It seems like Jordan and his staff have finally settled on a new recruiting paradigm.
For years we have concentrated on the Big Fish -- the NJ superstars, and to a lesser extent their NYC counterparts -- and we have continually whiffed. We have come in second place more times than Avis has -- you might remember the famous advertising campaign “When you’re only No. 2, you try harder, or else.” Well we are not even number 2 in the NYC-NJ market. At present, the only D-1 team worse than Rutgers -- IMO -- is FDU!
Although it would be wonderful if all the high level, local talent wanted to stay home at their State University. But unfortunately -- Rutgers is in New Jersey -- not Michigan -- meaning no matter where you live in NJ (or for that matter in NYC) you are never more than 2 hours from the campus. Apparently this is a major negative for any 18-19 year old coddled superstar, particularly when they arrive on campus and gaze at the RAC -- an oversized lunar landing craft. When you really look at our situation from an objective standpoint, however, it is hard to really blame our local superstars for not coming to the Banks. Who wouldn't prefer to travel to far away lands where you play in on-campus arenas that are bigger and better than MSG?
That's where the new recruiting paradigm comes into play. The new mantra seems to be -- "forget about NJ and concentrate on Florida, DC/Maryland, NC and players that Jordan has a personal connection with -- the DC Assault alumni team and children of NBA greats. Imagine growing up in rural Florida? Wouldn't you like to play in the BIG 10 and be 30 miles from NYC? If Rutgers ever has a winning program, they will light up the Empire State Building again.
Although it would be great if every great player from this area wanted to go to Rutgers -- they seem to have no interest in coming. Rather than constantly coming in second place and settling for one dimensional players that are not good enough to play at this level, let's concentrate on players who live in those areas that are far away from Rutgers -- so coming to NJ is like a big adventure. I am very interested in seeing how our Florida contingent works out. I think we will be mining this area for many years. Once we have a successful season or two with our out of state players, the local players will begin to show more interest.
Time will tell...
For years we have concentrated on the Big Fish -- the NJ superstars, and to a lesser extent their NYC counterparts -- and we have continually whiffed. We have come in second place more times than Avis has -- you might remember the famous advertising campaign “When you’re only No. 2, you try harder, or else.” Well we are not even number 2 in the NYC-NJ market. At present, the only D-1 team worse than Rutgers -- IMO -- is FDU!
Although it would be wonderful if all the high level, local talent wanted to stay home at their State University. But unfortunately -- Rutgers is in New Jersey -- not Michigan -- meaning no matter where you live in NJ (or for that matter in NYC) you are never more than 2 hours from the campus. Apparently this is a major negative for any 18-19 year old coddled superstar, particularly when they arrive on campus and gaze at the RAC -- an oversized lunar landing craft. When you really look at our situation from an objective standpoint, however, it is hard to really blame our local superstars for not coming to the Banks. Who wouldn't prefer to travel to far away lands where you play in on-campus arenas that are bigger and better than MSG?
That's where the new recruiting paradigm comes into play. The new mantra seems to be -- "forget about NJ and concentrate on Florida, DC/Maryland, NC and players that Jordan has a personal connection with -- the DC Assault alumni team and children of NBA greats. Imagine growing up in rural Florida? Wouldn't you like to play in the BIG 10 and be 30 miles from NYC? If Rutgers ever has a winning program, they will light up the Empire State Building again.
Although it would be great if every great player from this area wanted to go to Rutgers -- they seem to have no interest in coming. Rather than constantly coming in second place and settling for one dimensional players that are not good enough to play at this level, let's concentrate on players who live in those areas that are far away from Rutgers -- so coming to NJ is like a big adventure. I am very interested in seeing how our Florida contingent works out. I think we will be mining this area for many years. Once we have a successful season or two with our out of state players, the local players will begin to show more interest.
Time will tell...