2022 Recruiting: Updated Composite Rankings

[husky429]

i'm not trying to argue about AK just answering your question. included a couple PGs too b/c distinction w/o a difference in this context

cam reddish
kris middleton
nic batum (before he got fat)
paul george
kyle anderson
jimmy butler
deandre hunter
joe ingles
josh jackson
scottie barnes
josh giddey
cade cunningham
ben simmons
bonus- t-mac

Yeah 13... a couple of whom are probably not really SGs. Guys with that skillset are top 10 players we don't recruit. Getting a 6'8 knockdown shooter with a pretty well rounded shooter who will probably stay here for 3+ years is s huge luxury.

 

[Fatroony5]

Spot on. We went too hard towards athletes and coach is readjusting to balance the roster in 2021 and 2022. It's a smart move

Yep, which is why it’s important to go thru full cycle of classes. And often why it can take awhile to really get things “hummin.” First classes are about getting up the talent level, years 4-6 are about stacking and readjusting as needed which we are definitely starting to see. I really like the direction this thing is headed in. Focusing on the high school talent and forgoing playing the transfer market (yes I get they were interested but didn’t reach on anyone there) will pay major dividends for this team long term.

 

[Pudge]

I'd take Alex Karaban ... as a comparable to Kevin Huerter and call it a day. This BS about hip fluidity and quickness ... misses the kid making the fighting through defenders + thinking the game's right move at the right time. We are going to love his game.

 

[auggie22]

Not trying to be argumentative but I have seen his height listed at 6’8 and 6’7, which means he is probably closer to 6’6. Karaban said he views himself as a guard / wing for a reason and I think that reason is because he knows his size has him playing 2/3 at the next level.

and there are LOTS of 6’6 2/3’s in college.

 

[NJHoops]

Spot on. We went too hard towards athletes and coach is readjusting to balance the roster in 2021 and 2022. It's a smart move

You keep saying that. I think you disagree with their initial approach to re-building and mischaracterize the entirety of the approach (which I do know just a little about).

 

[87Xfer]

Martin getting minutes at the 2 was more a function of the roster composition than an ideal skill set for the 2. Martin got minutes there because of injuries to Bouk, and Polley and Jackson recovering from injuries.

On an ideal roster, Martin is a 3 or a 4.

Not saying I love Martin as a 2 for us, but what do you make of the article a while back where Martin said the goal is for him to spend more time at guard? Bluffing? He's uninformed?

 

[navery12]

Not saying I love Martin as a 2 for us, but what do you make of the article a while back where Martin said the goal is for him to spend more time at guard? Bluffing? He's uninformed?

A player who sees the logjam of players vying for minutes at the 3 and wants to do anything possible to get himself on the court. And there's nothing wrong with that, just doesn't make it more likely to happen IMO

 

[husky429]

You keep saying that. I think you disagree with their initial approach to re-building and mischaracterize the entirety of the approach (which I do know just a little about).

I Respect a lot of what you say on here (and 95% of what our coaches have done) but we lost games because we didn't have enough skill on the floor last season on the wings. It just seems obvious Literally as soon as the season ended we start getting reports of recruiting higher skilled players like Karaban and Fillipowski. The coaches changed the recruiting paradigm to have more balance.

No one planned to lose those games, and no one planned for Bouk to be a 20ppg scorer carrying the team because we had no consistent offense outside of his heroics. He wasn't supposed to be this good.

We didn't recruit AL of Kelis Fisher that hard until after the season--I know that for certain. Maybe it was the plan to switch to recruiting more skill eventually and the staff needed to move that timeline up--idk. It just feels like the Maryland loss changed things for the program. Karaban even said the coaches referred to him as a type of player they haven't recruited in the past

The reality is our coach in not infallible. Every coach has blind spots. Brilliant recruiter and motivator, develops talent and a hell of a defensive coach. But He hasn't shown the ability to utilize shooters and run a solid offense without relying having one of the best scorers in D1 picking up the slack at the high major level. We NEEDED skill, especially if we don't change our offense. The evidence was on the court and things changed.

I would think Murray's hire will have a big impact on our offense is coach is willing to listen and be flexible (no reason to believe he wouldn't be).

 

[CL82]

You keep saying that. I think you disagree with their initial approach to re-building and mischaracterize the entirety of the approach (which I do know just a little about).

So, what was the approach in sentence or two? Is the better caliber players were seeing now just a function of being further along the rebuilding timeline?

 

[MDHuskFan]

I Respect a lot of what you say on here (and 95% of what our coaches have done) but we lost games because we didn't have enough skill on the floor last season on the wings. It just seems obvious Literally as soon as the season ended we start getting reports of recruiting higher skilled players like Karaban and Fillipowski. The coaches changed the recruiting paradigm to have more balance.

No one planned to lose those games, and no one planned for Bouk to be a 20ppg scorer carrying the team because we had no consistent offense outside of his heroics. He wasn't supposed to be this good.

We didn't recruit AL of Kelis Fisher that hard until after the season--I know that for certain. Maybe it was the plan to switch to recruiting more skill eventually and the staff needed to move that timeline up--idk. It just feels like the Maryland loss changed things for the program. Karaban even said the coaches referred to him as a type of player they haven't recruited in the past

The reality is our coach in not infallible. Every coach has blind spots. Brilliant recruiter and motivator, develops talent and a hell of a defensive coach. But He hasn't shown the ability to utilize shooters and run a solid offense without relying having one of the best scorers in D1 picking up the slack at the high major level. We NEEDED skill, especially if we don't change our offense. The evidence was on the court and things changed.

I would think Murray's hire will have a big impact on our offense is coach is willing to listen and be flexible (no reason to believe he wouldn't be).

While I don’t disagree with this take in it’s entirety, I will split the fence here a little and say that maybe recruiting “skilled” players at this time was part of the overall roster building plan.

Get great athletes, build a culture that revolves around defensive pressure, then integrate the skill once the foundation is strong enough to support.

We specifically targeted skill players, but maybe that’s by somewhat coincidence, not necessarily a philosophical change.

that being said, my thoughts are prob Moot as y’all are both much MUCH more valuable and insightful posters than I.

 

[How Sway?!]

I Respect a lot of what you say on here (and 95% of what our coaches have done) but we lost games because we didn't have enough skill on the floor last season on the wings. It just seems obvious Literally as soon as the season ended we start getting reports of recruiting higher skilled players like Karaban and Fillipowski. The coaches changed the recruiting paradigm to have more balance.

No one planned to lose those games, and no one planned for Bouk to be a 20ppg scorer carrying the team because we had no consistent offense outside of his heroics. He wasn't supposed to be this good.

We didn't recruit AL of Kelis Fisher that hard until after the season--I know that for certain. Maybe it was the plan to switch to recruiting more skill eventually and the staff needed to move that timeline up--idk. It just feels like the Maryland loss changed things for the program. Karaban even said the coaches referred to him as a type of player they haven't recruited in the past

The reality is our coach in not infallible. Every coach has blind spots. Brilliant recruiter and motivator, develops talent and a hell of a defensive coach. But He hasn't shown the ability to utilize shooters and run a solid offense without relying having one of the best scorers in D1 picking up the slack at the high major level. We NEEDED skill, especially if we don't change our offense. The evidence was on the court and things changed.

I would think Murray's hire will have a big impact on our offense is coach is willing to listen and be flexible (no reason to believe he wouldn't be).

I mean, we did recruit Bouknight, Sanogo, and Hawkins in back to back to back classes. That's a lot of skill

 

[NJHoops]

I Respect a lot of what you say on here (and 95% of what our coaches have done) but we lost games because we didn't have enough skill on the floor last season on the wings. It just seems obvious Literally as soon as the season ended we start getting reports of recruiting higher skilled players like Karaban and Fillipowski. The coaches changed the recruiting paradigm to have more balance.

No one planned to lose those games, and no one planned for Bouk to be a 20ppg scorer carrying the team because we had no consistent offense outside of his heroics. He wasn't supposed to be this good.

We didn't recruit AL of Kelis Fisher that hard until after the season--I know that for certain. Maybe it was the plan to switch to recruiting more skill eventually and the staff needed to move that timeline up--idk. It just feels like the Maryland loss changed things for the program. Karaban even said the coaches referred to him as a type of player they haven't recruited in the past

The reality is our coach in not infallible. Every coach has blind spots. Brilliant recruiter and motivator, develops talent and a hell of a defensive coach. But He hasn't shown the ability to utilize shooters and run a solid offense without relying having one of the best scorers in D1 picking up the slack at the high major level. We NEEDED skill, especially if we don't change our offense. The evidence was on the court and things changed.

I would think Murray's hire will have a big impact on our offense is coach is willing to listen and be flexible (no reason to believe he wouldn't be).

I don’t care what anyone says about the coach. This is your place to say whatever, which is why I don‘t really come here. This is not about that. I’m not stupid enough to think anyone is infallible, my goodness. It goes back to what I said before, a lot of people think his rebuilds take a step too long, but they have their plan. I think you’d probably find it interesting to talk basketball with him and would probably be surprised by some things. But it’s fine, they’ll come out this season and play how they’ll play and anyone can attribute it to anything they want (Murray, Akok, fans back in the stands, Mercury in retrograde, another full recruiting class on board, whatever). It should be a fun one.

 

[husky429]

I don’t care what anyone says about the coach. This is your place to say whatever, which is why I don‘t really come here. This is not about that. I’m not stupid enough to think anyone is infallible, my goodness. It goes back to what I said before, a lot of people think his rebuilds take a step too long, but they have their plan. I think you’d probably find it interesting to talk basketball with him and would probably be surprised by some things. But it’s fine, they’ll come out this season and play how they’ll play and anyone can attribute it to anything they want (Murray, Akok, fans back in the stands, Mercury in retrograde, another full recruiting class on board, whatever). It should be a fun one.

I don't think the rebuild is taking too long. It's faster than I expected. I think they made some mistakes roster building and they readjusted the plan after this season. That's all. And honestly it's pretty obvious. A recruit literally mentioned it in an interview. It's pretty shocking you don't see that.

 

[Mhuskmayne]

I don't think the rebuild is taking too long. It's faster than I expected. I think they made some mistakes roster building and they readjusted the plan after this season. That's all. And honestly it's pretty obvious. A recruit literally mentioned it in an interview. It's pretty shocking you don't see that.

You’re a genius that’s all it is

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I don't think the rebuild is taking too long. It's faster than I expected. I think they made some mistakes roster building and they readjusted the plan after this season. That's all. And honestly it's pretty obvious. A recruit literally mentioned it in an interview. It's pretty shocking you don't see that.

I've seen what you've seen, but I don't think they necessarily represented "mistakes" or improper focus.

The guys we've gone after for 2023 perhaps wouldn't have been interested in prior years. The rebuild has struck me as incremental and sequential, and the schools we've gone up against (and bested) is most reflective of this.

For 2021 & 2022, the targets were elevated, and for 2023 they are higher still. So is the competition for recruits, as will be the pressure to perform in the post-season. The progression has made sense.

I've been favorably impressed by adjustments in the face of late losses, injuries, conference change, the pandemic, the transfer portal, and more. Changes will keep coming: NIL, transfers, conference shifts, etc.

The responsiveness to change has been a good thing and conditions me to anticipate a culture of continuous improvement.

 

[Waquoit]

The rebuild has struck me as incremental and sequential, and the schools we've gone up against (and bested) is most reflective of this.

And most important to me, sustainable. They sign three and now we read about the work they are putting into the next class. Building a real program.

 

[bendm]

You keep saying that. I think you disagree with their initial approach to re-building and mischaracterize the entirety of the approach (which I do know just a little about).

Care to accurately characterize the approach or just hold it over our heads?

whats the mischaracterizarion you take issue with? Imputing Hurley’s reasoning for the very apparent shift to more skilled players versus athletic ones? Whether it was always the plan or a necessary reaction? We’d all love to know why he started with athletic players versus skilled ones?

Regardless of Hurley’s reasoning, which is what you claim to have insight into, the shift in tactic is unanimously supported

 

[dennismenace]

It's because they're projecting his NBA ability more than his curent productivity. He'll be a beast of a college player. The NBA is an uphill battle for him

That's a great insight in very few words. Like a Venn diagram. Two different worlds with very little overlap. But very real.

 

[dennismenace]

I see Karaban as the Classic fundamentals solid player from the 1970s. Athletic. Great shooting. Great passer. High IQ. Great movement off the ball. Except he is 6-8. There's definitely 3+ inches gained over several generations. Can he play 2 through 4 - maybe 5. Depends on matchups.

Exactly. That is why he reminds me somewhat of John Havlicek. 3 inches shorter. Complete fundamentals, will to win, execution. The 6-8 thing is why I could never wrap my head around Majic Johnson way back then. A 6-8 point guard? C'mon. Then he plays center in the NBA finals! Talk about positionless. Actually he was all positional!

 

[Psolo12]

. does psolo12 think he's a coach? Nobody is plugging anyone into a number. And we no longer talk about a shooting guard or this/that. Its a silly stance that youve carried through to a ... silly debate

No I just have a general baseline knowledge of basketball that lets me know that a good coach like Hurley wouldn't do that.

 

[t8per]

Anyone have any idea when 247, Rivals, or ESPN tend to update their rankings? I know ESPN just updated a couple of months ago.
Was wondering if there was a history or if it's just random timing each year?

 

[rollskies]

Anyone have any idea when 247, Rivals, or ESPN tend to update their rankings? I know ESPN just updated a couple of months ago.
Was wondering if there was a history or if it's just random timing each year?

Not sure exactly how frequently, but I know 247 has been VERY slow this year. I don’t think they showed that we got Clingan until a couple days after we landed him. Not sure why or how, but I wouldn’t bank on 247 doing frequent updates as of now.

ESPN usually updates every few months or so to my knowledge

 

[ZenConn]

Would the rankings change after the reclassify? Which also means we have an open schollie for 2022

 

[DaveHuskiesFan]

Would the rankings change after the reclassify? Which also means we have an open schollie for 2022

Are you planning on Floyd Jr not being here next year?

 

[Watchdog]

I think Hans Sprungfeld called it correctly. Dan Hurley went after the best players he could get in his first couple years. He scored big with JB but the others were less skilled.
With the steady progression of the team, he and the staff have elevated their sights to players with more skill.
Watch out.

 

[ZenConn]

Are you planning on Floyd Jr not being here next year?

Doh! Brain fart. So would the rankings change since Floyd Jr is now a 2021?

 

[GoDAWGS]

I think Hans Sprungfeld called it correctly. Dan Hurley went after the best players he could get in his first couple years. He scored big with JB but the others were less skilled.
With the steady progression of the team, he and the staff have elevated their sights to players with more skill.
Watch out.

Highly disagree, akok and gaffney, spirngs were great grabs, sanago and Jackson were also great grabs, Hawkins diggins Johnson are literally on the same recruiting level as the other 5 kids. And with his 3 classes he's built a defensive mixed team with high motors and athletic ability. Every kids seems handpicked to be on this team

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Highly disagree, akok and gaffney, spirngs were great grabs, sanago and Jackson were also great grabs, Hawkins diggins Johnson are literally on the same recruiting level as the other 5 kids. And with his 3 classes he's built a defensive mixed team with high motors and athletic ability. Every kids seems handpicked to be on this team

Looking at this comment and the one it quoted , I see more of a 'both/and' than an 'either/or,' which is a good thing.

They made be inexact or even code words, but "athleticism," "talent," and "skill" tend to organize around different characteristics, and the roster has steadily progressed toward a greater sense of balance. Again, a good thing.

 

[Watchdog]

Highly disagree, akok and gaffney, spirngs were great grabs, sanago and Jackson were also great grabs, Hawkins diggins Johnson are literally on the same recruiting level as the other 5 kids. And with his 3 classes he's built a defensive mixed team with high motors and athletic ability. Every kids seems handpicked to be on this team

I see your point (at least relative to ratings), and athleticism, but my comment was aimed at demonstrated skill levels while at UConn, not what we saw in HS highlight films and what we hoped they would do. JG's stats were improved as a sophomore and AS's stats were solid for a freshman big man. The others?
Not so much.

We all love Akok, and his attitude, athletic ability, commitment to making himself a better player. All those traits are readily apparent, but his freshman stats weren't indicative of a high skill level and his last 10 games showed a decline in shooting %'s. Here's a breakdown of his full season and his last 10 games:
Full season (25 games)
-28 min/game
-41.3% FG's (48.9% on 2's)
-26.1% on 3's
-59.4% on FT's
-5.5 rebounds/game
Last 10 games:
-31.2 min/game
-31.6% FG's
-17.4% on 3's
-57.1% on FT's
-5.2 rebounds/game

Gaffney did improve first year to second, but has not yet shown what most would call a high skill level. The good news is he was statistically a better FG and 3 Point shooter in his last 10 games but fell off a bit on FT's and Assists/game. Quick look at his stats:
First year/Second year:
-19.2/19.4 min/game
-33.6%/41.0% FG's (44.8% on 2's last year)
-26.4%/36.2% on 3's
-76.9%/82.2% on FT's
-2.1/1.5 Assists/game

In his last 10 games of 2020-2021:
-17.8 min
-45.2% FG's
-38.9% on 3's
-76.9% on FT's
-1.3 Assists/game

As for Richie Springs, he's had two years to show he can play at this level and apparently hasn't shown enough, skill-wise or otherwise, to Dan Hurley to warrant playing time.

Andre Jackson has yet to show any skills other than athleticsm and spectacular passes. Quick look at stats: 2.7 points in 16.1 minutes/game in 16 games, shooting 41.0% on FG's (63.6% on 2's) and 11.8% on 3's.

Finally, Adama Sanogo, does the bulk of his scoring at the basket but has shown a nice touch on short hooks/jumpers. 55.4% on FG's for the year, along with 57.7% on FT's and 4.8 rebounds, but a little better in his last 10 games except on FT's.

 

[Kenny11]

Guys improve.