Coaching Perspective/Recruiting

[X-Expert]

I completely agree with many that said that X shouldn't hire a coach just because of recruits and existing roster as these are kids that will only affect four years at X. However, recruiting is the lifeblood of college basketball as many coaches are very good X/Os. I always used to hear that Charlie Coles was a genius X and O guy yet his teams were only good when Wally was relevant. My point is that I believe all the coaches that appear to be on X's radar (at least that we are aware) appear to be solid X/O guys (Steele, Kelsey, Brannen, Matta, and Miller-not Alford). To that end, I am very hopeful that the decision is made very quickly upon returning from FF. X is or were in the mix for several recruits for 2018 that can really make an impact on next years team. There may be updated to these players so please feel free to correct:

Tevian Jones-was between Illinois, X, Cal, and Miss St. He visited Illinois in early March and was going to visit X after they got bounced from tourney. People were shocked he didn't commit to Illinois after the visit. Initially, he was also considering UC. He announced that he is planning on making his decision on April 11.

Marlon Taylor-(Juco)-X was listed first on his list with "high" interest.

Bryce Golden-player released from Pitt. Not sure if they really have a chance except X offered him initially

Zach Hankins (Juco)-didnt see him on anything tying him to X or any team, Michigan Musketeer mentioned that he heard that he was planning on going to X as of two weeks ago.

Jones and Taylor appear to be complete players all around. 6'5 wings who can shoot and are freak athletes. Bryce Golden is a 4 star PF who has good range inside and out to about 15 feet. Zach Hankins is a late bloomer and rate #2 Juco in the country He is 6'10 so would be a great post presence. April 11 is a big signing day so getting a coach signed and talking to recruits is huge. I was encouraged (and confused) that Travis Steele reached out to Matt Moyer's family (Syracuse transfer). From the recruiting side, we have heard from the existing players to hire Steele. Keonte Kennedy (incoming recruit) tweeted support of Steele. Semari Curtis (2019 recruit) said would honor his commitment to X if Steele is coach and finally, Matt Moyer's mom said if Travis is coach they would definitely visit X and a few other schools. He had a bunch of calls immediately after announcing his transfer. I'm sure X is doing the necessary due diligence but honestly, i would have thought they knew who it would be as soon as Pitino was fired. I also have to believe that Steele got some guidance and understanding from X administration to have him pull his name from Evansville and declining Missouri State. I could be wrong there but that would seem reasonable. Thoughts?

[muskieman]

I completely agree with many that said that X shouldn't hire a coach just because of recruits and existing roster as these are kids that will only affect four years at X. However, recruiting is the lifeblood of college basketball as many coaches are very good X/Os. I always used to hear that Charlie Coles was a genius X and O guy yet his teams were only good when Wally was relevant. My point is that I believe all the coaches that appear to be on X's radar (at least that we are aware) appear to be solid X/O guys (Steele, Kelsey, Brannen, Matta, and Miller-not Alford). To that end, I am very hopeful that the decision is made very quickly upon returning from FF. X is or were in the mix for several recruits for 2018 that can really make an impact on next years team. There may be updated to these players so please feel free to correct:

Tevian Jones-was between Illinois, X, Cal, and Miss St. He visited Illinois in early March and was going to visit X after they got bounced from tourney. People were shocked he didn't commit to Illinois after the visit. Initially, he was also considering UC. He announced that he is planning on making his decision on April 11.

Semari Curtis (2019 recruit) said would honor his commitment to X if Steele is coach and finally, Matt Moyer's mom said if Travis is coach they would definitely visit X and a few other schools. He had a bunch of calls immediately after announcing his transfer. I'm sure X is doing the necessary due diligence but honestly, i would have thought they knew who it would be as soon as Pitino was fired. I also have to believe that Steele got some guidance and understanding from X administration to have him pull his name from Evansville and declining Missouri State. I could be wrong there but that would seem reasonable. Thoughts?

I think you are spot on about X knowing it was a done deal so someone talked to Steele.

[X-Expert]

I completely agree with many that said that X shouldn't hire a coach just because of recruits and existing roster as these are kids that will only affect four years at X. However, recruiting is the lifeblood of college basketball as many coaches are very good X/Os. I always used to hear that Charlie Coles was a genius X and O guy yet his teams were only good when Wally was relevant. My point is that I believe all the coaches that appear to be on X's radar (at least that we are aware) appear to be solid X/O guys (Steele, Kelsey, Brannen, Matta, and Miller-not Alford). To that end, I am very hopeful that the decision is made very quickly upon returning from FF. X is or were in the mix for several recruits for 2018 that can really make an impact on next years team. There may be updated to these players so please feel free to correct:

Tevian Jones-was between Illinois, X, Cal, and Miss St. He visited Illinois in early March and was going to visit X after they got bounced from tourney. People were shocked he didn't commit to Illinois after the visit. Initially, he was also considering UC. He announced that he is planning on making his decision on April 11.

Semari Curtis (2019 recruit) said would honor his commitment to X if Steele is coach and finally, Matt Moyer's mom said if Travis is coach they would definitely visit X and a few other schools. He had a bunch of calls immediately after announcing his transfer. I'm sure X is doing the necessary due diligence but honestly, i would have thought they knew who it would be as soon as Pitino was fired. I also have to believe that Steele got some guidance and understanding from X administration to have him pull his name from Evansville and declining Missouri State. I could be wrong there but that would seem reasonable. Thoughts?

I think you are spot on abut X knowing it was a done deal so someone talked to Steele.

MM you are much more in the know than me. Any intel on these recruits or coaching search? I know X is private but would love to know something

[XavierRunningMan]

Love recruit talk

[lionelchalmers0]

I wholly disagree with this notion that the current players and recruits "only affect the program for 4 years."

I keep hearing this on here and totally disagree. I think the reason many teams fail even when they bring in a big name (cough, Steve Alford, cough), is because they blow the whole thing up and it's tough to recover.

For a non blue blood non state school like Xavier I think a mass exodus leading to two or three seasons with losing records could be the death of the program. Why would future recruits want to come to a losing program?

Keep Steele and keep the recruits and players. Sure we'll dip a little but it'll be as a 10-11 seed in the tourney for two years. Recruits will keep coming and in 3-4 years we're back to a top ten team.

[X-Expert]

I wholly disagree with this notion that the current players and recruits "only affect the program for 4 years."

I keep hearing this on here and totally disagree. I think the reason many teams fail even when they bring in a big name (cough, Steve Alford, cough), is because they blow the whole thing up and it's tough to recover.

For a non blue blood non state school like Xavier I think a mass exodus leading to two or three seasons with losing records could be the death of the program. Why would future recruits want to come to a losing program?

Keep Steele and keep the recruits and players. Sure we'll dip a little but it'll be as a 10-11 seed in the tourney for two years. Recruits will keep coming and in 3-4 years we're back to a top ten team.

actually your first sentence is very accurate that i certainly missed. More the reason for me to continue to push for Steele-great post.