Ex-NBA coach at Alabama lands 5-star

[Mr_Twister]

Worth noting that ex-NBA coach Avery Johnson at Alabama, who hasn't been there long, lands a 5-star athlete, Terrance Ferguson. Can any of you recruiting experts opine on whether Avery Johnson's recruitment of Ferguson had any ties to Johnson's NBA connections or coaching reputation/stature? Avery Johnson's landing this guy sets the bar high for Coach Jordan and staff; the bar was was also lifted by St. Jack's hiring of Chris Mullin. Alabama is not Kansas or Louisville or North Carolina. Job well done.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/8/17/9166127/terrance-ferguson-recruiting-alabama

 

[e5fdny]

Worth noting that ex-NBA coach Avery Johnson at Alabama, who hasn't been there long, lands a 5-star athlete, Terrance Ferguson. Can any of you recruiting experts opine on whether Avery Johnson's recruitment of Ferguson had any ties to Johnson's NBA connections or coaching reputation/stature? Avery Johnson's landing this guy sets the bar high for Coach Jordan and staff; the bar was was also lifted by St. Jack's hiring of Chris Mullin. Alabama is not Kansas or Louisville or North Carolina. Job well done.

No, they aren't one of those listed in BOLD but after doing some quick research it was interesting to see...

The Crimson Tide is only behind Kentucky in basketball wins and SEC tournament titles and third behind Kentucky and LSU in regular season SEC titles.

They have been to the Dance 20 times, reached the Sweet Sixteen 8 times and the Elite Eight once.

Also have been to the NIT 13 times and played (but lost) for the Championship twice.

They also play in an arena which seats more than 15K that had a major renovation as recently as 2005.

So again, while not a blue blood in CBB, they ain't chopped liver either.

IMO Mr. Johnson regardless of his NBA ties might have an easier sell in Tuscaloosa than he would in Piscataway....tradition/history, facilities, conference.

 

[treauRU]

Worth noting that ex-NBA coach Avery Johnson at Alabama, who hasn't been there long, lands a 5-star athlete, Terrance Ferguson. Can any of you recruiting experts opine on whether Avery Johnson's recruitment of Ferguson had any ties to Johnson's NBA connections or coaching reputation/stature? Avery Johnson's landing this guy sets the bar high for Coach Jordan and staff; the bar was was also lifted by St. Jack's hiring of Chris Mullin. Alabama is not Kansas or Louisville or North Carolina. Job well done.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/8/17/9166127/terrance-ferguson-recruiting-alabama

I see no reason why Avery's recruiting in Alabama has any bearing on coach Jordan's efforts here at RU. The Bar here is set very low. Coach Jordan and staff atr doing a fine job. Let's focus on are targets and our team.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Found another article ...

http://www.scout.com/college/basket...1575294-alert-alabama-snags-terrance-ferguson

which includes ...

According to Ferguson's high school coach Ray Forsett, Johnson and the chance to turn Alabama around was the difference. "Terrance really trusted Avery's vision to turn around Alabama basketball," noted Forsett.

Probably similar sales pitch as Eddie's. Agree that turning around Alabama is not as monumental a task as turning around Rutgers.

 

[73CAV]

Among other things, Avery Johnson probably enjoys greater name recognition around the country than does Eddie Jordan, and that this is especially true in Dallas, Ferguson's home. Furthermore, you should note that one of Johnson's assistant coaches spent the past 10 years as the very successful coach of the Texas Titans, a prominent AAU program in Texas. It is not as though Avery Johnson just showed up at the kid's door and got him to commit out of the blue. Finally, I imagine that Alabama has a recruiting budget that might dwarf the one of Rutgers. Their athletic department is rolling in cash.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Terrific, even-handed post. Thanks for throwing in. Good info.

 

[e5fdny]

Alabama's basketball arena and facilities are BEAUTIFUL. I've been to a games there. Absolutely blows the RAC away. The campus is beautiful as well and there is money being spent EVERYWHERE on campus.

Facilities notwithstanding, it's nice to see a mediocre P5 basketball program get a kid that usually goes to Kentucky, Duke, Etc. Good for Avery.

With the results/history mentioned in another post, I think a lot of us would sign up for that type "mediocrity" here in a Rutgers minute.

 

[RUPDS06]

Worth noting that ex-NBA coach Avery Johnson at Alabama, who hasn't been there long, lands a 5-star athlete, Terrance Ferguson. Can any of you recruiting experts opine on whether Avery Johnson's recruitment of Ferguson had any ties to Johnson's NBA connections or coaching reputation/stature? Avery Johnson's landing this guy sets the bar high for Coach Jordan and staff; the bar was was also lifted by St. Jack's hiring of Chris Mullin. Alabama is not Kansas or Louisville or North Carolina. Job well done.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2015/8/17/9166127/terrance-ferguson-recruiting-alabama

Wow, that's a good get.

 

[rutger80]

While Alabama has had some success in basketball, going back to the days of Wimp Sanderson, it will always be second fiddle to football. The fans will get excited for a winning hoop team, but they live and die with Tide football.

 

[MADHAT1]

While Alabama has had some success in basketball, going back to the days of Wimp Sanderson, it will always be second fiddle to football. The fans will get excited for a winning hoop team, but they live and die with Tide football.

But their attendance number aren't to shabby considering in 2014 they averaged 10,754 seats in the stands
The year before 11,159 and over 12,000 in 2012.
Still had plenty of seats empty because Coleman Coliseum holds over 15,000.

 

[SteveVA2]

Alabama has a beautiful campus and Tuscaloosa is a nice college town.