STrib: Does the Gophers incoming class of recruits deserve an 'F?'

Donate To GopherHole
BleedGopher

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
61,974
Reaction score
18,168
Points
113
per the STrib:

This year’s USA Today college basketball preview magazine grades the individual Big Ten incoming classes according to how strong the new additions are.

The Gophers are the only team in the conference that receive an ‘F.’

One thing I believe is true about Richard Pitino is that he is a pretty sound judge of talent. He watched and learned for years under his father, and under Billy Donovan, figuring out that the ability to select the right personnel is a huge part of what makes coaches successful. Pitino said from the start that he wouldn’t sign players just to fill spots. He has seen something in these guys – and the optimistic side says that he found under-the-radar recruits, given his circumstances, and those plays just might, in turn, over-achieve.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/227851841.html

Go Gophers!!
 

Given the way USA Today graded, the class deserves an F. If Wisconsin landed Koenig and Hayes and only got a grade in the C range (If I remember correctly from the original article), then you can't argue too strongly against the F for Minnesota. We really needed a big class to make up for losing Trevor/Rodney and never came close to landing it. That's not to say that Mathieu, McNeil, Smith,and/or King can't surprise, but on paper the class isn't inspiring. It would be unfair to give Pitino a better grade because he's "a pretty sound judge of talent" and not do the same for Izzo/Bo.

I personally liked seeing USA Today go out on a limb and give some tough grades, even though I didn't agree with all of them.
 

In general, 'grading' recruiting classes like this is silly. But F is a little strong. If this is an F, what is scrambling for Spring recruits like Mav and Oto?
 

I'm not surprised and its probably deserved but I believe good things are yet to come!
 

It does seem a bit harsh. I believe that Smith/Mathieu (and hopefully King) will have a bigger impact this season with the Gophers than many other classes will have with their teams. I know that's not really the way they are looking at it, but it's still an important factor. Smith should be one of the most "impactful" newcomers in the Big Ten, IMHO.
 


Do not worry about what USA today has to say about basketball. Look at their Big 10 and Big 12 predictions. No research.
 

I suppose that when you grade on a curve, somebody's going to get an F. But an 'F' in the Big Ten is still decent. The Gophs got players that will play and help the team.
 

Haven't seen this magazine that's been referred to, but if someone graded the Gophers' new players an 'F' that is ridiculous.

STrib said:
Deandre Mathieu is a tiny guard that has only JUCO experience.
Click to expand...

Mathieu also has D-I experience, including nearly double digit starts.
 

reading the comments on the strib article made me lol.
 



I am pretty darn excited to see what Pitino has to offer and am sure anxious for the season to start! Looking forward to it!
 

Gopher Warrior said:
Haven't seen this magazine that's been referred to, but if someone graded the Gophers' new players an 'F' that is ridiculous.



Mathieu also has D-I experience, including nearly double digit starts.
Click to expand...


Not to mention he was a NJCAA First Team All-American who led his team to a 30-4 record. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play. Hopefully he can be a spark plug off the bench like Kendall Anthony is for Richmond.
 

Giving an incoming class any sort of a grade, be it an A or an F or anything in between is "udder" nonsense. I take all of this preseason talking head crap to be worth what I pay for it... $0.00.
 

Typically when grading recruiting classes, most publications do not count transfers. If that is the case, the Gophers only landed two players, a player who originally signed with FIU and a junior college transfer. An F grade is a bit harsh, but if they are grading only on signees, it is understandable that they got a low grade.

Chris
 



Gopher Warrior said:
Haven't seen this magazine that's been referred to, but if someone graded the Gophers' new players an 'F' that is ridiculous.



Mathieu also has D-I experience, including nearly double digit starts.
Click to expand...

Where he averaged 2 points per game
 

howeda7 said:
In general, 'grading' recruiting classes like this is silly. But F is a little strong. If this is an F, what is scrambling for Spring recruits like Mav and Oto?
Click to expand...

Also an F?
 


3399 said:
Where he averaged 2 points per game
Click to expand...

Actually 3. Also, his starts came at the end of the year. In his final 8 games of the season (including one with zero points) he averaged 5.5 ppg. (But honestly I rarely look at points per game)

My comment that he has D-I experience was in reference to the STrib claim that "Deandre Mathieu is a tiny guard that has only JUCO experience." 2 points, 3 points or 50 points per game - the comment was undeniably incorrect.
 

In terms of immediate help- I'd say the class is a C or C+ in that they will get two incoming starters in Smith and now probably King starting at PF. Then a nice depth player at the point in Mathieu. That's tough to match even if you get a real nice frosh class. However, for the long term, this was not a good class. It was just a tough circumstance.
 

If we could have a recruiting class graded an "F", but a B1G season that was graded an "A", I'd take it. Good thing the games are played on the court and not with recruiting rankings.
 

Stating the obvious, but impossible to give a grade until we see these guys on the court vs. quality competition. ... Richmond, Maui, Florida State, Big Ten season, etc. That said, my 2 cents is it starts with a C grade. Not expecting to see much of McNeil this season, but Smith and Mathieu should be solid contributors. If King does anything whatsoever to bolster the frontcourt rotation (6-7 ppg, 4-5 rpg?), it has a chance to get in the B- range, maybe even B.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom