Recruiting - 2016

[Quality Is Job 1]

Corey Tate

That would be an excellent hire for Kim Anderson at Missouri. Tate's a "True Son."

As for SLU, I always thought it was a mistake for Rick Majerus not to retain Jamall Walker, one of SLU's own. He instead chose Angres Thorpe and afterward catered to his Wisconsin roots (Bronson) and Jim Crews has catered to his Indiana roots. Why not form an alliance with St. Louis and Billiken-lore by hiring, promoting, and retaining someone like Erwin Claggett or Justin Tatum, which SLU produced and helped guide into coaching basketball? If college basketball is a business and business is all about networking, particularly starting in the local market, then what does it say about SLU's athletics department business acumen to perpetuate the travesty of shunning local connections ever since Rich Grawer was fired and Lee Winfield was not retained (with the one exception of Brad Soderberg's hiring of Walker)?

If SLU had built bridges with local connections all these years, where might Maurice Baker, David Lee, and Brad Beal (I'll leave out Ben McLemore and anyone who couldn't cut the mustard academically) gone to school and what might the status of the program be? While it might be water under the bridge (or lack of one), it doesn't make sense to continue to ignore the ramifications going forward, particularly if Anderson does opt to bring Tate in, especially in light of the quality of the local 2016 class. It's not that Crews should fire a current assistant coach, but they should be encouraged to consider opportunities for career advancement.

[Dwayne's_World]

That would be an excellent hire for Kim Anderson at Missouri. Tate's a "True Son."

As for SLU, I always thought it was a mistake for Rick Majerus not to retain Jamall Walker, one of SLU's own. He instead chose Angres Thorpe and afterward catered to his Wisconsin roots (Bronson) and Jim Crews has catered to his Indiana roots. Why not form an alliance with St. Louis and Billiken-lore by hiring, promoting, and retaining someone like Erwin Claggett or Justin Tatum, which SLU produced and helped guide into coaching basketball? If college basketball is a business and business is all about networking, particularly starting in the local market, then what does it say about SLU's athletics department business acumen to perpetuate the travesty of shunning local connections ever since Rich Grawer was fired and Lee Winfield was not retained (with the one exception of Brad Soderberg's hiring of Walker)?

If SLU had built bridges with local connections all these years, where might Maurice Baker, David Lee, and Brad Beal (I'll leave out Ben McLemore and anyone who couldn't cut the mustard academically) gone to school and what might the status of the program be? While it might be water under the bridge (or lack of one), it doesn't make sense to continue to ignore the ramifications going forward, particularly if Anderson does opt to bring Tate in, especially in light of the quality of the local 2016 class. It's not that Crews should fire a current assistant coach, but they should be encouraged to consider opportunities for career advancement.

This. Our AD doesn't seem to have a clue when it comes to establishing the local market.

[3star_recruit]

That would be an excellent hire for Kim Anderson at Missouri. Tate's a "True Son."

As for SLU, I always thought it was a mistake for Rick Majerus not to retain Jamall Walker, one of SLU's own. He instead chose Angres Thorpe and afterward catered to his Wisconsin roots (Bronson) and Jim Crews has catered to his Indiana roots. Why not form an alliance with St. Louis and Billiken-lore by hiring, promoting, and retaining someone like Erwin Claggett or Justin Tatum, which SLU produced and helped guide into coaching basketball? If college basketball is a business and business is all about networking, particularly starting in the local market, then what does it say about SLU's athletics department business acumen to perpetuate the travesty of shunning local connections ever since Rich Grawer was fired and Lee Winfield was not retained (with the one exception of Brad Soderberg's hiring of Walker)?

If SLU had built bridges with local connections all these years, where might Maurice Baker, David Lee, and Brad Beal (I'll leave out Ben McLemore and anyone who couldn't cut the mustard academically) gone to school and what might the status of the program be? While it might be water under the bridge (or lack of one), it doesn't make sense to continue to ignore the ramifications going forward, particularly if Anderson does opt to bring Tate in, especially in light of the quality of the local 2016 class. It's not that Crews should fire a current assistant coach, but they should be encouraged to consider opportunities for career advancement.

Or you could make mid-major local kids a priority. Over the the last 15 years, SLU only seems to recognize that local talent exists when those players are in the top 100. These kids all know each other. Some of them are like brothers. If a kid sees his brother doing well at the local school, instead of being a bench player at Texas, he may opt to stay home. If you carefully examine the histories of the mid-major powers that are cited as models for us, you'll run across that pattern repeatedly.

There's enough local mid-major talent in the next two classes that going outside the St. Louis metro area may not even be necessary. That's a major reason I returned to the board. I'm truly excited by the possibility of 3-4 St. Louis kids contributing to the success of the program.

[thetorch]

Local recruiting wasn't important to Majerus. He didn't really keep Thorpe either. Ran him off after one year I think because Thorpe still had a year on his contract. In restrospect he should have kept Walker. Maybe Walker didn't want to coach with him. Walker hasn't coached with or for intense guys like Majerus. He does good work for Illinois and is a big presence among STL area BBall players.

I know we clamor for Tatum and Claggett to join the staff (personally I'd prefer Corey Frazier who may replace Tate if he leaves) but I don't think either of them want to leave the HS ranks. A college coaches life is not one for a family really. I was extremely impressed with Claggett's performance this season. I thought he always underachieved at McCluer but to have success at SLUH is quite an accomplishment today.

I wholeheartedly agree with you 3 star. Not just 3 or 4 players, we could build our entire roster around STL area kids the next few season (and should have started it more already). All we have to do is convince them to stay home. I just don't see us making inroads with many of these recruits. We have always focused on the big fish in the area. The talent pool in STL is getting deeper and deeper. We are virtually ignoring it.

[For-DaLove]

The talent pool in STL is getting deeper and deeper. We are virtually ignoring it.

This is incorrect. Anyone who makes a statement like this is either trying to stir up or completely clueless. And it's becoming obvious which category you fit into.

[3star_recruit]

Local recruiting wasn't important to Majerus. He didn't really keep Thorpe either. Ran him off after one year I think because Thorpe still had a year on his contract. In restrospect he should have kept Walker. Maybe Walker didn't want to coach with him. Walker hasn't coached with or for intense guys like Majerus. He does good work for Illinois and is a big presence among STL area BBall players.

I know we clamor for Tatum and Claggett to join the staff (personally I'd prefer Corey Frazier who may replace Tate if he leaves) but I don't think either of them want to leave the HS ranks. A college coaches life is not one for a family really. I was extremely impressed with Claggett's performance this season. I thought he always underachieved at McCluer but to have success at SLUH is quite an accomplishment today.

I wholeheartedly agree with you 3 star. Not just 3 or 4 players, we could build our entire roster around STL area kids the next few season (and should have started it more already). All we have to do is convince them to stay home. I just don't see us making inroads with many of these recruits. We have always focused on the big fish in the area. The talent pool in STL is getting deeper and deeper. We are virtually ignoring it.

I'm encouraged by the long-term interest shown by the program in Jordan Barnes, who was invited to last year's summer camp. I see a similar trajectory in the recruitment of SLUH sophomore Brandon McKissic. They are both nice lead guards but certainly not big fish. That represents a change in recruiting philosophy, IMO.

If we had more scholarships in the 2016 class, I think the current staff's interest in local talent would be more obvious. But clearly one of those two scholarships has to be held for the ultimate big fish until he eliminates us from contention. Hopefully at least one of the plan B guys -- Brendon Gooch, Zeke Moore, Tarkus Ferguson -- is patient and doesn't sign early with the Valley.

[VeniceMenace]

That would be an excellent hire for Kim Anderson at Missouri. Tate's a "True Son."

As for SLU, I always thought it was a mistake for Rick Majerus not to retain Jamall Walker, one of SLU's own. He instead chose Angres Thorpe and afterward catered to his Wisconsin roots (Bronson) and Jim Crews has catered to his Indiana roots. Why not form an alliance with St. Louis and Billiken-lore by hiring, promoting, and retaining someone like Erwin Claggett or Justin Tatum, which SLU produced and helped guide into coaching basketball? If college basketball is a business and business is all about networking, particularly starting in the local market, then what does it say about SLU's athletics department business acumen to perpetuate the travesty of shunning local connections ever since Rich Grawer was fired and Lee Winfield was not retained (with the one exception of Brad Soderberg's hiring of Walker)?

If SLU had built bridges with local connections all these years, where might Maurice Baker, David Lee, and Brad Beal (I'll leave out Ben McLemore and anyone who couldn't cut the mustard academically) gone to school and what might the status of the program be? While it might be water under the bridge (or lack of one), it doesn't make sense to continue to ignore the ramifications going forward, particularly if Anderson does opt to bring Tate in, especially in light of the quality of the local 2016 class. It's not that Crews should fire a current assistant coach, but they should be encouraged to consider opportunities for career advancement.

Agree SLU has done a horrible job of building local connections post-Grawer, and that's a key reason good locals opted for Mo Valley conference teams during that conference's peak era mid-2000s.

Disagree that it would have had any impact on Mo Baker, David Lee, Brad Beal--does anyone seriously see these guys preferring to practice in the west pine gym, playing in front of about 10 students and being on even local TV half a dozen times?

At least things are better now and SLU is forging deeper connections with alumni players now....your right we need snag the high mid-major kids in our region and keep that Chicago presence.

[cheeseman]

That would be an excellent hire for Kim Anderson at Missouri. Tate's a "True Son."

As for SLU, I always thought it was a mistake for Rick Majerus not to retain Jamall Walker, one of SLU's own. He instead chose Angres Thorpe and afterward catered to his Wisconsin roots (Bronson) and Jim Crews has catered to his Indiana roots. Why not form an alliance with St. Louis and Billiken-lore by hiring, promoting, and retaining someone like Erwin Claggett or Justin Tatum, which SLU produced and helped guide into coaching basketball? If college basketball is a business and business is all about networking, particularly starting in the local market, then what does it say about SLU's athletics department business acumen to perpetuate the travesty of shunning local connections ever since Rich Grawer was fired and Lee Winfield was not retained (with the one exception of Brad Soderberg's hiring of Walker)?

If SLU had built bridges with local connections all these years, where might Maurice Baker, David Lee, and Brad Beal (I'll leave out Ben McLemore and anyone who couldn't cut the mustard academically) gone to school and what might the status of the program be? While it might be water under the bridge (or lack of one), it doesn't make sense to continue to ignore the ramifications going forward, particularly if Anderson does opt to bring Tate in, especially in light of the quality of the local 2016 class. It's not that Crews should fire a current assistant coach, but they should be encouraged to consider opportunities for career advancement.

He did not choose Thorpe - Thorpe was promised the year by Biondi if he stayed to run the ship until RM came on board. That is why after the next year was over Thorpe was gone like a fart in the wind to quote one of my favorite movies.

[kshoe]

He did not choose Thorpe - Thorpe was promised the year by Biondi if he stayed to run the ship until RM came on board. That is why after the next year was over Thorpe was gone like a fart in the wind to quote one of my favorite movies.

That is my recollection as well. And walker was fired by Biondi, not Majerus.

[Billikenswin]

This is incorrect. Anyone who makes a statement like this is either trying to stir ###### up or completely clueless. And it's becoming obvious which category you fit into.

I seldom post because I cannot stand the tone and approach of so many posters who include misinformation and outright lies in posts and people pretend they are true but I cannot sit by and leave this one alone. DaLove is absolutely correct in saying that the statement that we are ignoring all of the good local prospects is clueless. I can confirm two things--first, our relationships with former Billiken local and out of town players and local folks who are in the know about the local basketball players and teams is the best it has been in many, many years and much better than when Rick was coach. Second, we are working very hard to recruit local players and are very hopeful that those efforts will bring us some excellent players to join our team in the coming years.

[Basketbill]

Regarding the work with Locals, Crews attended a football game of a basketball recruit and not because the team is a good footbal team. Yes they are working hard to recruit local talent.

[JettFlight5]

It would be great for all involved if SLU is a player with all the major recruits coming out of STL.

[TheChosenOne]

I'm encouraged by the long-term interest shown by the program in Jordan Barnes, who was invited to last year's summer camp. I see a similar trajectory in the recruitment of SLUH sophomore Brandon McKissic. They are both nice lead guards but certainly not big fish. That represents a change in recruiting philosophy, IMO.

Brandon McKissic is a really nice player who hopefully getting in early on will pay dividends with.

I have heard Tyler Cook is looking to get out of town, so the SLU coaches will have their work cut out for them, but that is the job of recruiting and selling your school.

Gooch and Ferguson are intriguing prospects, haven't seen them enough to know whether we should offer. I don't see Barnes as being at the level of SLU, but could be wrong on that assessment.

[BANG! He Got It!]

2016 PG Nai Carlisle also de-committed from San Jose State and, according to Verbal Commits, is considering SLU again.

[thetorch]

This is incorrect. Anyone who makes a statement like this is either trying to stir ###### up or completely clueless. And it's becoming obvious which category you fit into.

How many offers do we have out to local kids? Tatum, Cook, Yess, Sneed. Who else? Seriously if you are in the know tell us. I count 3 times that many local kids who are worthy of offers. It isn't like it used to be, the best metro area players are all 3 star recruits, the days of Joel Shelton being the best player in the area are over.

[3star_recruit]

How many offers do we have out to local kids? Tatum, Cook, Yess, Sneed. Who else? Seriously if you are in the know tell us. I count 3 times that many local kids who are worthy of offers. It isn't like it used to be, the best metro area players are all 3 star recruits, the days of Joel Shelton being the best player in the area are over.

SLU effectively only has one scholarship to offer the 2016 class until Tatum makes a decision. They can't afford to make a mistake here. Nobody in the Valley has offered Ferguson, which is an academic red flag to me.

Which kids do you believe are deserving of that last scholarship? Not who may be worthy of a scholarship in 6 months, but right now?

[VeniceMenace]

SLU effectively only has one scholarship to offer the 2016 class until Tatum makes a decision. They can't afford to make a mistake here. Nobody in the Valley has offered Ferguson, which is an academic red flag to me.

Which kids do you believe are deserving of that last scholarship? Not who may be worthy of a scholarship in 6 months, but right now?

True, we had only one scholarship for 2016, but we may have 3 scholarships for 2016 if the vacancies resulting from Lancona and McBroom leaving go unfilled.

[Irishdude]

True, we had only one scholarship for 2016, but we may have 3 scholarships for 2016 if the vacancies resulting from Lancona and McBroom leaving go unfilled.

There are a total of 5 open spots to fill right now. 2 in 2015 and 3 in 2016. I believe there are 4 offers out for 2016 at this point.

[kshoe]

There are a total of 5 open spots to fill right now. 2 in 2015 and 3 in 2016. I believe there are 4 offers out for 2016 at this point.

No. There are a total of 3. If you fill the 2 in 2015, the only open one for 2016 is Ash's.

[Irishdude]

No. There are a total of 3. If you fill the 2 in 2015, the only open one for 2016 is Ash's.

Is verbal commits incorrect?

[JMM28]

Ash is the only guaranteed leaving next year.

There are 2 transfers that have gone unfilled so far.

There are 2 graduates from last year, Manning and Glaze. Those scholarships are committed already to Wellmer and Neufeld.

That leaves 3.

Verbal Commits counts the total for their "Open Spots." They are saying right now there would be 3 available for 2016 but that just means from now until then there are 3.

[Dwayne's_World]

Is verbal commits incorrect?

No, we have three total left to use for either 2015 or 2016

[Irishdude]

Ash is the only guaranteed leaving next year.

There are 2 transfers that have gone unfilled so far.

There are 2 graduates from last year, Manning and Glaze. Those scholarships are committed already to Wellmer and Neufeld.

That leaves 3.

Verbal Commits counts the total for their "Open Spots." They are saying right now there would be 3 available for 2016 but that just means from now until then there are 3.

So do we look for JC to do a Jared Drew to someone currently on the team??

[moytoy12]

With only 3 schollies for 2015 and 2016, maybe that's why JC said we don't necessarily need to fill 2 spots for 2015. I'm sure some of it was coach speak, but if there are four offers out to the 2016 class, then it seems obvious where the staff's attention is focused.

[FromDaEastSide]

This is why a 5th year senior or Grandy back is important for next year. That way even if you save one of the open scholarships, and the other one is to land the 5th year player. You have 3 scholarships going into the next recruiting class, yes someone from the Freshman 6 will possibly leave after next year but its no guarantee and I think you will need at least two scholarships open for the 2015 Fall Signing period like we originally had, but 3 would be better.