Have you ever heard of the Soph. Curse in Basketball Recruiting?

[Buzzforlife]

Before Ga. Tech started play in Coach Gregory's second season here, he told me before a Fan Photo. Event that the second year is the most difficult time for a new coach to recruit in(did not know the direct reason why). The early period for Fall Signings did not go well at all, back in 2012. This year he told me we are in a "rebuild", which I do understand. Although it is painful to observe, as his fifth year at Tech is winding down.

Is anyone privy to this 2nd year stall-out? I have asked basketball people for 3 1/2 years now, without any success. I posed the question to one of our former head coaches and an assistant from another regime. One said, only if you don't have enough scholarships or are on some type of probation. The other told me, if you signed 8-10 studs coming in during the first year, worry could abound should the new recruit want guaranteed minutes(however he did say the great ones love to compete, so ultimately the decision ordinarily would not be based on one factor alone).

 

[GTJT622]

Makes zero sense to me.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Thank you, brother!

I'm also curious to get R.M. to chime in on this one. Texwood has coaching contacts that he might peruse with the question, as well.

Since I respect our coach, I don't want to post or start another thread for this(although it is pertinent to the future of our program):

Quoted from the AJC News/Fish wrapper today-"I'm just not going to talk about it. I don't want to comment on any of those things at this point." per Mike Bobble-inski.

Remembering he judges the full body of work and the M.E.G.('s) is/are still happening this week.

 

[BornAJacket]

It takes time to establish relationships with players. The first year I am sure a new coach is focusing on seniors because it is all new which most people understand, then the next year, they have had not nearly as much contact with the next group of seniors. I can see this transition period, but think that it can be overcome with hard work and proper communications.

I still think a Nike school recruiting an Adiddas player is harder than any other recruiting job there is.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Glad you joined the conversation, however I wasn't addressing that transition with Coach. That part of our discussion was on recruiting directly, fresh off the early signing period. He was also in on a player from the Detroit area, who went elsewhere. The sneaker part is a mixed bag. Believe it or not, players are picking the school, the coach, the current history, advocates in the program before the AAU Contacts or Footwear Companies much more now. It is competitive with so many prospects to balance out all the schools. Martin didn't get Jaylen for the shoes, Bennett got Brogdon for the Business School.

Naturally, being a H.C. at an A C C program requires the delegation of duties to competent assistants. Usually the Basketball Operations Director has plenty of input within the supporting staff.