Jeff Borzello Tweet re Noel recruiting

[Subob1]

"think Syracuse & Kentucky are in good position. Florida, UConn in there too. RT @CoachBlueweiss: what school do you think leads for Noel?" FWIW

 

[Orange Rust Belt]

If the coaches can sell him on sitting in the zone and blocking shots all day, something other top programs cant offer do to man to man defense, we should be in solid shape. He just has the makings of a player that opposing coaches will scout and decide their best bet is to shoot jumpers rather then be man handled inside. Add in the other studs we already have down low and our defense is going to build a national reputation for dominance, beyond its current state, that will linger for many years.

 

[jdubs30]

If the coaches can sell him on sitting in the zone and blocking shots all day, something other top programs cant offer do to man to man defense, we should be in solid shape. He just has the makings of a player that opposing coaches will scout and decide their best bet is to shoot jumpers rather then be man handled inside. Add in the other studs we already have down low and our defense is going to build a national reputation for dominance, beyond its current state, that will linger for many years.

UConn is notorious for leading the country in shots blocked (Okafor, Thabeet, Boone, etc). But I'd imagine it'd be ideal for a shot blocker as good as Noel to just sit back and block everything that comes his way, as opposed to worrying about playing just 1 man.

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

If the coaches can sell him on sitting in the zone and blocking shots all day, something other top programs cant offer do to man to man defense, we should be in solid shape. He just has the makings of a player that opposing coaches will scout and decide their best bet is to shoot jumpers rather then be man handled inside. Add in the other studs we already have down low and our defense is going to build a national reputation for dominance, beyond its current state, that will linger for many years.

Mmmm, I gotta think that when it comes to the best of the best, you are better off challenging them with the intention of preparing them for the next level. Sitting in back of the zone isn't really a selling point in those cases, IMO. Just because he would be perfect for us, doesn't necessarily mean we are perfect for him.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Mmmm, I gotta think that when it comes to the best of the best, you are better off challenging them with the intention of preparing them for the next level. Sitting in back of the zone isn't really a selling point in those cases, IMO. Just because he would be perfect for us, doesn't necessarily mean we are perfect for him.

We have done a great job with our big men these past few years. I think that the pipeline will stay full, whether it's Noel or not.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

If the coaches can sell him on sitting in the zone and blocking shots all day, something other top programs cant offer do to man to man defense, we should be in solid shape. He just has the makings of a player that opposing coaches will scout and decide their best bet is to shoot jumpers rather then be man handled inside. Add in the other studs we already have down low and our defense is going to build a national reputation for dominance, beyond its current state, that will linger for many years.

Coahces of other teams actually use this as a negative recruiting point against Syracuse. "Look at all the kids who sat in zone at Syracuse and then couldn't play m2m defense at the next level."

 

[reedny]

All this stuff about NN "sitting in the zone" is silly. It's hardly a static defense, if played well (which it is this year). If you watch Fab play on D- he's usually guarding the opposing big men on the strong side (PF guards the weak side), then switching to the other side with the ball. This requires him to move constantly, up to cover the foul line, across (rotating) for penetrators, even out to the perimeter to cover unguarded shooters sometimes.

As far as NN playing here, I see nothing negative about the zone. Other (very successful) centers from the Cuse have had no problem playing in the league--Etan Thomas is one that comes to mind. Rony Seikely did pretty well and had a long pro career - he cut his teeth in the zone.

We also have a bunch of forwards that learned in the zone -- and are playing (or had successful careers) in the NBA. NN would have a great career here -- he reminds me of Conrad McRae. He'd be another in a pretty good line of top centers that have chosen the Cuse in the past few years. Hop would develop him just as he is with our current bigs. Nole'd have the opportunity to play for a storied program with a huge fan base and tons of media exposure, and to match up against other talanted bigs in the ACC. I think he's a 2013 recruit, so he'd come in in 2 years when Fab's a senior and DC's a soph. Good timing for him, and pretty good company practicing against 2 micky D (I assume DC will be selected, since he's played on many such all-star teams) centers with pro potential.

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

All this stuff about NN "sitting in the zone" is silly. It's hardly a static defense, if played well (which it is this year). If you watch Fab play on D- he's usually guarding the opposing big men on the strong side (PF guards the weak side), then switching to the other side with the ball. This requires him to move constantly, up to cover the foul line, across (rotating) for penetrators, even out to the perimeter to cover unguarded shooters sometimes.

As far as NN playing here, I see nothing negative about the zone. Other (very successful) centers from the Cuse have had no problem playing in the league--Etan Thomas is one that comes to mind. Rony Seikely did pretty well and had a long pro career - he cut his teeth in the zone.

We also have a bunch of forwards that learned in the zone -- and are playing (or had successful careers) in the NBA. NN would have a great career here -- he reminds me of Conrad McRae. He'd be another in a pretty good line of top centers that have chosen the Cuse in the past few years. Hop would develop him just as he is with our current bigs. Nole'd have the opportunity to play for a storied program with a huge fan base and tons of media exposure, and to match up against other talanted bigs in the ACC. I think he's a 2013 recruit, so he'd come in in 2 years when Fab's a senior and DC's a soph. Good timing for him, and pretty good company practicing against 2 micky D (I assume DC will be selected, since he's played on many such all-star teams) centers with pro potential.

I don't think you are wrong... I just think that perception is everything when talking recruiting, what we think doesn't matter. And until we take this wave of bigs and send them to the NBA at the 5-spot, we don't have the visual. Studs most likely don't really care about the improvement AO and Ricky, or most of our big men for that matter, experienced, if they aren't currently in the NBA driving the point home.

 

[reedny]

I don't think you are wrong... I just think that perception is everything when talking recruiting, what we think doesn't matter. And until we take this wave of bigs and send them to the NBA at the 5-spot, we don't have the visual. Studs most likely don't really care about the improvement AO and Ricky, or most of our big men for that matter, experienced, if they aren't currently in the NBA driving the point home.

I agree with you about perceptions -- no doubt there are teams that have told recruits, 'you can do better than sitting in SU's zone'. And as you point out, I think we do have some ground to make up on some other programs (like UConn) sending bigs to the NBA.

But I think recruits also see the following:

- Fab's not only playing great .. he's shown huge improvement at SU and he's becoming a pretty high profile player for the program. Keita's not looking too shabby either, especially for a string bean;

- SU's recruiting is at an elite level, and that momentum is a big draw. I wouldn't say we're doing better than, e.g., Duke, Ky or UNC. But we're definitely competitive with those programs in recruiting over the past few years, including bigs;

- I'm sure NN and other center recruits watch SU play. When they do, no doubt they see how the zone is played and what the centers are asked to do, along with a team that has fun and runs like crazy. That's certainly a, "visual", especially with the enormous pub that goes along with national TV exposure a half dozen/dozen times every season with a #1 ranking splashed in front of the team everywhere it goes;

- Every elite program has good coaching. But I like where JB and Hop have positioned themselves, despite the BF mess which is dying down. This year's 10 man rotation is a magic act. Rakeem Christmas' role, alone, is a sweet coaching balance of development and exposure, without too much pressure... Among the other 9 kids, there's talent, but there are also personalities, egos and competition for PT. JB has turned this grand mixture into a pretty well-oiled machine that is making other teams look silly even playing at half of its offensive potential. This is also a pretty nice visual. Baring a disaster, which can happen, I don't see this team loosing until we play the Ville at the Dumb center in February. Thats 6-8 weeks of number 1 exposure.

The reason all this matters is that I see NN as an important piece of the puzzle for 2013. DC will be a sophomore that fall and, given his skill level, may not be back for his 3d year. If Fab is gone by then (I give him this year and MAYBE one more at the present rate of improvement), NN is looking at being the starting center his soph. year... after playing a year with some pretty good inside talent. There are only a couple of teams right now (that are recruiting Noel) with this level of consistent quality at the center position. Davis will probably leave at Ky, and UConn may loose Drummond after 1 year... Those schools appear to be our main competition ... http://syracuse.*********/a.z?s=185&p=8&c=1&nid=4293721

 

[mark79]

One advantage for Syracuse and Uconn over Kentucky and Florida is that these schools are far enough away to have an "I'm away from home" feel, yet close enough to pop home or have friends and family visit. I also hope Nerlens is drooling over watching all of the blocks Fab is getting, knowing he can do that as well. He reminds me of a young Alonzo Mourning.