Recruiting thoughts

[Tucson_Miner]

It is kind of frustrating seeing all of the players that the staff offered scholarships to committing elsewhere or not considering us at all. The worst part is that we are some of these players ONLY OFFER. Of the list produced by miner rush there are few players left to consider ....

Bakari Evelyn - Committed to Nebraska
Conor Clifford - Utah, South Carolina on his short list
Curran Scott - Tulsa, Fresno State short list
Ty Toney - committed to Eastern Michigan
Tyson Jolly - committed to Cal
Lovell Cabbil - committed to Liberty
Isaiah Maurice - committed to K State
Lindsey Drew - reclassifying to 2016 from what I read
Christian Cunningham - only Division 1 offer for several months and still can't commit
Melvin Frazier - short list Arkansas, LSU BUT ACT not high enough Maybe he comes here because of that alone
Olin Carter III - best D1 offer can't commit
kejhan feagin - we are his only D1 offer

Not sure Moore is going to qualify.

I can't help but think that recruits view the program as "toxic"
This post was edited on 4/20 7:44 PM by Tucson_Miner

This post was edited on 4/20 9:48 PM by Tucson_Miner

 

[utep2step]

Making way more than it appears. Not let me ask you, why would you choose to go to a way smaller program over UTEP? Because Floyd needs someone what can step into the fire...now!

 

[Vegasminer]

Because...


A published offer is just that: someone said something and it was added to a list. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't. Also, things change. Maybe the player stunk it up in the subsequent season, maybe the player didn't like who else was offered...who knows. Do other Mid Major schools suffer the same way? Probably. Do we want to be in a conference that recruits flock to? Hell yes. But we're not. We simply have to win. And win some more so that we get to Major conference "status" like Gonzaga. We have been snake-bitten for a few years with recruiting but maybe Karma catches up to us.

 

[nattybry]

Feagin has two D1 offers, Portland St is D1 and alot of D1 schools looking. Lee Moore will be fine from what I hear, he'll probably qualify and the list of kids is longer than that, we'll be fine. Jahshire Hardnett is who I hope we get

 

[USAFminersfan]

I stated the same concerns as the op in the den. UTEP has had a decent amount of press the last few years, and almost none of it good. Any recruit doing their homework might be leery.

We also have a bad track record of not giving recruits playing opportunity, or "encouraging" them to leave the program entirely.

I never thought I'd say this, but Floyd and staff may be giving UTEP a bad name. I know everything isn't their fault, but perceptions may exist regardless. This year's recruiting struggles had been particularly concerning....

This post was edited on 4/20 9:17 PM by USAFminersfan

 

[Tucson_Miner]

I guess my point is that you would think that a player would jump at the opportunity to play at UTEP over Portland State. Jashire Hardnett is probably signing with Murray State. The good thing is he will be announcing in the next day or two as he was supposed to announce tonight. I remember reading that we were not on his short list recently but I can't find that anymore. You said that the list is longer that what I listed but after viewing their videos the ones I listed are the best players (only based off of their videos and who else is recruiting them). AND I hope that you are right about Moore. If you are then I think we will be OK. Still concerned that six recruiting classes in and we don't have more than one PG.
This post was edited on 4/20 9:29 PM by Tucson_Miner

This post was edited on 4/20 9:33 PM by Tucson_Miner

 

[Tucson_Miner]

You are right. A ton of negative press ...

Multiple ejections
Gambling scandal
Fight with USC Enfield in Bahamas
Interview with USC
Interview with DePaul
Showing interest in Mizzou job
Trash talking best player on social media (not CTF)
Fight with Alford in New Mexico
The whole Isaac Hamilton debacle
NIT blowouts
Multiple defections
Shoving Morris

And that does not include having to overcome the negative publicity the drug war across the border creates.
This post was edited on 4/20 9:44 PM by Tucson_Miner

 

[Lucaminer]

I think there is no denying the top tier guys we went after late we whiffed on. Seems like the staff is scrambling a bit. Maybe I am wrong and they pull a surprise or two. Other than Paul Thomas is there a difference maker in this class?

 

[kickballpro]

Not sure what happened with Cunningham, he was kicked off his high school team. So, maybe that had something to do with it. But I hope to see something soon because this staff is supposed to be amazing recruiters and yet our only late signee is a guy started playing at 14 and no ones heard of him outside Charnwood England. I thought we beat out UK for a recruit and I got all excited, then I heard UK stood for United Kingdom.

What is frustrating is that we are using visits on guys who are not coming here like Evelyn, Ty Toney, and others. Floyd said last spring that he does not want to burn spring visits on guys that he cannot convince to sign here.

 

[jdubb66]

I think there is no denying the top tier guys we went after late we whiffed on. Seems like the staff is scrambling a bit. Maybe I am wrong and they pull a surprise or two. Other than Paul Thomas is there a difference maker in this class?

I think Lee Moore is the #1 difference maker in the class followed by Thomas and McSwiggan. Don't forget that Mac is older and has competed at an international level. He'll be able to contribute right away. Romine reminds me of Antonio Davis. Needs a little development but will be a beast as a Junior.

Also, call me crazy but I think the Jury is still out on Stallworth and Hunter. CTF may still be sitting on two scholies to see if either of those two earn their way back on the team.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Also, call me crazy but I think the Jury is still out on Stallworth and Hunter. CTF may still be sitting on two scholies to see if either of those two earn their way back on the team.

Dude, you're crazy!

Well, Stallworth still wants on the team, but Hunter does not. Use his schollie for someone who wants to be on the team. No use saving it for someone who's gone.

 

[miner661]

Dude, you're crazy!

Well, Stallworth still wants on the team, but Hunter does not. Use his schollie for someone who wants to be on the team. No use saving it for someone who's gone.

I agree. Hunter has clearly moved on. If he doesn't get drafted, he'll take his talents overseas. I believe the bridge has been burned between him and Floyd/UTEP. Jeff Darby's boneheaded tweet sealed the deal on what was already a probability of him declaring. He's moved on, so should UTEP. Use the available schollie.

 

[nattybry]

Jeff Darby had no effect on his decision, People stop saying that. He made a Life Decision, thats not made because of one manes tweet get real! Anyway I agree Moore will be huge, but we still need a PG!

 

[miner661]

Jeff Darby had no effect on his decision, People stop saying that. He made a Life Decision, thats not made because of one manes tweet get real! Anyway I agree Moore will be huge, but we still need a PG!

Re-read my response. I in no way attributed Darby's Tweet as being the sole reason Hunter decided to turn pro. I clearly stated the probability of Hunter declaring for the NBA already existed. He'd had NBA scouts attend nearly every game of his sophomore year. He knew of the interest from the pros. However, I do believe the Tweet was the final straw and had some bearing, albeit minimal, on the final decision. That is real.

 

[develman]

While it's hard to tell what effect it had on his decision if any. Can we agree it made the UTEP Athletic Dept. seem petty and unproffesional .

 

[shyminer81]

kejhan feagin is someone I thought the Miners would get. Hope so.

 

[winstoneptx]

Will someone please give me some more info on this Kejhan Fagin kid,
height, weight, JC or HS. position how many stars if any

 

[Miner65]

K J Feagin is 6ft 1in 170lbs and is a 3 star out of Long Beach California.

 

[kickballpro]

Ok, so I did some digging on KJ Feagin. UTEP has not offered him a scholarship. He has been considered undersized but grew 2 inches in a year. He has accomplished a lot at Cal Poly including a CIF title and a McDonalds nomination. However, with all his accolades, he had zero offers. His school started a Twitter campaign earlier this year with the hashtag #offerKJ. He received his one and only offer a month ago to Portland State.

 

[kickballpro]

Ok, so I did some digging on KJ Feagin. UTEP has not offered him a scholarship. He has been considered undersized but grew 2 inches in a year. He has accomplished a lot at Cal Poly including a CIF title and a McDonalds nomination. However, with all his accolades, he had zero offers. His school started a Twitter campaign earlier this year with the hashtag #offerKJ. He received his one and only offer a month ago to Portland State.

Or maybe he does, I have no idea.

I read an article saying he had only one offer from Portland St. His mother Kimberley Feagin is active on Twitter tweeted a few weeks ago that Steve Nash only had one offer. In one article, it says KJ gets overlooked because he doesn't play AAU ball.

However, it was his AAU coach that reported that KJ was offered by UTEP. Then there was a bunch of retweets and how they are blessed. Between him and lightly regarded Christian Cunningham, I don't understand why one or both aren't committed.

 

[winstoneptx]

Thanks for the feedback guys.
This is the board at it's best.

GO MINERS

 

[jdubb66]

Or maybe he does, I have no idea.

I read an article saying he had only one offer from Portland St. His mother Kimberley Feagin is active on Twitter tweeted a few weeks ago that Steve Nash only had one offer. In one article, it says KJ gets overlooked because he doesn't play AAU ball.

However, it was his AAU coach that reported that KJ was offered by UTEP. Then there was a bunch of retweets and how they are blessed. Between him and lightly regarded Christian Cunningham, I don't understand why one or both aren't committed.

I believe CTF is sitting on two scholies. Why? Well, he wants to keep Stallworth and Hunter in school until the end of semester so as not to affect our APR. Secondly, he may be holding out hope that Hunter and/or Stallworth return. Originally, Hunter said that coming back if he wasn't drafted wasn't an option and that he had gotten a deadline to decide if he was going pro from CTF. That deadline was the Monday before signing day. We know that Vince is still in school and as of last report had not hired an agent, something he should have done right away if he were done with college bball. Maybe CTF had a change of heart and said, hey, if you don't get drafted, we will welcome you back.

 

[Lucaminer]

I believe CTF is sitting on two scholies. Why? Well, he wants to keep Stallworth and Hunter in school until the end of semester so as not to affect our APR. Secondly, he may be holding out hope that Hunter and/or Stallworth return. Originally, Hunter said that coming back if he wasn't drafted wasn't an option and that he had gotten a deadline to decide if he was going pro from CTF. That deadline was the Monday before signing day. We know that Vince is still in school and as of last report had not hired an agent, something he should have done right away if he were done with college bball. Maybe CTF had a change of heart and said, hey, if you don't get drafted, we will welcome you back.

Are you positive Hunter is still in school?

 

[jdubb66]

No but as of April 13th he was and he is still on the UTEP Student Roster.

 

[Tucson_Miner]

Hunter and Stallworth will not be back. I am just as disappointed as the rest of you.

 

[miner661]

How do we know Stallworth won't be back? Has there been a decision made and announced on him?

 

[Miner Dawgma]

saw Lew at the first Chihuahuas game...would think he would have headed for home if didn't have a chance of coming back....

 

[PURPLEFIRE]

I think stalworth will be back but I seriously doubt hunter will be

 

[PURPLEFIRE]

Hope we can sign that Olin carter kid seems like a good shooter....

 

[desantos]

Not worried, I cant remember any recruits that sign this late being major contributors. There is a reason they havent signed yet.

 

[nattybry]

Not true, Zimmerman hasn't signed yet and is a top 10 recruit and there are many other late recruits who will start this year for Big Programs next year. We need a PG!

 

[MinerStorm]

I read where Zimmerman final decided to stay in Vegas with UNLV

 

[Cicileslie]

Zimmerman hasn't signed because he isn't going to sign a letter of intent, but rather will sign a scholarship agreement to play at unlv...FYI.

 

[nattybry]

Lol

Zimmerman hasn't signed because he isn't going to sign a letter of intent, but rather will sign a scholarship agreement to play at unlv...FYI.

Lol that doesn't change the point that there are good players in the late signing period both JC and High school and D1 transfers... also Zimmerman wasn't set on UNLV until recently it was still very up in the air FYI

 

[Cicileslie]

Easy there natty. Sounds like you got a little defensive there. I was just setting the record straight. You said he hadn't signed yet. All I said was that he wasn't gonna sign. And since you wanna go there...there is no other player out there right now that can come close to comparing to Zimmerman. There are a few 'decent' players but most anyone worth their salt has already signed. Sure there are a few needles in the haystack, but good luck finding one. The exceptions might be a graduate who can come in and play right away for a year, and the other would be finding a Speedy Smith type, but that is just very unlikely at this point. There really aren't that many "good" players that are still unsigned.

 

[nattybry]

Easy there natty. Sounds like you got a little defensive there. I was just setting the record straight. You said he hadn't signed yet. All I said was that he wasn't gonna sign. And since you wanna go there...there is no other player out there right now that can come close to comparing to Zimmerman. There are a few 'decent' players but most anyone worth their salt has already signed. Sure there are a few needles in the haystack, but good luck finding one. The exceptions might be a graduate who can come in and play right away for a year, and the other would be finding a Speedy Smith type, but that is just very unlikely at this point. There really aren't that many "good" players that are still unsigned.

I agree that now they have mostly signed, I mean in general the late period has some gems still out there, but I fear Utep has already passed that point. I'm not sure what's going on, maybe Floyd has a late trick up his sleeve, but it is late in the game and not much left out there.

 

[Cicileslie]

I like our class so far. I think it's solid. I hope CTF has something up his sleeve, tho. Feel like we could really use all 13 schollies, rather than the current 11. With that said, I don't think he should compromise level of talent for sheer numbers.

 

[nattybry]

I wish I could agree, but I think we're missing a PG and a PF. I hope your right, but right now does this starting line up really scare n e one? Again I'd rather be pleasantly surprised

PG/SG Omega Harris 6'2
SG Earvin Morris 6'4
SG Lee Moore 6'4
F Paul Thomas 6'8 or Trey Winn 6'7
C Matt Willms 7'1
I don't know man, I just don't know, I hope we pick up a surprise late recruit or 2

 

[miner661]

Did UAB's starting lineup scare anyone heading into the 2014 season? Nope. That's one of the great aspects of college basketball. Sometimes, there's more than what meets the eye.

 

[Cicileslie]

Did UAB's starting lineup scare anyone heading into the 2014 season? Nope. That's one of the great aspects of college basketball. Sometimes, there's more than what meets the eye.

With that I would agree.