2010 Big Man... who do you think we sign?

[LastWarrior]

Seeing all the options that have been brought up as a big man signee for 2010, who do you think we sign?

[LastWarrior]

My choice... Luke Cothron

[DawsonCreekFillanderer]

My choice... Luke Cothron

This signing would be very sweet. And what a difference from the Tom Crean era. Refreshing. Very refreshing, indeed.

[PGsHeroes32]

cothron would be best to me as well. Anyone know the chances?

[Doctor V]

My hope is Cothron over Alabama. Have no idea about the chances, but it seems Alabama is the leader here.... BMA?

Still waiting for the "who leaves if we oversign" poll... Seriously. I know it is a touchy subject amongst many because it is hard to speculate on such things, but isnt that what a message board is for?

[Dawson Rental]

cothron would be best to me as well. Anyone know the chances?

Well... here's what I posted very recently in another thread:

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT

ESPN recruiting updated its recruiting database today and it now shows that BOTH Cothron and Gorgui Sy Dieng as considering Marquette.

I do not recall seeing those players previously so listed.  I believe that when ESPN indicates that a player is considering a school they will not list more than five schools.  So, I guess Buzz really is working the frequent flier miles, and getting his 90 days in.

So, MU has gone from people just speculating that we might be involved with these guys, to there being some outside confirmation that that is indeed what is happening.  I'm excited.  The best I can make out is that we are in the mix with Alabama and Auburn for Cothron who just recently reopened his recruitment, and we are trying to makeup ground on Louisville and Marshall(!) for Gorgui Sy Dieng.

[LastWarrior]

From what I read, we're one of three finalists... MU, Bama, & Auburn.  Many feel Bama is the clubhouse leader.  IWB has said on the other board that MU coaching staff is actively trying to get him up for a visit.

Per Jerry Meyer of Rivals... http://clemson.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1071484

"Former North Carolina State commitment Luke Cothron of Red Springs (N.C.) Flora Macdonald Academy is narrowing in on a decision as the signing period approaches.
   
Luke Cothron has Alabama, Auburn and Marquette on his list.
Originally from Hunstville, Ala., Cothron has Alabama and Auburn on his three-team list - along with Marquette.

Cothron has already visited Alabama and is in the process of determining if he will visit Auburn or Marquette before he signs.

Although Cothron claims no leader at the moment, the fact that visits to Auburn and Marquette are up in the air bodes well for Alabama."

Meyer's analysis of Luke...

"From the haircut to his physical frame to his skill package, Cothron strongly resembles former Louisville star Pervis Ellison. A long, fluid athlete, Cothron can both beat his man down the court as well as chase down rebounds. And when he gets the ball in his hands, he knows what to do with it. Cothron is a skilled low post scorer with a variety of moves and has a dangerous face up game as well. Gaining strength and becoming more explosive in traffic will be important in Cothron's development as a college player."

BTW... he's the 33rd ranked player on Rivals for 2010 and the 8th rated power forward.

[Dawson Rental]

Another player mentioned from time to time as a spring big possibility is Godwin Okonji from Finley Prep in Vagas.  He is rated a 89 by ESPN compared to the 91 that ESPN gave to Dieng, and the 95 that they gave to Cothron.  Some posters saw Okonji when Jamail Jones' team played them in an ESPN HS tournament.  However, Okonji is not listed as considering MU by ESPN who lists him with Hawaii, New Mexico, TCU and Texas Tech.

Modification update: It now appears that both Marquette and Mizzou have gotten involved with Okonji.  UNLV fans are wondering why they got dropped.  Awww...

[Boone]

I think we'll definitely sign at least one kid, but I don't think it'll be anyone on the poll list. My guess is one will be Gardner.

[77ncaachamps]

In my best grandmother's voice, "Cothron. I like him."

[MU_Iceman]

From what I read, we're one of three finalists... MU, Bama, & Auburn.  Many feel Bama is the clubhouse leader.  IWB has said on the other board that MU coaching staff is actively trying to get him up for a visit.

Per Jerry Meyer of Rivals... http://clemson.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1071484

"Former North Carolina State commitment Luke Cothron of Red Springs (N.C.) Flora Macdonald Academy is narrowing in on a decision as the signing period approaches.
   
Luke Cothron has Alabama, Auburn and Marquette on his list.
Originally from Hunstville, Ala., Cothron has Alabama and Auburn on his three-team list - along with Marquette.

Cothron has already visited Alabama and is in the process of determining if he will visit Auburn or Marquette before he signs.

Although Cothron claims no leader at the moment, the fact that visits to Auburn and Marquette are up in the air bodes well for Alabama."

Meyer's analysis of Luke...

"From the haircut to his physical frame to his skill package, Cothron strongly resembles former Louisville star Pervis Ellison. A long, fluid athlete, Cothron can both beat his man down the court as well as chase down rebounds. And when he gets the ball in his hands, he knows what to do with it. Cothron is a skilled low post scorer with a variety of moves and has a dangerous face up game as well. Gaining strength and becoming more explosive in traffic will be important in Cothron's development as a college player."

BTW... he's the 33rd ranked player on Rivals for 2010 and the 8th rated power forward.

http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/04/tide_closing_in_on_coveted_hoo.html

From the sounds of this article, the Tide are pretty confident Cothron will be taking his game to 'Bama...if I were them, I'd feel pretty good about their chances too judging by Cothron's quote:

"There are several things I really like about Alabama but the biggest is Coach Grant," Cothron told BamaOnline.com in a recent story. "Ever since the first time I talked to him I have really been impressed with what he has to say and the way he runs his program. It also doesn't hurt that Alabama is the home-state team for me and a team I grew up pulling for. I have always liked the fans at Alabama and the atmosphere they can create when things are really going good.

"A lot of people talk about how the fans at Alabama and Auburn don't get excited about basketball but that's just not true. They are just like any fanbase, they love a winner."

Grew up in Huntsville as a Tide fan...we may be behind the 8-ball here....

[FishFryEater]

The other board mentions "issues" with Cothron. Any idea what those might be?

[MU_Iceman]

Something else that could be potentially interesting and worth paying attention to with Cothron's recruitment is that, while yes he grew up a 'Bama fan and seemingly likes their program a lot, the Tide are also heavily involved in the recruitment of Ricardo Ratliff (the top JUCO prospect in the country) and the two of them are very similar players...

Again, probably will have little-to-nothing to do with his decision, but it's fun to speculate as we lead up to the spring signing period...