Marcus Fuller blog: Can Tubby land two visiting recruits this weekend?

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Can Tubby land two visiting recruits this weekend?
By Marcus Fuller

Gophers coach Tubby Smith hasn't received an oral commitment from a player in the 2011 class yet. But could it happen with two recruits visiting this weekend?

Brewster Academy (N.H.) point guard Naadir Tharpe and Cedar Rapids Washington High School (Iowa) shooting guard Josh Olgesby are both Rivals.com top 150 players. They are scheduled to be here this weekend and attend Saturday's football game against Southern Cal.

Tharpe, a 6-foot, 170-pound true floor leader, is probably the player most likely to make a decision soon, because he hasn't scheduled any other official visits. But Tharpe has reportedly said he wanted to wait to pick a school. He has visited Rutgers and was formerly committed to Providence.

The intriguing thing about the Gophers' situation for Tharpe is that he could probably step in and start right away at point guard when senior Al Nolen leaves. Junior Devoe Joseph would then be able to slide to a combo guard role next to him in 2011-12.

"He's receiving a lot of other interest," said Brewster Academy coach Jason Smith, who also coached Gophers freshman Mo Walker last season. "He's a pass-first point guard who has played at a high level over the past few years. He has a high-IQ and knows how to lead and run a team."

The 6-foot-5 Olgesby has already visited the Gophers twice and Iowa, but he also has trips scheduled for Arizona State next weekend and Illinois on Oct. 2. Oglesby is a critical recruit for Smith, because he needs a shooter to replace senior Blake Hoffarber next season.

The Gophers were hoping that player was going to be Merrill High School (Wis.) forward Paul Jesperson, but he's going to Virginia.

-- Hopkins High School wing Joe Coleman visited the Gophers last weekend, but he hasn't made a decision yet. Coleman told GopherIllustrated.com that "I liked it a lot," and that Minnesota was still in his top three with Santa Clara and Iowa State.

Coleman is visiting Santa Clara this week and Iowa State next weekend. I've been hearing that he has a great relationship with Cyclones new coach Fred Hoiberg from Hoiberg's days working with the Minnesota Timberwolves. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends his recruitment after the Iowa State trip.

-- It hasn't happened yet, but if the Gophers lose out on Coleman, then all isn't lost. White Station High School (Tenn.) guard Andre Hollins, a Rivals.com top 150 player, is scheduled to visit Minnesota on Sept. 24. Hollins might be a better fit than Coleman, because he's a better ball handler and shooter. Coleman's athleticism and defensive potential are what make him special.

But Hollins is a solid all-around player and a great student. He also has other visits scheduled for Harvard this week, Mississippi on Oct. 1 and Stanford on Oct. 15.

http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2010/09/can-tubby-land-two-visiting-re.html

Go Gophers!!
 

Reading between the lines, it doesn't sound like Marcus thinks we're going to land Coleman?
 


Get Tharpe and one of the trio - Oglesby, Coleman and Hollins and we should be fine. It seems like Tharpe is the key.
 



Friend Of Tubby said:
Tharpe, Oglesby, and Coleman OR Andre Hollins would be 3 very good G recruits - IF they become Gophers.
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And IF they don't they'll be 3 of the most overrated players in the class of 2011 who were really never the targets of the gopher coaching staff anyway.

Preemptive strike.....
 

How could we possibly lose the top in-state recruit to the likes of IOWA STATE? I mean, seriously?? Chr*st, who cares about Coleman's relationship with Hoiberg...I don't care if he's his freakin' godfather or something, we still shouldn't be losing recruits (other than criminals) to any school in Iowa!


I'll believe it when I see it, but when I see it, I'll truly be concerned.
 

You would think Mo Walker being here would help us with Tharpe. What do we know about Tharpe, is he the type the can step right in and play? That's kind of rough that we have to depend on a freshman after Al is gone. Too bad Cobbs didn't work out (sounds like he was pretty much forced out).

As for Coleman, that would suck to lose him to Iowa St but I understand the appeal of playing for Hoiberg and with Royce and all the excitement that surrounds a new regime.
 

First come, first served on the scholarships?

nm
 



It would be disappointing to miss on Coleman, but you can't declare an emergency over losing any one recruit. Maybe he wants to escape his brother's shadow. Maybe he really loves Hoiberg and Royce, etc.
 


wg

WanderingGopher said:
How could we possibly lose the top in-state recruit to the likes of IOWA STATE? I mean, seriously?? Chr*st, who cares about Coleman's relationship with Hoiberg...I don't care if he's his freakin' godfather or something, we still shouldn't be losing recruits (other than criminals) to any school in Iowa!


I'll believe it when I see it, but when I see it, I'll truly be concerned.
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You have to remember these are 18 year old kids making these decisions.

On the other hand, IOWA STATE ???
 

Dirk Diggler said:
You would think Mo Walker being here would help us with Tharpe. What do we know about Tharpe, is he the type the can step right in and play? That's kind of rough that we have to depend on a freshman after Al is gone. Too bad Cobbs didn't work out (sounds like he was pretty much forced out).

As for Coleman, that would suck to lose him to Iowa St but I understand the appeal of playing for Hoiberg and with Royce and all the excitement that surrounds a new regime.
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BigXII is a better fit for Coleman's style as well. Santa Clara will be in the mix right up until.....Coleman gets back from his trip to Cali? Sounds like it'll be down to ISU or Gophs.
 



Yeah, I'd be very upset if we lost Coleman. I've been very impressed with him, and I think he'll be a great player. Losing him to Iowa State would hurt. It'd be even worse if our last-minute recruits were a bar to getting Coleman or another top recruit.
 

jmag21 said:
Yeah, I'd be very upset if we lost Coleman. I've been very impressed with him, and I think he'll be a great player. Losing him to Iowa State would hurt. It'd be even worse if our last-minute recruits were a bar to getting Coleman or another top recruit.
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Gophers have 2 starters (SG and PG) graduating. 2 spots WIDE OPEN. First come, first served.
 

SelectionSunday said:
Reading between the lines, it doesn't sound like Marcus thinks we're going to land Coleman?
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From the Howard Pulley site (posted yesterday):

"Hopkins senior guard-forward Joe Coleman will likely decide on a college choice by month’s end. He’s already visited the Gophers, with upcoming stops at Santa Clara and Iowa State.

Joe Coleman, the Hopkins basketball player who is the top prospect in the state, visited the Minnesota campus Friday with his mother. He is going to make trips to Santa Clara and Iowa State but there is a good chance he will follow his brother Dan Coleman to Minnesota. Dan is playing basketball in France."
 


They really need a pg. If Armelin turns out to be the shooter they are saying he is, the need would be less at sg.
 

ISU and Minnesota both need a point guard and both have a former Brewster teammate on their roster (Tharpe's roommate Melvin Ejim is at ISU). Both teams will push hard for him, but I think he is yours to lose.

As per Coleman, ISU has only one ship left for 2011. We need a PG. Not sure where that leaves Coleman.
 

FarmerClone said:
ISU and Minnesota both need a point guard and both have a former Brewster teammate on their roster (Tharpe's roommate Melvin Ejim is at ISU). Both teams will push hard for him, but I think he is yours to lose.

As per Coleman, ISU has only one ship left for 2011. We need a PG. Not sure where that leaves Coleman.
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Agree with everything in this post.
 

Duthasmon Smith said:
And IF they don't they'll be 3 of the most overrated players in the class of 2011 who were really never the targets of the gopher coaching staff anyway.

Preemptive strike.....
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Just what I was thinking. Aren't they good whether they sign with MN or not?
 

Tharpe appears to be the biggest piece of the puzzle. If Tharpe goes elsewhere, getting Barron would be a great backup plan. I'd definitely like to see them land Coleman over Oglesby and/or Hollins. Ideally, they land Tharpe(or Barron if they don't get Tharpe), Oglesby and Coleman(Hollins if Coleman goes to ISU/SC)...then tell Maverick his scholly has ended.
 

BballJones said:
Tharpe appears to be the biggest piece of the puzzle. If Tharpe goes elsewhere, getting Barron would be a great backup plan. I'd definitely like to see them land Coleman over Oglesby and/or Hollins. Ideally, they land Tharpe(or Barron if they don't get Tharpe), Oglesby and Coleman(Hollins if Coleman goes to ISU/SC)...then tell Maverick his scholly has ended.
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Two items regarding this post. First, Barron has reportedly narrowed his list to three schools. Sorry, I cannot remember exactly who they are, but I do know that Minnesota was not one of the three. Second, telling Maverick his scholarship has ended would be a sh!tty thing to do. That would make Tubby no better than Crean or any of the other coaches who run off guys they offer scholarships to.

EDIT: "ESPNU 100 PG Bruce Barron from Brehm Prep(IL) has cut his list to Oregon, Oklahoma St and Cincy according to coach Aaron Lee"

http://twitter.com/ReggieRankin
 

UWOle said:
Second, telling Maverick his scholarship has ended would be a sh!tty thing to do. That would make Tubby no better than Crean or any of the other coaches who run off guys they offer scholarships to.


http://twitter.com/ReggieRankin
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That depends on what Tubby told him to begin with. He was an obvious last-second fill-in recruit, probably in over his head, and if Tubby told him simply that he was "giving him a shot" but it may be a one year deal unless he really improved, then I don't see a problem with it.

Normal recruits who aren't told any such thing, on the other hand, are justified in thinking they have four years barring exceptional circumstances. (Notwithstanding that, technically, every scholly is 1 year).
 

WanderingGopher said:
That depends on what Tubby told him to begin with. He was an obvious last-second fill-in recruit, probably in over his head, and if Tubby told him simply that he was "giving him a shot" but it may be a one year deal unless he really improved, then I don't see a problem with it.

Normal recruits who aren't told any such thing, on the other hand, are justified in thinking they have four years barring exceptional circumstances. (Notwithstanding that, technically, every scholly is 1 year).
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I agree with your qualifier. That said, given Maverick is not at all local, I'd be surprised if he came this far knowing it might only be for a year.
 

UWOle said:
Two items regarding this post. First, Barron has reportedly narrowed his list to three schools. Sorry, I cannot remember exactly who they are, but I do know that Minnesota was not one of the three. Second, telling Maverick his scholarship has ended would be a sh!tty thing to do. That would make Tubby no better than Crean or any of the other coaches who run off guys they offer scholarships to.

EDIT: "ESPNU 100 PG Bruce Barron from Brehm Prep(IL) has cut his list to Oregon, Oklahoma St and Cincy according to coach Aaron Lee"

http://twitter.com/ReggieRankin
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Didn't hear that about Barron, thanks for the update.

I understand what you are saying, but this is a two way street. Nothing stops these kids from walking away from their scholarships...it happens all the time. As mentioned right above, these are year to year commitments. I don't necessarily agree with it completely, but that's the reality of it. It's very possible that someone will leave, and it may not be Maverick. Who knows what will happen with Oto or Chip too.
 

BballJones said:
Tharpe appears to be the biggest piece of the puzzle. .
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+1

Gophers really need a true PG (Tharpe). Next year, when Al is gone, Devoe can play PG, but the team has to have a backup. Team will not have one true PG. Out of the following SGs who is mostly likely able to play PG?

Maverick
Chip
Stark

Recruits:
Andre Hollins
Joe Coleman
Oglesby

Perhaps that is whay Stark is staying - he has a chance to play?
 

Gopher in Texas said:
+1

Gophers really need a true PG (Tharpe). Next year, when Al is gone, Devoe can play PG, but the team has to have a backup. Team will not have one true PG. Out of the following SGs who is mostly likely able to play PG?

Maverick
Chip
Stark

Recruits:
Andre Hollins
Joe Coleman
Oglesby

Perhaps that is whay Stark is staying - he has a chance to play?
Click to expand...


Honestly, that's a bit scary. I would have to guess that Maverick would be the best option from the list above. What about Bryant Allen? He looked decent last year and he doesn't appear to be getting much PT for the football team.
 

UWOle said:
Two items regarding this post. First, Barron has reportedly narrowed his list to three schools. Sorry, I cannot remember exactly who they are, but I do know that Minnesota was not one of the three. Second, telling Maverick his scholarship has ended would be a sh!tty thing to do. That would make Tubby no better than Crean or any of the other coaches who run off guys they offer scholarships to.

EDIT: "ESPNU 100 PG Bruce Barron from Brehm Prep(IL) has cut his list to Oregon, Oklahoma St and Cincy according to coach Aaron Lee"

http://twitter.com/ReggieRankin
Click to expand...

Agree.
 

BballJones said:
What about Bryant Allen? He looked decent last year and he doesn't appear to be getting much PT for the football team.
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The announcer on WCCO830 said with some surprise and excitement that Bryant Allen was in for a play with about 8 minutes left on the clock during the third quarter. When I got back to the house I checked the DVR and it appeared it was him.

tjgopher said:
He broke it in spring practice, so he'll likely be ready to play hoops at some point soon. I got the impression that Brewster was hinting that Allen would be healthy later in the year, but that they wouldn't want to waste an entire year of eligibility for just a couple of games late in the year. I don't totally recall the situation, however.

Not sure of any rules on redshirts and playing in other sports.
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As for the scholarship comments, Maverick has a one year scholarship probably worth over $20,000 when you include tuition, housing, meal plans, books and whatever else get's paid for. Players transfer out of programs and coaches have the right to show players the door. Let's see how he plays this season before talking about Tubby giving him the boot.
 

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