The disdain for JUCO players among fans

[NorthCarolinaSooner]

I was curious about the almost automatic hatred or ragging on JUCOs on the board....particularly bigs. When Lon signs one or is looking at one there is a group of guys on here who immediately start with the negative comments.

I realize Capel had a BAD history of recruiting JUCO bigs but Capel's recruiting, in general, was pretty mediocre. Even his 'bigtime' recruits turned out pretty average and his JUCO recruiting was pretty horrendous but Kruger has a solid history of recruiting JUCOs and evaluating talent.

Thoughts?

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I think the negative reaction stems primarily as a result of years of overreaction to the impact any JUCO, much less a big, would have on the program. People have wisely taken an attitude as "I'll believe it when I see it". Personally I just trust that our coach knows what he is doing and has a system that he is recruiting for.

 

[bgrch1350]

I think the negative reaction stems primarily as a result of years of overreaction to the impact any JUCO, much less a big, would have on the program. People have wisely taken an attitude as "I'll believe it when I see it". Personally I just trust that our coach knows what he is doing and has a system that he is recruiting for.

Agree. But also...With the majority of kids going to prep schools first instead of going to juco...juco talent level has been way down. Not too mention, their juco stats arent something that gets you excited.

 

[mict085]

Agree. But also...With the majority of kids going to prep schools first instead of going to juco...juco talent level has been way down. Not too mention, their juco stats arent something that gets you excited.

I agree with this. The juco talent has been greatly depleted by prep schools. You will have a hard time finding players like mookie blaylock or Larry Johnson anymore. The level of talent just isn't there at juco anymore.

 

[garyeb2]

I agree with this. The juco talent has been greatly depleted by prep schools. You will have a hard time finding players like mookie blaylock or Larry Johnson anymore. The level of talent just isn't there at juco anymore.

You would have a hard time finding players like that at a prep school too.

 

[CoachTalk]

I agree with this. The juco talent has been greatly depleted by prep schools. You will have a hard time finding players like mookie blaylock or Larry Johnson anymore. The level of talent just isn't there at juco anymore.

I agree on the Mookie and Lj talent. But the top talent in JUCO is still really good. Lots of teams were helped by JUCO's Wichita State, Louiville this year.. The top talent is there and will help. But JUCO is mostly about filling gaps and needs.

 

[bocabull]

There is a world of difference between juco all americans like Taj Gray and some 50th rated juco big who averaged 7 points & 5 boards. The later has about a 0% chance of making a difference in high major ball.

 

[furge]

The washout rate of JUCOs trying to adjust to both a D-1 talent level and a higher course load seems disproportionately high too. Kyle Cannon, Juan Patillo, etc just in recent memory. At any rate the notion of "instant impact" JUCO players seems more a commentary on a depleted roster than the talent level of junior college ball after about the top ten to fifteen kids per year.

Truly great JUCO players have kind of become like unicorns. There's evidence of them in lore, but we ain't seeing em much these days.

 

[ArdmoreSooner]

Someone just needs to make a list of all the signed JUCO's at OU. I think you will see a lot of bigs that didn't pan out as great players. Some hits for sure don't get me wrong. I think the main problem I have is it seems with all players there is a big 1st year adjustment. That leaves them one year. As with HS kids that leaves 3 for improvement. No choice but to go there to even out rosters with transfers and depth for most programs out there. Elite level teams have different situation.

 

[WTSooner]

Someone just needs to make a list of all the signed JUCO's at OU. I think you will see a lot of bigs that didn't pan out as great players.

Under Capel? I agree.

Billy and Kelvin didn't strike out on JUCO's very often.

And I can't tell what you mean by "great"? Not every player is recruited to be a great player. Some are recruited to fill a role. Taj Gray was recruited to OU to start and be a main player. Jozsef Szendrei was not. He was recruited to be a solid rebounder/defender off the bench, which he was.

 

[bgrch1350]

Under Capel? I agree.

Billy and Kelvin didn't strike out on JUCO's very often.

And I can't tell what you mean by "great"? Not every player is recruited to be a great player. Some are recruited to fill a role. Taj Gray was recruited to OU to start and be a main player. Jozsef Szendrei was not. He was recruited to be a solid rebounder/defender off the bench, which he was.

different era of juco kids. Taj Grays arent there anymore

 

[WTSooner]

different era of juco kids. Taj Grays arent there anymore

I disagree.

But it really doesn't matter. LK isn't bringing in JUCO's to be Taj Grays. He is bringing them in to be Szendreis. M'Baye leaving throws a little bit of a wrench into that this year, but even so, we don't need Bennett/Avila to be Taj Gray, we just need them to be Jabahri Brown. Or even Johnny Gilbert. I know those two weren't JUCO's, but you get the idea.

 

[AdaSooner]

I have always been in favor of bringing in a Juco player or two to fill certain needs. While it's true that the star quality of the players coming out of the junior colleges now is nothing like it was in the Tubbs/Sampson eras, it's still possible to bring in players who are perfectly capable of filling voids, improving depth and contributing to a team's success.

As WT said, Coach Kruger is recruiting to fill needs when he looks to the junior colleges for help. If the recruit he signs turns out to be another Taj Gray, or even one who is a level or two better than Casey Arent, that would be a bonus.