Mack’s recruiting

[Thecycle27]

Coaches are only as good as the players they recruit. The best coaches recruit players that fit their style and their conference. Mack did a really good job at Xavier or it appeared that way. In year 4 his recruiting/evaluation of players has not been good. The NCAA matters but other teams aren’t having the same problem.

The bottom line is he is recruiting average athletes. They can’t play his style or play in this conference. It appears he has figured it out with James, Wheeler, Curry and Ellis. He needs to play Wheeler. Deal with the errors.

The next class are legit athletes. That fit his style. I would add Sisk from Ballard. Long athletic with a ton of upside.

I am not worried about this year it is done. I don’t think they will make a move at the end of the year, but this team could lose 7-8 more games so who knows. I do know 100% of the blame is on his recruiting misses. There are only a handful of coaches that can outcoach their recruiting he isn’t one of them.

 

[2330859]

Cycle:

I think it’s a mistake to classify this 2021-22 roster has insufficient in terms of D1 talent, or a product of poor recruiting. This team has been disappointing for sure, and last night was another example of a ”roller coaster” performance that had every opportunity to “steal a win”.

Despite being down at halftime (largely a result of FSU doing a good imitation of what we experienced at WKU’s 3 point shooting exhibition), the Cards worked rather effectively in getting itself in position to take the lead. Mack brought in 4 transfers who each brought this team improved 3 point efficiency, of which 2 were proven to be most effective against high level P5 conference competition.

This game was exactly where UL wanted it to be late in the 2nd half when Matt Cross and Noah Locke each had the very 3 point shots this half court offense is designed to produce, regrettably both missed every single one in that critical time period.

FSU hit almost 50% of their 19 three-pointers, something they had failed to do all season. Conversely we missed ours when we were in position to turn the deficit into a lead.

 

[2330859]

Sorry Cycle, I need to qualify one statistic that I volunteered, FSU was 8-19 shooting the 3 at one the one point in the game when we were cutting deep into their 11 point lead. We were the recipient of a span where FSU missed their 3 point shots more consistent with what they had shot coming into this contest.

Our 8-27 from distance is not going to beat many opponents on the road. Matt Cross has played a good all-around game thus far this season when healthy; he has demonstrated an ability to rebound, and his timely steals have preserved at least 2 wins; regrettably his 3 point shooting last night was off and it cost us any chance of winning.

 

[luv2hit63]

Coaches are only as good as the players they recruit

In most cases this would apply. However John has had a top 2 or 3 recruiting class just about every year and yet uk has not even smelled a final 4 four at least five years running.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I hope OP is correct about the shift of finding players that fit the system.

He walked into a unique situation so I don't know how he'd be able to recruit if everything was "even" between he and competing programs for the same players.

My concern, which is another topic maybe, but just throwing it out there, is the lack of development or regression we've seen with players since his arrival.

In today's era, it is really hard to look too far past the present, just have no clue who is going to be on this team next year. Coaches have to adjust to the culture.

 

[Thecycle27]

Sorry Cycle, I need to qualify one statistic that I volunteered, FSU was 8-19 shooting the 3 at one the one point in the game when we were cutting deep into their 11 point lead. We were the recipient of a span where FSU missed their 3 point shots more consistent with what they had shot coming into this contest.

Our 8-27 from distance is not going to beat many opponents on the road. Matt Cross has played a good all-around game thus far this season when healthy; he has demonstrated an ability to rebound, and his timely steals have preserved at least 2 wins; regrettably his 3 point shooting last night was off and it cost us any chance of

He recruited guys that can’t run his system. The pack line you can’t allow dribble penetration. They have guys that can’t stop straight line drives against better teams. This is probably the most damning thing because he knows exactly what he wants in his defense. He recruited guys that can’t play it. There is a reason multiple guys have had career nights against this defense.

Offensively they are limited in the skill department; passing dribbling and shooting. The style of offense requires everyone to have those skills. They aren’t a team that runs set plays. I am not as worried about this because of they are transitioning to a new offensive style that takes time.

Still time they look better in spots and they had their chances last night but at some point they have to execute against better competition. Talent usually prevails.

 

[shadow force]

TBF UofL is in a unique place with regards to the NCAA black cloud mess. Can't really compare our situation to others because UofL is deeper in the muck and for a longer stretch of time.

Those other schools haven't been dealing with the same constant negative publicity for the better part of a decade. They weren't already on probation. They weren't made to be THE face of cheating/scandal that UofL has been painted with, and weren't already dealing with some sanctions from previous violations like the Cards have been.

Now we obviously can't know for sure how much all this affects our recruiting but it has to affect it negatively.