Jaded by Tarik Black's Decision?

[HoopsMalone]

I have noticed a general pessimism on the board regarding recruiting.  I am wondering if Tarik Black's recruitment, when it looked like we had him for a day or two (when relying on the equivalent of ESPN's "sources" in the NBA free agency) has a lingering shell-shock on us.

Black's commitment to Memphis was a let-down, but it does not take away that fact that Buzz did land many recruits who had MU as a finalist. 

I appreciate not being over-excited about the prospect of a recruit coming.  But Buzz did land a five star, a four star, and the JUCO POY to go along with two players with a ton of upside: a super athletic, though apparently raw PG and highly skilled, but apparently not physically ready big man.  Buzz got a great class and I am wondering why this does not give us more hope? 

Black would have been great, but now his spot is for taking by these big guys this year.  Marquette really makes a lot of sense for these big men, as there is a lot of PT to be had and Buzz just put the guy who played center for us into the first round.  They should see what Lazar did in our program and think, "imagine what a person with height could do with this exact opportunity in Buzz's system." 

I think the glass should be half full right now.  It is very early and MU is way to good of an opportunity for a student athlete to get pessimistic over guys like Shaw or Miller taking their time.

[Canadian Dimes]

please do not try to persudae Boone...after all the guy can read!!

[RJax55]

Hoops, I believe the pessimism (maybe caution is a better term) that you see is more due to the fact that the recruits that are most discussed here, usually don't end up at MU. This has been especially true under Buzz. (I dont have an issue with this, I trust Buzz's evaluation of players.)

You look at guys like DJO, Butler, Crowder and Smith. Some came completely out of the blue (DJO) or while others may have had some threads here, but by no means where their recruitments a hot topic for weeks/months.

This year, it seems like Faust and Shaw have been followed the closest. It will be interesting to see if one of them breaks the trend.

[4everwarriors]

Every recruit Buzz landed had MU as a finalist.

[HoopsMalone]

Hoops, I believe the pessimism (maybe caution is a better term) that you see is more due to the fact that the recruits that are most discussed here, usually don't end up at MU. This has been especially true under Buzz. (I dont have an issue with this, I trust Buzz's evaluation of players.)

You look at guys like DJO, Butler, Crowder and Smith. Some came completely out of the blue (DJO) or while others may have had some threads here, but by no means where their recruitments a hot topic for weeks/months.

This year, it seems like Faust and Shaw have been followed the closest. It will be interesting to see if one of them breaks the trend.

Fair points.  But I am saying this year we have an added reason to be optimistic.  When Black was being recruited by MU, it was a great opportunity, but Buzz was unproven still and MU mostly developed guards.  Now, Buzz had a team with less talent exceed expectations and he showed he can win close games on the road with key play calls and matchups.  Those 3 OT road games I think showed a lot about Buzz, and even some of the close losses on the road, where we basically had no business being in the game on paper, shows a lot about Buzz.

Most importantly, he had a post player drafted in the first round.  If I am a guy like Shaw who will probably play both the 3 and 4 in college but move to the 3 in the NBA, I would be loving Marquete right now.  Buzz has a track record of putting a PF into the NBA with a team intending to play him at the 3 in the NBA.  It is such a great opportunity.

Plus, the playing time is there on a team that has tremendous potential.  Even if I am a guard, I would still see MU as an opprortunity to come and try to beat the other guards out as a lot of upperclassmen will be leaving.  We don't have James, McNeal, and Matthews with claims on the starting spots as sophs.

[bilsu]

I think Tarik Black was a special situation. He probably would have went to MU, if his buddies from his AAU team did not decide to commit to Memphis. That is when we lost him and is not something Buzz can control. We worry about recruiting, but think about what it must do to Buzz who has invested a significant amount of time in his targets. As this drags out without any commitments the pressure must really build on coaches.

[NersEllenson]

Most importantly, he had a post player drafted in the first round.  If I am a guy like Shaw who will probably play both the 3 and 4 in college but move to the 3 in the NBA, I would be loving Marquete right now.  Buzz has a track record of putting a PF into the NBA with a team intending to play him at the 3 in the NBA.  It is such a great opportunity.

Best thing I've heard yet in Shaws recruitment was what his AAU coach, Mac Irvin said:  "In Buzz Williams you have one of the great up and coming young coaches.  Buzz gets the most out of his players."

That is a VERY strong endorsement.  If I were to rank probabilities of landing the kids we are in on, as far as most likely to least I would GUESS:  Shaw, Harrison, Anderson, Faust, Miller, Hood.

[redbirdwarrior]

Mac Irvin has a lot of talent year in and year out, it seems.  If he is that high on Buzz, that is tremendous for the future as well.  I hate it when I start getting so pumped before the season even starts... 

[GGGG]

Irvin's comments are positive even if we don't land Shaw.

I for one wasn't all that surprised about Black.  He went to the hometown team.  That happens.

[cheebs09]

I think things changed when Jelan Kenderick committed to Memphis. Kenderick was supposed to be a late signing and if I remember correctly Indiana and Michigan State were near the top of his list. So it was a little bit of a shock when Kenderick declared early. I think there were already a few kids from Black's AAU team committed to Memphis and then when Kenderick committed it didn't surprise me when Black committed pretty much the day after.

[77ncaachamps]

I think some of the disappointment stems from viewing a recruit like Black as the "perfect" or "missing" piece to a recruiting class.

But perspective must be maintained.

After all, all we're really missing is an interior presence.

A lot to ask for...but truly a blessing to have only one real piece missing.
Unfortunately, that piece can be the difference between an NCAA one-and-done and a Final Four team.

[Daniel]

Recruiting is a tough, tough business.  We lost Black, but Buzz is in on lots of good players.  We may lose them all who still have us on their lists, but we have been in more great opportunities recenly than befoe I think.

So, for some reason, even tho we haveverbals from no one for 2011, I am calm about what will happen soon.  I just feel something good will happen as a result of a ton of very hard work by the MU staff.  We will see. 

[Boone]

That's right, Canadian, I can read. Which is more than we can say about your ability to spell ("persudae").