Speaking of recruiting -

The last 2 recruiting classes from Jeff (excluding transfers) are looking downright lousy so far. Still lots of time to change that perception.

But they are

Sophomores (Class of 23 or 24):
Mark Sears (109 pts / 32.7 mpg) He's really good
Sam Towns (9 pts / 8.8 mpg)
Colin Granger (0 pts / 1 GP)

Freshmen (Class of 24 or 25):
AJ Clayton (28 pts / 11.0 mpg) A surprise off the bench
IJ Ezuma (2 pts / 2 GP)
Olumide Adelodun (0 pts / 1 GP)


We have 1.5 playable guys out of 6 recruits. It's a big reason why we're sooo thin in our rotations now that Wilson and McDay are out.

Really need Towns and/or Ezuma to start providing something. Anything. 5-6 points and 15-16 minutes. Something.

Or buy it. (see the other thread)

Yeah, I don’t think Boals recruiting is bad at all. Sears is a home run so far. Clayton has massive potential and is already a good bench option at 17. I like what I see from Towns on D and rebounding, could add some scoring to his game. Two years so far, one with none of his own guys, one heavily interrupted by COVID. Then the 4 kids he signed for next year all looks super promising, turning down Big 10 and SEC offers to come here. Last I checked it was still a top 50 recruiting class nationally.

The time to really hone in on a coach's recruiting is the third class. The reason being the first two classes are pretty much recruited and signed on before the new coaching staff has gotten to play a single game. Now ballers have had two seasons to digest Boals Ball. He has something tangible to sell (and I DON'T mean cash in a briefcase!!!!), including an NCAA tournament victory over the defending NCAA champion. I think we're seeing the difference, at least on paper, in this third class, which has the look of being special. Shooting guards Elmore James IV and Anthony "A.J." Brown already have been named MVPs of tournaments and wing Aidan Hadaway dropped 48 on Georgia-rival Ridgeland.

I do believe Clayton and Ezuma will prove to be ballers, which Sears already has proven to be. The others? Hopefully they'll progress with time. You're not gonna hit on everyone, right?

{Checks Notes}

That is indeed what she said