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Link Below. I am using Xavier's 2019 recruiting class as an example because to me it is the ideal recruiting class for the Big East. You have 5 kids coming in (I usually think 3 or 4 is enough every year but that is besides the point here), 4 out of the 5 are Top 150 kids, and 2 out of those 4 are 4 star recruits. The last recruit is a 3 star big man who is still a Top 250 kid, plus as the saying goes, you can't teach size, always nice to land a big guy with potential.

These were the types of recruiting classes that Jay Wright built his program with. You are getting solid kids, but you aren't getting the one-and-dones with their eye on the league. You get consistent classes like this and these kids buy into the program and stick around for 3 or 4 years, and you will be a constant Top 20 / Sweet 16 team. There is no doubt. When these kids stick together, and play together for a few years, and develop together, they gel together, and then you get the Senior leadership that a program like Villanova thrives on.

When I make comments to St. John's fans about how I feel that building your program on transfers is not the way to build a program, it is not because I am taking a shot at St. John's, it is just because getting the kids right out of High School who buy into your program, grow in your program, and then lead your program, it is a much different ballgame than when you are relying on kids who haven't played with each other that long and are just coming in to play for 2 years. I just don't think you will ever build a consistent team that way. A good year here or there? Sure, but very hard to stay consistent.

To conclude, congrats to Xavier on this tremendous class. It should be an example to all Big East programs of the type of class you want your coach to pull in every year. If Steele continues to pull in classes like this on a consistent basis, Xavier will be a Top Big East team for the foreseeable future.

https://247sports.com/college/xavier/Se ... l/Targets/

Hey Chest,

Definitely don't take your comments about SJU as potshots. I agree with you 100%. I think SJU has been in a bit of a "chicken and egg" situation in that, we are losing out on high school prospects who don't necessarily have the confidence in our coaching staff since we've been pretty bad since Chris came aboard. I think this is why we've had to go heavily after transfers. I am really hoping that if we can have a strong finish and a trip to the tourney this year, the perception may change. I was really encouraged by our signing of Nate Tabor. He is a 2020 signee and ranked #58 by ESPN for that class. I'm hoping that he becomes a pied piper and we get some other top 100/150 high school players to commit. Transfers are great to fill holes, they shouldn't be the "Plan A".

And yes, congrats Xavier! You guys are killing it.....

Xavier isn't done yet. Look for at least one, possibly as many as three more recruits for next season.

To the specific point of sticking around, jelling together and learning to play as a cohesive team, beyond the obvious example of Nova, look at what Loyola accomplished last year.

After Top 10 picks.....It is literally like the NFL Draft......AKA....50....50.....

MU has top 50 kids that have developed......and kids that have left after 2 years never to be heard of again.....

Continued success is getting 3 top 100 kids every year and having 2 of the 3 develop....Sprinkle in a grad transfer for a miss or a hole and you have a "continued" success strategy.....

This is what NOVA has been doing over the past 8ish years with great success....

I think 'Nova's 2 5-Star, 2 4-star 2019 class is the ideal Big East recruiting class, but maybe that isn't realistic.

Strong coaching and player development needs to be the hallmark of our league. None of our schools, including 'Nova, will ever consistently get pre-made NBA players. We need to feast on top 100 talent who stay four years and develop within programs with strong cultures. Part of that is paying coaches well enough that we don't lose them to "bigger" leagues in order to develop that continuity.

ChestRockwell85 wrote:Link Below. I am using Xavier's 2019 recruiting class as an example because to me it is the ideal recruiting class for the Big East. You have 5 kids coming in (I usually think 3 or 4 is enough every year but that is besides the point here), 4 out of the 5 are Top 150 kids, and 2 out of those 4 are 4 star recruits. The last recruit is a 3 star big man who is still a Top 250 kid, plus as the saying goes, you can't teach size, always nice to land a big guy with potential.

The big guy, Dieonte Miles, has a ton of potential and just broke onto the scene recently, so he may move up in the rankings a little before the end of the year. he just had a 37 pts/9 rbs/ 6blks game. i'm excited about him.

this is a great class. hopefully travis puts it all together

side note. as someone else said we're probably not done adding. travis was just out in california trying to close out zach harvey. still looking at him, harlond beverly, and ben roderick. we need as many scorers as we can get our hands on.

what's remarkable about Nova is that Dylan Painter was the only recruit since 12 class to transfer out of the program. Everyone who's been recruited since 2012 has contributed to their success.

it's not just about how many 3 stars or 4 stars you get. it's about getting the 'right' players who are fully committed and willing to put in the work.