I mostly agree with everything you've said...except I don't think Martin had as bad of a roster year 1.
Martin comes in and has 6 RSCI top 100 players, all of which came from Pearl's recruiting.
Trae Golden - #86
Jeronne Maymon - #73
Jordan McRae - #40
Cameron Tatum - #96
Renaldo Woolridge - #70
Kenny Hall - #62
From Pearl's last season 8 players remained for Matin's frist year. Of the ones that left only 2 didn't graduate and those 2 both declared for the NBA draft (Hopson & Tobias)
His top contributors in year one were Golden, Maymon, McRae, Tatum, McBee, Stokes, Hall, and Woolridge...Stokes was the only one Martin recruited.
Barnes comes in and has 2 RSCI top 100 players
Robert Hubbs - #22
Detrick Mostella - #68/#94
His top contributors in year one were Punter, Moore, Baulkman, Hubbs, Mostella, Admiral, Shembari Phillips....Admiral & Shembari were both freshmen Barnes recruited.
From Donnie's team only 7 remained for Barnes' first year. Of the ones that left only 2 graduated, Carmichael, Owens, and Woodson were all underclassmen that chose to transfer (might have been Barnes' suggestion too I don't know). Galen Campbell I think was a walk-on though not sure why he didn't remain on the team may have been a RS Junior and just graduated too.
Good point you are making. At least you have a valid argument.
It doesn't tell the whole story though. Most of those had failed to live up to their ranking and were already being considered busts. Woolridge was a transfer who was nowhere near a top 100 player. Tatum was mediocre. Maymon was a transfer who couldn't beat out Steven Pearl.
Also you didn't say anything about Juco All American and eventual All SEC player Kevin Punter.
Returning production.
CM
Tatum 8.8 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 2.3 Ast
Trae Golden - 3.0 Pts, 1.1 Reb, 2.2 Ast
Jeronne Maymon - 2.6 Pts, 2.8 Reb, 0.2 Ast
Jordan McRae - 1.8 Pts, 0.8 Reb, 0.0 Ast
Renaldo Woolridge -1.6 Pts, 1.4 Reb, 0.5 Ast
Kenny Hall-2.0 Pts, 1.8 Reb, 0.1 Ast
Barnes
Robert Hubbs - 7.2 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 0.9 Ast
Detrick Mostella - 3.4 Pts, 0.9 Reb, 0.5 Ast
Kevin Punter- 10.3 Pts, 2.1 Reb, 1.9 Ast
Armani Moore- 10.3 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 2.2 Ast
Derek Reese- 6.0 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 0.9 Ast
Devon Baulkman- 4.7 Pts, 2.3 Reb, 0.6 Ast