Let's catch you up first. Each day we've been posting new offers and tweets of note. You can read those to have an idea of some of the day to day happenings
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
So that catches you up. Now let's get to the other stuff.
BASKETBALL RECRUITING
As you know by now, Courtney Ramey is expected to announce his decision today. I'm told it's likely in the afternoon and should come via social media. Not sure if that means Twitter or Instagram (likely instagram because I don't know if the kid even has a Twitter account). Anyway, it's Mizzou, Texas, Louisville and Oklahoma State.
The prevailing thought among people I talk to is that it's going to be Texas. I had one person tell me "I'll be shocked if it's Mizzou." Had another say "I'll be shocked if it isn't Texas." There are a couple people I talk to still saying he's coming to Missouri, but honestly, from what I can tell that's based more on hope than reality. Not saying that Mizzou is out of it (if you are making definitive statements on this recruitment, you're crazy), but I'd say set the expectations low. My prediction is Texas. But obviously we'll be paying attention to see if that's wrong.
The more important thing for Missouri is, Where do you go now? We know Blake Hinson was in for an official visit. You can read Keegan's recap on that here. I don't know how you read that story and come away thinking anything other than Missouri is the favorite. He'll make an announcement in the next ten days or so. Ole Miss is probably the biggest threat, but we've got to think Mizzou is in the driver's seat (which shows you how quickly recruiting changes because a week ago we were hearing nothing and pretty much assumed Hinson wasn't coming here).
Evansville transfer Dru Smith was here on Wednesday and Thursday for an official visit. At this point, we've got to believe Missouri is waiting on Ramey before deciding on Smith. The competition is Xavier and Virginia Tech. As we've mentioned, because of being bombarded by messages (not from us), Smith has cut off all interview requests. We'd love to be able to talk to him soon, but no promises. If the Ramey decision comes today as expected, a choice from Smith could come within the next few days.
Let's assume our first thought is correct and Ramey isn't coming here. If you can get Dru Smith and Blake Hinson, that gets you back to a full complement of 13 scholarship players without Jontay Porter. Here would be the breakdown (we include graduation years counting a year sitting for Dru and Mark Smith):
2019--VanLeer/Geist/Puryear
2020--Nikko
2021--M. Smith/Tilmon/Santos/D. Smith
2022--Pinson/M. Smith/Watson/Pickett/Hinson
Obviously it lacks some balance, but it is what it is. It also means you have in effect a 10-man roster at the start of next season, which seems less than ideal. But unless we hear of another target out there (and it's possible because Cuonzo Martin told us last week he'd like to add two or three more players) that seems to be the situation. Given that, here's your rotation for the 2018-19 season:
PG: Geist/Pinson
SG: Watson/Geist/Pickett
SF: Santos/Hinson
PF: Puryear/M. Smith
C: Tilmon/Nikko
If that's the situation, to be blunt, getting that team to the tournament would be more impressive than what Cuonzo did last year...and we thought that was pretty impressive.
This roster would also mean just a three-man class for the Class of 2019...which we don't see happening at all. They'll take more. Room would be made.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
There isn't a ton of activity on this front right now. I mean, there are new offers going out every day and the coaches are all over the country and we've passed a lot of that info along in the daily updates, but as far as visits or kids who are close to committing, we really don't see much at this point in time.
Sean is going to be at an event with Tennessee LB DeShawn Page this weekend, who seems as close to a commitment as anyone, and hopefully we'll get a little more clarity there.
The tweet from Marcus Washington's dad earlier this week drew some attention. We're not bringing it up to rehash the merits of what he said, but rather for the insight to his son's recruitment. Early on, most didn't think Mizzou had much of a chance at Washington. Now, we'd say they're the favorite. No guarantee, they're going to have to win some games, but the staff has really won over Washington and his family and sits in really good position.
Other in-state guys that we think Missouri has an excellent shot to land: Ira Henry, Jack Buford. As we talked about last week, it would be great for the Tigers if they could get one or two of these guys on board in the near future to kind of kick start the class.
So that's where we're at. Stay tuned.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
So that catches you up. Now let's get to the other stuff.
BASKETBALL RECRUITING
As you know by now, Courtney Ramey is expected to announce his decision today. I'm told it's likely in the afternoon and should come via social media. Not sure if that means Twitter or Instagram (likely instagram because I don't know if the kid even has a Twitter account). Anyway, it's Mizzou, Texas, Louisville and Oklahoma State.
The prevailing thought among people I talk to is that it's going to be Texas. I had one person tell me "I'll be shocked if it's Mizzou." Had another say "I'll be shocked if it isn't Texas." There are a couple people I talk to still saying he's coming to Missouri, but honestly, from what I can tell that's based more on hope than reality. Not saying that Mizzou is out of it (if you are making definitive statements on this recruitment, you're crazy), but I'd say set the expectations low. My prediction is Texas. But obviously we'll be paying attention to see if that's wrong.
The more important thing for Missouri is, Where do you go now? We know Blake Hinson was in for an official visit. You can read Keegan's recap on that here. I don't know how you read that story and come away thinking anything other than Missouri is the favorite. He'll make an announcement in the next ten days or so. Ole Miss is probably the biggest threat, but we've got to think Mizzou is in the driver's seat (which shows you how quickly recruiting changes because a week ago we were hearing nothing and pretty much assumed Hinson wasn't coming here).
Evansville transfer Dru Smith was here on Wednesday and Thursday for an official visit. At this point, we've got to believe Missouri is waiting on Ramey before deciding on Smith. The competition is Xavier and Virginia Tech. As we've mentioned, because of being bombarded by messages (not from us), Smith has cut off all interview requests. We'd love to be able to talk to him soon, but no promises. If the Ramey decision comes today as expected, a choice from Smith could come within the next few days.
Let's assume our first thought is correct and Ramey isn't coming here. If you can get Dru Smith and Blake Hinson, that gets you back to a full complement of 13 scholarship players without Jontay Porter. Here would be the breakdown (we include graduation years counting a year sitting for Dru and Mark Smith):
2019--VanLeer/Geist/Puryear
2020--Nikko
2021--M. Smith/Tilmon/Santos/D. Smith
2022--Pinson/M. Smith/Watson/Pickett/Hinson
Obviously it lacks some balance, but it is what it is. It also means you have in effect a 10-man roster at the start of next season, which seems less than ideal. But unless we hear of another target out there (and it's possible because Cuonzo Martin told us last week he'd like to add two or three more players) that seems to be the situation. Given that, here's your rotation for the 2018-19 season:
PG: Geist/Pinson
SG: Watson/Geist/Pickett
SF: Santos/Hinson
PF: Puryear/M. Smith
C: Tilmon/Nikko
If that's the situation, to be blunt, getting that team to the tournament would be more impressive than what Cuonzo did last year...and we thought that was pretty impressive.
This roster would also mean just a three-man class for the Class of 2019...which we don't see happening at all. They'll take more. Room would be made.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
There isn't a ton of activity on this front right now. I mean, there are new offers going out every day and the coaches are all over the country and we've passed a lot of that info along in the daily updates, but as far as visits or kids who are close to committing, we really don't see much at this point in time.
Sean is going to be at an event with Tennessee LB DeShawn Page this weekend, who seems as close to a commitment as anyone, and hopefully we'll get a little more clarity there.
The tweet from Marcus Washington's dad earlier this week drew some attention. We're not bringing it up to rehash the merits of what he said, but rather for the insight to his son's recruitment. Early on, most didn't think Mizzou had much of a chance at Washington. Now, we'd say they're the favorite. No guarantee, they're going to have to win some games, but the staff has really won over Washington and his family and sits in really good position.
Other in-state guys that we think Missouri has an excellent shot to land: Ira Henry, Jack Buford. As we talked about last week, it would be great for the Tigers if they could get one or two of these guys on board in the near future to kind of kick start the class.
So that's where we're at. Stay tuned.
