Postby Anti-Homer » Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:06 am
CMack has gotten the greatest number of highly ranked players during his tenure. Of course, the performance of 2 E-8s in 6 years by his predecessors, as well as X getting into the BE helped, but other coaches in similar circumstances haven't been able to duplicate his consistent success. However, the flip side is the program's instability, particularly as it pertains to players leaving the program. In my humble opinion, it has never been worse than under his watch, and I think this is what is hurting in X's recruiting efforts now.
Obviously, the recruiting season isn't over, but the number of highly ranked players is dwindling rapidly. That's why we're chasing guys like that 2 star from Lima. Now a highly ranked player who would have filled a need for the class of 18' chose RI over X. You know, the team whom we use to defend when we were in the same league, but now mock since we bolted to a major conference. The excuse of players seeing the highly talented preceding class and fearing a lack of p.t. doesn't fly either. It never seems to hurt teams like Nova, Zags, and others comparable to X. Even players who had dim NBA prospects like Reynolds and Lyons bailed before their senior season, even though they would have gotten a lot of p.t.
Before anyone claims CM kicked Lyons out, the scenario was like a guy filing for divorce 3 months after his wife moves in with another man. They found out Lyons was calling other teams letting them know he was leaving X before he was "kicked off" of the team.
If I'm a recruiter in competition for a recruit against X, I'd use Brady Ernst as an example. When they signed him, that made it 4 post players (O'Mara, K Jones, T Jones, Ernst) in the fold in a system which often only plays one traditional post player at a time. Then, they sign Kanter a few weeks later. He is a 5th-year senior, so I seriously doubt that he would have gone to a program unless he was given an indication that he would see plenty of action.
As of now, our two post players for 18' are T Jones, a fairly foul prone, albeit continually developing big with great upside, along with a project in Walter. Assuming no one leaves the program, which would be unprecedented especially in recent years, X will be playing with a serious lack of depth, which didn't bode well a few short years ago in the CBI year.
CM and staff have done a great job with the 17' class, who along with the incumbents will field the most talented team in X's history top to bottom. However, relying on transfers along with 5th-year seniors is a risky plan for long-term success. I will still wear my rose-colored contacts, believing that CM will somehow make it work. X has the most legitimate chance to make the FF in our history due to his efforts. Thank you Coach.
Faithfully submitted by AH this 7th day of our Lord, in the year 2017.
