I agree, so just to further your point Kareem's last year in the NBA was 1989, don't we say the same thing about recruits remembering the 89 fighting Illini team? Doesn't hurt, just not the same impact as having a team in the final four last year.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)
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I agree, so just to further your point Kareem's last year in the NBA was 1989, don't we say the same thing about recruits remembering the 89 fighting Illini team? Doesn't hurt, just not the same impact as having a team in the final four last year.
Yeah, you quoted before my edit, I was thinking of the 1995 FF. And again, it's not about whether UCLA is a great program or not, it's just not that important of a fact to many recruits. They watch more NBA than college and UCLA's status doesn't carry much more weight than Arizona, MSU or a bunch of other programs that don't have the same history as UCLA.
And yet they generally out-recruit those programs, both of which have pretty storied histories themselves. This despite facilities and athletic department leadership being persistent problems, which has hurt them in seeking coaches.
UCLA will be just fine.
Thanks for adding to my point.
I think a couple of us are making the same point and using different examples to argue its merit.
Deleted member 175495
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I think Westbrook would be a bigger draw for kids today than the old guard.... IMHO
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
I have no doubt that recruits do not not view things the way I do. I declined to attend UCLA when I had the chance, but top recruits have always flocked there, regardless of the coach. You don't need a "foggy old brain" to recognize that. You just need to open your eyes. There are 14 current NBA players from UCLA, including stars like Russell Westbrook and Kevon Love. You can keep insulting me, but that won't change the facts.
This is what I disagreed with (and still do):
You went way off the rails after that.
But we're way OT and I just leave it at that.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
My kid loves his xbox one, and has actually picked up on some NFL history because you can play and trade all time greats. Not sure if you can do the same for these older college hoops games on the 360, but what a great platform for teaching sports history... 
http://m.gamestop.com/product/xbox-360/games/ncaa-basketball-2010/75473
http://m.gamestop.com/product/xbox-360/games/ncaa-basketball-2010/75473
I think any fan of college hoops can tell you Steve Alford is an average coach at best, however, UCLA has this incoming freshman named Lonzo Ball who will lead them to the Pac 12 title and tourney runs as long as he is there in spite of Alford. Wilkes may want to play with him.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
Yeah, OK. The most titles in the history of the sport and it has nothing to do with the their status as a program. It must be the bikinis. That makes a lot more sense.
You'd have a point if "status of the program" was the topic.
Agreed. However, at the elite level where kids realistically are looking at scholarships and possible NBA aspirations, there's maybe a 25% chance that 3 and 4 are swapped.
Chieftain13
- StL
KSDK (STL NBC affiliate) sportscaster Frank Cusumano tweeted that he believes SLU basketball fans are about to get some good news regarding Jordan Goodwin FWIW.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
Status of the program is directly related to recruiting. Keep trying dude. Maybe you can manage to address the topic instead of resorting to personal attacks.
Deleted member 10676
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Doubt Ball will still be around for Wilkes. And even with Leaf and Ball coming in my money would be on Alford not getting a Pac 12 title. If he does, maybe he can get that extension back he gave up after last year's face-plant.
Of course it is, that's not being debated. What was being discussed is its importance among all of the factors a recruit considers. And specifically those 11 dusty banners.
I am. And I haven't "attacked" you, so relax.
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
This is true. For perspective, I graduated HS in 1966. 27 years prior to that would have been 1939. The only athletes from that period or earlier we knew, or cared about, were probably Jesse Owens, Babe Ruth
and maybe Red Grange. Anything else was just ancient history.
Guess the key to the program argument worked. That really sucks.
I think Russell Westbrook and even Kevin Love still would be pretty big draws. Hell even Matt Barnes is still revered for his street cred.
Edit: I see this has and is still being covered.
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As I said, UCLA will be just fine.
Illinifanatic4ever
- Orange & Blue Blood in my Veins
If he does go to SLU hope he announces soon so we don't lose out on some other prospects.
NEXT!
Im pretty sure Groce et al already know and are moving on appropriately....as an aside, downstaters used to be a virtual lock..wtf
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