Curious events and addition by subtraction

[JTG]

Funny how Steele hits the ground running and lands 2 quality recruits in his first 4 days. Meanwhile our prior attempts were largely less than stellar. It appears more and more Mack had one foot out the door since October.
I feel better and better every day about Steele. It may take until January, but once again We will roll.

[xudash]

Would certainly seem to make sense, given the lack of recruiting success for this year's crop.

Negative recruiting central against Mack, no doubt.

Conversely, that angle is off the table now. And I think Steele is going to be formidable in his position.

[XUGRAD80]

Would agree that it has probably been more about the top recruits not being sure about the future status of Mack, and the rest of the staff, than anything else. It’s hard to commit to a coaching staff that you aren’t sure is going to be there NEXT year, let alone a few years down the road. It’s hard to commit to someone that you are sure is going to commit to you.

From the video many of us saw when Steele talked to team in the locker room......there is no doubt that Steel and the staff are going to be committed to the players first and foremost. On court and off. Those are the coaches that I remember fondly from my time and they are the coaches that I always tried to emulate. I think that there are going to be a lot of young men that react positively to this approach and I think that it will show up in future recruiting and team successes.

[Muskie in dayton]

Have to wonder how much longer X would have been playing in March if Mack’s head were in the game, instead of counting his extra millions and jerking off thinking about his new job.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Good lord enough of that, he was committed. We all as adults leave jobs for other jobs. Enough of that, it’s wore out.

I think also that our bad recruiting was Mack related negative stuff. I am not, however, as excited about these two new guys. They are good for sure but Hankins is slow and who knows about Castlin. People raved about Duncan Robinson and he just planned out alright. I think these two will bridge the time until Steele gets a full year in and his 2019 guys.

I bet Harden is better than Castlin.


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[Olsingledigit]

[QUOTE=ArizonaXUGrad;623125]Good lord enough of that, he was committed. We all as adults leave jobs for other jobs. Enough of that, it’s wore out.

I think also that our bad recruiting was Mack related negative stuff. I am not, however, as excited about these two new guys. They are good for sure but Hankins is slow and who knows about Castlin. People raved about Duncan Robinson and he just planned out alright. I think these two will bridge the time until Steele gets a full year in and his 2019 guys.

I bet Harden is better than Castlin.

And you know Mack was fully committed how? When the coaches are telling recruits thy are now recruiting for Louisville, there is no commitment and no ethics. Period.

[xu82]

Would agree that it has probably been more about the top recruits not being sure about the future status of Mack, and the rest of the staff, than anything else. It’s hard to commit to a coaching staff that you aren’t sure is going to be there NEXT year, let alone a few years down the road. It’s hard to commit to someone that you are sure is going to commit to you.

From the video many of us saw when Steele talked to team in the locker room......there is no doubt that Steel and the staff are going to be committed to the players first and foremost. On court and off. Those are the coaches that I remember fondly from my time and they are the coaches that I always tried to emulate. I think that there are going to be a lot of young men that react positively to this approach and I think that it will show up in future recruiting and team successes.


This makes a lot of sense. I’m (mostly) done with being pissed at Mack now. I’ll still take my shots at times, but it’s like the grieving process, there are stages. I can see where some top recruits may have been nervous about what the situation would be in a season or two. That’s smart and natural, and it’s no longer a question.

I’ve been very impressed with Steele so far. It’s not easy to step in and land guys of this quality on such short notice. How will they turn out? I don’t know but I’m optimistic. Give him some time to work, and I think Steele may just be the guy to keep this headed in the right direction.

Oh, and the reason I responded....what’s this locker room video? I had not heard of that.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

[QUOTE=ArizonaXUGrad;623125]Good lord enough of that, he was committed. We all as adults leave jobs for other jobs. Enough of that, it’s wore out.

I think also that our bad recruiting was Mack related negative stuff. I am not, however, as excited about these two new guys. They are good for sure but Hankins is slow and who knows about Castlin. People raved about Duncan Robinson and he just planned out alright. I think these two will bridge the time until Steele gets a full year in and his 2019 guys.

I bet Harden is better than Castlin.

And you know Mack was fully committed how? When the coaches are telling recruits thy are now recruiting for Louisville, there is no commitment and no ethics. Period.

People leave, he left, I wish him luck, and he didn’t take any of our recruits. Some on here think it’s a slight against them. He just did something for his career and a mature person wishes him luck.

Nobody is irreplaceable, he isn’t and he was just replaced. I can’t wait until Steele beats him like Mack did Miller in his second chance.


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[XU 87]

Good lord enough of that, he was committed. We all as adults leave jobs for other jobs. Enough of that, it’s wore out.

I think also that our bad recruiting was Mack related negative stuff.



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I agree with your first paragraph.

As for your second paragrapgh, almost all, if not all, of the recruits X lost last year had committed to other schools before the most current Pitino/UL scandal was disclosed.

[XUGRAD80]

Oh, and the reason I responded....what’s this locker room video? I had not heard of that.

Can be found on the Xavier University Athletics FaceBook Page

[GIMMFD]

I'm sure other schools used the "Mack probably won't be there" angle a bunch, but the thing is that's over now. We have Steele who will be locked in for a few years at the minimum regardless of record, the passion he speaks with, coupled with what the players think about him lead me to believe he will recruit for us very well. Hankins and Castlin are definitely short term replacements, I don't think anybody should expect them to come in and average ridiculous statistics, or be the second coming of Kanter/Blueitt/Macura, what we needed was depth in those positions and we got it. I trust Steele's eye in recruiting, and even Mack had been working on Hankins before. If the likes of Texas Tech, and Michigan State are after you, then it's safe to say he was a good pick up. Steele has hit the ground running in being the man in charge, and that's all we can ask of him. He addressed two concerns we had, and is looking to do even more.

It's going to be a transition period in being a first time head coach, but Coach Steele has the human characteristics of it down. He was supposed to be the mastermind of our offense, which was very good at times last year, it's an exciting position to be in, knowing that he brings that to the table. Next year we should improve immensely on defense, and hopefully he can fill his staff with a bit of a defensive specialist to help improve in that regards. The future is looking bright right now, and I for one have no care about Chris Mack what so ever, other than I hope we get UofL soon and beat the brakes off of them.

[Juice]

Husker Hoops Central
‏@HuskerHC
Take this with an appropriate amount of skepticism: We've heard from multiple sources about Kenya Hunter heading back to Xavier as an assistant. He was there under Sean Miller from 2005-07.

[GoMuskies]

Kenya has a kid who can play, too, who's a junior in high school. I don't think he's particularly highly rated, but he might be a nice walkon. Averaged 15ppg for a state champion team in Nebraska.

[sirthought]

Husker Hoops Central
‏@HuskerHC
Take this with an appropriate amount of skepticism: We've heard from multiple sources about Kenya Hunter heading back to Xavier as an assistant. He was there under Sean Miller from 2005-07.

I think that would be a welcome addition. The man has coached some great college players (Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, Otto Porter). He's coaching wings now. Maybe he's interested in going back to big men and recruiting for the Big East.

[GoMuskies]

Just visited their board, and the people that had the rumor now think they had the school wrong and that Hunter is headed to UConn.

[webxu]

I do firmly believe Mack coached all season knowing he wasn't going to be here anymore. I also believe that played a large part in our mediocre ( by rankings sites) incoming class. I firmly believe his mindset was seen by players and cost us a VERY good chance to get to a Final 4. So happy Mack had success here and parlayed that into a higher paying job. But I also hope they get huge sanctions and wont be good for 5+ years.

Steele landing those two right off the bat bodes well for him, even if they are both 1 year band aids. With what we have coming back starter wise we should still win 20-24 games (depending on Non-con schedule) and make the tourney.

LETS GO X!

[Xavier]

I think Mack knew he was headed to Louisville for awhile. It could have played a bit into recruiting but I’d say it had zero to do with losing to FSU. Hard to believe a coach who has a 1 seed isn’t going to put everything he has to that tournament run. You don’t half ass a 1seed because you’re leaving the next season, especially your first ever 1 seed.

[Masterofreality]

I think Mack knew he was headed to Louisville for awhile. It could have played a bit into recruiting but I’d say it had zero to do with losing to FSU. Hard to believe a coach who has a 1 seed isn’t going to put everything he has to that tournament run. You don’t half ass a 1seed because you’re leaving the next season, especially your first ever 1 seed.

I don't think that Mack consciously mailed it in, because even if he knew he was gone, a deep tourney run or NC would have paid him a LOT more money at the Cesspool. That being said, there's Karma. Karma knew that Mack was gone and it tortured him by not letting him go far. The same Karma that has kept the previous coach-two back-from making a Final 4 after leaving.

Karma is a bitch.

[XU 87]

Just visited their board, and the people that had the rumor now think they had the school wrong and that Hunter is headed to UConn.

My recollection is that Miller wasn't too upset when Hunter left his staff.

[xu95]

My recollection is that Miller wasn't too upset when Hunter left his staff.

Right. I was wondering why everyone seemed high on Kenya. I thought he left under less than ideal circumstances.

I would rather get that assistant from Georgia that Travis is going after.

xu95

[drudy23]

I can buy into other programs telling recruits Mack was bolting.

I don't buy that he wasn't "all-in" during the tournament(s).

[xu95]

I can buy into other programs telling recruits Mack was bolting.

I don't buy that he wasn't "all-in" during the tournament(s).

100% agreement here. I think he recruited like he always did. I just think other teams recruited on the fear that Mack was gone and he couldn't promise these kids that he would be there.

I also believe he was all in on the tourney.

I think some of the bitching is just people who will get upset regardless because Mack left them for another girl.

xu95

[markchal]

The premise of this thread is a little disingenuous. Mack basically had Hankins locked up for awhile, it just wasn't public. I'll buy into this a little more once Steele lands a real recruit (someone along the lines of a Scruggs or Naji).

[X Factor]

Mack basically had Hankins locked up for awhile, it just wasn't public.

You mean Steele had Hankins locked up?

[xavierj]

The premise of this thread is a little disingenuous. Mack basically had Hankins locked up for awhile, it just wasn't public. I'll buy into this a little more once Steele lands a real recruit (someone along the lines of a Scruggs or Naji).

Most of the recruits generally get locked by the assistants. The head coach does close the deal, but the assistants get them. Steele has a long track record with getting guys to Xavier.

[xu95]

Most of the recruits generally get locked by the assistants. The head coach does close the deal, but the assistants get them. Steele has a long track record with getting guys to Xavier.

Right. Hankins was a Steele recruit from Day 1.

xu95

[markchal]

My point was that it's weird to give all the credit to Steele and say 'he hits the ground running" and "our prior attempts were largely less than stellar" when this is a recruit that was basically committed months ago while Mack was still the HC. I'm glad after his brief reconsideration that he's still coming here, but I'm not sure that's a product of us not having to deal with negative recruiting anymore. If Steele starts landing the type of recruit we kept missing on last year, then I'll buy that premise.

[GIMMFD]

My point was that it's weird to give all the credit to Steele and say 'he hits the ground running" and "our prior attempts were largely less than stellar" when this is a recruit that was basically committed months ago while Mack was still the HC. I'm glad after his brief reconsideration that he's still coming here, but I'm not sure that's a product of us not having to deal with negative recruiting anymore. If Steele starts landing the type of recruit we kept missing on last year, then I'll buy that premise.

I mean you're right, Mack was looking at the big man, and was a large role in it, but I don't think we should count out what Steele's done in the past, Blueitt, Scruggs, etc. Steele obviously is known as a good recruiter, and I don't think that will change, I think he has the ability to get some big names to X, and we'll see with the 2019 class needing to be a big one. I think he has hit the ground running getting Castlin and Hankins quickly to address needs, and now can take his time and fill out the rest of the roster with the right guy. He's addressed needs, and addressed them quick.

[mirabilelectu]

I mean you're right, Mack was looking at the big man, and was a large role in it, but I don't think we should count out what Steele's done in the past, Blueitt, Scruggs, etc. Steele obviously is known as a good recruiter, and I don't think that will change, I think he has the ability to get some big names to X, and we'll see with the 2019 class needing to be a big one. I think he has hit the ground running getting Castlin and Hankins quickly to address needs, and now can take his time and fill out the rest of the roster with the right guy. He's addressed needs, and addressed them quick.

Completely agree with this. It is funny, though, to read the posts from others blaming Mack for our poor recruiting year while at the same time those people give all the credit to the assistants anyway.

[xnatic03]

Completely agree with this. It is funny, though, to read the posts from others blaming Mack for our poor recruiting year while at the same time those people give all the credit to the assistants anyway.

Negative recruiting happens. Coaches look for a reason to convince a kid not to go to another school. Like it or not, many coaches knew there was a strong possibility Mack would take the Louisville job after this past season, and they used that to their advantage in recruiting some of these players. They cannot use that against us for a few years at least (hopefully longer), so I feel like Steele will be able to show off his recruiting prowess as a head coach. I feel like the hiring of Hayes is a coup as well, as we got both the person to help coach our big men AND someone with strong ties in the south. The next assistant coach will most likely have East coast ties. Filling out our roster relatively quickly, and without the benefit of any assistant coaches, shows at the very least that Steele knows where to place his focus and how to get it done quickly.

[Masterofreality]

Negative recruiting happens. Coaches look for a reason to convince a kid not to go to another school. Like it or not, many coaches knew there was a strong possibility Mack would take the Louisville job after this past season, and they used that to their advantage in recruiting some of these players. They cannot use that against us for a few years at least (hopefully longer), so I feel like Steele will be able to show off his recruiting prowess as a head coach. I feel like the hiring of Hayes is a coup as well, as we got both the person to help coach our big men AND someone with strong ties in the south. The next assistant coach will most likely have East coast ties. Filling out our roster relatively quickly, and without the benefit of any assistant coaches, shows at the very least that Steele knows where to place his focus and how to get it done quickly.

So. How's that kid that chose Rhode Island over X feeling right now?

[xnatic03]

So. How's that kid that chose Rhode Island over X feeling right now?

He was the first recruit of which I thought when Hurley went to UConn....although, URI hired his main assistant as head coach, correct?

[xu95]

So. How's that kid that chose Rhode Island over X feeling right now?

He feels fine. He didn't choose URI because of Hurley. He chose them because of his relationship with one of the assistants who is still there.

xu95

[Cheesehead]

So. How's that kid that chose Rhode Island over X feeling right now?

That was the kid my son had to go to the Westin and retrieve his neck pillow from his room and then race to the airport before his flight left, to give the kid his stupid neck pillow. The kid never said thank you and he chose Rhode Island over XU. So, he obviously he has horrible parents!