Final Thoughts on Nerlens Noel

Been following recruiting since 2000, and if I had to rank the top circus like recruitments involving SU. It would be 1) Hodge 2) Noel 3) Tobias. More surprised than shock that he choose Kentucky, and now I learned that you can never count Calipari out no matter what you've been told. I know some people dismissed Thamel's tweet about Noel not qualifying and I have no doubt that UK will take care of that. Just remember that Noel's camp has mentioned playing for pay overseas for the past few years. So I wouldn't be surprise if another Brandon Jennings situation comes about.

Now back to Syracuse. Below is an early prediction for what I believe the 2013 class could look like:

PG-Ennis
SG-Stanford Robinson/BPA (best player available)
SF-Rondae Jefferson
PF-Goodluck/Tyler Roberson
C-Anya/Obokoh/BPA

Currently I feel good about Ennis and Robinson (if he gets offered) but nothing is a lock. The Jefferson and Anya recruitments could become our yearly circuses. I'm also interested to see how Goodluck plays without Noel by his side.

The kid we need the most is Ennis, a quality PG with great handle and passing skills that makes his teammates better. Guard has to be our priority, because barring anyone far surpassing expectations, and going pro early, our front court will be set for 13-14 (depth is great, but CJ/Rak/DC/BMK/Grant should be more than adequate). We will have only MCW to play PG in 13-14 and nobody if he were to blow up and leave early. The NN circus shows why JB usually doesn't go after the top 5 type recruits. You have to deal with a sewer full of cheats and lowlifes with lots of drama and it usually ends up a waste of time. We do much better with the #15-50 ranked kids.

Just have to move on. Remember after Hodge we got Warrick, and then Carmelo committed for the next class. We'll survive without Noel, but I really feel bad for Mike Hopkins. He built a strong genuine relationship with Noel, which I know for a fact that nobody else on the other staffs had, but unfortunately in the end it wasn't good enough to get him to come here. The staff has a target list for 2013-2015 which is already golden. We just have to get back to locking these kids up early. SU isn't currently built to win these long drag-em out battles, where parents/handlers are looking for the highest bidder by the deadline.