Basketball Recruiting

**KMAC_ATTACK** · 11-20-2008, 09:10 AM

Couple things that ISU has done in the past 12 months that make us a legitimate contender when recruiting highly skilled players:

#1 - The development of the new practice facility has to be a huge recruiting tool.

#2 - Hiring of Coach Robinson, imo his connections to Chicago could single handedly put ISU in line for several top tier prospects we may not of had a chance with prior to his hiring. From all reports, very highly regarded amongst his PEERS and those he's dealt with in the past.

#3 - Master Planning and future improvements to Hilton. Not sure now with the practice facility moving away from hilton if these plans are under redesign, but, i still feel that we could do something to Hilton to modernize it and create a gathering area where ISU sports is highlighted. Would make a great entry point to a legendary facility.

These three things have really and could continue to elevate the status of our basketball team in the future and it already looks very bright. This really sends a message that ISU is a serious contender when recruiting anyone.

Right now the nail in the coffin has to be the crown jewel - it will legitimize ISU in the eyes of a lot of recruits if Harrison finally pulls the trigger and does not pick Duke, North Carolina, Kansas but instead picks ISU. I think we have a legitimate shot at HB and if he looks at what the coaches are putting in place to surround him, it should look very appealing. He will have veterans around him that are succeeding (by that time) and by landing Colvin he has another legitimate top tier player on board and will be a sophomore, then having Dykstra and Kadima in his class helps, and then signing Staton for what would be his Junior year is just another piece - the pieces around HB could really help showcase his abilities.

Great job to the coaches and administration for getting ISU basketball back on track, not in wins and loses but instead the direction of the program. These are the things that help you recruit good players and then coach them to make waves come March!!!!!

**st8phan** · 11-20-2008, 09:16 AM

Nice post... The future is VERY bright for ISU B-Ball

**iowast8fan** · 11-20-2008, 09:33 AM

holy crap....ISU basketball has potential to get back to where it was at the turn of the century. I can't wait to see it when it happens. I just hope they don't take away the cheap seats in the balcony corners. I can't afford donor seats and I don't want to miss a thing.

**Bobber** · 11-20-2008, 09:35 AM

All true, but I'd give Greg McDermott a little more credit. He's a very genuine recruiter who's a great sale person when sitting across the table from the recruit.

**keepngoal** · 11-20-2008, 09:35 AM

those seats will be gone in a couple years.. enjoy it while you can. I still plan on buying season tickets, but I expect it to increase once we win and floor a great team.

-keep

**cybsball20** · 11-20-2008, 09:36 AM

If we get Barnes then I will up my donation to get some good seats...

We need multiple top 100 guys to get in the mix and stay there, I just hope we can keep the momentum... There is 100 of them every year, no reason we shouldn't have 4-6 of them...

**CyinCo** · 11-20-2008, 09:39 AM

If we can sell every seat in Hilton for more $, believe me, we will. This is a business and winning creates demand.

**ISU4ME** · 11-20-2008, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

If we get Barnes then I will up my donation to get some good seats...

I sure hope this is not the only reason you have to increase your donation level.

Lower level seats are awesome with or without Barnes.

**CycloneErik** · 11-20-2008, 09:43 AM

Upper-level seats are awesome, too!!

Any seat in Hilton is awesome!

**BryceC** · 11-20-2008, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by keepngoal

those seats will be gone in a couple years.. enjoy it while you can. I still plan on buying season tickets, but I expect it to increase once we win and floor a great team.

-keep

I hope they keep the cheap corner seats, at least on one side. Even when we won we didn't sell out every game, and it helps keep Hilton full.

In 2000 we averaged 10k. in 2001 we averaged a little over 12k. The cheap corners have done a lot to revive Hilton a little bit the last few years.

**RyCy04** · 11-20-2008, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

From all reports, very highly regarded amongst his piers and those he's dealt with in the past.

Great post but this part made me laugh. Is Robinson a fisherman/basketball coach?

**gocubs2118** · 11-20-2008, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

Upper-level seats are awesome, too!!

Any seat in Hilton is awesome!

Amen. Just being in Hilton gets my juices flowing.

**trajanJ** · 11-20-2008, 09:51 AM

I think you guys have a real good shot at Barnes. I really think KU has no shot. If he had gone to school somewhere else in Iowa I would like our chances better. But why would he go to KU and then have to play in Hilton every year and play against ISU at least twice a year. If he goes to a top 5 program it will be UNC or Duke, I just don't see a player from Ames going to KU. UNC can't wait forever for him, they just don't have that many scholarships.