What Montez Mathis Would Mean To Rutgers
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Monumental decision for the athlete -
He must choose between
(1.) a B1G program that is working vigorously to take the obvious progress that was shown last year and to continue to build the program - a program on an upward trajectory - and based on Pikiell's body of work - it will incrementally achieve its goals
and
(2.) a AAC program - a historically good program - but one that has made many major sweeping changes after a very dismal season - and one for whom it is imperative that all of these changes turn out to be successful - it is an unknown as to whether these changes rectify the ills that befell UCONN last season - and if it does not go well - it will be a rebuild with a new staff
He must choose between
(1.) a B1G program that is working vigorously to take the obvious progress that was shown last year and to continue to build the program - a program on an upward trajectory - and based on Pikiell's body of work - it will incrementally achieve its goals
and
(2.) a AAC program - a historically good program - but one that has made many major sweeping changes after a very dismal season - and one for whom it is imperative that all of these changes turn out to be successful - it is an unknown as to whether these changes rectify the ills that befell UCONN last season - and if it does not go well - it will be a rebuild with a new staff
Scared of UCONN selling its clear advantages-championships, Ollie and the NBA, Guard Success, etc.
90 percent of the kids we have chased have always chosen the proven successful program over taking a chance
We need one to go our way ! Confident Pikiell closes the deal
90 percent of the kids we have chased have always chosen the proven successful program over taking a chance
We need one to go our way ! Confident Pikiell closes the deal
IMO, Here's the key two issues: I think family prevails.
"I like how coach [Steve] Pikiell has turned the team around since he got there," Mathis said. "He's a real out going person. My family loves him a lot. They talk a lot and not just about basketball, so I like coach Pikiell a lot."
"With UConn, coach [Kevin] Ollie has been recruiting me since middle school, so that's a plus," he said. "I like how Kevin Ollie develops his guards and gets them to the next level."
"I like how coach [Steve] Pikiell has turned the team around since he got there," Mathis said. "He's a real out going person. My family loves him a lot. They talk a lot and not just about basketball, so I like coach Pikiell a lot."
"With UConn, coach [Kevin] Ollie has been recruiting me since middle school, so that's a plus," he said. "I like how Kevin Ollie develops his guards and gets them to the next level."
Recent Uconn versus recent RU.
Taking RU. One is trending up, the other is trending down with a lot of question marks. Just the truth.
Taking RU. One is trending up, the other is trending down with a lot of question marks. Just the truth.
Maybe divorced or single moms like him a little more.....Ollie was recently divorced from his Wife within the last few years ? lol
Haven't spoken to more than a few mother's of kids who have been recruited Ollie, they just really love his demeanor, his presentation and what they feel is his sincerity.
Because I said so...
Can watch him tn if you want, takes on Zion's team in Vegas at 820 EST (roughly). Facebook.com/ballislifestyle will have the feed.
All the mothers of kids who transferred out..what was their story? Lol.
Thank god for Mothers. And Mathis.
See what I said to @higgins3 above.
I know nothing. And a tape from an AAU type showcase will show a guy like me nada.
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And if UConn has another bad year, I wonder what Mathis will think then (Ollie on hot seat?)
You realize height isn't the determining factor in the skill and value of a player, right? I'm sure you mean something different, but this is a terribly phrased question. You could literally fill in the blank with any player...
For instance - Why is Michael Jordan more important than a 6'8 PF who can do what he can do... shoot, defense, good work ethic.
*And no, i'm not comparing Montez to Michael Jordan* before someone jumps on that.
This is where the staff ultimately shows its value vs past RU staffs...even if you landed Mathis, past staffs would not have an additional complimentary pieces at the 150-200 level...Instead it was a player that was overwhelmed at this level of competition.
Since Mathis is UConn bound, the 15-20 other kids that have also had offers or will get offers in the next month or so have to be solid and safe players. That allows the roster to create depth and competition.
Once we see what the final 3-4 recruits are is what matters most. There is a lot to be confident in and there is no must have recruiting target in Year 2 of a restructure.
Since Mathis is UConn bound, the 15-20 other kids that have also had offers or will get offers in the next month or so have to be solid and safe players. That allows the roster to create depth and competition.
Once we see what the final 3-4 recruits are is what matters most. There is a lot to be confident in and there is no must have recruiting target in Year 2 of a restructure.
Let's wait for him to say that before we do...
Guess what I'm trying to get at is that it seems to an outsider on the sport (like me) this type of guy is easier to find.
Is that correct or a better way to word it?
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...I've been a Rutgers fan for a very long time. It's kinda like being a Cubs fan...prior to last year.
Did a bit more reading - and doing the best I can to set aside bias - have to say the situation in UCONN is potentially much more challenging than previously imagined - for a multitude of reasons the situation has gotten pretty mucked up
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn...-ollie-uconn-turmoil-0423-20170422-story.html
basically -
Since the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season major challenging events have included:
Fired - Glen Miller, associate head coach since 2012 & considered a key part of the program and a Calhoun hire & favorite
Hired- Raphael Chillious, highly effective recruiter but fired with all the coaches at Washington
Left the program - Strength & conditioning coach Travis Illian, hand-picked by Ollie in 2013,
SIGNIFICANT PLAYER DEPARTURES
sophomore Steven Enoch — decided to transfer
freshman Juwan Durham— decided to transfer
freshman Vance Jackson— decided to transfer
2017 recruit Makai Ashton-Langford - requested release from letter of intent – then committed to the Providence Friars
In 2014, Ollie signed a five-year contract with UConn, then in mid-2016 a contract extension running through 2021 - however there has been much chatter about ‘change since the dismal 2016-2017 season and the discussion of associated ‘strains’ in the atmosphere around the program
Very interesting take by Calhoun:
"My position is, very simply, I've always believed Kevin is a good man," Calhoun said. "Kevin is learning as he goes. Things happen. We're in turmoil to some degree, but in my opinion, not all is lost. We're not the first team to kind of go off track. ... Our job isn't to talk about what went wrong. Our job is to talk about how to make everything right. UConn basketball should be special, and I think it could be again."
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So maybe the harshest way to put it is that the wheels came off and rolled away .. now they are desperately trying to find new ones & figure how to put them on (and who knows if they will work) - all while significant figures higher up at UCONN are having questions about Ollie's ability to resurrect the program.
many many unknowns & changes in this place - and not necessarily in a positive way - lots & lots of real good chemistry needs to spontaneously spring forth here or it will be rough.
would think that all of this would make prospects very very queasy!
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn...-ollie-uconn-turmoil-0423-20170422-story.html
basically -
Since the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season major challenging events have included:
Fired - Glen Miller, associate head coach since 2012 & considered a key part of the program and a Calhoun hire & favorite
Hired- Raphael Chillious, highly effective recruiter but fired with all the coaches at Washington
Left the program - Strength & conditioning coach Travis Illian, hand-picked by Ollie in 2013,
SIGNIFICANT PLAYER DEPARTURES
sophomore Steven Enoch — decided to transfer
freshman Juwan Durham— decided to transfer
freshman Vance Jackson— decided to transfer
2017 recruit Makai Ashton-Langford - requested release from letter of intent – then committed to the Providence Friars
In 2014, Ollie signed a five-year contract with UConn, then in mid-2016 a contract extension running through 2021 - however there has been much chatter about ‘change since the dismal 2016-2017 season and the discussion of associated ‘strains’ in the atmosphere around the program
Very interesting take by Calhoun:
"My position is, very simply, I've always believed Kevin is a good man," Calhoun said. "Kevin is learning as he goes. Things happen. We're in turmoil to some degree, but in my opinion, not all is lost. We're not the first team to kind of go off track. ... Our job isn't to talk about what went wrong. Our job is to talk about how to make everything right. UConn basketball should be special, and I think it could be again."
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So maybe the harshest way to put it is that the wheels came off and rolled away .. now they are desperately trying to find new ones & figure how to put them on (and who knows if they will work) - all while significant figures higher up at UCONN are having questions about Ollie's ability to resurrect the program.
many many unknowns & changes in this place - and not necessarily in a positive way - lots & lots of real good chemistry needs to spontaneously spring forth here or it will be rough.
would think that all of this would make prospects very very queasy!
Actually happen to be in Las Vegas on vacation. Is it possible to get into these tournament games, or is it limited to coaches/media? If so, are tickets expensive?
Agree 100% but this is not a make or break recruit in Year 2 of a process....there are 8 to 9 recruits over the next 2 seasons that are going to define what happens at RU, not one player.
UConn has had a ton of turmoil and is poorly coached in general....I said that even through their national championship run and a few fans mentioned they won the title and Ollie was the 2nd coming of a great coach.....
Fast forward 2-3 years and he would not get an NBA job and is essentially on his lifeline for reviving their program, in a league that no one really cares about....With that said, in 5 years, RU will have a full B1G share and a brighter future regardless. Some players can't see the light or are short-sighted, the ones that get on board with RU will be the truest form of legends that brought the program back....kinda like Rice, Leonard, Foster and countless others that got RU on the national map and hot enough to land the B1G bid in the first place.
There is no smooth ride for the rebuild....we'll add our last 2017 piece very soon and the grind continues. There are 20-25 kids with offers and 3-4 or potentially 5 spots for this class....there will be 20 disappointing times when kids choose to go elsewhere, but those 3-5 that stepped up to make this happen are going to matter the most.
Very Interesting take and good points you make about uconn. But pike is a uconn guy and he can sell those same things, Calhoun etc . The Calhoun/uconn connection pike has may actually work in our favor and ironically against Uconn.
Very good points. You are obviously tuned in and understand this sport .
But I would like to go on record saying I would love to have a poorly coached team and turmoil and stumble to the national title.
I posted something like this( but again, if you put Carey and Mathis together at Rutgers with Baker, Doucoure, Kiss and Thiam and add some 2019 monsters, that's a team that potentially could contend to win a Big 10 title.
Maybe you could say the same in the case of Uconn but damn, it's not a pipe dream if they come here. It could happen a lot more quickly than some people think?
If you succeed at Rutgers; wont you have the opportunity to get to the league as you have at uconn? I don't think Kevin Ollie has any extra pull to be honest. Aren't you getting even better training from Brandon Knight who played the position?
Maybe you could say the same in the case of Uconn but damn, it's not a pipe dream if they come here. It could happen a lot more quickly than some people think?
If you succeed at Rutgers; wont you have the opportunity to get to the league as you have at uconn? I don't think Kevin Ollie has any extra pull to be honest. Aren't you getting even better training from Brandon Knight who played the position?
Yes - we're on the same page - we are witnessing a careful building of a team and a culture - which will provide enormous opportunities for recruits with talent, - the 'right ones' will be the ones with the vision and courage to seize these opportunities.
The Jim Calhoun uconn program, with its storied past, is just that... the past. Can Ollie bring them back, in a lesser conference and after the recent struggles? Big question mark...
OTOH, the old RU that could never seem to get out of its own way is also a thing of the past. RU is clearly on the come up, thanks to the kind of leadership we'd been missing for a long time. Future = Bright
I trust this staff to get it done... even if we don't get Mathis (although it's clear Pike and co. would much rather have him than not).
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A lot of good posts on here.
Agree with hawk that Mathis would be huge get and jumpstart to rebuild; but there are lots of other guards and have lots of confidence that Pike has a plan if Mathis picks Yukon
We should not be surprised if mathis goes the safe route to a coach at an established program, has won a National title and gets kids to the league -- even if there is current turmoil. Not surprising that Mathis might see Yukon as the more secure destination. Anyone who doesnt see that has serious scarlet tint on their lenses.
Would be great if Pike can pull Mathis but I am not counting on it. We still have alot of rebuilding to do.
Agree with hawk that Mathis would be huge get and jumpstart to rebuild; but there are lots of other guards and have lots of confidence that Pike has a plan if Mathis picks Yukon
We should not be surprised if mathis goes the safe route to a coach at an established program, has won a National title and gets kids to the league -- even if there is current turmoil. Not surprising that Mathis might see Yukon as the more secure destination. Anyone who doesnt see that has serious scarlet tint on their lenses.
Would be great if Pike can pull Mathis but I am not counting on it. We still have alot of rebuilding to do.
