Whew, Auburn is so deep. Smith is a beast - the best shot for a big I've seen in a long time. That's a formidable front court they have, as Kessler just gets better and better as he learns to accept his role in the post. They have a ton of guys who can make shots. And they play defense pretty well. If their perimeter shots do not abandon them, they could go a long way. I really hate Auburn. Just burns me up to see so many GA players over there. Pearl can sell ice to an Eskimo.
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Anybody watch the Auburn v. UK game Saturday?
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Last: 2 yr ago by Monkdawg
Ha. Pearl ain't selling. Pearl is BUYING.
Funny you mention Kessler "accepting" his post role. Hasn't that been his tantrum all along - wanted to NOT be a post and play face up on the basket?
Whoever walks into the head basketball coaches office around April 1 better have resources and a game plan on in-state recruiting.
Funny you mention Kessler "accepting" his post role. Hasn't that been his tantrum all along - wanted to NOT be a post and play face up on the basket?
Whoever walks into the head basketball coaches office around April 1 better have resources and a game plan on in-state recruiting.
Crean has secured some good in-state guys, including two for the class of 2023. Frankly, this mindset of "We should be getting, or we need to be getting, most of the best guys from the state of Georgia" is an antiquated mindset. Indiana fans and media have been crowing the same thing for decades as if we're still in the midst of Bob Knight's heyday 30-40 years ago. Archie Miller actually recruited in-state pretty well. Look where it got him.
Of course there is a wealth of talent in Georgia and you want to get some of them. But the world is different now. Kids don't necessarily want to stay super close to home. SEC basketball is more competitive than ever. With so many solid options in the south, it just isn't feasible to think Georgia can pull the majority of them. Regardless of where the player hails from, you need talent, guys who fit the scheme and guys who want to be at Georgia. Guys who are committed to the process. The transfer portal circus has made this infinitely more difficult to sustain continuity. Sadly, Wheeler, Camara, KD, etc. weren't truly committed to the process or the school.
Of course there is a wealth of talent in Georgia and you want to get some of them. But the world is different now. Kids don't necessarily want to stay super close to home. SEC basketball is more competitive than ever. With so many solid options in the south, it just isn't feasible to think Georgia can pull the majority of them. Regardless of where the player hails from, you need talent, guys who fit the scheme and guys who want to be at Georgia. Guys who are committed to the process. The transfer portal circus has made this infinitely more difficult to sustain continuity. Sadly, Wheeler, Camara, KD, etc. weren't truly committed to the process or the school.
Nostra, that's why I said "accepting". Kessler and his dad thought that going to a program where he could showcase an ability to shoot from the perimeter would make him more marketable to the NBA. Auburn will continue to win as long as Walker accepts that he is 7'2" tall with an enormous wingspan who is most effective around the basket. There aren't a lot of great post players around. That's pretty marketable itself.
I disagree with your point about Crean recruiting in-state talent. He has not done a good job at all. The only truly good in-state guy he got was Edwards, and the rest of his class was from out-of-state. Sure, he has a couple of in-state guys committed in '23, but that's a long way off. I bet those 2 are more commitments to the school than to Crean. The right coach will be able to keep them and pull significant in-state talent. And, as you noted TK, out-of-state guys may not be so committed to staying and improving the program. There are just too many good players in GA to keep losing them but maintain the hope that you can build anything of significance. He doesn't have to pull a "majority" of the talent in-state, but 2 of the top 5 and 3-4 of the top 10 is not unreasonable.