All Things 2023 Gophers Basketball Recruiting Thread

[ethomasp31]

Imagine actually signing a player from Lakeville, Ben might get another extension on that alone : )

It had nothing to do with the Lakeville that the other players didn’t pick the Gophers….it had to do with the previous head coach at the U

 

[Gophers_4life]

It had nothing to do with the Lakeville that the other players didn’t pick the Gophers….it had to do with the previous head coach at the U

You're likely right, but you don't think high school and club coaches can't s___talk the Gophers? As well as other kids, dads, etc. in the community?

 

[ethomasp31]

You're likely right, but you don't think high school and club coaches can't s___talk the Gophers? As well as other kids, dads, etc. in the community?

Yeah I’m sure they have….and it was because the last coaching staff at the U if they did. I’m saying we did a poor job recruiting Wahl, Macura and Reuvers (those were the Lakeville North kids who went elsewhere)….as well as many other Minnesota kids who made the choice to leave the state. I don’t know what Trevor Winter or other parents think about Ben Johnson or Dave Thorson…but I’m pretty confident there is a good relationship between Johnson/Thorson and the Lakeville North coaching staff.

 

[Gopherfan84]

Yeah I’m sure they have….and it was because the last coaching staff at the U if they did. I’m saying we did a poor job recruiting Wahl, Macura and Reuvers (those were the Lakeville North kids who went elsewhere)….as well as many other Minnesota kids who made the choice to leave the state. I don’t know what Trevor Winter or other parents think about Ben Johnson or Dave Thorson…but I’m pretty confident there is a good relationship between Johnson/Thorson and the Lakeville North coaching staff.

I believe Thorson was Trevor's lead recruiter. They get along pretty well I'm sure. Macura was a little tougher because he was in the transition, but Wahl and Reuvers were for sure recruited poorly no doubt. At least so far this staff has made it a priority to show kids they care and are wanted. They are communicating much more than the previous.

 

[Cayman]

I believe Thorson was Trevor's lead recruiter. They get along pretty well I'm sure. Macura was a little tougher because he was in the transition, but Wahl and Reuvers were for sure recruited poorly no doubt. At least so far this staff has made it a priority to show kids they care and are wanted. They are communicating much more than the previous.

The staff prioritized Jericho Sims and Theo John in that class over Reuvers from what I remember. Pitino had a habit of giving offers to every in state high major player, seemingly regardless of if he actually hoped to get a commitment from them. Ben Johnson has already shown some willingness to pass on guys he doesn’t want, like Prince Aligbe and DJ Jefferson. As you said, Macura was early on, I think he was a late bloomer, and they were still more shooting for the stars in recruiting at that point, offering multiple top 50 players from out of state, which they later went away from.

Fleck didn’t get Bryce Benhart from North or Riley Mahlman from South either.

 

[Gopherfan84]

The staff prioritized Jericho Sims and Theo John in that class over Reuvers from what I remember. Pitino had a habit of giving offers to every in state high major player, seemingly regardless of if he actually hoped to get a commitment from them. Ben Johnson has already shown some willingness to pass on guys he doesn’t want, like Prince Aligbe and DJ Jefferson. As you said, Macura was early on, I think he was a late bloomer, and they were still more shooting for the stars in recruiting at that point, offering multiple top 50 players from out of state, which they later went away from.

Fleck didn’t get Bryce Benhart from North or Riley Mahlman from South either.

Very good points on Reuvers. We did prioritize the other two although they could've played together imo. Macura was offered by Pitino right away if I remember right. He was more of a late bloomer, but he was top 100-125 by the time Pitino was hired. Tubby screwed that up.

As far as offers, there are different schools of thought. Pitino and some others like to throw them out and let the first one to take them get them. Ben has chosen to be a little more selective and pointed in his recruitment. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but I prefer the more selective recruiting, especially with the opportunity to fill missed commitments in the portal.

 

[ethomasp31]

Very good points on Reuvers. We did prioritize the other two although they could've played together imo. Macura was offered by Pitino right away if I remember right. He was more of a late bloomer, but he was top 100-125 by the time Pitino was hired. Tubby screwed that up.

As far as offers, there are different schools of thought. Pitino and some others like to throw them out and let the first one to take them get them. Ben has chosen to be a little more selective and pointed in his recruitment. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but I prefer the more selective recruiting, especially with the opportunity to fill missed commitments in the portal.

Macura didn’t play much at all for Lakeville North as a 10th grader. LN finished 2nd in state that year. I didn’t think Tubby screwed that up as much as other things with Macura.

 

[Gopherfan84]

Macura didn’t play much at all for Lakeville North as a 10th grader. LN finished 2nd in state that year. I didn’t think Tubby screwed that up as much as other things with Macura.

Tubby was the coach during Macura's jr year though. I know Macura was a late bloomer, but he wasn't really pursued at all by Tubby. I know the family wasn't enthralled by the lack of contact even when JP started to blow up.

 

[topos]

I believe Thorson was Trevor's lead recruiter. They get along pretty well I'm sure. Macura was a little tougher because he was in the transition, but Wahl and Reuvers were for sure recruited poorly no doubt. At least so far this staff has made it a priority to show kids they care and are wanted. They are communicating much more than the previous.

I heard from a reliable source Wahl was offered criminally late in the process with little prior Gopher contact and was given an ultimatum to "Commit right now and represent your home state or the train's leaving the station." Just embarrassing.

I followed up by asking how we were looking with Suggs. His response was a hearty laugh.

The new staff's approach to recruiting is so dang refreshing!

 

[leib0039]

Recruiting is certainly the old saying "there are many ways to skin a cat". I have said repeatedly that I think Ben/Staff have done a GREAT job identifying guys early and being first in with offers. My criticism (if you call it that) thus far is that we haven't gotten any of those guys were I went WOW WE BEAT OUT X Y and Z!! Brumbaugh/Milan are two examples, we were in super early but lost out on both. That happens, you don't get everyone but I am still waiting on that first kid that I feel like we have no way to get that he lands. This is in no way saying I dont like payne/carrington/Betts etc, just saying a kid like Milan would have been a major WOW pickup.

We can all rag on RP (and there is PLENTY of there to shake your head at) but I will say he brought in some top end individual talent. Guys like Coffey/Oturu/Carr/Jelly were guys who could have gone to better programs. Like many have said, they are different styles. RP to me was always about high end talent, if they had top end ability he overlooked other things. Thats why I dont think he cared about a Wahl/Reuvers/Macura, they were all very good college players, but they arent individually moving the needle in a huge way. Right, wrong or the other its just how they did/do things.

 

[stocker08]

The staff prioritized Jericho Sims and Theo John in that class over Reuvers from what I remember. Pitino had a habit of giving offers to every in state high major player, seemingly regardless of if he actually hoped to get a commitment from them. Ben Johnson has already shown some willingness to pass on guys he doesn’t want, like Prince Aligbe and DJ Jefferson. As you said, Macura was early on, I think he was a late bloomer, and they were still more shooting for the stars in recruiting at that point, offering multiple top 50 players from out of state, which they later went away from.

Fleck didn’t get Bryce Benhart from North or Riley Mahlman from South either.

There's something very wrong with Lakeville when it comes to the Gophers. Too many snobs?

 

[SanDiegoGopherFan]

Quick reminder to be excited about Betts...

Thats awesome!!! But still not a planet.

 

[ethomasp31]

There's something very wrong with Lakeville when it comes to the Gophers. Too many snobs?

It has nothing to do with that….

 

[BballJones]

There's something very wrong with Lakeville when it comes to the Gophers. Too many snobs?

The staff may want to recruit a city that is continuing to turn out high level recruits. I live in Lakeville - and while there are many snobs, no different than any other big suburb in the cities. And Lakeville's population is continuing to grow at a crazy rate...so again, it seems like an area to focus on.

 

[Bobek]

Recruiting is certainly the old saying "there are many ways to skin a cat". I have said repeatedly that I think Ben/Staff have done a GREAT job identifying guys early and being first in with offers. My criticism (if you call it that) thus far is that we haven't gotten any of those guys were I went WOW WE BEAT OUT X Y and Z!! Brumbaugh/Milan are two examples, we were in super early but lost out on both. That happens, you don't get everyone but I am still waiting on that first kid that I feel like we have no way to get that he lands. This is in no way saying I dont like payne/carrington/Betts etc, just saying a kid like Milan would have been a major WOW pickup.

We can all rag on RP (and there is PLENTY of there to shake your head at) but I will say he brought in some top end individual talent. Guys like Coffey/Oturu/Carr/Jelly were guys who could have gone to better programs. Like many have said, they are different styles. RP to me was always about high end talent, if they had top end ability he overlooked other things. Thats why I dont think he cared about a Wahl/Reuvers/Macura, they were all very good college players, but they arent individually moving the needle in a huge way. Right, wrong or the other its just how they did/do things.

IWash, aka Jellyroll, was overrated because he was from NY. I believe Pitino could have gotten McKinley Wright had he made an honest effort instead of misfiring on IWash. Ironically IWash transferred to Iona, where Rick Pitino suddenly became coach. That ended Iwash’s college career.

 

[eker0016]

IWash, aka Jellyroll, was overrated because he was from NY. I believe Pitino could have gotten McKinley Wright had he made an honest effort instead of misfiring on IWash. Ironically IWash transferred to Iona, where Rick Pitino suddenly became coach. That ended Iwash’s college career.

I agree that he could have gotten McKinley...but Rick's arrival in Iona didn't end Washington's career. He transferred to Long Beach State where I imagine he soaked up the sunshine for a year and had career bests in FG% (43%), minutes played (33.5), PPG (14) and assists (5). Google tells me he is playing a lower level of Euroball in Montenegro.

 

[bc2211]

IWash, aka Jellyroll, was overrated because he was from NY. I believe Pitino could have gotten McKinley Wright had he made an honest effort instead of misfiring on IWash. Ironically IWash transferred to Iona, where Rick Pitino suddenly became coach. That ended Iwash’s college career.

Maybe by the services, but others on here have indicated many high major coaches cooled on him. I think his offer sheet/final lists indicate that’s probably true.

IMO, Pitino’s biggest failure with IW wasn’t that he chose him over MW, it was that he was unable to develop him into a contributor. Players inevitably outperform or underperform their evaluations every year, but the coaches job is to maximize the talent that he’s assembled. IW was on a couple of very talented teams that didn’t do squat, largely because they were lacking even a serviceable point guard. I know I know MW was a miss, but competent coaches find a way to succeed in spite of the occasional miss.

 

[Gopherfan84]

IWash, aka Jellyroll, was overrated because he was from NY. I believe Pitino could have gotten McKinley Wright had he made an honest effort instead of misfiring on IWash. Ironically IWash transferred to Iona, where Rick Pitino suddenly became coach. That ended Iwash’s college career.

IWs offers weren’t way better than MN despite his ranking either

 

[Gopherfan84]

Maybe by the services, but others on here have indicated many high major coaches cooled on him. I think his offer sheet/final lists indicate that’s probably true.

IMO, Pitino’s biggest failure with IW wasn’t that he chose him over MW, it was that he was unable to develop him into a contributor. Players inevitably outperform or underperform their evaluations every year, but the coaches job is to maximize the talent that he’s assembled. IW was on a couple of very talented teams that didn’t do squat, largely because they were lacking even a serviceable point guard. I know I know MW was a miss, but competent coaches find a way to succeed in spite of the occasional miss.

We had assistants here who wanted Wright over IW. That was all on Richard

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Maybe by the services, but others on here have indicated many high major coaches cooled on him. I think his offer sheet/final lists indicate that’s probably true.

IMO, Pitino’s biggest failure with IW wasn’t that he chose him over MW, it was that he was unable to develop him into a contributor. Players inevitably outperform or underperform their evaluations every year, but the coaches job is to maximize the talent that he’s assembled. IW was on a couple of very talented teams that didn’t do squat, largely because they were lacking even a serviceable point guard. I know I know MW was a miss, but competent coaches find a way to succeed in spite of the occasional miss.

IW couldn't shoot, wasn't very athletic, couldn't finish at the rim and didn't play defense.

RP deserves to be ripped for recruiting IW but I don't think that kind of player profile could have ever been even a serviceable basketball player.

 

[bc2211]

IW couldn't shoot, wasn't very athletic, couldn't finish at the rim and didn't play defense.

RP deserves to be ripped for recruiting IW but I don't think that kind of player profile could have ever been even a serviceable basketball player.

Didn’t/doesn’t he also hold a share of the single game assist record?

 

[bc2211]

We had assistants here who wanted Wright over IW. That was all on Richard

Not defending Richard (editing out a longer response so we keep this about recruiting since this is the only valuebale thread that can, at times, stay on track!)

 

[jovs]

I agree that he could have gotten McKinley...but Rick's arrival in Iona didn't end Washington's career. He transferred to Long Beach State where I imagine he soaked up the sunshine for a year and had career bests in FG% (43%), minutes played (33.5), PPG (14) and assists (5). Google tells me he is playing a lower level of Euroball in Montenegro.

I always liked Monson's offenses, defense and recruiting at the end of his tenure was atrocious but I liked the way he developed some of his players. Jelly had positive attributes, I'm glad he found somewhere that utilized them. I don't see why Pitino didn't try to land both Washington and Wright. Wright always seemed like one of those PG's that didn't need the ball a lot to be effective.

 

[Gopherfan84]

Not defending Richard (editing out a longer response so we keep this about recruiting since this is the only valuebale thread that can, at times, stay on track!)

Spent a lot of time on here defending taking IW. Found out the other stuff later. I get it.

 

[60's Guy]

I believe Thorson was Trevor's lead recruiter. They get along pretty well I'm sure. Macura was a little tougher because he was in the transition, but Wahl and Reuvers were for sure recruited poorly no doubt. At least so far this staff has made it a priority to show kids they care and are wanted. They are communicating much more than the previous.

It is entirely possible Pitino recruited Wahl and Ruevers poorly on purpose. There is pressure to offer and recruit local kids but if you really aren’t that excited about adding them to your roster you hope you get outrecruited so you can offer more athletic players and still say you tried on those two.

 

[mkAz]

It is entirely possible Pitino recruited Wahl and Ruevers poorly on purpose. There is pressure to offer and recruit local kids but if you really aren’t that excited about adding them to your roster you hope you get outrecruited so you can offer more athletic players and still say you tried on those two.

Yeah, I think when Richard first arrived he thought that he was going to recruit like his father did and he spent too much energy thinking that he could find better players outside of Minnesota and that alienated lots of in state people. That came back to haunt him.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Sounds like the Betts reclassify is a done deal and will be announced shortly.

 

[bga1]

Sounds like the Betts reclassify is a done deal and will be announced shortly.

Do you mean transfer to the WV prep school or is he going to reclassify to come to the Gophers this fall?

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Sounds like the Betts reclassify is a done deal and will be announced shortly.

C’mon man, don’t leave us hanging. We need more explanation.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Do you mean transfer to the WV prep school or is he going to reclassify to come to the Gophers this fall

Not going the prep school route- coming to the U early and will be on the roster this season.