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Looking at the thread about Nic Moore made me think "wow, another questionable recruit landed by Jank." Last time I commented on an ISU recruit, I was accused of having an agenda. Guilty as charged. I am under the belief that Jank's recent recruiting is bringing the school bball program down.
As frustrated as we are with Bradley right now, ISU is in the beginning of a downward spiral...for 3 reasons I can identify:
1. 4 straight years of poor recruiting classes
2. No true PG or pass first PG leading to a noticable lack of leadership
3. No above average perimeter defenders
4. All of the players who helped them to their recent success are gone
Let's look at the 4 most recent recruiting classes:
2011:
-Zeisloft is a poor man's Ben Brust (who can't find a way off the bench at Wisconsin despite his shooting ability) who can't defend and is too slow to guard an athletic 2.
-I think Nic Moore will be an ok player for ISU, but his height will always hold him back from a really high level of success. Going back through Valley rosters over the past several years, I can't find a single impact player under 5'10. Granted, we are talking about the difference of 1 inch, but many reports say that Nic Moore is more like 5'7. Plus, does ISU need ANOTHER shoot first PG?
2010:
I stated about 6 months ago that nobody in the 2010 recruiting class will make an impact except Wilkins, and this statement is looking true thus far.
-Threloff is a project in the Andrew Davis/Nate Wells mold and won't see the floor until 2013.
-Cousin and Smith are mediocre backup PGs...neither even average 2 apg (whereas our 3rd string SF (Eastman) is averaging 2 apg). If they were both freshman, their play would be fine b/c you know they will grow over the next season or two, but for JUCO players, they are both underachieving.
-Wilkins will be good, will likely lead the team in scoring in his last 2 years, but may take another year to get the flow of D1. His is proving to be a very streaky shooter and poor defender, but he has the raw talent to improve...if he is willing to work at it.
2009:
-Carmichel was a freaking steal...how he got away from the BCS schools is beyond me. He is one of 2 players on ISUs roster that I wish BU had.
-Austin Hill is doing exactly what you would hope a high scoring JUCO guard would do, and is a solid recruit
-Ekey wasn't ready last year, but has started part of this year with very mixed results. He is a better defender than expected, but hasn't shown much of an offensive aptitude yet
-Justin Clark, Ekey's HS teammate was supposed to be a lights out scorer, but Clark only shot 25% from the field last year and has improved to 35% (although 6 of 28 on 3s) this year. These are not acceptable numbers. I even remember a few posts on the ISU site from people who thought these 2 would be 1 and 2 in scoring by next year
-I would be surprised if Upshaw is on the roster next year. Even in garbage time he looks lost on offense and defense. A 6'6 guard, he is a perfect example of a player looking better on paper than on the court.
-Terry Johnson was a bust waiting to happen...several BF posters saw him play at the state tourney when was a HS senior and he was less than impressive. Not surprised to see him gone.
2008:
JUCO - Lloyd Phillips - graduated, had a nice career, but his lack willingness to pass the ball hurt ISU over and over
Bobby Hill - gone, twice, never played a minute
Ty Modupe - gone, never played a minute
Jeremy Robinson - gone, underachieved and left
Kellen Thornton - gone for reasons only known by a few and aren't pretty
Despite BU's struggles, at least I can feel a sense of hope because we have a solid recruiting class coming in which should compliment the current roster. We have had our share of "busts" as well over the past few seasons, but we have some solid young players who are making an impact today, whereas ISU is going to be in trouble long-term unless they can land a couple impact 2011 recruits.
As frustrated as we are with Bradley right now, ISU is in the beginning of a downward spiral...for 3 reasons I can identify:
1. 4 straight years of poor recruiting classes
2. No true PG or pass first PG leading to a noticable lack of leadership
3. No above average perimeter defenders
4. All of the players who helped them to their recent success are gone
Let's look at the 4 most recent recruiting classes:
2011:
-Zeisloft is a poor man's Ben Brust (who can't find a way off the bench at Wisconsin despite his shooting ability) who can't defend and is too slow to guard an athletic 2.
-I think Nic Moore will be an ok player for ISU, but his height will always hold him back from a really high level of success. Going back through Valley rosters over the past several years, I can't find a single impact player under 5'10. Granted, we are talking about the difference of 1 inch, but many reports say that Nic Moore is more like 5'7. Plus, does ISU need ANOTHER shoot first PG?
2010:
I stated about 6 months ago that nobody in the 2010 recruiting class will make an impact except Wilkins, and this statement is looking true thus far.
-Threloff is a project in the Andrew Davis/Nate Wells mold and won't see the floor until 2013.
-Cousin and Smith are mediocre backup PGs...neither even average 2 apg (whereas our 3rd string SF (Eastman) is averaging 2 apg). If they were both freshman, their play would be fine b/c you know they will grow over the next season or two, but for JUCO players, they are both underachieving.
-Wilkins will be good, will likely lead the team in scoring in his last 2 years, but may take another year to get the flow of D1. His is proving to be a very streaky shooter and poor defender, but he has the raw talent to improve...if he is willing to work at it.
2009:
-Carmichel was a freaking steal...how he got away from the BCS schools is beyond me. He is one of 2 players on ISUs roster that I wish BU had.
-Austin Hill is doing exactly what you would hope a high scoring JUCO guard would do, and is a solid recruit
-Ekey wasn't ready last year, but has started part of this year with very mixed results. He is a better defender than expected, but hasn't shown much of an offensive aptitude yet
-Justin Clark, Ekey's HS teammate was supposed to be a lights out scorer, but Clark only shot 25% from the field last year and has improved to 35% (although 6 of 28 on 3s) this year. These are not acceptable numbers. I even remember a few posts on the ISU site from people who thought these 2 would be 1 and 2 in scoring by next year
-I would be surprised if Upshaw is on the roster next year. Even in garbage time he looks lost on offense and defense. A 6'6 guard, he is a perfect example of a player looking better on paper than on the court.
-Terry Johnson was a bust waiting to happen...several BF posters saw him play at the state tourney when was a HS senior and he was less than impressive. Not surprised to see him gone.
2008:
JUCO - Lloyd Phillips - graduated, had a nice career, but his lack willingness to pass the ball hurt ISU over and over
Bobby Hill - gone, twice, never played a minute
Ty Modupe - gone, never played a minute
Jeremy Robinson - gone, underachieved and left
Kellen Thornton - gone for reasons only known by a few and aren't pretty
Despite BU's struggles, at least I can feel a sense of hope because we have a solid recruiting class coming in which should compliment the current roster. We have had our share of "busts" as well over the past few seasons, but we have some solid young players who are making an impact today, whereas ISU is going to be in trouble long-term unless they can land a couple impact 2011 recruits.
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