re: Ricardo Gathers to St. Johns

I agree that we won't get Reese, Rose, or Pollard. I am curious who we will get because I really don't see many viable options.

Other names that we are connected to are Robert Upshaw, Zach Banner, Wannah Bail (doubtful), Shaq Goodwin (no shot, he'll go to Memphis), Twymond Howard (Georgetown?), and that's really about it.

As for Gathers, here is my take, which has been pretty much the same from the beginning. People on this board are overrating him in one way, but underrating him another. He is not a program savior or a one and done type of talent. However, he is actually the kind of guy who could stick around 4 years and be a great contributor for his team. Think of Tasmin Mitchell, but not quite as good (imo) and with less of a definite position. He would have been great for LSU, but I doubt he could have saved Johnson's job by himself.

He lacks a wing's game and can't shoot very well, but he has the build to be an excellent undersized 4. Undersized 4's along with unathletic shooters, pass-first point guards, and raw wing forwards with great defense are the most under-valued guys in college ball. Unless you are Kentucky, you want to pick up these guys because guys like DeJuan Blair, Jon Diebler, Lance Thomas, and Jacque Vaughn will do a hell of a lot more for your program than BJ Mullens, Jrue Holiday, or Josh Selby.

Unfortunately, in games that actually count (not AAU games) Gathers isn't as physical as he should be and tends to play to his weaknesses. Bridgewater seems better to me right now because he at least likes to play inside more, but obviously Gathers has room to improve, and both players are very for a viable LSU team in 2-3 years.

It's tough to gauge them both though since they are in 2-A against less than amazing competition. Plus Bridgewater plays on a Houston AAU team with the best combo guard in 2011 (Rasheed Sulaimon going to Duke), and two very good point guards (Rose and Reese), so of course he will put up awesome stats.

As for Felix, if he holds a Duke offer, that is news to Blue Devil Nation, Scout, Rivals, Duke Basketball Report, Jim Sumner, Mark Watson, and anyone else who follows the team I think Shabazz Muhammed is the only player in 2012 that Duke is even recruiting right now who is under 6'7".