Recruiting - 2013

[slu72]

RM indeed was in on Jorts when Gillespie took him to KY.

[ACE]

Cheese this is simply false. Majerus was our coach when Harrellson committed to Kentucky.

Sidenote: Though others may disagree, I doubt Majerus would have recruited Harrellson out of high school. There is a reason he went to Western Illinois. This is a contentious point, however

Another sidenote - If Calipari were coach of Kentucky at the time, there is no way he recruits Harrellson.

[kmbilliken]

By the way, Lancona's CSU visit will start tomorrow. Then K-State will be this weekend. If he sticks with his timeline, he will announce his decision Sunday.

Is there a team in CSU's conference close to his home so his family and friends can see him play?

[Pistol]

Is there a team in CSU's conference close to his home so his family and friends can see him play?

San Diego State is about an hour and a half from his hometown of Rancho Santa Margarita. Fresno State is about 4 hours from there. Same with UNLV.

[SShoe]

No, Sodie was here when Harrellson signed with KY. Sodie was told by Harrellson that he was coming to SLU but just wanted to make the trip to KY for the heck of it but he had such a good time that when he came back, he blind sided Sodie. In fact that miss was the beginning of the end for Sodie. When Harrleson was in h.s. Sodie asked him to not sign until the spring but the kid signed with Western IL and then hated his decision. The coach would not let him out and so that is when Harrellson ended up at SWIC. Sodie tried to recruit him from there also and thought he had the kid as I mentioned above - I agree Harrleson could have been ours in the fall.

[billiken_roy]

No, Sodie was here when Harrellson signed with KY. Sodie was told by Harrellson that he was coming to SLU but just wanted to make the trip to KY for the heck of it but he had such a good time that when he came back, he blind sided Sodie. In fact that miss was the beginning of the end for Sodie. When Harrleson was in h.s. Sodie asked him to not sign until the spring but the kid signed with Western IL and then hated his decision. The coach would not let him out and so that is when Harrellson ended up at SWIC. Sodie tried to recruit him from there also and thought he had the kid as I mentioned above - I agree Harrleson could have been ours in the fall.

kshoe is correct. harrellson was at swic through 2008. rickma took over at slu spring of 2007. rickma had harrellson on campus for a spring 2008 visit. the next weekend he went to kentucky and spent the weekend at the sorority houses and the rest is history.

[AlumniFan]

kshoe is correct. harrellson was at swic through 2008. rickma took over at slu spring of 2007. rickma had harrellson on campus for a spring 2008 visit. the next weekend he went to kentucky and spent the weekend at the sorority houses and the rest is history.

I think I would like to be recruited by Kentucky....

[Cowboy]

No, Sodie was here when Harrellson signed with KY. Sodie was told by Harrellson that he was coming to SLU but just wanted to make the trip to KY for the heck of it but he had such a good time that when he came back, he blind sided Sodie. In fact that miss was the beginning of the end for Sodie. When Harrleson was in h.s. Sodie asked him to not sign until the spring but the kid signed with Western IL and then hated his decision. The coach would not let him out and so that is when Harrellson ended up at SWIC. Sodie tried to recruit him from there also and thought he had the kid as I mentioned above - I agree Harrleson could have been ours in the fall.

-UB was our coach when Harrellson signed in high school with West Ill, an item that sticks with me on that was that UB had 'extra' evaluations of Josh as UB's son and Josh played against each other at least 3 times a season

-when Harrelson signed with UK it was Majerus at the helm

[billiken_roy]

in hindsight, no doubt that soderberg missed on harrelson in the fall of harrelson's senior year at st charles, however, at the time, i believe it was the right decision. at that time, other than a 6'9" big body, harrelson had not shown a D1 game. and to bank on him coming around the way he did was no doubt a long shot.

soderberg asked him to wait till after his senior season and he would revisit. our old friend and former spoon asst, derrick thomas, who was then the head coach at western, talked harrellson into believing that was an insult and in turn, harrellson then signed with western.

of course after he blew up his senior season, all kinds of characters were apparently whispering in harrellson's ear he was too good for the 350th ranked western, and all at once, harrellson needed to be close to home and reneged on his loi to western forcing him to go to swic or lose a season of eligibility.

at swic he continued to get better and after one season had a lot of schools chasing him including slu. the story on the street was he wanted to go to slu all along, and had all but agreed to sign with slu upon his for fun trip to kentucky. (just like lance stemler, another swic recruit who a couple of season earlier had sung the same tune only to go to his fun visit to sampson's indiana and come back a hoosier instead)

it has long been my belief that we werent done any favors by the swic staff. (what swic players since charlie newberry in the late 80's has come to slu?)

let's keep in mind though, that even with all the improvement, harrellson really did not hit D1 play worthy until his final season at kentucky.

[Clock_Tower]

By the way, for those who think that I am bailing on JC already - you are wrong. I have hopes that he will succeed and yes I can wait for the recruiting season to be over and I am willing to even wait until the transfer time closes but to think that it is wrong to ask a question about the approach a coach is taking is being critical is a bit over the top. By the way, RM did say many times that his approach to recruiting was not to have a kid string him along and to make sure he was casting a wide net for players. If some of you can not understand what those comments meant then that is on you but it seems pretty clear to me what he was saying and doing. This recruiting class is a big deal because this group will be the foundation for 2014 and if we do not do well then we will find ourselves rebuilding that year and who wants to be in that position.

+1.

Cheese. Yet again, believe you have nailed it. I fully agree with you. While I would not have chosen JC, I am trying to move on and get behind JC because I (like the rest of you) am a Billikens fan first and a fan of the head coach second. For those with such thin skin like Moy to take my comment about the recruits seemingly being in charge (and comparing the current situation to RM) is indeed "over the top." Thereafter, excuses by NH telling us that JC got a "late start" and that he and his staff really haven't spent anytime recruiting this year (presumably b/c he read something on BillikenReport) is offensive to JC and staff. Talk about taking shots against JC!!

Would someone clarify for the Board. I thought one of the reasons we chose JC is for continuity with recruiting. In fact, at the time of his hire, there were many reports that JC and staff had, in fact, been working on recruits for some time, that things were looking really good, that announcments will come... In fact, we did get the commitment from RA before the interim tag was removed. Was all that wrong?

[Cowboy]

+1.

Cheese. Yet again, believe you have nailed it. I fully agree with you. While I would not have chosen JC, I am trying to move on and get behind JC because I (like the rest of you) am a Billikens fan first and a fan of the head coach second. For those with such thin skin like Moy to take my comment about the recruits seemingly being in charge (and comparing the current situation to RM) is indeed "over the top." Thereafter, excuses by NH telling us that JC got a "late start" and that he and his staff really haven't spent anytime recruiting this year (presumably b/c he read something on BillikenReport) is offensive to JC and staff. Talk about taking shots against JC!!

Would someone clarify for the Board. I thought one of the reasons we chose JC is for continuity with recruiting. In fact, at the time of his hire, there were many reports that JC and staff had, in fact, been working on recruits for some time, that things were looking really good, that announcments will come... In fact, we did get the commitment from RA before the interim tag was removed. Was all that wrong?

-I don't recall that point, did I miss that one?

-I recall there was more the debate as to did JC like to recruit at all

[NH]

+1.

Cheese. Yet again, believe you have nailed it. I fully agree with you. While I would not have chosen JC, I am trying to move on and get behind JC because I (like the rest of you) am a Billikens fan first and a fan of the head coach second. For those with such thin skin like Moy to take my comment about the recruits seemingly being in charge (and comparing the current situation to RM) is indeed "over the top." Thereafter, excuses by NH telling us that JC got a "late start" and that he and his staff really haven't spent anytime recruiting this year (presumably b/c he read something on BillikenReport) is offensive to JC and staff. Talk about taking shots against JC!!

I believe JC was quoted at some point during the season as saying something along the lines of they are not focused on recruiting, the job at hand is to coach the team. I will look for the quote and other posters can back me up on this.

Can you name me a player we were actively recruiting between the months of October and February? Any player in the 2013 class? Of all the names brought up recently 0 of them were around back then. I don't think it's offensive to say that the INTERIM coach at the time was not focused on recruiting and rather spent his efforts coaching the A-10 champion team. In fact I guarantee if you asked Crews he himself would say that he got a late start on recruiting.

I am not taking any shots at Crews. I think anyone would have done the same thing in his position and I am impressed by how he has recovered in the 2013 class.

Edit: Also, your memory is a little off in regards to the hiring of Crews. He did little to no recruiting last year and was the least involved recruiter on the staff. He was not hired for recruiting reasons.

[davidlee]

To add to Broy's comment about Harrellson

"let's keep in mind though, that even with all the improvement, harrellson really did not hit D1 play worthy until his final season at kentucky."

One thing people forget is Harrellson would probably not have played much his senior year if the two freshman(Cousins and I forget the other guys name) didn't go pro and their big recruit Kanter (who was a first round NBA draft pick) not be declared ineligible.

I am glad it worked out for him though.

[billiken_roy]

+1.

Cheese. Yet again, believe you have nailed it. I fully agree with you. While I would not have chosen JC, I am trying to move on and get behind JC because I (like the rest of you) am a Billikens fan first and a fan of the head coach second. For those with such thin skin like Moy to take my comment about the recruits seemingly being in charge (and comparing the current situation to RM) is indeed "over the top." Thereafter, excuses by NH telling us that JC got a "late start" and that he and his staff really haven't spent anytime recruiting this year (presumably b/c he read something on BillikenReport) is offensive to JC and staff. Talk about taking shots against JC!!

Would someone clarify for the Board. I thought one of the reasons we chose JC is for continuity with recruiting. In fact, at the time of his hire, there were many reports that JC and staff had, in fact, been working on recruits for some time, that things were looking really good, that announcments will come... In fact, we did get the commitment from RA before the interim tag was removed. Was all that wrong?

i wouldnt buy and hadnt heard "continuity with recruiting". imo crews is our head coach because he handled an extremely difficult scenario with class and dignity and great success. the existing student athletes on our roster had obviously bought in and it was the right thing to do allowing him to continue as our new head coach. Could a better coach been found? probably, but that also was a crap shoot, as there would be no guarantees associated with going off the board and bringing in a whole new staff. whatever rickma had right and in place would have immediately been washed away. it seems by all crews public speak since taking over last fall. his intent was NOT to change much of rickmaball. and what we did see different (my eye saw a more agressive offense) seemed to actually be an improvement.

I am not over the top all in for jim crews and company, but i understand the move and am willing to give it a try. the fact he did sign two very credible players during all this uncertainty is approaching amazing in my opinion. couple that with the 2012-2013 season great success, i say give crews a chance and let's see. no doubt billiken nation will be watching close considering crews extremely mediocre past record and the whispering of chemistry problems with players in both of his past stops. but again, let it play out. who knows. i have a lot more optimism than negative vibes.

[slufanskip]

I get that kids want to play right away, but it concerns me a little that a kid would come in and seem to "demand" to play without really earning the minutes. Is that a sign for concern or am I being too critical?

I want every kid to expect to play immediately and to be highly pissed off if he doesn't. The question then becomes is he a kid that's up for the fight or is he a runner? From there it's on the coaching staff to help the kid see his path to his goals. In todays world of endless transfers it seems to me you have to be recruiting a kid all the time. By that I don't mean babying him or misleading him, but making sure he understands what he has to do, that you believe in him, and that he sees the path. Once you really don't believe in him ... be honest and let him move on if he chooses. If you don't feel his effort is there give him a little kick towards the door, if that doesn't work ... kick harder

[BACKHANDtheRICAN]

Sodie missed on the evaluation of Harrellson in highschool but RM was unable to close the deal when he became available from SWIC. Majerus missed on plenty of recruits (and not just ones he walked away from early) so we need to stop with the revisionist histories here.

Majerus never missed.

[cheeseman]

I stand corrected on Harrleson - after checking Wikpedia it appears I was wrong.

[HusakAttack]

Even though Soderberg missed on Harrellson, at least he landed Knollmeyer. One step back, three steps forward.

[Box and Won]

Even though Soderberg missed on Harrellson, at least he landed Knollmeyer. One step back, three steps forward.

And one jump over a trashcan.

[Taj79]

Continuity in recruiting was never as issue in the hiring of JC. It was "did he want/like to recruit?" The continuity question was all over the Majerus bloodline.

roy and I echo similar thoughts on the hiring of JC and the new, five-year path forward. We also echo similar thoughts about understanding why it was done and how deserving JC is of the shot. We are both likely skeptical, but as someone else said, fans of the Bills, not necessarily of the coach, no matter who that might be. I will not condemn the man until he has a track record. And I may not condemn him if he never has a bad track record. So off we go.

JC also seems at first blush quite consistent with another Majerus tendancy --- over-inflating expectations. We all know and still hold RM's analysis of JM and his being the most likely to make an NBA roster. Now here comes JC saying he "expects two signings this week" and ... BANG, HE DOESN'T NAIL IT. We are left to waiting and you all know how uncomfortable waiting makes each and every one of us.

Majerus missed on quite a few recruits. Thompson. Cotto. Cassity (to an extent). Jordan. Smith. Reid. Carter. John. Maybe Manning. Maybe Glaze. maybe Barnett. Not all were missed for the same reasons.

I'd like to close with Lancona and Onwuasor.

[wgstl]

I asked this earlier but got no response, theirs gonna be two JUCO's on campus this week, any body know who they are?

[Pistol]

No decision from Daishon Knight yet. It's going to be Illinois State or Murray State unless the internet is a huge liar. Also, it's Knight's birthday. I guess he just wanted a big day.

Lancona is currently headed to Colorado State for his visit. They're a Tournament team with a coach who has won (Eustachy) and in a strong conference (Mountain West) and cool town (Fort Collins). As mentioned above, there are a few easy MWC road trips from Lancona's hometown, too. Definitely not one to overlook.

Is Onwuasor going to visit Seton Hall or not? What about Utah? If not, when will he make a decision between SLU and Miami-Ohio? Haven't found the answers here yet.

Nothing new with the others.

[billiken_roy]

No decision from Daishon Knight yet. It's going to be Illinois State or Murray State unless the internet is a huge liar. Also, it's Knight's birthday. I guess he just wanted a big day.

Lancona is currently headed to Colorado State for his visit. They're a Tournament team with a coach who has won (Eustachy) and in a strong conference (Mountain West) and cool town (Fort Collins). As mentioned above, there are a few easy MWC road trips from Lancona's hometown, too. Definitely not one to overlook.

Is Onwuasor going to visit Seton Hall or not? What about Utah? If not, when will he make a decision between SLU and Miami-Ohio? Haven't found the answers here yet.

Nothing new with the others.

doesnt help that larry doesnt have the best of reputations. i.e. who knows what lengths he might go to "win".

[RUBillsFan]

doesnt help that larry doesnt have the best of reputations. i.e. who knows what lengths he might go to "win".

Someone needs to send this the Tanner's dad:

Bob Ramsey ‏@RammerSTL12 Apr

The best coaches coach people. Not a zone, Havoc or 40 minutes of hell. Jim Crews coaches people. #SLU, indeed, "did the next right thing."

And then send him an article about Eustachy's misbehavior (perhaps with a few pictures).

[Westy03]

And then send him an article about Eustachy's misbehavior (perhaps with a few pictures).