Let's Talk '22

[Spaceman Spiff]

Doesn't make him a legend.

There are a ton of White Mamba memes. I can keep a meaningless troll going all day, man.

[EastCoastCat]

[TheCat]

Jalen Rose said the top two 2022 recruit (might reclassify) will go to Memphis and called on Fed Ex to sponsor their NLI to make it happen. Get ready for this. It is the only reason I can think of for the number of big men committed to Oregon and their ranks. We will know when Deon Sanders starts to pull in 4 stars.

[azcat49]

Supposedly according to the NCAA and the conferences, the NLI was not supposed to be used as a recruiting tool. Guess that is out the window. Highest bidder

[Spaceman Spiff]

Supposedly according to the NCAA and the conferences, the NLI was not supposed to be used as a recruiting tool. Guess that is out the window. Highest bidder

First, this is just another reason the NCAA blew this. If they'd crafted reasonable NLI rules 10-15 years ago, maybe things would be calm. Instead, they fought to the Supreme Court, got their current system struck down and had no Plan B.

I don't think it's half that bad, though. Any half decent school should know how to have NLI opportunities open for its guys. If you don't, that's on you.

Second, schools like Oregon aren't really new to this. Oregon has 2 five stars in 2022. They had one this year, two in 2019 and two in 2018. Altman has been just fine pre-NLI.

[TheCat]

Supposedly according to the NCAA and the conferences, the NLI was not supposed to be used as a recruiting tool. Guess that is out the window. Highest bidder

First, this is just another reason the NCAA blew this. If they'd crafted reasonable NLI rules 10-15 years ago, maybe things would be calm. Instead, they fought to the Supreme Court, got their current system struck down and had no Plan B.

I don't think it's half that bad, though. Any half decent school should know how to have NLI opportunities open for its guys. If you don't, that's on you.

Second, schools like Oregon aren't really new to this. Oregon has 2 five stars in 2022. They had one this year, two in 2019 and two in 2018. Altman has been just fine pre-NLI.

I think it will be bad. Nike can offer a ton of exposure to individuals selecting Oregon. Image Vegas casino's getting involved and bringing back the old UNLV. Alabama's Saban saying his starting QB as a 7 figure deal.....and why do you think he said that. This will far exceed any under the table payments that were ever asked for or received. Jack Furrier's Western Tire and eegees will not be enough. As far as Oregon goes take a look at the big men they have/are getting.

[pc in NM]

Supposedly according to the NCAA and the conferences, the NLI was not supposed to be used as a recruiting tool. Guess that is out the window. Highest bidder

First, this is just another reason the NCAA blew this. If they'd crafted reasonable NLI rules 10-15 years ago, maybe things would be calm. Instead, they fought to the Supreme Court, got their current system struck down and had no Plan B.

I don't think it's half that bad, though. Any half decent school should know how to have NLI opportunities open for its guys. If you don't, that's on you.

Second, schools like Oregon aren't really new to this. Oregon has 2 five stars in 2022. They had one this year, two in 2019 and two in 2018. Altman has been just fine pre-NLI.

So, when will these guys choose stay in college a few years longer, since their NLI income will be more than the mere addition of entry pro income, and only play 30 games a year???

[TheCat]

That is a possibility for marginal or second rounders. The key to the NBA is to get the clock started for the second contract.

[Merkin]

NIL = Name, Image, Likeness
NLI = National Letter of Intent

Carry on,

[Spaceman Spiff]

Supposedly according to the NCAA and the conferences, the NLI was not supposed to be used as a recruiting tool. Guess that is out the window. Highest bidder

First, this is just another reason the NCAA blew this. If they'd crafted reasonable NLI rules 10-15 years ago, maybe things would be calm. Instead, they fought to the Supreme Court, got their current system struck down and had no Plan B.

I don't think it's half that bad, though. Any half decent school should know how to have NLI opportunities open for its guys. If you don't, that's on you.

Second, schools like Oregon aren't really new to this. Oregon has 2 five stars in 2022. They had one this year, two in 2019 and two in 2018. Altman has been just fine pre-NLI.

I think it will be bad. Nike can offer a ton of exposure to individuals selecting Oregon. Image Vegas casino's getting involved and bringing back the old UNLV. Alabama's Saban saying his starting QB as a 7 figure deal.....and why do you think he said that. This will far exceed any under the table payments that were ever asked for or received. Jack Furrier's Western Tire and eegees will not be enough. As far as Oregon goes take a look at the big men they have/are getting.

I mean, Oregon got 5 star bigs in Bittle, Dante and Bol pre-NIL. They've only landed one 5 star pos-NIL, so...well, I'm not convinced the sky is falling.

Alabama's a good example of why Arizona shouldn't be in tremendous fear of the NIL change. Tuscaloosa isn't brimming with big money businesses any more than Tucson is.

So far, NIL hasn't been a reflection of old under the table payments. The Cavinder twins on Fresno State's women's team had (they may have been outstripped since) the richest NIL deal for quite a bit. You can't tell me it's those loaded Fresno women's basketball boosters.

The biggest deals are people on TikTok and other social media, not via boosters.

Plus, Arizona basketball players have name recognition in Tucson that other markets lack. Who in LA cares about an endorsement from Tyger Campbell? He isn't top 200 in local stars. Benn Mathurin is higher profile in Tucson.

Ultimately this isn't charity. Casinos won't take losses on UNLV players. Players get $ due to social media followings, etc.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Supposedly according to the NCAA and the conferences, the NLI was not supposed to be used as a recruiting tool. Guess that is out the window. Highest bidder

First, this is just another reason the NCAA blew this. If they'd crafted reasonable NLI rules 10-15 years ago, maybe things would be calm. Instead, they fought to the Supreme Court, got their current system struck down and had no Plan B.

I don't think it's half that bad, though. Any half decent school should know how to have NLI opportunities open for its guys. If you don't, that's on you.

Second, schools like Oregon aren't really new to this. Oregon has 2 five stars in 2022. They had one this year, two in 2019 and two in 2018. Altman has been just fine pre-NLI.

So, when will these guys choose stay in college a few years longer, since their NLI income will be more than the mere addition of entry pro income, and only play 30 games a year???

It's a potential benefit to the college game. It certainly can help players feel less financial stress in deciding whether to stay or go.

[EastCoastCat]

I'm not sure why people are thinking NIL is just a local thing. The Alabama football "brand" could be a big enough pull.

[Chicat]

I'm not sure why people are thinking NIL is just a local thing. The Alabama football "brand" could be a big enough pull.

How many truly National deals have we seen so far?

1) Bryce Young - CashApp
2) D.J. Uiagalelei - Doctor Pepper
3) ?

(Myles Brennan got with Smoothie King but that is a regional chain and a regional deal.)

To be honest, I feel like people want to freak out because it’s the offseason and they are bored. Talk to me when we actually start losing recruits that would have come to Arizona if it wasn’t for NIL deals they could get other places. This idea that Nike is going to shower money on guys that would have been Cats to turn them into Ducks is A) not borne out by the evidence so far, and B) pretty myopic regarding the advantages Oregon already had with their Nike affiliation.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm not sure why people are thinking NIL is just a local thing. The Alabama football "brand" could be a big enough pull.

How many truly National deals have we seen so far?

1) Bryce Young - CashApp
2) D.J. Uiagalelei - Doctor Pepper
3) ?

(Myles Brennan got with Smoothie King but that is a regional chain and a regional deal.)

To be honest, I feel like people want to freak out because it’s the offseason and they are bored. Talk to me when we actually start losing recruits that would have come to Arizona if it wasn’t for NIL deals they could get other places. This idea that Nike is going to shower money on guys that would have been Cats to turn them into Ducks is A) not borne out by the evidence so far, and B) pretty myopic regarding the advantages Oregon already had with their Nike affiliation.

There have been others, like the Cavinder twins got Boost Mobile and Six Star Nutrition. Thing is, those aren't based in program brand.

Young and Uiagalelei were both the #1 QB prospect out of HS and current Heisman favorites. Even a guy like Spencer Rattler, who is in the Heusman running and has a big social media presence, his most national deal is Raising Cane's. Uiagalelei got Bojangles, so apparently college QB's are important in the regional fast food chicken market.

Being social media famous does more than being part of a brand school. The closest thing Nike has done for an Oregon kid is the weird lithograph for Thibodaux. It's not like this unfair market in which Arizona can't compete.

[EastCoastCat]

I'm not sure why people are thinking NIL is just a local thing. The Alabama football "brand" could be a big enough pull.

How many truly National deals have we seen so far?

1) Bryce Young - CashApp
2) D.J. Uiagalelei - Doctor Pepper
3) ?

(Myles Brennan got with Smoothie King but that is a regional chain and a regional deal.)

To be honest, I feel like people want to freak out because it’s the offseason and they are bored. Talk to me when we actually start losing recruits that would have come to Arizona if it wasn’t for NIL deals they could get other places. This idea that Nike is going to shower money on guys that would have been Cats to turn them into Ducks is A) not borne out by the evidence so far, and B) pretty myopic regarding the advantages Oregon already had with their Nike affiliation.

But freaking out is what we do best. You are certainly a party pooper...

And truthfully, the Arizona basketball brand should be strong enough to continue pulling in top recruits if there is no drop off with our new coach compared to our old one.

[azgreg]

Still waiting for someone to sign with Pink Taco.

[azgreg]

[azgreg]

P.S. Wouldn't we be better off with just a "Recruiting / Signing" thread? Pinned of course.

[dmjcat]

Not sure this is the best recruiting strategy given the present circumstances

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... &id=201408

[ChooChooCat]

Not sure this is the best recruiting strategy given the present circumstances

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... &id=201408

There's plenty of other recruiting going on, it's just not public.

[Beachcat97]

Not sure this is the best recruiting strategy given the present circumstances

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... &id=201408

There's plenty of other recruiting going on, it's just not public.

Any feel for if we're gaining some momentum, Choo, or too early to say?

[ChooChooCat]

Not sure this is the best recruiting strategy given the present circumstances

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... &id=201408

There's plenty of other recruiting going on, it's just not public.

Any feel for if we're gaining some momentum, Choo, or too early to say?

Let's put it this way, we have two coaches on staff currently whose recruiting strengths lie overseas and another assistant who is from overseas just waiting to be made official. Where do you think a staff like this momentum would be? You're not going to hear about anybody we're looking at in that realm either until it's basically a done deal due to fear of their pro league ponying up to keep them at all costs. Just be patient with this class is all I can say. Fwiw we get an answer on Jaden Bradley in a month and Collin Chandler won't take much longer either.

[A1RZONA]

Not sure this is the best recruiting strategy given the present circumstances

https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildca ... &id=201408

There's plenty of other recruiting going on, it's just not public.

Any feel for if we're gaining some momentum, Choo, or too early to say?

Let's put it this way, we have two coaches on staff currently whose recruiting strengths lie overseas and another assistant who is from overseas just waiting to be made official. Where do you think a staff like this momentum would be? You're not going to hear about anybody we're looking at in that realm either until it's basically a done deal due to fear of their pro league ponying up to keep them at all costs. Just be patient with this class is all I can say. Fwiw we get an answer on Jaden Bradley in a month and Collin Chandler won't take much longer either.

thanks for the insight. any info on bradely or chandler or too early?

[YoDeFoe]

We just picked up Bradley’s top recruiter at UNC in Coach Rob, so we’ve got that going for us.

[YoDeFoe]

Shaedon Sharpe visiting Arizona this weekend for an official.

[IndianaZonaFan]

We made Bradley’s top 5 (no UNC- not sure if that’s good or bad for us).

We also are getting an additional visit this weekend for Sharpe.

If we can get both of these guys…next years team will have huge expectations.

[NickyBCats]

Any real chance with either guy?

[gronk4heisman]

I think we have a small chance with Bradley and next to no chance with Sharpe.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Anyone hear anything on the Sharpe visit? Or the recruitment in general? Is this his 3rd visit?

[ChooChooCat]

Anyone hear anything on the Sharpe visit? Or the recruitment in general? Is this his 3rd visit?

He visits Kentucky next week and announces his decision shortly after.

[TheCat]

Meet the No. 1 prospects
SG Shaedon Sharpe
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 6
Uncommitted

Sharpe ascended to the No. 1 spot because of his elite ability to produce points within a team flow. At 22 points per game (shooting 48% from the floor and 36% from 3), he finished third in the Nike EYBL in scoring.

[IndianaZonaFan]

Sharpe announcing tomorrow.

Last I heard it was Uk by a long shot and then us and the g-league.

I feel like I got my hopes up for this kid but all I’ve heard is that people will be shocked if he ends up anywhere that isn’t Lexington, KY

Anyone know/heard anything different?

[ChooChooCat]

Sharpe announcing tomorrow.

Last I heard it was Uk by a long shot and then us and the g-league.

I feel like I got my hopes up for this kid but all I’ve heard is that people will be shocked if he ends up anywhere that isn’t Lexington, KY

Anyone know/heard anything different?

It’s Kentucky

[MountainCat]

Today's the day!

Heard Sharpe is going to be a Wildcat...

[Irish27]

Today's the day!

Heard Sharpe is going to be a Wildcat...

Too bad he is not a Wildcat west of the Mississippi.

[Spaceman Spiff]

So his highlights popped up in my YouTube recommended. Watching, I was pretty impressed.

He seems to have a very well rounded game. Gets to the rim, but can hit the jumper. Seems to have good vision, including a bunch of throw aheads, which I love. Not unreal athleticism, but definitely not lacking bounce. His game has a mature quality in that he was picking his spots the right way.

You never know about D from highlight films, but every other area of his game looked pretty good. My one thing, he's more a set shooter than a jump shooter, so he'll have to be good about creating space. I was pretty impressed, though.

[YoDeFoe]

Concern for Chandler: still wondering what his plan is in regards to his mission trip.

[84Cat]

Today's the day!

Heard Sharpe is going to be a Wildcat...

[Spaceman Spiff]

Well, hopefully one of these times we don't come in second.

[dmjcat]

[dmjcat]

[EastCoastCat]

I hate these tweets.

I want to see more "we are where we want to be on" updates.

[YoDeFoe]

Would love to land this dude - modern center who actually wants to be a center.

[Beachcat97]

I hate these tweets.

I want to see more "we are where we want to be on" updates.

My thoughts exactly. This age of a guy tweeting out his "final" 10 schools it the dumbest shit I've ever seen.

[dmjcat]

https://247sports.com/college/basketbal ... 70555111_4

HOW CLOSE IS JADEN BRADLEY TO A DECISION?

Fresh off of an official visit to Florida State, top 25 point guard Jaden Bradley will take his last official visit this weekend when he checks out Gonzaga. Previously he’s seen Alabama and Arizona.

Bradley hasn’t set any timeline just yet, but I don’t anticipate him taking too long to make his choice and would expect that he’ll be off the board pretty well in advance of signing day in November. Throughout the summer Alabama built a strong buzz with him and many consider Nate Oats and the Tide to be the favorites. I wouldn’t rule out Arizona either and after he finishes up this Gonzaga visit we’ll see if there is any word that the Zags or Florida State were able to make a push. My gut on this one is that Alabama is still in best position but again, Arizona appears to be right there throwing punches with the Tide.

[Postmaster]

I hate these tweets.

I want to see more "we are where we want to be on" updates.

My thoughts exactly. This age of a guy tweeting out his "final" 10 schools it the dumbest shit I've ever seen.

It’s only going to get worse as these guys try to get followers to get a better NIL deal.

[gronk4heisman]

https://247sports.com/college/basketbal ... 70555111_4

HOW CLOSE IS JADEN BRADLEY TO A DECISION?

Fresh off of an official visit to Florida State, top 25 point guard Jaden Bradley will take his last official visit this weekend when he checks out Gonzaga. Previously he’s seen Alabama and Arizona.

Bradley hasn’t set any timeline just yet, but I don’t anticipate him taking too long to make his choice and would expect that he’ll be off the board pretty well in advance of signing day in November. Throughout the summer Alabama built a strong buzz with him and many consider Nate Oats and the Tide to be the favorites. I wouldn’t rule out Arizona either and after he finishes up this Gonzaga visit we’ll see if there is any word that the Zags or Florida State were able to make a push. My gut on this one is that Alabama is still in best position but again, Arizona appears to be right there throwing punches with the Tide.

Tommy Lloyd has positioned himself in a way where Bradley is pretty much a must get. If you are only going to target two or three guys at a time you better start hitting on some.

[UAEebs86]

Can't lose to a football school. C'mon Tommy

[Spaceman Spiff]

https://247sports.com/college/basketbal ... 70555111_4

HOW CLOSE IS JADEN BRADLEY TO A DECISION?

Fresh off of an official visit to Florida State, top 25 point guard Jaden Bradley will take his last official visit this weekend when he checks out Gonzaga. Previously he’s seen Alabama and Arizona.

Bradley hasn’t set any timeline just yet, but I don’t anticipate him taking too long to make his choice and would expect that he’ll be off the board pretty well in advance of signing day in November. Throughout the summer Alabama built a strong buzz with him and many consider Nate Oats and the Tide to be the favorites. I wouldn’t rule out Arizona either and after he finishes up this Gonzaga visit we’ll see if there is any word that the Zags or Florida State were able to make a push. My gut on this one is that Alabama is still in best position but again, Arizona appears to be right there throwing punches with the Tide.

Tommy Lloyd has positioned himself in a way where Bradley is pretty much a must get. If you are only going to target two or three guys at a time you better start hitting on some.

I agree with this. Selectivity only works if you get the guys you target. Lloyd is choosing selective offers, which is fine, but it comes with the reality that he NEEDS to land the targets.

We have a good roster right now because of Sean Miller. If Lloyd is successful, he needs to develop his own base.

[ChooChooCat]

Would love to land this dude - modern center who actually wants to be a center.

Pretty sure we stopped by Dream City, but not remotely for Traore.