My thoughts on 2013 basketball recruiting

[CAVol]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking for a majority of the summer, only posting every now and then. I've been keeping up with our recruiting and thought it was about time for me to post my thoughts.

At this point, we stand to lose Miller, McBee, Maymon, and Hall to graduation. I used to be on the fence about whether to keep Landry as part of this class. I hadn't heard a lot about him and have been less than impressed with his stat line in the games that I have been able to find online.

With the recent developments with Shannon Hale, I've come to the conclusion that my dream class consists of:

1) Robert Hubbs
2) Austin Nichols
3) Shannon Hale
4) JW3

Yes, I do hope that we part with Landry. Here is why. With the four seniors that are leavings, two (Maymon and Hall) I would call significant contributors in the post. This means we NEED to sign 2 post players in this class. I am always a proponent of restocking what you will lose for sure through graduation, and cutting ties with Landry allows us to possibly pick up two solid prospects. Hubbs will take McBee's spot at the 2.

The fourth spot can go to either JW3, King (although I don't think we land him), or another point guard or wing that we have been expressing interest in (I'm looking at you Markel Crawford).

Obviously, this begs the question of what do we do at point guard after this year? I am a believer in Trae Golden. He made significant strides last season, and I truly believe he can be a 1st team SEC point guard this season. I am confident in him running the team for 32+ minutes a game. We just need someone to come in and not piss the game away in the 8 minutes that he isn't out there.

If Martin can land elite prospects this year, it won't be hard to convince an elite point guard to hop on-board in 2014. I'm excited about this season and even more excited about the future of the program. GBO!

[bleedingTNorange]

Our dream classes are identical sir, great minds think alike!

Hubbs
Hale
Nichols

My fourth is Jw3 or King(realistically probably Jw3). If we don't land either of them or if we can make room for a 5th(part with Reese or Q) I'm once again with you that I'd like to add Crawford to this class. He's going to be a very good player IMO, and probably could play a little bit of backup PG.

As I said in another thread, my reasoning for doing it this way is also this...you're primed for a MAJOR run in 2013. If stokes is to return and you can pull those 4 guys you're looking at a legitimate national championship contender in my opinion. If that's the case, you absolutely cut ties with Landry for the chance to bring the program to that level.

As you said, if we have that type of success, CCM will have no trouble landing one of those elte PG and then the PG situation will be fine.

[zansdad]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Our dream classes are identical sir, great minds think alike!

Hubbs
Hale
Nichols

My fourth is Jw3 or King(realistically probably Jw3). If we don't land either of them or if we can make room for a 5th(part with Reese or Q) I'm once again with you that I'd like to add Crawford to this class. He's going to be a very good player IMO, and probably could play a little bit of backup PG.

As I said in another thread, my reasoning for doing it this way is also this...you're primed for a MAJOR run in 2013. If stokes is to return and you can pull those 4 guys you're looking at a legitimate national championship contender in my opinion. If that's the case, you absolutely cut ties with Landry for the chance to bring the program to that level.

As you said, if we have that type of success, CCM will have no trouble landing one of those elte PG and then the PG situation will be fine.

We'll know a lot more coming the early signing period. If Landry doesn't sign his LOI in November then things might go this way. CCM might be able to get him to wait but it's much more likely Martin will either have to let Landry sign or completely let him go before really knowing who is coming. If Landry signs in November then there is no cutting ties with him no matter who wants to come.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by zansdad

We'll know a lot more coming the early signing period. If Landry doesn't sign his LOI in November then things might go this way. CCM might be able to get him to wait but it's much more likely Martin will either have to let Landry sign or completely let him go before really knowing who is coming. If Landry signs in November then there is no cutting ties with him no matter who wants to come.

I would be shocked if Landry signs in November, absolutely stunned to be honest with you.

[CAVol]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Our dream classes are identical sir, great minds think alike!

Hubbs
Hale
Nichols

My fourth is Jw3 or King(realistically probably Jw3). If we don't land either of them or if we can make room for a 5th(part with Reese or Q) I'm once again with you that I'd like to add Crawford to this class. He's going to be a very good player IMO, and probably could play a little bit of backup PG.

As I said in another thread, my reasoning for doing it this way is also this...you're primed for a MAJOR run in 2013. If stokes is to return and you can pull those 4 guys you're looking at a legitimate national championship contender in my opinion. If that's the case, you absolutely cut ties with Landry for the chance to bring the program to that level.

As you said, if we have that type of success, CCM will have no trouble landing one of those elte PG and then the PG situation will be fine.

I just think Hale and Nichols gives a formidable duo in the post moving forward into the post-Stokes era. Hubbs seems to be a program changing recruit.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by CAVol

I just think Hale and Nichols gives a formidable duo in the post moving forward into the post-Stokes era. Hubbs seems to be a program changing recruit.

Exactly. We need 2 posts and those 2 are 2 very talented guys to fill your post needs with. As you said Hubbs Is a program changer and has the potential to be a one and done, putting guys in the league speaks for itself. Then with the 4th its basically take the best option you can IMO. If King is willing then absolutely, same for Jw3, and on down the line to Crawford and even Stephens. We are in on so many talented guys that id rather see us fill our roster with talent, instead of settling on a mediocre at best PG.

[zansdad]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

I would be shocked if Landry signs in November, absolutely stunned to be honest with you.

Why? If Martin has a verbal from him and he wants to sign in November, he either let's him sign or cuts him loose. I don't see much middle ground. And why would Landry put it off since he has been committed for so long?

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by zansdad

Why? If Martin has a verbal from him and he wants to sign in November, he either let's him sign or cuts him loose. I don't see much middle ground. And why would Landry put it off since he has been committed for so long?

I'm not saying Landry puts it off, I'm saying CCM either cuts him lose or tells him he has to wait to sign. I'd be shocked if he signed in November, that's all I was saying.

[zansdad]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

I'm not saying Landry puts it off, I'm saying CCM either cuts him lose or tells him he has to wait to sign. I'd be shocked if he signed in November, that's all I was saying.

Well that was my point in the first place. We'll know where the PG thing stands by November at the latest. Either Landry signs or Martin cuts him loose. I don't see Landry signing next spring. Hard to tell a guy that has been verbally committed to you for months to just hang tight while Martin looks for better players.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by zansdad

Well that was my point in the first place. We'll know where the PG thing stands by November at the latest. Either Landry signs or Martin cuts him loose. I don't see Landry signing next spring. Hard to tell a guy that has been verbally committed to you for months to just hang tight while Martin looks for better players.

Yea, we should have a much clearer picture on the whole class by November.

[SlyStone]

Has Hale decommited from Bama?

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by SlyStone

Has Hale decommited from Bama?

See the Shannon hale thread.

[SlyStone]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

See the Shannon hale thread.

Is there an official link or wishful thinking? Hadn't seen anything that gives indication Tennessee is in on him.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by SlyStone

Is there an official link or wishful thinking? Hadn't seen anything that gives indication Tennessee is in on him.

If you read th Shannon hale thread it explains it in depth.

http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-basketball/164210-shannon-hale.html

[volfan414life]

pg josh newkirk
sg robert hubbs
sf king
pf jw III/OR HALE
pf nichols
these memphis guys are considering UT because Stokes and i wish he would stay since some say he likes collage,and surely they could get rid of someone or get a player to pay his own way through grants to get a fifth scolly.