Re: Alvin Mitchell is a Bearcat

[dmuc2000]

DF,
  First of all, getting enough "decent" players alone to field a team in this difficult situation does demonstrate good recruiting (but we've danced around this topic before).  Even so, Mick IS recruiting good players.  As mentioned in my earlier posts...building a team around 4 year players is a recent key to success in college B-ball (see my previous posts for explanations).  He has recruited 5 players that rank anywhere from #26 to #135 (either on Rivals, Scout or ESPN)...and given most of them are #120-#150 (but as most people on here note...after the top 25-30, the rest of the top 200 are basically the same).  All of them seem like guys who will learn the system and play for 4 years and all are TOP 150 ranked...that seems like an incredible job!
    Now combine the fact that we add a McDonald's All-American PF, who has 2 years of big time college experience and a year in our system (Mike Williams).  Then add a 6'10" player (Adam H.) who has a year in our system (heck, any 6'10" guy better than Ronald Allen that UC gets is a huge success...our Center this season was either a slow SF (Sikes) or a walk on Tight End Barwin).  Now factor in the rumor that McClain (a top 50 recruit and a Top Center) will commit, and Boom!  That's sounds unbelievable to me!  Event though I would like a top PG...I think that getting the best players available is the key for these first 2 years. We were simply not talented enough all this season.
   Yes, I agree that we don't have a PG, and that is perhaps the most important position on the court.  But , most good PG's were already off the table before Mick even got the job.  I'm confident that in 2008 we will get a solid PG...Angelo Johnson, Jordan Theodore, Kemba Walker, Chris Wyse, etc. and I think that's where Mick is banking his money.  Combine a PG with all the freshman coming in next season who will have a year experience, Vaughn as a Junior, and most likely Yancey Gates (a baby Fortson) and we are on our way!  It's not like we were going to build a Top 10 team overnight, so I think having a shot a Top 25 team in year 3 is incredible and a result of "Great" recruiting!
    On another note, I agree that our PG play this year was absolutely horrible and that it is vital to Tourney success!  But maybe part of the reason that our PG were so bad was because Warren and Vaughn tried to do too much...and in turn, didn't play the point that well.  NVE iwas in a league of his own.  But Taron Barker's only starting season he had Maxiell, Hicks, Field...guys much better than the current team.  Legree had Fortson and Art Long and crew.  K-Satt was good as a frosh with all the studs around him, but struggled as a soph unitl Logan took over.  And I agree that Vaughn is more or a SG, but that's what I thought about Logan...but by the time he was a senior, he had that rare gift of knowing exactly what to do with the ball everytime!  He wasn't faster than any PG's and certainly wasn't taller...but he had the instincts.  I think Vaughn has a lot of that in him...he was just asked to do way too much as a freshman AND didn't have very much talent around him to work with.
 
   And for those who don't think 5 Top 150 players is an achievement...look at some of the past UC High School recruits (only guys that came to UC as freshman, not transfers or JUCO's).  To make it fun...I'll list the transfers and JUCO's in ().
 
2000
Field Williams #120-150
Rod Flowers- Not Ranked
(Antwan Jones-?)
(Jamaal Davis-Not Ranked in HS)
(Immanuel McIlroy-Not Ranked in HS)
 
2001 
Jason Maxiell   #25-40
Jamaal Lucas-Not Ranked
John Meeker-Not Ranked (Walk On)
(Jimmy Hubbard-Not Ranked in HS)
(Derek Hollman-Not Ranked in HS)
(Taron Barker-Not Ranked in HS)
 
2002
Chadd Moore   #50-80
Eric Hicks     #68-88
Armien Kirkland  #109-136
(Tony Bobbitt- #24-50 in HS/Prep)
(Kareem Johnson-Not Ranked in HS)
 
2003
Mike Pilgrim  #(around 200 somewhere)
Asrangue Souleymane-Not Ranked
(Nick Williams- Not Ranked)
(Robert Whaley- #7-10 in HS)
(James White- #10-15 in HS)
 
2004
Vincent Banks- #89-120 (not counting only "Prep" school ranking)
Roy Bright #20-50
(Jihad Muhammad- Not Ranked)
Ryan Patzwald- Not Ranked (Walk On)
 
2005
Devan Downey #50-65
Abdul Herrera #170-266
DeAndre Coleman #297
Domonic Tilford #518
(Cedric McGowan- Not Ranked in HS)
 
2007
Larry Davis #135 (was higher before injury)
Jason Henry #26-49
Rashad Bishop #125
Alvin Mitchell #135
Kenny Belton #120
Anthony McClain #40*******
(Mike Williams- Top 25 in HS)
(Adam H. was HUGE in Euro HS...just kidding)
 
Hardly ever have we gotten even 3 to 150 HS guys in the same class.  I love the 2002 class, and think it's a shame that Chadd got hurt, Kirk got hurt and all 3 never got to finish their careers with Huggs (or a true center on their roster).  But this is evidence to the importance of recruiting great 4 year HS players.  They were the foundation of our team (with Maxiell...4 years and White...3 years) for those years.
 
   Besides, I would rather have a Top 150 HS guy develop in our system for 4 years...than a TOP 50 JUCO who isn't that good to begin with and then leave as soon as he finally figures it out.  In short, the players Mick has gotten fit his vision of how to build a successful program from the complete mess he came from.  Heck, I'd be happy with this class in a regular year.  2008 should bring us Gates and a top PG, along with 6'8" Wilks (#80  ranked now).  We are on the way.
  
  Great job Mick!  And the future looks very bright.
 
-dmuc
 
*******************************************************************************
 
"Pete,

I believe you make my point and again said little close to nothing.

You rave about the great job Mick has done recruiting, yet some how neglect
to mention anything about the players in the recruiting class. It seems
that those two things should some how go together.

In your subsequent post about point guards , you suggest we don't have a
problem. You say, "Warren- steady ball-handler with low turnovers." Are
you on crack? He had 72 turnovers with only 97 assists a 1.3 ratio. Taron
Barker in his senior year had 140 assists and 49 turnovers. Vaughn had 73
turnovers and only 106 assists.

Further, Vaughn was a 75% free throw shooter; Warren was 60%! When the
score is close and we are late in the game, who is going to handle the ball
when the other team has to foul?

I know, it takes a little bit of work to look up the stats and actually
think, especially when they don't really support what you want to believe.

I agree, there were times when Vaughn demonstrated he could dribble
penetrate. He also passes well. He was used primarily at the 2 guard this
season. It is hard to know how well he would do handling the point for a
full 30-35 minutes.

I'll wait to see Henry play the point before commenting on him. From what I
read, he is a wing player (one article mention DerMarr Johnson, others have
said James White).

Again, given the recent conversations about recruiting and point guards, and
the importance of good point guard play for tournament success, it's my
opinion, we do not have a solid court general in the fold or even on the
horizon.

Go Cats!
DF"

 
 
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