As a reminder, we're trying to decide if the numbers
suggest another year for Fox is warranted, or whether it's time to go
in a different direction. I will deliver a verdict based on each
individual metric. Then at the end of this series, I'll give my opinion
as to whether or not Fox should be retained.
Today's metric: recruiting.
The numbers: I wasn't able to find comprehensive recruiting rankings for the years Fox has been at Georgia, so, unfortunately, opinion will have to leak in here. Instead of overall class rankings, we'll look at a list of hits and misses. Misses are high profile players that at least strongly considered playing for Fox at Georgia or players that Fox chose to sign that have not worked out.
Hits:
Hits:
- Gerald Robinson, Jr.
- Marcus Thornton
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Nemanja Djurisic
- Kenny Gaines
- Charles Mann
- Derrick Favors
- Jelan Kendrick
- Dwayne Polee
- Kevin Ware
- Tim Dixon
- John Cannon
- John Florveus
- Nick Jacobs
- Tony Parker
- Shaq Goodwin
- Robert Carter
- Evan Nolte
- Houston Kessler
- Kenny Paul Geno
The expectation: The state of Georgia is one of the most talent rich states there is when it comes to basketball. Don't believe me? Look for yourself. The distance from Atlanta certainly affects recruiting, but Georgia should still be able to pull in at least 1 top 100 player every season, and occasionally more.
The reality: The lists above are merely my opinion. Many may see Thornton as a miss, but as we begin to see his potential, it's clear how much the injuries hurt him. Kessler and Geno are young enough that they could turn into players, but I don't believe they were a good use of a scholarship based on what I've seen so far.
The fact that there are more misses than hits shouldn't be too alarming, either. That's reality for all but about 5 schools.
What is concerning is threefold: Mark Fox has only landed 1 top 100 player in his 5 years at Georgia (using the ESPN rankings), he currently has 0 commits from the class of 2014, and he has never signed an impact post player (unless you want to count Thornton, which is your prerogative, but he projected more as a tweener-forward).
Thornton, Gaines, and Mann are all wins for Fox. Morris, Frazier, and Parker have shown some good flashes this year, and they may make him look smart down the road. Djurisic was a nice find in the spring. However, any team with a solid post presence (Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky come to mind) quickly exposed Georgia's lack of size and talent in the paint.
The class of 2015 is another great one in the state. If Fox stays, he simply has to land 2 top 100 guys out of that class. If he can do so, the future may be bright in Athens. Unfortunately, history suggests none of those guys will be signing on the dotted line for UGA.
The fact that there are more misses than hits shouldn't be too alarming, either. That's reality for all but about 5 schools.
What is concerning is threefold: Mark Fox has only landed 1 top 100 player in his 5 years at Georgia (using the ESPN rankings), he currently has 0 commits from the class of 2014, and he has never signed an impact post player (unless you want to count Thornton, which is your prerogative, but he projected more as a tweener-forward).
Thornton, Gaines, and Mann are all wins for Fox. Morris, Frazier, and Parker have shown some good flashes this year, and they may make him look smart down the road. Djurisic was a nice find in the spring. However, any team with a solid post presence (Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky come to mind) quickly exposed Georgia's lack of size and talent in the paint.
The class of 2015 is another great one in the state. If Fox stays, he simply has to land 2 top 100 guys out of that class. If he can do so, the future may be bright in Athens. Unfortunately, history suggests none of those guys will be signing on the dotted line for UGA.
The verdict*: Fire him.
* Again, the verdict is based only on this metric, and only at this point in time.
h/t Deadspin
h/t Deadspin
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