UNC and Duke in general don't really get beat by anyone for recruits. They always play the "if I give you an offer, are you going to accept it?" game.

5/17/2011 11:53:36 AM

UNC/Duke also will have more opportunities than us for getting top recruits from around the nation. geography has never seemed to be an issue.

they do pull in their share of NC recruits, but overall even we have shied away from in-state players and our best talent has left the state of NC if they don't go to Duke or UNC

5/17/2011 11:59:38 AM

I hope Graham knows how excited we are to land him and not just because he could help us land Purvis.

Just Lewis and Graham would make a hell of a back court. That would take all the pressure off of Vandy.

5/17/2011 12:12:59 PM

in my opinion, Graham is a better pick than Purvis

5/17/2011 12:21:51 PM

^If you're talking more about longevity and not pure talent, then he absolutely is.

I'd love to get Purvis, but you can't fault him if he winds up at Duke. TJ Warren would be a hell of a consolation prize.

5/17/2011 12:27:47 PM

exactly

5/17/2011 12:31:39 PM

Quote :

"honest question: when was the last time we battled w/ Duke for someone(that they wanted bad) and won?"

Shavlik Randolph?

oh wait, I didnt see the "and won?" part. that was the last person that I can remember who we competed with them head to head for

[Edited on May 17, 2011 at 12:35 PM. Reason : asdf]

5/17/2011 12:34:35 PM

Hodge said he'd let Warren wear #24 like his Dad did. Not that he really has a choice in the matter and there were other great 24s before him, but still a cool endorsement.

5/17/2011 12:34:59 PM

^I saw that too...and wondered why Hodge would have any say in the matter. Hodge's jersey isn't retired, just honored.

5/17/2011 12:57:59 PM

Because he's just fucking around. Kind of obvious.

5/17/2011 12:58:50 PM

I think he was asked too prompting a yes response. I don't think he just came out and stated that.

5/17/2011 1:08:36 PM

^^I know Hodge was just playing around...I was talking more about the guy who asked the question to Hodge. But , ^ kind of explained it.

[Edited on May 17, 2011 at 1:56 PM. Reason : ]

5/17/2011 1:56:03 PM

Quote :

"rpurvis_44 Rodney Purvis Everyone go follow @TorianG4, one of the best players I know, he's my brother for life. He did his thing on THE BUZZ this morning!! #gopack "

5/17/2011 5:51:43 PM

I don't keep up as much as some of you with the recruiting stuff, but it seems like Graham and Purvis are pretty similar players. Normally, I'd think Graham committing would dissuade Purvis from doing likewise.

But maybe seeing similar players thrive together (Ellis/Curry, Wade/James, Jordan/Drexler might make that school of thought archaic anyway.

5/17/2011 7:45:28 PM

Quote :

"N.C. State lands prized local recruit Raleigh Word of God's Torian Graham is rated the 25th-best player in the class of 2012. By J.P. RALEIGH The first day new N.C. State basketball coach Mark Gottfried was allowed to talk to recruits, he called Raleigh Word of God's Torian Graham. The timing of the call in early April made a big impression on Graham, one of the top recruits in the country who made a verbal commitment to the Wolfpack on Monday. "He told me I was their top priority," Graham said. "That meant a lot to me." Graham, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, is rated the 25th-best player in the class of 2012 by Scout.com and 45th by ESPN's Dave Telep. He averaged about 19 points per game as a junior. Gottfried, who was hired on April 5 to replace Sidney Lowe, has four scholarships available for this season and one more will open up after the season. The Wolfpack is also pursuing Graham's prep teammate T.J. Warren, a forward, and Graham's close friend, guard Rodney Purvis of Raleigh's Upper Room Academy. "I'm going to get (Purvis) and a couple of more," Graham said. "I can recruit now." Graham exchanged Twitter posts with Purvis on Monday about teaming up for the Wolfpack for the 2012-13 season. Purvis, who is ranked as one of the top 10 players in the class of 2012, recently decommitted to Louisville and opened up his recruiting options. Graham, who's from Durham and played his first two high school seasons at Hillside, joins Tyler Lewis, a point guard from Lewisville, as commitments from the class of 2012. Lorenzo Brown, who will be a sophomore, is the only guard on the roster for the 2011-12 season. Telep said Graham will provide immediate backcourt help in what will be Gottfried's second season. "Torian Graham has the DNA of a scorer," said Telep, who's ESPN's top recruiting analyst. "The Pack is going to need a guy who can get a bucket and he's certainly able to create scoring chances off the dribble or as a shooter." Gottfried made his mark at Alabama as a top recruiter landing future NBA stars Mo Williams and Gerald Wallace. Graham said he felt comfortable right away with Gottfried. "He's like a brother and a coach," Graham said. "We were on the same page." Miami, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgetown and Rutgers were among the schools in pursuit of Graham. "

5/18/2011 1:58:49 AM

I hope Gottfried isn't a brother like Sid was a friend. That didn't turn out so well.

Though it's cool that Gottfried can achieve brother status in a little over a month. He's a hell of a recruiter that's for sure.

Was Graham even looking at us while Sid was here?

5/18/2011 3:09:54 AM

^yes but I don't think he would have closed the deal w/ kentucky looming but i could be wrong.

5/18/2011 8:42:10 AM

Quote :

"I don't keep up as much as some of you with the recruiting stuff, but it seems like Graham and Purvis are pretty similar players. Normally, I'd think Graham committing would dissuade Purvis from doing likewise. "

They're both "big" shooting guards...so I can see us going with a three guard lineup with one of those playing the three. Graham is 6'5" and would need to put on some weight to guard the 3, but Purvis is a beast at 6'4".

Duke and Nova have proven very successful with putting a lot of guards on the floor at the same time.

5/18/2011 8:58:35 AM

Alex Johnson - transfer w/ ability to play right away -- on campus today

http://www.gorunners.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13300&ATCLID=205029217

stats for the year:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=37385



http://www.bakersfield.com/news/sports/csub/x1207226167/Runners-sign-2-players-may-lose-Johnson

^

Quote :

"Barnes said Johnson is looking at "playing at a higher level" and pursuing his master's in an academic program not offered at CSUB. "Alex's reason is a legit situation, but he hasn't left yet," Barnes said. "But you have to prepare for that." Johnson ranked third among CSUB scorers last season with a 13.3 average and had a team-high 79 3-pointers, the third-most 3s in a single season by a CSUB player in the program's history. He is No. 2 on CSUB's all-time career list with 165 3s."

[Edited on May 18, 2011 at 9:44 AM. Reason : df]

5/18/2011 9:22:24 AM

Quote :

"Rodney Purvis of Raleigh's Upper Room Academy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxP1Z-a2Yn4

[Edited on May 18, 2011 at 9:32 AM. Reason : Q]

5/18/2011 9:28:47 AM

Quote :

"I hope Gottfried isn't a brother like Sid was a friend. "

I think he has made it pretty clear it's his way or the highway. It's fine to be a friend as long as you are still looked at as the authority--that was Sid's downfall.

5/18/2011 9:36:02 AM

This Johnson kid sounds PERFECT. We need someone to spell Brown for 10-15 minutes a game. What better than a collegiate three year starter who can shoot the three?? Then he's out of here when wave of guards start to come in the next three years.

Next on the list...recruiting big men for '12/13.

5/18/2011 10:24:49 AM

^ i like that the kid was a starter but let's not forget our history with Johnson's (twss)

5/18/2011 10:28:20 AM

^^ i'm not in love w/ a guy shooting 35% at cal state binghamton.

5/18/2011 11:03:48 AM

^Except for Howell (who doesn't count), that's 7% better than anyone else on our team not-named Scott Wood.

So we should take what we can get. And he's a 3-year starting point guard in college basketball. We don't really have any other options. We DESPERATELY NEED A BACKUP POINT GUARD.

5/18/2011 11:09:01 AM

^^Don't think anyone would be looking at him as a savior. But, I would rather play him at point than Wood or Raymond.

5/18/2011 11:21:51 AM

Quote :

"Johnson is a communications major at CSUB whose career goal is to work for ESPN"

I'd like to think Gottfried will use his ESPN connections to get him some interviews as an enticing chip for him to come here

5/18/2011 11:25:11 AM

Clip with highlights and interview from some local clown. "It's all good!"

http://www.turnto23.com/video/26066589/index.html

5/18/2011 11:26:47 AM

Highlights with some Bob Saget era AFHV quality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH9QGbJn6as&feature=related

5/18/2011 11:33:36 AM

pretty low assist to to ratio too but hey just need somebody to for a year to take a few minutes and its better than throwing a scholarship at a freshman with no experience

5/18/2011 11:34:04 AM

Exactly.

5/18/2011 11:52:22 AM

^^also i believe this would be a situation Gottfried prefers. he mentioned earlier that it's important to bring in the right players, not just throw a scholly at a guy because you have a need and he's available. seems like with where the program is right now this guy is an ideal fit.

5/18/2011 12:30:51 PM

Reading that it's between us and Florida State.

5/18/2011 12:35:01 PM

#5 recruiting class in 2012 according to Rivals:

Quote :

"The future looks bright, at least in the backcourt, for new North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried. Five-star shooting guard Torian Graham is a high level athlete with tons of potential. Lewis is the ultimate playmaking point guard who can both score and dish the rock. "

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1223142

5/18/2011 2:10:18 PM

hahah UNC is #6

suck it

5/18/2011 2:38:33 PM

There is NO downside to a guy like Johnson. Is he better than a walk-on? Sign him up. 1 yr to play 1 is about as perfect a situation we could get w/ regards to recruiting.

You don't just sign a guy that's going to take a bench seat for 4 yrs, but this guy's gone next year.

5/18/2011 2:41:09 PM

Quote :

"NC State signed Thomas DeThay, a forward out of Belgium. He's 6-8 and is a member of the Pack's class."

Per Dave Telep

[Edited on May 18, 2011 at 2:47 PM. Reason : class of 2011]

5/18/2011 2:46:35 PM

Quote :

"rpurvis_44 Rodney Purvis My favorite player college this coming season is Lorenzo Brown !!!!!! "

5/18/2011 2:46:41 PM

^^What's the word on this guy? Shooter, post player...?

5/18/2011 2:49:56 PM

^ yeah really. never heard of him. i thought we need a center not a forward

5/18/2011 2:51:01 PM

tj warren i'd say is 80% going to commit to us. that would push us to top 3 i think and if purvis signs, we'd most definitely have the #1 class in the country.

5/18/2011 2:53:13 PM

De Thaey list lol

http://sport.be.msn.com/antwerpgiants/nl/nieuws/ploegennieuws/article.html?Article_ID=398369

Quote :

"Favorites: Pet: hond Drink: ice-tea, cola Food: pizza, kip, pasta Actress: Angelina Jolie Actor: Denzel Washington Movie: The green mile TV-program: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, My wife and kids Male singer: Jay-Z Female singer: Beyonce Music: Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap Sportsman: Michael Jordan Sportswoman: Kim Clijsters Favorite BB-player: Kobe Bryant Ambition: Europese top spelen Dream: Doorbreken bij Antwerp Giants. Dit moet mijn eerste stap in mijn carrière "

[Edited on May 18, 2011 at 2:55 PM. Reason : njkl]

5/18/2011 2:54:33 PM

the media would never allow that to happen

(the ranking, not necessarily the players coming)

5/18/2011 2:54:52 PM

And I say this with all due respect................what an ugly motherfucker.

5/18/2011 2:55:28 PM

^LOL

Quote :

" TV-program: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, My wife and kids"

Fresh Prince is funny, but I've always hated My Wife and Kids...

[Edited on May 18, 2011 at 2:56 PM. Reason : ]

5/18/2011 2:55:44 PM

Reads like a black kid from Yonkers, except for the last two

Quote :

"Favorites: Pet: hond Drink: ice-tea, cola Food: pizza, kip, pasta Actress: Angelina Jolie Actor: Denzel Washington Movie: The green mile TV-program: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, My wife and kids Male singer: Jay-Z Female singer: Beyonce Music: Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap Sportsman: Michael Jordan Sportswoman: Kim Clijsters Favorite BB-player: Kobe Bryant Ambition: Europese top spelen Dream: Doorbreken bij Antwerp Giants. Dit moet mijn eerste stap in mijn carrière zijn. "

5/18/2011 2:58:19 PM

Quote :

"Mark_Gottfried Mark Gottfried Glad to have Thomas de Thaey running with the Pack. Power forward on Belgium National team has signed LOI. "

5/18/2011 2:58:47 PM

Quote :

"18.4 Points per game 6.8 Rebounds per game 0.9 Assists per game"

From the U20 European Championship website

5/18/2011 2:58:48 PM

I won't get excited if we get the best recruiting class of all time until I see actual results.

5/18/2011 3:00:04 PM

First read that as

Quote :

"Power forward on Belgium National team has signed LOL."

5/18/2011 3:00:28 PM