In state recruiting just got tougher....

cyclonenum1 · 03-10-2008, 09:36 AM

The MVC doesn't have the cache' of certainly the Big East or even C-USA...period. There is no way Drake gets to the Elite Eight...NO WAY.

cybsball20 · 03-10-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

This is exactly right. UNI had 3 years of success and didn't pull in the big name recruits. Why would Drake do that after 1 year of success? The Valley is way down this year compared to the years UNI had their run and that will make a difference in recruiting as well.

The fact is Drake is a bigger rectuiting draw than UNI. Sure, the small 'college town' atmosphere is great for most, including me, but there are kids that like the draw of a city (if you can call Des Moines that). As the city of Des Moines continues to improve the recruiting to Drake will as well. We all know how much the nightlife downtown has improved over the last ten years, beleive me, the coaches are using this to their advantage. Drake also plays a fun, up tempo style that gives the players alot of freedom, wouldn't that be more attractive to an 18 year old kid?

travman23 · 03-10-2008, 09:43 AM

As much as I respect Drake, if you were a good recruit would you want to play in the MVC or Big 12? Plus who was the last "big time" instate recruit too?

Oldgeezer · 03-10-2008, 10:19 AM

A few points to consider: Drake had some good teams "back in the day" Maury John had a pipeline to Moberly JC. ISU hired him away and that plan was cut short by cancer. Gary Garner had some good teams at Drake also, but where have they been for the last 30 years? This team came from nowhere because they have very good team chemistry, and good shooters, but how often do you see a walk-on who started 4 games in 4 years turn into MVP/allconference in his 5th year? Answer, once in a lifetime. BTW, Emmenecker came to Drake because of their academics, which are not to be compared to a public school 30 miles up I-35. Josh Young was the leading scorer in Oklahoma HS 2 years in a row, but he weighed 142 lbs. when he graduated. He now weighs 170, but that is why he is at Drake and not OK State or Ok U. He also came to Drake for the academics, he is about a 4 point student.

cycloneworld · 03-10-2008, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The fact is Drake is a bigger rectuiting draw than UNI. Sure, the small 'college town' atmosphere is great for most, including me, but there are kids that like the draw of a city (if you can call Des Moines that). As the city of Des Moines continues to improve the recruiting to Drake will as well. We all know how much the nightlife downtown has improved over the last ten years, beleive me, the coaches are using this to their advantage. Drake also plays a fun, up tempo style that gives the players alot of freedom, wouldn't that be more attractive to an 18 year old kid?

Maybe to a kid who doesn't have a BCS scholarship offer, yes. I do agree with you that it might be easier to recruit to DM over Cedar Falls but I think that gets off set with the acedemic requirements at Drake.

bmuff · 03-10-2008, 10:32 AM

I have a hard time believing that Drake will keep up their momentum next year with or without keno davis. If you watch that team, Emmenecker is the one who runs it. For some reason, no one can stay in front of the guy. He's the one hitting shots in the lane or passing off for layups or open 3s. Houston and Korver have both had huge years and carried the scoring load at times. I have a hard time believing that they can replace those three guys...especially Emmenecker. Josh Young is good, but a player like that is nothing without a supporting cast. And Bucky Cox is too undersized to be effective without the shooters outside and the penetrator getting him garbage baskets. Drake will be an average team next year.

Ficklone02 · 03-10-2008, 01:06 PM

Its inevitable that Drake will drop off some next year, how could they not from 28 wins? But if they got 20+ wins, I dont' think anyone would call them a failure, and I think there's a real good chance that happens seeing they actually have good young talent ready to step in. Keno's system works. Its worked for Bruce Pearl everywhere he has been, and it will continue to work. Its also inevitable that ISU gets better next year....how could we be any worse?

CyRocket · 03-10-2008, 01:48 PM

If you watched the Drake game and then compare it with ISU, with DG at point, then imagine 1 or 2 sharpshooters I think you see very similar teams. I truely believe that with the right players we will see a faster style game. At times this year we've seen Mac let them run more. I'm not saying that we will ever see a fast break, run and gun style, but rather a team that will take advantage of the opportunities presented. Good passing makes a team look much faster and Drake has great passers. I firmly believe that next year we will see better passing at 3 or 4 of the positions, depending on the personel.
I hope Drake goes a long way its good for the state. Also remember DesMoines is only 30 miles from Ames so they have no great advantage there in recruiting IMO.

BryceC · 03-10-2008, 01:56 PM

I chuckle when I think of Des Moines as a recruiting advantage.

Wesley · 03-10-2008, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Oldgeezer

A few points to consider: Drake had some good teams "back in the day" Maury John had a pipeline to Moberly JC. ISU hired him away and that plan was cut short by cancer. Gary Garner had some good teams at Drake also, but where have they been for the last 30 years? This team came from nowhere because they have very good team chemistry, and good shooters, but how often do you see a walk-on who started 4 games in 4 years turn into MVP/allconference in his 5th year? Answer, once in a lifetime. BTW, Emmenecker came to Drake because of their academics, which are not to be compared to a public school 30 miles up I-35. Josh Young was the leading scorer in Oklahoma HS 2 years in a row, but he weighed 142 lbs. when he graduated. He now weighs 170, but that is why he is at Drake and not OK State or Ok U. He also came to Drake for the academics, he is about a 4 point student.

That may be why Drake looks smarter than the other teams. I take it Cox must have a 4 point also. Hey, these guys play with the smarts of a Princeton - small athletes that outhink and outwork other teams.

Clone_12 · 03-10-2008, 04:24 PM

The main teams they will be competing with will be Southern Illinois and Creighton (the two most consistent MVC powers) if things stay good for them...there will occasionally be an acception, but the majority of high major prospects want to play in power conferences...and when Marquette was in Conference USA, it also featured Memphis, Cincinnati, and Louisville (not even comparable to the MVC, and much easier to recruit than the MVC). Gonzaga is an exception to this as they have proven themselves to be a top 25 program annually, which annually plays a big-time non-conference schedule.

CycloneTony · 03-10-2008, 04:34 PM

I honestly think Lickliter and Keno being in the state will help in the over all recruiting. They may steal some from us but it will make our surrounding states take a second look @ an Iowa State team because the whole state is doing well, It may also keep the really talented kids in state which can only make the rest of the state look better. I think its a great situation for ISU basketball.

jj-cyclones · 03-10-2008, 04:40 PM

I really don't care much about instate recuiting...I'd rather have the teams we put together from NY and TX cause in-state there aren't to many gems out there. If IOWA of ISU would have had a coach when Collision and Hinrick we coming out of Iowa Falls we could have had them both. ( I think they are both from there) Sorry this may sound crazy since I really don't pay attention to the players in the state of Iowa...I like getting guys from other places...yeah, call me crazy...

cyclonenum1 · 03-11-2008, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by jj-cyclones

I really don't care much about instate recuiting...I'd rather have the teams we put together from NY and TX cause in-state there aren't to many gems out there. If IOWA of ISU would have had a coach when Collision and Hinrick we coming out of Iowa Falls we could have had them both. ( I think they are both from there) Sorry this may sound crazy since I really don't pay attention to the players in the state of Iowa...I like getting guys from other places...yeah, call me crazy...

Like Nebraska!?

Just pulling everyone's collective "chain"! I agree with your point...if we dominate recruiting in Iowa or Nebraska and don't get talented kids from other areas of the country...we can count on being a very mediocre to probably worse team on a yearly basis.