Lavin Hard on the Recruiting Trail

Per FiveStarBasketball....

NEW YORK -- For the second year in a row, Steve Lavin and St. John's are conducting perhaps the most unique recruiting search of any Division 1 basketball program in the nation.

A year ago, Lavin inherited a club with 10 seniors and had the unenviable burden of trying to fill nearly an entire roster with new players.

Lavin and his staff hit the road and landed a nine-man recruiting class ranked among the Top 3 nationally, but three recruits -- JaKarr Sampson, Norvel Pelle and Amir Garrett -- were ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA in September. (Garrett has since qualified and joined the team.)


Lavin may not return to coaching until the 2012-13 season as he recovers from prostate cancer surgery in October. Yet he is still out recruiting, operating in a self-described "general manager role," and seeks to sign five or six more players in the spring period.

"It’s clear I’m going to come back [as head coach at St. John's],” he told SNY during a recent interview. “I’ll be back at some point.”

http://fivestarbasketball.com/commitment-corner/01-19-2012-despite-daunting-obstacles-lavin-hitting-recruiting-trail-hard-1

What's everyone's take on Gathers' quotes?

What's everyone's take on Gathers' quotes?

It could mean, I know their situation and I'm kinda intrigued in joining them.  I may come or I may not.  Baylor might have to up the ante.  LOL   Just clowning on the latter. 

What's everyone's take on Gathers' quotes?

Sounds like his main concern is Lavin's health. Will not commit unless he's 100% positive he will be there.

While it sucks for us, considering how the NCAA's screws over kids who attempt to transfer, it is understandable for a kid to be leery about Lavin's health.

Per FiveStarBasketball....

NEW YORK -- For the second year in a row, Steve Lavin and St. John's are conducting perhaps the most unique recruiting search of any Division 1 basketball program in the nation.

A year ago, Lavin inherited a club with 10 seniors and had the unenviable burden of trying to fill nearly an entire roster with new players.

Lavin and his staff hit the road and landed a nine-man recruiting class ranked among the Top 3 nationally, but three recruits -- JaKarr Sampson, Norvel Pelle and Amir Garrett -- were ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA in September. (Garrett has since qualified and joined the team.)


Lavin may not return to coaching until the 2012-13 season as he recovers from prostate cancer surgery in October. Yet he is still out recruiting, operating in a self-described "general manager role," and seeks to sign five or six more players in the spring period.

"It’s clear I’m going to come back [as head coach at St. John's],” he told SNY during a recent interview. “I’ll be back at some point.”

http://fivestarbasketball.com/commitment-corner/01-19-2012-despite-daunting-obstacles-lavin-hitting-recruiting-trail-hard-1

thanks MJ - I haven't been on fivestar's site for a month or so.


The quote that I grinned at while reading (if only because it contradicts that quote the UCLA Lavs detractors love so much) was Baron Davis' quote: "While negative recruiting and haters are part of the business, count current Knicks and former UCLA point guard Baron Davis among those who believe Lavin will get it done.[/size]“You can’t recruit against Lav," Davis told SNY.tv. "Lav is special. He’s the type of coach you want to play for.”"

Quote from: mjdinkins on January 19, 2012, 12:13:55 PM

Per FiveStarBasketball....

NEW YORK -- For the second year in a row, Steve Lavin and St. John's are conducting perhaps the most unique recruiting search of any Division 1 basketball program in the nation.

A year ago, Lavin inherited a club with 10 seniors and had the unenviable burden of trying to fill nearly an entire roster with new players.

Lavin and his staff hit the road and landed a nine-man recruiting class ranked among the Top 3 nationally, but three recruits -- JaKarr Sampson, Norvel Pelle and Amir Garrett -- were ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA in September. (Garrett has since qualified and joined the team.)


Lavin may not return to coaching until the 2012-13 season as he recovers from prostate cancer surgery in October. Yet he is still out recruiting, operating in a self-described "general manager role," and seeks to sign five or six more players in the spring period.

"It’s clear I’m going to come back [as head coach at St. John's],” he told SNY during a recent interview. “I’ll be back at some point.”

http://fivestarbasketball.com/commitment-corner/01-19-2012-despite-daunting-obstacles-lavin-hitting-recruiting-trail-hard-1

thanks MJ - I haven't been on fivestar's site for a month or so.


The quote that I grinned at while reading (if only because it contradicts that quote the UCLA Lavs detractors love so much) was Baron Davis' quote: "While negative recruiting and haters are part of the business, count current Knicks and former UCLA point guard Baron Davis among those who believe Lavin will get it done.[/size]“You can’t recruit against Lav," Davis told SNY.tv. "Lav is special. He’s the type of coach you want to play for.”"

No problem, purist.  Tough times don't last, but tough people do.  We might be a little down, but we're certainly not out.  IMO, what we're dealing with now is temporary.  I also liked the quote by Davis. 

   Dick Vitale @DickieV 26m  Reply  Retweet  Favorite · Open
Steve Lavin just told me NO DOUBT that he plans on coaching next year.Excited about recruiting- feels he will have a banner yr . Feels good!

   Dick Vitale @DickieV 26m  Reply  Retweet  Favorite · Open
Steve Lavin just told me NO DOUBT that he plans on coaching next year.Excited about recruiting- feels he will have a banner yr . Feels good!

OK, let's now hear all of the positive superlatives regarding the future of the program.     Sky isn't falling yet folks.

   Dick Vitale @DickieV 26m  Reply  Retweet  Favorite · Open
Steve Lavin just told me NO DOUBT that he plans on coaching next year.Excited about recruiting- feels he will have a banner yr . Feels good!

Nice find Boo.   I wasn't doubting he would be, but it's nice to hear it being said publicly.

Quote from: boo3 on January 19, 2012, 12:59:39 PM

   Dick Vitale @DickieV 26m  Reply  Retweet  Favorite · Open
Steve Lavin just told me NO DOUBT that he plans on coaching next year.Excited about recruiting- feels he will have a banner yr . Feels good!

Nice find Boo.   I wasn't doubting he would be, but it's nice to hear it being said publicly.

I never doubted it, either.  It is good to hear publicly.  Even, moreso from the mouth-running Vitale.  I wouldn't doubt Vitale mention it on air tonight (I think he's doing the UNC/Va Tech game tonight). 

Great news! Now is the time he needs to make a stern statement that he's coming back,for the current players,recruits and yes the fan base. I think a top recruit commits soon and the ducks fall in line. Next year, we climb the standings

Great news! Now is the time he needs to make a stern statement that he's coming back,for the current players,recruits and yes the fan base. I think a top recruit commits soon and the ducks fall in line. Next year, we climb the standings

More than this?-

"It’s clear I’m going to come back [as head coach at St. John's],” he told SNY during a recent interview

  I'm assuming baldi means something more public, which i'm sure will happen.  He is way too media savvy not to.

 I expect him to make an appearance and do an interview at a game, real soon.

Yes need something louder than SNY. Get on with Francessa,ESPN etc. Nobody cares about SNY especially since he's not recruiting a ton of local 2012 revruits

Zags is read nationwide.

What's everyone's take on Gathers' quotes?

I like them.  I feel great whenever a recruit speaks about being a member of the team or says something like we or us.  "They need a lot of players, and hopefully I am one of them." The main concern he cites is Lav's health...that is very understandable.  You commit to a coach more than anything in college basketball.   

I think Lav returns this season, gives his word to these recruits he will not only be at STJ next year but four every game of their respective careers...promises the to schedule a game near their home...and seals the deal on the #2 class in the nation.

Quote from: Moose on January 19, 2012, 12:34:06 PM

What's everyone's take on Gathers' quotes?

.and seals the deal on the #2 ass in the nation.

   Who's got the #1 ass in the nation??

Quote from: Marillac on January 19, 2012, 02:39:49 PM

Quote from: Moose on January 19, 2012, 12:34:06 PM

What's everyone's take on Gathers' quotes?

.and seals the deal on the #2 ass in the nation.

   Who's got the #1 ass in the nation??

LOL  I wonder the same.  There are a few nice ones in my neck-of-the-woods.  I'm not sure whether they'll rate as the #1 or #2 in the nation.   

Who's got the #1 ass in the nation??

Kate Upton