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Quote:PJ evaluates talent well. So even when we get unheralded two star guys like Corey Davis and Darius Phillips, I think its time, at least when it comes to recruiting, we give him the benefit of the doubt.

I agree. And when you're a "blah" mid-major from the national scene POV (not an NIU, Marshall, East Carolina, Cinci, Boise, Fresno), and you get a lot of great recruits -- you're going to lose at least a decent amount of them. That will come with the territory. IF/when WMU makes it to the upper-echelon stage of mid-majors (which would require above-par desire for PJ + luck on less available P5 coaching hires for a little while) -- then considerably less will be lost and it'll be a bigger deal. But good point that not all great talent is a 4 star recruit.

Our rep at the moment seems to be, it is perfectly acceptable for a three star to consider and choose WMU. And then 2 stars that have the talent to be 3's but have been overlooked.

Pretty soon the rep of WMU talent selection leads to rating agencies to say, Fleck wants them, they must be a three. Which is fine, and probably accurate as well.

We get a full compliment of that level talent, we rule the MAC, all else equal.

(04-08-2015 07:37 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:PJ evaluates talent well. So even when we get unheralded two star guys like Corey Davis and Darius Phillips, I think its time, at least when it comes to recruiting, we give him the benefit of the doubt.

I agree. And when you're a "blah" mid-major from the national scene POV (not an NIU, Marshall, East Carolina, Cinci, Boise, Fresno), and you get a lot of great recruits -- you're going to lose at least a decent amount of them. That will come with the territory. IF/when WMU makes it to the upper-echelon stage of mid-majors (which would require above-par desire for PJ + luck on less available P5 coaching hires for a little while) -- then considerably less will be lost and it'll be a bigger deal. But good point that not all great talent is a 4 star recruit.

Did I hear correctly during the super bowl that a majority of the starters on both sides this year were considered 2 and 3 star athletes in high school? If I remember correctly, and I think I do... that says a lot about these recruiting stars...

The star ratings have also become significantly more reliable and accurate in recent years as these recruiting agencies (Rivals, Scout, etc. partner with Under Armour, Nike, etc.) invite kids to camps throughout the spring and summer, and schools host additional camps. Point being, there is A LOT more exposure and talent evaluation periods now than there ever has been. They aren't going to get everyone right, but the percentage and reliability is much improved than it even was just a few years ago.

(04-08-2015 09:18 AM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Our rep at the moment seems to be, it is perfectly acceptable for a three star to consider and choose WMU. And then 2 stars that have the talent to be 3's but have been overlooked.

Pretty soon the rep of WMU talent selection leads to rating agencies to say, Fleck wants them, they must be a three. Which is fine, and probably accurate as well.

We get a full compliment of that level talent, we rule the MAC, all else equal.

And when you schedule up displaying that elite talent you at least get an at-large bid to the Dance! Why to go coach Fleck!

Fleck is getting recruits. He also got considerable support with facilities. Also reinvented a stable program that was having moderate success.

With basketball, we've got the stable moderate success part down. And incoming recruits sound pretty good. Now if we can get that scheduling excitment and facilities part going, we might be able to take the next step.

(04-08-2015 07:10 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  Fleck is getting recruits. He also got considerable support with facilities. Also reinvented a stable program that was having moderate success.

With basketball, we've got the stable moderate success part down. And incoming recruits sound pretty good. Now if we can get that scheduling excitment and facilities part going, we might be able to take the next step.

I don't disagree but would again state that you can win and win big without the facilities.

It's the coach, the talent and how they work together against others.

Winning would bring interest, interest expressed in financial support and facilities can be added on in time.

But facilities don't win games. They may entice some kids but not all. There is more than enough talent for WMU to win and win big regularly that would begin the shift in interest. The coach and the player talent makes for the competitive edge.

PS. I am not advocating not adding on to or improving facilities. Simply stating carts are more easily and effectively pulled, not pushed.

So would P.J. Fleck be able to attract as much talent without the facilities that have been improved over the last three years??????????????

Chicken or the egg question I guess. We can debate this issue forever, but in the meantime all of the other MAC schools are ahead of us in that game. The fact that they haven't left us behind in results tells this fan that our coaches are getting a lot from very little at this point in the game.

Always proud to be a Bronco, RTB.