New Conference so far not good for recruiting

[ChicosBailBonds]

I blame Val Ackerman

[brewcity77]

This is just one of those things that can turn around an entire program. I think Depul will be fine this year finishing closer to 7th place but with Alexander the Big East would be in incredible shape.

I have no faith in DPU. It seems with two guys like Melvin and Young, that team should really be doing...I don't know...something. Contending for the NIT or something along that level. Even guys like Clahar, Crockett, and Kirk seemed like decent enough role players.

Purnell's teams have been remarkably bad. It seems almost difficult to be so consistently bad, you'd think they'd manage to get 5-6 league wins some year just on the basis that someone else has an off night. Instead, Melvin and Young have a combined 6 wins in 3 years. Pathetic.

Maybe this recruiting class will turn it around. Garrett seems to have some real star potential and if Hamilton can slim down he was once a highly regarded recruit. But will they be ready to help lift DePaul out of the cellar? I'm not convinced. That program has problems that start well above Purnell's head, and until they fix things at the top, I don't expect them to turn it around.

EDIT: I have to imagine Alexander would help, but even if he does go there, it's still a team game. He might help them win a few, but I'm not convinced even his presence makes them a NCAA team.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Lot of talent there with Young, Kirk, Melvin, McKinney and Garrett

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I have no faith in DPU. It seems with two guys like Melvin and Young, that team should really be doing...I don't know...something. Contending for the NIT or something along that level. Even guys like Clahar, Crockett, and Kirk seemed like decent enough role players.

Purnell's teams have been remarkably bad. It seems almost difficult to be so consistently bad, you'd think they'd manage to get 5-6 league wins some year just on the basis that someone else has an off night. Instead, Melvin and Young have a combined 6 wins in 3 years. Pathetic.

Maybe this recruiting class will turn it around. Garrett seems to have some real star potential and if Hamilton can slim down he was once a highly regarded recruit. But will they be ready to help lift DePaul out of the cellar? I'm not convinced. That program has problems that start well above Purnell's head, and until they fix things at the top, I don't expect them to turn it around.

EDIT: I have to imagine Alexander would help, but even if he does go there, it's still a team game. He might help them win a few, but I'm not convinced even his presence makes them a NCAA team.

Melvin and Young are good but their stats are exageratted. Purnell runs the offense completely through the two of them. Also, when you are the best on a bad team, its easy to get gaudy stats.

That being said, they are still two great players and I do agree that Depaul should have been able to put something better together in the past few years.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

just a hunch, but Alexander to DPU=probation in 2-3 years for the Demons.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

just a hunch, but Alexander to DPU=probation in 2-3 years for the Demons.

I've never smelled anything foul in Purnell's administration (besides their play). And some kids just want to stay close to home.

[Dawson Rental]

just a hunch, but Alexander to DPU=probation in 2-3 years for the Demons.

That's not been their MO.  Something's a little strange regarding Alexander's recruitment.  Cancelling the Michigan State visit seems to imply he wants to be close to home.  But, MU is a lot closer to home than Illinois, and I can't remember him ever being mentioned with us, although Okafor was early on.

Very highly ranked without the expected level of interest from the blue bloods. Odd.

[Pakuni]

That's not been their MO.  Something's a little strange regarding Alexander's recruitment.  Cancelling the Michigan State visit seems to imply he wants to be close to home.  But, MU is a lot closer to home than Illinois, and I can't remember him ever being mentioned with us, although Okafor was early on.

Very highly ranked without the expected level of interest from the blue bloods. Odd.

There's nothing odd about his Illinois interest/lean. Illinois has always done well with in-state kids, even under Weber (Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, Jereme Richmond were all very highly rated), and Groce is an excellent recruiter.

[Dawson Rental]

There's nothing odd about his Illinois interest/lean. Illinois has always done well with in-state kids, even under Weber (Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, Jereme Richmond were all very highly rated), and Groce is an excellent recruiter.

I didn't find anything strange about Illinois being involved, I was thinking more along the lines of them not having more competition, like really intense competition given Alexander's ranking.

[🏀]

There's nothing odd about his Illinois interest/lean. Illinois has always done well with in-state kids, even under Weber (Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, Jereme Richmond were all very highly rated), and Groce is an excellent recruiter.

Groce will stop at nothing to get the talent, and he has the backing to do whatever is necessary to get those kids down into Champaign-Manure-Urbana.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Groce will stop at nothing to get the talent, and he has the backing to do whatever necessary to get those kids down into Champaign-Manure-Urbana.

Illinois is no where close to being a dirty program.

[🏀]

Illinois is no where close to being a dirty program.

I was making fun of Tim Beckman's 'WIN' mantra: Whatever Is Necessary, Today.

Some people might get the reference.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I was making fun of Tim Beckman's 'WIN' mantra: Whatever Is Necessary, Today.

Some people might get the reference.

Sorry, I have been really behind lately on the references.

[🏀]

Sorry, I have been really behind lately on the references.

It's a little out there.

[swoopem]

Bill Self was in Chicago yesterday visiting both Alexander and Okafor. My guess is Cliff goes to Kansas

[LAZER]

Bill Self was in Chicago yesterday visiting both Alexander and Okafor. My guess is Cliff goes to Kansas

Self was in town for Okafor who is his primary target right now.  If Okafor ends up at KU, Alexander won't be following him.

[swoopem]

Self was in town for Okafor who is his primary target right now.  If Okafor ends up at KU, Alexander won't be following him.

He saw both guys and according to "experts" Okafor and Tyus Jones are both going to Duke. That leaves Cliff with KU all to himself. 

[bilsu]

He saw both guys and according to "experts" Okafor and Tyus Jones are both going to Duke. That leaves Cliff with KU all to himself. 

Duke will be really screwed if Okafor and Jones do not go there. I think they had Looney, but stopped paying attention to him while they were chasing after these two players.

[LAZER]

He saw both guys and according to "experts" Okafor and Tyus Jones are both going to Duke. That leaves Cliff with KU all to himself. 

We'll see what happens with Jones/Okafor, far from a lock to Duke.  Lots of people saying KU is in the lead now.  If those two head to KU, Illinois will be in real good shape for Alexander.

[Pakuni]

Xavier got a commitment this weekend from 2014 top 50 SF Trevon Bluiett.

[jesmu84]

https://twitter.com/NewBigEastConf/status/397381829528780800

Yowza

[JWags85]

Duke will be really screwed if Okafor and Jones do not go there.

That's some pretty fantastic hyperbole.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

https://twitter.com/NewBigEastConf/status/397381829528780800

Yowza

Holy sleeping giant batman!

[MUCrew]

https://twitter.com/NewBigEastConf/status/397381829528780800

Yowza

Go Big East!  Land him, DePaul!!!!

[LAZER]

That's some pretty fantastic hyperbole.

In the context of the '14 recruiting class, it's not far off.