Ayo may not be out of the question

[Sec.112]

I thought his interest was dropping, but check out his strong first mention (start at 1:30) when asked the generic recruiting question a few days ago.

Yes, it's probably a reach. These guys are getting sharp about their answers but it's still a strong positive.

If the Cats can somehow pull two out of three between Ago, THH and Ryan, that's a new world this year.

 

[IdahoAlum]

I'm hopeful they can find a good post player in this class as well.

 

[Sec.112]

I agree. I love the flexible 6-6/6-7 player, but this staff REALLY seems to love them.

You need those 2-4 more inches at the 4 and 5, and it's nice to have an abundance of those guys - not just two.

 

[Medill90]

He seems like a pretty nice kid with his head screwed on straight.

So I'm gonna say Collins gets him.

 

[willycat]

I'm hopeful they can find a good post player in this class as well.

Is Nance one of those?

 

[NJCat]

Is Nance one of those?

No. He is a stretch 4. Not a post player.

 

[VBCat97]

It's exciting to see us on the short list (as interpreted by me) of some highly-ranked/recruited players:

Dosunmu (#30) - NU, Illinois, Xavier, Butler, Creighton
Nance (#39) - NU, Michigan, Ohio State
Ryan (#64) - NU, Stanford, Yale
THT (#115) - NU in good shape with Baldwin family connection
Bey (NR) - NU, Notre Dame, Miami, Temple

 

[TheC]

It's exciting to see us on the short list (as interpreted by me) of some highly-ranked/recruited players:

Dosunmu (#30) - NU, Illinois, Xavier, Butler, Creighton
Nance (#39) - NU, Michigan, Ohio State
Ryan (#64) - NU, Stanford, Yale
THT (#115) - NU in good shape with Baldwin family connection
Bey (NR) - NU, Notre Dame, Miami, Temple

Though will these kids get a host of new offers over the summer that bumps us down? That's the pessimistic question I'm not quite out of the habit of asking.

 

[willycat]

Though will these kids get a host of new offers over the summer that bumps us down? That's the pessimistic question I'm not quite out of the habit of asking.

Why don't you try and get optimistic? Especially now that Collins has already brought in 4* guys and got NU into the NCAA Tourney! Oh and won a first round game!

 

[backdoorpass]

Why don't you try and get optimistic? Especially now that Collins has already brought in 4* guys and got NU into the NCAA Tourney! Oh and won a first round game!

Totally! New arena. New sports complex. Long-term contract for National Coach of the Year nominee. Great league, competition and fans in the B1G. Elite education and academic services. Beautiful campus and close proximity to the great city of Chicago. Exploding success and excitement around the program with NCAA Tournament appears and expected return this season... A lot of recent national exposure for the program. A super-exciting coach and staff that connects well with players. High character guys on the current team--and a ton of minutes graduating opening the door for immediate playing opportunities. (Even the Marketing Team seems to have raised its game over the past year or so.)

Collins and staff were able to land 4-star recruits in Law, Falzon, Benson and Ivanauskas without about half of the above advantages. I have high hopes for the players that they will be able to sign in this next class!

 

[TheC]

Why don't you try and get optimistic? Especially now that Collins has already brought in 4* guys and got NU into the NCAA Tourney! Oh and won a first round game!

Basic biology. When someone has been conditioned in a certain way for nearly 30 years, it takes a little while for new neuronal connections to be made. And at my age, there are a lot less functioning neurons to begin with.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Basic biology. When someone has been conditioned in a certain way for nearly 30 years, it takes a little while for new neuronal connections to be made. And at my age, there are a lot less functioning neurons to begin with.

I'm guessing you havent bought your Reds playoff tickets yet?

 

[Deeringfish]

I thought his interest was dropping, but check out his strong first mention (start at 1:30) when asked the generic recruiting question a few days ago.

Yes, it's probably a reach. These guys are getting sharp about their answers but it's still a strong positive.

If the Cats can somehow pull two out of three between Ago, THH and Ryan, that's a new world this year.

That was a pretty good, unsolicited shout out. I would love to have a Morgan Park guy go to the Cats.

Do you think these guys talk? Certainly part of the choice is what other players are you surrounding yourself with both skill wise and personality.

 

[Deeringfish]

Totally! New arena. New sports complex. Long-term contract for National Coach of the Year nominee. Great league, competition and fans in the B1G. Elite education and academic services. Beautiful campus and close proximity to the great city of Chicago. Exploding success and excitement around the program with NCAA Tournament appears and expected return this season... A lot of recent national exposure for the program. A super-exciting coach and staff that connects well with players. High character guys on the current team--and a ton of minutes graduating opening the door for immediate playing opportunities. (Even the Marketing Team seems to have raised its game over the past year or so.)

Collins and staff were able to land 4-star recruits in Law, Falzon, Benson and Ivanauskas without about half of the above advantages. I have high hopes for the players that they will be able to sign in this next class!

Not to mention some pretty good NBA connections via the coaches and Doug Collins, proximity to the Bull etc. All we need now is some NBA connections via the players.

 

[willycat]

Basic biology. When someone has been conditioned in a certain way for nearly 30 years, it takes a little while for new neuronal connections to be made. And at my age, there are a lot less functioning neurons to begin with.

Times are changing. Get with program.

 

[Medill90]

Collins and staff were able to land 4-star recruits in Law, Falzon, Benson and Ivanauskas without about half of the above advantages. I have high hopes for the players that they will be able to sign in this next class!

Turner is a four star....Gaines got four stars from ESPN.

More important than the stars is the the length, athleticism and basketball skills. Collins has a very talented and capable roster lined up for several years.

I crapped on Willy who four years ago said "don't judge Collins until he has a roster that is 100% his players." Credit where it's due. This is a very impressive roster. I'm an early 1980's guy when NU had two consecutive top 30 recruiting classes. Falk was never able to build a roster like this.

 

[Sec.112]

... Do you think these guys talk? Certainly part of the choice is what other players are you surrounding yourself with both skill wise and personality.

I think it's always HUGE to get the right guy to commit before the July camps. Then you have the kid working as a recruiter on the floor as these guys go through camps, games and various activities.

Let's hope THH and Ayo like each other and truly have NU high on their list. Both play on the Mac Irvin Fire AAU team.

 

[Deeringfish]

I think it's always HUGE to get the right guy to commit before the July camps. Then you have the kid working as a recruiter on the floor as these guys go through camps, games and various activities.

Let's hope THH and Ayo like each other and truly have NU high on their list. Both play on the Mac Irvin Fire AAU team.

Well, I guess they would know if they want to play together.

 

[willycat]

Turner is a four star....Gaines got four stars from ESPN.

More important than the stars is the the length, athleticism and basketball skills. Collins has a very talented and capable roster lined up for several years.

I crapped on Willy who four years ago said "don't judge Collins until he has a roster that is 100% his players." Credit where it's due. This is a very impressive roster. I'm an early 1980's guy when NU had two consecutive top 30 recruiting classes. Falk was never able to build a roster like this.

No. He is a stretch 4. Not a post player.

Thanks. Are there any true post players on the Collins wish list?

 

[EvanstonCat]

Why don't you try and get optimistic? Especially now that Collins has already brought in 4* guys and got NU into the NCAA Tourney! Oh and won a first round game!

I have to agree here. We are in a totally new situation here. Even beyond Fitz and football, we're going to be in the game for 4 stars and soon we'll have 5 stars on our list after a couple years of more consistency, and perhaps a B1G title.

Is anyone here less than confident in Collins winning a B1G title before Fitz? I think we are closer in hoops than in football.

 

[willycat]

Turner is a four star....Gaines got four stars from ESPN.

More important than the stars is the the length, athleticism and basketball skills. Collins has a very talented and capable roster lined up for several years.

I crapped on Willy who four years ago said "don't judge Collins until he has a roster that is 100% his players." Credit where it's due. This is a very impressive roster. I'm an early 1980's guy when NU had two consecutive top 30 recruiting classes. Falk was never able to build a roster like this.

Thanks for remembering, as I didn't. Thinking if Collins can reel in two or three of his 2018 targets, NU is on it's way as a perennial conference contender and NCAA participant. BTW, I also liked Falk and wished he had more success.

 

[TheC]

I'm guessing you havent bought your Reds playoff tickets yet?

Have you seen our starting rotation? No, with the Reds, I am practicing mindfulness. Trying to live in the moment and enjoy the above .500 record they have today.

 

[mickbula]

I saw THT play in person a couple months ago at the state finals in Peoria. Very athletic and strong. He could be a defensive closer on the competition's best guard. I would have loved to see him on that Mello fellow for Maryland. I think he would have neutralized Trimble quite nicely. As long as we land someone like THT, a stud point guard like Cormac to take over for BMac, and a talented post player like Nance for the '18 class, I would be more than elated as a NU fan. That would be my wish list. And we have a great chance to do just that I think.

 

[hdhntr1]

Thanks. Are there any true post players on the Collins wish list?

Does there have to be for this year? We have two solid guys in Pardon and Benson

 

[TheC]

I saw THT play in person a couple months ago at the state finals in Peoria. Very athletic and strong. He could be a defensive closer on the competition's best guard. I would have loved to see him on that Mello fellow for Maryland. I think he would have neutralized Trimble quite nicely. As long as we land someone like THT, a stud point guard like Cormac to take over for BMac, and a talented post player like Nance for the '18 class, I would be more than elated as a NU fan. That would be my wish list. And we have a great chance to do just that I think.

If we got all three of those guys, we'd be ecstatic. That would probably be the best haul in program history.

 

[IdahoAlum]

Does there have to be for this year? We have two solid guys in Pardon and Benson

To me it's like QBs -- you can never have too many good ones.

 

[willycat]

Does there have to be for this year? We have two solid guys in Pardon and Benson

Probably not but another "Big" gives them depth, especially in the conference season. Guess Skelly could fill that role but I'd still rather get a 5 unless 5* wants to come aboard.

 

[hdhntr1]

Probably not but another "Big" gives them depth, especially in the conference season. Guess Skelly could fill that role but I'd still rather get a 5 unless 5* wants to come aboard.

While I do not have a problem with that thought, we also have a couple pretty good stretch 4s with multiple years remaining. . Our need right now is guards and wings. We will be losing two starting guards after this year. Next year there will be a real need for a post player (and the ones we go after will see the opportunity for minutes). For this upcoming cycle it is a luxury (and likely a RS) but for the next one, it will be a real need..

 

[chicagocatfan24]

To me it's like QBs -- you can never have too many good ones.

If you have two quarterbacks you don't have one

 

[IdahoAlum]

If you have two quarterbacks you don't have one

No if you have two lousy quarterbacks then you don't have one.

 

[Medill90]

No if you have two lousy quarterbacks then you don't have one.

Anyone remember Bobby Douglass and Bob Avellini? Anyone?

 

[NURoseBowl]

Anyone remember Bobby Douglass and Bob Avellini? Anyone?

Too well, yes.

 

[EvanstonCat]

If you have two quarterbacks you don't have one

Well, I remember we had two QBs once. What we really had was one future NFL QB starter and one WR playing out of position.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

It was a joke, just making fun of that old, stupid adage

 

[EvanstonCat]

Anyone remember Bobby Douglass and Bob Avellini? Anyone?

You mean BobbyD?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Well, me too.

You do realize you just responded to yourself, yes?

 

[EvanstonCat]

It was a joke, just making fun of that old, stupid adage

Well, me too.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Anyone remember Bobby Douglass and Bob Avellini? Anyone?

I remember Rick Mirer, Moses Moreno, Rusty Lisch, Jonathan Quinn, Caleb Hanie, Will Furrer, Steve Stenstrom....

 

[NUCat320]

It was a joke, just making fun of that old, stupid adage

I think it's true, specific to NFL football, anyway. There are roughly 20-25 people capable of being a good NFL quarterback, who also happen to be interested in that career choice.

If none of your options stands out in terms of leadership, command of the playbook, zip and accuracy, and work ethic, odds are you don't have one of those guys.

Also, I'm all in for Ayo, though I'm not sure how we got here.

 

[NURoseBowl]

I remember Rick Mirer, Moses Moreno, Rusty Lisch, Jonathan Quinn, Caleb Hanie, Will Furrer, Steve Stenstrom....

Holy heartburn, Batman!!!