Ok, so regular readers on this blog probably think I am one of those negative fans that always look on the dark side and never look at the positive. Well, let me just say this, I LOVE the University of Georgia-following the sports programs of the university is a passion for me. I grew up following the sports programs, I graduated from UGA, I have attended a ton of football games over the years, I truly bleed red and black as do most that read this blog-oh and thanks for reading! So, I like to call myself a realist when it comes to our programs. Currently, I LOVE all three coaches for our major sports programs-which I consider football, basketball and baseball. That being said, I see flaws in each and every one of them as well. But then again, EVERY person has flaws and every coach has flaws-just look at the former head coach at THE Ohio State University as an example. So, while I love to heap praise on coaches and players when they need it, I also am not afraid to share my opinion when things look bleak. Now that I have opened with that disclaimer, I have been critical of Mark Fox and his recruiting efforts so I have decided to blog today about his recruiting efforts.
First of all, let's look at our current roster as it stands today-
SR's
Dustin Ware-G
Gerald Robinson-G
Connor Nolte-G-F
Matt Bucklin-G
JR's
Vincent Williams-G
Sherrard Brantley-G
John Florveus-C
SOPH's
Marcus Thornton-F
Donte Williams-F
FR
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-G
Tim Dixon-F/C
John Cannon-C
Nemanja Djurisic-F
So, that is a total of 13 on scholarship, of course Bucklin and Nolte both are walkons that have been given spots, thus those two were the spots available for Harrow and or Ware. So, as you see in our roster, we are short on guards and thus why losing these two national recruits really hurts. Granted, the two Kentucky schools they chose instead have a boatload more tradition in hoops and coaches that are on the elite level-also slimeball coaches but that is another issue all together. If you were to list a starting unit off this roster, I think you have to have a 3 guard lineup-Ware, Robinson, Caldwell-Pope, Thornton/Williams and then either Florveus/Cannon/Dixon. Or you play both Thornton and Williams and you don't have a big man in the middle. Now, after this year you lose Ware and Robinson. You are left with Vincent Williams, Caldwell-Pope, and Sherrard Brantley as your guards-YIKES. Again, Harrow could have stepped right in here and been a starter day one, UK I can bet will recruit another stud or two at PG, Harrow will have to share time almost guaranteed. Just makes you really wonder, NBA folks will find you regardless where you play-if you can play.
To break down Mark Fox's recruiting since he arrived, let's break down his lists. Remember, I think most people, myself included, worried about his recruiting from the first day he arrived having no connections to this area. He did hire a couple assistants that had some recruiting ties to the ATL but Mark Fox himself was a virtual unknown. He was hired in the spring of 2009 so he basically didn't have a first recruiting class but here is the class of 2009. DeMario Mayfield who never showed up in Athens, and Vincent Williams-a late signee from Miami, Fla. Both these kids were 3 stars. Class of 2010, Sherrard Brantley-a JUCO that was not ranked by rivals, Marcus Thornton and Donte Williams, both 3 stars. Marcus of course was set to got to Clemson until Oliver Purnell left for another job-it was a great get for Fox just because Marcus was state of Ga. player of the year and had a lot of potential. Class of 2011, Cannon, Djurisic, Dixon, Florveus, all 3 stars. The shining jewel of the Mark Fox recruiting efforts for his 3 recruiting cycles, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a 5 star and McDonald's all American. Both Harrow and Kevin Ware mentioned the chance to play with him when talking about UGA but both went elsewhere. Now, certainly getting CP was HUGE for Coach Fox but as you can see, other than this one kid, his recruiting has been no better than that of Dennis Felton. Look at the last 3 recruiting classes brought in by Felton-2006 Takais Brown and Albert Jackson-Takais was force but of course ended up flunking out. Albert was a 3 star big guy that never really panned out. 2007 class, Chris Barnes, Jeremey Jacob, Troy Brewer, Jeremy Price, and Zac Swansey. Barnes, Brewer and Swansey all 3 stars, Jacob and Price both 4 stars. Course Barnes and Price ended up being decent if not solid players-especially Price, Swansey helped out a little bit, Jacob and Brewer nothing. 2008 class, Thompkins, Leslie, Ware, Ebuka Anyaorah, Drazen Zlovaric. Of course we all know the first three on this list have turned out to be good players, all these guys were 3 stars except Thompkins who was a 4 star.
So, Felton's last 3 years recruiting, no 5 stars but 3 four stars. Fox's first 3 years recruiting, 1 5 star and no 4 stars. Now, if you look at Felton's first three years, you might give Fox an edge because Felton brought in Steve Newman, Dave Bliss, Younes Idrissi, Marcus Sikes but also in his first three years in brought in Levi Stukes, Channing Toney, Sundiata Gaines, Mike Mercer, Bobby Humphrey, Terrance Woodbury, and of course signed Lou Williams who never played. So, maybe it is a wash??? Also, Felton was recruiting in a time when our program, already a tough sale, had the Harrick mess/dark cloud hanging over us. It was a tough time.
This brings us to the class of 2012. This upcoming class will be Mark Fox's 4th class, he is coming off a great season for our program BUT also has lost his two top players. The SEC east is TOUGH and not getting any easier. This is why this recruiting class is SOOOO important and why UGA hoops fans have been paying such close attention to how this class shapes up. Looking at our roster, it is pretty easy to see where we need help-guard/wings are a really big need. We need a great point guard, we need more guys that can flat out shoot the basketball, I think we have a lot of big bodies, we have to hope one or two of them can offer some offensive scoring ability. The bigs that are in the class of 2012 appear for certain to be headed out of state. But, there are a lot of guard/wings possible that have UGA under consideration. Let me look at a few of the top ones-
Shaq Goodwin, F SWDekalb-ok, so this is a big guy (6'8" 230lbs) but he is ranked #1 in the state by Rivals but also is very interested in playing football in college as well as hoops. He would be a big get but Memphis is a big player for this one.
Marcus Hunt-listed as F but is listed at 6-5 so more of a small forward/wing type player. Is very interested in UGA and his friend and football player from his high school Amarlo Herrera will be at UGA this fall.
Jordan Adams-listed as F, but more of a wing player at 6-5, playing at bb power Oak Hill Academy. This kid also likes Memphis amoung others, he really likes UGA as well but we shall see.
Kenny Gaines-SG listed at 6-4, has visited this spring and had a great time. This kid seems like we have a legit shot to get.
Jordan Price-SG at 6-4, he currently favors AU but UGA is recruiting him pretty heavy.
Charles Mann-SG at 6-5, UGA recently offered, as did GT. He has 12 offers but says he is open to all schools at this point.
Here is an out of state player that has shown a little interest in UGA-
DeOndre Haynes from Calera, Alabama at 6-2.
I am having a lot of trouble finding a point guard that is interested in UGA at the moment-again, this makes the Harrow decision troubling to me. Of course Kentucky lost Brandon Knight to the NBA draft but have the top PG in the nation for 2011 heading in this fall-Marquis Teague-brother of Jeff Teague that plays for the Hawks.
So there you have it, a breakdown of UGA recruiting past, present and future. Those prospects I listed above, most are 3 or 4 star players, Goodwin is a 5 star and ranked #13 in the nation, Marcus Hunt is a 4 star and ranked #56, Jordan Adams is a 4 star and ranked #69, Gaines is a 4 star and ranked #98, Mann is a 3 star and ranked #135. There are other Ga kids ranked in the top 150 but I didn't mention them because I don't think we have a shot at them. But, with what I have listed, you would hope we can land 2-3 of them and we NEED to do just that.
Mark Fox has proven to me that he can coach basketball but he is coaching in a division that has Billy D, Cal, and Kevin Stallings-those three guys are really good coaches. Those 3 also are recruiting better talent. Great coaching and great talent=tough to beat with great coaching and just good talent. I am very hopeful that our recruiting efforts can pick up for the class of 2012 but if not, I am afraid we are going to have to be happy finishing at best 4th most years in the SEC east-that is assuming the SEC does not do away with divisions for basketball which leads me to my final update of the day, the SEC meetings in Destin.
I will be in Santa Rosa Beach next week so no blog, thankfully the SEC ego machines will be out of town by then-you can imagine how it must be this week with football coaches, basketball coaches, AD's and presidents all in town-WOW. One of the issues they are discussing this week is the practice of oversigning-should the limit be reduced from the current 28-of which only 25 can enroll in a given year. I am like Mark Richt, I have no problem with signing 28 as long as you are up front with the kids that are 26-28, telling them, they will not have a spot if 1-25 all qualify. Course the nature of the beast is, a lot of these kids are not the brighest light bulbs and so if you sign 28, you feel your odds are really good that at least 3 will not qualify for admission. I think the major problem that exists is what coaches like Saban will do. After a couple years in his program, he has pretty good idea which kids are never going to pan out, so (and this is just my opinion) calls the kid in and says, hey son, you are never going to see the field here, why don't I work out a deal for you to transfer to a smaller program OR didn't you have a neck/shoulder/knee injury during the spring, how about we just call it like it is, this injury is going to prevent you from ever playing college football again-right son! We have a medical spot for you, we will still pay your way but that will clear a spot for our next stud-you ok with that?
The basketball coaches are trying to get the divisions scrapped in favor of just a 12 team conference-and Billy D even wants to slot for the SEC tourney based on RPI. I am in favor of getting rid of the divisions in both basketball and baseball to be honest. They serve no purpose in either sport in my opinion. There is no championship game and that is truly the ONLY reason division play is needed.
Ok, all for now, hope you all have a great day and stay out of the heat. Wow, too hot for June 1st, this is more like mid to late July, early August temps.
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