re: Ricardo Gathers to St. Johns

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I knew most LSU fans were already growing tired of Johnson, but I definitely didn't realize that the disdain for him was this strong.

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I disagree with all of them fwiw, regardless of this bit of terrible news.

My opinion is he needs to have a good season this year to keep his job. Signing or not signing Gathers shouldn't change that.

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".

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My opinion is he needs to have a good season this year to keep his job. Signing or not signing Gathers shouldn't change that.

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I agree with that sentiment, but if he even leaves a shadow of a doubt after this year than things like this will make a difference. Sure the administration will look at this year, but they're going to look at the future also.

I just think it is disheartening that fall is upon us and we can not think of 1 legit possibility for this signing class.

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I knew most LSU fans were already growing tired of Johnson, but I definitely didn't realize that the disdain for him was this strong.

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Alabama's quick progression has not helped with his popularity, imo.

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Yeah, but to be fair...didn't Johnny O'Bryant come out of left field?

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That's the only type I can think of now, someone whose tired of been slow-played by bigger programs and we get more involved with them. Although I don't think we'll be lucky enough to get another McDonald's All-American that way.

I definitely think that has hurt his popularity as well. We've turned it around fairly quickly and Grant just signed a top 7 class. Johnson just doesn't seem to show any fire, and that's what I think LSU lacks(besides talent).

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We've turned it around fairly quickly and Grant just signed a top 7 class.

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0 NCAA Tournament appearances = quick turnaround?

This should be your year though.

My bad. I see that he is a 2014 guy. I know nothing about him or really any of the guys from 2014, but I believe the only guy from that class that Duke has offered is Theo Pinson. And they evaluated some point guards but Victor wasn't one of them. I think the two I remember were Tyus Jones and Makai Mason, not that anyone cares about that.

Just looked up Victor, and he is a forward and in the top 20 on ESPN's list. No one else seems to be ranking guys that young, yet, but he seems to be the Gathers/Bridgewater for 2014.

We would have enough trouble competing against UK and UF WITH the best players in Louisiana.

If we cannot get them or national-level recruits here like Daddy Dale used to bring in, we don't have a chance.