All Things 2014 Basketball Recruiting Thread

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Amelia Rayno (@AmeliaRayno) tweeted at 10:47 AM on Tue, Sep 24, 2013:I talked w/ Bonzie Colson last night. He still hasn't planned that 5th official. It seems #Gophers could be waiting on Josh Martin decision.
 

WanderingGopher said:
After his visit I thought Martin would be a Gopher, but based on his tweets this week it sounds like he really hasn't made up his mind yet and is struggling with his decision.
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He said before his visit here that he was going to wait until after his Pitt visit this weekend to decide. Hopefully he'll be underwhelmed because it sure seems like he liked his visit here.
 

STrib: Gophers target Josh Martin on official visit: "There were a lot of good things I saw"

"It went really well. I enjoyed it," Martin said. "There were a lot of good things I saw. Definitely the atmosphere was a big thing that I was able to recognize off the bat. Everybody showed up for that football game – the whole place was packed and roaring. It was cool to see how people represent their Golden Gophers and come out and support, that was real cool.

"I think just the personalities on the team, and the guys that I’d be playing with, I could see myself spending time with them, not just on the court, but off the court too."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/225036002.html

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
STrib: Gophers target Josh Martin on official visit: "There were a lot of good things I saw"

"It went really well. I enjoyed it," Martin said. "There were a lot of good things I saw. Definitely the atmosphere was a big thing that I was able to recognize off the bat. Everybody showed up for that football game – the whole place was packed and roaring. It was cool to see how people represent their Golden Gophers and come out and support, that was real cool.

"I think just the personalities on the team, and the guys that I’d be playing with, I could see myself spending time with them, not just on the court, but off the court too."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/225036002.html

Go Gophers!!
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The crazy thing with Martin is that we are also the closest school to his home/family. The other two schools are Pitt and Florida State, both significantly farther away than Minneapolis. The direct flight from Minneapolis to Seattle is not all that bad. I'm thinking that could help us.
 

BleedGopher said:
STrib: Gophers target Josh Martin on official visit: "There were a lot of good things I saw"

"It went really well. I enjoyed it," Martin said. "There were a lot of good things I saw. Definitely the atmosphere was a big thing that I was able to recognize off the bat. Everybody showed up for that football game – the whole place was packed and roaring. It was cool to see how people represent their Golden Gophers and come out and support, that was real cool.

"I think just the personalities on the team, and the guys that I’d be playing with, I could see myself spending time with them, not just on the court, but off the court too."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/225036002.html

Go Gophers!!
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The thing I took away from the article was the fact people on campus knew who he was. I am proud of the younger gopher fanbase for that, I think that it makes a huge difference to recruits when there peers are appreciative of their talents, and probably gives them a sense belonging/a home environment feel. I remember going to the game when Devoe Joseph came on his official. There were a couple of signs courting him and then sporadically throughout the game chants of, "We want Joseph!" broke out. I know by his reactions during the game that he was pretty taken aback. It something that doesn't get talked about as much as it should but the courting of recruits by students and fans, goes a long way in the decisions of these 16-18 year olds. (Remember Vaughn was ticked last year when people were chanting for Tyus and not him)
 


DeathClutch said:
He averaged 12.1ppg on a good Mac Irvin Fire team, good for the third leading scorer, behind studs Jahlil Okafor and Cliff Alexander. He shot .516 from the floor but only .267 from three. He shot something like 67% from the free throw line. It's a small sample size but it looks like shooting is an area he could improve.
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Looks like you're not including Peach Jam games... in all EYBL, I've got Cunningham down for:
52.5% FG, 79/127 2FG for 62.2% (!!!!), 17/56 3FG for 30.4%, FT% of 60.5%.

His offensive rating was the best on the team (higher than Cliff Alexander, Okafor, Brunson, etc.), but he was a fairly low usage guy (17%).

He's best attacking the basket. Can get to the rim and can burst up / elevate to get shots off with a defender in front of him. Mid and long range shooting isn't his strength.

eFG% of 57.1% and low turnover rate (under 10%) were keys for his great offensive rating... but, he waited for his opportunities as opposed to being a go to guy this summer. Very efficient contributor for Mac Irvin.
 

Josh Martin looks like a Rodney Williams Jr...Jr! exciting player at the rim, thats forsure. We need a guy like this in Pitinos offense. Imagine how much better Rodney would have been in a fast paced offense, that was his strength no doubt. His averages would definately have been higher along with his sportscenter appearances
 

rsgopher said:
Josh Martin looks like a Rodney Williams Jr...Jr! exciting player at the rim, thats forsure. We need a guy like this in Pitinos offense. Imagine how much better Rodney would have been in a fast paced offense, that was his strength no doubt. His averages would definately have been higher along with his sportscenter appearances
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Josh Martin has a much more advanced perimeter game and 3pt shot. Though he isn't any where near the athletic freak that Rodney is.
 

MadtownGopher said:
Josh Martin has a much more advanced perimeter game and 3pt shot. Though he isn't any where near the athletic freak that Rodney is.
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And his ball handling is light years ahead of Williams, at least from the videos that have been posted.

Go Gophers!!
 



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just spoke to Josh Cunningham & AAU coach Nick Irvin. Said Cunningham now has an official to MN set for the 2nd wkend in October. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Gophers&src=hash">#Gophers</a></p>— Amelia Rayno (@AmeliaRayno) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmeliaRayno/statuses/382628353112408065">September 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

A new clock starts!

tumtum_toofast@nairn ‏@lourawlsnairn 47s

I will be announcing my college decision this Thursday 10am at my high school.. #Oklahoma #Minnesota #MichiganState #Indiana #Blessed
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jaymil said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just spoke to Josh Cunningham & AAU coach Nick Irvin. Said Cunningham now has an official to MN set for the 2nd wkend in October. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Gophers&src=hash">#Gophers</a></p>— Amelia Rayno (@AmeliaRayno) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmeliaRayno/statuses/382628353112408065">September 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Good to hear. Josh Martin, Tum Tum, and Cunningham would be an awesome class. Add Rashad in and it would be incredible.
 

golfing18now said:
A new clock starts! tumtum_toofast@nairn ‏@lourawlsnairn 47s I will be announcing my college decision this Thursday 10am at my high school.. #Oklahoma #Minnesota #MichiganState #Indiana #Blessed Expand
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Ah and this one feels much more exciting than Whitehead's since we probably have a better chance here!
 





I have faith that Pitino can mold players who are not going to be highly regarded into solid players. It may take a few years if he can't get any of these solid recruits.
 


Looks like a friend of LaChance's has committed to Iowa:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Congrats to my guy <a href="https://twitter.com/B_Ellingson22">@B_Ellingson22</a> on committing to Iowa!! Happy for you bro!</p>— Riley Lachance (@riley_lachance3) <a href="https://twitter.com/riley_lachance3/statuses/382649697166303232">September 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
Looks like a friend of LaChance's has committed to Iowa:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Congrats to my guy <a href="https://twitter.com/B_Ellingson22">@B_Ellingson22</a> on committing to Iowa!! Happy for you bro!</p>— Riley Lachance (@riley_lachance3) <a href="https://twitter.com/riley_lachance3/statuses/382649697166303232">September 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Go Gophers!!
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Whoa, that comment had me worried there for a second. I though it was about to say "a friend said LaChance had committed to Iowa". Good thing it wasn't.
 


I personally think Tum Tum picks Oklahoma.
*Side Note: Why does a recruit's college decision always have to get leaked before he actually makes his scheduled decision. Let the kid tell the public where he's going to college, not a reporter.
 

GameDay said:
I personally think Tum Tum picks Oklahoma.
*Side Note: Why does a recruit's college decision always have to get leaked before he actually makes his scheduled decision. Let the kid tell the public where he's going to college, not a reporter.
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I personally think that we will think we are going to lose out on every recruit until one commits to us. I'm not confident, but hopeful that Tum Tum turns the tide and is the first to reward coach Pitino for his hard work here so far. I think it would be a great decision for the young man. We need him and I expect it would be a great fit.
 

bga1 said:
I personally think that we will think we are going to lose out on every recruit until one commits to us. I'm not confident, but hopeful that Tum Tum turns the tide and is the first to reward coach Pitino for his hard work here so far. I think it would be a great decision for the young man. We need him and I expect it would be a great fit.
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Yes. The proper state to be in for Gophers recruiting is skepticism. It is nice to go after highly regarded players, but be skeptical about any actually committing to the program until the program becomes more desirable.
 

Gopherguy0723 said:
Yes. The proper state to be in for Gophers recruiting is skepticism. It is nice to go after highly regarded players, but be skeptical about any actually committing to the program until the program becomes more desirable.
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I disagree with you there. The program is desirable. A Big Ten school, with a competitive program, a great University and it dominates as the only D1 school in a great state. Now we have a young coach who is going to be successful here- bank on it. We need a few young men who will lead and make the program an even better one. Tum Tum could do that as could a few of our locals.
 

bga1 said:
I personally think that we will think we are going to lose out on every recruit until one commits to us. I'm not confident, but hopeful that Tum Tum turns the tide and is the first to reward coach Pitino for his hard work here so far. I think it would be a great decision for the young man. We need him and I expect it would be a great fit.
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I agree. I think another milestone is once Travis, Vaughn etc., can actually see the style we play. I'm impatient too, but plenty of time to fill out the class of 2014. I think next year will be a little bit easier on us all.
 


bga1 said:
I personally think that we will think we are going to lose out on every recruit until one commits to us. I'm not confident, but hopeful that Tum Tum turns the tide and is the first to reward coach Pitino for his hard work here so far. I think it would be a great decision for the young man. We need him and I expect it would be a great fit.
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Wouldn't logic say we would lose out on every recruit until one commits to us...because until the first one commits all we will have is guys who haven't?
 

bga1 said:
I disagree with you there. The program is desirable. A Big Ten school, with a competitive program, a great University and it dominates as the only D1 school in a great state. Now we have a young coach who is going to be successful here- bank on it. We need a few young men who will lead and make the program an even better one. Tum Tum could do that as could a few of our locals.
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I didn't say we aren't desirable. We simply need to be more desirable. A good way to get more desirable is to have a lot of good instate recruits and winning with them as it is easier to get instate recruits than outstate. That is why missing out on every recruit this year in Minnesota is going to be more devastating than we realize.
 

Gopherguy0723 said:
I didn't say we aren't desirable. We simply need to be more desirable. A good way to get more desirable is to have a lot of good instate recruits and winning with them as it is easier to get instate recruits than outstate. That is why missing out on every recruit this year in Minnesota is going to be more devastating than we realize.
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Too early to make that assertion. We don't know who the alternatives are at this point to the Minnesota kids (that will be signed). A few of the names that we are still in the mix for are pretty talented. Not top 20 kids, but talented.

More importantly....we don't know if this guy can coach. Would he take top four talent and coach them to a tenth place finish in the conference or take tenth place talent and coach them to fourth place? The momentum or lack of momentum in this program will come more from progress on the court than the names that he recruits.
 

Gopher Warrior said:
Looks like you're not including Peach Jam games... in all EYBL, I've got Cunningham down for:
52.5% FG, 79/127 2FG for 62.2% (!!!!), 17/56 3FG for 30.4%, FT% of 60.5%.

His offensive rating was the best on the team (higher than Cliff Alexander, Okafor, Brunson, etc.), but he was a fairly low usage guy (17%).

He's best attacking the basket. Can get to the rim and can burst up / elevate to get shots off with a defender in front of him. Mid and long range shooting isn't his strength.

eFG% of 57.1% and low turnover rate (under 10%) were keys for his great offensive rating... but, he waited for his opportunities as opposed to being a go to guy this summer. Very efficient contributor for Mac Irvin.
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Exactly what I was looking for, thanks! As I said, I knew he was more of an athlete than a shooter, but this would indicate that he's still a much more effective shooter than Rodney. I still don't know that he's coming here, but fingers crossed. I'd love to have him.
 

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