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(06-10-2021 08:10 AM)Banter Wrote:  

(06-10-2021 07:49 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(06-10-2021 07:29 AM)nachoman91 Wrote:  

(06-09-2021 02:14 PM)RealDeal Wrote:  Without going through year by year it felt like there was a gap between the Cash/Yancy/SK classes and the run that got us to consecutive 30 win seasons with the Troy-Jarron classes. I guess the gap can't be as long as it felt since SK played with Troy as a 5th yr senior. I don't remember much in between there. But we all agree he didn't recruit as well when he started to feel unhappy here.

In Cronin's last 7 years here's all the 4-star or higher guys.

Keith Williams (#128)
Jaron Cumberland (#56)
Jacob Evans (#130)
Gary Clark (#109)

That's less than one 4-star guy a year and only one Top 100 recruit.

And it just so happens UC's best team in Cronin's 15 year was when those 4 guys where all on the same team.

If Wes isn't landing one 4-star guy every year then he's not recruiting well enough.

Bolded, hard to disagree with your assertion here with the evidence presented. Looking at those four, it's interesting that Evans @ #130 far exceeded #128 Williams in terms of development and draft potential; Williams was a superb athlete and seemed better as a role player than a go to guy at crunch time.

With that said, yes, more of these type players are needed as we never really know which will become Bearcat Hall of Famers or All Americans, and which won't reach those heights.

And thinking further about that list, imagine just one more 4 star every other recruiting cycle and I think Mick would have delivered a couple more Sweet Sixteen trips and an Elite Eight during his time here.

We can always recruit better in every sport, and I do love when we get higher ranked guys. Its exciting, but I think its more important to find the right guys. I think it was apparent the moment both Clark and Evans stepped on Campus that they were undervalued as recruits.

If we can continue to find those types of guys I won't worry/care as much about rankings. It would be exciting to get some guys closer to the top 50 though.

I am sure that there were plenty of higher ranked recruits during Cronin's time that would have "fit in" and "fit the system" at UC.

Huggs seemed to find plenty that did.

I hope Coach Wes finds them too.