Recruiting 2017 and Beyond

[SOONERGRAD]

As I just sit and observe these recruiting classes, I'm noticing that programs are starting to rebuild. Starting to reload with players in their own state and it's becoming a trend. I look at Texas, Baylor, and South Carolina and all I see is recruiting dominance in their home state. They are going after their instate players fairly harder than usual. Most of the top talent right now is in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and in the southeast, Georgia and Florida are doing their best to keep their talent at home.

I like the foundation Sherri is setting right now. We have Dungee coming in 2016 and Llanusa coming in 2017. The point I'm trying to make is that when building a foundation for success and championships it starts at home. Meaning in our own home state. I understand we have a nation wide recruiting base but as I look back on Sherri's previous teams, like the 2002 final 4 team for example:
Did anyone pay attention to how many Oklahoma girls were on that team? Even the 2009 team. It's all about chemistry. Of course we're going to have some out of state girls but the foundation starts within the state of Oklahoma.

I look at the other in-state schools like Oklahoma State, Tulsa, and ORU. They go hard after the instate players and they are not bad at all! Some of them in my opinion would of contributed well at OU.

We have let far to many players leave the state to contribute to other to other programs. I just hope we strike gold with the 2017 and 2018 classes. Oklahoma and Texas are loaded with top prospects. I just wish we would go harder then what we have been. I would not exactly establish Oklahoma as a national powerhouse just yet. We still have a lot to prove. What happened to the Arkansas connection? We had a pretty good jackpot their. Jimmy Dykes understand he has to keep those players home to get where he is trying to go. Same for Cal.

And if anyone says something about UCONN not recruiting in-state players then you are a fool. Talent pool is totally different in Connecticut and they are by far on a different level than us. The only major prospect I know to come out of Connecticut is Bria Holmes at West Virginia and I always wondered did Geno ever take a look at her?

 

[SoonerNorm]

I certainly agree that Sherri should make it a priority to keep the best in-state players at home. I also believe Texas should be our second priority when it comes to recruiting. They have great players and it isn't that far for family to watch them play.

But, the most important thing is to sign some elite players. We've done it in the past but not lately. I cannot remember the last starter who became a reserve because Sherri recruited over her. If you aren't recruiting better players than the ones you have, how can you expect to make significant improvement? Experience helps, but better players can take the program to the next level. I would love to see Peyton, Gabbi, Maddie, etc recruited over. That would mean we are on the rise to be able to compete with Texas and Baylor going forward.

 

[sybarite]

We were badly in need of another thread about how Sherri doesn't recruit well in Oklahoma. There is a place just behind the end of the tail on this dead horse that hasn't been kicked yet.

I can understand the anxiety, Soonergrad. But, I'm not sure that the picture is all that clear. Let's see if we can add a few touches to the picture that has been painted.

The population of the US is about 326 million. The population of Oklahoma is about 3.878 million. That means that about one in a hundred people come from Oklahoma. It would seem that about one in a hundred top prospects might come from Oklahoma. But, there may be a difference in #1 and #90. How many first rate prospects might come from Oklahoma.

In the entire history of Oklahoma, I can only remember a handful of male basketball players from the state who were star or superstar quality. Alvan Adams, Wayman Tisdale, and Blake Griffin come to mind. A step behind them were probably Price, Stacy King, and Lester Lane. But, when OU made the final four, how many of the players were from Oklahoma? There were several in 47, only four in 1988 (two of whom were freshmen), and two in 2002. The rest were out of state recruits. The last one was the first year for Sherri, and she went to two more.

If we only wanted top 100 recruits, we might expect only one a year in Oklahoma due to population. That means four out of fifteen on the roster. But, are they the best? We've had pretty good success with California recruits. Hopefully, we'll have some success with our Florida recruits. We have been OK with Texas with Hand, Whaley, Chelsi, and now Mulkey. But, we have to recruit from elsewhere. How do we do that? What attracts prospects to OU?

I can see a girl wanting to go to Austin. There is a future in Austin. That is a growing area with a lot of high tech industry moving to the area. It has a future. I can see the same thing in going to a Duke or ND since they have good career possibilities in nearby cities. Stanford and Cal are in the middle of industry. Does Oklahoma offer that type of attraction?

We haven't exactly had the type of support for women's programs to be as successful as we are. Frankly, we got lucky with some hires,and we got programs that exceeded the level of commitment of the university and its alumni. Nobody tried to close the football program---just Switzer. They did shut the basketball doors for lack of commitment.

I kind of think that Boren has taken some steps that will tend to make it easier to recruit to OU, and we may be stepping up in our opportunities. With all due respect to the ones who got away, we can live without them. We have the one that I wanted in this year's class, and we have a commitment from the best in Oklahoma next year.

When I look at this year's team, I see a great deal of potential. We may, especially if Carter returns, make the Final Four. We have players from Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Minnesota. That's kind of what I anticipate.

My daughter had a great-grandfather and uncle who played football for OU in 2015. She had a grandmother who was among the first members of PiPhi at OU. She had a grandmother who had a BA and MS from OU as well as a grandfather who had a Ph.D from OU. Her cousins all went to OU. He aunt and uncle went to OU. Both of her parents went to OU. She was obviously going to OU. She never even considered it. She went to NYU where there were opportunities.

 

[skilledserv]

We were badly in need of another thread about how Sherri doesn't recruit well in Oklahoma. There is a place just behind the end of the tail on this dead horse that hasn't been kicked yet.

I can understand the anxiety, Soonergrad. But, I'm not sure that the picture is all that clear. Let's see if we can add a few touches to the picture that has been painted.

The population of the US is about 326 million. The population of Oklahoma is about 3.878 million. That means that about one in a hundred people come from Oklahoma. It would seem that about one in a hundred top prospects might come from Oklahoma. But, there may be a difference in #1 and #90. How many first rate prospects might come from Oklahoma.

In the entire history of Oklahoma, I can only remember a handful of male basketball players from the state who were star or superstar quality. Alvan Adams, Wayman Tisdale, and Blake Griffin come to mind. A step behind them were probably Price, Stacy King, and Lester Lane. But, when OU made the final four, how many of the players were from Oklahoma? There were several in 47, only four in 1988 (two of whom were freshmen), and two in 2002. The rest were out of state recruits. The last one was the first year for Sherri, and she went to two more.

If we only wanted top 100 recruits, we might expect only one a year in Oklahoma due to population. That means four out of fifteen on the roster. But, are they the best? We've had pretty good success with California recruits. Hopefully, we'll have some success with our Florida recruits. We have been OK with Texas with Hand, Whaley, Chelsi, and now Mulkey. But, we have to recruit from elsewhere. How do we do that? What attracts prospects to OU?

I can see a girl wanting to go to Austin. There is a future in Austin. That is a growing area with a lot of high tech industry moving to the area. It has a future. I can see the same thing in going to a Duke or ND since they have good career possibilities in nearby cities. Stanford and Cal are in the middle of industry. Does Oklahoma offer that type of attraction?

We haven't exactly had the type of support for women's programs to be as successful as we are. Frankly, we got lucky with some hires,and we got programs that exceeded the level of commitment of the university and its alumni. Nobody tried to close the football program---just Switzer. They did shut the basketball doors for lack of commitment.

I kind of think that Boren has taken some steps that will tend to make it easier to recruit to OU, and we may be stepping up in our opportunities. With all due respect to the ones who got away, we can live without them. We have the one that I wanted in this year's class, and we have a commitment from the best in Oklahoma next year.

When I look at this year's team, I see a great deal of potential. We may, especially if Carter returns, make the Final Four. We have players from Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Minnesota. That's kind of what I anticipate.

My daughter had a great-grandfather and uncle who played football for OU in 2015. She had a grandmother who was among the first members of PiPhi at OU. She had a grandmother who had a BA and MS from OU as well as a grandfather who had a Ph.D from OU. Her cousins all went to OU. He aunt and uncle went to OU. Both of her parents went to OU. She was obviously going to OU. She never even considered it. She went to NYU where there were opportunities.

Final 4 ? Agreed with a lot in the post and it was a great read but I think your expectations may be a little high

 

[mikeareese]

Who are the top players in Oklahoma? 2017?2018? Also OU looking heavy at Addison Ryan and Tatum Veitenheimer for 2018. How does that impact Kendra Levings(2018)? Does that also effect her sister? Would OU take 3 ( 1/2) players in 2018

 

[rocjunkie]

We were badly in need of another thread about how Sherri doesn't recruit well in Oklahoma. There is a place just behind the end of the tail on this dead horse that hasn't been kicked yet.

I can understand the anxiety, Soonergrad. But, I'm not sure that the picture is all that clear. Let's see if we can add a few touches to the picture that has been painted.

The population of the US is about 326 million. The population of Oklahoma is about 3.878 million. That means that about one in a hundred people come from Oklahoma. It would seem that about one in a hundred top prospects might come from Oklahoma. But, there may be a difference in #1 and #90. How many first rate prospects might come from Oklahoma.

In the entire history of Oklahoma, I can only remember a handful of male basketball players from the state who were star or superstar quality. Alvan Adams, Wayman Tisdale, and Blake Griffin come to mind. A step behind them were probably Price, Stacy King, and Lester Lane. But, when OU made the final four, how many of the players were from Oklahoma? There were several in 47, only four in 1988 (two of whom were freshmen), and two in 2002. The rest were out of state recruits. The last one was the first year for Sherri, and she went to two more.

If we only wanted top 100 recruits, we might expect only one a year in Oklahoma due to population. That means four out of fifteen on the roster. But, are they the best? We've had pretty good success with California recruits. Hopefully, we'll have some success with our Florida recruits. We have been OK with Texas with Hand, Whaley, Chelsi, and now Mulkey. But, we have to recruit from elsewhere. How do we do that? What attracts prospects to OU?

I can see a girl wanting to go to Austin. There is a future in Austin. That is a growing area with a lot of high tech industry moving to the area. It has a future. I can see the same thing in going to a Duke or ND since they have good career possibilities in nearby cities. Stanford and Cal are in the middle of industry. Does Oklahoma offer that type of attraction?

We haven't exactly had the type of support for women's programs to be as successful as we are. Frankly, we got lucky with some hires,and we got programs that exceeded the level of commitment of the university and its alumni. Nobody tried to close the football program---just Switzer. They did shut the basketball doors for lack of commitment.

I kind of think that Boren has taken some steps that will tend to make it easier to recruit to OU, and we may be stepping up in our opportunities. With all due respect to the ones who got away, we can live without them. We have the one that I wanted in this year's class, and we have a commitment from the best in Oklahoma next year.

When I look at this year's team, I see a great deal of potential. We may, especially if Carter returns, make the Final Four. We have players from Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Minnesota. That's kind of what I anticipate.

My daughter had a great-grandfather and uncle who played football for OU in 2015. She had a grandmother who was among the first members of PiPhi at OU. She had a grandmother who had a BA and MS from OU as well as a grandfather who had a Ph.D from OU. Her cousins all went to OU. He aunt and uncle went to OU. Both of her parents went to OU. She was obviously going to OU. She never even considered it. She went to NYU where there were opportunities.

Syb, one of the best posts I have read in a long time, nice job of putting things in perspective.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I don't see what attracts players to UCONN, S.Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, Waco, etc other than the coaches are recruiting their rear ends off and building great basketball programs. The best players want to play for winners. Sherri did not take advantage of having great players when we had Courtney and DRob. You have to strike when the iron's hot. You start with one great player, start winning, and add another great player. With 2 elite players and enough good role players, that should give you a chance to get to a final four. You then have to continue to bring in additional elite players because there is a thing called graduation.

We had Courtney and DRob. We don't have anyone now who can match their play. The reason? Recruiting. Speaking of in-state players we had a chance to add a really good in-state player this year in Wilson but missed. You will see some posts that we got just as good or better. It's not true but they can think that if they want to. I think Chelsea can play but there is a difference between she and Wilson. I do like Mulkey. If she gets stronger and becomes more aggressive, she will make us better. Even if she becomes a great player, one great player is not enough. That definitely will not win the conference much less get to a final four. Speaking of final fours, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw Syb suggest if Gioya gets back we could make the final four. I want what he's smoking. Lol. There are no guarantees that Baylor or Texas will make the final four.

I do not think for a second high school players are choosing Texas, Baylor, Louisville, S. Carolina, etc because they see industrial opportunities in those areas upon graduation. That is an excuse (a bad excuse at that) to somehow justify top players choosing those schools but not OU. Some have suggested it isn't possible to get top players to Norman. I sure hope no one tells Lon that because he seems to have something pretty special going on right now. I wonder if those guys are in Norman for the industry jobs they expect upon graduation. I bet some thought it was impossible to bring top talent to Waco before Kim got there. Texas had problems recruiting until Karen was hired. S. Carolina had nothing going on until Dawn was hired. The one common thing those schools have in common is they all have great recruiters.

I also don't buy that kids go to Notre Dame, Duke, and Stanford just because they are recognized as very good academic schools. If that were true, Rice, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, etc would excel in basketball as well.

So people can make up whatever excuses they want but, it comes down to recruiting. If you don't recruit like your hair is on fire, build relationships, and close the sale, don't expect to stay up with the teams that are.

 

[SoonerNorm]

One more thing, recruiting is not easy. IMO, it's the hardest part of a coach's job. You have to recruit with a passion. When you are recruiting against Kim and Karen, you have your hands full because they are two of the best. You have to bring your A game every time you meet with a player, parents, high school coaches, AAU coaches, etc. If you snooze you lose.

 

[Soonerb36]

Its also a little concerning when your coach says the teams goal is a NC but doesn't enjoy the recruiting process

 

[sybarite]

Could we be a bit more negative?

Let's check out some of those comparisons. Lon Kruger has been a head coach for thirty years, now in his thirty-first. He has been to:

one final four
three sweet sixteens (including the year that they went to the final four)

This is Sherri's twentieth year. She has been to:

three final fours
nine sweet sixteens (including the three in which she made the final fours)

Want to run that comparison by me again? Has the men's program that Lon inherited ever been cancelled? Indeed, he inherited a program that had been to three final fours, and followed Tubbs and Sampson who had been to one each. Yes, the men's program has been to three final fours---in its entire history. Well, so has Sherri, in the past fourteen years.

Run that comparison by me again.

I don't know if you have noticed, but Sherri coaches women. Lon coaches men. Men have a great number of opportunities to make a lot of money in basketball or football or baseball if they attend the right school and go pro. The top women basketball players in the pros don't make the NBA minimum. Probably as a team they might make the NBA minimum for one player. Softball players face wages barely above the poverty level. Women are better off coaching if they remain in sports at all. Their opportunities depend more on how they parlay their exposure into a job in industry, communications, etc. They actually expect to graduate. The top male athletes don't really intend to be in school all that long.

If you didn't notice, I'm not the only person on the board who feels that Wilson is not the greatest prospect in Oklahoma history. We can live without her.

If you haven't noticed, some schools are making huge commitments to sports. Baylor just built an entire football stadium, and they are committed to being #1 in everything, except reputation and integrity.

Despite all of that great talent that other schools accumulate, in the past fifteen years, how many have been to the Final Four three times or to the Sweet Sixteen nine times? Even those superpowers like Duke have difficulty competing with that. UConn and ND do, and they have great programs in both men's and women's basketball. If you will notice, the Connecticut men have won the national title as well as the women. Geno has the support of the entire university and state. He deserves it. He is a good recruiter, and a great coach, as is Muffet.

But, list all of the schools in the nation that have been to three final fours and nine sweet sixteens in the past twelve years. Then, let's begin to talk.

 

[skilledserv]

Could we be a bit more negative?

Let's check out some of those comparisons. Lon Kruger has been a head coach for thirty years, now in his thirty-first. He has been to:

one final four
three sweet sixteens (including the year that they went to the final four)

This is Sherri's twentieth year. She has been to:

three final fours
nine sweet sixteens (including the three in which she made the final fours)

Want to run that comparison by me again? Has the men's program that Lon inherited ever been cancelled? Indeed, he inherited a program that had been to three final fours, and followed Tubbs and Sampson who had been to one each. Yes, the men's program has been to three final fours---in its entire history. Well, so has Sherri, in the past fourteen years.

Run that comparison by me again.

I don't know if you have noticed, but Sherri coaches women. Lon coaches men. Men have a great number of opportunities to make a lot of money in basketball or football or baseball if they attend the right school and go pro. The top women basketball players in the pros don't make the NBA minimum. Probably as a team they might make the NBA minimum for one player. Softball players face wages barely above the poverty level. Women are better off coaching if they remain in sports at all. Their opportunities depend more on how they parlay their exposure into a job in industry, communications, etc. They actually expect to graduate. The top male athletes don't really intend to be in school all that long.

If you didn't notice, I'm not the only person on the board who feels that Wilson is not the greatest prospect in Oklahoma history. We can live without her.

If you haven't noticed, some schools are making huge commitments to sports. Baylor just built an entire football stadium, and they are committed to being #1 in everything, except reputation and integrity.

Despite all of that great talent that other schools accumulate, in the past fifteen years, how many have been to the Final Four three times or to the Sweet Sixteen nine times? Even those superpowers like Duke have difficulty competing with that. UConn and ND do, and they have great programs in both men's and women's basketball. If you will notice, the Connecticut men have won the national title as well as the women. Geno has the support of the entire university and state. He deserves it. He is a good recruiter, and a great coach, as is Muffet.

But, list all of the schools in the nation that have been to three final fours and nine sweet sixteens in the past twelve years. Then, let's begin to talk.

I agree with you but the life we live today is about what have you done for me lately. I'm a Dallas cowboys fan and if you want to talk history......there is only one team in the nfl that has more super bowl trophies, but at the end of the day we haven't won since the early 90's.

As of today OU is being out recruited by Baylor and Texas......you can almost make an argument that TCU had a better 2016 class, let's not forget that Kansas (jessica Washington and McKenzie Calvert) has a brand new staff. The bottom line is this, you can't ever get relaxed and you can never settle.

I don't think SoonerNorm is saying Wilson is the best to ever come out of Oklahoma, but that she is the best kid for 2016. I personally think she's the best for 2015, 2016, and 2017 that Oklahoma as a state has to offer.

 

[BanjoCharley]

Final 4 ? Agreed with a lot in the post and it was a great read but I think your expectations may be a little high

Ah but that is the great thing about being a fan. You place your expectations wherever you want to and no matter how wrong you are, nobody calls for you to be fired!

I'm thinking sweet sixteen with a shot at elite eight.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Ah but that is the great thing about being a fan. You place your expectations wherever you want to and no matter how wrong you are, nobody calls for you to be fired!

I'm thinking sweet sixteen with a shot at elite eight.

Yes, but you don't have to be delusional to be a good fan.

Your expectation of a sweet sixteen is more reasonable.

 

[SOONERGRAD]

I think Norm and Skilled are on point with what I'm trying to say. I just feel we have gotten very "comfortable" over the years. Ever since the Paris and DROB Era our recruiting has fell off. I would of thought it would pick back up seeing how after the Griner era and Baylor's staff change, they still remain a factor.

I'm not saying Wilson was the best ever but she is the best player in the 2016 class in the state. My opinion the best player in the state right now. You cannot let those type of players leave if your trying to get a program back to its winning ways. I follow Basketball period On the men's and women's side. I will say that the state of Oklahoma for 2017 -2019 is Loaded with talent. Mark my words.

We have let far to many great players leave the state and its time for it to stop.
HS basketball starts today so you all can go out and scout some talent to see for yourself.

 

[Soonerb36]

Yes, but you don't have to be delusional to be a good fan.

Your expectation of a sweet sixteen is more reasonable.

+1

 

[SoonerinNC]

Actually I think our recruiting has picked up of late. Gabbi, ViVi and Penzo two years ago, Mulkey and Dungee this year and so far Llanusa who I think will be a game changer next year. Also EJ looks like a pretty good player.

Saying that, I don't think Sherri gets enough of the good Oklahoma and north Texas players. Also there is virtually no information about OU ladies basketball recruiting. Often the first time we hear of a recruit is when they committ. That can be frustrating to some.

And comparing men and womans coaches is like apples and oranges because of the relative levels of competition. There has been significant more parity in the mens game. Becoming more equal but still fewer dominant teams in the womans game. If you don't believe that, check out how many top seeded teams advance to the elite 8 and beyond in recent tournaments.

Also I am not ready to label Aston as a great recruiter. Her teams don't live up to her recruiting class rank. And who really has to be a great recruiter to land a good class at Texas.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Actually I think our recruiting has picked up of late. Gabbi, ViVi and Penzo two years ago, Mulkey and Dungee this year and so far Llanusa who I think will be a game changer next year. Also EJ looks like a pretty good player.

Saying that, I don't think Sherri gets enough of the good Oklahoma and north Texas players. Also there is virtually no information about OU ladies basketball recruiting. Often the first time we hear of a recruit is when they committ. That can be frustrating to some.

And comparing men and womans coaches is like apples and oranges because of the relative levels of competition. There has been significant more parity in the mens game. Becoming more equal but still fewer dominant teams in the womans game. If you don't believe that, check out how many top seeded teams advance to the elite 8 and beyond in recent tournaments.

Also I am not ready to label Aston as a great recruiter. Her teams don't live up to her recruiting class rank. And who really has to be a great recruiter to land a good class at Texas.

I didn't mean to compare the women's teams to the men's. The only reason I even mentioned that is because Syb used to say that the men's team had trouble recruiting unless we had homegrown kids like Tisdale and King because the good players didn't want to come to Norman. Once he even blamed poor recruiting for Oklahoma for not spending enough for education. His excuses continue to evolve.

Just compare OU to Baylor, Texas, S. Carolina, Maryland, Louisville, etc and you will see a significant difference.

 

[Sweetest OU Girl]

Yes, but you don't have to be delusional to be a good fan.

Your expectation of a sweet sixteen is more reasonable.

But the last time the OU women went to the final 4, what were your expectations early in the year?

Interesting ................

If Wilson was the best state player for the past - and next - several years. why is she not going to UCONN - or those other "Spectacular Recruiting Schools"?

Interesting ......... Could other factors be in play?

Personally I would be ecstatic if we got to the Final 4 this year. My first line goal is to get to host first round games - and make it to the sweet 16.

 

[SOONERGRAD]

But the last time the OU women went to the final 4, what were your expectations early in the year?

Interesting ................

If Wilson was the best state player for the past - and next - several years. why is she not going to UCONN - or those other "Spectacular Recruiting Schools"?

Interesting ......... Could other factors be in play?

Personally I would be ecstatic if we got to the Final 4 this year. My first line goal is to get to host first round games - and make it to the sweet 16.

The expectations that year were very high! Especially after the Paris twins left. You know why? Because The chemistry was their. Anytime you have that, you are almost impossible to beat. DROB, Ny, Amanda , Olajuwon had unbelievable chemistry. They played together and for one another.

As for Wilson, what if everyone's issue with her? Can she just not be a great player without all the negative feedback? If she were Dungee or any other OU commit Syb would of had a full 10 page rant on why we should not scold her.
Wilson is a great player And the best in the state! It's my opinion! As for recruiting goes, I bet you all didn't know she had an offer from Notre Dame now did you? Does that make her any greater or less? Let the judgements begin...

 

[SoonerNorm]

The expectations that year were very high! Especially after the Paris twins left. You know why? Because The chemistry was their. Anytime you have that, you are almost impossible to beat. DROB, Ny, Amanda , Olajuwon had unbelievable chemistry. They played together and for one another.

As for Wilson, what if everyone's issue with her? Can she just not be a great player without all the negative feedback? If she were Dungee or any other OU commit Syb would of had a full 10 page rant on why we should not scold her.
Wilson is a great player And the best in the state! It's my opinion! As for recruiting goes, I bet you all didn't know she had an offer from Notre Dame now did you? Does that make her any greater or less? Let the judgements begin...

Wilson can shoot from outside, drive, rebound, and defend...all at a high level. Plus, you don't see many players who have her motor. She plays hard all the time. I don't see how anyone would not like her. She might not be UCONN good, but she would definitely have helped us.