Let me start by stating that I'm not criticizing Izzo, I'm just making an observation.
Anyhow, it seems like Izzo's recruiting pool has shrunk significantly over the past four years as he's routinely lost battles for elite NBA talent ever since the Payne/Appling class 5 years ago. He's still gotten solid players and he did snag Gary Harris a few years ago, but there have been more Matt Costello's than Jason Richardson's lately.
But Izzo has been able to supplement his recruiting shortfalls by taking on transfers, and to this point it's made a noticeable impact.
A few years back Brandon Wood filled a big role on a team that ended up disappointing, but would have severely struggled without him. Bryn Forbes has been a consistent scorer off the bench this season for them and yesterday, in a game where every basket was magnified, Forbes hit some long jumpers at key times.
Next season Eron Harris will be eligible and will fill out a backcourt that will have to do all of the heavy lifting with an offensively challenged frontcourt. They'll need all the scoring they can get from the wing positions when the starting 5 will almost certainly include offensive-minuses Lourawls Nairn and either Gavin Schilling or Matt Costello.
It's an interesting adjustment that Izzo has made that has kept his program relevant while recruiting has taken a noticeable downturn.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Anyhow, it seems like Izzo's recruiting pool has shrunk significantly over the past four years as he's routinely lost battles for elite NBA talent ever since the Payne/Appling class 5 years ago. He's still gotten solid players and he did snag Gary Harris a few years ago, but there have been more Matt Costello's than Jason Richardson's lately.
But Izzo has been able to supplement his recruiting shortfalls by taking on transfers, and to this point it's made a noticeable impact.
A few years back Brandon Wood filled a big role on a team that ended up disappointing, but would have severely struggled without him. Bryn Forbes has been a consistent scorer off the bench this season for them and yesterday, in a game where every basket was magnified, Forbes hit some long jumpers at key times.
Next season Eron Harris will be eligible and will fill out a backcourt that will have to do all of the heavy lifting with an offensively challenged frontcourt. They'll need all the scoring they can get from the wing positions when the starting 5 will almost certainly include offensive-minuses Lourawls Nairn and either Gavin Schilling or Matt Costello.
It's an interesting adjustment that Izzo has made that has kept his program relevant while recruiting has taken a noticeable downturn.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
