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Message: [QUOTE="reedny, post: 138328, member: 1423"] 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 [I]better[/I] 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 ... [URL]http://syracuse.*********/a.z?s=185&p=8&c=1&nid=4293721[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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