Quote from: K1 Lover on February 17, 2025, 09:48:23 PMFound this interesting read. Not related to our own recruiting per se, but still a recruiting topic.

Pitino details how he won't be looking at high school recruits this year (or possibly at all in the future) and will instead be focusing 100% on the transfer portal to replace the talent/experience he's losing. He basically argues that, unless you're recruiting Cooper Flagg, the value of high school recruiting is little compared to what you can get from the portal, stating, "I probably will never go to a young man's home again. We just go straight to the negotiating table at St. John's."

In other words, what Pitino's doing is the exact opposite of Shaka, which is kinda ironic considering that Shaka used to study Pitino's coaching philosophy. Not trying to imply one approach is better than the other, but I do think this makes the Big East coaching dynamic that much more entertaining.

Thanks for posting. Very interesting.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 18, 2025, 09:16:49 AMIt's lazy - and also smart.  Let other coaches do the recruiting and first one or two years of coaching/development, then once a player proves he has high D1 capabilities, grab him off the portal.

Didn't the guy at Arkansas try this strategy for a couple of years? Or Miami last year?

Sure it CAN work, but the players can also not really fit or gel together as well.

Pitino can't develop players?  What?  And he'll leave SJU because he "can't win" there?  I hate Pitino, but he's one of the best basketball coaches in the history of the game and wins absolutely everywhere he's been.  He has a top 10 team in year 2 at SJU.  Not sure where else he's going.

Kansas State paid lots of money for their 8 man transfer class......they are 13-13

USC brought in 11 portal players

Arkansas 5

Washington 8

It's worked out well for Rick this season...........others tried the same strategy and failed.

I was not saying he can't win there. If the player acquisition philosophy is to get what you can pay for, then SJU cannot pay what other schools can pay. Pitino is a great coach, but other schools have bigger bank rolls. Unless you have the biggest payroll, you're at a disadvantage if the approach is to negotiate deals for experienced players. Folks wonder which players on MU's roster SJU would want. Which players on SJU's roster would Duke want?

Quote from: The Sultan on February 18, 2025, 10:43:15 AMDidn't the guy at Arkansas try this strategy for a couple of years? Or Miami last year?

Sure it CAN work, but the players can also not really fit or gel together as well.

I listened to Pitino talk about it, I think just before the season.  Despite the notation of "buying" a team, he talked about how he needed buy-in to the team & culture before he'd take someone.  Much like Shaka, Rick's not dumb.

Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 18, 2025, 11:04:08 AMI was not saying he can't win there. If the player acquisition philosophy is to get what you can pay for, then SJU cannot pay what other schools can pay. Pitino is a great coach, but other schools have bigger bank rolls. Unless you have the biggest payroll, you're at a disadvantage if the approach is to negotiate deals for experienced players. Folks wonder which players on MU's roster SJU would want. Which players on SJU's roster would Duke want?

Duke seems to be building through top freshman recruits.  But I'd assume just about any team in the country would be thrilled to have any/all of RJ Luis, Zuby Ejiofor, Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Simeon Wilcher.

I do not believe Scott, Smith, or Richmond has any eligibility left after this year. I do not see Duke grabbing a player as a one-year rental but they might take Luis. I'm not sure Ejiofor would start and Maluach is only a freshman. Would Ejiofor want to be Theo John? Wilcher is a good player but I'm not sure he's as good as what Duke already has. Duke is young and once again have the top recruiting class coming in next season. I do not see them beating at the door for SJU players. Basically, if you're an MU or an SJU, you can pretty much forget it if you think your going to out-talent your way to a title. Shaka's approach is to have a better team due to synergy and that best develops by recruit and develop. I think that's what you need at MU.

I think it will be interesting to see how the end of the COVID-5Yr players changes this dynamic. 

Smaller pool of players should mean the cost of this strategy goes up even though the collective experience of the player pool goes down.  And it gets that much harder for mid-majors to compete (which isn't new)

Quote from: Frenns Liquor Depot on February 18, 2025, 11:32:46 AMI think it will be interesting to see how the end of the COVID-5Yr players changes this dynamic. 

Smaller pool of players should mean the cost of this strategy goes up even though the collective experience of the player pool goes down.  And it gets that much harder for mid-majors to compete (which isn't new)

Still think Shaka should add a player here or there, next years team will be inexperienced on the offensive end, no alpha right now.

Shocking.

Quote from: tower912 on February 18, 2025, 11:39:35 AMShocking.

Look at Wisconsin to understand why!

Quote from: BCHoopster on February 18, 2025, 11:36:47 AMStill think Shaka should add a player here or there, next years team will be inexperienced on the offensive end, no alpha right now.

They don't need to have an alpha right now, for next season. That'll figure itself out later.

You can't preach their philosophy and recruit over guys in any circumstance...it just doesn't work like that because the second you do it once, the whole philosophy becomes a lie.

Yup.

And I would rather watch Sparty.   Wisconsin will always suck.

Quote from: K1 Lover on February 17, 2025, 09:48:23 PMFound this interesting read. Not related to our own recruiting per se, but still a recruiting topic.

Pitino details how he won't be looking at high school recruits this year (or possibly at all in the future) and will instead be focusing 100% on the transfer portal to replace the talent/experience he's losing. He basically argues that, unless you're recruiting Cooper Flagg, the value of high school recruiting is little compared to what you can get from the portal, stating, "I probably will never go to a young man's home again. We just go straight to the negotiating table at St. John's."

In other words, what Pitino's doing is the exact opposite of Shaka, which is kinda ironic considering that Shaka used to study Pitino's coaching philosophy. Not trying to imply one approach is better than the other, but I do think this makes the Big East coaching dynamic that much more entertaining.

How dare you report such blasphemy here.

Quote from: wadesworld on February 18, 2025, 10:55:50 AMPitino can't develop players?  What?  And he'll leave SJU because he "can't win" there?  I hate Pitino, but he's one of the best basketball coaches in the history of the game and wins absolutely everywhere he's been.  He has a top 10 team in year 2 at SJU.  Not sure where else he's going.

He certainly won on the table at Porcinis. Even if it was for a very brief moment, if you know what I mean.

Quote from: BCHoopster on February 18, 2025, 11:51:55 AMLook at Wisconsin to understand why!

Wisconsin had to add transfers because players transferred out.

It was in the news.  The coach even bellyached about the portal and guys not sticking around and staying committed.

Quote from: willie warrior on February 18, 2025, 12:19:47 PMHe certainly won on the table at Porcinis. Even if it was for a very brief moment, if you know what I mean.

We don't.  Care to explain?

Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 18, 2025, 09:49:59 AMPitino is smart if he can get guys who mesh and can outbid other schools. He may have a nice pot of money, but I can't see SJU competing regularly with schools with much larger fan bases and deeper pockets. Makes me think Ricky P will again be looking for "greener" pastures.

Indiana says 👋

Quote from: wadesworld on February 18, 2025, 11:09:52 AMDuke seems to be building through top freshman recruits.  But I'd assume just about any team in the country would be thrilled to have any/all of RJ Luis, Zuby Ejiofor, Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Simeon Wilcher.

Not hard to look good against the ACC.  

Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 18, 2025, 12:20:52 PMWisconsin had to add transfers because players transferred out.

It was in the news.  The coach even bellyached about the portal and guys not sticking around and staying committed.

Yep, they had more spots to fill, so no one notices when 2/3 of their transfers fall completely flat.  Unless you think that Xavier Amos' development from a 38% three point shooter to a 27% and Camren Hunter's fewer minutes than Isaac Gard on the season is evidence that the portal is always the way to go.

Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 18, 2025, 11:04:08 AMI was not saying he can't win there. If the player acquisition philosophy is to get what you can pay for, then SJU cannot pay what other schools can pay. Pitino is a great coach, but other schools have bigger bank rolls. Unless you have the biggest payroll, you're at a disadvantage if the approach is to negotiate deals for experienced players. Folks wonder which players on MU's roster SJU would want. Which players on SJU's roster would Duke want?

Apparently you haven't heard of Mike Repole.  I suggest you look up both the man himself and his ties to St. John's basketball. 

https://nypost.com/2024/02/22/sports/st-johns-receiving-nil-lifeline-from-billionaire-alum-mike-repole

Quote from: willie warrior on February 18, 2025, 12:19:47 PMHe certainly won on the table at Porcinis. Even if it was for a very brief moment, if you know what I mean.

Insight earned from endless hours spent impotently pawing the Vuori catalog, Dung Willie

So...any thoughts on the actual recruits Marquette is goin after?

Quote from: JakeBarnes on February 18, 2025, 12:30:02 PMSo...any thoughts on the actual recruits Marquette is goin after?

It sucks