I’m taking Kaufman.
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Why would Hopkins not going to Louisville bode well for us?
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Braswell is the link to Maryland for Taine Murray, or at least why they’re such a threat. Dealing with overseas kids is different. They don’t get that there’s a difference between programs or conferences. I’ve heard that’s been part of UVA’s effort, trying to educate him on why UVA and the ACC are a bigger deal. haha There’s more worry about Maryland than Stanford, surprises me.
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Umd, gross. Hopefully Tony, Penney, Big Jack, plus our usage of shooters and player development will win the day.
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Oregon just offered Bryce Hopkins. Again, they’re not behaving like they’re about to get Ben Gregg.
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Looking at his two other top choices:
Arizona has been in contact with him 2-3 times a week but are rumored to get some notices sent to them soon (Dickie V alleged such on a podcast recently I believe).
UVA hasn’t even offered yet, although staff are very interested and would take him maybe
Maybe Oregon State made up some ground after seeing that article?
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Murray update from Maryland site. Bummer if true, jives with what’s been said here other that it’s a Maryland Stanford race:
source said two weeks ago that Maryland was trying to get Murray and have him reclassify from 2021 to 2020, but the hopes were that his recruitment would be kept quiet. The cat’s now out of the bag, with Murray naming Maryland, Stanford and Virginia as his finalists.
I was told Monday that it looks like Maryland and Stanford battling it out for Murray, and that he could arrive wherever he signs in December. Another guard is what Mark Turgeon’s wanted for next year after adding a couple of bigs, and Murray could combine with Darryl Morsell, Aaron Wiggins and Eric Ayala to give Maryland one of the Big Ten’s better backcourt groups. It’s too early to begin penciling him into your lineups for this season, but there’s a legit chance here. We’ll have more soon.
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Int’l line
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I feel like schools that have one open scholarship have a distinct advantage in their flexibility with recruiting
In most years, it’s rarely a factor for Fall signings, but w Covid and uncertainty of HS seasons it’s become one. Certainly seems like it may be a factor for Kaufman and Murray. That said to be in that position we’d have to have passed on Murphy. Personally not sure we’d want to give up what he’s gonna bring to the 21-22 and 22-23 teams as compared two what the aforementioned recruits might.
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Even though it was not on a power 5 level we know Murphy can play. I also love his attitude and maturity. He knew he needs to improve his defense and get stronger so he came to UVA because they can best help him in those areas. He is also willing to sit out to help him get there. With all our 21 recruits so concerned with instant playing time and getting to the NBA as fast as they can I find Murphy very refreshing.
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Seems like it was a factor with Reid as well
I don’t understand why anybody would pick Maryland. They have a terrible program, with no system, lead by a coach on the hot seat annually… The only positive is being in the Big 10, and even that’s a downgrade from the ACC.
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Still think Penney, Bennett, and Salt outweigh a high school coach but timing could complicate.
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As HNG mentioned, for international kids none of that is really a known for them and may not be as big of a factor. It’s probably more about relationships than pedigree.
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Nice facility, quality conference, lots of exposure, UA has a big influence, former players involved coaching at the grassroots and high school level (cost us Aaron Wiggins), and Bino Ranson in particular is a really good recruiter.
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Corey w a update on Kaufman
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I agree with you, Karl. I know posters here like to dump on Maryland and Turgeon in particular, but they’ve got one of the top 25 programs in the country if you look at their history from the inception of the ACC (multiple conference championships, two final fours and 1 national championship). There was a time between when Jeff Jones left and CTB started that the comparison between Maryland’s program and ours was very unfavorable for us. As for Turgeon, he’s a great recruiter and a decent coach. He’s also had some success developing players, particularly big men like Jalen Smith and Alex Len. A big complaint against Turgeon is that he’s got a woeful record in the NCAA tournament at Maryland with just one sweet sixteen (TBF- his team this past season was headed for a top 4 seed in the tournament and may have made it to the S16 or beyond). People also remember his 2015/2016 team that had multiple star players and started the season with a #3 ranking, but under-performed all season and only made it to the S16. For me, that season epitomized Turgeon’s biggest issue as a coach at UMD so far-- his teams rarely get better as the season progresses. Just to be clear, though, I think we can all agree that Maryland fans are the worst.
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Turgeon consistently does less with more than most P5 coaches. He gets talent on campus, then fails to turn it into a cohesive team capable of sustained successes. And I love that about him.
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100% agree. Murphy was a great use of the “have an open scholarship” strategy/option. He will hit the floor at the same time as any 21 recruit only he’ll have a year of learning the defense and at least equal odds of contributing offensively as any recruit.
let’s face it, nobody available now with the option reclassifying up into the 20 class would’ve broken into the rotation in an impactful way.
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