2020 Recruits

To all Xavier fans, players, and especially recruits: Please know that these guys posting are just that.....just a bunch of guys. Look at the big picture, the school, the history of the basketball program, the commitment of the University, the education available, the quality of the coaches and their message, etc.

I believe in this program with all my heart. When you play in the big leagues, it’s a tough go. We are up to that challenge. Go X!

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Originally Posted by IM4X

Yes, Hayes and Johnson were at high major basketball programs, but those high major programs aren’t known for have a consistent winning tradition in basketball like our program. I asked which of Steele’s first two hires came from a “Program with a winning tradition” My point was about the benefit of have coaches around who have a mindset for winning because they have been part of a program that wins year after year (and even wins in the NCAA Tournament).

Hayes was an assistant at Georgia- a team that went to 1 NCAA tournament time (which they lost in the first round)during his tenure there. In fact, Georgia has only been to the dance 3 times in the past 16 years and never got past the first round in any of those years.

Again, my point is not to say Hayes can’t be a good coach, just that he hasn’t been part of a consistent winning experience... and so while it is possibly that he could help Steele win more, he can’t actually offer Steele any “winning” insight or strategy because the Georgia teams he coached weren’t perennial winners during the regular season or a winner at all in the NCAA tournament.

Johnson has experienced a little more success as a assistant, but he too was at a high major program that was not nearly as accustomed to winning as X. He was on the staff at UNI when they made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Both Hayes and Johnson have a good reputation for recruiting, so I get the appeal of wanting them. Yet, it also makes sense that Steele would also go after someone like Graves- an assistant who was part of a program with a winning tradition that also went to two NCAA championship titles.

I am not sure what you meant by “this is a non-point” I can only imagine it was somehow in reference to your opinion about posters here not being “in a position to judge (the assistants) in-game effectiveness.”

Hey- I’m just laying out some thoughts I had about the assistants other than Jackson (who we know a bit more about) based on what I’ve read about those assistants (and the level of success they were a part of in the past), heard from them (listening to radio shows and videos) and seen of them (by watching what they do or don’t do with players and coaches during games)... and how those thoughts of mine might play into the current situation.

This team has been struggling for a number of reasons and it makes sense (at least to me) that what the assistants have or haven’t been doing has played a role in the team’s struggles.

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So is there a pre-approved list of schools X coaches can hire their staff from to ensure they can offer winning insight? It’s a non-point because it’s just that, not a point. It makes no sense. That’s why I offered up the make up of Mack’s staff as a counter. Another example is John Beilein bringing on Luke Yaklich from Illinois State - probably the most impactful assistant coaching hire of the past decade. He didn’t exactly come from Duke.

Like I said in my last post, there’s certainly criticism of Steele’s staff to go around, but pointing to where they came from is not a good example, especially since both Hayes and Johnson were very highly regarded before joining X.

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Originally Posted by Xuperman

It's a perfect time to post something positive. All 3 of our 2020s are moving up with a lightning bolt in the updated Rivals 150. CoJo cracks the top 100. So how about we go easy on the vipered criticism of Coach Steele until his solid recruiting takes hold....looking at you Xville.

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2020

Also, according to a Brian Snow write up yesterday, X in on several Mid West 2021 prospects on the rise including 2 local kids....Lakota East SG Nate Johnson looks BEast ready and the Moel!er Big would be a nice fit for the frontcourt needs down the line.

https://247sports.com/college/basket...788/#1362747_1

https://www.wcpo.com/sports/high-sch...ime-since-2012

It's likely the "Core 4" era is coming to an end. If that's the case, there is clear separation because of the Mack lost class. With Carter, James, Hanson as the only returning upper classmen, we're basically in a legit rebuild. Just keep stacking up high quality talent and things get back to normal quickly.

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The guy can recruit. No one will argue that. Hes not a good coach when it comes to running set plays and getting the right players on the floor together.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xuperman

It's a perfect time to post something positive. All 3 of our 2020s are moving up with a lightning bolt in the updated Rivals 150. CoJo cracks the top 100. So how about we go easy on the vipered criticism of Coach Steele until his solid recruiting takes hold....looking at you Xville.

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2020

Also, according to a Brian Snow write up yesterday, X in on several Mid West 2021 prospects on the rise including 2 local kids....Lakota East SG Nate Johnson looks BEast ready and the Moel!er Big would be a nice fit for the frontcourt needs down the line.

https://247sports.com/college/basket...788/#1362747_1

https://www.wcpo.com/sports/high-sch...ime-since-2012

It's likely the "Core 4" era is coming to an end. If that's the case, there is clear separation because of the Mack lost class. With Carter, James, Hanson as the only returning upper classmen, we're basically in a legit rebuild. Just keep stacking up high quality talent and things get back to normal quickly.

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On the core 4 being done I would think Scruggs might come back. He has not been good this year and is nowhere near cracking any mock drafts. If he leaves hes heading to Europe to play. None of the core 4 will ever be on an nba roster .

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Call me crazy, but sometimes players like to get their degree too.

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Originally Posted by MADXSTER

Call me crazy, but sometimes players like to get their degree too.

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Maybe just a bit old fashioned.

Both Jones and Odom will play for State Championships today. Both guys won their tourneys last year and are coming in hot to repeat.

https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/...ate-title.html

CoJo stuffs the stat sheet again going for 29 and 14. So happy that Steele decided on him over Niels Lane.

https://www.northfulton.com/sports/s...f12843b3b.html

Odom looks to hit campus with a variety of championships and awards. Maxpreps hasn't posted his numbers from the semi finals W but this article states he scored 14 in the 3rd......now that's gettin' it done!

https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/...-catholic.html

Wilcher's Roselle Catholic will play the mighty Patrick School today for a championship also BUT apparently CJ is hurt.
Hey EastCoast, give us an update!

https://highschoolsports.nj.com/play...wilcher-507815

great links!
I wonder why Wilcher stopped playing after 2/11/20. Is he hurt 3 games before and after?
For an amazing shooter, he does not shoot a ton of threes. Maybe he is a great defender

I was wrong on Odom playing for a Championship yesterday, his is later this week but here are the results of the other two.

Jones got somewhat stifled scoring 10 in a 40-38 loss. 3 point shooting was ugly.

https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/...oys-title.html

Wi!cher's Roselle squad also takes the loss but CJ didn't play and missed his 4th consecutive game. No mention to the extent of the injury here.

https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/...uct-crown.html

Apparently this tourney is not the last. Teams get re-shuffled for another one in March. Again, maybe someone from the area can explain.....EastCoast?

https://www.foxsports.com/college-ba.../1704626243940