Smith
- Thread starter acedog
- Start date
Pretty sure that's just because 4/12 is the start of the signing period, though players can sign any time between then and 5/17.
Regardless, seems like it will be hard for him to turn down Kentucky (who is visiting him as soon as the dead period closes) or Michigan State (where he's apparently visiting this weekend).
My head says MSU or Missouri, my heart still wants to believe he'll come to NU. CCC has done an excellent job on recruiting so far, and now he's got a few big additional selling points and proof of success at this level as a HC. I'd like to see him pull a rabbit out of the hat here. That said, I won't be disappointed if he doesn't. Has NU ever landed a recruit with offers from MSU or Kentucky?
MSU has Josh Lankford who is a much higher rated recruit than Mark Smith. He would be riding the pines for 2-3 years. Did you see the inconsistent minutes Alvin Ellis had in 4 years at MSU? Other than Draymond Green, who is an anomaly, which MSU players have excelled in NBA? There are not a lot of 6'6" guys who can guard like he does and stick a three. Payne, Appling, Dawson, Valentine all have not taken the NBA by storm. Izzo micro-manages every offensive possession and stifles his offense. This is not conducive for succeeding in the NBA. Just my opinion, but Smith would find himself wasting away on MSU's bench. Collins has a track record of developing players see Lindsey, McIntosh, Skelly, Law and Pardon. Even Lumpkin found his niche and role.
I get that we are all feeling that. Is that a result of our prior conditioning? as much as a respect for the competition?
We tend to think, he will probably go elsewhere. Other programs think, why would he go anywhere else?
Will we ever grow over that? What would it take?
Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph - going back 15 years though so your point still holds
Gary Harris is averaging like 15 points a game for the Nuggets. MSU has a tradition of getting players drafted. Maybe they don't turn into all stars, but they get a chance to play in the league.
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Sure, NU probably has a more pessimistic fan base than most programs. But I think it's a little much to ask us to be bullish about our chances against Kentucky.
NU fan dissing MSU's record of putting players to the NBA? That's rich.
If Smith is good enough he will succeed in the pros whether he goes to Collins or Izzo.
I believe it was Scott Burgess who does a pretty reasonable job believes Kentucky has never actually seen him play in person. I don't think he's visited UK yet either.
He also thought MSU was the latecomer Smith was looking for.
The St. Louis paper has a good article this morning about how slimy the highest levels of college basketball recruiting can be. I just can't ever see NU playing this game. That's why it's hard to envision NU becoming a player in the "one-and-done" world.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_3293086b-a92e-54a4-800c-6d4179e16c4b.html
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_3293086b-a92e-54a4-800c-6d4179e16c4b.html
I don't think all one and done guys are of the slimy variety. However, you can look at the front page of the Tribune's sports section and read about the Illinois new assistant BB coach. Who is already under NCAA investigation for recruiting violations.
I agree, Willy. But I think there is a very limited number of one-and-dones who would meet NU requirements, and who would be interested in the NU academic experience. And who doesn't have a father, uncle, AAU coach or other hanger-on looking for a job.
To be fair, Valentine has been injured most of this year. I actually think he will be OK.
The very definition of one and dones means they are generally not interested in the academic experience
I don't see Smith as a one-and-done either. And by all indications, he would be a "fit." at NU. But the way his recruiting has exploded, he may see himself as one.
Who is the major influence for advising Smith? His Dad, who is a high school basketball coach (at another school) or his AAU coach. I suppose his AAU activity is St Louis based, but I don't know. A Dad seems more likely to be concerned about over-a-lifetime issues and the results of an NU education. What or who is going on when Northwestern Wildcats and Kentucky Wildcats are discussed?
Good questions. I have seen very little "insightful" reporting about who or what is influencing Smith's decision-making process.
Word is floating around that Smith is going to announce for Sparty, but until it's a done deal, you never know.
If Izzo indeed landed Smith, should take off some of the sting of Calipari swooping in and stealing Tyler Ulis late.
While not MSU, Mirkovic had a Louisville offer and Rowley had a Georgetown offer.
Curletti had an offer to walk-on by Izzo.
Crazy to think that out of that class, Shurna only had 1 offer (albeit he committed fairly early) and was the least recruited out of the 2008 class.
Freundt had offers from DePaul, Xavier, Dayton and Bradley.
If Izzo indeed landed Smith, should take off some of the sting of Calipari swooping in and stealing Tyler Ulis late.
While not MSU, Mirkovic had a Louisville offer and Rowley had a Georgetown offer.
Curletti had an offer to walk-on by Izzo.
Crazy to think that out of that class, Shurna only had 1 offer (albeit he committed fairly early) and was the least recruited out of the 2008 class.
Freundt had offers from DePaul, Xavier, Dayton and Bradley.