Big three hurting recruiting?

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balds

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Is it possible that the chance of any of the big three committing here is actually a factor in recruits choosing to go elsewhere? It would be a tough spot for a SG or PF to commit here, watch all other schools fill up, and then have Vaughn or Travis commit. Or, am I nuts? I'd hate it if the big three are both not coming here AND keeping others away at the same time.
 

I don't think that is the case.
 


If Pitino is offering these guys mythical "contingent" scholarships that would be rescinded if one of the big 3 picked the Gophers than yeah. So the real answer is no.
 



Nothing is out of the question. If balds' mind can imagine it, a recruit's mind can think it.
 

Or maybe Pitino is aiming high and getting a foot in the door because of his name and enthusiasm. But when established programs go into their final sales pitch the Gopher program just isn't as attractive to a kid who has options. Late start in recruiting, unproven coach, not a lot of success lately, poor facilities. A lot to overcome. Only a delusional bunch like us would start thinking we could land about three of these guys and then maybe Vaughn to top it off. Still, it would be nice to pick up someone.
 

balds said:
Is it possible that the chance of any of the big three committing here is actually a factor in recruits choosing to go elsewhere? It would be a tough spot for a SG or PF to commit here, watch all other schools fill up, and then have Vaughn or Travis commit. Or, am I nuts? I'd hate it if the big three are both not coming here AND keeping others away at the same time.
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Possible, yes. Probable, no. What typically scares off recruits is guys at their position in the same class already committed or signed which is not the case for Minnesota in this class. I wouldn't blame the Big Three for scaring anyone away unless they commit to the Gophers.
 

balds said:
Is it possible that the chance of any of the big three committing here is actually a factor in recruits choosing to go elsewhere? It would be a tough spot for a SG or PF to commit here, watch all other schools fill up, and then have Vaughn or Travis commit. Or, am I nuts? I'd hate it if the big three are both not coming here AND keeping others away at the same time.
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It's a good bet opposing coaches are reminding recruits that we're still recruiting these MN guys at their position.
Coaches will use any angle to gain a recruiting advantage.

So yeah, it's possible.
 



I think track record is key, a little overachieving this year and 2015 could be totally different.
 

balds said:
Is it possible that the chance of any of the big three committing here is actually a factor in recruits choosing to go elsewhere? It would be a tough spot for a SG or PF to commit here, watch all other schools fill up, and then have Vaughn or Travis commit. Or, am I nuts? I'd hate it if the big three are both not coming here AND keeping others away at the same time.
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I've had this possibility on my mind whenever one of our targets commits elsewhere. It mitigates that the Gophs aren't that attractive right now. I can also fantacise about the big 3/4 surprising the nation with a joint annoucement to stay home. AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!:cry:
 

The situation is playing out in the most difficult way possible for our staff ... our own Big 3 here in Minnesota (whom you simply cannot stop recruiting even if the odds are long) look like they'll be among the last 5* and high 4* recruits to decide.

If we get just one of them, it will have been worthwhile. But the more I think about the OP, and what our recruiting efforts would have looked like if the Big 3 had not existed or had already decided by early this summer, the more I believe we would have gotten some of these other guys that we missed on...particularly at the guard position.
 

WanderingGopher said:
The situation is playing out in the most difficult way possible for our staff ... our own Big 3 here in Minnesota (whom you simply cannot stop recruiting even if the odds are long) look like they'll be among the last 5* and high 4* recruits to decide.

If we get just one of them, it will have been worthwhile. But the more I think about the OP, and what our recruiting efforts would have looked like if the Big 3 had not existed or had already decided by early this summer, the more I believe we would have gotten some of these other guys that we missed on...particularly at the guard position.
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I don't know that I believe this to be true. The potential recruits have access to the same information that you or I do. Tum Tum/LaChance/Newton/other point guard recruits could do a simple Google search and see there is absolutely nobody (locally or nationally) predicting that Tyus comes here. In many cases they are probably more plugged into what will happen because they are around these guys all summer long at AAU events, etc etc. Just seems unlikely to me.

I do agree that it would be nice if they did commit so the staff can focus their efforts elsewhere, if that is how it plays out.
 



I don't think the Big 3 are having any impact on our recruiting efforts. The players we have missed out on have been highly touted and gone to more established programs or went to programs because of reasons beyond our control (Seton Hall offering Whitehead's coach a spot on their staff). The fact we had 4 (now 3), open scholarships also doesn't cause any of our recruits to feel any urgency to commit immediately. That will hopefully changes as we now have Martin and may get Morris in the next week or so. The Big 3, if they have legitimate interest in us, will now have to keep in mind that our scholarships are starting to fill up.
 

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