Vee Sanford- 6'4 Shooting guard

[PoconoPony]

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=76136&season=2009&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d76136%26season%3d2009

Appears to have the same build as Haynes but a much better outside jumper. ESPN has him ranked as the #110 SG in the country.


How do we break into the top 25 when our best very long shot prospect is the #110 rated SG in the country? If we were to be successful in his recruitment would that not make us the #110 rated college??? Logic would dictate that 109 other colleges have recruited better SGs thereby establishing our ranking at #110. Using this same logic accounts for why we are where we are today ( or am I missing something here and failed my logic course??).

Just as a comparison, McCoy was ranked # 31 pg, Dubois #103 pg, Otis #106 pf , & Haynes was not ranked by ESPN last year.

I'm busting chops and using ridiculous logic to make a point. My point is that we ostensibly need to go after better talent if we are to improve. It is a bit disappointing that our best prospect is rated at this level. If we keep recruiting players rated at #100 or lower or not rated at all, we should not expect to appreciably improve the program. This is particularly on point when our only signing for 2009 apprears to be a real long shot prospect/project. Can you improve your program if one recruiting class is comprised of a project and a low rated SG????? You can only afford to sign a very limited number of projects and only when you have the luxury of time to wait on them. This means you already have a solid program with a nucleous of quality ranked players. Under these conditions you can roll the dice and afford a project or 3 recognizing that they may only give you one year or so and/or give you nothing at all. In the interim, you need sufficient balance and quality to compete let alone become top 25.

[papawasamustang]

I understand your logic & agree with you.
Obviously the coaching staff sees something in J O & think that they may have something 2 to 3 years down the road. We just have to trust in Doh's talent evaluation of this kid. All of the remaining rides need to go to guys ready to contribute immediately.

Sanford, Donte Meeder & Jackie Carmichael all appear to be kids that have been marginal prospects but are having break out senior years.
That is one reason for the lower ratings. Now their stock is rising & they are becoming more heavily recruited. Preston Medlin from Hebron also fits into this category.

Then there's Finnus Craddock from Garland & Javarez Willis.
Both have 0 star ratings & both can flat out play. They are 2 of the best guards in the metroplex & its confusing to see some kids that aren't as good as them with a higher rating. It just shows you that you can't always go by the Scout & Rivals rating systems. Its all in the eyes of the college coaches talent evaluation.

Also, there a 4 great HS games on ESPNU today featuring 8 of the best teams in the country. The talent is outstanding. The stands are packed with coaches from colleges all over the country. No mention of SMU or any sightings of SMU coaches, doesn't mean they are not there. However, Tamir Jackson just had an outstanding game & he's going to RICE.

[PoconoPony]

Thanks Papa for the informative information. I think your key statement is, " All the remaining rides need to go to guys ready to contribute immediately." Which is a peripheral point I was trying to make. Not only do the rides need to go to guys who can contribute immediately, they must appreciably improve our talent and skill levels. You cannot improve the program unless you are bringing in McCoy level quality kids.

[papawasamustang]

Thanks Papa for the informative information. I think your key statement is, " All the remaining rides need to go to guys ready to contribute immediately." Which is a peripheral point I was trying to make. Not only do the rides need to go to guys who can contribute immediately, they must appreciably improve our talent and skill levels. You cannot improve the program unless you are bringing in McCoy level quality kids.

We have to continue to upgrade the talent base to the point where the team has depth & each practice is a war. Starters need to know that the kid sitting on the bench pushing them everyday in practice is ready to take his spot @ anytime.
The JO signing means next season we will have TK, Hoge, Papa & JO.
U tell me if that group is going to be a strong force in the middle.
That's why Papa imo opinion isn't improving like we all thought he would.
He just doesn't have someone to bang with in practice everyday.

[PoconoPony]

Thanks Papa for the informative information. I think your key statement is, " All the remaining rides need to go to guys ready to contribute immediately." Which is a peripheral point I was trying to make. Not only do the rides need to go to guys who can contribute immediately, they must appreciably improve our talent and skill levels. You cannot improve the program unless you are bringing in McCoy level quality kids.

We have to continue to upgrade the talent base to the point where the team has depth & each practice is a war. Starters need to know that the kid sitting on the bench pushing them everyday in practice is ready to take his spot @ anytime.
The JO signing means next season we will have TK, Hoge, Papa & JO.
U tell me if that group is going to be a strong force in the middle.
That's why Papa imo opinion isn't improving like we all thought he would.
He just doesn't have someone to bang with in practice everyday.

Those of us stuck out in the hinterlands do not get to see the games in person and you are in a position to guide the rest of us. I only see the games on All Access and/or No Access when it works. Hence, do not really see all of the action and have very limited court angles as they only use one camera. You are right that improvemnent in any sport comes from competition in practice. (Michael Phelps would not have bagged 8 gold medals if it were not for 1 year of intense competition against his practice group of 12 who themselves garnered roughly 15 more medals.) My question to you is whether or not it is the lack of talent, competition in practice or coaching?????