuances you mention above. I also recall this seeming to be Charlie's recruiting mantra over the last year or two -- taking guys sight unseen. Someone once said Charlie got lazy and another said Charlie didn't want to adapt to th enew style of recruiting. But taking guys sight unseen seems to be pretty much a death knell to your program and you, if you continue it along far enough.

Interestingly, neither Hardin nor Adkins are listed in the media guide as ever having been at SLU. Seems appropriate enough and quite a statement.

They never played in any games (they redshirted and then transferred out after that) hence the reason they don't show up in any media guides.

Better question is why talking about random SLU recruiting failures in the 80s and 90s has anything to do with the current state of the program. Some just live in the past...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kshoe, I think this was done to compare past recruiting vs our current situation and a serious case of offseason blues. To me, what we're doing today is a vast improvement over the past. Of course, we have more going for us to sell recruits, ie the Fetz and some recent success. But, as you say, let's not dwell on the past and hope all our expectations are met by JC's recruits. I venture to say, RM would be pleased with the kids JC recruited last spring and the incoming FR, but that's just my opinion. Though, will add we're going to be in for really volatile season, some highs some lows.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They never played in any games (they redshirted and then transferred out after that) hence the reason they don't show up in any media guides.

Better question is why talking about random SLU recruiting failures in the 80s and 90s has anything to do with the current state of the program. Some just live in the past...

Or some of us enjoy learning about the past. I appreciated the information and it does help to put things in perspective. Besides, talking about the past happens after every game...?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Or some of us enjoy learning about the past. I appreciated the information and it does help to put things in perspective. Besides, talking about the past happens after every game...

Well said. First, I for one find the information interesting especially here in the offseason. Second, I don't think it has really been discussed before in that some information is older than the Internet and, of course, this Board. As to the other post-Internet/this Board information, I'd venture that 90% of the current posters/readers did not post/read this Board back then. Third, I believe the old saying that those who fail to learn from their mistakes in the past are doomed to repeat them in the future is highly relevant today.

We have a new SLU President and recruiting budgets/assistant coaches are every bit as important today as they were back with Spoon in the 1990s. In essence, SLU has largely had "older" coaches at the helm. Yes, Brad and Romar were younger, but Spoon, RM and now Crews are older guys. Even though Spoon took our program to the next level (Top 20 ranking, NCAA Tourney, a one and done star like Larry Hughes, etc. and even though RM strung together good/solid recruiting classes, one after the other, in rebuilding the program, in making us an NCAA Tourney team again, and then in laying the foundation for Crews to follow/enjoy success these past two (2) years, both have been accused of being lazy recruiters. Now, Jim Crews is an "older" coach. In essence, I want good, experienced coaches with prior winning records as opposed to younger, less experienced coaches. The reality, of course, is that guys in the 60's don't have the energy levels of guys in their 40's --but that's OK if budgets are large enough for both our assistant coaches and recruiting. Maybe we should redirect the complaints toward the people in charge of the finances and who tied the hands of our head coaches and not entirely upon the head coaches. Spoonhour "retired" largely out of frustration due to lack of support. Another penny-pinching President with disdain for athletics and we will become more like DePaul in no time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

RM strung together good/solid recruiting classes, one after the other...both have been accused of being lazy recruiters.

I don't recall Majerus being referred to as a lazy recruiter. My understanding was that he was a basketball junkie who spent a lot of time recruiting and contacting players. I thought he watched a ton of kids' play and took time to hand write letters and build relationships with the kids he sought.

Spoon was a super lazy recruiter who just wanted to coach the group of players his assistants signed up for him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't recall Majerus being referred to as a lazy recruiter. My understanding was that he was a basketball junkie who spent a lot of time recruiting and contacting players. I thought he watched a ton of kids' play and took time to hand write letters and build relationships with the kids he sought.

Spoon was a super lazy recruiter who just wanted to coach the group of players his assistants signed up for him.

Yes, and while I don't believe it, one of our regular posters had accused RM of being lazy b/c he stopped recruiting Nolan Berry and did not show enough interest in other local recruits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've always read the area recruits weren't interested in us, and when they expressed or indicated such RM just moved on. Whoever that poster was, his comment makes no sense. A lazy coach would much prefer bringing in players from his own neighborhood than travelling all over the friggin' planet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wonder what Charlie's recruiting budget was. If he did not want to go at least send an assistant.

If I recall when Rickma was negotiating his contract that included more player academic support, increased compensation to assistants, charters, etc.., recruiting budget had to be increased.

Pretty tight. That he didn't get reimbursed for an ice cream cone is legendary, or an urban myth.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm with kshoe on this one, I think it's a bit of a stretch to be comparing past recruiting efforts with the current state of affairs. Overall, we are in a vastly improved position in terms of facilities and quality of players being brought in, so there really isn't any comparison...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've always read the area recruits weren't interested in us, and when they expressed or indicated such RM just moved on. Whoever that poster was, his comment makes no sense. A lazy coach would much prefer bringing in players from his own neighborhood than travelling all over the friggin' planet.

I know for a fact that any suggestion that RM was a lazy recruiter is wrong. It was not easy for him to travel with his various issues and particularly when he had a bad foot and leg but he would go where he was needed to go and be in the living rooms of recruits. I think he did less travel the last year and a half, mostly because of his health. If a good st louis area player fit what he believed was his type of player then he would go after him but if a player showed no interest then RM did not waste a minute on him. He did have a tendency to hype some of the recruits a bit but I think he was sending them a message that he thought they could be better than their "ratings". He prided himself in recognizing talents in players that few others saw or could develop. Someone here posted recently that he thought that RM would like the recruits signed by Coach Crews and I thought that was an astute comment. These 10 young men all seem to fit the mold of solid players and solid citizens that RM would have liked to coach.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just let me say that it was the always-appreciated kshoe who took what I said and asked why compare the past to the present. Then clock comes on about learning from the past. End of discussion. And I learned something new myself --- that they both redshirted --- that was news to me. Which only ups my trivial and unimportant knowledge some.

I did not intend to compare past specifics incidents/recruits to current incidents/recruits. And I don't care that ESPN's recruiting rankings now are different from then. What I do think is spot on however is that one should take caution and a slow approach in placing expectations on any incoming recruit. The bottom line will always be "we just don't know."

Lancona was supposed to replace Ellis and take his role this year. Did that happen? No. Agbeko was supposed to replace Remekun's production. Did that happen? No. Crawford was an outside gunner and offer another option at the three. Did that happen? No (shows signs though). And McBroom was going to be the replacement cog for Kwamain in the third guard role. Did that happen? Somewhat but overall, no. And yet it was the most successful season in Billiken basketball history.

Tread lightly. But the future does look bright. As it has before ......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taj, you are obviously free to post whatever you like and the fact that clock and alumni fan enjoy your random journeys through billiken histories is great but I stand my original premise that when a thread about our latest recruit turns into a thread about some of our biggest recruiting failures from the 90s we've lost focus. Such is the nature of off season posting I suspect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just let me say that it was the always-appreciated kshoe who took what I said and asked why compare the past to the present. Then clock comes on about learning from the past. End of discussion. And I learned something new myself --- that they both redshirted --- that was news to me. Which only ups my trivial and unimportant knowledge some.

I did not intend to compare past specifics incidents/recruits to current incidents/recruits. And I don't care that ESPN's recruiting rankings now are different from then. What I do think is spot on however is that one should take caution and a slow approach in placing expectations on any incoming recruit. The bottom line will always be "we just don't know."

Lancona was supposed to replace Ellis and take his role this year. Did that happen? No. Agbeko was supposed to replace Remekun's production. Did that happen? No. Crawford was an outside gunner and offer another option at the three. Did that happen? No (shows signs though). And McBroom was going to be the replacement cog for Kwamain in the third guard role. Did that happen? Somewhat but overall, no. And yet it was the most successful season in Billiken basketball history.

Tread lightly. But the future does look bright. As it has before ......

Taj, everytime I read your post I see the same line of half empty bull you are always spewing. You might be right but most likely wrong as usual. Everyone you have mentioned in term those players left behind after this group of seniors are fairly capable of carrying SLU going forward. I am going to say the new team will be better than the seniors. Obviously the coaching staff has been loyal to the seniors but were they the best players at all positions....I highly doubt it.

JC now has to opportunity to do that this season with more talent. He also has to fasttrack the guys he did not give enough playing time to due to injuries and such like TL, RA (now surgery has corrected his preseason issue) and MC. We all agree there will be growing pains since the majority of the players did not get the PT during the season they needed to make a nice transition into coming season but I am optimistic they will be a formidable bunch in no time. Stop your whining....you keep repeating yourself over and over again. We get it! New guys plus GG, AM, and JM will take it from here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taj, you are obviously free to post whatever you like and the fact that clock and alumni fan enjoy your random journeys through billiken histories is great but I stand my original premise that when a thread about our latest recruit turns into a thread about some of our biggest recruiting failures from the 90s we've lost focus. Such is the nature of off season posting I suspect.

Shoe. Did I miss the announcement appointing you a Board Moderator? Or are you again trying to tell others (mostly Taj) what they should do and not do. Good stuff!!

And by the way, we filled all our scholarships for next year so this thread is really over, and has been over. But since you apparently don't like unrelated posts in a thread, I will look forward to your moderating efforts going forward. Surely, you will be consistent, right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shoe. Did I miss the announcement appointing you a Board Moderator? Or are you again trying to tell others (mostly Taj) what they should do and not do. Good stuff!!

And by the way, we filled all our scholarships for next year so this thread is really over, and has been over. But since you apparently don't like unrelated posts in a thread, I will look forward to your moderating efforts going forward. Surely, you will be consistent, right?

Me pointing out that taj's posts have lost focus and are living in the past equates to me being a moderator? Gotcha.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anybody catch that Kevin Durant shot last night...

More relevant to some: did anyone catch Jordan's game winner over Utah in the 98 finals. That was awesome. Can we break down whether he actually pushed off on Russell while we are at it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...