I am going to start this off by saying I am in no way an expert. I have played basketball my whole life, but I do not claim any superior knowledge to anyone on this board, however, this is what I believe has happened under McDermott.
During McDermott's first year or two, I think he believed that he could win with one or two good players (Brackins, Wesley) surrounded by mid major type players (Eikmeier, etc.). However, I believe that McDermott figured out that this simply will not work in the Big XII. There are too many athletes to make winning like this possible.
Because of this, McDermott went out to try and find athletes to fill these complemetary roles with Brackins. However, because of Brackins immense talent (ie leaving early) and his seat getting a little warm, McDermott went out and got athletes that were talented albeit with some other issues. (the whole duke debacle that is being hashed out in another thread.)
I am going to go ahead and put this out here. I think McDermott has it figured out. McDermott, I believe, has altered the recruiting strategy he had when he first got here significantly. Instead of recruiting mid major role players (Eikmeier, Vette, etc.), he has started to recruit athletes that he can develop into great basketball players by the time they are juniors and seniors to pair with one or two big time players. I believe there is evidence of that by his recruitment of Antwon Oliver (tremendous athlete with huge upside and nice shot, but needs more weight) and his recruitment of Elgin Cook.
Now here is the problem. McDermott has figured this out in year 4. His political capital, so to say, is running out. Brackins will be gone and he will be left with impatient fans and possibly an impatient administration. And even worse, he may not have the sway he once had with some of the big time players. I love Coach Mac as a person and I think he is a great coach. However, I believe his recruiting strategy has significantly hurt him. He has become quite reactionary in his recruiting, due to his seat being a little warm. This is clearly evident by the influx of jucos.
I think Coach Mac has it figured out, and I would really like to see what he does in the next couple recruiting classes before anything is done with Coach Mac. Many great coaches struggled early in their careers and made mistakes (Bill Bellichek, Steve alford) I believe Coach Mac is worth the wait to allow him time to work things out.
Sorry for the length and let the hating begin!
During McDermott's first year or two, I think he believed that he could win with one or two good players (Brackins, Wesley) surrounded by mid major type players (Eikmeier, etc.). However, I believe that McDermott figured out that this simply will not work in the Big XII. There are too many athletes to make winning like this possible.
Because of this, McDermott went out to try and find athletes to fill these complemetary roles with Brackins. However, because of Brackins immense talent (ie leaving early) and his seat getting a little warm, McDermott went out and got athletes that were talented albeit with some other issues. (the whole duke debacle that is being hashed out in another thread.)
I am going to go ahead and put this out here. I think McDermott has it figured out. McDermott, I believe, has altered the recruiting strategy he had when he first got here significantly. Instead of recruiting mid major role players (Eikmeier, Vette, etc.), he has started to recruit athletes that he can develop into great basketball players by the time they are juniors and seniors to pair with one or two big time players. I believe there is evidence of that by his recruitment of Antwon Oliver (tremendous athlete with huge upside and nice shot, but needs more weight) and his recruitment of Elgin Cook.
Now here is the problem. McDermott has figured this out in year 4. His political capital, so to say, is running out. Brackins will be gone and he will be left with impatient fans and possibly an impatient administration. And even worse, he may not have the sway he once had with some of the big time players. I love Coach Mac as a person and I think he is a great coach. However, I believe his recruiting strategy has significantly hurt him. He has become quite reactionary in his recruiting, due to his seat being a little warm. This is clearly evident by the influx of jucos.
I think Coach Mac has it figured out, and I would really like to see what he does in the next couple recruiting classes before anything is done with Coach Mac. Many great coaches struggled early in their careers and made mistakes (Bill Bellichek, Steve alford) I believe Coach Mac is worth the wait to allow him time to work things out.
Sorry for the length and let the hating begin!
