All Things Class of 2015 Recruiting - Class Finally Complete? Nope Chris Obekpa visit

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JimmyJamesMD said:
It seemed like the Gophers got in late on this kid, but obviously not Lots of more coming in later. Hopefully this puts Gophers in good position.
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We've been in on Ellison longer than any of the other top contenders for him.
 

Marcus Marshall, Minnesota kid who averaged 19.5ppg at Missouri State last season, is transferring to Nevada, coached by Eric Mussleman. Thought he might be a graduate transfer as he was a Junior this past season, but he didn't complete his degree it doesn't look like, so he'll have to sit a year and have only one year of eligibility left.
 

I think that was a typo by Jimmy... we've been on Ellison forever, and pretty serious about him for a lot longer than any of the other finalists. So if not a typo, then just wrong :)
 


cjbfbp said:
I'm not splitting hairs. OK State has been in the NCAA tournament 13 out of the last 18 years so I don't know how you could say that our offer is better than theirs at this point. TCU hasn't had much success for some time but that program is now playing in a top conference, is improving, has a coach with a significant history in D1 who has sent multiple players to the NBA, and is located in an area (Dallas-Ft. Worth) with some definite advantages over the Twin Cities.
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And Minnesota is located in area that has some definite advantages over Dallas-Fort Worth.
 


Really don't know how this one is going to end up. On one hand, he's gotten a lot of offers lately from more local high majors. On the other hand, the Gophers have been on him for a long time and are among the few with an official visit. Hopefully this ends well for the U!!
 

I think St. John's is the team I'm most worried about with Ellison. Hopefully the Gophers being in much earlier helps land him.
 

Goldy Gopher said:
I think St. John's is the team I'm most worried about with Ellison. Hopefully the Gophers being in much earlier helps land him.
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Agree with this. I believe it's a good sign that no visit to Pitt has been scheduled. The underrated aspect of St. John's is that Mullin was in the league when Malik's dad was. That shared NBA experience can be a very powerful pull.
 



EG#9 said:
Agree with this. I believe it's a good sign that no visit to Pitt has been scheduled. The underrated aspect of St. John's is that Mullin was in the league when Malik's dad was. That shared NBA experience can be a very powerful pull.
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Not to mention that Mullin can sell "hope" and hope is a huge thing to sell. It's part of what makes this past season hurt on the recruiting trail as we lose some of that in the sales/recruiting process. Lots of excitement around a new coach, especially a highly successful alum like Mullin. A year from now, when a program/coaches warts can be seen, it could be an entirely different recruiting pitch. As my guy Andy Dufresne said: "hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

Go Gophers!!
 



Per Zags blog:

After picking up a scholarship offer from St. John’s on Tuesday, Malik Ellison will take an unofficial to the school next week, a source confirmed to SNY.tv.

The 6-foot-6 Ellison remains one of the last strong uncommitted players in the Class of 2015 after enjoying a successful winter and spring.

The son of former No. 1 pick Pervis Ellison, Malik has already visited Minnesota and South Carolina. Rutgers is also involved.

http://zagsblog.com/articles/st-johns-lands-missouri-state-transfer-ron-mvouika/

Go Gophers!!
 



Going to piss me off when St. Johns comes in so late to the party, but snatches him up
 

BleedGopher said:
Per Zags blog:

After picking up a scholarship offer from St. John’s on Tuesday, Malik Ellison will take an unofficial to the school next week, a source confirmed to SNY.tv.

The 6-foot-6 Ellison remains one of the last strong uncommitted players in the Class of 2015 after enjoying a successful winter and spring.

The son of former No. 1 pick Pervis Ellison, Malik has already visited Minnesota and South Carolina. Rutgers is also involved.

http://zagsblog.com/articles/st-johns-lands-missouri-state-transfer-ron-mvouika/

Go Gophers!!
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Agree completely with your "hope" comments and St John's can sell an unknown product while Pitino doesn't have that luxury. I would think that Ron Mvouika who just committed to St John's and is an immediately eligible transfer would be a bit of a deterrent for Ellison as Mvouika isn't coming to sit and is also a 6'6 guy who likely plays Malik's position.

I certainly don't like the way this is trending, for what it's worth (not much imho) St John's just picked up it's first crystal ball pick for Malik tonight.
 


Dad wanted Rutgers (local school), son wanted Minnesota (younger coach with recognizable name). I think the compromise is SJU. McHale leaving doesn't help either. Hope I'm wrong. Hopefully the kid wants to play on a big stage instead of a medium stage.
 

Tommy Flanagan said:
I hope I am wrong, but I don't think we land Ellison
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I get the same feeling. Odd timing to "make a decision soon" without any recent visit to campus yet commit to the Gophers.

Then again, maybe the Minnesota visit really blew him away and he knows in his mind after all these visits that this is the place he sees himself at. I'm hoping the latter, although I'm thinking the former.
 

GameDay said:
I get the same feeling. Odd timing to "make a decision soon" without any visit to campus yet commit to the Gophers.
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(he had an official to MN in the winter unless I'm reading your comment wrong.)

My only hope is that these recent visits are to prove to his dad that he has thought it through and really does want to play for MN. Which is why he isn't taking officials to these new places...? one can hope right?
 

Tim1406 said:
(he had an official to MN in the winter unless I'm reading your comment wrong.)

My only hope is that these recent visits are to prove to his dad that he has thought it through and really does want to play for MN. Which is why he isn't taking officials to these new places...? one can hope right?
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He meant without any visit to the St. John's campus (yet).
 


I understand Ellison has obtained the status of rock star, folk hero etc., on this board, but in the big picture of things, he's really not that important. He may be worth one or two wins next season taking minutes away from my friend Carlos. During fall recruiting, I have no doubt will offer a half dozen wings as highly rated, and from what I can tell he plays the same position as Hurt. Much better Coach P. and Lofton kiss and make up.

EDIT: I have never seen Ellison play.
 


Does anyone have any knowledge or updates on the Josh Cunningham transfer situation besides MN is one of the teams he's considering?
 


WanderingGopher said:
You said just a week or two ago that you were pretty sure we were getting him [and that was good enough for me, as you've proven to be correct before]. What changed?
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Gut feeling, based on some of the other guys we are calling and visiting right now. We are talking to at least two other wings right now and both of them are recent contacts.
 

howieramone said:
I understand Ellison has obtained the status of rock star, folk hero etc., on this board, but in the big picture of things, he's really not that important. He may be worth one or two wins next season taking minutes away from my friend Carlos. During fall recruiting, I have no doubt will offer a half dozen wings as highly rated, and from what I can tell he plays the same position as Hurt. Much better Coach P. and Lofton kiss and make up.

EDIT: I have never seen Ellison play.
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Funny you say this, because you are the one who treats an average player for Ill. State like a future Big Ten rock star, folk hero, etc., on this board. When he's really not that important.
 

HOOP DREAMS said:
Funny you say this, because you are the one who treats an average player for Ill. State like a future Big Ten rock star, folk hero, etc., on this board. When he's really not that important.
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I think Howie just wants to cycle that scholarship quicker rather than "reaching" on what he has determined to be a mid level recruit.

Fact is Ellison has gotten a lot of attention. To claim he is a marginal recruit is quite the statement, especially when someone hasn't seen him play.

I've not seen him play so I cannot comment other than he's getting plenty of attention from high major programs, something the aforementioned Carlos Morris did not, and something no one else we have a shot at getting has either.

With the types of lineups Richard trots out there + the natural attrition of scholarships, there will be plenty of time for Ellison to play if he does choose to come here this coming year and future years. There will also be plenty of room for a stud wing recruit in the future to find the court as well if we are lucky enough to land a Mr. Coffey.

In my eyes, you take a kid like Ellison (good size, good offer list) every chance you get.
 

Winasota Gopher said:
With the types of lineups Richard trots out there + the natural attrition of scholarships, there will be plenty of time for Ellison to play if he does choose to come here this coming year and future years. There will also be plenty of room for a stud wing recruit in the future to find the court as well if we are lucky enough to land a Mr. Coffey.

In my eyes, you take a kid like Ellison (good size, good offer list) every chance you get.
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+1.
 

EG#9 said:
Agree completely with your "hope" comments and St John's can sell an unknown product while Pitino doesn't have that luxury. I would think that Ron Mvouika who just committed to St John's and is an immediately eligible transfer would be a bit of a deterrent for Ellison as Mvouika isn't coming to sit and is also a 6'6 guy who likely plays Malik's position.

I certainly don't like the way this is trending, for what it's worth (not much imho) St John's just picked up it's first crystal ball pick for Malik tonight.
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That's a very good point on Mvouika...that's the main reason why I think the Gophers still have a decent chance. Let's not all forget Malik's direct quote from an article on 4/13 at http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news...get-malik-ellison-plans-south-carolina-visit/

From the article:
Ellison's priorities are clear as far as what he is looking for in a school. He doesn't really care where he's playing geographically as long as he's playing.
"Location doesn't affect my decision," Ellison said. "Playing time is main."
 

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