(05-28-2018 05:00 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote: I don't think that, under the circumstances, the 2017-18 frosh class was ever regarded as much more than warm bodies so that we had enough numbers to field a team. The 2018-19 freshman class has been recruited under what was clearly a more organized effort. Let's see what happens to them.
It does seem to me that in this day of one-and-done, a reasonable strategy might be to focus on recruits whose academic and personal makeups suggest they will stay for four, and count on coaching them up. That's not an easy strategy to implement, and it would take time to realize positive results. But it might be the way we have to go.
I agree. Given how little time he had, and the Rhoades departure and the cannibalization of the roster which was very disappointing to see from Rhoades, (who I though had a bit more class than that), I don't think you can start the clock on Pera until this season, much as I dislike that apparent reality.
Pera's resume includes some decent successes in coaching. He might not be as exciting at the moment, but I'd like to see what he does the next year or two before I entrench my feelings about him.
That said, the current situation in NCAA basketball is atrocious and makes being a fan of the college game much harder than in the past, especially at our school. Any new recruits are highly suspect until they prove some talent on the court and loyalty to getting their degrees here. Such a shame they cannot see what a superior value a Rice degree is than at Directional State U or at P5 Benchwarmer U.
I guess you could argue Obie made a reasonable trade, as a Duke degree is well-regarded, and they have superior numbers of alumni and connections to us. Still, was he "really" a part fo their championship beyond just sizing his ring? I suppose it will be interesting to see how Evans rebounds at VCU from his injury year. At Rice, he would almost assuredly left as Rice's all-time near-everything if he had stayed the full 4 seasons, and perhaps finally broken us through to the NCAAs. I just think that is such a superior path for a talented player to take than just be another name in a list at another school with more "tradition."
I don't have any blame or fault for Egor Kulechov. He transferred here, after all, finished his degree, helped us a lot, and wanted to go to a more visible and opportunistic school as a grad. Hope he catches on in the NBA--he was a fun player to watch and root for and the pro game is so bad nowadays, they need more players like Egor for me to be interested again.
3¢.