Hoiberg recruits

McGee, Sledge, Niang. If I'm not mistaken, Hoiberg has taken the lead on these players (with some help obviously), and at one time or another, went on record to say he "really wanted them.". Well, he got them.

Kudos to him. I imagine in the back of most minds (including mine) that when he began the pursuit of McGee, I wasn't sure about a JUCO. That was before the season that McGee put up fantastic numbers, showing great improvement on his outside shot. This attracted the first team JUCO all-American award.

Next up was Sledge. Why pursue such a diminuitive guard? Well, I think we see after his SR. year why... 41 pts in a game is why.

Most recently, this Niang fellow... George... with an "s". I believe I remember more than a few skeptical posters (after reading no more than the ESPN scouting report) that this would be a "waste of a scholarship". Then, he absolutely blew up - showed improvement in his handle and outside shooting. Now lots of high-majors sniff around, but the relationship is solid- says "he would have chosen ISU no matter who offered - why wait..."

My point here is: in all cases, CFH arrived early to the party, and made it well known he wanted these guys. Hoiberg still has his biggest test ahead of him: coaching talent + ego. but, he has definitely already shown he can recruit. Next up: Okoro.

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

McGee, Sledge, Niang. If I'm not mistaken, Hoiberg has taken the lead on these players (with some help obviously), and at one time or another, went on record to say he "really wanted them.". Well, he got them.

Kudos to him. I imagine in the back of most minds (including mine) that when he began the pursuit of McGee, I wasn't sure about a JUCO. That was before the season that McGee put up fantastic numbers, showing great improvement on his outside shot. This attracted the first team JUCO all-American award.

Next up was Sledge. Why pursue such a diminuitive guard? Well, I think we see after his SR. year why... 41 pts in a game is why.

Most recently, this Niang fellow... George... with an "s". I believe I remember more than a few skeptical posters (after reading no more than the ESPN scouting report) that this would be a "waste of a scholarship". Then, he absolutely blew up - showed improvement in his handle and outside shooting. Now lots of high-majors sniff around, but the relationship is solid- says "he would have chosen ISU no matter who offered - why wait..."

My point here is: in all cases, CFH arrived early to the party, and made it well known he wanted these guys. Hoiberg still has his biggest test ahead of him: coaching talent + ego. but, he has definitely already shown he can recruit. Next up: Okoro.

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Good points. Your analysis also points out the value of NBA experience in being able to spot talent for his style of play ahead of everyone else.

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Originally Posted by Psiclone

Good points. Your analysis also points out the value of NBA experience in being able to spot talent for his style of play ahead of everyone else.

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Not a single one has played in the Big XII. These kids may be exactly what Coach wants, but let's 'look before we leap', eh?

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Originally Posted by enisthemenace

Not a single one has played in the Big XII. These kids may be exactly what Coach wants, but let's 'look before we leap', eh?

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No thanks

http://www.gettingsmartonline.com/wp...iff-diver2.jpg

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

McGee, Sledge, Niang. If I'm not mistaken, Hoiberg has taken the lead on these players (with some help obviously), and at one time or another, went on record to say he "really wanted them.". Well, he got them.

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The sentiment is nice, but do you really think that a coach is going to say, "You know what... he wasn't really the guy we were looking for but he is close enough to what we want... I guess."

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Originally Posted by enisthemenace

Not a single one has played in the Big XII. These kids may be exactly what Coach wants, but let's 'look before we leap', eh?

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I know some folks need to be to be protected from the hype. I'm not one of them. Hoiberg will undoubtedly recruit some "busts," (every program does) and it could even be one of these guys. My point was the pattern of arriving to see before they blow up, before other programs.

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

I know some folks need to be to be protected from the hype. I'm not one of them. Hoiberg will undoubtedly recruit some "busts," (every program does) and it could even be one of these guys. My point was the pattern of arriving to see before they blow up, before other programs.

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Yeah, I know, but are you going to be one of the first to freak when (and I am not hinting at anything) they all are 'busts' or just "meh"?

The previous staff was great at identifying talent early too.

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

McGee, Sledge, Niang. If I'm not mistaken, Hoiberg has taken the lead on these players (with some help obviously), and at one time or another, went on record to say he "really wanted them.". Well, he got them.

Kudos to him. I imagine in the back of most minds (including mine) that when he began the pursuit of McGee, I wasn't sure about a JUCO. That was before the season that McGee put up fantastic numbers, showing great improvement on his outside shot. This attracted the first team JUCO all-American award.

Next up was Sledge. Why pursue such a diminuitive guard? Well, I think we see after his SR. year why... 41 pts in a game is why.

Most recently, this Niang fellow... George... with an "s". I believe I remember more than a few skeptical posters (after reading no more than the ESPN scouting report) that this would be a "waste of a scholarship". Then, he absolutely blew up - showed improvement in his handle and outside shooting. Now lots of high-majors sniff around, but the relationship is solid- says "he would have chosen ISU no matter who offered - why wait..."

My point here is: in all cases, CFH arrived early to the party, and made it well known he wanted these guys. Hoiberg still has his biggest test ahead of him: coaching talent + ego. but, he has definitely already shown he can recruit. Next up: Okoro.

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I thought the OP did a nice job summarizing his thoughts and position. No matter what, you will have cynics shoot down a post regardless of intent.

Nice job

Z

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Originally Posted by MLawrence

The sentiment is nice, but do you really think that a coach is going to say, "You know what... he wasn't really the guy we were looking for but he is close enough to what we want... I guess."

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It's been pretty clear that Hoiberg went right after McGee and Niang hard.

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

I know some folks need to be to be protected from the hype. I'm not one of them. Hoiberg will undoubtedly recruit some "busts," (every program does) and it could even be one of these guys. My point was the pattern of arriving to see before they blow up, before other programs.

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That is exactly how I took your post and the point I was making as well.

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Originally Posted by enisthemenace

The previous staff was great at identifying talent early too.

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They're problem was hanging onto them. Fred won't have that problem, as it seems players love playing for him. Obviously you'll have players like Godfrey that leave because they had to or guys that move on for playing time, but you won't have the discretionary transfers from our top players because they don't like Fred or his style.

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Originally Posted by enisthemenace

Yeah, I know, but are you going to be one of the first to freak when (and I am not hinting at anything) they all are 'busts' or just "meh"?

The previous staff was great at identifying talent early too.

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No, I won't. I'm not a person that freaks out much. I tried to tell you that in my previous response.

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Originally Posted by madcityCY

I know some folks need to be to be protected from the hype. I'm not one of them. Hoiberg will undoubtedly recruit some "busts," (every program does) and it could even be one of these guys. My point was the pattern of arriving to see before they blow up, before other programs.

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Great point, and you are spot on in your analysis. He has started recruiting all these guys before they blew up and had huge years... especially Niang and the Mcgee (Sledge was already pretty strongly recruited). Niang blew up after we offered him and was just going to continue to if he hadn't committed. Mcgee had a huge, huge SR year.

Hype or not, bust or not, it is a good thing to see FH get the players he really wants. That beats the alternative.

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Originally Posted by Frak

Hype or not, bust or not, it is a good thing to see FH get the players he really wants. That beats the alternative.

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+1