Coach Martin not interested in top ten players

#1
BasketvolsFan

BasketvolsFan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
3,626
Likes
1
#1
Coach Martin indicated when he released Ware that he wanted players who want to be here. He said he was not interested in the top 10 players, but wanted the best players he can get that are top 100 players and will be here four years. He said 4 year players are needed when you are building a program. Is this type of recruiting going to allow us to have an elite program? Are we building a program or trying to maintain success? I'm interested in any comments on his recruiting philosophy.
 
#2
#2
BasketvolsFan said:
Coach Martin indicated when he released Ware that he wanted players who want to be here. He said he was not interested in the top 10 players, but wanted the best players he can get that are top 100 players and will be here four years. He said 4 year players are needed when you are building a program. Is this type of recruiting going to allow us to have an elite program? Are we building a program or trying to maintain success? I'm interested in any comments on his recruiting philosophy.
Click to expand...

Guess he won't try to get Tobias and Scott to stay. Weren't they both top 10?

If this is true, he has no business coaching at a top 20 basketball program. I understand wanting a mix of veterans and young guns, but rejecting the young guns is crazy. Seriously, if this really is his backwards attitude, and I'm going completely by your post, then we are in for some bad basketball and bad recruiting.
 
#3
#3
BasketvolsFan said:
Coach Martin indicated when he released Ware that he wanted players who want to be here. He said he was not interested in the top 10 players, but wanted the best players he can get that are top 100 players and will be here four years. He said 4 year players are needed when you are building a program. Is this type of recruiting going to allow us to have an elite program? Are we building a program or trying to maintain success? I'm interested in any comments on his recruiting philosophy.
Click to expand...

I believe he said he wasn't just interested in top ten players, although you may want to check me on that. He said he would recruit the best athletes but would like the majority to be guys that are looking to stay for four years. As long as he's willing to recruit a few one-and-dones here and there, I'm fine with it. We aren't realistically going to get five every year, and it's not even clear that that's a better strategy than having a few four year players providing leadership with one or two one-and-dones providing a spark.
 
#5
#5
I think this was taken out of context. He said you go for the top guys in the country, but it's also very important to recruit other guys who will stay 4 years.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#6
#6
HendersonVol said:
I think this was taken out of context. He said you go for the top guys in the country, but it's also very important to recruit other guys who will stay 4 years.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

I'm glad somebody can figure that out on this board.
 
#7
#7
You need a good mix, but there are many different ways to skin a cat. Some programs do well recruiting that way and that means National Championships too.
 
#9
#9
I don't realistically expect to compete with Kentucky without recruiting some elite players. I feel like this is a lot of coachspeak, though. I don't see anyone turning down elite players.
 
#10
#10
He also pointed to teams like Duke, that have NBA guys that are seniors. It is a much better strategy than trying to keep up with Kentucky, which we can't do. It would be great to get a Tobias or 2 every year, but it would also be nice to have a PG stay 4 years and develpe into a draft pick. Also, think of the timing. The players we have a shot at this year are not 1 and done guys. He may have been appealling to them and their parents. There are plenty of great, great college players who will not pan out in the NBA. We can win with those type players. Give us 5 freshmen that all end up playing Eurpean ball after playing here for 4 years and I promise we win a whole bunch of games.
 
#11
#11
Recruiting more like Dooley, character and 4 year guys. Let's see how it works, I for one am excited about the future
 
#12
#12
Incipient said:
I believe he said he wasn't just interested in top ten players, although you may want to check me on that.
Click to expand...

This is what he said. I somehow doubt you'll see him turning down top 10 players because he thinks they won't stay all 4 years.
 
#13
#13
jspvol76 said:
Misinterpreted, IMO.
Click to expand...

I hope so. But hopefully this doesn't mean he has a bias against going all in for the elite talent. You can't just dip your line in and if a big fish bites, go after him. You've got to actively pursue the best recruits in the country. Some of Martin's statements make me wonder if he is willing to do that.
 
#14
#14
LawVol13 said:
This is what he said. I somehow doubt you'll see him turning down top 10 players because he thinks they won't stay all 4 years.
Click to expand...

But will he be willing to spend three years recruiting a John Wall or Harrison Barnes type athlete?
 
#16
#16
tvolsfan said:
I don't realistically expect to compete with Kentucky without recruiting some elite players. I feel like this is a lot of coachspeak, though. I don't see anyone turning down elite players.
Click to expand...

You may be right, but I think a team of 4 star juniors will beat a team of 5 star freshmen more times than not. Especially when you have a coach like we do now, who stresses defense and not turning the ball over.
Course that team of 4 star juniors would look a lot better with a 5 star freshmen or 2 thrown in the mix.
 
#17
#17
i dont see top ten players knocking at our door in this type offense
 
#18
#18
WesternKyVol said:
But will he be willing to spend three years recruiting a John Wall or Harrison Barnes type athlete?
Click to expand...

I didn't detect anything in his press conference that would indicate that he wouldn't be willing to put the time in during recruiting. I'd say he probably knows how the game works; let's just hope he's a good enough recruiter that he has the opportunity to actually get those type of players.
 
#19
#19
supersmo18 said:
Agreed. No one here seems to be able to look past the surface of what's said. Hence, all the freakin' out all the time.
Click to expand...

I disagree. In regards to recruiting,I want our coach to be saying, "I will be actively and aggressively recruiting the best players in the country." The only indication he has given about his recruiting strategy is contrary to this.
 
#21
#21
WesternKyVol said:
But will he be willing to spend three years recruiting a John Wall or Harrison Barnes type athlete?
Click to expand...

That's the true question. Will he pursue these great players and do what he can to bring them in?

I understand not banking on all top-10 talent...but you've gotta try and bring them in or else you'll be stuck with a bunch of 4 year mid-major talents that just simply don't have the ability to keep up with UK and UF.

Basically what he is saying is he wants to mirror Kevin Stallings, and look how that is working out for him. Get's bounced by a garbage team each year.
 
#22
#22
StoVol said:
i dont see top ten players knocking at our door in this type offense
Click to expand...

That's my concern. Obviously top ten players are going to be turned down, but not likely they will ask us to recruit them. Are we going to go after elite talent, or be content to go after the 3* player and an occasional 4* player. I still remember Buzz saying we couldn't sign the top players and we didn't waste time recruiting them. His current and first offer is to a three star player. Granted, most of the top players have already signed for this year.
 
#23
#23
I will take a team of above average solid juniors and seniors over the top 5 freshman any day of the week. The more experienced team will win 8/10 times.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#24
#24
Maybe he feels top 10 players have 1 focus and goal, to get mine and go to the NBA, rather than being a student athlete. Maybe he can't risk the turnover as he tries to build,( much like DD and his recruiting obstacles as he rebuilds fb.) Pre Madonna's are usually the first to bail or cause problems when faced with adversity, which can screw up the entire plan/team. Just an opinion. Not really even mine exactly. Just throwing it out.
 
#25
#25
Domestic Silence said:
That's the true question. Will he pursue these great players and do what he can to bring them in?

I understand not banking on all top-10 talent...but you've gotta try and bring them in or else you'll be stuck with a bunch of 4 year mid-major talents that just simply don't have the ability to keep up with UK and UF.

Basically what he is saying is he wants to mirror Kevin Stallings, and look how that is working out for him. Get's bounced by a garbage team each year.
Click to expand...

That's how I see it. He has indicated several times that he plans to build our program with guys who will stay. On the radio the other day, he said "We don't want players who will be gone in one year for one reason or another." It seems like he has a bias towards recruiting average players coming in.

Of course if a McDonalds All-American calls him up, Martin won't turn him down, but is he gonna get said All-American interested enough to seriously consider playing ball at the University of Tennessee. If Martin is not willing to go after the same types of recruits as Donovan and Calipari, then we have no chance at holding our own with them, without some AMAZING --i.e. Pearl's first 2-3 years--coaching.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top