It’s interesting because recruiting is a complex ecosystem— maybe even more complex than winning in March. We got Phillips after LSU caught on fire, and being the squares suddenly looked cool. We lost Edwards on a razors edge. KY/Cal are going all in on money/support and intensity, and they have the best brand in basketball. That said, we lost Edwards by a hair. If we get Estrella, it will be due to things falling our way at Duke first, and we’ll nose out Syracuse and Iowa, if Kansas and Self don’t swoop in at the end. All the work and preparation and relationships can get you left at the altar. Losing English hurts in a specific region, but hurts more in development. Losing Oliver is big in recruiting. Losing Schwartz hurts everywhere. The guy was an incredible contributor in recruiting, development and strategy. He was also the master of educating parents and kids on the meaning of Rick Barnes, his coaching, and his legacy. Phillips is a massive ad. He and Edwards are two of my favorite talents of the last two classes. We got one. Phillips has an offensive hunger and fire for aggressive offense that we desperately need on this team. He’s also a collaborative kid who is going to be a huge contributor if he’s used well. Losing Edwards is a big bummer. He was very much ours until he became job 1 for Cal. On the other side of the coin, we’re in it for Estrella at the finish line for the opposite reasons. Duke being out of his mind, opens up space for us. We are currently not as good as we were at recruiting prior to the shifts in staff. It’s hard to overstate the fact that Schwartz was the glue and the continuity in the transition. Him leaving pulls the rug out on many planning aspects of our program, and strips out institutional knowledge as well. I don’t think the matter is good/bad. It’s complicated. If anything we do all need to acknowledge that Barnes has been a great improvisational problem solver, and has been willing to adapt when the foundation shifts. I’m disappointed and hopeful. That’s as committed as I can be on the topic.