College Coaches Confidential: "Which college programs are the best talent evaluators?"
For the past two weekends, college basketball coaches were strewn out across the country, sitting courtside at various certified events and watching high school players. This weekend was the second of two live evaluation periods where college coaches are allowed by the NCAA to attend pre-approved events to live-evaluate prospective recruits.
The summer months carry eight of these opportunities, two three-day periods in April, two three-day periods in June, a four-day period in July, a two-day period in July, the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June, and the NCAA Academy in July. That is twenty-four total days; from March 29 through November 11, college coaches are able to sit courtside and live evaluate players.
The April evaluation periods can be for evaluation purposes or at least for narrowing or organizing a list of potential recruits. Make no mistake, July is for closing.
In this College Coaches Confidential segment, I talked to high-major coaches across the college basketball landscape about…
Who is a school that you think does a great job evaluating talent? A program that if you see they’re recruiting a kid you’ve never heard of, you’ll definitely take a look.
Coaches talk
An SEC Coach: “Purdue is one school that I think does a tremendous job evaluating. And if you look at some of the guys they have had that have success once they have gotten there speaks to it. The freshman guards this past year, Carsen Edwards, Zach Edey, etc.”
A former Big 12 Coach: “I think Furman does a great job. I think Bob Richey is organized, and they’re in on a lot of kids that others aren’t.”
An SEC Coach: “Colorado is one that, if I hear they have offered someone, it gets my attention.”
An ACC Coach: “Terry Johnson at Purdue does a great job. He trusts his eyes, regardless of ranking.”
An ACC Coach: “Xavier. They always seem to be ahead of the curve on kids before their blow-up occurs.”
An SEC Coach: “The Penn State (formerly VCU Staff). They evaluate really well and aren’t concerned with rankings. Can you dribble, pass, and shoot, and do you have toughness?”
A Big 12 Coach: “If Wyoming is recruiting a big, take a look. They found Graham Ike at Northern Colorado. A definitive HM big. They always had good bigs at Northern Colorado. Kenny Deweese has a good eye.”
A former coach in the SEC: “It used to be Murray State; now, if Drake or Colorado State offers a kid, I’m going to take a look.”
An ACC Coach: “Sean Rutigliano at Belmont. The guy really knows talent. Has done a great job that fits what Belmont does with Coach Alexander. With them changing leagues, they will be able to get involved with some higher-ranked players. Having a first-round draft pick this year doesn’t hurt either.”
An SEC Coach: “Chris Capko at USC, Ron Sanchez at Virginia, and Mike Young at Virginia Tech. I think all three of them do a great job of evaluating and developing talent. They also value a lot of the same things that I/we value in recruiting.”
A Coach in the American: “It’s Liberty for me. They get on guys so early and do a great job evaluating.”
An SEC Coach: “Santa Clara and Marquette are great. I think they do a great job of recruiting to their system. Don’t get caught up in rankings. It’s all about fit.“