Recruiting as of 3/15/24

[Lennys Tap]

<sigh>

Interesting summer.

C'mon Sultan, get with the program. When we don't make the final 10, or 8, or 6 or 5 of guys we're recruiting (every guy we've been after so far for 2019) that's actually GOOD news. I know this because the Scoop intelligentsia tells me so. Maybe it becomes bad news in November or when we get to the #300 guy without any interest, but for now - so far, so good.

[Boone]

What's that, like 7-8 guys we've been pretty heavily involved with and whiffed on? Pretty obvious we're not going to land anything better than a project in '19. Rather than go that route, save one scholarship, for '20 and put the other scholarship toward a transfer.

[GGGG]

C'mon Sultan, get with the program. When we don't make the final 10, or 8, or 6 or 5 of guys we're recruiting (every guy we've been after so far for 2019) that's actually GOOD news. I know this because the Scoop intelligentsia tells me so. Maybe it becomes bad news in November or when we get to the #300 guy without any interest, but for now - so far, so good.

No that's not what people are saying.  So either you aren't getting it or you're just being annoying.

[Herman Cain]

What's that, like 7-8 guys we've been pretty heavily involved with and whiffed on? Pretty obvious we're not going to land anything better than a project in '19. Rather than go that route, save one scholarship, for '20 and put the other scholarship toward a transfer.

You have some good points worth consideration here.

For example, we have not officially offered 2020 Desmond Polk yet, we have reached out to him and he has done an unofficial and we are offering a whole group of his teammates. So maybe if the prospects in 2019 are thinning out it may be advantageous to add another good quality 2020 like Polk where we have a real chance to succeed.

Also there are inevitably going to be some blue blood mid season transfers . We have demonstrated success picking up transfers so having our powder dry would be advantageous. 

I would also add one other group to the list, that being guys who were injured this summer that we can possibly pick up next spring. For example, Wichita State picked up an interesting 2018 prospect, Jamarius Burton , who had tore an ACL and missed the summer circuit in 17 and fell off everyone's radar. . He was able to get healthy and steadily progressed over the course of the spring eventually leading his team to the state championship in North Carolina. 

Finally, this may be the year to re address the JUCO market.

[GGGG]

Finally, this may be the year to re address the JUCO market.

So you want to bring someone here with two years remaining?  Put him in the class with Elliott, Cain, John and McEwen?

[Herman Cain]

So you want to bring someone here with two years remaining?  Put him in the class with Elliott, Cain, John and McEwen?

A kid can be brought in after one year and have three years remaining.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

What's that, like 7-8 guys we've been pretty heavily involved with and whiffed on? Pretty obvious we're not going to land anything better than a project in '19. Rather than go that route, save one scholarship, for '20 and put the other scholarship toward a transfer.

We are still recruiting some pretty solid players.  No need to punt just yet

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Cross Dahmir Bishop off of the list. We did not make his top 8

Unfortunate and surprising. He said in an interview like a week or two ago that he planned to visit this fall.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

With him off the board that leaves Nico Mannion as our only big fish left for 2019. He's supposed to be cutting his list soon and I'm not feeling us making the final cut.

Beyond Mannion that leaves these guys as active targets:

Dexter Akanno
Dahmir Bishop
James Bishop
Seth Lundy
Caleb Mills

So within 48 hours of this post we are already down two. Mannion is looking more and more like a blue blood recruit and I haven't heard Lundy mentioned since the unofficial visit. So that leaves J Bishop and the mysterious Dexter Akanno. Gotta think James Bishop gets the full court press from here on out.

[willie warrior]

Wojo always gets his men. Losing out on all these guys has nothing to do with the excuse "lack of playing time".The explanation is obvious, we cooled on them.

[TedBaxter]

So within 48 hours of this post we are already down two. Mannion is looking more and more like a blue blood recruit and I haven't heard Lundy mentioned since the unofficial visit. So that leaves J Bishop and the mysterious Dexter Akanno. Gotta think James Bishop gets the full court press from here on out.

I'm not so sure.  A follow on Twitter last night by an MU staff member may send a different message.

[MattyWarrior]

I agree, go look at Juco to see whats there. I admire the fact that Wojo wants guys with solid
academics and four year guys but the right guy makes all the difference!

[Uncle Rico]

Wojo always gets his men. Losing out on all these guys has nothing to do with the excuse "lack of playing time".The explanation is obvious, we cooled on them.

Problem is, Wojo and staff keep taking potential recruits to Mazos Burgers and they keep getting sick

[GGGG]

A kid can be brought in after one year and have three years remaining.

Sure.  If they are eligible.  But those guys are pretty rare.

[TedBaxter]

What's that, like 7-8 guys we've been pretty heavily involved with and whiffed on? Pretty obvious we're not going to land anything better than a project in '19. Rather than go that route, save one scholarship, for '20 and put the other scholarship toward a transfer.

There's one guy on our list who some might consider a project because of his non-ranking, but for me, might be the best fit on the current recruiting list for a number of different reasons.  If they got Dexter Akanno, I'd be ecstatic and if they added a player like Seth Lundy, it would be solid.

[ATL MU Warrior]

There's one guy on our list who some might consider a project because of his non-ranking, but for me, might be the best fit on the current recruiting list for a number of different reasons.  If they got Dexter Akanno, I'd be ecstatic and if they added a player like Seth Lundy, it would be solid.

For those who don't follow this as closely, would you care to elaborate?

[WarriorDad]

C'mon Sultan, get with the program. When we don't make the final 10, or 8, or 6 or 5 of guys we're recruiting (every guy we've been after so far for 2019) that's actually GOOD news. I know this because the Scoop intelligentsia tells me so. Maybe it becomes bad news in November or when we get to the #300 guy without any interest, but for now - so far, so good.

Playing time matters.  You seem to be reading the comments differently than others are.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I'm not so sure.  A follow on Twitter last night by an MU staff member may send a different message.

Interesting... who was the follow?

[TedBaxter]

For those who don't follow this as closely, would you care to elaborate?

Dexter Akanno is a 6-4 combo guard from Santa Clarita, CA who won't turn 18 until September.  He will prep at Blair Academy this year and it's not for academics as he has Ivy League looks.  Marquette offered him last week and from what I've seen of him in limited videos and in an interaction with Steve Nash, I think he'd be a great fit.  Long and athletic who has decent shooting ability and played point guard for Valencia HS last year.

My reason for really wanting him is that he could come in as a freshman, without huge expectations, and mentor behind Howard, etc. before getting more minutes as a sophomore.  Then as a junior and senior he becomes a starter.  I'm not sure the other guards we are/were recruiting would be accepting of backup minutes and lets be honest, with Howard, Anim, Elliott and McEwen potentially returning next year, it will be a tough group to crack.

[TedBaxter]

Interesting... who was the follow?

Head of the Akanno's AAU program by one of the coaches.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Dexter Akanno is a 6-4 combo guard from Santa Clarita, CA who won't turn 18 until September.  He will prep at Blair Academy this year and it's not for academics as he has Ivy League looks.  Marquette offered him last week and from what I've seen of him in limited videos and in an interaction with Steve Nash, I think he'd be a great fit.  Long and athletic who has decent shooting ability and played point guard for Valencia HS last year.

My reason for really wanting him is that he could come in as a freshman, without huge expectations, and mentor behind Howard, etc. before getting more minutes as a sophomore.  Then as a junior and senior he becomes a starter.  I'm not sure the other guards we are/were recruiting would be accepting of backup minutes and lets be honest, with Howard, Anim, Elliott and McEwen potentially returning next year, it will be a tough group to crack.

I like it.. basically the Mark Few at Gonzaga model up until the past couple years. Good way to build a consistent winner, then break through with top recruits with a long established record of success.

[Boone]

Good points, Ted. I do prefer Akanno to J. Bishop. Akanno isn't likely to drive away any top PG targets from the '20 class. He sounds like a defensive stopper, who could mature into an offensive talent. Akanno gets one scholarship, we pocket the other and go all in on '20.

[LAZER]

Good points, Ted. I do prefer Akanno to J. Bishop. Akanno isn't likely to drive away any top PG targets from the '20 class. He sounds like a defensive stopper, who could mature into an offensive talent. Akanno gets one scholarship, we pocket the other and go all in on '20.

So you like Bishop less than Akanno because Bishop is the better player?

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

So you like Bishop less than Akanno because Bishop is the better player?

Do not for certain on that . Akano did not play on the shoe circuits, therefore, he was very unseen throughout the summer.  Bishop very well maybe a superior play, but from the videos i have seen i have been very impressed with Akano. Excellent fundamentals.

[Boone]

No. But J. Bishop is a pure PG, whereas Akanno is a combo. Think their are better PG options in '20 class.