Based on the ESPN ASun recruiting page, how would you rate the recruiting classes? Below is my "not a recruiting expert" opinion. Let me know how you would rate.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruitin...son%3d2010

1. Stetson - 3 players with an average rating of 84+ makes this class tops so far. It also seems to have a good mixture of inside and outside players.

2. UNF - They on have 1 player on the list, but he's rated at 83 which should be helpful on a team needing more talent.

3. Belmont - Only one player rated at 82. Being from a fifth year program, he should have some extra game experience with a higher level of competition to prepare him. Not on the list is a 6-11 270 lb. big man for the future after hopefully a red shirt year.

3. (tie) Campbell - One HS recruit rated at 82 and some junior college inside help that is rated in the 70s. Campbell needs the inside help, but will the 70s rated inside guys be able to contribute well enough right away?

4. Mercer - 5 players on the list with the top rated at 85. That is nice, but there are a lot of players rated in the 70s to replace some strong players that Mercer depended on. It seems to not improve the talent level for the team.

5. Jacksonville - A fairly strong shooting guard to replace the void left by Ben Smith. Will he be enough?

6. Lipscomb - They need a PG and they signed one rated at 78.

7. Kennesaw - 1 SF rated at 78 on a team that seems to have a strength in the forward position.

8. Upstate - Adds 3 players, but no player is rated above 76. It doesn't look like they are improving the talent level.

9. Eastern Tennessee State - ETSU has the luxury of not losing much talent off their NCAA tournament team. They only sign one player rated at 70. At least they have time to develop him for the future.

I wouldn't put to much faith in these rankings.

(04-19-2010 03:43 PM)afro4president Wrote:  I wouldn't put to much faith in these rankings.

I don't really, I'm just raising some discussion. The off season is too long for me. Every so often, I have to get a basketball fix.

I'm with you 2002 about the basketball fix. I'm suffering from withdrawals myself.

I follow recruiting intently throughout the season and into the offseason. While I'm no expert by any stretch, here are some of my observations: First, recruiting services (Rivals, ESPN, Hoopmasters, scout) are woefully inaccurate in evaluating mid-major talent. The rating systems (e.g., 1-5 stars on Rivals & Scout, number ratings on ESPN) seem arbitrary to me. I will say, however, that some of those site are getting incrementally better, perhaps because of the prominance of AAU throughout the country, but are still focused on evaluating the John Wall's of the world. ESPN's insider coverage (which I'm too cheap to buy) provides some nice summaries on players that we've signed the last two years. I don't know if there is a market out there (other than for us lunatics) for a more comprehensive recruiting service, but there is certainly a gap in coverage.

It would be interesting to look at ESPN's analysis of these prospects in a retrospective manner. That is, one, two, or three years from now, do these rankings predict future performance? Will Stetson's 84-ranked player be an all-conference player down the road? Or, collectively, will Stetson's 2010 class be the best group of incoming freshman by next season's end?

My guess....No!! While a player or two will develop as predicted, as a whole, these rankings will be as predictive as our speculation on the matter!

(04-19-2010 08:57 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  It would be interesting to look at ESPN's analysis of these prospects in a retrospective manner. That is, one, two, or three years from now, do these rankings predict future performance? Will Stetson's 84-ranked player be an all-conference player down the road? Or, collectively, will Stetson's 2010 class be the best group of incoming freshman by next season's end?

My guess....No!! While a player or two will develop as predicted, as a whole, these rankings will be as predictive as our speculation on the matter!

There is also the matter of the coach that gets the player. Do they develop them or do nothing with them? Can the coaching staff at Stetson develop those guys?

Some coaches are good recruiters, but do little with what they get. Others may not recruit as well, but they get the most from their players. Rating services cannot factor those things in to the equation either.

(04-20-2010 04:41 PM)Bruin2002 Wrote:  There is also the matter of the coach that gets the player. Do they develop them or do nothing with them? Can the coaching staff at Stetson develop those guys?

Some coaches are good recruiters, but do little with what they get. Others may not recruit as well, but they get the most from their players. Rating services cannot factor those things in to the equation either.

Good points.

Kennesaw signed 2 JUCO's out of Central Arizona as well. I have heard some great things about them from former players. ESPN and others dont really do their homework when it comes to mid-major recruits or schools.

Regarding the value of ESPN Insider rankings: The 4 highest scoring A-Sun recruits last year were generally outperformed by the 5 lowest scoring:

Brandon Barnes - 87
Joel Naburgs - 87
Tevin Swann - 86
Josh Sparks - 84

Vs

Jerron Granberry - 75
Ricky Krainiak – 75
Jimmy McMurrin – 74
Liam McInerney – 73
Hunter Miller - 70

Who would Belmont rather have at guard, Ian Clark (83) or Joel Naburgs (87), Brandon Barnes (87) or Tevin Swann (86)? I know that ETSU is much happier with Sheldon Cooley (80) than Bruce Grimm (82) who transferred down to tiny Grace college.

Anybody interested in recruiting looks at ESPN Insiders because they're about all we have. But their track record so far doesn't look very good.