All Things 2014 Basketball Recruiting Thread

Donate To GopherHole
WanderingGopher said:
I think the incoming freshmen we signed will be good in time, but you can't count on them right away. With juco's, you never quite know. And spring signees, I guess we're still waiting to see how it shakes out, but it's always a seller's market in the spring.

That said, I really hope we can land an impact graduate transfer (or other transfer who can play right away). We could use a true PF, give Buggs another year to learn as a backup, and let King play his natural role of shooter off the bench. We could also use a big-time scorer on the wing, but those are hard to come by.
Click to expand...

+1
 

So are Bakary Konate, Djuan Piper, Kobie Eubanks, and Abdoulaye Gueye all good in regards to grades and admissions? Thanks

BleedGopher said:
STrib: Who might fill the Gophers' last three 2014 scholarships?

Who will be the latest players to don maroon and gold? Right now, there are four Minnesota is going after the hardest:

Bakary Konate: The 6-11 Mali native (Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas) has already visited Minnesota, and the Gophers seem to be among the frontrunners for him. With Elliott Eliason and Mo Walker both seniors next year, the Gophers are in great need of a big man to develop and Konate seems like he could be a good fit. The center moves pretty well for his size and can shoot the ball a little as well. Louisville and Texas A&M are also involved, according to Rivals.com.

Djuan Piper: The Seattle (Rainer Beach) forward has said he's down to three schools, and Minnesota is among them. The 6-6 quick slashing Piper is one of the better recruits remaining in the 2014 class, but he will need to get his grades in order before signing day arrives. Minnesota would benefit from his good length and the addition would help bulk up a power forward position that needs depth. Piper visited Minnesota during the weekend of the Indiana game in early February. The other schools involved are Gonzaga and Washington.

Kobie Eubanks: The shooting guard from Our Savior New American (NY) has whittled his list down to five: Wichita State, Pittsburgh, Missouri, Baylor and Minnesota. The 6-4 Florida native had a visit scheduled for Wichita State, but never made it. Recently, Eubanks, a shooting specialist, visited Pitt and Baylor, and has talked about visiting the others although there is nothing scheduled at the moment.

Abdoulaye Gueye: The Gophers have been on the Senegal native for some time, but always knew he would be a late signee. Now, it could be a recruiting battle between Richard Pitino and Tubby Smith (how fun!) with Minnesota and Texas Tech showing the most interest, according to Rivals.com. The 6-9 power forward (currently at Central Park Christian in Birmingham) has great size, has a good jumper and would give the Gophers a very different type of player at the four-spot than they have currently have on the roster.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/249638191.html

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...
 

WanderingGopher said:
I think the incoming freshmen we signed will be good in time, but you can't count on them right away. With juco's, you never quite know. And spring signees, I guess we're still waiting to see how it shakes out, but it's always a seller's market in the spring.

That said, I really hope we can land an impact graduate transfer (or other transfer who can play right away). We could use a true PF, give Buggs another year to learn as a backup, and let King play his natural role of shooter off the bench. We could also use a big-time scorer on the wing, but those are hard to come by.
Click to expand...

The guy we could have really used next year is Rashad Vaughn- he would have been amazing here with the other pieces we have. I think we will be a really good squad next year but Vaughn could have been a big boost. I have a feeling that Martin will not be a major downgrade from Travis.
 

bga1 said:
The guy we could have really used next year is Rashad Vaughn- he would have been amazing here with the other pieces we have. I think we will be a really good squad next year but Vaughn could have been a big boost. I have a feeling that Martin will not be a major downgrade from Travis.
Click to expand...

 



I am perfectly fine with where we are. Next year's class should be the benchmark. 2015 signees will have been able to see a full season of Pitino ball. I know if I was a recruit, I would want to see a bit of the product before signing up - even with big names involved (e.g. Pitino). As of now, Pitino is no longer an unknown quantity.

2014 Spring recruits will be able to see the full season, but there just aren't many of them left.

Call me Pollyanna, homer, whatever.
 

After todays loss, rumors are swirling that Romar could be out as Washingtons coach. 3 straight years out of the tournament. That cant hurt our chances with Piper. Pollyanna!!
 

Tommy Flanagan said:
After todays loss, rumors are swirling that Romar could be out as Washingtons coach. 3 straight years out of the tournament. That cant hurt our chances with Piper. Pollyanna!!
Click to expand...

Maybe Rainier's 2015 UW commit would decommit too! Get Piper and Martin to convince him to come to the U! Pollyanna!
 

Found this from a "hot-seat" article from last year. Looks like Romar has a long deal, wonder if that would help him avoid being fired...

Washington: Lorenzo Romar -- Has been in Seattle for more than a decade. While the program took a dip this year, the Huskies had gone to the NCAA tournament in three of the past four years. That's pretty impressive. Romar inked a 10-year deal in 2010 that goes through 2020. HOT SEAT INDEX: 3
Click to expand...
 





<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Text message says 2014 center recruit AD Gueye is visiting Texas Tech in two weekends.</p>— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/statuses/443904222568779776">March 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

I certainly hope that the Gophers can improve and compete for a spot toward the top of the B1G next year and we may need an experienced transfer (juco or grad) or two to make that happen, but it might not be such a bad thing to have two big classes in a row. Having a large group of young players together for a few years could help to build that "something special" we all hope for. If we accumulate solid players and can start to sprinkle in a few 4 and 5 star guys, it could get interesting...

POLLYANNA!!!
 



Would have been nice to have a Purdue '07 esque class next year with 4 big time in state recruits to "grow together". I don't see it happening, especially since "big time recruits" no longer grow in the NCAA... But perhaps we could get 4 instate kids that are good recruits that stick around and put Minnesota back in business for producing collegiate athletes.

POLLYANNA!!!
 

anyone catch the lakeville north game just now? Jp Macura with buzzard beating 3 for the win, finished with 31 pts, This guy is going to be good, sigh...
 

GuyFawkes said:
anyone catch the lakeville north game just now? Jp Macura with buzzard beating 3 for the win, finished with 31 pts, This guy is going to be good, sigh...
Click to expand...

I'm hoping he's more Dahlman than Wolters.
 

FWIW, My brother in Washington says there are rumors that Piper may be holding back from committing until after his basketball season is over because he doesn't want to disappoint the local fan base by not committing to the local team, but this all speculation by the local guys there.It appears they don't seem too confident in landing him, and him not making an official to washington during the season is a good indicator to them he is as good as gone.
 

GuyFawkes said:
anyone catch the lakeville north game just now? Jp Macura with buzzard beating 3 for the win, finished with 31 pts, This guy is going to be good, sigh...
Click to expand...

He had a nice night, very good player. He's kind of got an attitude but I wish he was going to be a Gopher.
 

GuyFawkes said:
FWIW, My brother in Washington says there are rumors that Piper may be holding back from committing until after his basketball season is over because he doesn't want to disappoint the local fan base by not committing to the local team, but this all speculation by the local guys there.It appears they don't seem too confident in landing him, and him not making an official to washington during the season is a good indicator to them he is as good as gone.
Click to expand...

I guess that would make sense. I've been wondering why he hasn't gone on an official with UW yet. Really, really, really hope we get him.
 

GuyFawkes said:
FWIW, My brother in Washington says there are rumors that Piper may be holding back from committing until after his basketball season is over because he doesn't want to disappoint the local fan base by not committing to the local team, but this all speculation by the local guys there.It appears they don't seem too confident in landing him, and him not making an official to washington during the season is a good indicator to them he is as good as gone.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing, even if they are just rumors. It does make sense though. I really hope we can land this kid; he could definitely earn some minutes here right away in year one.
 

GuyFawkes said:
anyone catch the lakeville north game just now? Jp Macura with buzzard beating 3 for the win, finished with 31 pts, This guy is going to be good, sigh...
Click to expand...
I see why it was a big three and not four. Got a chance to be decent college player.But seems like he might have trouble finding someone he can guard . Took a lot of bad shots and was selfish with a little attitude imo. Watching Travis hurts, this guy not so much.
 

Blackhammer said:
I see why it was a big three and not four. Got a chance to be decent college player.But seems like he might have trouble finding someone he can guard . Took a lot of bad shots and was selfish with a little attitude imo. Watching Travis hurts, this guy not so much.
Click to expand...

I think JP will have a great career at Xavier as much as it pains me to say it. I think he'll be fine on defense; he'll put on a good amount of weight and is quick enough at 6'5/6'6 to guard wings in that conference. His athletic ability is underrated by quite a few people I feel. He does force quite a few shots in high school, but his team relies on him to score in bunches and would be screwed almost every game against good teams if he didn't put up at least 25 points. I agree with you on the bad attitude/ego though, I have noticed that as well in the games I have seen him play.
 








You guys are nuts!!! Macura is an absolute stud and you know it!!! Definitely part of the big 4. Might have took the Mr. Basketball award from Tyus tonight. They comparison to other MN white players is laughable. But if you want to compare him to another white player he remind me of a shorter version of Gordan Heyward. Bottom line, if JP would've signed with the Gophers he'd be our #1 recruit. Tubby sold him short and event though Pitino offered him I don't think Macura felt wanted. JP going to Xavier over the Gophers is far worse then the decisions made my Tyus or Reid. Really big miss for the Gophers sorry to say.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom