Mens Bball recruits get C+ grade from ESPN

**shildreth** · 05-22-2009, 10:51 AM

The Cyclones added two juco transfers and two freshmen to this class, which has excellent perimeter size and skill. Versatile 6-6 forward Marquis Gilstrap (Covington, Ga./Palm Beach CC/Gulf Coast CC) will come in with only one year of eligibility because he lost a year after suffering a broken leg. He will be counted upon for immediate production at both wing positions and possibly the power forward for matchup purposes. He can shoot the 3 and create his own shot off the bounce. Power forward LaRon Dendy (Greenville, S.C./New Hope Christian/Indian Hills CC) is a long athletic post who runs the floor and can finish in the lane. His size, to go along with Gilstrap and returning standout Craig Brackins, will be key. Coach Greg McDermott also hit Chicago for Chris Colvin (Chicago/Whitney Young). The 6-2 guard worked his way into our final ESPNU 100. He is strong and physical, and gets to the rim at will. The latest addition for the Cyclones is 6-5 SG Antwon Oliver (Racine, Wis./Horlick), a good athlete with range to the arc and can slash to the rim. Oliver also has the size to play both wing positions. The coaching staff is excited about his upside.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recru...ory?id=4174746

**CycloneTJS** · 05-22-2009, 10:59 AM

I have higher hopes for 2009-10 due to this class and CB's return. However, according to the article, you could argue that we tied for the worst recruiting class in the confernece, so nothing to get too excited about. Losing 1/2 of this class in 2 years is also a big negative.

**Clones85'** · 05-22-2009, 11:02 AM

No way is our recruiting class worse than Nebraska's or on par with TT, Colorado

**ZJohnson** · 05-22-2009, 11:05 AM

I'm not putting anything into this...just plain BS to pass the time.

**greatshu** · 05-22-2009, 11:06 AM

We are same level as Colorado and Tech? ehhh not sure about that. Nebraska is higher ? I don't know about that either. Recruiting class means nothing until we actually see these kids play anyhow...

**Stewo** · 05-22-2009, 11:10 AM

It's a B- class at worst.

**ISU_phoria** · 05-22-2009, 11:23 AM

I wonder if it would be ranked higher if Gilstrap had more than one year of eligibility.

What will it be rated when we pick up Vander Blue?

**pthebutcher** · 05-22-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Stewo

It's a B- class at worst.

LOL, their C+ rating was WAY off then ;)

**Clones85'** · 05-22-2009, 11:25 AM

It really doesn't make much sense.

According to ESPN we have Gilstrap (rated 96) and Colvin (who is top 100). I also believe that they had Dendy ranked high out of high school. So how does that equal a C+? Did Oliver hurt us?

Doesn't really matter though. ESPN has been known as the worst recruiting service out there.

**Mr Janny** · 05-22-2009, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

It really doesn't make much sense.

According to ESPN we have Gilstrap (rated 96) and Colvin (who is top 100). I also believe that they had Dendy ranked high out of high school. So how does that equal a C+? Did Oliver hurt us?

Doesn't really matter though. ESPN has been known as the worst recruiting service out there.

agree. I don't know if ESPN even tries to compete with Scout or Rivals, but they sure seem like the kid that shows up to the science fair with an entry that he obviously cobbled together on the busride to school.

**isucyfan** · 05-22-2009, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

agree. I don't know if ESPN even tries to compete with Scout or Rivals, but they sure seem like the kid that shows up to the science fair with an entry that he obviously cobbled together on the busride to school.

I agree that the ratings don't make sense.

Side note regarding science fairs...

I just finished a book by this guy:

Check out his science fair entry:

Went to the National Science Fair in high school with a home-made atom smasher built in his parents' garage.

**johnsonjj** · 05-22-2009, 11:37 AM

Recruiting class ratings are nice (or negative) for ego purposes; however, the real story is the impact the class will make on next year's team. I think we have to measure our class by impact. To do so, we also basically have to inclue LA and SC as they are like new recruits, but with a year in the system under their belts.

**ISUChippewa** · 05-22-2009, 11:41 AM

I'm not going to get too bent out of shape about it. Floyd's last recruiting class back in '97 that included Fizer was rated by ESPN as being the best in the country, and only Fizer and Rancik ended up sticking around around and being productive.

**rburgess** · 05-22-2009, 11:41 AM

Last I looked, they hadn't seen Oliver or Dendy. Thus, they rated them both as a 40. I'm thinking that dragged down the average. As Iowa State fans, we should be used to getting rated near the bottom of the conference, unfortunately. However, that is what you get when you don't succeed; critics barely look at you. This will change when our success level goes up (knock on wood).