Recruiting...weigh in with your thoughts

My oh my, how our expectations have fallen. I remember the days when actual Big Ten caliber recruits would be the subject of recruiting conversations.
Sportstalent is right, he may even have understated it some, but player development is going to be the key. Especially if the level of talent presently being recruited to Iowa consists of the guys being talked about in this thread. We better hope for some diamonds in the rough.
 
Auggie said:
My oh my, how our expectations have fallen. I remember the days when actual Big Ten caliber recruits would be the subject of recruiting conversations.
Sportstalent is right, he may even have understated it some, but player development is going to be the key. Especially if the level of talent presently being recruited to Iowa consists of the guys being talked about in this thread. We better hope for some diamonds in the rough.
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Not sure the expectations have fallen, people were so devastated that Cezar didn't sign. I think the bar is set too high at this point. Carter is a player that I would be shocked to see come to Iowa, but people are holding out that he will somehow be a Hawkeye.
The first two classes Fran signs aren't going to have the obvious stars on paper, but when you see what the staff did this season with Cartwright and Basabe, then it is time to realize that player development is what is going to get Iowa by for the first three years or so until Fran can pull off a better than average class on paper.
I caution however, to reading more into what is on paper than what is actually on the floor, especially, the end result. Basabe was, before his last AAU season, a no* recruit, he played well and got to a 3* kid. That said even including Marble and McCabe there were only two freshman classes, 2010 classes, that outperformed Iowa's: Ohio State and Michigan, but on paper Iowa was rated 9th, I believe for the 2010 class in conference.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with recruiting an athletic Iowa kid like Washpun or a slower developing kid with athleticism like Olaseni. Katenda was a Top 150 kid until he missed his Junior to Senior AAU season because of illness. When it comes down to it, if Fran can get two players that athletically compliment the shooting and fundamentals of Oglesby and White then what more is there to ask for.
Auggie, we do agree on something, very rare and maybe it was understated a bit, player development is just as, if not more important to a program. Iowa has to manufacture players, it isn't often they get that combination of fundamentals and athleticism in freshman too often. When that has happened, they don't play four years at Iowa.
If the situation exists that Iowa is in on players like Cezar/Carter next year, I belive Iowa would get one or both, time will tell.
 
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hawkIhoops said:
I realize we aren't "in" on any big time recruits, but I am more anxious this year than any I can remember. I guess that is what a shred of optimism can do for a long suffering Iowa hoops fan.

Olaseni- Not the polished big we have been hoping for, but seems to have a high ceiling and really liked his visit. Probably more defense than offense in year one, but he has height and length.

Hubbard-Seems to address multiple needs. Athletic, scorer, defender, ballhandler and slasher. Appears it is down to Iowa and Iona with a couple more visits potentially. Again, very positive about the visit, staff, opportunity.

Shaq Stokes-Seems the ship has sailed since he visited TCU last weekend.

Carter-No visit, getting lots of attention, seems unlikely.

Cougill-Once he left, I didn't see him returning. Apparently has offers from WI-GB and South Dakota State with interest from Valpo. Seems like the level Cougs should play at.

Washpun-Getting more attention (at least on message boards). Apparently waiting on a SEC offer. Is he a fallback for Iowa? Haven't seem him play. By all accounts is athletic, but not much of a scorer.

Olaseni and Hubbard seem the most appealing / realistic at this point. Ideal scenario would be for Archie to graduate opening up another spot for a late signing of a kid who decides to decommit after a coaching change, etc.
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I would take any of these fellas! Coughill & Washpun would have to walkon tho. Washpun has some skills, but that shooting scares me! If he can walkon and improve his shoot, then give him a scholly...


Is it a dead period for coaches right now???
 
uofihawkInation said:
No I do not believe it is because there's kids on visits this weekend around the country.
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That is what I thought, as I believe we have someone in town this weekend. But reading Washpun's statements from Friday, it mentions that it is a "dead period"...?
Could it be that recruits can still visit, but coaches cannot actively call them??

Washpun article

- this kid has mad skills, btw. If it wasn't for his average at best shooting, I would be screaming scholarship! Maybe he can do a Gavin Smith, walkon, prove his worth and earn a scholarship???
 
I agree with Auggie in that our expectations have fallen.

First we have to get some of these guys that have been mentioned to visit before actually penciling them into the lineup.

I think Fran can get this program moving again.
 
uofihawkInation said:
No I do not believe it is because there's kids on visits this weekend around the country.
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The weekend of the Final 4 (this weekend) is a dead period and coaches are prohibited form contacting or communicating with recruits. If there are indeed kids on visits, then they are on unofficials and simply touring the school without any sort of interaction with the coaches which wouldn't really seem worth the trip.
 
I can't envision a scenario where Cougill or Washpun walks on at Iowa. Both have 5+ offers from mid majors, so why pass one up to take a chance that you might get a scholarship at Iowa? Free tuition is free tuition and most kids talented enough to earn a scholarship offer want the prestige of being a scholarship athlete vs. a walk on. It also creates a dilemma for a coach, as playing walk on players over your scholarship guys sends a mixed message to players and fans alike.
 
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