Foster decommits

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bga1 said:
I, for one, am excited that Pitino feels he has a better plan in the works than Foster. My guess is that he didn't have much choice on Ellis. Looks to me like he wants to rent a couple of experienced guys for this coming season (perhaps Buckles, Smith and a juco) to get off to a great start and then load up with a big 5 player class this Fall. The only thing I can think of with Ellis is that Teague and Mike Ellis may have thought that Alvin Ellis could be a deterrent to getting Vaughn signed (same position?) and decided to take their chances.

This is going to be really fun to watch unfold.
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I, for one, am excited that Pitino feels he has a better plan in the works than Tubby.
 


GopherJake said:
Thanks. Do you know this for a fact? How do you know this? (I just really am interested in the correct answer. I'm not questioning you, per se, I just know a lot of guys say stuff they think is true, but they don't actually know for sure.)

What about the flip side? When Ellis said "I want out" - and again, not that this would ever happen - but could Teague & Co. have said, "Nope. If you play college b-ball, it will be for the University of MN or nobody - we aren't releasing you?"
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Yes when Huggins left for WVU, Kansas State didn't release Michael Beasley from his LOI
 


howieramone said:
As I have previously posted, I have no reason to believe rivals specifically targeted Alex Foster's profile to provide inaccurate recruiting information.
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It's not specific to Foster's profile. Many players, football players included, have outdated offers in their profile. Kids tend to announce the offers that they receive, not the offers that get pulled.
 


SelectionSunday said:
To repeat as with Ellis, collateral damage. This is standard fare when there's a coaching change. Why should the new coach keep an incoming prospect that he doesn't see as a fit for his program?

As Millions put it, "Let's trust his (Pitino's) judgement and wish Ellis and Foster the best."
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SS, you are too smart for GH. Please keep it that way. You are also old enough to remember the bad days under Clem. Do you think it is all about winning? Just win baby? Last time I saw such a cleanup was when Calamari went to UK. Do you like that kind of basketball program? This is becoming more of wining-at-any-cost situation everyday. The kid didn't go anywhere when his coach was fired. Is this how he should be rewarded? Where is loyalty? When the members of media say Tubby did it in a right way, that's what they are talking about.

Go Gophers
 


If combes says the kid isn't ready for "prime time" then that's good enough for me. Best of luck to Alex but I'll lose no sleep over this. Buckles sounds okay but I'm really hoping for Black from Memphis to transfer here.
 

Reading through this thread and the Ellis thread is somewhat strange...

I understand that they weren't big star recruits but many fans seem ok that our only two recruits in the whole class are leaving so that we can MAYBE bring in some guys Pitino was recruiting for his 18-14 Sun Belt team.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass here but why should we be excited about losing Big Ten caliber players to, again, MAYBE sign Sun Belt players? I for one am very worried here.
 



bemidjigopher said:
Yes when Huggins left for WVU, Kansas State didn't release Michael Beasley from his LOI
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Beasley didn't try to get out of it.
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Re: Ellis & Foster
I wouldn't get too into the "this guy isn't that good" or "Pitino is doing this as part of a master plan", etc... it appears that things aren't going to come together for Minnesota and those two as a good match, so be it. Wish them all best of luck, look forward. The story behind the breakups could be just about anything - and really looks quite amicable as far as these things go.

Zero to be overly concerned about. Just didn't work out. Don't know exactly why. Happens all the time.

New Coach: Hi, what are you thinking?
Kid: Well, so and so tells me it might be a good idea to look at my options. No disrespect to you but I knew Old Coach.. it's just kind of different now, you know?
New Coach: Well, if that's what you're thinking then it probably makes sense for us to give you a release and you can decide what's best for you. I want you to be happy.
Kid: OK, thanks coach.
 

tmvander said:
Reading through this thread and the Ellis thread is somewhat strange...

I understand that they weren't big star recruits but many fans seem ok that our only two recruits in the whole class are leaving so that we can MAYBE bring in some guys Pitino was recruiting for his 18-14 Sun Belt team.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass here but why should we be excited about losing Big Ten caliber players to, again, MAYBE sign Sun Belt players? I for one am very worried here.
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Why would Pitino want some other coach's recruits? It's not like holdover players that will only be here a couple of years, they'd be here for 4 years. Pitino isn't only going after FIU players, he's also looking at JUCOs. It is likely he just brings in 1 year rental type players so that he can maximize the 2014 class with as many free scholarships as possible. This is a very smart move IMO. You were probably one of the posters that was freaking out because the coaching search lasted way too long and was absolutely embarrassing for the university (despite the fact we hired our coach faster than any of the current B1G coaches). Relax, Pitino has this thing under control.
 


I liked Foster and thought he had some potential and the same with Ellis but this is pretty common when a new coach comes to a school. Hopefully Austin and Andre can help Pitino get Tarik Black hear from Memphis.
 



tmvander said:
Reading through this thread and the Ellis thread is somewhat strange...

I understand that they weren't big star recruits but many fans seem ok that our only two recruits in the whole class are leaving so that we can MAYBE bring in some guys Pitino was recruiting for his 18-14 Sun Belt team.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass here but why should we be excited about losing Big Ten caliber players to, again, MAYBE sign Sun Belt players? I for one am very worried here.
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Which Big Ten school is the great Foster going to sign with? lol Maybe Ellis would be Big Ten caliber, although I don't know why Illinois wouldn't have wanted him if he was so great.
 

The-Real-Truth said:
I don't know the story but if Tubby kept DJ and AN who were 2-star players, he would have kept that kid too.

Go Gophers
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Not true. Know a HS coach that worked with the kid. Tubby told him they were going in another direction. That was good for him as he wouldn't have played in Tubby's system.

I don't get why people can't understand that it is worse for a coach not to tell the kid what he is thinking. I've seen it directly where a kid had a scholarship, coach changed in the spring, he went to the school anyway (even though HS coaches advised against it because of system change), sat on the bench for a year, sat out a transfer year, and then played three years at another school. He essentially lost a year of eligibility because the coach wasn't straight with him.

Tubby did the right thing with Brommer. My guess is this is the same thing our new staff did with Foster. I don't know for sure, but in going to at least assume positive intent with our new coach. Also, I hope people don't take their frustration they might have with Teague for firing Tubby out on Pitino. He didn't fire Tubby. I don't want to see a repeat like we saw of angry Mason supporters bashing Brewster. Maturi fired Mason, Teague fired Tubby. Support our coach.
 

Blackhammer said:
Which Big Ten school is the great Foster going to sign with? lol Maybe Ellis would be Big Ten caliber, although I don't know why Illinois wouldn't have wanted him if he was so great.
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I think Ellis' stock rose pretty dramatically this year- after he was signed. 3rd best player in Illinois ain't bad. However, he was out the door before Pitino got in, so doubtful much could be done.
 

Agree with those who say this is par for the course and I expect that it was a “mutual” decision to part ways once the coach tells the player that he doesn’t fit the plans. Do feel that this is a call Pitino should have made. I think the kids deserves to hear it from the head coach.
 

... said:
I'm not sure what's been going on with the athletic department's communication with recruits since Tubby's firing, but I don't think it's been handled well. I have no problem with Pitino talking to him and suggesting he go somewhere else because he doesn't fit into our system, but not talking to him at all is odd and unprofessional.
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Yep. Not the end of the world, but hopefully things like this are corrected in the future.
 

Blackhammer said:
Which Big Ten school is the great Foster going to sign with? lol Maybe Ellis would be Big Ten caliber, although I don't know why Illinois wouldn't have wanted him if he was so great.
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Two things. I am hearing that Foster will end up at Harvard.

Second, Illinois did not go after Ellis very hard because they had two wings from the state that were rated higher than Ellis. Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn. Ellis would be a great recruit, but three wings in a class would be too many.

I would be shocked if Pitino did not want Ellis to stay. He is a better recruit than he ever had at FIU. The kid is really good. John Groce kept Malcolm Hill as a recruit when he got the UI job and Hill may be the best of the 2013 kids.

More likely that Ellis wanted to see what else was out there than Pitino not wanting him. Foster is a different story.
 

MadtownGopher said:
Why would Pitino want some other coach's recruits? It's not like holdover players that will only be here a couple of years, they'd be here for 4 years. Pitino isn't only going after FIU players, he's also looking at JUCOs. It is likely he just brings in 1 year rental type players so that he can maximize the 2014 class with as many free scholarships as possible. This is a very smart move IMO. You were probably one of the posters that was freaking out because the coaching search lasted way too long and was absolutely embarrassing for the university (despite the fact we hired our coach faster than any of the current B1G coaches). Relax, Pitino has this thing under control.
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Absolutely was not one of the people who was freaking out and I think our hire was the right move. My concern is that the caliber of players for next year and in the near future could take a hit. I understand Pitino wants his own recruits, but his recruits for next year are for a middle of the pack Sun Belt school. If Tubby or any other coach for that matter skipped over Ellis and Foster and was in a recruiting battle with Pitino for FIU players he would have been hung on a cross.

Again, not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to look for something positive out of this. I'm very much on board with the hire and the Tubby firing, just not on board with taking whoever we may get over Ellis and Foster.
 

Howard College forward Cameron Forte posted Monday on his Twitter account (@Smoothiewhatup): "Oh ya and Coach Pitino and his staff got the Job at Minnesota from FIU and carried my offer over!"

The 6-6 Forte, who transferred from Texas Tech, averaged 23 points and eight rebounds in junior college this season. He also previously tweeted that his top choices are Georgia, Long Beach, Colorado State, Pittsburgh and Ole Miss.

pp(foster-heading-elsewhere)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...ketball-recruit-alex-foster-heading-elsewhere
 

tmvander said:
Absolutely was not one of the people who was freaking out and I think our hire was the right move. My concern is that the caliber of players for next year and in the near future could take a hit. I understand Pitino wants his own recruits, but his recruits for next year are for a middle of the pack Sun Belt school. If Tubby or any other coach for that matter skipped over Ellis and Foster and was in a recruiting battle with Pitino for FIU players he would have been hung on a cross.

Again, not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to look for something positive out of this. I'm very much on board with the hire and the Tubby firing, just not on board with taking whoever we may get over Ellis and Foster.
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What makes you think or who has told you that Pitino and his staff at Minnesota are targeting the same recruits for Minnesota next year as they were for FIU?
 

scools12 said:
What makes you think or who has told you that Pitino and his staff at Minnesota are targeting the same recruits for Minnesota next year as they were for FIU?
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Oh I was just replying back to someone who said Pitino wants his own recruits and not Tubby's.
 

tmvander said:
I understand Pitino wants his own recruits, but his recruits for next year are for a middle of the pack Sun Belt school.

Again, not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to look for something positive out of this. I'm very much on board with the hire and the Tubby firing, just not on board with taking whoever we may get over Ellis and Foster.
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I think you're missing the point. Foster could lock up a roster spot for 5 years on a team where his skills don't fit the system. How is having a roster spot locked up for half decade by a non-contributor going to help the program? If we honored his scholarship and he just transferred out then that hurts our APR. It's better to cut bait now for both parties.
 

The-Real-Truth said:
I don't know the story but if Tubby kept DJ and AN who were 2-star players, he would have kept that kid too.
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1) DJ and AN were not even in the same recruiting class, so not sure what that has to do with anything. DJ was already an enrolled student on campus and had been with the program for two years and a guy who Tubby knew would fit his system. Al was a prospective student who had signed a LOI and who's ball-hawking defensive skills fit Tubby's system nicely, as well.

2) Andrew Brommer was absolutely told to look elsewhere.

3) This isn't unique. Tubby had several cases of offering kids scholarships only to later remove the offer. In fact, Tubby's very first verbal at MN was from a kid from Dallas named Nathan Garth who accepted the scholarship offer only to be told later that he should look elsewhere. Same thing with Chad Calcaterra and Estan Tyler (who were offered, never accepted, then had offers rescinded). There was the confusion with Joe Coleman (offered, then not, then offered again). And, of course, the famed Daniel Edozie episode, as well.
 

jaymil said:
I'm hoping this is his plan. I won't be too excited if he signs a few high school seniors this class since the pickings are slim at this point and that would take up scholarships for the 2014 class (unless of course he can grab a few of the remaining top players, unlikely though). Ideally, he brings in two players who have one more year left and maybe a JUCO (like Cameron Forte) who has a few years left and can help even out the classes. That would leave him with 5 scholarships for next year like you said. Sounds like Buckles is a given if he's able to play this coming year.
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I had a thought I haven't seen posted here. Are Mo and/or Oto on track to graduate in the spring of 2014? If the answer is yes to either, would that person not be eligible to transfer without taking a year off, thus preserving their 4th year of playing eligibility? (Remember, they already redshirted, so 2014-15 is their last year, no matter what.) If that's the case, there could be some sneaky room for additional scholarships for the 2014 class.

Hit the books, boys!
 

WolfontheProwl said:
This happens all the time not sure why some here think it shouldn't or won't. We are not losing players who come in and make you say WOW we are losing two very low level recruits. Reading up on Foster I am really questioning why he was offered a scholarship anyway. Losing Foster and Ellis is not a major concern for me in fact is ends Tubby's pretty ordinary recruiting a year early and allows Pitino to sign his own guys or to stock pile scholarships for next year/
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Come again?
 

No different than when Tubby was hired, Pitino wants to bring in his own players, it's obvious that they were evaluating Foster with the idea they were going to suggest he go elsewhere from the get go, it doesn't take close to a week to contact someone they really wanted, as far as Ellis is concerned we will never know because he decommitted before Pitino was hired.

Doesn't mean I like it but it is the way it is and is probably for the better long term.
 

KyGopherfan said:
What I find disturbing is that Pitino didn't have the gnads to call Foster himself, so he sent out his Young to do it for him. I think Foster at least deserved to hear it straight from Pitino himself. Pitino weasled out and didn't wanna tell him, so he sends out some unnamed assistant to do it.
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Assistants do the recruiting. That's how it works.
 

combes1 said:
Two things. I am hearing that Foster will end up at Harvard.

Second, Illinois did not go after Ellis very hard because they had two wings from the state that were rated higher than Ellis. Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn. Ellis would be a great recruit, but three wings in a class would be too many.

I would be shocked if Pitino did not want Ellis to stay. He is a better recruit than he ever had at FIU. The kid is really good. John Groce kept Malcolm Hill as a recruit when he got the UI job and Hill may be the best of the 2013 kids.

More likely that Ellis wanted to see what else was out there than Pitino not wanting him. Foster is a different story.
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Combes, thank you. Good info as always.
 

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