👀 The eye test

The recruiting live period returns, along with recruiting news galore; plus, Bob Huggins gets his flowers, and more

September 12, 2022

As the advanced metrics revolution influences takes over over college basketball, there’s been some pushback. From impassioned pleas from Jeff Goodman … to impassioned pleas from Jeff Goodman, media members and fans voice frustration over the reliance on numbers and data as opposed to the tried and true “eye test.”

Well, good news for metrics skeptics — the recruiting fall period has begun! And while it differs significantly from the summer live period, it still gives coaches a chance to watch prospects in person — and with it, a chance to break out the ol’ eye test. That’s where we’ll start.

Let’s get to the news.

STARTING FIVE

1. (Pumpkin-spiced) coffee is for closers

Friday ushered in the start of a new recruiting period, as the NCAA allowed coaches to get back on the road for the first time since July. Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports broke down the ins and outs of the fall timeline here, explicitly spotlighting the variations between this period and the spring and summer ones.

In short, the fall recruiting period forbids coaches from attending AAU and grassroots tournaments — such as Peach Jam and the 3SSB showcases — and instead permits in-home visits along with attendances of practices and high school games.

Finkelstein summarized the key takeaway of this recruiting period:

[U]nlike the summer, when a college coach can see numerous prospects per day, often in the same event, they must travel to each player’s home or school in the fall, thus forcing them to prioritize how they spend their time.

This has become even more important in the age of social media, where coaches’ travels are widely publicized. It’s not just local fan bases who are monitoring where their coaches are headed, but also the recruits, families, high school and grassroots coaches as well.

So how have some big-name coaches spent the first few days of the period? Well, another 247 piece provided an early recap:

  • John Calipari trekked to New Jersey to visit 5-star guard DJ Wagner (2023) and his teammate, 5-star center Aaron Bradshaw (2023). Wagner is an explosive guard who lives in the lane and brims with potential as an iso scorer. Bradshaw could be the next dominant big under Cal.

  • Wes Miller continued his pursuit of point guard Isaiah Collier, a consensus top-5 prospect in the class of 2023. If the Cincy coach closes the deal, it would provide a monumental boost to a program on the brink of a resurgence. Collier features a different skill set than UNC Greensboro great Isaiah Miller (whom Miller coached), but coach Miller could still sell him on similar usage.

  • In a quest to sustain his torrid recruiting stretch, Eric Musselman ventured to Duncanville, Texas, to woo 5-star forward Ron Holland (2023). The 6-8 rising senior played on the same high school team as Anthony Black, creating an easy connection. But just as important, Musselman has found success with jumbo wings like Holland — a pitch that should surely resonate.

  • Shortly after TJ Power chose Duke over North Carolina (among others), Hubert Davis pivoted and unleashed the full-court press on 4-star stretch big Zayden High (2023). The Tar Heels’ head honcho flew down to San Antonio to visit the 6-9 sharpshooter.

  • None of Chris Beard’s teams have ranked top-75 in 3-point percentage since 2019. The Texas coach hopes to change that, as he inked official visit plans with 5-star wing Andrej Stojakovic over the weekend.

  • Scott Drew spent his time watching 5-star 2-guard Tre Johnson (2024) along with 5-star point guard Elliot Cadeau (2024). This came on the heels of receiving a commitment from 2024 floor general Robert Wright III. The man likes his guards and the guards like him.

2. Texas Twosome

As noted, Baylor landed its second prospect from the 2024 class over the weekend. Robert Wright III, a 6-1 point guard out of Philadelphia, chose the Bears over Georgetown, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Seton Hall and Syracuse, among others.

Wright gives Scott Drew a cerebral floor leader with terrific vision and passing acumen. This skill set will allow him to immediately carve out a role — even though he projects as a multi-year collegiate player.

His self-description certainly aligns with Drew’s on-court philosophy:

“Baylor is getting a point guard that can run the show and make plays at a high level but also create for himself when the offense breaks down and a good on-ball defender,” he told On3.

But Wright wasn’t the only 4-star athlete who chose a school in the Longhorn state over the weekend. Jace Posey, the son of 2-time NBA Champion James Posey, committed to Jamie Dixon and TCU.

Posey, a 6-4 wing in the class of 2023, flaunts high-flying athleticism and a super-charged motor. In the Horned Frogs, he found a system tailor-made for his strengths (one that stresses defense, rebounding and versatility on the perimeter). Check his highlights here.

3. Huggins to the Hall

On Saturday, Bob Huggins received his long-awaited induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame. Accompanied by fellow West Virginia Hall of Famers Jerry West and Rod Thorn, the coach delivered an unforgettable speech full of nostalgia, emotion and even some humor. If only he would’ve shared it in a pullover.

Frankly, this honor seems overdue. Heading into this season, Huggins ranks fourth all-time in career wins with 916 (this includes three seasons at NAIA school Walsh University).

But most notably, the coach brought two programs back to prominence with a formula based on depth and defense. While at Cincinnati, the Bearcats reached two Elite Eights and a Final Four. Huggins also led the Mountaineers to the final weekend in 2010.

To summarize Huggins’ impact, I’ll paraphrase Jay-Z: “Hov Huggs a livin’ legend and I’ll tell you why. Everybody wanna be Hov Huggs, but Hov Huggs still alive.”

4. A Fanta-stic slate of Big East games

Last week, we covered the release of the SEC, A-10 and Big Ten schedules. Today, we’ll scope out the Big East’s outlook … with some help from our friend John Fanta.

In the wake of the conference announcing its league games, Fanta shared his thoughts on the Big East’s can’t-miss contests. Here are the four from his list that most caught my eye:

Providence at Seton Hall, Dec. 17

This showdown features two of last season’s most notable coaches, Ed Cooley (the Naismith Coach of the Year) and Shaheen Holloway (new to Seton Hall after an Elite Eight run at Saint Peter’s). Both frontmen provide enough entertainment in their own rights — but the on-court product should be equally as fascinating. Of particular interest is the backcourt. Providence’s big-time shotmaker Jared Bynum may find his match in Clemson transfer Al-Amir Dawes — a 3-point marksman who will scorch the nylon.

Villanova at UConn, Dec. 28

By this point in the season, Kyle Neptune will likely have his sea legs under him, and ‘Nova could be humming. But regardless of who’s behind the clipboard, the Wildcats will face a grueling test in Storrs. UConn has boasted a top-60 defense nationally in each of the past three seasons, and this year will be no different. That’s tough news for a Villanova squad that’s uncharacteristically reliant on freshmen.

Villanova at Creighton, Feb. 4

This will have Big East title implications. The Bluejays return the following pieces from a squad that almost beat Kansas in the Round of 32: an ebullient lead guard (Ryan Nembhard), a beastly two-way big man (Ryan Kalkbrenner) and a versatile forward ready for a larger role (Arthur Kaluma). Still, Villanova may have the best player on the floor in freshman wing Cam Whitmore — and he’ll likely be hitting his stride at this point of the season.

Butler at Xavier, Mar. 4

The final day of the regular season delivers a contest between these two programs with new coaches and tournament aspirations. What could be better? Butler's re-tooled roster is flush with a handful of intriguing transfers (Ali Ali, Manny Bates), breakout candidates (Simas Lukosius, Jayden Taylor) and a star in the making (Chuck Harris). Xavier, meanwhile, showcases a trio of high-quality returners (Colby Jones, Zach Freemantle, Jack Nunge).

5. Skerry hours

Let’s turn to the mid-major ranks for our last headline. Pat Skerry and the Towson Tigers reeled in 6-7 wing Tyler Tejada over the weekend, boosting their perimeter group for 2023. Tejada shines out of triple threat and also has a projectable 3-point jumper — he’s a significant addition for a program on the rise.

A season ago, the Tigers ranked in the top 100 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom. They fell just one game short of the CAA’s auto-bid, losing to Delaware in the conference championship.

How will they respond? Make sure you pick up The Almanac to get an idea. Our mammoth of a magazine supplies exclusive insight with every coach on record — plus 1,300 words on all 363 teams. Use promo code “HOOPS” for 20 percent off until Sept. 26

Also in the recruiting world:

TWEET OF THE WEEK

The Life of Rob-lo

Kentucky commit Rob Dillingham — a shifty combo guard wired to score — posed for a photo opp with the mastermind of Donda Academy, Mr. West himself.

Also of note: It appears that Ye is still wearing those odd galoshes. Perhaps Yeezy rain boots are in the works?

THE FAST BREAK

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